Along The Trail

in my bubble *[diy photo luminary]*

A few months back I experimented with some vellum paper and a few of my favorite photographs to create a cheerful and warm luminary!

I used my home printer, colored photographs adjusted to the size I wanted, vellum from a craft store and some twine. 

After printing the photographs, I trimmed the paper to fit the jar I was using (leaving a little overlap room going around it!), then carefully hand sewed a few stitches of twine to attach the ends together. I then slipped the vellum sleeve over the jar carefully and put a candle inside!

All the colors look awesome when the flame shines inside. A great way to incorporate family photographs in a useful way! (Sadly my candle ran out before I thought to take a picture of it.)

POINTERS:

after photographs have printed allow them to dry before handling...smearing can happen on vellum!

vellum creases and tears easily...work with care!

I used Photoshop to put three pictures in a strip...use a program you have or just a single photograph!

 

in my bubble *[diy lamp shade]*

I have come across many great, beautiful, and creative ideas in the past on how to take a junky lamp shade and make it new again! Well, though I had good intentions, I didn't end up taking the time to research any of those ideas! But I thought I would share how I used what I had to spruce up my entry!

Pulling off the plasticky part of a broken lamp shade, I cleaned up the two wire parts that were left over. With some fabric from my stash, I tore 3 different patterened fabrics into 1.5 and 2 inch strips that measured about 18 inches long. I ended up needing 18 strips. (tearing keeps it straight without using scissors or a cutter. Start the section with just a small cut with scissors...it's fun and you feel incredible hulkish!) 

Then I began tying them to the wire shade forms. Because the two wire parts had only been connected by the lamp shade, it was a little tricky keeping things even while tying the first few on because the material was sort of sluggish. But once I got going it was easy peasy!

I simply alternated the three materials all the way around until it was full. I hung the shade from a trio of strips that had been tied to the top of the shade, then brought together in a knot. The *cord* was three more strips tied end to end and then attached to the trio knot! 

For a *base* I put a candle holder under it to give the finished look of a lamp! (of course, the shade was hung high enough above the candle to be fire-safe!)

I smile each time I walk into this happy little spot in our entry!

*lights* me up, you could say!!

in my bubble *[peppermint body scrub]*

My favorite go-to sources for learning about and trying new herbal recipes are Organic Body Care and The Bulk Herb Store. I recently put together a peppermint body scrub that awakened and refreshed me! Only a couple minutes before jumping in the steaming hot shower, I pulled the ingredients from my pantry and mixed it together. Then I practically ran to the shower and lavished my skin with the scrub! Just the pampering I was in need of. I was energized and renewed for the rest of the day! 

Peppermint Body Scrub:

1 cup sea salt

extra virgin olive oil, enough to wet the salts

peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils, about 10 drops each

Mix together and lavish your skin with the tingly goodness. Make sure not to put near your eyes, the peppermint tends to burn them!

{Visit here to see how to make other varieties!}

Take care of yourself friends! Your loved ones will benefit!

in my bubble *[avocado facial]*

When I'm in my bubble, my girls know that it's the time to let me have a few minutes to myself. Questions are on hold, *emergencies* (those drama moments!) can wait, world problems won't be getting solved. The bubble around me (they like to pretend they are popping it!) lets me escape for just a little so I can regroup or refresh or refuel.

I thought it would be fun to insert some weekend girl time...some *in the bubble* time...on the blog every now and then! Whether it's pampering ideas or crafty fun. Just a spot to share and maybe inspire some of your own bubble moments! (while much of this would be fun with the girls in your days, it's okay to just refresh yourself too!) This is where you male readers (who may currently be rolling their eyes) can *x* out of the blog and go about your better things! No offense taken!

Sooo, girls. Let's get a facial!

I recently read somewhere (can't remember where) that avocados are a great way to treat dry skin. With winter (even a mild one) my face is dry. I put on a moisturizer, but it never seems to do enough and then I get blemishes (gasp). A recent sale on avocados at the grocery store seemed a perfect time to test this out!

I cut an avocado in half with my handy tool (which I use often!), slid out the meat and diced it into chunks. Then mashed it and mashed it until all my aggressions most lumps were out! I got too impatient to get them all out. Pureeing them in my amaZING machine would have worked too. But then the fun of mashing would've been out the window.

I then rubbed it all over my face! The cool green goopiness felt amazing on my skin. I could feel the oils seeping in. (warning: you may get questions with attitude...what are you doing?...or mocked by family members. just ignore. totally worth it!)

After about 15 minutes (and snacking on the rest of the avocado!), I rinsed with warm water and patted my face dry! The effects are still felt days later! And look how rosy my cheeks became! I especially loved how it turned the corners of my mouth up!

Give it a whirl. If nothing else, it feels good to do something for yourself! Something that is all too rare if you are anything like me!

What's your favorite way to pamper your skin?