Orange Creamsicle Body Powder

I mixed this up today and OMG(osh) it smells YUM!!
Plus it's sooo cheap and easy to make that I just have to share ..

• 50 gram Arrowroot Powder
  
• 25 gram Corn (Maize) Flour
  
• 25 gram Kaolin Clay
  
• 10 drops Orange Creamsicle (FO) blended into 1 teaspoon of Natrasorb Bath
  

Mix the lot together & put through a sifter a couple of times ..

I stored mine in an old Chai Tea powder container & used a hot pin to put holes in the top .. The scent from the container works so well with the Creamsicle that I think I'll add a few drops of Chai FO next time to get it again ..

{click for full size}
Oh and one more thing, I added a few grains of whole rice just to make sure it doesn't clump :D

Riding The Waves ..

I kind of regret deleting this mornings early post .. I'm just not sure what to share and what to keep to myself, but I want people to know I very much appreciated the comments that were left ..

B & I connected again briefly today, just letting each other know that there is still plenty of love between us, and that we will continue to think/wonder about each other in years to come .. I guess it's hard to dis-entwine when you have been involved with someone on such a level for so long .. And I'm so grateful that we said "enough" before that love gave way to anger and resentment ..That in itself feels like a precious gift to me ..

So I'm alternating between tears and numbness .. Trying desperately to focus my mind of other things but failing miserably .. And I'm reposting this clip as I just can't get the song out of my head .. I'm so hollow baby, I'm so hollow ..


I even tried walking on the beach, and taking photo's .. Only the whole world looks glum through my eyes just now ..

Vanilla Files (part 5)

Sorry I'm late getting this up, I took yesterday off to recover from a super full on week-end that included having my back windscreen smashed to millions of pieces while driving alone up the top of a mountain, and ending an 8yr relationship .. Yeah .. Anyhoo one can be replaced and the other is probably better for both of us, even if it doesn't feel it right now ..

So because time is limited I decided to take a slither off each bar today and compare them that way - click on the image to see it full size!

and please ignore my spelling, especially (Unscented?!)
- these things happen when you rush ..

*Next Monday I'll update the scent descriptions ;)

Full Bloom & Beyond ..

I was just having a mooch around the garden (pretty much all I do out there lately aside from hang laundry and soak in the hot tub) when I came to my 'Purple Flowering Shrub' growing in half a wine barrel ..

The petals had fallen, lay scattered about,
yet it's beauty remains in full bloom ..
Oh My that sounds corny, lol *shrugs* I just type it as I think it ..

You really can't appreciate the beauty of this 'dead flower' at this size so please click on the image to see a larger one .. And for the record the pink/purple in the top right is actually my house - I'm loving how well the colours match :)

Watermelon Body Polish : Good Enough To Eat ..

New Oils New Oils - How exciting, some of my new supplies arrived .. And as well as the basics like Emulsifying Wax, Macadamia Oil, Kaolin Clay etc, I got a few new Fragrances to try out - one of which was a Watermelon ..

I REALLY wanted to move onto making body powders this week but I don't have a flour sift, so I continued to work on my scrub formula .. This one included the solid Coconut Oil instead of Fractionated like I talked about in my last post .. And I decided to try reducing it by 50% of what I'd previously added .. So less but more, volume wise (not weight) that is, are you following?

I tested it out and so far so good .. It left a nice fine film on my skin, and a very clean (oil/scum) free tub with no more effort than a splash of cold water to send a few stray Jojoba Spheres on their way .. Which is quite remarkable as I even put the plug in trying to create an obvious line, which didn't happen .. And I purposely used a white towel to see if any colouring (Mica) would transfer - nope, nothing ..

Obviously it needs at least 24hrs to fully set up, but I'm very happy with it and think it's a great success!

These photo's make it look a bit softer than it is .. You can easily spread this out on your hands to apply, but it's firm enough that it won't drip everywhere = just right (imho) .. And it really looks and smells like Sorbet, which was exactly what I was aiming for :D

Tweak Tweak ..

I admit it, I'm a tweaker .. And NO that is NOT a drug reference!

I think it's just my nature to try adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that .. It's how I cook, it's how I paint, it's how I make soap/lotion/balm/scrubs, and it's how I learn ..

So I decided to tweak my new scrub formula, yep the very same one I said I loved just a couple of days ago .. I wanted to make it a tad softer as we're heading into winter here and it was setting up quite firm .. So I mixed up a new batch with extra Fractionated Coconut Oil and Oatmeal Milk & Honey FO, Jojoba Meal (smaller than regular spheres), & Mixed Spice:


Yet it's left me unimpressed ..

