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A New Year, A New Me: Five Worthy (And Doable!) Goals for the New Year

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January 2, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon Leave a Comment

Five worthy goals for the New Year that anyone can accomplish! Let’s do this!

This year I’m kicking off January not with resolutions, but with achievable goals for the New Year. I went through a lot last year. From changing unhealthy relationship patterns, moving on from a not so pleasant divorce and learning how to manage a chronic illness so it doesn’t manage me. It’s been a doozy. With past challenges conquered, however, I’m super excited about all the new adventures in store for me in the coming months.

Following are some of the goals for the New Year that I’ve set for myself. I hope you’ll join me in on some of these endeavors to explore and try new things. I’d also love to hear what your goals for the New Year are. So don’t forget to share your plans for conquering 2019 in the comments.

Goals for the New Year

#1 Make wine.

I’ve always wanted to make wine. My first husband used to make beer from scratch. However, there’s typically a lot of equipment to buy for winemaking.

Just before Christmas however, Greg bought an Instant Pot pressure cooker. Our first dinner we made in our new Instant Pot for baby back ribs was amazing! (And yes! They do fall off the bone.) However, on our second dinner attempt we learned the hard way that the smell of chicken fat rendering challenges my nose in a very big way. That, and we didn’t realize until after the fact, you need to clean the seal with vinegar after every use and/or purchase separate sealing rings for different types of dishes/meats. (After dry heaving for an hour straight I’m never eating chicken thighs again.)

However, while chicken is permanently knocked off the Instant Pot menu, other things are still a go. Like making wine. Yes. For around the half the cost of a Bota box, you can make your own wine. You don’t even need fruit! Just grab a bottle of Welch’s grape juice, some sugar and yeast and you’re all set! (Plus you’re not fighting with those giant glass jugs so it’s perfect for small spaces.) You can find the instructions for making your own Instant Pot wine here.

#2 Focus on strength training.

I put on quite a bit of weight (for me) last year. I actually went up two full sizes. Part of it was stress, part was a prescription medication (I’m no longer taking) and some of it is just age. Hormone changes after 40 can really leave you struggling a bit with self esteem. However, I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m okay with weight gain – or even the unfortunate redistribution of said weight from my butt to my gut – as long as I know I’m still eating healthy. So instead of cardio (which is nearly impossible to tackle with fibromyalgia) one of my top goals for the New Year is strength training.

As we age we start to lose muscle. According to Forbes, we lose about 25% of our muscle between 30-35. By age 70, it’s as much as 50%. Therefore, resistance and strength training is extremely important once we, as women, hit our forties. Especially if want to retain our independence throughout the later years of life. I’m starting out slow with knee push ups and yoga, but I’m getting it done! I’d love to hear your favorite ways (or video titles) that you use to help build muscle and strength. So please share your tips in the comments!

#3 Create less waste.

While it’s nearly impossible to achieve a 100% zero waste lifestyle, there are simple things one can do to minimize excess waste – especially in the kitchen. Last year I fell in love with Grove’s European dish cloths. I even got my BFF hooked on these. She’s always holding on to her paper towels and reusing them multiple times on the counter. Not only to reduce waste, but also to save money.

Not surprising, the European dish cloths were an instant hit in her home! Not only are they thicker and have a higher absorption rate than regular paper towels, you can reuse them over and over. Simply toss them in the dishwasher on your regular cycle when they get dirty. This, of course, also frees of some counter space if you have a small kitchen.

I’ve also made the switch to Grove Collaborative’s cleaning concentrates. Not only am I not having to repurchase my cleaning supplies in bulky plastic spray bottles, I’m also saving a ton of storage space. (Which REALLY matters when you live in a tiny apartment. Grove’s cleaning concentrates come in tiny 1 oz. containers to reduce plastic waste and lower your carbon footprint. All you need to do is add one to a 16 oz. glass spray bottle, then fill with water and shake.

I also love that they’re made with non-toxic, plant derived ingredients including natural essential oils. Paired with a microfiber cloth, my apartment is cleaner than it’s ever been. (Though Greg will tell you it’s somewhat more cluttered with all the soapmaking supplies.)

If you’re interested in trying out Grove’s cleaning concentrates, now is the time to make that leap for the New Year. For a limited time you can get a free set of three cleaning concentrates (for tub & tile, glass and all purpose cleaning,) a glass spray bottle, a cleaning caddy and walnut scrubber sponges with your first $20 order. They even throw in free shipping! Spend a little more and they’ll also send you a free stoneware tray. I use mine on our granite countertop for my dish and hand soap. It keeps the water from pooling on the granite so I don’t get those dark water marks. Shop now so you don’t miss out!

