DIY – Life, Lipstick, & Glowing Skin

Got Leftovers?

Tidying up the last signs of Christmas 🎄 in your house and the holiday season? Me too.

In fact some of my neighbors can’t let go and still have their Christmas trees lit up inside and decorations in their windows and outside their front door.

So if you happen to find you have left over CANDY CANES let me stir your imagination and let’s make and enjoy a few things.

It’s cold 🥶 outside even in sunny 😎 Florida. 🌴 . We have our fireplace going and I’m cozy in bed with a hot chocolate with a candy cane hanging from my 👄 mug with lips. I just took a bath and enjoyed this recipe below. I love the smell, taste and minty feel of peppermint in food and on my skin! Especially my feet after a long work day or a day of travel. ✈️ So I refresh my skin and exfoliate it gently a bit too. I use this peppermint recipe especially in the winter.

Peppermint Kiss Foot Scrub

What you will need is:

1 cup of cornmeal (I prefer the fine one)

1 cup of powdered milk

Approximately 15- 18 drops of peppermint oil. Not cooking or food grade but aromatherapy essential oil.

And add a dash of water and stir.

I fill smaller mason jars with the above mix.

OR I pour into mini snack size baggies to have individual portions.

Take a shower or bath or just wash your feet and pat them dry a bit.

Sit at the edge of the tub or on a chair in the bathroom.

Place down a bath mat or towel.

While skin is still damp apply this scrub and massage it in on each foot.

Then pay attention to the soles and calluses and dry areas of your skin. Massage in circular motions of your foot and work the scrub in.

This revitalizing foot 🦶 scrub smells dreamy and feels so invigorating on the feet

Leave scrub on your feet at least 5 more minutes and rinse well.

Your feet will feel brand new and your spirits will be too.

Who says you can’t enjoy and eat candy canes only during the holiday season?

🍁 Skin Care that’s so Fall !

Photo by Anastasia Latunova on Pexels.com

It’s my favorite time of year. I love 🧡 The scents of fall and all things 🎃 pumpkins and decorating my home and my business office with fall decor.

I miss Beautiful New York and walking through Central Park especially when the leaves are in full fall peak bloom! I’m Florida fall leaves and all are not quite the same. But I do love the exotic palm trees 🌴 all around me!

So because a few of you asked I thought I’d share one of my favorite pumpkin DIY scrub recipes I like to do! You don’t have to buy one! Make your own on the cheap! Especially if you have the ingredients on hand. This can also be used as a exfoliating FACE Polish. But if you have acne or Rosacea. Skip it. You’ll want to eat this mix but don’t! It smells so delightful when done!

What you will need for this Aromatic Body Scrub:

1 cup of brown or white sugar

1/2 cup of sweet almond oil

1/2 cup of coconut oil (organic)

1/2 cup of pumpkin in a can

Sprinkle of nutmeg or Pumpkin Pie Spice!

A large mouth mason jar.

🎃 Stir all of the above in a bowl.

🎃 Place in a glass jar. Scoop out a soup size spoonful when you’re ready to use.

🎃 Apply on clean damp skin. Work in circular motions. Neck, hands.arms,stomach,buttocks,legs,feet and enjoy the exfoliating beauty of this scrub.

🎃 Leave on your body at least 15 minutes.

🎃 Rinse well and apply your favorite body oil or lotion.

Your skin will FEEL so delicious and soft.

Did you know pumpkin is a “turn on” for men? If you want to create a little magic. You know what to do!

Refreshing Pumpkin 🎃 Polish!

As you may know by now I love 💛* pumpkins!

Here’s one of favorite recipes I love to use and have shared with my clients too!

What you will need for this DIY body recipe:

1/2 cup of sweet almond oil

1/2 cup of organic coconut oil

1 cup of raw sugar

1/2 cup of pumpkin purée

* Optional but aromatic You can add a sprinkling of cinnamon spice or a dash of nutmeg!

Stir all of these ingredients and place in a jam or jelly jar. Tighten that lid. Lasts a few days in the refrigerator.

Apply on a clean body and enjoy this aromatic skin polishing you’ve created! Leave on at least 10 mins. Rinse well.

Please do not use this recipe if you are allergic to any of the above. Also if in doubt do a patch test in the inner forearm or wrist. if it turns red or itches it’s no for you. This rarely happens just a word of wisdom.

