A Crafty Saturday

I dipped into my craft bin and decided to "get my craft on" this weekend!

Saturday was a beautiful day considering it's November in Upstate New York. We spent lots of time outdoors with the boys, and then I took a little break to do a bit of shopping, had family game time, and then I settled in for an evening of crafts while the boys built towers.

I made a couple of different things...and as soon as I finish the embellishments on the shabby chic bulletin board I made, I'll post pictures of that. This one took me a good part of the night. I had some scrap pieces of Tanya Whelan fabric that I didn't want to waste, so I turned it into a little pouch. It's more of a decoration, but I wanted to test my pathetic sewing skills and challenge myself to a little project. It was fun!

My sweet little bag is actually pretty...not so bad for someone who nearly flunked home ec!

I first need to say that I am not an expert crafter by any stretch of the imagination. I nearly flunked home ec in 7th grade (and I was a straight A student) because I was so lousy at sewing. Miss Skinner, my teacher, thought my sewing was so atrocious that she even called my mom at home and said I needed to stay after school each day for extra help. It was awful. I received a 40% on the "name the parts of the sewing machine test." Yes, I knew where the needle was. That's about all I knew. That machine terrified me.

In 8th grade, we sewed clothes--ugly, athletic apparel made of cheap synthetic fabric. I chose a pair of turquoise shorts. In my rush to just get the project over with, I sewed the crotch (can I say that word here? I suppose...) all the way up to the waist, I had two legholes and two separate waists--completely separate and unwearable. Miss Skinner gave me the seam ripper and it took me forever to pull out all of my uneven stitches. I was so thankful that home ec (which was then called "Home & Career Skills" was done after 8th grade.

I don't sew well at all. I have made valances before--making all of the window treatments for our apartment in Savannah. They turned out really well, but I was only sewing in a straight line, plus the windows were pretty high so no one could see the stitching.

I have been pondering getting a sewing machine this Christmas. Nothing fancy--just something basic and good for someone like me who has a difficult time following instructions. I love handmade fabric handbags and would love to be able to create some of my own for my own use using some of the pretty fabrics I have found.

I took this extra scrap of fabric (part of a fat quarter), turned it inside out and sewed the sides. I then turned it again and added ribbon trim and some extra touches. I am looking forward to trying my hand at more to put my handmade gifts in this Christmas--maybe putting in my mason jar lemon curd or sauce in the bags as a little gift.

This is the side tie....I sewed one of the vintage glass pearls I received in my "junk box" from Sarah at My So Called Junky Life. The ribbon was an extra in my order from the Sugar*Sugar Shop.

This little vintage doily looks pretty on here....along with an extra little piec made with German glass glitter and a pretty flower (from the "junk box" I ordered) add such a pretty touch.

A Girl and Her Pearls

I was under the weather last weekend and Tom was playing poker with the neighborhood guys, so I ended up channel surfing late Saturday night. QVC was featuring the Today's Special Value from Bare Escentuals, so I decided to watch. I ended up ordering the TSV, which was the new collection crafted in conjunction with Honora Pearls. Yes, the colors in this collection are infused with pearl powder from Honora.

I am not in love with Bare Escentuals. There are some items I do really like, such as Well Rested and the Dark Blonde/Medium Brown Brow Color. Those are staples for me and I use them each day and have for about 3.5 years. The foundation isn't great compared to superior mineral foundations such as Everyday Minerals and Organic Wear.

My kit arrived the other day and I have had a chance to test it out. I thought I'd share my opinions with you.

Impressions of what is in the kit:

Blissful Pearl Eye Color--this is a very lovely peach shade. Not an orange-y peach, just a lovely neutral and delicate shade. Glides on like a dream with a very subtle shimmer. I am very fair and this is a GREAT shade. If you're not fair, though, you may need to build on the color a bit since it is subtle.

Magnificent Pearl Eye Color--This is a nice steel gray meets taupe shade. Perfect to use damp as a liner or just a deeper, night shade. I noticed, though, that this takes more effort to blend than my other colors from Bare Escentuals. You need a very light hand with the brush and LOTS of blending. Once you do that, though, it is stunning.

Intense Black Big & Bright Mineral Eyeliner Pencil--A nice black liner. I typically use a homemade mineral eye liner or else one from Smashbox. This is fabulous. You may want to add a light dusting of mineral foundation or finishing powder first, though, because it smudges a bit without.

