Naked Beans Organics Coffee Skincare Nourishes Your Skin Naturally

Usually I think of coffee as pretty dehydrating, so when I came across Naked Beans Organics Coffee Skincare, I was surprised to learn of it's many amazing properties.

For instance, according to Naked Beans, coffee is an antioxidant and vascoconstrictor. Also, the "perfectly balanced 4.5 pH Coffea arabica beans and oils in our products will help you cleanse, exfoliate, aid moisture retention, reduce wrinkles, swelling, and cellulite , combat redness, remove under-eye circles and dark spots, revitalize skin tone and protect against skin damage and blemishes."

Hollywood stars have been slathering themselves in coffee-centric products and it's no wonder - just look at all it can do! The blend of coffee with organic, wild crafted, and natural oils, butters, and botanicals gives you healthy, beautiful, radiant skin without having to wait for weeks to see results.

To look my best, I start my day with Naked Beans Revitalizing Eye Cream.  This combats my late nights and bleary-eyed look. It takes a very small amount (the size of a pea) of this light, refreshing cream to work. I put it on before bed and when I get up. No more redness or dark circles. And those puffy bags that I used to lug around with me all day? Gone. Completely gone.

And because dry skin is not just a winter issue, I am relying on Daily Moisturizing Face Cream to keep my skin aglow. I like how this non-greasy cream sinks in right away and that my skin feels nourished long after I've put it on.

For my perpetually dry lips, Reviving Lip Balm feeds my skin with organic oils and coffee butter. It even smells like coffee! The emollient feel lasts and lasts so your lips are always smooth and kissable.

For the rest of my skin, I'm enveloping myself in Naked Beans Soothing Body Lotion (pictured above) in Lavender. First of all, it smells incredible (I've started putting it on just before bed in addition to first thing in the morning because the scent relaxes me from head to toe). Secondly, it feels wonderful on. It goes on light, but it deeply hydrates my skin. If you suffer from dry skin, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll feel relief.

There's little wonder why you should be shopping for skincare at Naked Beans Organics Coffee. But if that's not enough of a reason, how about the fact that they are affordable and all products, ingredients, packaging, containers, and promotional materials are recycled, recyclable, sustainable, reusable, compostable and/or biodegradable.

Shop the entire Naked Beans Organics Coffee collection now.

Luxuriate in Linen Towels This Summer from the UK's LinenMe

Linen is a timeless fabric. 

I remember seeing black and white photos of Audrey Hepburn and Katharine Hepburn in linen pants and suits and yet, here they are today at stores like TopShop and Banana Republic.

But perhaps you've never considered linen for your home. Linen Me in England has a whole online shop dedicated to not only linen clothes, linen scarves and linen fabrics but bed linen, throws & blankets, kitchen linen, table linen and bathroom linen.

Inga, an interior designer who graduated from London’s KLC School of Design, explains her love of linen:

"Over years I have come to the conclusion that pure linen, like any other natural fiber, has some sort of magic powers, and I love to share my expertise, skills and passion with LinenMe customers. Making our luxury products affordable and available to any home and taste has always been one of the highest priorities at LinenMe. I’m a regular visitor and exhibitor at interior design fairs in the UK, Germany, France, Japan and USA, so I do try to produce home interior accessories suitable for various tastes, fitting different size standards and as much up-to-date as possible." 

In addition all of the designs at LinenMe are produced in a small, family owned facility in Lithuania. 

I love looking through this site because it shows that linen can be extremely vibrant and colourful like the Silk Wool Orange Scarf and this stunning Purple Linen Dress! And while looking through all of the beautiful items, I was surprised to learn that there are thick and luxurious linen bath towels. I had only seen linen tea towels and cloths before.

So I was really excited to try a Natural Striped Huckaback Linen Bath Towel Lucas (pictured above) to greet me after an energizing shower or a relaxing dip in the tub. This 100% organic linen towel is so super soft (it's been pre-washed, so it's even softer than you can imagine) that you'll wonder why you've been buying cotton towels all these years. The size (70 x 130 cm, 100 x 150 cm) means that everyone in the family will get to envelope themselves and have that spa-at-home feeling and the stripes lend a decidedly modern and exciting look to an otherwise ordinary bathroom.

I'm making the switch over the linen everything - what about you?

Shop LinenMe's incredible collection now.

Vermont Soap Organics Deep Cleans Without Toxic Chemicals

I am trying to rid our house of chemicals and go all natural wherever possible.

One of the first places I hit was underneath the skin where I store my house cleaners. A clean house is very important to me, but now that we have the option of cleaners that use natural ingredients instead of toxic chemicals, I want to replace everything under there.

