Changing it up!

People who know me know I have serious issues with spending money on clothes.. I either buy a LOT and end up regretting the bad choices in clothes I made OR I just buy nothing and my close friends over the years have constantly provided me hand-me-downs. I am the youngest of 3 children so the excitement of receiving these second hand items is ingrained in my very being.

Fellow wolverine Kimberley is a perfect example of one of the many people who provide me goodies - However her hand-me-downs are often in perfect condition and barely touched... the joys of working in the fashion industry!

My bank account is drying out this month after a busy summer and instead of being able to buy new things I dug up a few garments and my sewing machine and set to work...

My first items were: A hand-me-down singlet from my friend Hechan (This must be at LEAST a few years old now, a bit out of shape but I still love to wear it!). I always wore this singlet tucked into high waisted pants or skirts but found it was too long and so sometimes looked a bit strange... Next was my awesome acid-wash high waisted jeans I got from my lovely friend Erika and her store Vintage-Me. These jeans either shrunk or my legs have got fatter... so to the point they no longer are comfortable to wear and I am always scared I am going to split them!

So I made the grey singlet a crop top with a pocket made from the left over denim from my jeans. I love high waisted pants so I just chopped off the tight legs on my jeans and now they are a pair of nice shorts for the summer!

It wasn't till after I made the alterations that Kimberley told me to blog about it, so I apologise for the 'Before' photos! I just had to dig up what I could find!

My second item: A play-suit bought from a second-hand store in Toulouse, France with my friend Raukura. I LOVE this playsuit and have worn it so much over the past few years that it started to get a bit raggy looking. From the beginning this playsuit was quite a lot too big for me but I didn't mind at all. Now I have taken the floppy sleeves off and hemmed it with a blue ribbon. I also took it in quite a bit from the 2 front seams. I love it!!

Get creative this summer and save your money I say!!

Facial steam - What is it really doing?

Since I started my adventure in natural cosmetics and remedies I have been giving myself a facial steam on a weekly basis. At first I didn't really like it and found it hard to relax breathing in this hot air under towel, but now I have learnt to really enjoy it and my skin has definitely seen the benefits.

Steam encourages the pores of the skin to perspire and breathe which allows moisture to seep to deeper layers of your skin. It relaxes muscle tissues, plumps those wrinkles, brings oxygenated blood to the surface of you skin and boosts circulation.

If you are feel like your skin is lacking some shine and glow I would really suggest doing a simple facial steam - I convinced my boyfriend to give it a go yesterday and he absolutely LOVED it.

Do not underestimate the STEAM..

Ingredients:
3 cups water
1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar
Crushed fennel seeds
rosemary
lavender

A little bit of info about the ingredients...
Apple cider vinegar is used in this steam purely for its properties of bringing the skin to its natural pH level and leaves the skin nice and soft. Fennel seeds when used in a steam have hydrating benefits and also smell divine. Lavender for its relaxing aroma and has a natural calming effect on our central nervous system. Rosemary is known to have cell-regenerating properties as well antiseptic properties.

Method:
1. boil the water and vinegar together.
2. Take off heat and add fennel seeds and herbs.
3. Place lid on the pot and leave to brew for 5 minutes
4. Place a large towel over your head and shoulders, creating a tent with the pot underneath
5. Immerse your face in the steam (about 20cm away from water)
6. Stay like this for 10 minutes.
7. Cool your face off with luke warm water and pat dry.
8. Always a great idea to follow this with a face mask.

The face mask I chose after this facial steam was similar to my previous banana concoction which I thought was a great idea after a long weekend in the sun... My skin needed some extra hydration!

Ingredients:
1/2 Banana
2 Tbsp Cream
1 tsp Apricot Kernel Oil

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Apply to face and recline as this face mask does not really dry and can drip if you are not careful!
3. Leave on for 20 minutes and then remove with a face cloth.

Happy steaming!

p.s If you have any direct concerns or are unsure whether this would suit your skin type please feel free to contact me and I may be able to suggest something more suitable :)

X

Baby Bump Cream - Coconut and Apricot

I have a very close friend of mine (Sister from another mister) who is expecting her little baby girl to arrive in March.. You may remember I was knitting some bootees a few months back in preparation, you can see that here.

Since I have started making potions for the body I have been thinking over and over about making something that contains Vitamin E oil so that pregnant friends of mine may use this on their bellies during the incubating months.

Here is a recipe I made especially for my lovely Ona - However it is a very basic cream and I think all pregnant ladies would love this :)

This recipe makes approximately 2 small jars full.