Flawless Definition Mascara--Paraben free. This is nice. It's not as natural in terms of ingredients as the Almay Pure Blends or Physicians Formula Organic Wear. The ingredients are as natural as the ones in Tarte Lash Hugger. It gives more length and volume, though, than all of those and is very buildable in terms of coverage. This is great. I think this may replace my typical Organic Wear!

Precious Pearl Blush--This is a gorgeous shade. It's a true dusty mauve without peach tones. It is so, so soft when applying. This is a very subtle shade. Some blushes are choppy going on, but this is soft and beautiful. Think a softer, more muted version of Lancome's popular Aplum.

Brightening Pearl Mineral Veil--This is slightly different than the traditional finishing powder, Mineral Veil. There is a hint of warmth to it and an ever so slight shimmer. The pearl powder adds that little bit of radiance and it's quite nice.

If you have tried Laura Geller's Balance & Brighten or Prescriptives Magic before, this is along the same lines. It is more for evening, in my opinion, but I am more conservative with my daytime makeup.

Sugared Strawberry All Natural Lip Gloss--This is a very pretty neutral pink. It's actually gorgeous. I could wear it daily. The one issue I have with this 100% natural product? It contains carmine, which comes from crushed insects....there are far better ingredients to give color (natural fruit colorants) and I suggest Bare Escentuals follow 100% Pure's lead when it comes to coloring lip products.

3 Brushes--Oh so very disappointing. These feel so cheaply made and are really of mediocre quality. Everyday Minerals and EcoTools offer far superior brushes! In fact, EcoTools are the best brushes on the market, in my opinion. I won't use these....I'm not sure whether to sell them on eBay or give them to my boys for their little pretend beauty salon...

The bottom line?

This has a retail value of $108. I saved more than 50% in this Today's Special Value. I won't use the brushes, but I really adore everything else. I used to have very mixed feelings about Bare Escentuals, but the company is back is my good graces with this kit.

Oh, and about the Honora pearls....I really don't think the pearl powder made a difference in anything other than the look of the Mineral Veil. The color wasn't richer or longer lasting in the other products, so I think that part is more hype than anything else. Other than that, I love this new kit!

The Next Chapter: Laughter

These 3 guys give me my daily dose of laughter.

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."

~e.e. cummings

It's Friday again, so time for another brief discussion of the book The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. I'm reading this for my online book club for bloggers, The Next Chapter from Jamie Ridler.

This week's chapter focuses on LAUGHTER. I am not going to make a long, reflective post this week like I normally do. I belief laughter is wonderful medicine. I think we all need multiple doses of laughter each day.

Surround yourselves with people who make you laugh. Life is simply too short for a laughter deficiency.

What makes me laugh? My boys....my hubby...my friends....watching Chevy Chase movies, "How I Met Your Mother", "Friends" reruns and old episodes of "The Three Stooges."

Get off the computer and go find something to laugh about!

I love watching my friends laugh...the laughing lady on the right is my favorite neighbor at a luau party.

We spend lots of time laughing with our friends. At the neighborhood luau party, two fun neighbors made us laugh when we were taking this photo...these are our friends Mrs. Marzouk and Marc.

Mr. Ben at age 3 making mommy laugh, as always.

This is my Mia, my late grandmother, with Nick when he was 11 months old. He made a face to make her laugh.

Nick in July 2004 laughing at something...most likely his daddy

So Promising....Until You Read the Ingredients

The Classic Cleanser is one of several FranBrand items with large amounts of Palm Oil and an incomplete ingredients listing.

There has been quite a bit of publicity over Fran Drescher's newly released line of natural skin care called FranBrand. Drescher, a cancer survivor, wanted to introduce a line of products without harmful ingredients linked to cancer. I was very excited to see what she had in store for women. The fact that FranBrand also donates a nice chunk of their profits to Cancer Schmancer, Drescher's charity, is even more commendable. I had very high hopes for the line.

The new line was introduced earlier this week and my hopes were dashed when I read the ingredients for her products.

As it is Orangutan Awareness Week, I feel it is important to discuss this now, as opposed from a couple weeks down the road when I had planned to mention the products.

First of all, they are very good ingredients. There are no parabens and other nasties. I have two problems with the ingredients chosen for a bulk of Drescher's new products.

What is in it? I don't know...