Makes a great gift idea! Hostess, holiday, Birthday or a treat just got you!

Life is kinda crazy these days!

Hasn’t it been for all of us?

I’m back from guest speaking in Las Vegas and all went beautifully. But I am STILL trying to recover from high temperatures, swollen ankles and the fun I had!

I got to unpack my bags this weekend and classroom supplies and enjoy a 4th of July with an intimate barbeque and yummy treats. I so appreciated the timing and safe return to have this long holiday weekend. After watching the news I am grateful I did not have any travel issues at two airports.

Yesterday I felt like whipping up a bath salt soak and I thought you might like to try to make this DIY too.

1 1/2 Tbsp. jojoba oil (as a carrier oil)

3-12 drops of lemon 🍋 essential oil (or grapefruit essential oil)

1 1/2 or 2 cups of Epsom salts

Use immediately or you must store in an airtight container. Will last safely a few days.

So refreshing and relaxing.

When life gives you a crazy schedule and you’re exhausted…

Take care of yourself with a 😎 Lemonade Lemon Bath 🛀 to soak in and just chill out!

Sip a glass of fresh lemonade or enjoy some Lemoncello. 🍋 and make your ME time bath even sweeter.

And don’t forget to add some mint to your drink or lemonade!

*Tweak this recipe as needed especially if you want to make more.

Note: if you are allergic to any of these ingredients don’t use them. Substitute for another ingredient.

Enjoy!

Yummy Skin Smoothies

I love to play on my beauty kitchen. And I love to cook too!

Today I craved a smoothie. My avocados 🥑 were over ripe so I decided to whip up an Avocado smoothie with a dash of an apple 🍏 I had leftover. I call this my afternoon delight snack.

What you will need for this recipe:

1 peeled and pitted avocado

2 apple slices

1 cup of milk of your choice

1/8 teaspoon of vanilla

A dash of sugar (optional)

Add ice cubes

Blend above until creamy and smooth.

Good for you! Loaded with vitamins, fiber and fats your body needs.

Sometimes you just CRAVE greens 🥬.

Don’t you?

If you’ve got an avocado that’s about to go bad or too mushy… make a face & neck mask out of it. Simply mash it up and apply to clean skin.

Leave on your skin at least 10 minutes.

Rinse and add your favorite moisturizer.

Your skin will feel awesome especially after a day at the beach 🏖 or hot summer day.

Got a recipe you’d like to share with me?

Do tell. I love ❤️ hearing from you.

Sandal season is here…

I featured on TV Friday a segment on DIY manicures & pedicures. The TV show viewers sent me a few requests to help them keep toe nail fungus away or to help with any future issues. Here is a pedicure that you can do at home. It seems as though I hear and see more fungus issues on the toes. Wether it is a little problem or big one here is an easy ecipe to try!

For some states spring is finally here! However for others you’re still getting snow. But no matter what sandal season and signs of spring into summer are here.

You’ll need to buy a few supplies:

Tea Tree essential oil (I love ❤️ Aura Cacia)

1 Basin of warm to a bit hot water 💦

1 Nail Scrub brush

1 teaspoon Clay mask powder

1 body lotion or foot cream

1 pair of white cotton socks

🍃First sprinkle about 5 drops of tea tree oil in a basin. Soak your feet in a water filled foot bath and wash them. Do this soak at least 15 minutes.

🍃Next, apply an exfoliating body scrub to your feet.

*If you don’t have one make one with white sugar and olive or sunflower oil. Be careful it will be a bit slippery.

🍃Next rinse well.

🍃Make a foot mask out of clay powder. Water and a few drops of tea tree oil. Mix in a bowl and apply mask to foot and mail bed. Leave this mask on and allow it to dry completely.

🍃Rinse your feet again. and apply your favorite body lotion.

🍃Dry your feet and apply a pair of white cotton socks and just chill or go to bed.

🍃Tea Tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It speeds up the healing process. It really helps with its anti-fungal benefits to prevent foot and toe nail infections.

Your feet 🦶 will feel so refreshed and IF you have a problem with a nail fungus infection this treatment will work wonders.

If you have a severe problem on your nails on the hands and feet … it’s always best to see a doctor.

Keep your feet prettier, handsome and healthier!