#4 Learn something new.

Last year I started taking art classes through a local event called Wine and Art Wednesdays taught by my friend, Hillary. I learned some pretty amazing new crafts while also enjoying the chance to meet new people with similar interests. (You may recall me sharing tutorials from of a few of these classes including how to make needle felted wine bags and suncatchers from upcycled CDs as well as how to create alcohol ink ornaments and gelli prints.)

This year I plan to attend even more classes to expand my experience starting with ribbon and macrame mobiles next Wednesday. I’ll also be (finally!) enrolling in an herbal course through The Herbal Academy. If you’ve been thinking about enrolling to expand your knowledge of herbs, now is a great time to do so!

Right now The Herbal Academy is offering up to 25% off all of their courses through January 6th, 2019. Not only will you save money by enrolling now, but The Herbal Academy just announced they will be closing course registration for the Introductory, Intermediate, and all herbalist packages on January 7th until further notice as they undergo some website improvements. So don’t delay! If you’re interested, be sure to sign up now!

#5 Take the opportunity to forage (and frolic!)

While living in an apartment doesn’t allow the luxury of the garden, I can still enjoy the outdoors and forage for common herbs and flowers. Last year I stumbled upon a patch of chamomile growing wild off The Greenway I walk on during warmer months. Natural herbs and botanicals like plantain and wild violets are also super common in my hometown. I often find them in backyards and growing along city sidewalks. So even if I discover a new plant that I’m not sure hasn’t been treated with pesticides, I can still use the experience to look it up and learn more about it. Not to mention the hunt for new plants means me getting outdoors and walking even more in the New Year.

(I’m also considering making a handmade book with local plants from our area. Something like my 4th grade project when I had to collect and identify 40 different species of trees in book form, smashed between sheets wax paper heated up with an iron.)

If your area doesn’t offer much of an opportunity to safely forage for wild herbs and plants to use in herbal recipes, then check out the organic dried herbs offered from Mountain Rose Herbs to use in your custom tea blends or homemade herbal salves. Or give this recipe for a homemade energy gel a try!

See. I told you these goals for the New Year would be easy! Now be sure to tell me what your doable goals for the New Year are in the comments. Or, share yourself in action working on your goals via instagram with the #soapdelishowoff so we can all inspire one another! (And yes! Soapmaking goals absolutely count. If you’re finally making cold process soap for the first time, I want to know!)

If you’re looking for more inspiration and DIY ideas as you head into the New Year, then be sure to sign up my semi-weekly newsletter!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, My Life Day to Day Tagged With: goals, greenliving, healthy living, inspiration, lifestyle, new year's, resolutions, women over 40

How to Get Rid of Your Farmer’s Tan (Using Sunless Tanner)

June 14, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

I promise this isn’t some spammy magazine article. It just sort of looks like one. But seriously. This really is what happened when I used sunless tanner on my boyfriend to cover up his farmer’s tan.

Sunless tanners sort of terrify me. The last time I used a sunless tanner was toward the end of the 80’s. I distinctly remember being very very orange by the end. And of course the tops of my toes and my knees and elbows were uncomfortably darker than the rest of my body. For these reasons I have avoided sunless tanners like the plague ever since.

Last month I received a deluxe sample of St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse in my allure beauty box. Basically a sunless tanner in a pump bottle. Much thinner than a hair mousse, this sunless tanner goes on clear. The formula is supposed to allow you to be able to dress immediately after application. However I found that this product was still slightly tacky to the touch for about a half hour after applying.

Reviews for the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse agree that this sunless tanner gives you a natural looking tan. Nothing too dark. Just more of a subtle glow. While subsequent applications build color for darker looking skin.

Still, as a Gen-exer who’s survived big hair, orange skin and what is probably the worst fashion decade ever – I was still hesitant to give this sunless tanner a try. So I turned my boyfriend (who is incredibly WONDERFUL btw) into a guinea pig.

My boyfriend often works outside for this job. As a result, he’s developed quite the wicked farmer’s tan. If you’ve ever had a serious farmer’s tan, then you know there’s not coming back from it. At least not until the middle of winter with three feet of snow on the ground.

So, as Greg (the BF) has zero plans for going shirtless this summer, I decided to try out this sunless tanner on this chest. That way, if this sunless tanner turned his skin orange AF, he and I were going to be the only two people to see it.

Here is the before photo. Greg was adamant that I hid his face. Not because he’s self conscious, but because he’s a ghost on social media. He’s the kind of guy who enjoys private moments, well – privately. (I know. He’s already wondering WTF he’s gotten himself into.) Therefore, in this photo he has a frowny face. After all, his chest is white AF compared to his face, neck and arms.

