How to Make Handmade "Lotion & Potion" Bottles

In the spirit of Halloween, my daughters and I recently crafted our own spooky apothecary bottles to store various handmade lotions and potions. It was a very fun, easy and inexpensive project. Here is how we did it...


This fella lost his head over the Swamp Fog!

 First, we scoured our house, the recycling box and the local Salvation Army for interesting looking bottles to reuse. We chose a variety of sizes to give us several storage options. We also looked for clear glass, as it would showcase the product inside. I also prefer glass to plastic as it does not leach any unwanted chemicals into finished body care products.

Each bottle got a good hot soak in the sink followed by a scrub with a copper dish scrubber until they were crystal clear. Note: If you have any stubborn old label adhesive on the glass, I find that coating it with olive oil for 10-15 minutes before soaking and scrubbing works great.

Second, we searched the Internet for fun "potion" labels and downloaded some amazing labels on flickr, posted by Love Manor. They have a selection of outstanding old world designs with a very tongue-in-cheek spooky flair.

We could all use a little Life Renewal!

Last, we printed the labels out in sizes to fit each bottle, carefully cut them out and adhered them to the glass with Scotch Spray Mount. As an optional step, you can seal the label with Mod Podge (we are going to experiment with the crackle finish Mod Podge). This gives the finished piece a bit more character, durability and resistance to any water or product that may come in contact with the label.

We temporarily set our bottles out in the parlor for a final viewing, but next week they will be in our powder room gruesomely holding bath salts (Graveyard Dust), cotton balls (Swamp Fog) and body wash (Life Renewal Potion)!

Check out other spooky ideas for crafting apothecary bottles on the Iron Oak Farm blog.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!!!

In Praise of Campy Gore

I love horror films. I love campy, gory horror films even better. I love the silly special effects that still make you halfway cringe. I love the creepy, yet super-fake makeup. And of course the faux gore!!!

One of the finest horror films ever made is Evil Dead. What could top a horror film set in the woods of Michigan with a cast playing students from my alma mater, Michigan State University? Why, Evil Dead: The Musical, of course!!!

Splattered!

Over two hours of delightfully gory, madcap adventure as the main character, Ash, fights off his demon friends in an old cabin in the woods. We had the pleasure of sitting in the second row "Splatter Zone" and left covered in, well, splatter. Plenty of gore to amuse and entertain, an awesome cast and some catchy tunes you'll be singing all the way home, including "What the F@&$ Was That?" and "Ode to an Accidental Stabbing."

I've got to say, it was a rare treat and one not to be missed. If you live in the Detroit area and are a fan of the film, this is a must see! It is playing at the City Theater downtown through October 31.

Wordless Weekend: Bill & Sookie

Using Herbs for Skin Care (and a Jim McDonald Lovefest!)

A huge Yellow Dock plant right in my backyard.

This November, I will complete the 9 Month Herbal Intensive Course with the incredible Herbalist, Jim McDonald from White Lake, MI (http://www.herbcraft.org/). I initially signed up for the course simply to learn more about herbs that can assist in skin care, to expand my knowledge and be able to offer additional treatment options to my clients. It's funny looking back on this simplified view, as Jim's class has completely changed my life in so many ways and will continue to shape my life and my relationship with herbs and plants forever.
I could write on and on about my experience in this class (and probably will in the future!) I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the plant world right in your backyard. Jim has a passion for his craft unlike other I have ever seen. He is knowledgeable, inspiring, cares deeply for his teachings and students and has an amazing sense of humor. So in honor of my Jim McDonald Lovefest, I have been further researching specific herbs to share with you here on my blog. I plan to cover a different herb each month, then report out on my usage of it on both myself and clients the following month.

There are many herbs that can assist in caring for your skin. Many of them are in your backyard right now! Of course, it is important to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN of what you are wildcrafting from outdoors before using it in any way - either with the help of a qualified herbalist or by using a good plant identification guide. You can also purchase many herbs at your local health food store or through Mountain Rose Herbs at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/ (one of my preferred sources). Also, please consult with your doctor before utilizing herbs if you have any health issues or are taking other medications.
Some plants I plan to cover include:

• Burdock
• Yellow Dock
• Red Clover
• Calendula
• Chamomile
• Chickweed
• Nettle
• Lavender

So stay tuned! If there are any specific plants you would like me to cover, let me know! Blessings!

