DIY Lavender Sugar Scrub

I used to pamper myself.

A large portion of my disposable income used to be spent on things like waxing, scented lotions and other items that served no other purpose than to make me feel good and pretty.

Now, fast forward about 13 years... I am desperately trying to stick one wayward curl behind my ear. It escaped from a haphazard ponytail. My glasses are smudged after being grabbed by a one-year old, I haven't had a shower today and you probably guessed it, I am sans makeup as I type. As opposed to having ever scent available from Bath and Body Works, now I might have a random tube of lotion... somewhere.

In other words, pampering has ceased and I could use a little pampering about now.

With a family of 5 though, who has the money to shell out for expensive lotions, boutique scrubs and other girly treats? Not this mama. Luckily, making an at home sugar scrub is super easy and very inexpensive. As I start playing around with scents and combinations, I will post those recipes as well. Today I have a simple, natural and amazing smelling Lavendar Sugar Scrub to share.

You Will Need:

• 3 Tbsp. lavender blossoms
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/3 c. coconut oil
• 2 Tbsp. grapeseed oil *optional, you could also use more coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp. vitamin E oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together with a spoon or spatula. Store in an airtight container like a mason jar. Use whenever pampering is called for.

I created this recipe to be both gentle and nourishing to my skin. Summer leg care often leaves my skin dry, so the coconut oil, grapeseed oil and vitamin E will help with that. You can change the formula to fit what works for you and what you have around the house. I chose to use both lavender blossoms and essential oil. You could definately use one or the other.

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Create an Easy Upcycled Vase with Tinted Mod Podge

Right now it seems like everything in the yard is blooming. Everytime I turn around I hear, "Mom, can I have a vase?" Yes, my little helpers have noticed all the blooms too, and they are determined to pick every single one.

The truth is I am hopelessly short of vases. What few I did have have been smashed or broken by the helpers. I am not sure that 4 and 6 year olds are a good mix with glass. So, I am not eager to buy new vases.

Instead I decided to make our own using things we already had around the house.

My kids love Danimals. In fact they are a lunch staple in our house. Usually I just throw the containers away, but the other day I thought about how perfect they would be to use for vases.

I would like to tell you that I am a Mod Podge expert. The truth is I didn't find Mod Podge until I was an adult. My childhood was instead filled with Elmer's Glue, yarn and knitting needles, though not always at the same time. So, decoupage is new to me. After seeing the new tinted Mod Podge at Walmart, I knew that I wanted to try my hand at at.

The sheer pink was just calling to me and I knew my daughter would love it.

For this project you will need:

• 1 plastic container (Danimals yogurt container or something similar)
• Mod Podge, sheer pink
• paint brush
• tissue paper of your choice, cut into squares and triangles
• hot glue gun, hot glue
• Mod Melt embellishments
• 6 marbles

Start by adding a peice of tissue paper to the container and covering with a thin layer of Mod Podge in your favorite sheer tint, I used sheer pink. Use the brush to help smooth the paper down. Add another peice, overlapping the first and repeat until the entire surface is covered. Let the project dry.

use a border peice of Mod Melts, from the flower mold, hot glue it to the container and then dab it with more of the Mod Podge sheer pink. Let it dry completely.

The plastic vase is light, so weight it with about 6 marbles. Then fill with water and your favorite flowers.

Not only is this vase made from items already around my house, but it won't shatter like another glass vase. Yes, my kids can make a bunch of these and get back to picking flowers.

And they are so pretty right now. Do you blame them?

An InLinkz Link-up