After the first application Greg no longer glowed in the dark. However, there also wasn’t really a drastic change. Nothing was orange though, which was awesome. So the next day we decided to try it again.

By the third application, Greg’s fake tan darkened considerably. And it definitely looked more natural than I had imagined it would. (Thus the super happy face!)

And a side by side comparison. The lighting is unfortunately different. Not because I lacked the foresight to take photos at the same time each day, but because it’s been like Seattle in Southwestern Virginia lately. The rain just never stops. (Also I lacked the foresight to take photos at the same time each day.)

The results of this sunless tanner were pretty impressive at tackling Greg’s farmer’s tan. Especially when you compare them to what I had to work with over twenty years ago. You do, however, have to be really careful about applying it. Because you can’t see this tanner once you put it on, you won’t know if you botched your application until after the fact.

Here’s a photo where I had grabbed Greg’s arm, after the product had dried, but before I’d had a chance to wash my hands. (Oh no!)

We also found that the color started to lighten within a few days. By the end of the week, Greg’s chest looked nothing like the after photo. And the sunless tanner became uneven as it faded. The parts of Greg’s chest that had hair stayed darker than the other parts of his chest. So it almost looked like he had rolled around in dirt.

All in all, though, I think that the St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse is a decent product. While it’s not something I would probably ever use, it is perfect for hiding a farmer’s tan. I think this product would be great summer events or weddings that require something like a strapless dress.

Tips for Using A Sunless Tanner

1. Exfoliate.

If you’re planning to use a sunless tanner this summer, then you’ll want to be sure to exfoliate first. This helps to ensure an even looking tan. Otherwise self tanning products tend to look blotchy and will fade unevenly. You can easily make your own custom body scrubs. Or you may like this organic sugar scrub (pictured above) from BK Apothecary.

This moisturizing body polish contains a luxurious combination of sunflower oil, shea butter and authentic monoi de tahiti oil blended together into a nourishing emulsion that resurfaces dry skin. Formulated using organic sugar, this natural body scrub gently removes dead skin and impurities. It also helps skin to attract and retain moisture, while revealing a smooth, dewy glow. (Buy it here.)

2. Moisturize.

After exfoliating your skin in the shower, be sure to apply a moisturizer. You’ll want to apply an oil free, fragrance free moisturizer on your hands as well as on the backs of your heels and on knees and elbows. The skin on these parts of your body tend to be drier than the rest of your skin.

Because dry areas of skin tend to absorb more pigment, applying a moisturizer beforehand will help your sunless tanner look natural and even. When applying a sunless tanning product, you’ll also want to skip these areas every other application for a more natural look.

If you find that sunless tanners dry out your skin, opt for a natural self tanning product. Essenu’s Steal A Tan™ Dark Indoor Sunless Tanning Lotion not only contains natural tanning boosters, it also contains naturally moisturizing shea and cocoa butters as well as aloe vera and green tea. It’s also formulated with marine elastin and caffeine extract to help to tighten and tone your skin for a smooth, beautiful tan. (Buy it here.)

3. Apply in a cool, dry location.

Additionally, always apply your sunless tanner in a cool, dry area. You definitely don’t want to be a perspiring mess when using a self tanning product. Dead skin cells along with sweat, dirt and oil can cause streaking. This is because dirt and sweat form a barrier between your skin and your sunless tanner preventing an even application. So steer clear of that steamy bathroom and opt for an A/C vent instead.

4. Dust on powder where you tend to sweat.

You may also want to dust the insides of your elbows, armpits, the backs of your knees and, um, under your boobs (Hello?! AMIRITE?) with arrowroot powder once your sunless tanner dries. A talc free alternative to baby powder, arrowroot powder helps to prevent creasing or sweating while the product develops. And, of course, once you’ve done the deed, be sure to wait at least four hours before getting wet to avoid streaking or partially washing off the product.

Are DHA Sunless Tanners Safe?

Though FDA has approved DHA, a “natural” sunless tanning agent as safe for cosmetic use, there is some controversy surrounding this ingredient.

DHA, or dihydroxyacetone, is a chemical derived from beet or cane sugar. Restricted to topical use only, “DHA works by reacting to the amino acids present in the top layer of the skin, the dead cells of the stratum corneum, to create a browning effect.” (Source.) It’s generally believed that DHA is safe to use as a tanning agent as long as you avoid inhaling the product. You should also avoid applying your self tanning product to mucous membranes.