I'm not sure if I went a little heavy handed with the FO or it's just irritating my sinuses because I have a flu and they're already feeling raw .. But it's definitely too runny (read: oily), and unlike my previous one this did leave a slight slippy feeling in the tub that would require cleaning for safety's sake ..

Solution:

• reduce extra oil%
  
• try a firmer oil like Coconut or Shea/Mango Butter
  
• up the sugar/exfoliant %
  
• up the emulsifying wax

Adding extra sugar was the easiest thing to do (so I did), but of course that doesn't solve the slip factor which is of super high important to me!

So the oil needs to come back down (cheaper than upping the wax), and likewise I really can't justify using more $expensive$ butter in a wash off product .. So I think my next move is to try common Coconut Oil (semi solid at room temp) .. The bonus of this plan is I've already got HEAPS of it because I bought in bulk before figuring out my skin doesn't respond well to CO in soap (unless we're talking salt bars) .. I'll also halve the extra amount I put in, and if the residue remains on the tub I'll eat the cost and up the Emulsifier too ..

**Internet cookies to everyone who comments but doesn't mention how many times I write 'so' in a single post .. Sooo embarrassing (but not enough to edit) :P

Vanilla Files (part 4)

Sorry it's taken me until now to post these, life is busy, I have the flu, and I'm feeling all round extraordinarily exhausted!

(embedded images are from last week, to compare)







Musk Vanilla has some interesting exterior colour morphing going on:



No change with Vanilla Abricot,
but the Ash is growing on me :P

Lots of colour variation with the Vanilla Bean!








A couple are missing as there is really no colour change at all in these; Unscented, Black Raspberry Vanilla ..

**Scent Updates**
(I swear they smell different throughout the day! So if I contradict myself that's why ...... means I wrote the following notes on another day)

Black Raspberry Vanilla - not as strong as I'd like, hopefully comes back or blooms in use .. I'd love to put this in a lotion or cream! ...... Somehow reminds me of herbal flowers (red clover?), gentle, sweet ..

Vanilla de Madagascar - Mmm getting stronger, chocolaty vanilla to the point I'm tempted to take a bite (but resist!) ...... Faint compared to rest, nothing special ..

Abricot Vanilla - seems a bit subtle/faint at the moment ....... Some fruity notes returning ..

Musk Vanilla - still very powdery ....... Floral, powder ..

Warm Vanilla Sugar - this seems very mild today and I'm a bit disappointed, but still have hope it will come back ....... Also has a touch of fruit to it but it doesn't stand out compared to the rest ..

Drizzled Honey Vanilla - This is growing on me, lol ..It's got a fruity element that reminds me of the BRV, but each is unique .. Again I can't help but think this would be very popular! It's also Really Strong so you could probably halve the % used ...... Honey, floral, yep this is good!

Unscented - I actually like the scent of this - gently sweet and honey like .... Sweetly scented, Very nice actually!!

Marshmallow Fluff - the darkest of the lot .. This has taken on the scent of cupcakes straight from the oven .. It's not a strong scent but pleasing ..... Strong, buttery, vanilla ..

Vanilla Bean - a bit plastic, what a shame ..... A bit plastic, not much else ..

Buttercream Frosting - warm, sweet, buttery - another cupcake/cooking type scent, quite nice! ...... Also getting a bit plastic, what a shame I had hopes for this ..

Vanilla Bean Noel - This is developing Lovely! It's becoming richer is an obvious Vanilla - it's like ice-cream and milk bottle lollies ..... Not as strong as I'd like but nice, sugary ..

Vanilla Sandalwood - OMG(osh) this smells so good to me .. First thoughts when sniffing the bar today: Mmm Sexy Man lol .. And for the record no my man doesn't soap with this, but he should! ....... YUM YUM YUM!!!

Very Vanilla - Strong Plastic, ick .. I don't have much hope left for this one coming right :( ...... Could be mistaken but maybe a tad more Vanilla today? Still playdough though ..

Pink Sugar - I'm having trouble putting this scent into words .. It's gently perfumy, No distinct Vanilla but a rich and warm undertone which I attribute to Vanilla .. A little bit of fruit like the HDV but nowhere near as strong .. It's a complex scent and I really like it ..... This one makes me sniff again and again - its captivating!

Absolutely Exhausted ..