The problem is, some natural cleaners just don't do the job well enough.

So I'm always on the lookout for something that doesn't just smell good or makes my appliances look good, but really gets in there and cleans.

Vermont Soap Organics produces "USDA Approved, Certified Organic alternatives to the chemical and detergent based personal care products now in general use," and their Farm & Ranch Multi-Surface Cleaner stands up to my vigourous testing.

I like that it works on everything in the bathroom and kitchen, it brings out a shine on the taps as well as the porcelain and countertops. I feel good knowing that its free of artificial preservatives, colours, fragrances alcohol and detergents too.

Not only that, it smells good. Using saponified  organic coconut, olive and jojoba oils, organic orange oil, tea tree and other natural essential oils, organic aloe and rosemary extract, you get that fresh, clean aroma without inhaling anything harmful.

But don't feel you can only use it on your room's surfaces - it works on all washable materials including wood, plastics, leather, cloth, people, pets, car interiors and much more (just be sure to test a small area prior to use).

So instead of having 5 bottles under the sink, have just the one. The good one.

Buy Farm & Ranch Multi-Surface Cleaner now.

Pamper Yourself with Equavie's Organic Hand Cream

My hands go through so much during the day.

From morning 'til night, I am working at my computer, handling endless pieces of paper (so drying!) and in between - cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and other assorted household things.

By bedtime, they are a wreck - dry, aged-looking and feeling incredibly parched.

Or at least, that's how they used to feel.

Since I've had Equavie's Hand Cream on my desk, they've felt completely pampered and rejuvenated.

I love that this cream in a tube is small enough to keep close at hand on my desk and not take up much room (truthfully, there's not much left anyway), and I can stash it in my purse so I've got it with me on the go (so convenient!).

I appreciate that though it's a cream, it's really light and completely non-greasy. There's nothing worse than feeling like you've got to wash your hands after putting on a drugstore hand cream. And it is just lightly fragranced, so it won't overwhelm you with its scent like those most creams.

Using natural and organic ingredients such as sunflower and safflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, oat kernel extract and cocoa seed butter, your hands stay hydrated all day long, no matter how much running around you do or tasks you complete.

Finally, a hand cream that keeps up with my hectic day!

And thanks to no artificial fragrances or colouring, GMO, parabens or petrochemical derivatives, you can feel good about slathering your hands in complete and utter comfort.

Contact SOPAR and get Equavie's Hand Cream today.

Shop the Season with Earth Creations' Sustainable & Organic Cotton Clothing

Ugh. Have you looked in your closet lately?

There's nothing to wear!

That's why you need Earth Creations eco, pure and simple clothing.

Fashionable beyond belief, you'd never know that they were made out of mud! Well, kind of. Here's the story:

"Earth creations evolved from an ordinary bike ride. One day after a storm, Joy took her mountain bike out for some off-roading and ended up covered with Alabama red dirt. Despite many tumbles through the washing machine, the shirt, socks, and shoes remained stubbornly stained by that mud! When Joy and Martin met years later, Martin was intrigued by the strength of that red clay. Where most people saw ruined clothes, Martin saw potential. Armed with his background in chemistry, concern for the environment, and a natural curiosity, Martin began experimenting with the clay as a dye for T-shirts.

That was almost 17 years ago. Our garments are still colored with natural clay dyes using the process Martin originally developed. From the first 'Alabama Dirt Shirt' tinted with that infamous red clay, earth creations has grown into a full line of organic T-shirts dyed in a rainbow of colors for men, women, and children. We also have a complete casual wear line for women made from sustainable fibers."

Founders Joy Maples and Martin Ledvina are really onto something here. 

Check out the gorgeous Tiki Top (pictured above) that I got in Sunstone. It's the perfect spring/summer top. Dusty rose is one of the top colours of the season and with the 100% organic cotton crocheted yokes with elasticized rouched shoulders and 100% organic cotton jersey fitted bottom, it fits and slouches in all the right places. It looks like 2012, yet it got a 1963 vibe to it. 

It looks fantastically sexy paired with jeans, slim capris or skirt. It can look dressed up or dressed down just based on what bottom you wear it with. And because of the crocheted peek-a-boo top, you don't have to accessorize at all, making like a whole lot easier and less time at home getting ready!

And because this spring hasn't been exactly warm, I envelope myself in my Juneau Jacket pretty much every day. Both because it looks so good and is so comfortable, I can't bear to slip on my other coats!