If inhaled, or applied to unapproved areas of the body, DHA has the potential to cause asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cancer. For this reason, spray tans containing DHA are not recommended. Additionally, even with the topical application of a DHA tanning product, there is a risk of an allergic reaction that can lead to itching or even hives.

DHA Free “Tanning” Alternatives

There are other options if you’d like a sunless tanning product that offers a golden glow without DHA. Holly + Nectar sells a Summer Daze Sunless Tanner (pictured above) that’s DHA free. This natural coffee sunless tanner is all natural, vegan, and super moisturizing. Free of harsh chemicals, this natural streak free sunless tanner instead uses a blend of nutrient rich oils and coffee that revitalize skin, add moisture, and give your skin a healthy looking tan.

As if that wasn’t enough, the bonus is the scent! There’s none of the chemical smell that comes with self tanning products that contain DHA. Instead, this natural hazelnut sunless tanner smells like hazelnut and espresso. And, it won’t clog pores! (Buy it here.)

Alternately, you may also like BK Apothecary’s Goddess Glow Body Oil. This ultra hydrating, shimmering body lotion contains a blend of bronze and gold micas to give you a natural, sun-kissed glow. More of a gel than a true oil thanks to the addition of cera bellina wax, this captivating formula is easily absorbed and is satiny-smooth. This product is perfect for temporarily bronzing your skin. (Buy it here.)

I also like this Bronze Goddess Shimmer Body Oil from Naturally Beautiful Skincare. Made with real gold flakes and bronze mica pigment, this light weight body oil smells like a sexy day at the beach! It beautifully tints skin with a slight glowing tan and works like a sheer body makeup blurring any imperfections. Simply put, it’s the perfect way to get a summertime glow without spending time at the tanning bed or getting too much sun. (Buy it here.)

Or, if bronzing oils aren’t your preference you can also try a bronzing makeup stick, like these pictured from River Organics, as well as an all over bronzer mineral makeup foundation from Earthtones Minerals.

For more natural alternatives to sunless tanners, be sure to check out these makeup, beauty and natural skin care favorites. I’d also love to hear about your experiences (good or bad) with sunless tanning products in addition to your favorite beauty products for summer. So be sure to share your thoughts with me in the comments!

To discover more great products as well as natural beauty and skin care recipes from Soap Deli News blog, be sure to follow me across all of your favorite social media platforms. You can find me on G+, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram. Or, alternately, you can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, My Life Day to Day, Shopping Tagged With: beauty, bronzer, natural alternative, self tanner, shopping, skin care, summer, sunless tanner

Kids Craft Projects for When You’ve Hit Your Limit

November 6, 2017 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Are your kids driving you crazy? Retreat into some quiet time for yourself with this collection of 12 DIY kids craft projects for when you’ve hit your limit! (Plus a rockin’ printable chore chart with a rewards system for crafty prizes!)

We’ve all been there. The weather’s been crap for days. The kids are going stir crazy and you, well you’re trying to contain yourself so you don’t scream at anyone and come off as a raving lunatic. As someone who has already raised a child to adulthood AND seen him off to college, becoming a new stepmother in May admittedly came with a new set of challenges.

Granted my son turned out better than I could have ever hoped and I’m incredibly proud of both him and his accomplishments. However, he was one kid. I now have three more. Two we have on a 50-50 split and a third accompanies those two every other weekend. So I basically went from being a quite content empty nester to dealing with kid overload in an instant. And when your parenting skills are a lot different than what they expect and are used to, well. It becomes a learning experience for the entire family.

However, before I share with you one of the ways I dealt with recurring issues I had with the kids, I first want to share a collection of my favorite kids craft projects to keep them entertained WITHOUT television so you can get that break from chaos that you need.

Kids Craft Projects They’ll Love

DIY Light Bulb Aquarium

This easy kids craft project for a DIY light bulb aquarium is suitable for kids of all ages (elementary school and up.) They’ll have a blast assembling small toys, stones and beads inside a glass light bulb to create a tiny aquarium home for a marimo moss ball! Find the tutorial at Soap Deli News here.

DIY Food Erasers

These fun food erasers are a great way for kids to explore creativity while also making a functional craft that they can use afterwards! Your kids will have a blast using using eraser clay to create their own custom erasers to use at school and share with friends! Find this DIY now at The Paper Mama blog here.

DIY Polar Bear Soap

This easy polar bear soap project is made using a melt and pour soap base. So if your kids can use a microwave, they can make this soap! Not only will they enjoy using these homemade soaps in the tub, but they can make extras to gift to friends and family! Find this soapmaking project at Soap Deli News here.