The first one is the fact that "Organic herbal infusion" is the first ingredient in some of them. While that may be wonderful and healthful, it is very vague. Infusion of which herbs? As much as I adore herbs in skin care and use them regularly, it is very important to fully list which herbs are used, as some are not to be used if pregnant or if other health conditions are present. Many people are sensitive or allergic to specific herbs and failing to disclose them is the equivalent of small companies simply listing "preservative" on the labels (you don't know what you're getting).

When I contacted customer service at HSN to find out more specific details about the herbal infusion, I was told that the ingredients label states what is in the product. I am aware of that, however, the label is extremely vague. On the product description for the Toner Gel, it mentions aloe, white tea and green tea extract as being part of the infusion, but it doesn't mention what else is officially in the infusion. It might be something someone is sensitive to such as calendula, which makes my mom sneeze like there's no tomorrow.

Her eye product also has the infusion as the #1 ingredient, but there is no mention anywhere of what the infusion contains. For a product being used around the delicate eye area, this is of particular concern. Being vague like this does not help the consumer. Knowing what is in a product is the most important thing you can do before you buy it.

The same applies to the vague "proprietary essential oil blend." You all know how much I adore essential oils. Aromatherapy has been such a part of my life for so many years and I have experienced its benefits. That being said, I cannot tolerate patchouli, as essential oil. There are so many essential oils to be avoided if you're pregnant or have another health condition--you HAVE to know which oils you're using if you're in one of those categories.

It's more than just the vague ingredients disclosure.

The second and, to me, more important issue I have with this healthful, "eco-friendly" line is that it is not truly eco-friendly. It uses palm oil in large amounts in the bulk of the products. Palm oil is anything but eco-friendly, as it results in deforestation and the process is responsible for the death of countless orangutans. Read more here for more information. You may also read a letter I received from the director of the organization called Orangutan Outreach regarding palm oil here.

Palm oil is found as the #2 ingredient in Drescher's day lotion, night cream, and cleanser. This is the deal breaker for me.

FranBrand's ingredients, for the most part, look wonderful. Compared to many high end skin care brands full of chemicals and nasty toxins, the ingredients are nothing short of stellar. Unfortunately, my two major concerns are major enough for me not to be able to recommend the line.

Final Thoughts

Using palm oil when there are so many alternatives available is just something I cannot understand now since we have so much awareness of the damage caused to animals and to our ecosystem. More and more companies are seeking alternatives to palm oil. I think this is huge. It is commendable and I hope the trend continues.

One thing I am pleased by, though, is the different types of organizations and businesses who've reacted to damage done by palm oil. When we were at the National Zoo in Washington, DC this summer, I remember eating at one of the zoo's restaurants and seeing signs with orangutans sating that they do not use any type of palm oil product in eateries at the zoo.

More and more small businesses seem to be aware of the consequences, too. It is always nice to see small soapmaking businesses follow Aunt Nancy's lead when it comes to using oils other than palm in their soaping. Nan was one of the first sellers I came across on Etsy who doesn't use palm and her products show that it simply isn't needed to produce a good soap. Another shop that comes to mind on Etsy is Alchemic Muse, also palm oil free.

Does it matter to you?

I ask more of you to pledge to stop producing products with palm oil. It really will make a difference to orangutans and to our planet as a whole if one business at a time would join in and commit to being palm free.

If you're reading this and you're a business free of all palm oil ingredients, please comment so my readers can be aware of this! If you use palm oil now and plan to stop, please comment and make the pledge to be 100% palm free by 2010.

You can make a difference!

Frugal Fridays: Tangled Up in Blue for $10 or Less

"Arctic" soap from Alchemic Muse is palm oil free, $6

Vintage floral hankie from Serendipity Treasures

$2.75

Fabric headband from Gemdrops

$8

Sweet baby girl cap has blue floral accent.

From Quite Simply, $5

Navy Swarovski crystal earrings on sterling silver are from JLR Designs

$7

This felted brooch from Sewn Sunday would be great on a denim jacket.

$10

Set of two lavender scented sachets from Lars and Addie

$10

This cup was handmade by Etsy's MUD Stuffing.

$10

Dress up that boring bulletin board with these tacks from Fabric Farrago.

$7

Mark Your Calendars! Local Shopping Fun

On Tuesday, local residents can get some shopping done at the annual Holiday Night Out at Christ the King School on Kings Highway in Irondequoit. The night is always busy, with loads of food, vendors and good times.

