Vancouver BC handcraft scene is heading for spring

The Got Craft? spring craft fair is taking place on Sunday, May 3rd at the Legion Hall on Commercial Drive at East 6th Avenue.
Doors open at 11am and the first 30 visitors will receive a glorious swag bag stuffed full of goodies from the vendors. Admission is $2 (children, free) and doors close at 5pm.
As you can see from the ByHand spotlight above, this will be an excellent time to stock up on gifts for Mother's Day and earn extra brownie points. The sellers above are only eight out of the 50 who will be selling on the day so please, come on down and shop local!

Soothing Sunburn Pain After A Great Day!

A little over a week ago, we had fantastic weather come to the Treasure Valley. Highs reached into the 80's, and oh how it felt so good.

My husband and I had just purchased a pair of new beach cruisers, you know the ones that take us back to the Retro days of the 50's and 60's. They are making the new ones so cool looking with fancy wild colors or simplified for a more sophisticated style, and they are great fun to ride. They are classified as beach cruisers due to their big fat tires, large fenders, oversized saddle and elevated handlebars for easy peddling and sitting erect for cruisin' on sandy beaches and boardwalks. They make riding a bicycle like being in a recliner on wheels. Easy cruising!

We were fully set up for a long summer of bike riding. I purchased a large wicker basket to put on my handlebars to put water, food, clothing and anything else I wanted into it for toodling all over. We outfitted our SUV with a handy dandy bike rack. Even this thing was way cool. Now we were stylin' and ready to go have some fun and exercise. (Working off those extra pounds from a long winter) but that's another story.

We loaded up our bikes, water and picnic lunch and headed to Julia Davis Park to ride along our greenbelt and toodle around downtown Boise, if we had the stamina to do so.

The mornings were still cool so I had on a light jacket with capris and sleeveless shirt and of course had applied my mineral makeup for sun protection. However, I did the big no-no, I did not bring a fresh bottle of sunscreen. When we went to open the tube, the stuff had turned to an oily, separated, disgusting mess. It was ineffective at that point. However, I was optimistic since the greenbelt was full of shaded pathways, so I figured my sun exposure would be minimum and we arrived before 10 am in the morning before the sun got too high and more intense.

Forgetting (ignoring) my own rules, I peeled off my jacket as the morning warmed and the enjoyment of riding my new bike after a hiatus of 15 years, overwhelmed me. We were having way too much fun....my husband said I looked like a young girl again....I don't think I stopped smiling the entire ride. We rode for an hour and finally returned to our car and pulled out a set of Mushroom chairs to eat our lunch under the trees. I was in heaven, the warm day, the smell from fresh blooms of flowering trees, the sound of the river rushing by, watching others get out and enjoy the gorgeous day.

I was in a euphoric state so I poo pooed the likelihood of a sunburn. Of course this notion was ridiculous since my skin was so white from a long winter .....and did I bring a hat?....of course not!

We were so glad to be outside in the fresh air we stayed longer and longer, still remaining in the shade most of the time. My daughter then joined us and shared in our picnic lunch.

She had also brought with her, her roller blades. So we hopped on our bikes and rode into downtown with our daughter skating on ahead of us like a pro. I tried to roller blade a few years back and I fell down alot. Geez...I can barely find my balance on my new bike. Need practice for sure! We headed for Tully's coffee for a big ole Iced Mocha Latte with the works. After all I could afford the calories, I had been riding my bike most of the morning. Rode on the surface streets and of course not much shade there so sticking to buildings for shade was impossible, however my skin was still looking ok. It's like after high noon now. Oh, about an hour later, the lovely bloom of red began to show and I knew I had gone and done it........I had a nasty sunburn brewing.

After a great day, we headed home as my skin began to tingle and I could feel heat coming off my sunburned areas. Luckily it was only my arms, shoulders, and chest area. I would have not survived it if this was a swimsuit burn. This was going to be a doozy, regardless!

When we finally arrived home, I knew it was time to get out my Grandma's home remedy she used on me for my sunburns when I was a child. This works and helps to heal it much faster. Aloe Vera and Dickinsons Witch Hazel. The picture on the right is the orignial label and the one on the left is their brand new packaging. It does have about 14% alcohol content added.

Another one is called Thayers and it is combined with aloe, alcohol free and paraben free and also combines some other skin soothing emollients in this formula. It all depends on the best skincare regimen you prefer.

Both work exceptionally well. But my preference is the Dickinsons.

Before going to bed, I took a short lukewarm shower, and this prepared my skin with moisture. I then washed my hair and this is when I discovered I had burned the top of my head also, where my hair was parted. Didn't follow my advice on this one either. At this point I began kicking myself for ignoring everything I know about sun exposure. You really can get caught up in the day and before you know it, your skin is cooked.

After I dried off, leaving my exposed areas still quite damp I splashed on pure Witch Hazel. Oh boy, how this takes the heat out of the burn instantly. I allowed this to naturally dry to an extent and then followed up with an Aloe Vera Gel. I was able to sleep well without feeling that horrible burning sensation. If you have your own live plant growing, use it straight from the plant in its' purest form.

When looking for these two items, try to get them without the addition of alcohol content or as low a concentration as you can. Once the skin begins to heal over the course of the next several days, switch to an application of a very good Shea Butter Cream. I mean a cream with mostly Shea in it. Pure Shea would be best. This will keep the skin from drying out, peeling and itching and will super moisturize sun damaged skin. If you should begin to itch really bad as I started to do after 2 days, then apply witch hazel again before your shea application. Witch Hazel is an astringent, helps to reduce inflammation and swelling of tissues and locks in moisture to the skin. It is also great for razor burn, bug bites, works well on acne, and can help to reduce bruising. Some even swear by it for replacing the use of deodorant.