They take you wherever you need to go.

Oh those winter feet!

Tonight I felt like giving my winter feet 🦶 a sweet treat. You can do it too. This recipe is easy to make and quick to do.

I made a DIY pretty aromatic orange 🍊 scrub with these simple ingredients:

1/2 cup of white sugar

1/2 cup of sunflower 🌻 oil

5 drops of orange essential oil

You’ll love 🧡 this skin softening elixir.

Mix the sugar and the oil together in a bowl. Lastly add the essential oil. If you don’t have the actual orange essential oil… A squeeze of an orange 🍊 can work for scent sake.

But the essential oil is best.

Apply on the heels and soles of the feet. Rubbing between the toes and on the toe nail bed.

Leave on 10 minutes or more. Rinse well with a luke warm wash cloth.

Then add your favorite hand and body lotion or foot cream.

Enjoy softer and exfoliated feet. Your tired and winter skin will appreciate the 🧡 love!

Bat those lashes today!

Go ahead it is National Lash day.

Today we celebrate the beauty of lashes real and faux!

Don’t forget to condition those eyelashes of yours too. I like to use a natural D.I.Y. recipe (from your kitchen) women from the Mediterranean have shared with me. Simply wash your face,clean off ALL eye make-up and apply a sheer small coat of fresh olive oil with a Q-tip. I like to also do this by applying with a disposable mascara wand too. I use ONLY for this trick. No cross contamination with a disposable mascara want filled with mascara.

Leave on your natural lashes and either watch,TV, take a bubble bath or read a good book or a great magazine then go to sleep. DO NOT RINSE it off. It will gently hydrate those lashes while you sleep.

Loving all things fall! 🍁

How about you?

It’s cooler weather and I so love ❤️ fall. I’ve been traveling a bit. The airports are so busy it is so good to be out and about again. Wow how the country is looking amazing with the change of leaves!

Getting my business ready for the holiday season and enjoying life one day at a time.

So they say… “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

I have been in awe with the beauty of the changing fall leaves, eating an apple a day, sipping apple cider, cozying up to an apple 🥧pie and enjoying the beauty secret in apples.

You asked me if I have a recipe for a face mask with apples and I’ll share one of my faves below.

🍎Do you know apples can fill you up? Sort of like drinking a tall glass of water 💦before a meal. Fills you up fast before you eat.

🍎Eating Apples (with the skin on) are especially good for you.

🍎 I mentioned before in a post I love to make fruit infused water with small slices of red and green apples. Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar makes it extra delicious.

🍎 Apples make a great natural face mask not found in a jar on a store shelf. Fun to make and enjoy with your BFF or family too.

Here’s what you will need:

2 tbsp of crushed oats

1 red or green apple

1 tsp of organic local honey

Mix the above and add grated or puréed apples in a bowl.

Apply to the face and leave on at least 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.

Next apply your fave facial moisturizer and eye gel

The oats in this recipe exfoliate the skin gently. The apples and honey give you plump abs glowing skin. Vitamin C rich and Vitamin A too. Boosts collagen too.

Do you love natural beauty recipes too?

Share with me I’d love to hear any of yours too!

Foot 🦶 Facial at home!

I love helping my clients look and feel amazing! So, since a few of you have asked for another recipe for the feet… here goes!

Best of all it is a UNISEX treat!

All you have to do is put all these ingredients together and head to your bathroom or a cozy chair,the bathtub or an area you can get a little messy in until you rinse it away.

1/4 cup of oatmeal

1/4 cup of cornmeal

3 tablespoons of grape seed or sunflower 🌻 oil

2 tablespoons of Himalayan sea salt or brown sugar

Stir all of the above together. If it is too thick you can water it down with a few sprinkles of water 💦. Stir again.

Apply and rub mixture gently on clean feet. I like to go up to the ankles too. Pay attention to the heels as well.

Allow this DIY treat to set and be on the feet at least 15 minutes.

Rinse with lukewarm and wet towels or larger wash cloth.

The oatmeal softens, the oil gives you enough slip to move around the foot and lower part of the legs, corneal and salt exfoliate. Your feet and ankles will be nourished, hydrated and softer. It’s Self-Care Sunday!

Let’s try and make every day a self-care day. But if you can’t at least do one or two fabulous things for yourself on one day.