Wordless Weekend: Fairies Live Here

Your Well-Stocked Skin Care Pantry (Part I) - The Basics

This is not my pantry. It is not this organized!

This post is the first in a series about stocking your skin care pantry at home, so that you have all of the ingredients you need at your fingertips for both daily skin care and specific skin care concerns. While it is nice to have your favorite packaged skin care products on hand, some of the most effective skin care is probably already in your kitchen.
The following is a list of the basic items to begin to build your skin care larder. Having these items on hand will allow you to make several basic, inexpensive skin care products right at home. You can even buy many of these in bulk to make them even more cost-effective.

• Honey (I prefer raw honey as it contains better antibacterial properties)
• Oatmeal
• Almonds
• Cocoa (powdered - the dark chocolate variety contains more antioxidants)
• Plain Yogurt (I love the Greek kind. It has such a lovely, creamy texture)
• Cream
• Buttermilk (either fresh or the powdered variety you can find in the baking aisle)
• Olive Oil
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed)
• Chamomile Tea (either bags or loose leaf)
• Green Tea (either bags or loose leaf)

In addition to these ingredients, the fresh fruits and vegetables that you already have on hand can also be used in skin care preparations. Just be sure they are still fresh with no mold or bruising.
Here are a few skin care recipes you can create right now with these basic ingredients!!!

Yogurt Cleanser
This cleanser is great for oily skin. If you have dry skin, simply omit the lemon juice.

1T Plain Yogurt
Juice of Half a Lemon

Blend ingredients together. Apply to damp skin in a circular motion. Remove with a warm, damp cloth. Refrigerate cleanser in a covered container and use within 1 day.

Honey Nut Facial Scrub
This scrub is great for any skin type, except for skin with active acne as it can irritate breakouts. The oatmeal and almonds exfoliate, while the honey helps to moisturize.

1 T Oatmeal
1T Almonds
Honey

Grind the almonds and oatmeal in either a blender, food processor or coffee grinder until very fine (I prefer the coffee grinder. I keep an inexpensive one just for the purpose of grinding ingredients). Take 1t of powder and add enough honey to form a paste. Mix paste with a bit of warm water and apply to damp, cleansed skin. Rub GENTLY (treat your skin like a butterfly wing) in circular motions for 1 minute, avoiding the eye area. Refrigerate in a covered container and use within 1 day. The remaining dry oatmeal/almond blend can be kept covered in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Green Tea Toner
This is a nice, refreshing toner that is great for oily skin. If you have normal to dry or sensitive skin, simply omit the lemon juice.

1/4 cup Brewed Green Tea
1t Apple Cider Vinegar
Juice of Half a Lemon

Combine ingredients in a small spray bottle to refresh skin after cleansing and throughout the day. Keep refrigerated and use within 3 days.

Soothing Sensitive Skin Mini-Facial
 This treatment is wonderful for soothing sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.

1T Oatmeal
1T Yogurt
Brewed Chamomile Tea
Olive Oil

Grind the oatmeal in either a blender, food processor or coffee grinder until very fine. Add the yogurt and enough chamomile tea to make a spreadable mask. Apply to gently cleansed skin (avoiding the eye area) and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off gently with a warm, damp cloth. Soak a cotton pad in the remaining chamomile tea and gently swipe over face. While skin is still damp, apply 1-2 drops of olive oil to your fingertip and gently spread onto your facial skin.

Chamomile Bath Tea
This oatmeal and chamomile blend is softening and soothing to itchy, dry skin. It is also great for babies and children. You can adjust the amount of ingredients to your liking.

1/2c Oatmeal
Chamomile Tea (either 2T loose leaf or 2 tea bags)

Place ingredients in the foot of clean, old stockings, a muslin bag or several layers of cheesecloth. Tie the top closed and place under warm to hot running bath water.

These are just a few recipes that can be created with the above ingredients. Don't be afraid to experiment! Get creative and have fun! Let me know in the comments section how you have used the basic ingredients and I will add a bonus recipe to your post!

