Sandalwood Bracelet: Why Wear One?

The purity of the sandalwood and your intentions is meant to draw in positive changes into
your life.

This bracelet main purpose is to bring a person into a state of inner peace and harmony.
Keep yourself centered and peaceful by daily meditation and by wearing of sandalwood
beads.

Sandalwood is mainly indigenous to India and Asia. The aroma of sandalwood helps the
mind to unwind and increase the spiritual energy. Sandalwood beads are a part of Buddhist
tradition and a powerful aid to enhance your meditation as well as stimulate a sense of
awareness. Finding peace in your daily lives might be difficult as you maybe in a rush or
overwhelmed by the effort to balance your life. Regular meditation using a sandalwood
bracelet helps you gain perspective, surrounds you with positive energy and helps you
strike just the right balance.

Aromatherapy Body Wash

I love adding my favorite essential oils to unscented body wash

to make my own aromatherapy body wash.

Yea, if I wake up in the morning, and feel like I need a swift kick in the butt

to get me moving, I use uplifting grapefruit body wash.

The alternative is that my sweet hubby is always happy to lend me a foot,

for a good kick.

No, but No thanks, grapefruit body wash works for me.

If I need to relax and unwind from a long day filled with mixing together
skin care concoctions, making soap and developing new products.

I splash on some lavender body wash in the shower to wind down.

DIY Aromatherapy Body Wash

Simply mix together one part water with two parts of organic
unscented body wash of your choice.

This body wash is gentle yet efficient for cleansing.

Add your choice of essential oils to the soap mixture, and stir thoroughly.

Store in a plastic squeeze top bottle, and shake well before each use.

You ask? Why organic soap?

I look for bath care items that are made from one hundred percent
plant oils, no animal products or harsh chemicals.

A true soap, not a chemical detergent, soap that's

completely earth loving and biodegradable.

Enjoy the essential oil blends listed below for fun

homemade aromatherapy body washes.

Uplifting Body Wash

25 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

15 Drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil

Calming Body Wash

25 Drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil

10 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

5 Drops of Clary Sage Essential Oil

Energizing Body Wash

20 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

10 Drops of Rosemary Essential Oil

10 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Mood Boosting Body Wash

20 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

10 Drops of Geranium Essential Oil

10 Drops of Bergamot Essential Oil

Sensual Body Wash

25 Drops of Sandalwood Essential Oil

10 Drops of Rose Essential Oil

5 Drops of Patchouli Essential Oil

Simply add each aromatherapy blend to four ounces of body wash.

It is super fun to create a body wash for every mood,

or to create a mood.

Thanks again for taking the time to visit,

I love to hear from you so leave a comment below.

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

Essentail Oils

It has been a magnificent mail day today. When I opened my mailbox I notice a white padded envelope inside. Upon breaking open the package I found three bottles of doTERRA essential oils from my blog friend Michelle. Michelle is truly a girl after my own heart because I absolutely LOVE essential oils just as she does. Believe me when I tell you that Michelle and I both share a similar fondness for natural pure essential oils. I am doing a happy dance because I now have three new bottles of essential oils to add to my collection.  One heavenly smelling lavender, one minty uplifting peppermint and one clean crisp lemon. I love the versatility of these natural plant extracts aka essential oils.

Lavender

One of my all time favorites is lavender essential oil. The flower therapy of lavender oil soothes and heals the skin. I enjoy taking a whiff of it to clear my mind and ease my Mommy stress.

Peppermint

I fancy the invigorating aroma of peppermint essential oil to perk me up when I need to get a bit more laundry, house cleaning or work done.

Lemon

Who doesn't love the clean fresh scent of lemon. I make my own disinfect spray with a few drops of lemon essential oil added to a spray bottle with equal parts of water and vinegar, with just a splash of rubbing alcohol. It is a wonderful disinfect spray and all purpose cleaner around the my house.

I hope that you will take a few minutes and connect with Michelle online at the links below.

Blog / Facebook / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram / Online Shop

I know that she would be thrilled if you swing by her blog, say Hello and become a new follower.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

{ August's Giveaway Winner }

First off, I need to thank all of you for visiting my blog,

following along, and leaving your wonderful comments!

I would have never dreamed that blogging could be so much fun,

and filled with so many supportive ladies.

You are all the Best!

It's the end of August, and it’s time to

announce this month winner.

The winner of my lucky

“Green Skincare Routine Giveaway”.

Yes, Stacia with Feathers and Sunshine you have won

a 3 Pack of Handmade Soap Bars.

One bar of Garden Lavender, one Honey Bee & Oatmeal,

and one Garden Peppermint.

Pure and natural, my soaps do not contain the harsh detergents

or additives that are found in commercial soaps.

Congratulations Stacia!

If you would like to WIN some of my handmade goodies.

I will be hosting another giveaway for the month of September.

Simply, check back to enter. :o)

Smiles, Paula

DIY Hand Sanitizer

Using hand sanitizer has become super popular these days. Everywhere you look there seems to be a sanitizer dispenser ready to be used. Everyone that I know keeps a small bottle in their car or purse. I love to take a trip to the mall with my daughter Destiny, picking through the endless bottles of fun hand sanitizers at Bath and Body Works. However, store bought sanitizers can be expensive and often contain harsh chemicals. We have decided to make my own hand sanitizer which is more affordable, safe and fun to boot.