DIY Shrinky Dink Charms

Kids will love making their own DIY Shrinky Dink Charms! They can turn use the free printable templates or create their own drawings to turn into charms for their backpack or fun necklaces or magnets. Find the tutorial and free printables at Ooly blog here.

DIY Wooden Bead Doll Necklace

There are so many possibilities with this necklace DIY from Craftberry Bush. Kids can paint doll faces or even make fun animals like panda bears or cats! Not only are the materials for this kids craft project easy to source, but this is a fun idea for a girls only slumber party too! Find the tutorial at Craftberry Bush here.

Borax Free Play-Doh Slime DIY

This easy Play-Doh slime recipe is borax free so there’s no worry over mixing mishaps or potential chemical burns from extended playtime. Plus, if you have younger kids, it’s likely you already have all of these ingredients on hand! Find the recipe now at DIY Candy blog here.

DIY Gelli Printing

If your kids love art, then they’ll definitely love gelli printing! Not only is gelli printing super easy and rewarding, but the availability of all-in-one kits makes this project even easier to dig right into! And your kids can create artwork for their rooms and the fridge! (These are also amazing framed!) Find the tutorial at Soap Deli News here.

DIY Craft Stick Dolls

These super cute craft stick dolls are so much fun to make at just about any age! (I even want to try these myself!) Design little dolls on wooden craft sticks using washi tape, buttons, colored pens and embellishments you have stashed in your craft drawer! Get inspired via the original post at Teawagontales blog here.

DIY Winter Magnet Clips

These fun and functional DIY winter magnet clips are perfect for both the kids and parents alike! When not keeping chips and cereal bags closed they can be used to create fun winter scenes on the fridge for imaginative play. Find the tutorial to make them now at hello, Wonderful blog here.

Recycled Rainbow Town DIY

Kids can scourge through the recycle bin for this fun DIY project! With a collection of free printables on the website along with your own discarded cardboard and printer paper, kids can create and color a happy little town for stand up characters to play in. This is a great kids craft project for families with kids of mixed ages because everyone can join in on the fun! Find the tutorial now at hello, Wonderful! blog here.

DIY Galaxy Painted Rocks

Painted rocks are quickly coming back around as a hot craft trend – and for good reason! Now only is this kids craft project inexpensive to explore, but kids can also have fun hiding and hunting for their painted rocks inside on a rainy day. Find the tutorial for these painted rocks at Color Made Happy here.

DIY Painted Dinosaurs

These painted dinosaurs are loads of fun! Transform toy dinosaurs into party animals using paints and pom poms, googly eyes and little toy hats! Learn how to make these now at Craft & Creativity blog here.

Now that I’ve (hopefully) inspired you with some of my favorite kids craft projects, why not also us them as incentives for good behavior? (And give them a break from all that screen time overload.)

As I stated previously, zero to three kids within a two week time frame was, well, insightful. At some point I just hit pure exhaustion. Not only was I starting to feel like everyone’s maid, but there was the mouse incident.

The kids aren’t allowed to have food in their rooms for obvious reasons. And as it turned out, one child had forgotten about chocolate under her bed, while another had hidden plates of food in her hideaway bed. We got mice. And by the time we finally discovered all of the hidden food, the mouse incident was more like an infestation. As cute as they were, those little rodents kept growing. And then they started multiplying.

Unfortunately, it took us a while to get rid of all the resident mice. So I’m still checking their favorite spots weekly to make sure new mice aren’t moving in partially out of paranoia. And thus my chore chart system was initiated. My husband, well, he had his doubts at first. (It’s a guy thing, right?) But after several weeks we were in agreement that it really has made some positive changes within our new mixed family.

For the Love of Chore Charts

The goal of my chore charts was to gear them toward an introduction into real life once they’re out in the world and getting jobs of their own. It requires they do a minimum number of chores on a point system. If they meet the seven day point requirement then they did their job. If they fall short, they lose television and internet privileges the following weekend. However, if they go above and beyond, there are rewards. It also teaches them responsibility, respect for their space and that of others and it helps us all work together toward common goals. The prizes then encourage their creativity in the form of kids craft projects. (Not to mention they’re developing better habits so it all seems less like work to them moving forward.)

The minimum number of points each child needs over a two week period (in which we have them for seven days) is 25 points. This leaves room to skip or forget a few things. (I mean, I’m not Cruella.) They can then do bonus chores to earn bonus points if they slip or to reach the reward goal of 30 points.

