Monday, July 16, 2012

Homemade Conditioning Rinse & Coconut Conditioner Recipes

My mother, brother & 3 nephews came to visit us for the 4th!  :)  It's 1:30pm and right in the heat of the day.  At my house, it's 102 degrees at this very moment.  It's HOTTTTT!  The kids are all outside playing in the water, the big boys (my husband and brother) are playing Xbox and my mother & I are researching different homemade recipes, in the comfort of the air conditiong!!  I love that I've gotten her into the homemade/DIY obsession with me.  Love you mom!! 

While looking around my house for something new to create, I remembered I was almost out of my commercial conditioner.  I was using Pantene...  The big bottles you buy at Sam's (so it took a really long time to finally run out of it).  I've been itching to make myself some homemade conditioner.  I threw out the last little bit of that questionable stuff to give me an excuse to finally make myself some homemade goodness!  I decided to make myself some regular, everyday conditioner (more of a rinse) and a deep conditioner that I plan on using once a week...... 

They work WONDERFULLY!!!  

Seriously, the everyday conditioner probably cost me a cent to make.  I haven't done the math, but once you look at how little of anything I had to use, you'll see that it's basically nothing out of the pocket per use.  The deep conditioner cost barely a little more than the rinse, but less than $2 for a whole bottle.  CRAZY!  For a deep conditioner, I'm spending less than $2 and actually know what every ingredient in it is! 

So, you're probably waiting for the recipes now, right?  I'll make you wait no longer...  Here they are!  

Everyday Conditioning Rinse
1 cup Water
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
 A couple drops of Honey
5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil

Here's an explanation of why I used the ingredients I used.  Water, of course, is necessary for absolutely everything living.  It's the base of everything... Or should be if it's not.  Apple Cider Vinegar removes buildup in your hair as well as helps balance the ph level of your hair.  Your hair has numerous cuticle scales which cover and protect the surface of each hair shaft.  Rinsing with Apple Cider Vinegar helps close these scales which results in shinier, smoother hair that's easier to manage.  Honey holds in water molecules so it works as a great moisturizer.  Honey is sticky and many people question it's health benefits for their hair.  Making your hair sticky would definitely make it hard to pass a comb or brush through your hair without damaging it, but dissolving just a couple of drops into a water/acv solution takes away the sticky and leaves the moisturizing benefits! :)  Of course, I added the essential oils to make your hair smell amazing, so you use whatever your favorite is.  I used lavendar!      

After using the everyday conditioning rinse, I didn't even have to brush my hair!  I have naturally, very straight hair anyway, so that probably helps, but just a simple run through with my fingers and letting it dry on it's own is all I needed.  My hair is soft and light after using this rinse.  It feels healthy.  It's not weighed down or oily like it felt after using some of the other conditioners I would buy at the retailers.  This recipe is definitely a keeper for my household. 

Coconut Milk Deep Conditioner
1 Can Coconut Milk
1 Tbsp Honey
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

You'll have to keep the Coconut Milk conditioner refrigerated, as coconut milk does spoil, just like any milk.  If you have normal, healthy hair, you'll need to use the coconut milk conditioner once every two weeks.  If you have dyed hair, use it once a week.  If you have dry/damaged hair, use it 3 times a week for 2 weeks...  Once a week for 2 weeks...  Then you can use it once every 2 weeks. 
This stuff is amazing!  So long name brand conditioners...  Hello homemade GOODNESS!  My hair's never felt or looked healthier!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Orchid Baby Sandals

I've GOT to show these beautiful little things off!!

Orchid Sandals

They're available for purchase at my Etsy Store
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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Homemade Children's Vanilla Toothpaste

My kids ran out of their store bought toothpaste yesterday so I decided to try my hand at making some.  It turned out pretty well...  if we can get past the baking soda taste.  Baking soda has a very strong taste, but it's a great way to clean teeth.  Maybe a stronger spearmint or peppermint extract/oil would cover up the taste a little better?  Maybe that's why almost all store bought toothpastes are some sort of mint or cinnamon flavor. 

Anyway, here's my vanilla toothpaste recipe.  Give it a try... it costs next to nothing and chances are, you've already got the ingredients in your kitchen. 



Children's Toothpaste
3 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 packet sweetener
1 tsp vanilla extract




We will give this one a try for a little while.... Until I find another version of children's toothpaste that may taste a little better, or just cover up the baking soda taste just a little more. 

So here's my first attempt at making my children some toothpaste. If you have any ideas that may work a little better than mine, please let me know!!  

Monday, July 2, 2012

Summer Bloom Headband FREE Pattern

Summer has officially showed up with this crazy drought and some excessive temperatures!  For the past few weeks, the kids and I have been outside, playing in the water, sucking down popcicles and just having some serious fun.  Today is a CHILL day!  I'm catching up on housework, crocheting some orders that have now become seriously behind and enjoying the air conditioning INSIDE the house. 

Well, I decided to actually write a pattern for one of my most popular summertime girly accessories.  Until now, I've made them all from memory without writing the pattern.  For all you crochet lovers out there (whom cannot crochet yourselves) they are only $7 in my Etsy store.  For those of you who know how to crochet (youtube is a GREAT teacher), here's the pattern :)  Enjoy!!!


Summer Bloom Headband

Ch. 4, join with sl st
Rd. 1 – (makes flower center) Ch 1, 12 sc in loop, join with sl st to first sc

Rd. 2 – (makes top layer flower) Ch 1, Working in front loops only. [sc in next sc. Sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc in next sc.]  Repeat [] 5 times, making 6 petals.  Join with sl st to first sc.

Rd. 3 - Working in back loops (behind 6 petals), [sc in next sc.  Ch 3, sk next st.]  Repeat [] 5 times, making 6 chains.  Join with sl st to first sc.

Rd 4 – (makes bottom layer flower) [Sc, hdc, dc, 3 tr, dc, hdc, sc in loop make by ch 3’s in previous Rd]  Repeat 5 times.  Sl st in first Sc.   

Fasten off with long tail (for sewing flower onto headband)


                  
                                                                       Headband
Make a chain long enough to go around your head when stretched slightly.  Measurements are listed below.

1 dc in each ch. 

At the end of your ch, sl st both ends of headband together. 

Sew flower onto headband on top of place headband joins together. 

Enjoy!!

If you want different color flower petals or a flower center, fasten off previous color and join new color.  Play around with this pattern to create exactly what you like! 

Age                       Headband Circumference (inches)

0-3 Months                               12 ½”

3-6 Months                               14”

6-12 Months                             17”

1-3 Yrs                                      18”

3-7 Yrs                                      19”

7-15 Yrs                                    19 ½”

Adult                                          20”

This chart gives you sizes for appx ages.  Head sizes do vary upon person.  If you want to make a snug fit, measure circumference around head and subtract 1 ½” to get headband circumference. 


If you try this pattern and notice any difficulties understanding it, please let me know!  I'm still very new to this pattern writing thing, as I have always crocheted from memory.  Now that I'm selling multiples in each of my products, I figure a pattern might be handy to have :)  Once again, enjoy!!  These are SUPER cute on babies/girls/ladies of all ages!