Sorry but I'm far too tired to upload and post the vanilla Files tonight .. I did take the pics today (Mon), so will see to it first thing in the morning ;)

*crashing into bed now*

Amour de Cacao (body polish)

~ a seductive chocolate fragrance with notes of orange zest, cocoa bean,
star fruit & vanilla pod ~



Oils: Macadamia, Mango Butter
Ewax: Emulsifier O (INCI: cetearyl olivate & sorbitan olivate)
Additives: Coffee, Sugar, Tangerine Pop Mica & Fragrance

What I love about this is that when I step out of the shower my skin feels moisturised but not oily .. The tub is clean with absolutely no effort on my behalf, so safe for the next user .. And best of all the scent lingers on my skin - yep indeedy, I smell YUMMY!

I feel so sick and tired right now ..

I know that sounds very 'poor me' and I apologise as I know many others are going through much tougher times .. But today I feel overwhelmingly drained, physically, mentally, and emotionally ..

On the up-side it's Friday and I've got no plans other than to laze about the house all week-end .. Maybe I'll mix up some new EO blends for room sprays, or soap - I dunno, we'll see ..
These are my "Sorry I missed Valentines day" flowers ..

Pretty don't you think?!

Unfortunately the man and I have some major issues to work out - and yeah I'm sick and tired of dealing with that too *sigh*

In the Oil Burner: French Lavender, Spearmint, Sweet Orange 3:3:5

Super Bubbles ..

Those who know me know I love bubbles .. I've been making my own 'Secret Bubble Mix' for a number of years, and on occasion have been known to have children racing across fields after bubbles bigger than themselves, or fill up the whole main street of my town with tiny flying orbs of swirling rainbow colours! Yes I really have done that, just me and one little wand :D

It's the perfect rainy day activity because the moisture in the air allows them to float for ages without popping .. It's also a wonderful alternative to smoking (uses hands/concentration/breath) and I highly recommend those trying to quit carry a pottle of mix with them and give it a go when the craving hits .. And for anyone who practices mindfulness, rituals of positive thinking, witchcraft etc, with just a little imagination you can create an assortment of enchanting ways to focusing ones energy (hopes, dreams, thoughts, intent) inside a bubble and blow them out into the world ..

But that concept may be a little bit 'out there' to some of you, lol .. So lets head back to the bathroom :P


I've spent an embarrassing amount of money on Bubble Bath over the years, both for myself and my children .. Some were cheap and others expensive, but they all either left me with bubbles that didn't last, or wonderful luxurious bubbles but lead to terribly dry and itchy skin .. I've played around with liquid surfactants in the past but was never happy with the results so left it alone until recently prompted to have another go ..

This was version #1 based on the recipe shared on the NWS Forum, but tweaked to remove some ingredients I didn't have, and adding some skin protecting goodies I like: Lamesoft & Honeyquat

Version #2 works great and the bubbles last for hours without leaving my skin damaged from soaking - yet because of the texture I have to work (smoosh) these to dissolve in the water and that direct contact is irritating my hands

Version #3 was one I mixed today, it's the lovechild of Bubbling Bath Salts & Bath Milk, and I'm pretty darn excited about it - but of course I'll keep playing with this and that (colour/fragrance/clays/fruit powders/herbs/etc)..

I've tested it twice; first bath poured at 1:10pm - bubbles until 4:50pm when I pulled the plug; second bath poured at 5:15pm and it's now 10:34pm - STILL bubbles .. Not even Superman can defeat them!!

When your Supplier Tells You ..

Do not apply directly to skin or taste it undiluted.

A wise person would read that as: "Test at the minimum recommended usage rate, and make sure it is absolutely, positively, thoroughly (and then some) incorporated" .. Well today I was the Fool :(

I was testing some new Flavour Oils today and was quite excited as I didn't like the scent of the first bottle at all, yet it turned out exactly what I was after when incorporated into my balm *yay* .. The second one however, left me with this within a few minutes of applying:
That was taken after washing with soap to remove all traces and holding ice to it for a good 10-15minutes to reduce what was an instant huge blister! And while I'm terribly embarrassed to share this photo with the world, if it saves someone else from this end result it's worth it!

I've since weighed out the volume amount I used in an effort to see if I had put too much in but, we're talking 12gm of balm & 1 dripolator drop of Flavour which is clearly less than the recommended 4-6% .. However my method of blending such a small amount was undeniably less than desirable as I just smooshed it in and stirred with a spoon = carelessness on my behalf, though I also believe it to be an allergic reaction ..