30 points is where it gets crafty. Literally. Because I basically created a prize box for 30 points. It’s filled with $5 options that include craft kits and supplies, stickers, treats or winner’s choice for a family game night – even their choice of an after dinner dessert. There’s also the option of a big box pass. Choosing two passes from the small box allows them to then choose a prize out of the big box. Big box prizes include cool kids craft projects around $10-$15 (I found a lot of these on sale or purchased them with 50% off coupons) like a wood burning kit with a tv tray and a tie-dye kit with a t-shirt.

Want to give my chore chart a try for your kids? You can print fill-in-the-blank version of my chore chart here. Then be sure to let me know how it works for your family. Or, share successes you’ve had using your own chore chart system as well as some of your favorite kids craft projects!

For more kids craft projects that challenge their creativity, be sure to visit my DIY for Wee Ones Pinterest board. It’s full of great crafts projects for kids they can make themselves as well as cool projects you can craft for them!

For even more of my ideas and kids craft projects you can follow me on Pinterest, G+, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Lifestyle, My Life Day to Day, Parenting Tagged With: chores, craft projects, crafts, diy, gifts for kids, kids, kids project, parenting

How to Throw a DIY Bath Bomb Party

July 19, 2017 By Rebecca D. Dillon

I’ve hosted several craft & cocktail nights already this summer. One project in particular however that a lot of friends and acquaintances wanted to try was bath bombs. But the logistics of setting up a DIY bath bomb party for a large group of people was a bit daunting.

As I only own one scale and everyone wanted to create their own custom bath bombs it took a bit of planning to pull the whole thing off. So, just how do you throw a DIY bath bomb party? Keep reading to learn how!

How to throw a DIY bath bomb party!

Step One

Your first step in planning a DIY bath bomb party is to choose a bath bomb recipe. (I used a spin off of my fizzing bath truffles recipe here for my DIY bath bomb party. Pictured above is my mermaid lagoon bath bomb for which you can find the recipe here.)

My recommendation is to look not only for a simple beginner bath bomb recipe, but perhaps use a no fail bath bomb recipe. You’ll also want to consider how your bath bombs are going to hold up in your current climate. Heat and humidity have a bad habit of turning a bath bomb success into a bath bomb fail and you don’t want your party guests to be disappointed.

Once you’ve found a recipe you think will work for your DIY bath bomb party, try it out! You’ll not only need to be sure that the recipe is easy to create, but that it’s going to be the success you’re hoping for. In addition, you’ll need to be confident in making the bath bomb recipe that you’ve chosen so you’re able to instruct your guests on not only the ins and outs of this project, but also to offer helpful tips if someone seems to be struggling to get it right.

Step Two

The next step will be designing a bath bomb instruction sheet! This sheet should offer customization choices for your party guests.

I created my recipe and instruction sheet with the title of the bath bombs at the top of the page followed by a space that my guests could write in their name and the creation date of their custom bath bombs. I then typed out a list of the basic ingredients that would be needed to make the backbone of the bath bombs. This was followed by customization choices where party guests were able to write in the types and amounts of the additional ingredients they chose to use.

You can offer just one or two options for customization such as color and scent for a quick and easy project. Alternately, if you have a lot of various materials on hand, you can also offer different options for butters, carrier oils, clay, micas, lake dyes, and/or botanicals. For each of the additional ingredient options, you can either pre-fill in the amounts needed or let your guests choose which ingredient to use. You can also create the recipe so that all of the additional ingredients are entirely optional.

I used a high amount of cocoa butter in the DIY bath bomb party recipe I chose to help the bath bombs stay together and unmold easily even in the summer heat. However, if you also want to give your guests the choice of using hard or even soft butters in their bath bomb recipe, then keep in mind you will need a way to melt the butters.

I have only two microwaves and very little kitchen space. Therefore my guest created bath bombs in stages in sets of two with one group picking up where the next group left off. This also allowed for those a little shy about plunging right into the process time to get a feel for how it all worked.

For my liquid additives, I designed my DIY bath bomb party recipe sheet so that carrier oils, fragrances, etc. were measured out in mL using graduated plastic transfer pipettes which can be purchased inexpensively in bulk. The dry ingredient additions were also measured in teaspoons rather than a weight measurement as I currently only own one scale. This way no one was on the sidelines of the process for too long.

Once you have the logistics for your bath bomb recipe worked out, type up an instruction sheet for your DIY bath bomb party guests in a word program. Then simply print off enough sheets for everyone who will be in attendance. (You’ll want your guests to RSVP early so you have time to purchase enough supplies for everyone as well as to print off the correct amount of instruction sheets you’ll need. It’s up to you whether or not you’ll charge a materials fee.)