 

I love the range of summery colours that are available, but I went with Black (it just goes with everything).  This too is something that can look both easy-breezy casual or ooh-la-la dressy. The tie front and shawl collar give it an operatic presence, while the princess seam fitting lines show off the intricate detailing and fine finishing. It's incredibly flattering, thanks to being semi-fitted, so you can wear it with pants or dresses - widening your wardrobe options even further. And the material feels fantastic against your skin. It's no wonder I never want to take it off: 66% bamboo, 28% organic cotton and 6% spandex french terry blend together in a cozy, but never too warm concoction.

I want one of everything at Earth Creations!

 

Shop it all now - women, men and youth/infant - and get yourself a wardrobe that is good for you and to you.

The New Line of 100% Organic Spice Blends from Teeny Tiny Spice Co. of Vermont ROCKS MY WORLD!

Do you ever feel like all of your food tastes the same?

I do. Despite changing up the menu every night, I think because I tend to buy the same ingredients again and again, my cooking tends to feel very familiar.

Sure, getting a new cookbook helps, but I feel like it never really changes.

One of the most revolutionary ingredients I've ever come across is the new line of 12 100% Organic Spice Blends from the Teeny Tiny Spice Co. from Vermont.

They are like nothing I've ever cooked with or eaten before (and remember, I eat for a living!).

Owners Thora and Ed Pomicter (pictured above) "always had a passion for global cuisine, but were often challenged by ethnic recipes that required so many different spices that it was nearly impossible for them to keep their pantry adequately stocked. To resolve this, and help other home cooks add the flavor of various world cuisines to everyday meals with ease, they created Teeny Tiny Spice Co. of Vermont." 

Thank goodness for Thora and Ed's ingenuity, because these spice blends truly bring the world right into your very kitchen. You get the flavours of Northwest and Southwest India, North and East Africa and places that you might not normally be able to replicate easily at home.

I live in a very metropolitan urban center and I have to say, I've never seen anything like these before. Nothing that is this authentic, that's certified organic, that's made in small batches, that is so flavourful, so easy to use and very affordable! Ed says, "We provide spices already combined in proportions to give you just the right flavor profile to create dishes with the essential flavors of North and South, East and West."

And let's be honest - when's the last time you made Ethiopian, Persian or African for dinner?

I am so grateful for having found these spectacular blends. I mean, Chocolate Chili? With it's cocoa nibs, juniper berries, organic Vermont maple sugar and Himalayan pink salt, you can see why Teeny Tiny's spices far and away beat my ol' standard chili recipe any day! And I'm in love with the British Curry mix - it's become my new favourite comfort food dish - and so easy to prepare.

Choose from so many exciting selections - British Curry; Citrus Pepper; Ethiopian Berberé; Garam Masala; Montréal Seasoning; Penang Curry; Perfection Spice Rub; Persian Adwiya; Ras el Hanout; Shepherd Herb Mix and Vindaloo. I love the range of this line - you can simply put some rub on some pork chops or chicken if you don't feel like doing too much or if you feel up to a few simple steps, create a Thai Style Penang Curry or Ras el Hanout Tangine.

Each spice blend covers you for at least four to eight "full recipes" depending on the blend and how heartily you use it. Each tin of spices tells you the heat level as well as how to use it, so you don't have to start from scratch every time - just get your veg, grains and/or protein, add your spice blend and away you go. To a brand new, healthy way of eating!

I recommend getting One of Everything. Or at least the Herb & Spice Collection or Heat Collection. Because these are going to be your culinary best friends for life.

p.s.- True story. I was going to make a Shepherd's Pie one night and I thought the Shepherd Herb Mixour cat Cosmo would really give it new life and zest. But had grabbed it from the low spice shelf it was on in the kitchen and apparently, it was better than catnip, as he was playing with it, tossing it around like a football. It happened every night for a week, until I went and put it on a slightly higher shelf. I'll keep you posted...

Handcrafted Lily Organics Are Made Fresh on the Farm!

It's not often that you find skincare products as fresh as this: Lily Organics is a certified organic farm, where fresh products are mixed and made by hand every week, without the use of any synthetic chemicals.

The result is gorgeous, clear skin!

I started with the gentle, yet effective Nourishing Facial Cleanser. Using only pure, natural ingredients such as Lily's homemade almond oil soap, lemon juice, vitamin E and witch hazel, your skin will no only feel clean, but pampered.

I love the tea-coloured Balancing Facial Toner because my face brightened immediately. Thanks to goodies such as certified organic eucalyptus, white ginseng and pure sage and lavender essentials oils, your skin feels soothed and invigorated.

Balancing Facial Lotion is like none I've ever seen or used before - using beeswax, primrose oil, bee propolis and other exciting ingredients, it is like treating your skin to a rich buffet of wholehearted goodness! Just imagine how good you'll look and feel feeding your skin such natural ingredients. Be careful though, it smells so delicious, you're going to want to eat it!

