Ladies Blend Thymes Natural Living

Free Print Projects Started and New Blog Features

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.  I spent most of the day yesterday sitting on my bee-hind in front of the computer trying to navigate a fun new site that has been on my to-do-list for weeks...months. 

I started a couple of HP print projects, which you can see here.  The first project, I have used my flower images to make a photo cube, all you need are scissors, HP glossy, photo or card stock paper and a printer. It is the first one and of course practice makes perfect (well sort of...maybe), and I am looking forward to making a few more.  Here is a scaled down layout:

Now, just think all about the places that could do with a splash of color from a cute little photo cube, I always have one on my desk.  It is also a nice thing to give to someone, who could use a thoughtful pick-me-up.  I'll also add a link that shows you how to make your own.  How nice and convenient it will be for you to print your own with images that could comfort someone in the hospital or someone away from home or as a keepsake of sorts for a special someone.  I would love to see what you come up with too.

The second HP print project that I started there are clean cut pages for the very popular Ladies Blend homemade beauty recipes.  You can print these out on plain paper or use HP glossy, photo or card stock to make a handmade booklet for yourself or someone else.  The sleek simple design adds to the beauty of this project and is easy on the ink too.  There are no images, but there is a color theme, depending on what the recipe is.  For example, the color scheme for lavender bath salts is purple...you get the idea.  Here is a scaled down version of that project:  

In other news, about a week ago, we quietly launched our new daily feature called Ladies Blend Thymes Three, which is 3 very short daily click-able tidbits of interesting topics.  Already generating a good amount of interest, with lots of clicks, I think this will be around for a while.  Check in daily to see what's new there, this new feature is located at the top of the home page, everyday.  Click the box, located in our sidebar on every page to take you right to Ladies Blend Thymes Three:

In the side bar under For You From Pennie, another new feature was also added, called five faves, which is a list of the five most popular projects, recipes, posts, etc. on our blog and is updated as needed.  An example of a very popular post right now, is the one that has the recipe for homemade insect repellent.  As you can imagine this post will not be clicked on nearly as much after summer has ended.  

And last, but never least, we are having a 20% off sale on our Ladies Blend website exclusively for our blog readers.  This sale ends 07/02/08, see complete ad details in our sidebar.  Enjoy!

And just one more thing.  We all know by now food blogs rule, and I want you to have easy access to the best recipes available on the Internet, so I did add one more new feature...oh about 10 or 11 days (and an hour or 2) ago.  The food blog search button, located in (where else?) our sidebar-thank goodness for those sidebars! 

And that is the end of this very long post - have a lovely day!

Pretty Peachy Hands

In our home, there is only one way to eat a sweet juicy Georgia peach-while standing and leaning over the kitchen sink.  Peaches have substantial amounts of alpha hydroxy acids that assist in cell renewal and soften wrinkles, so before you bite into the peach, gather a few ingredients and save a chunk of the peach for your hands.

Ingredients:

• 1 chunk soft peach flesh
• 1 tsp organic sugar
• touch of olive oil
• touch of Castile liquid soap

Directions:

• Quickly mix ingredients in a small dish.
• Massage into your hands.
• Rinse well, pat dry.

Notes:

• Make this recipe when you are ready to use it, if it is prepared too far in advance, the sugar will dissolve.
• Discard any leftover mix.

End of the Week Stress Relief Bath Soak

Ingredients:

• Several handfuls of a good bath salt such as, Black Sea Pink Salt, Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, Organic Grey Sea Salt.
• Essential Oils of: Lavender-5 drops, Spearmint-2 drops, Eucalyptus-2 drops, diluted in about 1 tablespoon of a quality carrier oil, such as Jojoba, Cherry Kernel, Camellia, Olive.

Directions:

• Fill the tub about half full with warm to hot water.
• With the water still running, add the salts and essential oil solution.
• Use your hands to swish it all around, while continuing to fill the tub.
• Using care step into the tub and fill with water to appropriate level.
• Soak for at least 15-20 minutes.

Notes:

• Oil may make tub surface slick, a bath mat is suggested.
• The warm glow from a candle and a relaxing CD playing softly will enhance your soaking experience.
• Begin the weekend or anytime with a stress relief bath.

Summertime Herbal Foot Soak

If your feet are taking a beating like mine from working overtime in the garden, try to take at least a few minutes at the end of the day to tend to your feet.  The following recipe is from our Homemade Beauty Recipes on our Ladies Blend website. 

Herbal Foot Soak
Fill a bowl/basin with warm to hot water, add fresh herbs/botanicals that you have on hand, such as Rose Petals, Mint Sprigs, Lavender Sprigs/Buds, Rosemary, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, etc. Throw in a handful of Sea Salt and drizzle in a touch of your favorite oil if you like, relax and soak until soft.

We also have more recipes on our blog, in Beauty Care & Recipes, some of which are not found on the website, have a look, I am sure you'll find something to suit your fancy!

And if you need a dose of cuteness, please take a moment or two to check out Cute Overload.

Cucumber Facial Treatment

We all know that for those of us that want clean skin, beauty and bath care, that we must read the ingredient label, making sure that the company that we buy from has full disclosure for every single ingredient contained in their products. 

At Ladies Blend, we choose to use simple formulas that include high-grade natural and organic ingredients, but sometimes purchasing pure skin care can be a complicated experience. 

Following is a very effective facial treatment recipe that anyone can make, it contains fresh organic cucumber and two other easy to find ingredients. 

A bit about Cucumbers:

• The high water content in cucumbers soften and hydrate skin.
• Their flesh is high in Vitamin C.
• They soothe minor skin irritations and help to rejuvenate and smooth wrinkles.
• Cucumber skin contains silica, magnesium and potassium, so be sure to buy organic.
• Some non-organic cucumbers have a thin wax coating, which may include carnuba wax.  This wax, when hand milled and naturally processed may seem like an appropriate choice however, I have read that the wax "traps" the pesticides used during the growing process, so always peel a non-organic cumber that has the wax coating, whether you eat it or use it on your skin.  The wax coating may also consist of other plant, animal, insect and petroleum materials and/or other compounds.
  
  Cucumber Facial Treatment

Ingredients:

• A good size chunk of finely grated organic cucumber - skin on, washed and scrubbed.
• Jojoba Oil - jojoba is a liquid wax which closely resembles the natural sebum within our skin, removes excess oils, balances the skin's natural oil and has natural anti-oxidant properties.
• White Kaolin Clay - a mild clay that stimulates circulation, gently exfoliates and cleanses, it does not draw oils from the skin which makes it a good choice for all skin types.

Directions:

• In a small dish add the grated cumber, next drizzle in a touch of jojoba, then sprinkle in a bit of the clay, enough to thicken up the mixture. 
• Use your fingers working in a circular motion to gently apply to face and neck. 
• At this point, you can either rinse with lukewarm water or leave on for a couple of minutes as a masque treatment, followed with a thorough warm water rinse. 
• Gently pat skin dry, always use care on delicate facial skin, excess pulling and scrubbing should be avoided. 

Additional Notes:

• Please don't be intimidated that this recipe does not have exact measurements, enjoy blending it to your desired consistency.  A spreadable thin paste-like application works well, not too thick though. 
• Discard any left over treatment, or even better, use it another body part, like hands and/or feet. 
• The one thing that would make this treatment extra special, is to follow with a refreshing, delicious spritz of organic cucumber hydrosol, a bit pricey, but definitely worth every bit.