A few spa-style treatments to pamper yourself during the holidays!

Here are a few of the spa-style recipes I use to pamper myself.  The next 5 weeks or so are going to be crazy ~ so don't forget to take some time for you!! Mix one or two of these up & disappear into the bath for  while.  Don't forget a glass of wine, or a mug of cocoa plus a fabulous book to escape into!

Oatmeal Scrub:

Blend 1/2 c instant oatmeal
1/2 c olive oil
2 tsp honey
a few drops of your favorite essential oil - I love using lavender oil!
Blend until it makes a soft paste.  Use in shower once a week for gentle exfoliation, plus it is very soothing for dry, itchy winter skin!

Coffee Citrus Scrub (from the Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes):

2 Tbsp fresh ground coffee
1 Tbs fresh squeezed orange juice
1 Tbs olive oil
zest from one orange peel
Combine ingredients in a bowl.  In the shower, smooth scrub over your body using a circular motion.  Rinse off, pat dry, moisturize.  The caffeine is reputed to reduce the appearance of cellulite, athe orange juice detoxifies, and the olive oil moisturizes!

Scented Bath Salts:

2 c. Epsom salts
1 c sea salt
1/4 tsp glycerin
essential oils - I like peppermint, vanilla, or lavender for these salts (or divide salts into several bowls and make batches of different fragrances)
Combine salts in a mixing bowl.  Stir in glycerin & 6 - 10 drops of essential oil.  Mix well.  Spoon bath salts into a pretty jar or other container with tight fitting lid.   These make a great gift, too - package in a plastic bags or containers, with a pretty handmade tag.

Milk & Honey Pedi Soak

Mix 1/2 c sugar & 1/2 cup olive oil.  Fill a soaking bowl with warm milk, and a few teaspoons of honey.  Soak your feet for 5 minutes, then scrub feet with the sugar scrub, focus on heels and any rough patches.  Rinse & pat dry, then use your favorite lotion to moisturize.  Wear your favorite socks after this soak/scrub to allow lotion to soak in!

Busy as a Bee!

FernThis week has been amazing. It's springtime in Atlanta, which is simply gorgeous. Trees in bloom everywhere, the crepe myrtle is in full bloom, dogwoods, pear trees etc - it's just so beautiful & green!! It's also YELLOW, as in pollen everywhere! But thanks to my Claritin D I am actually doing fine this season!

I have been researching the benefits of using seaweed, algae, etc in bath products, so this past weekend I bought some things to try! Sunday and Monday I made a nourishing spa seaweed bath tea - it's full of sea veggies, kelp, spirulina, wakame and other good stuff. Also a detoxifying bath salt with dead sea salts, jade china sea salts, kelp and spirulina. The bath tea bags are so cool - when they swell in the tub, a kind of gel comes out and you can gently rub the bag onto your skin, then pat dry (don't rinse). Supposed to be very nourishing, moisturizing and good for your skin!

Today was my big Publix trip. Spent $82, saved $126! Some of the best deals were dip for 54 c, Dawn d/w soap for 45 c, Snuggle fabric softener for 24 c, free Sunchips, and 25 c 4 packs of Fiber One Yogurt! LAter this week we'll do a Kroger trip too. I have about $118 left to spend this pay period for household/grocery - and I would love to not spend it all!!

My 15 year old got her driver's permit this week. I just added her to our insurance, and I get the feeling that this is one of those "big" moments in her life! So exciting for her, but so terrifying for me!! :o)

That's it for now, I will try to post soon about our trip to Fernbank Museum of Natural History! We got a family membership and we'll be there OFTEN!