And for those times when you need a little pick me up, you've got to try the Rejuvenating Enzyme Mask! It smells like molasses (though it's not an ingredient) and enriches your skin with honey, papaya, pineapple and other whole ingredients. Your skin will feel like it's been on vacation and finished with a spa treatment!

My skin is radiant, thanks to Lily! 

Let Mother Nature, not scientists, give you gorgeous skin.

Shop Lily Organics Skincare now.

Renew Your Skin With Brittanie’s Thyme Incredibly Affordable Organic Skin Care

It's so cold out. Has your face gone and dried out like mine?

It's time for a renewal, but not anything chemical laden. You want to treat it like you would the rest of your body. And you don't want to spend your whole paycheck either. I mean, you're not making the big bucks, yet.

That's why you'll want to shop Brittanie’s Thyme products.

All of Brittanie’s Thyme products are USDA certified organic, with the exception of their French Green Clay Facial Mask with Organic White Tea. How they manage to use such exquisite ingredients and keep their prices so low remains a mystery, but at these prices, perhaps you won't mind being in the dark just this once!

To get my rejuvenation started, I slather on the Organic Almond Oatmeal Facial Scrub (pictured above).  The ingredients? Organic oatmeal and organic raw almonds.  That's it!  Isn't that awesome? To use, you simply place a small amount in the palm of your hand, add a few drops of water to make a paste and then rub gently onto your skin in small circles. Rinse with warm water and voila - shiny new skin!

Then I apply the Organic Everyday Facial Moisturizer, which despite it's usually pricey ingredients, is only $16 a bottle!  The pureness of each component renews your skin and protects it from the harsh winter elements, which unfortunately, we've still got a month or so left to battle against.

You'll love how your skin feels during (it's not oily at all) and after applying this moisturizer (oh so soft!). Using wonderfully pure ingredients - organic aloe gel, 100% natural glycerin, organic rice bran, vitamin E, organic rosemary extract,organic geranium and organic sweet orange essential oils and organic (refined) coconut oil - you can feel good while looking good.  And you only need 2-3 drops every day, so the bottle will last f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

And at only $5 a bottle, you'll want to load up on French Green Clay & White Tea Facial Masks for you and your friends (what a great gift and stocking stuffer!). I love using this once every couple of weeks. The healing clay (montmorillonite) is from France and delivers magnesium, silica and selenium to your skin.  And according to Brittanie's Thyme, the organic white peony tea "provides 10 times more antioxidants than vitamin E,"  so you can imagine how beautiful your skin is afterward.

To make things ridiculously easy, get everything together in the Everyday Basics or Gluten-Free Everyday Basics Set.

Spring is still weeks away. Look damn beautiful in the meantime with Brittanie's Thyme.

Restore Your Balance with Golden Earth's Aromatherapy Body Care Products

I bet you could use a lift right about now.

It's cold out, it's not even middle of the week yet... Ugh, right?

Not anymore, thanks to Golden Earth.

Created by aromatherapist Elizabeth Golden,  this body care line is based on essential oils and whole products that are good for your body.

But that's not the best part.

It's how they make you feel - inside and out.

One of my favourite (and most important) parts of the day is my morning shower. It sets the tone for my day and gets my revved for the events to come. And Golden Earth's Organic Aromatherapy Bath Gels are a must whether you rock the shower or the tub. With names like Fresh, Love and Tranquility and scents that smell like gardens, not chemicals, you can't help but have a stellar day!

Naturally, you should follow with Elizabeth's Organic Aromatherapy Body Lotions. Using the most nourishing natural ingredients such as Acai pulp, brazil nut seed  and andiroba seed oils as well as capuacu butter, your skin will feel soft and supple like it used to. And you'll smell good too.

Speaking of which, are you looking for natural, organic perfumes? Then get yourself some Perfumes from Nature. These little wonders are like a burst of sunshine and a wave of happiness - how can you not feel great wearing scents called Euphoria and Grace?!

And to keep with your new year's resolution of taking better care of yourself, slowing down, being in the moment... (I know you know these), envelop yourself in Chakra Wellness Therapy Oils. Each essential oil "has its own unique vibration to promote wellness in the body," bringing you that peace and quiet that you've been longing for.

Be good to yourself and your body. You deserve it.  

Shop the entire Golden Earth Collection now.

Look Younger with LaVigne Organic's Plump & Firm Tri-Active Peptide Cream

Aging is tough. 

I noticed this morning when I turn my neck, the crease stays for quite awhile. There's no way to exercise your neck! And despite not tossing and turning much last night, my skin looks dull and my eyes are puffy.

Sigh. 