Ingredients:

4 Tbl Apricot Kernal Oil
4 Tbl Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
2 Tbl Beeswax
2 Tbl Vitamin E Oil
1 Tbl Cocobutter
1/2 tsp Pure Lanolin
10 Tbl Water
2 tsp Vegetable glycerin
30 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Method:

1. In a double boiler over a very low temperature melt together the apricot oil, coconut oil, beeswax, vitamin E oil, cocobutter and lanolin. Once the beeswax has completely melted take off heat and leave to cool.
2. At the same time measure out the water and vegetable glycerin into a separate pot and also place on a very low heat and stir till the two ingredients mix together. Take off heat.
3. Now with both pots off the elements, let them cool for approximately 10 minutes. you will notice the oil mixture will start to go a cloudy colour.
4. In a food processor quickly scrap the oil mixture in place the lid on (but remove the centre piece), and set the processor to a slow speed.
5. The oil mix will start to thicken.
6. Slowly pour the vegetable glycerin mix through the whole in the lid and keep the processer on at a low speed.
7. It should all mix together and make a creamy white lotion.
8. Take off speed and add the sweet orange.
9. Mix through and then turn the processor on a slow spin for the last time.
10. Remove and scrap into jars.
11. Let the cream completely cool before placing the lids on.

This is a delicious cream!

Enjoy x

Birthday celebrations

On the 11th of January it was the 25th birthday of fellow wolverine Kimberley !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY!

On the 11th we went on a fabulous boat cruise around the Auckland Harbor with a bunch of friends who could make it - It was a very eventful evening including ripping out a couple of moves on the disco dance floor.. photos below.

The weekend just passed, we decided to get away and celebrate Kimmys birthday outside of Auckland so we packed our bags & chilli bins and drove up on Friday evening to Kai iwi Lakes. We had a primo spot with a massive house looking over the lake. It was a perfect weekend full of fantastic food, sunshine, kayaking, golf and facials.

The ladies on the holiday were brave enough to try out some of my face masks! Photos and recipes below :)

Facials:

First of all the ladies all cleansed their faces with an almond and sunflower seed mix wetted to a paste with water, they then had a choice of 2 face masks depending on their skin type:

1. Banana smoothie face-mask

Skin type: Normal to dry/dehydrated skin

Ingredients: Buttermilk & Banana

Buttermilk helps to clear and brighten skin as it contains lactic acid which helps remove hyper-pigmented cells. And banana serves as a nourishing and moisturising ingredient, a non-abrasive exfoliant also with skin lightening action. It is good for all skin types especially dry skin :)

1. Deep cleanse mask

Skin type: Oily to normal skin

Ingredients: Almonds (crushed), sunflower seeds (crushed), rolled oats (crushed), almond oil & tomato flesh (seeds and skin removed). 

Almonds are high in emollients and work as a good exfoliant, also works as a gentle bleaching agent to even skin tone. Sunflower seeds are rich in essential fatty acids, emollients and nutrients - makes a good moisturiser and is very gentle, fantastic for exfoliation. Rolled oats are soothing to irritated skin and also makes a gentle abrasive base for the face mask. Almond oil (I use this religiously every day) is high in fatty acids and penetrates the skin well. Lastly tomatoes are high in anti-oxidants and are great on inflamed or blemished skin.

All ingredients used - the mixes can be prepared in advance!

Cleansing with an almond mix

Helping each other apply the mask

The girls relaxing as their masks work magic!

Even Porsche wanted to join in!  

Amazing meal prepared by Jess to top off a perfect day at the lake :)

More good food the next day

Thank you very much ladies! X

Sunday morning facial

After 2 nights out and 1 of them where I ended up being rather sick.. I decided that my poor body not only needed a bit of a detox but my skin was feeling tired and drawn so I decided to go about creating a morning facial.

It is very simple to follow and I found all ingredients already present in my house so I do hope those of you who like it will be able to re-create it easily in your own homes!

I would recommend this for all skin types but especially for those needed a bit of hydration after a hard week or busy weekend.

So the complete facial consists of:

Cleanser
Facial steam
Mask
Moisturiser

1. Cleanser
This is a very basic simple recipe but also acts as an exfoliant to the skin. This is not a cleanser to be stored but rather just make the amount you want to use and discard anything left over.

1. In a food processer whizz 3-4 whole almonds (raw), only pulse maybe 4-5 times as you have to be careful with almonds not to process them to a butter!
2. Put the processed almonds in a small mixing bowl and add 1 tsp of milk, mix until it makes a spreadable paste
3. Leave for a minute to thicken.
4. Massage into your face using your fingers for a couple of minutes.
5. Rinse off face and lightly pay-dry your face with a towel.

2. Facial steam
You can change the ingredients of this steam according to what you prefer and required for your skin. I am using Apple Cider Vinegar in this recipe as it helps to restore the natural pH level in your skin.

1. Boil 3 cups of water with 1/4 cup of Apple Cider vinegar in a pot.
2. Once boiled take off heat and add 3-4 lavender heads, 3 tsps of fresh rosemary, 3 sprigs of fresh mint.
3. Place the lid on the pot and let it brew for 5 minutes.
4. Get a large towel and place it over your head and shoulders so that it covers the pot also (creating a tent like structure), breathe in deeply and relax.
5. Stay like this for 10 minutes and enjoy the relaxing smells..