To make your own hand sanitizer, you will need to purchase just a few ingredients. All of the ingredients in this mixture are safe and natural. If you are also concerned about the ingredients or just want create delightful glittery colors and scents, you can make your own hand sanitizer. It's extremely simple and super duper fun to create your own customized scents to suit your nose. Let go, grab the ingredients, and make some hand sanitizer!

Hand Sanitizer Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Cup of 100% Aloe Vera Gel
6 Tablespoons of Witch Hazel
2 Tablespoons of Rubbing Alcohol (optional)
1 Drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil
4 to 8 Drops of Jasmine Essential Oil (or scent of your choice)
Pink Glitter (optional)
Soy Based Pink Food Coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Here's what you do... first gather your materials together. Then mix the aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and rubbing alcohol together until well blended. Add 4-8 drops of essential oil to the mixture, and stir well. Just for fun add glitter and food coloring. Pour the finished hand sanitizer into an empty container.
Directions:
Once applied, just rub your hands together until the moisture evaporates and the stickiness vanishes.
Whaa-laa! Done!

Tips:

• Many essential oils like tea tree, lemongrass, lemon, cedarwood, clove, peppermint and lavender have antibacterial properties. Use one of these essential oils to boost the germ fighting power of your sanitizer.
• If you find the consistency to be too thin, add more witch hazel or rubbing alcohol a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
• Destiny and I love anything that is sparkly; so we love adding a pop of glitter to our hand sanitizers. 
• Recycle old liquid soap or hand sanitizer bottles, and refill them again and again.
• Witch hazel, tea tree oil both have antiseptic and astringent properties which make them great for killing germs.
• If you feel your sanitizer is a bit to sticky, simply add a bit more rubbing alcohol.
• If you would like to avoid use rubbing alcohol, simple omit it from the recipe.
• The aloe vera gel will help soothe skin and keep skin from drying out.

Ooooooo, I love our new hand sanitizers with different intoxicating scents and super fun sparkly colors.
Thanks to all of you for following along with my blog. If you would like to see more DIY recipes stop back by often. If you are not following along, please consider becoming a new follower. It would make me gloriously happy. :o)
Smiles, Paula

{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

February's giveaway WINNER.

Now the day has come to announce this month blog giveaway WINNER.

I am happy to announce the winner of “Fabulous February Giveaway”, which includes two bars of my handmade Mucky Seaweed Soap.

The WINNER is Amanda Olson a fellow Florida girl. She is a creative gal who enjoys eco-living, photography, crafting and food. Visit her blog at alifeofpeaceloveanddiapers.blogspot.com. Take a minute and leave her a comment congratulating her on being the WINNER.

I just wanted to shout out a BIG thank you to all my precious followers and everyone who entered to win this giveaway.  I love hosting these giveaways once a month, and I am crazy about the opportunity to share with others my handmade soaps and organic bath products.

Congrats!  Amanda Olson I will be sending you a email ASAP!

No worries if you didn't win!
I have another fabulous giveaway to be posted soon for MARCH!
Smiles, Paula

Why Use Natural Soap?

Before I started using handmade natural soap, I often wondered why my skin felt so itchy after a shower? I would simply dismiss it without giving it much thought and rub on lotion. Three years ago I noticed a rash on the back of my daughter Destiny’s legs, so I started to research about commercial soaps vs natural soaps.

Ever since, I have been hard at work reading books, watching YouTube videos, researching and learning everything I possibly could about natural handmade soap.  I started to soak up so much information about aromatherapy, exotic butters, nourishing oils and wonderful healing botanical ingredients found in nature.

Shortly after finding out what is in most commercial soaps, I started making my own handmade soap. Our household quickly ditched our Ivory and Dove bars. Now, I feel so good knowing that when I hop out of the shower, my skin is super soft and moisturized. Best of all, Destiny’s rash is completely gone. Plus, I feel so pleased that I have deduced possible health risks to myself and my family from exposure to toxins like; parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, phosphates, artificial colors, artificial fragrances, harsh chemicals, mineral oils or petroleum products.

I know that I am not alone, many of you are looking for a more natural alternative in skincare. That’s why I have decided to make my own natural soap. I truly believe that when one decides to buy handmade natural soap which is commonly more expensive than cheap commercial soaps. This saying should ring true; “Cheapest is not always better.” In terms of one’s health we all deserve only the best and most natural ingredients.

Commercial soaps are normally made in large factories (out of the USA) using the cheapest ingredients; such as synthetic detergents. Commercial soap making companies commonly remove the glycerin to be used in higher end lotions and pricey cremes. Glycerin is a natural by product of the soap making process and is considered a “super moisturizer”; with my natural handmade soaps, the glycerin remains intact.