But there is help. LaVigne Organic Skincare, founded by President Linda Zaurrini (née LaVigne) is "dedicated to making natural products that both heal damaged skin and protect against the effects of day-to-day stresses from our environment. Each product is created to work effectively within our total skincare system or by itself."

I love that you don't have to buy a whole system in order to see results.

Also, the formula was created organically:

In 2002, while living in Mexico, Linda began looking into the healing secrets of the Mayans and visited with local experts to uncover the remarkable properties of Tepezcohuite. 

She has chosen all of the ingredients, as well as what not to include (parabens) herself, so you get this handcrafted recipe that fights aging naturally.

I tried Plump & Firm Tri-Active Peptide Cream and was thrilled by how supple and bright my skin was after just one application!

I like that the cream is light, but absorbs immediately. You skin feels quenched and nourished right away. Oh, the scent is so pretty - light and floral. And no need to worry about feeling greasy with this beauty!

It works to repair your skin, while protecting it from further damage (free radicals, environment, etc.). You may even notice scars diminishing, lines disappearing. All of my wrinkles softened - even on my neck (be sure to use on your neck and decollete!). My eyes were less droopy and the bags under them were virtually gone. 

I looked like I'd be on a one week cruise, when really I'd stay up until 2 a.m. writing until deadline.

Erase the years - and wrinkles - with LaVigne Organic Skincare.

Get On The Road to Better Health With The Stylewellness AcuMat

At first glance, you might think the AcuMat looks a little medieval.

But trust me - it's pure and utter bliss.

Used for relaxation and in yoga and meditation practices, the AcuMat is based on Eastern medicine and has recently had a resurgence in Sweden (one of the healthiest places in the world).

What is so fascinating about the AcuMat is that while it may look like a bed of nails and if you just touch one of the spikes with your finger, it is quite sharp. But like walking across hot coals (so I've heard - I've never actually done it), when you place all of your weight on it at once, it doesn't hurt at all.

My Mom and I tested it out in the living room one night and couldn't believe how immediately we felt different. We both lay on the comfy foam mattress covered in organic cotton and felt a heat along out backs that was both invigorating and relaxing all at once (you can place a cloth between you and the mat, though neither of us needed to).

Just by spending 20-30 minutes before going to sleep, you can reduce your stress and calm your mind.  See, the way it works is that the mat's pressure points releases endorphins, so you can relieve pain and stress just by accessing those various points in your body.

According to the Stylewellness, "Endorphins are vital to many bodily functions, including body temperature, blood pressure, skeletal muscle tone, breathing, heart rate, water-sodium balance, appetite, thirst, protein synthesis, lipolysis, hormonal balance, sexual motivation, peristalsis, immune activity, general alertness, pain perception, emotionality, and learning ability."

Pretty amazing how you can access all of those vital things about your health by just lying on a mat!

You can use it on a number of places - back and neck, abdomen, waist and thighs, feet, face and jaw.

I want to improve my health and I can't think of an easier, more relaxing way than the AcuMat.

Get yours now.

Indulge In Soft Skin and Fabulous Scents With THANN

One of the best luxuries I think, is to have soft, supple skin that smells good.

And one of the most sumptuous lines has got to be THANN.

This all-natural hair, skin and body care line for men and women uses extracts of rice bran oil, "deriving from the Oryza Sativa, which has been a unique staple of Thai subsistence for over five millennia" as its core ingredients. It is rich in Vitamin E which heals and soothes your skin. THANN is also the first brand to feature shiso extract as a key ingredient in skincare. 

You're going to love the intoxicating scents - Oriental Essence, Mediterranean Floral, Sea Foam, Aromatic Wood, Shiso and Rice.

I start my morning off enveloping myself in Aromatic Wood Shower Gel. It moisturizes as it cleanses and the orange woodsy scent (thanks to orange, tangerine and nutmeg oil) is a stimulating way to start the day.

If you like to ease a little more gently into the day, then perhaps the Mediterranean Floral Shower Oil is for you. Normally, I don't like oils, but this one is fabulous! Drenching your skin in vitamins (A & E) and oils (almond, olive, rosemary and lavender), you'll be so soft and smooth, you'll feel like you've just been to the spa. And the fragrance of fresh lavender is so soothing, you can't help but be relaxed. Isn't that how you want to start your day?

And to keep that soft skin throughout the day, apply rich, thick Shiso Body Butter. It's SPF15 and ooh, it goes to work quickly on my dry, rough skin. And I can feel it working throughout the day, so never do I feel dry and itchy. Shiso is not only a moisturizer, but an antioxidant and anti-histamine, so it protects your skin from harmful pollutants as well.

The scent is so lovely - cocoa butter, licorice and shiso extracts combine to form a warm fragrance that is completely captivating. I dare you not to keep inhaling all day!