As far as my scalp goes, I drizzled a bit of this down my parted area, but this is an area I will just have to let heal on its own. "Good One" I think to myself.

Well, I am living proof that no matter how much you stick to shady areas....combining sunshine with fair skin is a recipe for disaster. Now that I have aged myself a few more years, I hope the rest of you will take care of your skin better than I did on that glorious day of great weather.

Perhaps it was worth it....or not! Cabin fever does strange things to us, endorphins flood our brains and make us feel invincible as we absorb the first warm rays of spring sunshine. We can talk ourselves into anything when we are feeling good. I can assure you, after that one, I am going to be more careful the rest of the year....but that is typical....make the devout promise after I already get the annual sunburn.

Well, I am headed out the door to go find a new bottle of fresh sunscreen and make sure I never forget my hat or to apply my minerals to my scalp, again. It is all about routine, and I had not been in this one for over 8 months. Why do I go through this every year? It is so simple, sun = burn. Pretty simple equation to remember, yet I not only fall short of my own advice, I see others do it over and over again as they strip down to nothing and expose every part of their body to soak up the first signs of summer rays. We are all addicted to the same feeling the sun gives us. This is why it is so important to take our sun in very small doses for body health and overall well being.

Cover up folks and enjoy your lovely weather wherever you may live. Cheers!

P.S. Went sunscreen shopping and after a long search I found a brand that has no avobenzone in the product. It also contains Titanium Dioxide at 7% ratio along with the typical chemical sunscreens at lower percentages. This is excellent for an all around sunblocking agent. It also contains inorganic and organic ingredients. It is Bull Frog Super Block with an SPF of 50. It is the new addition to their line of products. Totally unscented too! Not recommended for using on the face! The consistency could block facial pores and cause acne.

Now I wrote about any sunscreen being higher than an SPF 30, was unnecessary and was all about marketing, but this was the only one I could find with the essential mineral sun blocker Titanium Dioxide in it. The commercial market choices are very limited so you will more than likely have to target the private sector of those selling their own line. I also am sure the SPF rating is higher due to the content of TD based on ratios of similar brands and their ratings with the other active sunscreens added. Pretty spendy though for a really basic formula, nothing special....around $8 at Wal Mart for 5 ounces, but the sun protection is excellent with TD in it.

Although it was great for short notice protection after my annual burn, I found it to be very drying. I could literally feel the moisture being sucked out of my skin. This made my skin an ashy grayish blue color and caused my skin to flake and peel. It also did not go on easily at all. A lot of drag on my sensitive skin. Do not put this on your face...unless you love acne! Stick with your mineral makeup foundation! So I plan on purchasing some of Dr. Mercolas Natural Sunscreen for myself! If anyone else has tried this, let us know since future readers will be most grateful for the feedback.

If anyone has better suggestions of where to find more natural sunscreens or sunblockers, feel free to share with us. But this version of Bull Frog was pretty darn close for what I look for in products going on my skin....keeping it simple, fewest chemicals as possible. Is it absolutely ideal in terms of ingredient list?...... not quite....but definitely better than most brands on the market today. Skin cancer is far worse!

wordless wednesday

attend
this sunday

ebb and flo in person

handmade wire beads in tinned copper

There's nothing like an imminent craft fair to focus the mind and the crafting. Add in an imminent birthday, a newsletter deadline and a few other imminent items on the 'to do' list and life gets a little crowded! Excuse me please if I seem a little scatty of late but I'm trying to fit everything in before this weekend ..... and I seem to be running out of time!
So on Sunday I will be selling at my first craft fair of the year (yes, I'm a slow starter!). I will be at the spring Got Craft? fair in the Legion Hall on Commercial Drive (@ E6th Avenue) in Vancouver this Sunday (11am to 5pm, $2 admission - the first 30 thru the door will receive a goodie bag stuffed with samples from all the vendors!). It will be a great chance to buy some adorable Mother's Day gifts as well as to stock up on all the handmade goodness that Vancouver has to offer.
But meantime, I have to get my stock and packaging in order, finish two assignments for my proofreading and copy editing classes at SFU on Saturday, prepare a birthday (almost done - phew!) and keep on top of the usual boring household drudgery.

One of the first things I will do when pomo mama design turns in a regular is income is hire a cleaner!

Sunny outside, finished morning coffee, must start the day for more crafting http://ping.fm/CiAgN

everfailin'

everfailin', originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

I forgot - it's Etsy Day today, when celebs are doomed to be spammed by hordes of over-eager etsy newbs who checked their critical thinking about the site in at the registration page.

Please don't litter the world with Etsy spam in coffee shops, under windscreen wipers and in bookshops, please market your own shop, and, to the general public, please don't think that the majority of Etsy sellers are so naive.

kthnxbai

vegetarian pilaff

Another nice and quick, out of the store cupboard type meal (and it smells gorgeous as it simmers away!)

...... and as you can see, it was a great hit at dinner this evening!


8oz brown rice
1 tablespoon veg oil
2oz butter
half an onion, chopped
3 sticks celery, chopped
1 pint hot water or stock
2oz sultanas
4oz mushrooms, chopped
1 teaspoon marmite if not using stock
4oz salted peanuts or cashews
seasoning, pinch ginger and/or nutmeg

Fry the rice in the oil and butter until pale brown (low heat). Add onion and celery, cook for a further 5 minutes.
Add stock/water, sultanas, peanuts and mushrooms. Stir in marmite if required. Cover and simmer until rice tender and liquid absorbed, adding more water if needed.
Stir seasonings and spices to taste.
Serve garnished with chopped parsley and lemon slices. Grated cheese is also a good addition!

Bon appetit!