3. Mask
With this recipe I make up a great lot of the dried mix and just add 1-2 tsp of the mix with cream as I go. So just beware that this recipe makes a bit and can be stored in a zip-lock bag for months.

1. Whizz in the food processer 1/4 cup of rolled oats, 5-6 whole almonds (un-roasted) and 1/8 cup of sunflower seeds. Process till it makes a chunky powder - It does not have to be perfect!
2. Place the processed mix into a mixing bowl and add 2 tsp of finely chopped rosemary leaves and a small dash of cinnamon
3. Put in a zip-lock bag for storage
4. Mix 3 tsp of the mix with 1-2 tsp of cream so that it makes a spreadable paste - leave to thicken
5. Spread all over your face and neck and leave for 20 minutes
6. Rinse your face well!

4. Moisturiser
This is a very basic moisturiser which I use all day long - it is so refreshing through this hot weather and smells so good :) You can purchase Vegetable glycerin from Huckleberry Farms, this product is a carbohydrate derived from plant oils and helps to replenish the moisture in your skin.

1. In a jar place 1/2 cup of water, 2 tsp vegetable glycerin and 6 drops of lemon essential oil
2. Shake well and put in a facial spray container.
3. Every time you use this shake it well before spraying on your face.

Fresh and clean!

Strawberries!

It has come to my attention that Strawberries are more potent and useful than I originally thought!

Did you know that Strawberries have healing and drying properties? Well I didn't! It contains a very gentle exfoliating acid which can be used on your skin to get rid of dead-skin that may build-up - sounds grosse I know but very real on any face!

I also once read years ago in a women's magazine an article about Catherine Zeta-Jones allegedly rubbing strawberries on her teeth as a whitener. Turns out this is not a whole of rubbish and that strawberries do contain a bleaching property also which if used daily can help us all get rid of the fearful coffee stains!

Here in New Zealand strawberries are currently in season and you can pick them up so cheap from the supermarket or fruit store - So go spend a dollar or so and try this easy method - eating a few strawberries daily will also do you justice and is also an easy way to make sure you have your fruit intake!

So here I share with you 2 recipes; one a simple face wash for oily-normal skin and an easy strawbug-bleach-brush!

Strawberry cleanser:

This is not to be stored and just made as needed :) I have used Lemon essential oil as it contains acidic properties that help to eliminate oily conditions of the face and leave it feeling so fresh and so clean clean! Lemon also contains a mild bleach which if used regularly can help to even skin tone.


Ingredients
4-5 strawberries (make sure these are super ripe and easy to mash!)
1-2 drops of lemon essential oil

Method
Mash the strawberries in a small bowl
Strain through a small sieve or coffee filter
Taking just the liquid remaining add the lemon essence
Apply to the face and neck with a cotton pad and massage into skin
Rinse and pat-dry your skin - NEVER dry your skin vigorously as this is very delicate and can be damaged easily!

Strawbug-bleach-brush:

Ingredients
Strawberries

Method
You can work this recipe simultaneously with the cleanser and use the juicy pulp left over
Put some on your toothbrush and brush gently into teeth for 2 minutes
Rinse your mouth well

Let me know if you try these and have any feedback - I tried both for the first time today and really enjoyed them both. I found the Strawbug-bleach-brush a little strange to start off with but if it whitens my teeth and it is that cost effective I really have no complaints!

Happy cleansing!

Megan X

Beauty update - Turmeric & Coffee face mask

First of all I would like to warn all fair skinned women out there to probably not try this mask - As excellent as it is this mask because is has no oil base can stain your skin! I will be adding a special coffe & chocolate mask to the blog next week which can be used by you whiteys (me included).

Thank goodness you have me to try out these recipes and risk looking like I have cancer of the liver!

Anyway once again I am using Turmeric as my base ingredient - This time I made a heap of paste by combining 2 cups of water to half a cup of turmeric and boiled it on a medium heat. I gave some more to my Dad to try as he has told me he is seeing significant improvements in his skin tone and inflammation since trying my witch craft. I also have noticed a significant evening in skin tone and my cheeks are much less red - The ways of Turmeric, I love this spice!

So the Turmeric & Coffee mask is to be used no more than once a week as the coffee works as a strong exfoliant.

All I did was follow the recipe for making the paste above and add about 1/2 cup of paste to 1/2 cup of used ground coffee. I mixed this all together and applied to my skin. Leave this on for 10-15 minutes until the paste is dried and then proceed to remove with a hot face cloth. If you do try this and experience some staining then all you need to do is apply a little bit of coconut oil to your face and remove the staining gently with a cotton pad.

While I may not be running to try this mask again soon I can confirm that I am no longer yellow and it has been 5 hours since I applied the mask - Thank goodness I work from home!

Blogged by: Megan