The reason I'm thinking an allergic reaction may also play a roll in this is that later on I *Carefully* mixed and sampled some more new Flavours (on my arm this time), and a Strawberry one from another supplier also made my skin react though nothing to the same extent as the Wild Berry .. Incidentally I can use Peppermint EO (One of my fav's actually, it tingles but doesn't irritate), Chai Tea (A flavour which is known to bother some people), and none of the others I tested did either so I don't think it's a matter of my being overly sensitive in general ..

So all up an important lesson learned, but a big price to pay for a flavour/scent I didn't even like anyway! *sigh*

“If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.” ~ Catherine Aird

The Vanilla Files (part 3)

I took these photo's outside today to give the truest natural colour of each bar ..




*Notes on Scent*
- Very Vanilla -
Smells warm and nutty when pouring into mould. Strong scent of Almonds a couple of hours after pour, distinctly Almond! .. Couple of days into cure and it's taken on a playdough smell, hmm .. Ok total lump of playdough - most unpleasant .. A few more days and it's got a 'hint' of Vanilla, hopefully it will continue to improve ..

- Pink Sugar -
Couple of days into cure this has become not so much Vanilla but somewhat fruity with honey and floral notes too .. This is pure yum, beautiful scent, sweet and floral but not overly - just right ..

- Vanilla Bean Noel -
36 (or so) hrs into cure and I honestly can barely smell this even with nose touching - I expect it to come back soon, but when?? Another day or two and it's starting to come alive, very nice sweet vanilla .. Continuing to increase in scent, it's a bakery buttery sweet almost cookie like Vanilla - Yummy!

- Vanilla Sandalwood -
36 (or so) hrs into cure and all I can say is YUM! Loving this once .. Sweet and powdery with a backbone of vanilla ..

- Buttercream Frosting -
Warm and sweet and buttery .. This was one of my fav scents to start but I'm getting a tiny hint of a 'plastic' scent now - hopefully that leaves as quick as it arrived ..

- Vanilla Bean -
This one has the most 'authentic' vanilla bean paste scent - only I detect a very slight medicinal note too .. Loosing it's medicinal note just a day later .. Still an ever so slight 'plastic' note about this, but I continue to have high hopes for it!

- Vanilla Abricot -
I honestly couldn't smell a thing when I sniffed this out of the bottle! Soaped it has become a buttery Vanilla with an ever so light fruit candy like quality .. *Nothing to do with scent but I still find it remarkable that this FO Ashed (quite severe even) when none of the others have in the least! Including the one made less than 10minutes after and sat side by side in the moulds ..

- Marshmallow Fluff -
I found this one almost unscented when sniffed direct from the bottle, but it came alive almost instantly once soaped .. It's not even a subtle scent anymore, but not too perfumery either .. A few days into cure and it's the truest 'Vanilla Essence' of the lot ..

- Drizzled Honey Vanilla -
This one has a really unique scent that I'm struggling to put into words - I get no Vanilla that's for sure .. It's almost floral, perfumy .. I want to like it but I think it's giving me a headache :( OK, definitely getting stronger by the day, overpowering floraly fruit! Not my thing at all but I feel like others would like it and that it would work well for shampoo ..

- Musk Vanilla -
This one immediately reminded me of 'Black Magic' with it's Musk .. It has a powdery scent to it similar to the Sandalwood Vanilla, but also a clear Vanilla .. I have a feeling men would chose this one over most of the others?

- Warm Vanilla Sugar -
Quite subtle compared to the rest (so far) .. Warm, sweet, butter scent - smells just like it's namesake .. Still very subtle - hopefully it increases as it cures or comes alive in use?

- Vanilla de Madagascar -
This one is a richer/deeper Vanilla scent to the rest, almost chocolaty .. Currently changing a lot throughout the day, pick it up in the morning and it's as described before, later in the day and it's pure buttery sweet cooking Vanilla?!

- Black Raspberry Vanilla -
Not that impressed when I sniffed it out of the bottle but once soaped WOW! Smells fantastic! A couple days into cure and it's still lovely and light coloured, fruity (like juice, but not fake!) .. I don't necessarily smell 'Vanilla' but maybe a creaming soda scent to it ..
So there you go, all my scent notes up to date :)

These obviously need a lot more cure time and I'm sure many will morph in one way or another throughout .. I'll be checking on them every other day and jot down notes in my book to share along with new pics next Monday ..

And if you ever want to look back at last weeks pics or reports I've put a sticky with links to all the Vanilla Files up the top of my blog to make it easier ..

PS: in case you're wondering, I'm still sick :(
Shower and an early night is the plan, if only I could turn off all the ideas dancing around in my head; like making Apple scented shampoo, or doing an experiment similar to this but with blends of Micas!