The event runs from 6:30-9:30. Tickets are $5 in advance (you may contact me) or $7 at the door.

I have donated a basket to be given as a raffle prize to one lucky attendee since this is where my Benjamin attends preschool. Here's what someone (maybe YOU?) will win Tuesday night:

Great 4 piece collection! Value of $50!

Includes: Fruit Enzyme Cream, Rosewater & Aloe Facial Mist, Goat's Milk Liquid Cleanser, and a Fresh Rose Lip & Cheek Tint!

Things I am Working On....

Sharing a few items I have ordered to use on craft projects for holiday gifts and for my home. I am feeling very creative these days!

This is the fabric I am using for my kitchen chair cushions.

I ordered some of this pretty tinsel in aqua, green, and pink from Etsy's Sugar Sugar.

These pink tickets will be fun to work with! They are also from Sugar Sugar.

For $3, I bought a huge assortment of "yo yos." I am eager to see how they inspire me when I sit down to craft with them. These are from Yo Yo Cottage on Etsy.

My So Called Junky Life sells "junk boxes." I ordered this one and cannot wait to use the pieces for some handmade gifts!

I bought some of this glitter from a sweet lady who has an Etsy shop called Bird Song Studio and eBay store, The Little Feathered Nest. I am getting several colors of this German Glass Glitter and cannot wait to use it!

I am going through another phase when my creative juices are flowing. I have lots of things I am working on right now and if I write them down, I can look at the list and tackle it faster!

First things first...the decorating projects in the home are going slowly. I thought I'd be energized and tackle all the painting I want to do right away. I finished the kitchen and all I need to do is sew the new Tanya Whelan fabric I bought into cushion covers for the chairs. Then I will be 100% done and will post pictures.

I have to paint the hallway and going up the stairs, too. That is going to be a rich golden shade.

The living room is what I want done the most and have the paint for, but the thought of painting the ceiling is holding me back. I will do it soon, though, as my goal is to have the hallway, living room, and dining room painted by Thanksgiving. The dining room was going to change from lavender to a rich, regal purple with crisp white trim. Since I am a bit flaky, I have changed my mind once again. I'm going to do a soft cocoa of some sort and paint some furniture robin's egg blue.

I also have plans for sharing lots of homemade gift ideas with you. Our goal every year is to have a beautiful Christmas, and that we do. However, with the exception of the boys' gifts, the goal is to have a completely handmade Christmas. Last year, I found the bulk of our gifts right on Etsy. This year I am not working more than full time hours with my business (yay!) and will have time to play around with crafts and homemade goodies.

I have found some great supplies on Etsy and eBay and cannot wait until they are all here so I can get going on my latest projects!

On my list of DIY projects to share with you on the blog:

DIY Handmade Edible Christmas Gifts

*Lemon Curd in mason jars

*Cupcakes in jars

*Sour Cream Pound Cake

*Marinara Sauce

*Double Chocolate Cranberry Bark

*Peanut Brittle

Some recipes from the Nigella Christmas book:

*Marintated Feta

*Vanilla Sugar jars

Other DIY handmade gift ideas

*Paper Tussie Mussies with embellishments

*Shabby Chic fabric rag balls

*Easy French chic pillow covers

*Lots more!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...Etsy Style

Personalized ornament from Just Puff, $8

Upcycled from vintage linens, this stocking is very eco-friendly!

From Chadwick Cottage, $25

This garland is a silk, cotton, and linen blend. It's also quite beautiful.

From Milkpod Studio, $45

Perfect for your cottage chic table this Christmas is this tree from The Polka Dot Shop, $16

An oh so shabby reclaimed wood shelf on which to hang your ornaments...

From Cottage Home Decor, $36.50

A most handsome snowman...a beautiful creation from Simple Joys Paperie, $50

Assortment of handmade decorative snowballs from Prairie Primitives, $10

I love scallop shells. I decorated some, added some paint and glitter, and turned them into ornaments as a wedding favor for our holiday wedding in Savannah.

These reminded me so much of those the moment I saw them!

This is a scallop shell turned into a lovely gift holder. You can add jewelry or money or other small-sized gift.

This one is from Fanciful Design.

$14

Rikrak has created a great stocking made with ecospun felt. It's a very green white stocking!