I keep Sea Foam Hand Cream with Organic Shea Butter at my desk because nothing dries out your hands like handling paper all day. My hands stay soft all day, even after washing. Organic shea butter, organic jojoba oil, rice bran oil and algae extract work to keep them smooth  - and not at all greasy - no matter what I'm doing. Just feel your hands before and after application. The difference is remarkable!

And to keep the house smelling good, I'm loving the LIMITED EDITION Nymphanea Organic Candle. In fact, I think the more accurate term would be addicted. The fragrance is warm, yet clean. Like freshly washed sheets, dried on the line and then infused with water lilies.  My goodness does it smell good.  Using only pure fragrances and organic shea butter wax (no petroleum wax or chemicals here), the candle burns for 28 hours in a gorgeous black glass. What a sexy gift to give someone.

It's easy to see why I love THANN. And these are just a few of the products they offer.

Go get yourself some and indulge in feeling and smelling incredible!

p.s. All products are dermatologically tested (suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types) and 100% paraben-free.

You're Going to Love Schwarzopf's NEW Essensity Line

As you know, I have crazy wild hair that is near-to-impossible to tame.

Really, I require a team of stylists - one to hold me down, one to pull on my locks, another to apply product and one more simply for prayers.

But since I am no rich girl, I try and find products that will give me results. Immediately.

Schwarzkopf does it each and every time.

So when I found out about their NEW Essensity Line, I knew that help was on the way!

This line uses "pure certified organic essences & essential oils drawn from innovative, efficient extraction techniques such as freshly freeze-dried essences of Aloe Vera."

Talk about modern.  

And to put your mind at ease, all products are free from artificial fragrances, silicones, paraffin-/mineral oils and parabens. So you get the high style you want, without all the chemical junk to go along with it.

I am all over the Smoothing Cream. Using cold-pressed organic essence of sesame, this thick cream give you instant shine and smoothness, taking you from bouffant to beau-ti-ful in mere seconds.  And since it's a finishing cream, your hair doesn't get weighed down or greasy in the process.

And for a little control, you've got to go with the Styling Juice. Made with freshly freeze-dried organic essences of red vine bud enhanced with organic blackcurrent bud extract, this light spray goes on your just-outta-the-shower locks and gives you the soft, silky hair of rich folks.

To prove how well it works, I bleached my hair yesterday and it was like putting your hand in a box of Shredded Wheat. I spritzed my hair just 3 times with the juice and after blow drying, my hair feels like satin sheets.

I told you Schwarzkopf was good!

Related Posts:

- 5 Things to Instantly Put You in a Summer Mood!

- 5 Quick Fixes to Help You Get Through Your Already Hectic Day!

Indulge in Treat Beauty's Natural & Organic Bath & Body Products

We respond to certain fragrances with pure joy.

Take vanilla, for instance. Just a hint of it, and suddenly you feel warm and cozy.

Treat Beauty has created a line of natural and organic bath and body products that feel and smell amazing with natural scents like vanilla, lemon and orange cream.

I tried Treat World's Best Healing Balm, for instance, in Tahitian Vanilla. What a fragrance! It makes me think of cable knit sweaters and long talks curled up on the couch.  And oh, how this wonder cream sunk into my skin without any greasy leftovers. You can use it as just a daily indulgence or to tackle dry skin, achy muscles, eczema - whatever is ailing you. 

What a luxurious feeling to have skin this soft and smell so good.

Need a little pick-me-up?  Treat Beauty's Lemon Drops Refreshing Hair & Face Mist combats your sudden mid-afternoon slump, as well as moisturizes your face and hair.  Lemony-freshness whenever you need it most!

And now that it's getting cooler, you're going to want to stock up on lip balms.

Treat Beauty makes 'em in one size - jumbo - so you'll be sure to stay pucker perfect in these cooler, colder months.  And check out these awesome old-fashioned flavours: Lemon Drop, Orange Cream (think creamsicle) and Soft Candy Vanilla Buttercream.  Applying lip balm has never been more fun! And with natural ingredients like coconut oil, kosher vegetable glycerin, shea butter and natural flavourings and essential oils, you can swath your lips in smoothness without worry. 

And at these prices, you can afford to get one of every scent/flavour!

Natural never smelled so good.

Shop now and stock up with Treat Beauty.

Get Your Daily Dose of Hawaii with Malie Organics

I have always wanted to go to Hawaii.

Since it's a rather expensive destination, in the meantime I can bring that tropical island feel home, thanks to Malie Organics.

Malie, pronounced mah-lee-ay, is Hawaiian for calm, serene, tranquility.