Time to 'fess up! I had no celery so yellow peppers were substituted. I'd run out of sultanas but currants were just as good. No garnish either but gruyere was a great addition. Ran out of mushrooms so threw in some freeze dried shitakes.

comments from this evening's diners;
"If I eat this it will kill me."
"No, no, no, no, no .... no!"
"This is disgusting."

should i blog the pilaff recipe? hmmm - it is a good quick meal

Lipstick On My Clothes....Now What?

Well it finally happened....the thing I dread the most (well maybe not the most) .......an elusive tube of lipstick ends up in the dryer with my clothes I had placed inside just for a fluffing...totally forgetting I had anything in my pants pocket.

I am sure this has happened to a vast majority of us. You open the dryer and you have that "Oh No" moment accompanying a look of horror as you stare hopelessly at the mysterious waxy colored stains all over your clean, dried clothes.

Now you try to figure out what to do.....It is certain the stains are set. And of course it would be all over your favorite pants or shirt as was the case with me. "Fortunately I put this outfit in with dark bath towels, so these could be salvaged," I think to myself. But I stare at my beloved pants and shirt and think, "well garbage time. I'll never get this out!" And the most infuriating thing, the offending lipstick which was still miraculously inside it's pocket cocoon, casing completely in tact, did not leave one stain on the inside of that same pocket....Tricky! (scratching head)

Many think that once clothes go through the dryer the stains are permanently set.....not necessarily!

Some of us will spot treat and rub and rub and use methods that are actually more damaging to the clothes than the stain that permeates the fabric. But we are determined to save our favorite outfit so we are willing to attempt anything until it is an absolute lost cause. Also, only you can determine the value of an item for taking on this daunting task. Personally, underpants do not fall into the "save" category! Easier to go buy a new pair.

After composing myself, I broke out my arsenal of cleaners that I was hoping would do the trick based on past experience with hubby's multiple chapstick offenses. However, grease with color stain was going to be a new experience for me and I was totally unsure of the final outcome. As I have learned, it takes a lot of work, but unless the clothes are ready for the garbage bin to begin with, it is worth the effort to save my favorite outfit.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the lengthy battle with the waxy mess and set about tackling what appeared to be a massive job. I first prepared the stain by wetting each and every spot with Zout stain treatment..... then I whipped out my trusty Murphy Oil Soap. This stuff is truly amazing and is so gentle to fabrics. It is a vegetable oil (Glycerin like) that is extremely slimy and penetrates and breaks down waxy or oily stains. It literally emulsifies the wax allowing it to be lifted from the fabric during cleaning.

Tip: Make sure spot is wet or treated first before applying Murphy's otherwise it will not penetrate stain but will actually act like a water repellent and won't allow for Zout stain treatment to penetrate either.

Apply daubs of soap with finger and work it in with fabric on fabric, preferably stain on stain. Allow the Murphy's to sit on the fabric for 15 minutes to really break down the waxes. Scrub again! Then put it in the washer on the hottest, longest wash setting you can get.

Now don't abandon the task thinking that's it...now comes some more elbow grease. Throughout the cycle, pull the stained items from the washer and for the most part they are going to look spotless, but it is time to get out the spectacles if your eyes are like mine, and look for the areas you missed. Trust me, you will miss some. Spot treat again with more Zout and Murphy's and rub fabric together, you will begin to see it lift the remaining stains right before your eyes. You remain hopeful as you see your clothes getting restored to their original condition.

This is a lengthy process, but again, if the outfit must be saved then it will take some attentive washing to salvage the clothes. After the first full cycle, I reinspect the outfit again and I find only a few more spots I missed. Treating them one more time, I did another full wash cycle on Hot! Voila....outfit saved. All traces of wax, oil and color are gone. I am a happy camper! Be aware however, it could take several washings depending on the wax ingredient. And you may not see anymore stains until you actually dry the outfit making invisible stains reappear. Even if this happens, you can still spot treat and wash it once more since drying the clothes will not set the stains further. Fortunately my natural organic lipsticks are not made with beeswax or dyes which are tougher to get out. Iron Oxides are easier to clean out of clothing and Candelilla wax and Castor wax are creamier so they are easily emulsified making removal simpler.

As most of us know from a past experience, when a lipstick melts it is not a pretty sight and it can't be saved either. It has been reduced to a lumpy mess, oozing from the container that manages to stay closed, yet it incredibly seeps the waxes and colorants out onto your clothes. It's enough to make you sit on the floor and have a good cry, especially if it was your favorite lipstick you lost as well!

Anyone who goes through this nightmare, makes darn sure it doesn't happen again, at least not in the near future. Pocket checking is always the best thing to do.

This same thing can happen in a washer if clothes were washed on warm or hot setting, and you now pull out a load of clothes full of waxy, oily spots! People who use chapstick have experienced this problem more than once, including my husband! I don't know how many times I have seen him ruin a pair of pants forgetting to take out that stupid chapstick tube. If you're lucky the load was washed in cool or cold water and the tube fell out into the washer saving you from the dryer disaster. Dare to Dream!

For crayons, beeswax based products like chapstick and candles, WD-40 is highly recommended for dissolving wax and grease in clothes....I know this sounds weird but it really works at removing the grease spot. Treat stain and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before washing. Not recommended for silk fabrics! You will have to wash clothes more than once though to remove the smell that is left behind by this product....but hey....if you can save an outfit, go for it.

Another one that is known to work is Dawn dishwashing detergent since it is a great de-greaser and is perfect for spot treating those pesky lipstick stains we get on our shirt collar.

Unfortunately, if you have a "dry clean only" outfit that you simply put in the dryer to freshen it up, you will have to rely on the dry cleaner and there is no telling the success they will have or how diligent they will work at it to save the outfit. However, a dry cleaner discreetly told me to pretreat the stain with WD-40 and then take it to them for the final cleaning. Bottom line however, no one cares more about your own stuff than you so if this job can be done at home, you're better off in the long run.