White text tile from the Paloma's Nest Holiday 2009 collection, $22

DIY Thursday: Dreamland Pillow Mist

So I admit. I am not quite ready to part with the recipe for my Dreamland Sleep Balm™ . There are just some recipes too close to my heart to share, I suppose. I am super excited to share this one with you, though, and it is my Dreamland Pillow Mist™ .

I believe wholeheartedly in the benefits of aromatherapy, and this one is a favorite. It's truly a staple in this house, and an item I frequently give as a gift.

This mist is ideal for spritzing on your pillows and sheets, but it also makes a nice room spray while you're bathing, feeling stressed, or just want to feel a bit zen.

This exclusive blend will help ease tension and make you feel more relaxed. I called my aromatherapy line Dreamland™ because I wanted it to make people feel as though they were headed to dreamland once the day's worries had passed.

Here is the recipe:

2 ounces of distilled water

2 ounces of witch hazel hydrosol/distillate (this is alcohol free)

15 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops vanilla oleoresin extract

8 drops lemon essential oil

5 drops ginger essential oil

3 drops Balsam Fir Needle essential oil (or cedarwood)

Combine in a bottle. This makes just over 4 ounces. You can divide it into 1 ounce or 2 ounce bottles with misting spray tops to give as stocking stuffers, too!

Enjoy...and be well rested!

Note: All skin care recipes posted on Chic & Green™ are the property of Karley Ziegler Mott and KZM Facial Care Boutique™ and may not be sold, used for profit in any form, reprinted, or redistributed and are for personal use only.

Veterans Day--it's not about the sales flyers

“It is the soldier, not the reporter,

Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier not the poet,

Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,

Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag,

Who serves beneath the flag,

And whose coffin is draped by the flag,

Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

~Rev. Denis O'Brien, US Marine Corps

Today is Veterans Day. It seems that over recent years, people think of it more as a day when department stores will put out a good sale and that there'll be coupons for Kohl's. In fact, out of curiosity, I Googled "Veterans Day sales."

Would you believe there are over 15 million results? There is even an entire website devoted just to today's sales. Not to get up on my soapbox, but Veterans Day isn't about saving $2 more today at Macy's or 15% on a shirt.

Veterans Day is about veterans.

It is about people like my brother-in-law, Zach. Zach served in the United States Army from 1997 until this summer and is now a Reservist. He served two lengthy tours in Iraq and missed out on so much with his family, particularly his two little boys.

It's about my father's cousin, Peter, also a veteran who has seen his share of war over in the Middle East.

It is about people like Hannah's great grandpa. Hannah is a little girl in Ben's story group at the library. She brought her great grandfather to storytime yesterday. He is a vet, having fought in World War II. We were talking and discussing how important it is for veterans to be remembered.

Veterans Day is about the family members--particularly the spouses, parents, and children of those who are serving and have served. They have made so many sacrifices.

Veterans Day is to pay tribute to those like Army Pfc. Daniel Rivera, a soldier from nearby Victor who died in Iraq a few weeks back. He was 22.

It is about the estimated 292,000 members of the US military who died in World War II (source: US Census Bureau site).

Veterans Day is about the nearly 60,000 members of the US armed forces who died in Vietnam. (source: History.com)

It's about the 5,130 of our men and women who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(source: Washington Post)

Veterans Day is about the those who lost their lives and saved their fellow citizens at Fort Hood in Texas last week and their loved ones.

It's about all of the brave men and women who have ever served and who are serving today.

If you see a soldier, thank him or her. Not just today, but everyday.

Local Events:

At Irondequoit High School, a new flagpole will be dedicated this morning to honor all alumni who have served in the armed forces. The Irondequoit High School Chorale will also perform. This is a free ceremony and starts at 9:30 at the school on Cooper Road.

Recommended books relevant to Veterans Day for children:

The Veterans Day Visitor

The Wall

H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet

DIY Beauty: Facial Cleansing Oil

Today, I am going to show you how to make my facial cleansing oil. This was my best-selling cleanser for a good couple years and I know you'll enjoy it!

We've all seen the facial oils on the market from brands like Shu Uemera, DHC, and more. The only thing I believe setting their products apart from mine is the cost.

In fact, I believe my product is less irritating because I do not use emulsifiers in this. No, my cleansing oil doesn't rinse right off with a splash of water, but that is not a bad thing. Sometimes people mistakenly believe that the OIL is what can aggravate breakouts in retail cleansing oils, when indeed it is the synthetic emulsifying agent. The emulsifying agents used in some of the popular retail cleansing oils have been shown to promote acne and aggravate eczema.