Using only indigenous and local Hawaiian flora, Malie Organics Pikake line is natural, organic and completely luxurious.  And thanks to Hawaiian Hydrosols, the "gentle floral waters that contain every element of the plant at the molecular level." your skin always feeling nourished and moisturized. And no need to worry about chemicals and toxins as there is "absolutely no petroleum, mineral spirits, sulfates or parabens" in Malie Organics products.

The subtle, but very pretty fragrance of Malie Organics Aroma Mist is how I like to start the day after my shower. If you think many perfumes cloy or linger for too long, this is for you.  You can even use it on your linens!

I like how it extends the hydrating feel of Malie Organics Body Cream.  Natural ingredients such as coconut, ginger and macadamia nut oils infuse your skin with moisture, while aloe and chamomile soothe your skin (now that it's cooled down, have you noticed your skin already getting dry?). And the cream has a lovely warm and nutty scent with just a hint of flora.  Mmm.

The Malie Organics Liquid Hand Soap is fantastic. I've got it going in our bathroom and normally we got through a bottle very quickly. Malie's high quality ingredients mean that a little goes a long way - we've been using it for weeks and it's still looks almost full.  That's exactly what I want in my hand soap. That and the added bonus of having clean hands that have been treated to such lovely scents, you come out of the bathroom, saying, "Smell my hands!"

And you've got to try Malie Organics Anti-Aging Firming Elasticity Cream. Using the super nutrient Hawaiian Coffee Fruit Extract, you can successfully battle those wrinkles, plump up your limp skin and keep environmental toxins at bay! After using it just for 2 days and nights, I noticed a difference in my skintone's look and feel. So did other people! I was told how good I looked (I didn't) and did I do something different like lose weight (I'd just had a huuge lunch) or cut my hair (nope).

I love being able to treat my body safely and naturally, all with the sweet, subtle scents and powerful ingredients straight from Hawaii.

Shop Malie Organics and surround yourself with the feel and fragrances of the Hawaiian islands!

Make the Switch to Better For GrownUps Reusable Organic Cotton Tissues

This year I want to make some changes in how I do things.  

I vigorously recycle and compost at home, and donate my clothes on a regular basis.  

But there's got to be something more...

Better For GrownUps has a host of products that can help and their Reusable Organic Cotton Tissues are a great place to start. 

The first to love about them is that they are soft (Fair Trade & Certified Organic cotton), so you'll actual want to use them.  Who wouldn't rather feel sateen against their skin than paper?  And while soft, these little guys are strong, so go ahead and sneeze right into 'em - they can take it!  

The box they come in is smart - your tissues are dispensed just like the traditional ones you've been using up until now, but there is a drawer compartment built into this one, that allows you to discard your used tissues with ease.  Then just toss them into the wash with the rest of your laundry. It's that easy!

You get 12 tissues to start and refill packs are available.  

Switching to Better for GrownUps Reusable Organic Cotton Tissues is a change you can feel good about.

See what else you can do.

Revolution Organics: A Makeup Routine That's Simple - Finally!

The NEW Freedom Collection from Revolution Organics Cosmetics is exactly for I have been looking for - a simple, healthy line of products that I can swipe on and get out the door.

Look, I'm certainly not going to leave the house without any makeup on, but I don't want to spend all morning in front of the mirror either.

Take the Freedom Glow Multi-Tasking Beauty Balm, for instance. 

I love that I can just swipe this huge on my lips, cheeks, eyes - even decolletage if I want - for a sheer hint of colour and shine.  Not only is it a quick hit of colour that I desperately need in the am (especially if I haven't had any coffee yet), but it's incredibly moisturizing.  

What's fantastic is that it isn't hydrating to start and then wears off like most products. Oh no, this one you can feel sinking into your skin and keeping it plump and supple throughout the day - and the heat, smog, smoke and whatever else you and your skin are up against.

And how cool is it that it comes from cold-pressed organic olive oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, beeswax and other 100% pure, natural and organic ingredients?  It comes in 3 awesome colours - peachy Sunkissed, rosy Blushed and the golden tan of Bronzed. No matter what the season, you're going to want to keep this close at hand.

The Lip Balm saturates my lips with moisture too.  It infiltrates my dry, flaky pout with apricot, palm, castor and olive oils, beeswax, shea and cocoa butters and other wonderful natural ingredients.  And you just need a little bit, but it lasts and lasts.  I can air kiss, have my cuppa joe and tell a room full of people about my experiences, all while having smooth, moist lips.

And it gets even better.

Freedom Lip Gloss is one of those glosses that makes you say, "Ooh" as soon as you start applying it.  Jojoba and olive oils, aloe vera and shea butter soften and nourish your lips, but the colours - peach, red and various pinks - go on so beautifully, so flatteringly, you'll wonder how it manages to be so many things in this one slim, sleek container.