Step Three

Once you’ve decided on your recipe and options, you’ll need to decide what type of bath bomb mold to use. I opted for halving the bath bomb recipe I chose in order to use smaller 1.75″ diameter round bath bomb molds. This allowed everyone to make a handful of bath bombs rather than just one or two large ones.

In addition, it also enabled everyone to take their bath bombs home while they were still in the molds. This way no one felt pushed to unmold their bath bombs too early. And no one had to worry about picking them up later if they chose to wait. It also kept their bath bombs from being damaged in transport home and they got to keep their molds. The smaller molds also allowed more guests to attend without driving up the cost of purchasing enough large 2.75″ bath bomb molds for everyone to create several bath bombs each.

Otherwise, you’ll need to allow enough time during your DIY bath bomb party for the bath bombs to harden enough to be unmolded prior to your guests leaving.

Step Four

Either the night before or the morning of, create a basic DIY bath bomb party kit for each of the guests who will be in attendance. By doing this, your guests don’t need to fight for access to a scale in order to weigh each of the ingredients. It also makes the process less daunting for first timers and leaves more time for social interaction.

For my DIY bath bomb party kits I weighed out 1 oz. of cocoa butter (per my recipe sheet) for each guest and put it into a snack sized zipper bag. I then weighed out and combined baking soda and SLSA into a sandwich zipper bag for each guest along with a third bag with the citric acid. Each kit was then placed into a brown paper bag with the three ingredient bags and bath bomb molds.

Step Five

With your DIY bath bomb kits ready to go and guests arriving later in the day, it’s time to lay out your additional ingredients that your party guests can choose to use in addition to the kits.

For my carrier oils and Polysorbate 80 I filled 2-3 small 2 oz. bottles for each liquid ingredient. This allowed more hands to access the same ingredients at the same time. This also helped to prevent cross contamination on larger bottles of ingredients that you’ll be using in future products. You can do the same thing with your fragrance or essential oils if desired. Or simply be sure everyone is using a fresh pipette when they are adding more valuable resources that you aren’t able to divide into smaller containers for this purpose.

Make sure to label your smaller containers with sticker paper so everyone knows what’s inside of each one.

I then filled low profile jars with various clays and botanicals and labeled them as well. I left my mica colors and glitter in the original containers.

Be sure to set up a container of fresh pipettes and measuring spoons on your ingredient table along with large glass mixing bowls – one for each guest – utensils and/or large glass Pyrex measuring cups. If you only have one set of measuring spoons and are short on glass mixing bowls, ask if some of your DIY bath bomb party attendees can bring a set of their own.

You’ll also need to set out the bath bomb recipe instruction sheets and some pens. In addition, I also included a roll of masking tape for everyone to tape their bath bomb molds closed together once they were made for easier transport home.

Step Six

It’s finally time to get your party on! Once everyone arrives for the party I recommend kicking things off with light appetizers or a cheese tray and some wine or sangria. Unless of course you’re hosting a teenage DIY bath bomb party. In which case you could whip up one or two pitcher mocktails just for fun!

Once everyone has had a chance to get settled in, do a meet and greet to get comfortable. Then pass out the instruction sheets, kits and pens to each party guest. Go over the basics of making their bath bombs then instruct the group as begin the fun filled journey of making their very own DIY bath bombs!

Once everyone had completed their individual bath bombs at my party, my guests also combined the leftover bath bomb mix they’d made into layers into a popsicle mold to make unicorn horn bath bombs. These made for some really creative unicorn horn bath bombs especially since everyone chose different additives and fragrances.

I unmolded the unicorn bath bombs the next morning – you do need to give these a solid tap to get them out – and distributed them among my friends in attendance the next time I saw them.

If there’s time after everyone has made their bath bombs and not everyone is ready to rush off, then I recommend relaxing with a fun party game afterwards! My friends and I recently had a ton of fun playing Exploding Kittens with the first expansion pack, Imploding Kittens, after a DIY Nail Polish Craft & Cocktail Night.

If you like my ideas for throwing a DIY bath bomb party, then you may also like my ideas for having a unicorn party! You can find my guide on how to throw a unicorn paint party here!

For more entertaining and party ideas, be sure to visit my Party Ideas board on Pinterest. You can also find some great cocktail recipes on my Cocktail Hour Pinterest board.

Or to discover even more great DIY ideas, be sure to follow me on G+, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram. Or sign up to receive new posts from Soap Deli News blog to your email via FeedBurner so you never miss a post.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Lifestyle, My Life Day to Day, Party Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath bomb recipe, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, party, party favor, party ideas, summer, unicorn, unicorn bath bomb, unicorn poop

Apple Cider Vinegar Cocktail Recipe + My Weekly Wrap Up!