A Tidbit To Remember: When using spot treaters that foam, not as much detergent is necessary. After all you don't want soap floating out of the lid of the washer or oozing out on to your floor or you'll be cleaning more than just lipstick out of your clothes. Also, even if the spots are totally out the first go round, trust me, the soap is not. Wash again in clean water, still hot, and put in your fabric softener if desired. That is it! Outfit saved!

Also, make sure you throw an old light colored piece of fabric like a towel or old pair of pants into the dryer and put it on the highest heat setting. This is to make sure there is no other residue still remaining in the dryer drum. The heat will melt the remaining residue, placing it onto the fabric and then while it is still hot inside the drum use an ammonia and water mixture or a product called Goof Off to wipe down the dryer. After all that hard work you certainly don't want to recontaminate your favorite outfit you just spent hours restoring to its wearable self.

DANGER: Please oh please never mix ammonia with chlorine to clean your dryer thinking this will be the ultimate cleaning solution to cut the wax and clean the colored stains, not unless you want to inhale a toxic chlorine gas.

Hopefully these tidbits of information will work for you the next time you have a melting mishap on your clothes. However, I cannot guarantee results and trying these methods is of personal choice. But with the clothes already ruined, it really is at that point, a "what do you have to lose" question?

If you have a favorite remedy for removing lipstick from clothes, share it with us!

Have a great weekend and don't forget to check those pockets!

earth day - ebbandflo is doing her crafty bit part 2

...... cos part one can be found on my other blog here

earth- friendly crafting stuff i have fun with = paper making with my son, felting using handspun sweepings and fibre remnants, seaglass in jewelry, art clay silver (which is made from silver salvaged from medical photography, read here for more information), machine knit swatches felted into bags and purses, DIY from my stash ......... and stored mostly in upcycled salad boxes or in thrifted containers ......... but i still don't think i'm an eco-warrior!

ebbandflo

Buy Handmade

 

Packing Notes

On my last day in London I am able to reflect on what a great holiday I have had. The weather is beautiful here now but even when it wasn’t I was able to appreciate this wonderful city. As Alexander McCall Smith suggests, one must have the ‘right attitude to rain’ in order to live and visit the United Kingdom.

Packing wise- this trip was a semi-success. I made some mistakes, wished I’d brought a few things I hadn’t and didn’t use everything I brought. I think the next time I travel my packing skills will be on par with that of a well-oiled machine- a well-deserved product of trial and error.

This trip was tricky as I spent the first week in a very hot location (Portugal) and the next two weeks in a slightly chilly location that turned hot (London). Below I will list the items that I brought with me that I used over and over again and which proved invaluable:

-Dark fitted blazer (great for the plane and pairing with jeans for a casual dinner)

-A cashmere cardigan

-Three pairs of jeans: one tailored for heels, one tailored for flats and my black skinny jeans.

-Four tops that I love that I was able to pair with blazer or cardigan for chilly days.

-Two or Three layering tanks (mine are all from Michael Stars)

-Two bathing suits (they don’t take up much room do they?)

-One cover-up for the beach (mine was a little boring this year- next time I’m going for a bright Pucci-inspired one… might as well make a statement, no?)

-Two dresses for eveningwear and special events. This trip I found myself having tea at Claridge’s and lunch at Wentworth Golf Club. Both of the dresses I brought were black (so boring!) Next time I will bring more appropriate colors for spring.

-Black pashmina for the really chilly days and nights.

-Two pairs of ballet flats by London Sole, one pair of heels(Ferragamo are the most comfortable), and one pair of gold sandals.

There you have it… my packing notes for an early spring foray through Europe.

I would love to know how you pack for your spring holidays…

Got Craft? for Mother's Day

Yay! It's time for pomo mama design to strut her funky stuff at the first craft fair of the year (for her anyways).
This year's season opener is the awesome and delightful Got Craft? spring fair being held at the Legion Hall on Commercial on Sunday, May 3rd. Click here for all details.
So, mark your diaries, plan your route and come join some of The most talented artisans in Lower Mainland who will be thrilling your eyes and senses with their handmade creations. It's a good time to shop for mum and be in her good books for another year.

pssssssssst! first 30 buyers into the hall get a lush swag bag with gifts from the vendors

tweet tweet

front of birdies bag, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

A reminder to catch up with the Blogfire guild of Artfire bloggers tomorrow in their broadcast with Blockhead Radio Live (see the guild blog for more details.

The broadcast takes place at 8pm EST and you will need to log in on the site to take part. Now 8pm EST is 5pm PST so it might be a bit tricky for me to take part but my curiosity has been peaked/tweaked so ........

still waiting for the off

still waiting for the off, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

we finished - approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes of running, walking, dodging and weaving.

and it took an hour and a half to reach the start line!
phew

organisers - we need an elite stroller section for people who want to run with their buggies!

Sun Run Sunday

running man, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

See you all in the Sun Run today, when the whole of Vancouver (not kidding) turns out to run/walk/stagger 10k round the central core of the city.
Unless you're right at the front with the elite athletes it's virtually impossible to get a good time. The reason we're doing the race today is that it's the last time the wee guy will be small enough to push round the course in his stroller so we can take part as a family. Our next outing for the Sun Run will be when he can manage a 10k under his own steam. Not sure when that will happen but kilometre club at school is great training!