USDA Certified Organic.  Free of chemicals, parabens, synthetics, artificial ingredients, and fillers (including water!) and packaged in recyclable, biodegradable materials.  Easy and quick to use, but the results are stunning and long-lasting. 

What are you waiting for?!  I just got you about 25 extra minutes each and every day! 

Go get Revolution Organics Cosmetics and enjoy your freedom from the bathroom mirror!

My New Favourite Dinner Party Dessert - Kukkii Organic Wisdom Cookies

We went to a friend's for dinner recently and I took Kukkii Organic Wisdom Cookies for dessert.

What a hit!

Not only are they a crunchy, tasty treat, but they become a unique part of the meal.

After our dinner of bocconcini and heirloom tomato salad, grilled salmon steaks and jasmine rice, our host served us homemade peach ice (oh my!) with coconut macaroons and my Kukkii Organic Wisdom Cookies.

There are 2 flavours available - Lemon and Lavender and Orange and Spice. I brought Orange & Spice, which went nicely with the ice cream, and developed in the mouth nicely. First you get a warm sweetness (perhaps the pure maple syrup that's used?) and then a little nip of heat, which makes for a memorable dessert.

You'll guests will be pleased that there are no refined sugars, preservatives or artificial ingredients used. But they'll be completely tickled by the inspirational messages tucked inside the cookies. We all read ours aloud and then talked about how they applied to us or what we thought about the quote. It was like bringing a game to the party, as well as delicious cookies.

Many of us slipped the little pieces of wisdom into our pockets and purses afterward.

A souvenir of the evening and a little knowledge passed along the way.

How wonderful is that?

Email for how to get them near you!

Colour Your Hair Naturally with Surya Brasil Hennas

I have been colouring my hair for over 20 years now, so you can imagine the damage to my once glossy locks.

But I've recently found a wonderful solution - Surya Brasil Henna Powders and Creams, formulated with 100% plant ingredients. You get the deep, rich colour your long for, without the harmful synthetics and chemicals that you get with drugstore bands.

And henna is known for its moisturizing and restorative properties, so you get the glossy hair that was previously only Hollywood star's domain and you can finally repair all the damage you've done with curling and flat irons, blow dryers and years of chemical colours and products.

Finally!

You'll love that it's semi-permanent, so it was gradually wash and won't stain your clothes, bathroom, etc. and it comes with a packet of 100% natural bee honey to keep your hair looking good.

It comes in many different shades so you can change it up throughout the seasons - red, black, brunette or blonde.

And don't forget to get some Restorative Serum for Split Ends too. You've got a lot of damage control to do on that head of yours.

Surya Brasil is here to help and make you look good - naturally.

Shop at Ten Thousand Villages and Make a Real Difference!

Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit Fair Trade organizations that sells stylish, ethnically-inspired and ethically sources products in stores and online.

They provide vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.

By shopping at Ten Thousand Villages, you can buy gifts with meaning, green gifts and shop ethically for you and your home all in one convenient location. Just imagine how meaningful a graduation, wedding or anniversary gift when it's been handcrafted with such love, care and dedication. And they have a gift registry, which is wonderful.

You can choose from personal accessories, home furnishing, textiles, books and stationery, plant and garden, jewelry, skin care, food items, toys and musical instruments, some of which are made from reused, reclaimed, sustainable or organic materials.

Here are some of my recent favourites:

The Cotton Ikat Tablecloth w/ Gingham shows off the season's biggest trend and is just in time for patio season. Your backyard barbecue never looked better. On second thought, you'd better get the matching napkinsfor a truly complete look.

We use a Bamboo Folding Table as our coffee table so that our living room can work in a number of different ways.

I think the Natural & Lime Kaisa Basket is the perfect accent piece for my breakfast bar. And the Reverse Painted Serving Tray (pictured above) is a wonderful time saver when entertaining.

For no-fail gift giving, Portraits is a stellar choice, as is The BitterSweet World of Chocolate. Bookends are always useful and what about a wine rack that folds up? Perfect for taking up to the cottage for the week! And who doesn't love jewelry as a gift?

Being an avid cook, I love how fresh the food and ingredients are, as well as the fact it is all fairly-traded and much of it is organic - all at completely and affordable prices! I get my spices here (like their wonderful curry and za'atar) and I pay LESS for them than at my local grocery store!

Last year, I bought over half of my Christmas presents at Ten Thousand Villages and for once, I felt good about shopping. My purchases really meant something.

You can visit them online via the US or Canada or go in person to one of their many store locations.