My facial oil is what I use to remove my makeup at night--from my favorite mineral makeup to my waterproof mascara. You will love this. When I was still in business, The Good Guide rated each of my facial cleansers a 9.0 out of 10--in the top 10% of all cleansers on the market. When you use it (if you're new to this), you will see why!

Do not be afraid of the word "oil". Most vegetable oils do not, in fact, clog the pores. My facial cleansing oil is a wonderful blend of high-quality ingredients. You may use this to remove your makeup. It will melt it right off. I prefer to gently dampen the skin and then massage into my skin and wherever I have makeup. I rinse with tepid water and then follow with Aunt Nancy's Handmade Soaps Rose Clay Facial Bar.

The Oil Cleansing Method has been embraced by several well-known brands. Why? It is gentle, yet effective!

Here are the oils I put in this FACIAL CLEANSING OIL. You do not need all of them. You may use just one, two, three--all of them are just a FABULOUS blend!

I use equal parts safflower & rice bran to make the bottle half way full. Then mix equal parts olive squalane, jojoba, sunflower, grapeseed and argan to the mix to make up the other half. This is my personal best formula. Some people may want more grapeseed...others more jojoba. It just takes a little experimentation to get the right blend for yourself.

More on the ingredients used--

Safflower Oil: Safflower oil has firming and hydrating properties and consists of over 75% Linoleic Acid and is very high in Oleic Acid. Both are very moisturizing, yet this oil penetrates the skin very quickly so it isn't greasy.

Rice Bran Oil: This wonderful oil can held reduce imflammation and skin irritation. It absorbs very quickly without leaving a film on the skin. This oil is antioxidant-rich, as it contains vitamin E and gammaoryzanol. Rice Bran is a great, lightweight oil to give your skin a velvety feel.

Olive Squalane: Has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It is ideal to soften your skin as well. We naturally produce squalane, but as we age, the production slows down. This ingredient is vegan (traditional forms come from sharks), from olive oil. It can improve cracked skin, and skin suffering from conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. It has regenerative properties and can help restore a youthful, supple appearance. It is very light in texture, so it will not leave a greasy residue on the skin.

Jojoba Oil: is wonderful for the skin because it mimics your skins own sebum, drawing excess oil out. Jojoba oil is pure and it is natural. I use only 100% pure and organic golden jojoba oil. This oil is hydrating without being greasy. It will not promote acne or aggravate an existing case of acne.

Sunflower Oil: is chock full of vitamins A, C, D, and E. It is highly protective. It has also been shown to fight bacteria, which makes this a wonderful oil for acne, and why I believe this is ideal for all skin types.

Grapeseed Oil: This is very lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. It contains antioxidants and has high amounts of linoleic acid.

Argan Oil: Argan is a very special oil. Argan itself contains more antioxidant and cell regenerative properties than olive oil, grape seed oil and avocado oil combined together. Argan oil has been shown in many studies to help increase cell regeneration and improve cell turnover. When applied to the skin, it absorbs quickly, and without an oily film, leaving behind a silky and satiny feel.

Argan Oil contains Omega 6 fatty acids, twice the amount of Vitamin E than olive oil, Vitamin A to improve elasticity; Phenols, which are tremendously beneficial antioxidants, as well as antifungal and antibacterial agents; and something called Triterpens, which aid in cell restructuring, can slow down the cell aging process, and also act as an anti-inflammatory. It is one of the more expensive oils to buy, but it is commonly referred to as "Liquid Gold" for a very good reason!

How To Use Facial Cleansing Oil: Dampen skin with tepid water. Apply cleansing oil to your fingertips (no larger than the size of a dime) and massage into the skin. Massage for at least 60 seconds in upward circular motions. My oil is able to remove stubborn waterproof makeup, sunscreen and mascara. Gently massage and rub ever so gently with a baby washcloth or a gentle microfiber facial cloth. Rinse again. Follow with a liquid or bar cleanser if desired. My recommendation is any fragrance free bar from Aunt Nancy's Handmade Soaps.

Note: All skin care recipes posted on Chic & Green™ are the property of Karley Ziegler Mott and KZM Facial Care Boutique™ and may not be sold, used for profit in any form, reprinted, or redistributed and are for personal use only.

Eco-Chic Bags...What Was Old Is New Again!