Treating A Cold Sore Or Fever Blister

After resting up from a nasty head cold, you wake up on a morning where you seem to be feeling much better, fever has broken and head is cleared....but uh...there is a slight tingling and perhaps an itchy feeling occurring on your lip....you touch it, stare at it in the mirror, not really seeing anything just yet. You get that distinct feeling you know what it is.....you are pretty sure it is the dreaded fever blister or cold sore beginning to rear its ugly head. (I only wish I could look this good when I arise in the morning. Coffee in hand, bed head and fuzzy pink bath robe and slippers, that's me!! Give me a hot shower and I am halfway there. But I digress!)

You lick your lip to be sure...yep....a tiny little hard bump is forming and the more you lick the spot, it seems to grow by the second. Great....your body just doesn't seem to want to cut you a break. Just what you need, right?.... as you get ready to go back to work or get out for some fun on the weekend!

Then as you begin to get up and get ready for your day, take a nice hot shower washing yourself, and your hand grazes the neck area, you realize this cold sore or fever blister is going to be a doozy because you can even feel a mild pain taking up residence in your lower jaw.

It is your body giving you a nice little gift to remind you to take better care of yourself.

Cold sores and fever blisters are typically associated with a virus we have within our immune systems known as the Herpes Simplex virus. Most people (about 80% to 90% of the population) have it and it is brought about by illness and a build up of stress in our lives. In this weakened state our immune system now makes us more susceptible to the otherwise dormant herpes virus. It is our badge that announces to the world I have neglected myself for too long. Even a small injury to the mouth can bring one on, such as chapped, cracked lips or biting the lip.

Some people may only get an outbreak once in their lives and others may have one up to 4 times per year. Doctors can only treat them symptomatically since there is no cure. Typically they will run their course in a period of 7 - 10 days time. But perhaps you can fight back and shorten the time.

This is my personal home remedy that has worked for me over the years and timing is everything.

At the first sign of a cold sore or fever blister, and I do mean the first sign, the itchy, tingly feeling, but no sign of the sore yet, I take a tab of aspirin, 325 milligrams, everyday along with keeping the lip super moisturized, until the sensation subsides. Usually the fever blister or cold sore recedes within 1-3 days, and never comes to its fullest painful potential.

Now if I miss my window of prevention by a millisecond, then I follow the routine of aspirin and treating my lip with Vicks VapoRub. This little miracle worker is usually no farther than your medicine cabinet....I mean who doesn't own a jar of this stuff? This incredible stuff usually keeps it to the tiniest size and it won't reach the full scope of an untreated cold sore or fever blister. I've tried the hot compresses to no avail, usually enlarging it, but it works great for softening the blister and helping it to drain, which in turn can bring about faster healing, but it doesn't do anything for keeping that little sucker from coming forth and growing.

Why this home remedy works can only be attributed to aspirin being an anti-inflammatory and has holistic healing properties, and the Vicks has the holistic plant extracts, Camphor and Eucalyptus in it which act as an antiseptic, they are counter irritants and have anti-microbial, calming and soothing properties. Combined in the Vicks base, it also will keep the lip moisturized well. So even if my fever blister or cold sore has taken hold, Vicks VapoRub works to reduce the size, the pain, and create faster healing time.

Now for the Legal Disclaimer: I make no medical claim as to the benefit of this recipe. The information is not meant to replace those opinions of your doctor. Any concerns should be shared with him or her. The information provided is not intended to prescribe, treat, cure, or prevent certain diseases or ailments and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. I furthermore make no warranty as to the effectiveness of this formula. You may or may not have similar experiences. Results can vary.

Now that I have gotten that out of the way.....next time you might feel the symptoms described, even if this is your very first one in your life, you will recognize it and can begin early treatment to stave off the full outbreak. And remember to de-stress your life, take care of yourself and get plenty of rest to avoid an outbreak all together. Also make sure you keep the cold, wind and sun from your lips, especially if you ski whether on water or snow. I don't know how many times I have seen ski enthusiasts sport these lovely little nasties. It is so important to take care of our lips because as some of us have learned, if you crack your lips, it may not be isolated to a single breakout but a few can emerge in one viral attack. And if you treat just one, you may very well be preventing others from emerging. So take good care of the first one even if you don't catch it in time.

Well enjoy our better weather that is headed our way this weekend. Hopefully I will be out riding my bike after getting over a serious head cold myself this past week. It was a doozy and my hubby suffered right along with me. Perhaps that saying is true, "Misery Loves Company" because we were quite the pair.

If you have a favorite home remedy for what ails you, be sure to share it with us since home remedies are sometimes the best!

Take Care and Happy Weekend!

Hello from London!

After spending a very relaxing week in Portugal (Santa Barbara de Nexe to be exact), I now find myself in London enjoying the beautiful city- the not so beautiful weather- and the lovely people.

The weather was very agreeable in Portugal so I shouldn't complain too much... My days were spent swimming in the pool or laying on the beach and exploring small towns all throughout the Algarve- My nights spent dining with family and friends in the quaintest restaurants we could find.

The Portuguese are fabulous at doing seafood and the one of the restaurants that stood out the most for me, called O Alagoas, specialized in the most spectacular seafood kebabs. I had the monkfish and prawn combination... delightful.

So after spoiling myself with sunning, eating and doing virtually no work whatsoever, I now find myself in London where the culture and intrigue of the city has propelled me to get back to work on my book- which I shall (hasn't happened yet- but tomorrow... tomorrow).

I must also report that the light packing has really worked a treat. So far I haven't cursed myself for 'not bringing enough things' and I actually think I could have gotten away with packing less than I did! Who knew? At the end of my trip I will make a note of the items that I didn't use at all and store the information for later- in order to further my goal of becoming a connoisseur of packing!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and are enjoying your week...