Stay tuned for Your Well-Stocked Skin Care Pantry (Part II) - Earthy Additions!

Wordless Weekend: What Every Ghoul Needs In Her Purse

Taken from Love Manor on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovemanor/sets/72157602788222231/

October's Mask of the Month: Orchard Dreams

Fall is definitely here. The leaves are on their way to being in their full, multicolored glory. Makes me want to pick apples at the orchard or snuggle up with a hot cup of spiced cider. This is the inspiration for October's Mask of the Month - Orchard Dreams! This mask is great for any skin type, but is especially lovely for those with oily skin or dull, dry skin in need of a pick-me-up. It is loaded with natural fruit acids that give you almost a little, gentle mini fruit acid peel.

Orchard Dreams

1/2 apple with skin on (I used a Jonagold)
1/2 pear with skin on (I used a Starkrimson - the perfect shade of red!)
A few seeded grapes (I used some yummy dark purple ones - the darker the fruit, the more antioxidants)
1T honey
A dash of cinnamon

Blend all ingredients in a blender, scraping down the sides as needed until everything is nice and mushy. Apply to freshly cleansed skin (avoiding the eye area)  and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off gently and apply your favorite toner and moisturizer. Voila! Orchard-perfect skin! This recipe makes enough for several applications, so share with a friend or use the extra on your neck, decolletage and hands. Or you can eat the rest! Just be sure keep it in the fridge and use it within a few days.

Why is this stuff good for your skin?

• Apples contain natural fruit acids (malic acid) which help to clear away the "glue" that binds dead, unneeded skin cells so that they can be washed away!
• Pears offer yummy antioxidant vitamins.
• Grapes also provide antioxidant protection and pycnogenol (in small amounts), which is a natural ingredient that tones and tightens skin. They also contain tartaric acid, another wonderful natural fruit acid.
• Honey provides moisture and antibacterial properties.
• Cinnamon is mildly astringent and encourages circulation (which sends nutrients to skin cells).

Now you are ready to throw on your fall boots and denim jacket and head to the cider mill!

I Tried It!: Lavera Anti-Age Sun Milk SPF 20

I regularly wear sunscreen on my face year-round. With my fair skin, I tend to burn easily and can't go without it in Summer. During the colder months, I wear it to protect from sun rays that bounce off the beautiful, white Michigan snow (you can still get damage from the sun this way).

It is always hard for me to find a facial moisturizer/sunscreen that I like. I don't like the heavy feeling of sunscreen on my face and many formulas wreak havoc on my oily, acne-prone skin. I also prefer a formula that both moisturizes and protects at one time and feels natural underneath makeup. I am sooooooo happy to have found the Lavera Anti-Age Sun Milk SPF 20. If the name alone doesn't make you feel good (I just love the "sun milk" part!), then the product will.

When I first looked at the ingredients, I was a little concerned that it may be a little too greasy or heavy, but was proven wrong with the first application. The light, milky cream is loaded with good-for-your-skin ingredients like moisturizing jojoba, almond and sunflower oils as well as hydrating aloe and skin-calming calendula. The sun protection comes from titanium dioxide, which offers a 100% mineral sunscreen that is effective right away (some chemical sunscreens actually take a while to take effect after application). It melted right into my skin, leaving a silky, matte finish and no white residue, which is common with titanium dioxide products (think white surfer noses!). My makeup glided on like a breeze, too. In fact, I think the Sun Milk made my makeup go on better than usual. All that, plus I got in on clearance at our local Meijer! After checking the Lavera website, I think it may have been on clearance due to the company switching the product to an SPF 15. Looks like the same formula, though.

I was unable to find a safety review for this particular Lavera product on the Cosmetic Safety Database, but I did find one for a very similar Lavera SPF product that my family used this past summer: Lavera Sunblock Baby & Children SPF 30. The safety rating for this product is coming in at a 3 (low moderate hazard) due to the use of organic grain alcohol and uspecified essential oils. A pretty safe and effective product compared to some of the other facial sunscreens out there.

Giving this product 5 out of 5 stars!

Wordless Weekend: Harvest Buddha