My passion for high quality handmade soap lead me to start Natural Garden Soaps.
My soaps are 100% natural made up only of natural ingredients, such as olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, beeswax, organic oatmeal, honey, exotic butters, organic garden herbs, Vitamin E, and essential oils. Essential oils are natural because they are extracted from plants and flowers, as opposed to article fragrances which are synthetically made by man. I love the smell of essential oils. I find the aroma of essential oils to be light and not heavy like article fragrances.  Woo-zers! The aromatherapy benefits from the essential oils in my handmade soaps are truly amazing. I love it!
My goal is to share my handmade soap and knowledge with others. Thanks for listening to my soap rambling and yes I could go on, and on, and on. Trust me!

If you like these natural living tips and want to see more, please consider becoming a follower. You can subscribe using the Google Friend Connect widget, Linky Followers widget, or signing up via email. :) If you are already a follower of my blog, Thanks. You are the BEST.
Don’t miss out on this month’s blog giveaway.
Enter Here to win two bars of my Mucky Seaweed Soap. 
Smiles, Paula

Lavender Sea Salt Scrub DIY

It seems that every time I turn around it is someones birthday.

Or I just want to give a gift to let someone special in my life

know that I am thinking of them. :)

I love giving handmade gifts that I know will be appreciated and used.

Every Mom needs a little me time, myself included on that list.

I love to end my day with a hot shower and lavender aromatherapy.

Yea, life can get crazy.

Destiny’s best friend recently moved about 35 minutes north

of our home so play dates have not been as often as they had been.

Even after we played cards, went to the mall, watched a movie.

I keep hearing from her can you please drive me to Lexi’s house

or “Mom, I am really bored.” Yes, some me time is in order.

love the way my skin feels super soft after a gentle rub with this lavender sea salt scrub.

Lavender Essential Oil has the ability to remove

nervous tension, promote relaxation and relieve pain.

I simply love It!

To make your own, first choose some containers.

Old jelly jars, canning jars or plastic containers with lids.

I am using 8 oz. half pint wide mouth canning jars.

You can find the ingredients for this salt scrub at your local health food store.

If you can not locate sunflower oil, feel free to use any other

natural oil like sweet almond, avocado, or olive oil.

Lavender Salt Scrub Ingredients:
18 ounces of Fine Sea Salt
2 ounces of Sunflower Oil
2 ounces of Vegetable Glycerin
1/2 Tablespoon of Lavender Lavender Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon of Dried Lavender Buds
Simply mix all of the ingredients together to make this fabulous lavender sea salt scrub. Spoon your scrub into your container and whaa-laa you are done.

I am going to use one myself tonight, the scent is absolutely heavenly.

I have a date to hop into the shower tonight and forget about

the pile of laundry, my endless “To Do List” and enjoy some me time.

Don’t miss out on this month’s blog giveaway.
Enter Here to win two bars of my Mucky Seaweed Soap.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Smiles, Paula

Pin It

{handmade natural soap}

Why buy handmade natural soap?

You can buy soap that is made right in your own community and within the USA.

You gotta come clean sometime!

Handmade natural soaps make amazing inexpensive gifts.

Unlike commercial made soaps; natural soaps are made without Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and harsh chemicals.

WE control the ingredients that are put into the soap bars.

Only the highest quality of vegetable oils, tropical oils, 100% pure essential oils, vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, and butters are used.

Olive oil is wonderful moisturizer for your skin and helps your skin maintain the elasticity.

The bubbly, creamy lather gives you a feeling of intense cleansing without stripping away your skin’s natural oils, leaving your skin soft and silky.

Once you use handmade soap you will never go back to commercial soap again.

I am a firm believer in the benefits of natural soaps made with essentials oils and the power of aromatherapy.

What you put on your skin is absorbed into your body and you have a choice as to what you use.

Natural soaps are good for your SKIN, your SOUL and the EARTH.

Indulge yourself and try some today!

The naturally occurring glycerin which is a by product of our soap making that has not been removed and glycerin is a humectant which means it attracts moisture to your skin.

Commercial soaps cause skin rashes, dry, chapped skin, and many other symptoms of dermatitis.

When you use natural soap your skin will feel softer and smoother, not dry and itchy.

My may select from over 25 wonderful scents and different soap bars to choose from in our online store at
Natural Garden Soaps.

The super cute personal packaging and labels.

Natural soaps are made with botanical based ingredients found in nature, without synthetic chemicals and commercial preservatives.

Natural soaps made with nourishing ingredients such as olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, palm oil, honey, mango butter, shea butter, beeswax, organic herbs, organic flowers and 100% essential oils.

It is super FUN to use our natural soap with it’s big fluffy lather and awesome smell.

What soap do you use at home?

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Monthly Giveaway for July

Everyone needs a little relaxation and lavender is perfect to help you kick back with all of it’s aromatherapy benefits.

This month I am giving away a “Lavender, Lavender and more Lavender” natural combo set.

This amazing lavender natural skin care combo.

A bar of Lavender Shea Butter Soap, Lavender Room & Linen Spray Mist,

Natural ZZZZs Sleep Balm and Handmade %100 Cotton Crocheted Washcloth.

Simply leave a comment during the month of July to enter to WIN this blog giveaway.

The drawing will be July 31st!!!

Good luck everyone!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

I would love to hear from you so leave a comment or share your thoughts.
Smiles, Paula