I have always been a fan of sugar scrubs.  They exfoliate while moisturizing and there are no crazy chemicals involved.  In fact, this is one of the simplest things I have ever set out to make.

Tomorrow is Lily Bean’s LAST day of her first year of preschool.  *Sniff*  Her teacher and teacher’s aide have been absolutely divine.  They have given her the most wonderful year – and truly built a great foundation for her to enjoy future years of school.

I poured through different ideas when trying to decide on an end of the year gift and time after time, various bath and body items kept popping up.  I finally settled on sugar scrub because I know how much I enjoy it.

You will need:

• Olive Oil (I used Newman’s Own Organic EVOO – don’t know that it really matters)
• White Sugar
• Essential Oils (Optional)
• Jars with screw-on lids (I used half pint sized canning jars.)

How to make:

• I made three different scented scrubs – lemon, lavender and peppermint.  To avoid any “scent contamination” I mixed each scent in its own cup with its own spoon.
• I have seen some sugar scrub recipes call for 1 part sugar to 2 parts EVOO.  I like my scrub to be a little thicker, grittier.  I used equal parts sugar and oil.  You can play around with your mixture until you achieve your desired consistency.  If you like a super gritty texture, use 1 part EVOO to 2 parts sugar.
• To make one half pint jar of scrub, I first added 1/3 cup of EVOO.

• Then I added 1/3 cup of white sugar to the EVOO and mixed it together.

• Next, I added a few drops (no more than 1/4 of a TEAspoon) of essential oil.

• Mix all this goodness together and you’ll get a consistency that looks like this:

• Pour scrub into your jar and screw on the lid.

• That’s it!
• To use scrub: Stir mixture.  Scoop out some scrub and rub lightly onto hands or body (avoid face).  Rinse/pat dry.
• Finished products:

• I made my own labels in Photoshop which I am uploading for you in case you’d like to use them.  These work best with 2″ printable labels – I used Avery Labels 22817.

Lemon Labels

Peppermint Labels

Lavender Labels

• Package your scrub however you’d like – or give it as is.  Either way, you’ll have a super cute gift!
• I found a cheap basket on sale at Michael’s and nestled the jars into paper shred.

• We added some gold star confetti for that extra little “teacher” touch:

• We found painted wooden apples (also at Michael’s) and wrote each teacher’s name using a metallic silver Sharpie marker.
• I couldn’t find a wooden spoon ANYWHERE that was “just right” so Biker Bob (amazing man that he is) MADE me two spoons – cutting and then sanding them out of balsa wood.  Genius.

This scrub will keep at room temperature for about a year.

I’d love to hear about other variations you have made – share in the comments section!

Prompt: Makes Me Smile

Bob has quickly transformed from rookie horse show dad to seasoned pony whisperer.  Melt my heart!

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This is going to sound ridiculous.

I know.

But I’m going to share it anyway.

We are slightly addicted to Starbucks.  If you are on my Facebook page, you’re already well-aware of that fact.

But no matter how much I love Starbucks, there is one thing that I can’t stand.  If I am going to pay 50 billion dollars for a cup of coffee (slight exaggeration), WHY CAN’T THEY MAKE A CUP THAT DOESN’T LEAK?

It never failed – for the longest time whenever we stopped to get a coffee or other hot beverage at Starbucks, chances were good that we’d be wearing part of our drink before long.  And every time this happened, we realized that there was one consistent similarity – the drinking hole on the top of the lid was hovering over the seam on the cup.

See the seam in question?

For some reason, the seam renders the cup a leaky vessel.  When the drinking hole on the lid is placed near or at the top of that seam, leaks are a good possibility.

Does the word “seam” make anyone else think about District 12?

Anyway.

The next time you purchase a hot beverage at Starbucks, make sure your lid is not near the seam.

Like this:

This is probably one of the most random tips I will ever share with you.

And I feel better already.

Carry on.

Prompt: Flowers

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Get any one product from Paper Coterie’s new “My Life” line of photo gifts.  These products are made especially to showcase your Instagram pictures, but non-Instagram pics can be used as well.  Use promo code MYLIFE at checkout through 5/21/12.  Shipping not included.

Prompt: Black and White

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Get any one product from Paper Coterie’s new “My Life” line of photo gifts.  These products are made especially to showcase your Instagram pictures, but non-Instagram pics can be used as well.  Use promo code MYLIFE at checkout through 5/21/12.  Shipping not included.

Prompt: Self-Portrait

Prompt: Spring

Day 13 of this month’s photo challenge!

Prompt: Mother’s Day

LAST DAY:

Head to Paper Coterie and get a FREE $15 site credit through 5/14/12 with promo code GIFTFAVES

Prompt: Sunrise/Sunset

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Head to Paper Coterie and get a FREE $15 site credit through 5/14/12 with promo code GIFTFAVES