July 15, 2017 By Rebecca D. Dillon

This weekend I wanted to share my new apple cider vinegar cocktail recipe! It’s a refreshing and light cocktail that can be made with either vodka or gin. Plus it’s a great way to sneak in those extra probiotics.

I know not everyone particularly enjoys the taste of apple cider vinegar, but it’s surprisingly easy to hide. Just to be sure, however, I had my friend Cathy also give my apple cider vinegar cocktail recipe a whirl and she enjoyed it as much as I do!

Apple Cider Vinegar Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz. vodka or gin
.5 oz. Bragg’s apple cider vinegar
.5 oz. simple syrup
3 oz. club soda
several dashes Wigle Organic Rosemary Lavender Cocktail Bitters

Notes:

I use Bragg’s raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar specifically for this recipe as it contains the “mother.” The “mother” is what offers all that probiotic goodness. Not only is Bragg’s apple cider vinegar rich in potassium, but it also helps to support a healthy immune system.

I’ve been buying my Bragg’s apple cider vinegar from Thrive Market as they have such great prices on natural and organic foods – plus freebies a few times a month with a $49 purchase! But you can also find Bragg’s apple cider vinegar in the organic section of your local grocery store.

Vinegar has historically been used in cocktails and in recent years has been making quite the comeback in handcrafted artisan cocktails. Typically called drinking vinegar or shrubs, these vinegars come in a variety of amazing flavors with the simple syrup already added. They are incredibly delicious both in cocktail recipes as well as when mixed with regular filtered water or club soda.

You can learn more about shrubs from the book, Shrubs: An Old Fashioned Drink for Modern Times, by Michael Dietsch. This book is available in both hardcover and for kindle. (If you don’t own a kindle you can still purchase and read the kindle version with Amazon’s free kindle reading app.)

Instructions:

To make my apple cider vinegar cocktail simple measure out and combine all ingredients in a tall glass with ice and stir to combine. If desired, you can garnish your drink with a twist of lime or rosemary or even muddle a bit of lavender to add to the mix. Then simply sip and enjoy!

(If you like my apple cider vinegar cocktail recipe, then you may also like my cocktail recipe for Rooibos Peach Tea Rum Punch!)

As usual I’ve also been working on quite a few new projects this week. While some of them make the cut, not all of them always do. While it can be frustrating, I always learn something new from my DIY fails and sometimes I simply discover something unexpected.

A post shared by Soap Deli News Blog (@soapdeli) on Jul 11, 2017 at 1:50pm PDT

One interesting discovery I made this week is that bath bombs made using a mini bundt cake silicone mold will travel in your bath water (as illustrated by my instagram video above.)

Also this week I finally made it off the waitlist for Amazon’s Prime Surprise Sweets Dash Button! Being a fan of ipsy as well as a few other monthly beauty programs, I REALLY wanted to try this. The Prime Surprise Sweets Dash Button is a Wi-Fi connected device that orders Prime members a surprise box of delicious treats from small-batch artisans anytime you want, at just the press of a button. It’s my first ever dash button and I’m actually excited about this one. (I mean it’s perfect for those once a month cravings for sweets during a hormone surge, right?!)

You can purchase the Prime Surprise Sweets Dash Button here. (Or alternately, if it’s not available, you can get on the waitlist. I was approved after about a week.) Like other dash buttons, you’ll pay $4.99 up front which is then credited back to your first order. (Not an Amazon Prime member? You can sign up for a 30-day free trial here.)

I also fell in love with a new Etsy shop I discovered this week called Skin Kitchn. This Sacramento, California small business is run by Dori Nicole who creates lovingly crafted artisan soaps for sensitive skin. You can buy artisan soaps by the loaf or by the bar.

Pictured is Dori’s wildly popular Pineapple Rose Shea + Clay Artisan Soap Loaf made with shea butter and sweet almond oil. It’s lightly scented with a tropical mix of pineapple and papaya with Rose Clay added for color. You can check out the full line of Skin Kitchn products on Etsy here. You can discover more artisan products to fall in love with by visiting my Etsy favorites here.

I hope every enjoys the rest of the weekend! Be sure to follow me across all of my social media including Pinterest, G+, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram for more exciting finds and recipes. Or sign up to receive new posts directly to your email via FeedBurner.

Filed Under: Food Recipes, My Life Day to Day Tagged With: cocktail, diy, drink, drink recipe, drinking vinegar, probiotics, recipe, weekly wrap up