What a great collection of bags! These are all both chic and green! Everything you see here is an "upcycled" piece. In other words, items such as drapes, jeans, sweaters, and tablecloths have been made into something completely new.

The next time you're in a thrift shop and see a great quality piece in the wrong size, why not see what kind of magic you can work on it?

I even saw items made out of seatbelts today on Etsy!

I adore this bag. It is made from a vintage men's suit. I love the transformation!

From Lisa Roy Handbags, $79

This one reminds me of an outfit I had in Mr. Cooley's second grade class...beige cords and a plaid shirt. I am sure I had Mary Janes with them and either braids or big tails, too.

From Crysto, $25

A vintage brooch adorns this quilt-turned bag from Prints Charming Purses.

$40

It looks like it could have been your grandma's cardigan. Now it is a great knitting tote or book bag. I wish I could post the lining, too--it's a lovely pale mint and white polka dot!

By Sadie Kay Boutique, $30

Once upon a time, this was a simple merino wool sweater. Now it's a great staple handbag!

From Felt Sew Good, $42

This ultra feminine bag is lined with what was once a drapery lining!

So pretty...think New Year's Eve.

From Ladybug SF, $42

This upcycled bag would be a great gift for that 'tween or teen on your list. This was originally a pair of jeans from Limited Too.

From Trash Bags by Ashlee Nicole, $32

What were once two lonely remnants has turned into a glorious clutch!

From Toothsweet Handbags, $35

This pretty red corduroy tote would be great this holiday season!

From Helis, $42

A Pink Christmas

This original artwork plaque is just lovely! From Jenny's Bake Shop, $28

So girly and festive! These vintage ornaments from Romania come in a set of 6 from So So Vintage for $15.

Sugar coated pink dove ornament from Natasha Burns, $8

Sweet little elf from Sadie Lou Who, $12

Shabby burlap stocking from Chateau Remnants, $17

Set of tags from The Illusive Swan, $5

Pink Christmas cottage from Sarah at My So Called Junky Life, $21

Pink lightning bulb ornament from From Nancy's Heart, $6.50

Sparkly pink cupcake ornaments (set of 3 minis) from Bella Chic Boutique, $7.99

Affordable Gift Idea #1: Using thrift shop milk glass

Over the next few weeks, I'd like to share some affordable gift ideas for the holidays.

I'll be making lots of edibles in mason jars, from lemon curd and cookie mixes to my homemade marinara sauce. I'll be posting recipes and ideas for great gifts from the heart from now until early December.

Today's ideas are great for vintage lovers!

Using the thrift shop vintage milk glass pieces and vintage hankies (mine have been found at estate sales and Etsy), you can put together a great little gift for not much money! In fact, with what I paid for the milk glass at thrift shops, all of these would total $10 or less.

Vintage hankie still had its sticker tag on it and was in perfect condition (1.99). The milkglass piece was from a thrift shop (.99) and tucked inside is a cute pair of earrings for only $7 and handmade by Sandra of Preserve Jewelry Studio. I cannot show the earrings because they are a gift and may be seen by the recipient :)

By putting together this little set for the vintage lover, you can have a great gift for $10!

You can also use a vintage wine glass, a hankie, and other little add-ins. This one is just an idea....

My mom gave me a beautiful set of wine glasses from her local antiques shop. With a simple glass, hankie, and soap wrapped in vintage papers, you have another fun gift!

For the vintage lover who also likes scented goodies, why not fill a vase with tarts?

I am showing this one with some tarts I haven't burned yet on a vintage hankie in one of my thrift shop milk glass pieces....

You can also fill vintage milk glass finds with vintage glass beads, lavender buds, or old pieces of sheet music. Then add soaps, teas, tarts, candy, etc...

Frugal Fridays: Seeing Red....for $5 and Under

I was having cocoa with an elderly neighbor today and she made a comment about her fingers always getting burned on her mugs. This mug cozy would be an ideal solution.

From Dip Your Toes, $5

Card from It's Elemental, $4

Red trike button from Red Hydrant Press, $1.50

A lovely vintage brooch from Bizabiz. My Aunt Marg would've loved this one!

$4.29

Swedish ornament is from the 50s or 60s. From Good Lookin, $5

Vintage melmac cup from Ella Cinders, $4

Vintage salt shaker from My Sunshine Vintage, $5

Mirror with a bold red frame from Boxing Bella, $5

Fun magnet from Retro Divas, $2.25