Image by Thomas Wood

the mild panic of not enough personal time

I've got a house guest right now (it's the delightful honeybeedz from etsy, aka my lil' sis) which means life is chock full of being a hostess. As many of you will know, having a guest in the house means extra work and less time to spend on personal time but in this case I've been more than adequately compensated! On Tuesday we spent an excellent afternoon snowshoeing in brilliant sunshine round Hollyburn, and then had a whole day (blimey) downhilling together (her on skis, me on my Burton Factory Prime) on Wednesday. Wheee! (thanks Aunty B!).

.... and I haven't been missing out on crafting either since she's been crocheting like mad following a yarn re-fuelling trip to Black Sheep Yarns!

I've put together a package for jurying at a local arts   boutique, I've been invited to consider teaching another wire crochet class and I finished off a load of wire and fibre promos for the Got Craft? fair taking place on Sunday, May 3rd (soon, yikes!)

 

 

 

 

I've also been packing in some wee crafting projects. Yes, there are some new fuzzy balls on the go. The latest is a much simpler version of the choker necklaces I made in March - just a few wire beads on a steel cable choker. ...... and I've had the time to play with a new design - a brass and glass fidget ring with a copper rivet. Still needs some polishing but I'm quietly pleased with the result so far!

Kaolin Clay May Be A Scapegoat To Makeup Woes!

Hi Everyone,

Today I wanted to share with you one of the many exchanges I receive from those believing the ingredient Kaolin Clay is causing problems for their skin.

Kaolin Clay as a whole is a very gentle mineral used for decongesting pores, pulling toxins from the skin and to absorb excess oils. It can be found in many brands of makeup, commercial and professional lines, is quite translucent, and this mineral is the purest and mildest of all clays. It offers moisture control for keeping the skin fresh looking throughout the day. It also has nice oil absorbing properties without drying out the skin and helps to reduce shine on the face. It does not pull the natural oils from the skin, but only absorbs excess so it can be used by those with dry skin as well in small amounts. It leaves the skin incredibly soft, especially when this mineral powder is used in a facial masque. When mixed with distilled water or a combination of botanical oils and other home remedy ingredients, the results for those with acne are extraordinary. This mineral has shown to work well for even those with Rosacea.

A customer had originally inquired about Delicate Rose vs Dewy Rose and if we offered Blush shades without Kaolin Clay in them. Below is the latest email exchange between me and my customer concerned about using Kaolin Clay:

Dear Katherine,

Thank you for responding quickly. I am a busy mom and don't always take time to read everything in fine detail.

I think I'm sensitive to the clay because I used a sample of your foundation (delicate) and my face became much clearer during this time, no bumps where I used it alone and no other irritations. I used the blush on my cheeks where I predominantly have rosacea and applied it over the foundation, less irritation, but I always seem to have slight irritation even when I go a few days without makeup which I do often (weekends or days when not working) just maybe a little more whenever I use any blushes. I inquired about the blush ingredients out of curiosity because you make the foundation without it. I can't be 100% about the clay but I used other brands with the same ingredient list plus the clay and those irritate my whole face more. What type of reaction have other women you've spoken to have? Maybe this will help me pinpoint what the irritant is. I know your particles are coated in methicone so I was also considering that maybe other brands that don't do this are irritating it. I use only synthetic brushes and clean them regularly.

Anyhow, I have been wearing makeup for years and only became extremely sensitive over the last couple. It's been lots of trips to the dermatologist and using prescriptions and moisturizers with very few ingredients and figuring out that my extremely expensive makeup had parabens which I developed an allergy to and the other brand I switched to had bismuth which I am sensitive to also. Thanks for your time. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I've read your beauty board and learned from that. I guess I'm just looking for the perfect things that are going to make me look as good as I want to without the irritation.

Sincerely,

Sioux
Clay, NY

Happy Easter Susannah,

Needless to say I am up quite early this morning due to a backlog of orders and wanted to get back to you ASAP.

Now to address your concerns on Kaolin Clay. In reading your email, it can be quite confusing on what you are experiencing since you stated you also have some irritation even when you don't wear makeup. Rosacea is a tricky thing and all by itself can be irritated just touching it. Not knowing how severe yours is, I am hazarding a guess. But here is some information you may find useful and to help you clarify what might be occurring.

First off the use of our synthetic brush is very helpful. Also make sure you do very little buffing since our minerals don't require it. Checkout our flawless face technique page for instructions since other mineral makeup brands do require a lot of buffing to get it to disperse. This is another factor as to why it makes ours gentle to skin due to the application method.

Also if you are experiencing irritation only where blush goes it may not be the Kaolin Clay at all. In other blush formulas they use dyes and lakes, (we don't use these) which are irritating and parabens can also be a skin sensitizer. Kaolin Clay usually causes dryness or itchy skin when we learn of reactions and it is not from our products typically, but from women thinking it is this ingredient by the time they arrive to us. So again I am not exactly convinced when we hear from ladies this is the problem since they are coming from using a makeup that was full of Mica also.

I believe Mica sensitivity has been the problem in these cases outside of the obvious Bismuth reaction, and certain micas also can cause severe dryness depending on their coating.

The reason I hesitate to say it is Kaolin Clay as a sensitizer is the fact it is also in the eye colors. Since you are using these without watery, itchy or swollen eyes, then I am inclined to think it is a rosacea stand alone thing or perhaps Mica sensitivity to other products where it is used as a whole in the mixture. A Kaolin Clay sensitivity would be present around your eyes if you had one. Nothing is more reactive to sensitizers than our eyes. Although our minerals are soothing and reduce erythema, rosacea seems to cause problems simply with using the wrong cleanser, perspiration, heat, shampoo and conditioners flooding across the face in showers, many factors. Women are surprised to be able to use our other products with Kaolin Clay similar to your experience, without reaction, only adding to the confusion since they were convinced it was this ingredient. I believe the Rice Powder mixed with Methicone in all of our formulas is what keeps the skin soothed and free from problems. That is why we have created these formulas. The overall results have been excellent.

