making your way to fun & fancy gifts, favors and recipes for every occasion

Jasmine Green Tea Soap

Walking into my grandmother’s bathroom was akin to visiting a shrine to femininity. All the surfaces were decorated to suit her sense of beauty and womanhood; lavish flowers, sensual perfume bottles, fragrant soaps, and distinctly female-inspired art on the walls. However, it was never too much, always just enough. Every visit, I thought, this is what its like to be a woman, this is what she keeps for herself; aside from raising children, supporting her life-partner, and keeping the home. My mother … [read more...]

Sweet Ginger Skin Polish

The daylight is waning, the wind blows more briskly, and I am staying inside to get cozy! Winter is here. This shivery season brings loved ones together to share in quality time. Planning for how I want to show my appreciation for my lovely sister -a new mother- reminded me that this time of year is also about luxurious indulgence! I have always used regular sugar for exfoliation in the shower, and now I want to share the experience with a twist of warming ginger. This sugar scrub is incredibly … [read more...]

Simple Gifts: Bath Salts

Bath salts are a very easy, very lovely gift to make and give. With simple ingredients, homemade bath salts can be easily customized to any theme or occasion, depending on your jar size and shape as well as what essential oils you choose. I love giving mine as bridal shower or baby shower gifts. Packaged in smaller bottles, they can easily be made into wedding favors too! What You Need: • 5 pounds Epsom salts (can be found at your local pharmacy or health store) • 50-100 drops of essential … [read more...]

Favor Friday: Birthday Bubbles

Bubbles are a great theme for a child's birthday party or even a wedding or baby shower! Make your own bubble mixture and package it up in recycled spice jars and custom labels for a fun outdoor party favor! For this event, I also made gumball favor bags with cellophane bags and scallop labels for an extra gift for the birthday girl's guests. Making your own bubble mixture is easy! Here is what you need: • 1/2 cup dish soap • 1 1/2 cups water • 2 teaspoons sugar • Recycled spice … [read more...]

Golden Soaps

When I began making soaps I had no idea how easy they would be, and now it is one of my favorite small gifts because they are so rare and personal - and really, really easy. One day I will make real from-scratch soap. This is the shortcut method, using purchased soap base and yellow coloring. Making soap from scratch is difficult and time consuming - I'm not saying this is a reason to avoid it, but it is my reason for doing it another day. In the meantime, you can make some pretty little handmade … [read more...]

DIY Confetti Soaps

It has been many years since my first attempt at making soaps and I dimly remember that it was easier than I thought and it came out really nice. But when I decided to make soaps again for little gifts, I was once more surprised at how easy it is! If I had been checking the time, after assembling all the items, I think it would have totalled less than an hour in the actual making of the soaps, including melting and allowing to harden. The craft soaps are super easy because you basically buy to … [read more...]

Fizzy Bath Bombs

Alan Kiraly (from the web programming department), and his wife, Michaeline, made these bath bombs at home for their Christmas gifts. Alan says they were simple and easy to make, and fun because you use your hands - you get the baking soda and essential oils on your hands and it feels good and smells nice. It is also fun to choose the scent combinations, and best of all it's easy to do. To make your own bath bombs, you first go down to the store and check out the different essential oils. … [read more...]

Lip Balm

I don't know about you, but lip balm is one of those things that I never have enough of. I keep one in my purse, one in the car, one in my coat, and the list goes on. The good news is that you can make it for yourself, your friends or all of your wedding attendants if you follow these instructions. You can even be your own aromatherapist, mixing signature scents that are yours alone. Have fun, and don't forget to label them with the scent, the date or a few sweet words. … [read more...]

Mother’s Day Spa Basket

Mother's Day is just around the corner. I love Mother's Day because my kids and husband love to spoil me! My favorite gifts are always things that are homemade. And if the gift is designed to pamper me? All the better! This lovely collection meets both of those criteria. Plus, once you know how to make the bath salts and soap, you can make them anytime at all. You could even make them for yourself! Shhhh . . . don't tell! This is a fun gift to make, especially with friends or for friends … [read more...]

Homemade Soap

Making soap may sound complicated, but the most difficult thing about this project is figuring out what to do with all of your beautiful bars! All you need is a few supplies, a couple of hours and good company. Soap makes a great wedding or shower favor because you can do large batches at a relatively low cost and well ahead of time, plus they look gorgeous. So, gather all your ingredients, invite some friends over and steep a pot of tea because the work party will be mostly fun. Wrap them up … [read more...]