Valentines day Spa treatments

A few days ago I was contacted by Michelle Pino from the Skana Spa in New York wondering if I would like to share these redipes for two delicious sounding, home made body treatments.  "Yes please"  I said "so long as they can be made from natural ingredients"  and they are!  So here are two really delicious, romantic body treatments to get you in the mood this Valentines evening

Chocolate-Berry Inspired Spa Treatment

Though no excuse is needed, Valentine’s Day is the perfect one for some pampering.  And the pampering can be easy, relaxing and inexpensive if you bring the spa experience to your home.  It is possible to bring luxurious treatments home and to have a great night to enjoy on your own, with a loved one or with good friends and still keep within budget.  

These spa treatments use all-natural ingredients and center around berries and chocolate, a decadent combination that will leave your skin feeling fresh, hydrated, velvety and smelling delicious.  

Simple Chocolate Face Mask

Ingredients
1/3 natural cocoa
3 tbps heavy cream (organic)
¼ cup honey
3 tps powdered oatmeal (blend oatmeal in food processor)

Directions: In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients.  Mix well.  Apply the mixture to your face, (should be clean and make- up free), making sure to cover the entire are.  Leave it on for about 10 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.  Skin will feel fresh and moisturized.

Summer Berry Body Scrub

Ingredients
10 large strawberries
½ cup raspberries or blackberries
½ cup blueberries
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup cane sugar
1 cup sea salt (fine)

 

 

Directions: Remove the stems from the strawberries and wash all the berries together in a colander.  In a blender, puree the berries together with the oil, the sugar and the salt. Put the mixture into a small glass jar and seal with the lid. Tie the jar with a bow and you have an easy, DIY gift that will make anyone feel special.

Application: Shake the scrub well before applying it to the body.  Use a loofah or a washcloth to apply the scrub to the whole body and massage the mixture gently into the arms, the torso and the legs.  This scrub works well to purify and exfoliate the entire body and the high amount of berries in the scrub serve to deliver a powerful punch of antioxidants to the body.  Since the scrub uses all natural ingredients, it is perishable and should be stored in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. Lasts for about a week.  

Chocolates and Berries: The Perfect Combination
This mixture of tastes and scents is the ideal combination for Valentine’s Day. The all-natural ingredients combined with an inexpensive price tag make this the perfect treat for anyone – including your self! Add a bag of some chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of wine, or fresh mineral water and you will have the ultimate present that’s sure to bring a smile to your special someone’s face.

“Michelle Pino has provided this article in hopes to share some of her knowledge with others. Michelle works at Skana, a luxurious spa in central, NY, at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. When she isn’t working, Michelle will usually be found with a book in hand, baking, or starting a new project. She enjoys living a healthy lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same.”

Photos courtest of weheartit

Rose wreath in the shop

Hey everyone, how are you enjoying the weather?  I love snow for like a day and then I am all "ok, had enough of this now,"  (I know so fickle!)  
I decided to list my rose wreath in my Etsy Shop.  I made it for Christmas initially but I think it would work well for lots of other celebrations throughout the year, particularly Valentine's Day which is fast approaching.
I enjoyed making the wreath so much that I am pretty sure I will want to make another one next year.  I don't have room to store a wreath from every Christmas so thought selling it would be a perfect solution to the problem of little storage and and insatiable urge to create!

It's for sale at £23.63 (US $35.00) plus postage and could be hanging prettily from your own door or wall in 3 working days!

Hope you are all well, life is pretty slow with me, Orren is doing well and not far off 1 year old!  Can't believe where the year has gone.  He is crawling now and trying so hard to stand.  He is filling my life with so much joy and contentment he is just such a delight, I really can't imagine not having him around.  Of course there are downs as well as ups, life can be hard work at times and I get sick of the mundanity and repetition sometimes but the goods far outweigh the bads.
Any other crafting mums out there?  How do you manage to find time for creating?  I was thinking of changing the name of this blog to "things I made while the baby was sleeping".
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and if you are in the UK then hope you are enjoying the snow.
Hels
x

Valentines day treats

I presented my husband with a thoroughly crafty valentines this year after spending most of Monday baking, sewing and dipping!
I made a simple card combining felt and blanket stitch with embroidery thread.  I simply cut a heart shape from a piece of red felt then stitched a blanket stitch round the edge for decoration.

I then sewed the words onto the heart using a chain stitch.

I stuck it onto a piece of white card and sewed a running stitch round the edge of the card to add decoration. I punched holes in the card with a sharp needle before sewing to make it easier.

I had my first go at making cake pops following the instructions on A Beautiful Mess.  Only I made mine far too big so couldn't put them on sticks, I discovered they were too big to my detriment when one splatted!

I then dribbled chocolate over them and added sprinkles and drizzled chocolate for decoration.  

I used Betty Crocker Devils Food cake mix and Betty Crocker Chocolate fudge fondant icing.

I used up the rest of the Betty Crocker mix by making "I love you" cupcakes, iced with the chocolate fudge fondant icing. 

Also dipped some marshmallows in chocolate and sprinkles.  Hubby was very pleased.  And I was very pleased with  my huge box of chocolates, two boxed actually, and a bunch of red roses.  Hope you all had a lovely, crafty valentines day.