I hope this has helped you and I really am confident that the Dewy formula won't cause you any problems since there is such a small amount of Kaolin Clay in the overall formula. Try it it by itself without any blush at all and see if you do fine with it. Then build from there. Thanks and I hope for the best with your skin issues. If you have any other need for assistance don't hesitate to let us know.

Katherine

Dear Katherine,

Thank you for your thorough reply to my concerns. Dermatologists seem to not know most of these answers, I guess due to no personal experience.

I bought 2 synthetic brushes, the flat head and dome head buffer, and I have to say the make-up (Dewy) went on so well with the flat head that I was impressed. I compared it to the dome and like the flat head much better, more coverage that is even. You were right, there wasn't any extra irritation from the clay so maybe it has been other formulations I've used. I have noticed itchiness with other products where the main ingredients was mica but nothing compared to bismuth.

I really like the Adonia color as well. I'm quite fair with a moderate amount of ruddiness and the color warms me up in a natural-looking way.

Well, I'll just keep going with what I've got then. Thank you again. I will recommend your products to my friends who have also had problems with other brands. I understand that you are busy. There's no need to reply to this. Just wanted to let you know about the brush preference which some women may not have discovered and say "Thank you".

Happy Passover and Easter,

Sioux,
Clay, NY

As you can see, problem solved through a bit of trial and error, and clearly Kaolin Clay was not the problem but the scapegoat for other ingredients found in makeup. And in terms of blush color, some also use Carmine in their blush to achieve a pink shade (we don't) and this can also be irritating for skin since some can have an allergic reaction to this dye. Click here to learn more about Carmine!

I think it is great when women finally learn what is happening with their skin in order to alleviate their frustration by using a makeup that won't give their skin fits.

Also, even though I explain Mica sensitivity, since she was referring to only mineral makeup issues, it can also be said that any mineral, including Mica can be blamed for an allergy when a product is also full of parabens, silicones, dyes, lakes and other chemical preservatives. These are all known skin sensitizers...so we want to make sure we don't turn Mica into a scapegoat either in some instances. It is a culmination of ingredients that makes our skin go ballistic.

This has been the consensus for those with rosacea and acne. We have found out through contact with these women, their skin has improved and they can now go on to enjoy wearing mineral makeup everyday without the worry of letting their skin breathe since quality formulas of gentle minerals and botanicals heal and soothe, and do not block pores.

However for those women we may not have initial contact with, this is why we offer our foundation in a delicate formula since we needed to make sure that we were accommodating to those who believe they too are sensitive to Kaolin Clay. It is only once they give us a try they may learn also that Kaolin Clay is not, nor was ever the actual problem but obviously many factors played a role, some of which I stated and this customer above discovered for herself. Evening Rose Veil has been a big seller for us since it is specifically created for women with acne and rosacea giving them excellent results and its' main ingredient is Kaolin Clay in this formula. She also went on to sample Evening Rose Veil as well!

Another example of what women are discovering:

Dear Sterling Minerals Team,

I received my order last Thursday and immediately applied everything according to your "Flawless Face Technique." All I can say is...I am stunned!! I am simply blown away by what your minerals have done for my complexion! Please, bear with me even though I know I sound quite dramatic -- first, let me backtrack a little and say that I am 43 years old and have been using mineral makeup and natural skincare for about four years. I have tried many different mineral companies (10-12) and even liked several, including the one I've been using the last two years.

I have struggled with adult cystic-type acne for years and have not been able to quite get it under control. I have also over the last couple of years developed areas of small bumps along my cheeks, (strangely enough it's the area where blush is applied.) Anyway, it appeared to me that those bumps virtually disappeared overnight when using your Evening Rose Veil! How is that possible ?! Not only that, but I have yet to get another cystic type blemish and I always have one of those going. I know only time will tell if all the ingredients agree with my skin and don't cause any breakouts. But I have complete confidence that your mineral formula will cover the area and help diminish any redness and give my complexion a "Flawless" look -- no matter what! The coverage and completely natural look, not to mention the staying power of your foundation is unbelievable!!!!!

With your minerals I have the skin I always wanted and please believe my complete sincerity when I say that your Sterling Minerals products are an answer to my prayers.

Many, Many Thanks!

~Sarah B~
Fairview, TN

This email truly touched me as it is abundantly clear in her writing, the excitement and emotion she is feeling knowing she has found her Holy Grail for her mineral makeup needs. Interestingly enough, she is also dealing with the areas of the cheeks specifically where she applies blush, and again this could be a mica based product subjecting her to a possible mica sensitivity. Or it could be a combination of this and dyes or parabens.

Then I received this followup email from the same customer, affirming that Kaolin Clay did wonders for her skin:

Hello again Katherine,

I just wanted to touch base and let you know I am still seeing only good things with my Sterling Minerals experience. In fact, I just placed another pretty big order including two more jars of Evening Rose Veil.

I have decided that this would also be great for my teenage son and pre-teen daughter to use at night as their complexions are now starting to see some breakouts.

With continued success, I am planning on letting others know about your wonderful company on the GoW Forum on Delphi. There are some great gals there and I am sure they would love to know about your products.

Thank you so much, again, for your healing, natural looking, and beneficial minerals!!

Regards,

Sarah B
Fairview, TN

I am always tickled and overjoyed when I hear how well my customers are doing on our products. Please don't ever hesitate to contact us if there ever is a question or concern with a certain ingredient as we will always do our best to assist you further with identifying a skin issue since Dermatologists don't necessarily have all the answers. They may only know what they are told by the salesperson selling to them their particular line of skincare products. What may sound good and is offered to you by your doctor, may indeed still be causing you ongoing skin problems.

