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DIY

Whipped Body Butter

Each year around this time I make a body butter and each year I blog about it. I’m an unfortunate victim of dry skin in the winter so it’s no surprise that months before the season actually comes about, I’m thinking up concoctions to deal with this. Whipped butter always comes to my rescue. This year I’m making both body and hair butters (coming soon in a later post!) but I’m switching up the recipes according to what my skin/hair needs. Also the technique I used to make this whipped butter was different last year, but I think I’ve found a quicker and easier method to make the magic stuff.

what you need:

  • shea butter
  • coconut oil
  • vitamin E oil
  • lavender essential oil

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the how-to:

step one: Add the shea butter, coconut oil and Vitamin E oil together in a large mixing bowlimg_4477

step two: Make a double-boiler by placing the mixing bowl in a pot of water on the stove. Allow the oil to melt slightly for about 3 minutes (the shea butter most likely won’t melt much)

step three: Using an electric mixer, whip the slightly melted butters and oil together until smooth and fluffy.

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step four: Add 8-10 drops of lavender essential oil and whip some more. Scoop into a container and store!

I told you – it doesn’t take much to make a batch of body butter for yourself! I really like the fact that I know exactly what’s going on my skin. I picked the things that went into my body butter very intentionally. If you’re interested in knowing their benefits:

Raw shea butter: I get mine straight from Ghana so I can trust that it has nothing but shea butter in it. Shea butter is extremely Vitamin A rich, which has amazing moisturizing and healing properties for your skin. It boosts collagen and helps if you have blemishes. Necessary for that glo’ up.

Vitamin E oil: One of the best antioxidants out there, which means it prevents aging and keeps your skin looking youthful. Nothing wrong with that amirite? #foreveryoung

Coconut oil: This is my favorite thing to put on my skin because it leaves it feeling sooooo soft! It’s restorative and strengthening and it has anti fungal properties as well.

Lavender essential oil: Aside from it’s heavenly floral scent, lavender essential oil is so so calming. You can just imagine that relaxing aroma following you around all day – people compliment me on it all day.

Now that you’ve got the body stuff down, look out for my upcoming DIY hair butter!

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October 8, 2016 by
DIY

Etched His and Hers glasses

As some of you may already know I recently moved to Brooklyn! A few days ago I unpacked the kitchen box., which was mainly glasses. How does one accumulate so many glasses?! When you make so many cocktail recipes you buy a lot of glasses, that’s how. I found these stemless wine glasses in the box Continue Reading

September 12, 2016 by
DIY

Abstract Painted Bowls

If you’ve ever shopped for dinnerware on a budget, chances are you own the same plain white Ikea set that I have. Literally EVERYONE I know has this set and I don’t blame them – it’s cheap! But eventually you start to get very tired of the same old boring white plates and long for a new look. This is why I was tempted to spruce up these bowls after having them for two years. I researched what method was best to make painted bowls + how to make sure my design would stay on the bowls, and found that enamel paints would do the trick.

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Now that I’ve made these painted bowls and successfully so, I’m afraid I’m going to have to paint all of my dishware now if someone doesn’t stop me. But hey, those could make for some more DIY posts in the future. Looking for a DIY way to update boring kitchenware? Read on for more!

 

what you need:

  • Enamel paints( I like these ones the best)
  • paint brushes
  • plain bowls
  • newspaper to protect your surfaces
  • optional: acrylic spray sealer

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the how-to:

step one: make sure your bowls are clean and dry.

step two: starting with your lighter colors, paint random brushstrokes all over the bowl.

step three: paint brush strokes and smaller patterns using your darker color(s)

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step four: allow to dry for about 10 to 15 minutes. place in an oven (to “set” the paint) at 150° for 5 mins.

step five: remove from oven and allow to cool and you’re done!

Optional step: the paint is already pretty secure but if you want to make it more durable spray some clear acrylic sealer on to the bowl, making sure to avoid the inside.

The best thing about this paint and the technique is that you can literally paint any of your dishware. It works on mugs, plates and glasses too – so the possibilities are really endless. I see myself painting some champagne glasses in the future.

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Another thing; right now I can’t say whether or not these painted bowls are dishwasher safe but I’ve washed mine twice so far without an issue. I’ll update you on how they do, but for the meantime please hand wash only!

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June 21, 2016 by
DIY

Mini Donut and Macaron Keychains

My obsession with donuts continues. What is new however, is my obsession with little things – I mean look.at.how.cute. I recently attempted a DIY woven key chain, but it was quite the ugly creation, and unfortunately I couldn’t post a tutorial. I’m going to try that again, but in the meantime Continue Reading

May 28, 2016 by
DIY

Gold Trim Agate Slice Coasters

I’ve been eyeing these agate coasters ever since I saw them on Anthropologie. Like, they are so gorgeous and a source of serious decor envy! But with that price tag and my balling-on-a-budget situation they would be a very reckless purchase. After doing multiple internet searches for other options I realize that they don’t really come cheap and I wasn’t prepared to drop almost $100 Continue Reading

May 11, 2016 by
DIY

Homemade Gemstone Soap

I have a thing for naturally occurring gemstones, specifically anything that looks like marble, agate or druzy. The fact that I know those names is telling of my obsession. I recently got into the Pinterest game (It’s hard to believe I own a DIY blog and have not been on Pinterest all this time!) Continue Reading

May 2, 2016 by
DIY

DIY: 3D Christmas Cards

Here’s another handmade Christmas card project! I actually made this one weeks ago and completely forgot about it, but as I sat behind my books studying into the night yesterday, I remembered that I did. Because that’s what studying does to you right? You forget the very thing you just read but you can recall Continue Reading

December 19, 2015 by