These emails and the phone calls I receive are not unique experiences. I have many customers who have been on products sold to them through their dermatologists only to learn that these products are still loaded with chemicals and synthetics. I don't get it! That is why I always emphasize about reading your labels and understanding ingredients and what problems they can cause skin. Let us know how you are doing?!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter! Here's hoping for sunshine!

Hugs!

Off to Portugal I go...

Today I am off to Portugal for my holiday by the sea! I mentioned earlier this week that I would endeavor to do my best with packing light. I must admit, that when initially packing for the trip all of my promises flew out the window and my suitcase was rather stuffed (OK it wasn't 'rather' stuffed... it was very stuffed- I could barely close it!) Then guilt began to kick in and then self loathing... why oh why could I not get this right?

After a conversation with my father- who is very good at packing light (For a six week stay in the South of France, he packed enough clothes for one week and simply had his laundry done while there), I reevaluated my belongings and am proud to say I actually have room in my suitcase! I have packed for one weeks worth of day clothes and four different options for evening wear. That should do me for about three weeks...

Ah, it feels good to travel light... and, of course, it leaves plenty of room for picking up things along the way...

Adeus!

Painting of Portugal by artist Anna Blincoe

The Politics of Fashion

Not since Jackie Kennedy has the political world been so fashionable. Yes, I should be packing for my trip this weekend and running a hundred copious errands but I can't help but peruse the Daily Mail pages to catch a glimpse of the most glamorous first ladies in the world: Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni Sarkozy- both in England (with their husbands, of course) for the G20 summit. The stunning ladies are both sporting pussy coats (quelle coincidence!) in very different colors- both look incredible... politics hasn't looked this good in a long time...

Mineral Powders Give Sun Protection For Our Heads

As our days get longer and we begin to get outside more and enjoy the open air, riding with the top down or the sun roof open in our cars, or perhaps a bit of kayaking or bicycle riding, we need to be cognizant of the areas of our bodies we don't typically think about when it comes to proper sun protection. Even in Spring time when the sun isn't at its highest yet, the UV rays are still quite intense and can give a nasty sunburn. Don't let our cool spring days fool you!

Our Heads and Ears are exposed!

Men especially, forget about taking care of these areas. Men who's hair may be thinning and their scalp becomes more exposed need to pay particular attention to this area. Some men that are experiencing thinning of their hair may not be keen on wearing a cap or hat to give themselves protection, plus they can be extremely uncomfortable to wear in hot weather.

Women also can experience thinning hair as they get older, exposing areas of the scalp which will be extremely sensitive to the sun. Even women who part their hair are subject to a nasty burn. And the bad thing is, we don't feel our scalps burning since this area is not particularly sensitive. But once your scalp burns and you touch the area or try to comb your hair, you'll know it then.....and by then it is too late.

Now is the time to emphasize mineral powders are not just makeup but are a great sun blocker. What also makes minerals excellent is you can apply them to areas of the scalp without getting your hair all goopy or greasy. Perfect answer for those not wishing to wear hats or slather the typical sunscreen on their scalp. I mean who wants to look like they haven't washed their hair for a week?

For men who have lost most of their hair, then this won't much matter except using a product that is free from chemicals and is safer and easier to use.... and you can match the powders to the color of your natural skin tone.

Also, they are much more water resistant than lotions or creams. The staying power is far superior and you won't feel like you have grease smeared all over your head. They stay put during bouts of perspiration and swimming. These work so well for the scalp while out in the ocean snorkeling. (personal experience) Bet you didn't think of that one! They are also more eco-friendly for water areas that are being kept pristine for reef and coral fish. I personally have found most sunscreens feel heavy and make my skin feel as though it is coated in a layer of chemicals and can't breathe. Chemical formulations will leach off into the water disrupting the eco system and in many of these preserves, chemical sunscreens are prohibited unless water formulated and these have a sunscreen protection of about 30 minutes before they are completely washed away.

For those of us that just wish to protect the parts on our heads such as ears and the small open areas on the scalp as pertain to slight thinning....you can apply the mineral makeup foundation after your hair is washed and dried. For this type of application you can use any brush that will fit the area for getting the powders well placed. For open parts in the hair, a narrow head brush works well for precise placement following the part on the scalp.

If you like to style your hair with gels and other type of products that may add moisture or stickiness, then it is best to apply the powders prior to using the styling aids to prevent too heavy of an application or to keep it from sticking to hair shafts.

If you have a slight powder dusting in your hair, you can reduce it with a spritz of distilled water, and then a fluffing of the hair again with your hands or a touch with a blow dryer. The minerals will stay adhered to the skin but can easily be fluffed out of hair strands unless you apply after styling aids as stated above.

If you have dark hair, you may be wondering what shade you should use? The answer is to use a color that matches the natural skin tone of your scalp, do not buy a shade that resembles hair color.

And always make sure you protect those delicate ears especially if you enjoy wearing your hair up in the summer time. Ears that were once covered all winter by draping hair styles, will be extremely easy to get burned and are very prone to skin cancer with repeated sunburns. Also don't forget the nape of the neck which is now also exposed with the uplifted hairstyle. Before you know it you'll have a nasty burn in this area.

And for taking care of mens' skin, it really is about perception. Call them sun powders and forget the makeup idea. Changing your way of thinking and realizing mineral powders are truly the best for sun protection due to UV light refraction capabilities, rather than UV absorption.

Also they won't bother your skin if you should leave them on until the next day you shower and wash your hair.

If using mineral makeup foundation this way is not your cup of tea then don't forget your sun hat or sit under a huge Palapa, (missing Mexico) and keep your head and ears protected along with all the other pieces parts of your body and have a great time out in the sunshine.

Wishing you continued skin health and have a wonderful weekend!