DIY // lavender sea salt body scrub

as i have mentioned before, i have been trying to "naturalize" my skin care routine and incorporate more natural and raw products, especially those i make myself. sooo... summer is finally here and that means we are showing a lot more skin. and if you're like me, the winter months mean ignoring all skin that is not exposed to the public until it has to be seen. a lot of the body scrubs out there are expensive and i don't find they do a whole lot for me. so, i made my own! again this is a very simple and inexpensive diy that makes a wonderful gift and is suitable for all skin types and can be used on the body and face!

what you'll need:

• fine natural sea salt [coarse would be too rough]
• organic coconut oil [refined or unrefined]
• fresh or dried lavender [i used fresh]
• small jar or container with tight seal
• mixing bowl
• tablespoon

one //
measure about 3/4 of your container full of the salt. mine was probably a little less than about 3/4cup.


two //
dump salt into the mixing bowl. then add about 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil. begin mixing and you will be able to judge the consistency. you want it slightly firm but not too crumbly. add more oil/salt depending! [note: i was making this outside and it was fairly warm, but my oil was still solid. only make this when the oil is at room temp/still in a slightly solid form, otherwise the consistency will be off!]

three //
next, add your fresh or dried lavender. i cut my lavender straight from a bush we have growing in my front yard. i picked all the buds off, some bloomed and most not. as i mixed them in, i muddled the lavender against the bowl with the back of the spoon to release the oils and break open the buds.



four // 
i had no real measurement for the amount of lavender i added, i kept smelling it as i added more to judge how much more i wanted to add. i didn't have any lavender essential oil, but if you do, add it now! mix until you like the consistency and amount of lavender bits. [on the right hand side of the second photo you can see how many stems of lavender i used.]



five //
when you're happy with it, package it up into your jar! i had a bit left over from adjusting the amounts of salt/oil so i used it on my hands and let my mom try some-- her review was that her hands were still very soft and moisturized the next day!

that's it! this makes a great gift for anyone [even men!] and is an amazing exfoliator for the body and face. lavender is great for sensitive skin and has calming benefits topically for your skin and stress relieving properties for your mood and overall wellness. caution: avoid using this scrub if you have any cuts or open wounds-- the salt may sting, ouch!



let me know if you try this!

x's + o's
kaitlin elaine

flowercrowning // DIY

last year, i moved to california to begin a new adventure. the experience was short-lived, but full of amazing experiences, friends, emotions, and lessons i'll never forget. before i moved, my lovely friend ariana agreed to make the roadtrip down I-5 with me in my little jetta. the only rule we had for our trip was we had to wear flower crowns the entire drive, never taking them off. and let me just mention, we created the hashtag "#flowercrowning" on instagram, and there are now 69 posts... claim to fame.

we constructed some simple flower crowns out of cheap, faux flowers, floral wire and floral tape. a year later, i'm showing you how we did it, all while making really weird faces and laughing a lot! [okay, maybe i was the only one making weird faces ;)]

what you'll need:

• silk/faux flowers of your choice, amount depends on the size of your head/flowers. [we used all white this time]
• floral wire [i like the kind covered in twiney-material]
• floral tape, green, and kinda sticky on both sides.
• scissors/wire cutters
• optional: hot glue gun

step one:
measure the circumference of your head with the floral wire. then cut and secure ends together by twisting the wire. make sure no sharp ends stick out!


step two:
cut your flower stems so they are about 1 1/2 - 2in. long. begin by laying the stem parallel to the wire, and wrap around both with the tape, securing the flower to the wire.


some of the stems need to be bent at a 90 degree angle, so that the flowers face outward like this:


step three:
continue adding flowers, alternating colors/types of flowers. try it on every now and then to see how it is fitting and where the flowers are positioned!


step four:
make sure all the flowers are secure, and for added strength and durability, use hot glue to secure flowers near where the stems are connected to the wire. i find mine is fairly secure without it though! then, have a little photoshoot!

i cannot be taken seriously ;)

that's it! enjoy being a flower child, dance around, wear it at home, at the beach, to a party, or on a roadtrip to california.

some of you may remember these seasonal photos bethany olson has taken of me over the last year, and yes, i constructed these crowns using this method!


happy flowercrowning!
x's + o's
kaitlin elaine

[all photos by ariana babcock, excluding the last 2 photos by bethany olson.]

sparkling watermelon-lime refresher

what's better on a hot, summer day than something cold and refreshing to sip on in the sun? everyone loves eating watermelon, but it's fun when there's a different way to eat and serve it: frozen watermelon 'ice cube' balls! this is a beautiful, fun and festive drink you can serve at your next summer BBQ or pool party requiring only a few simple ingredients! plus it's good for you, containing no added sugars plus all of the good de-bloating benefits from watermelon!



what you'll need:

• 1 bottle sparkling water
• 1 small watermelon
• limes [at least 2]
• melon baller
• lemon/lime juicer
• cutting board
• large knife
• large bowl
• strainer
• 2 glasses/cups
• straws [optional]

1 // begin by cutting the watermelon in half. 


2 // place the watermelon in the large bowl to prevent losing any of those precious juices. begin scooping small balls of water melon using the melon baller. place them on a plate. these will become watermelon ice cubes [or balls]! when finished, place the watermelon balls in the freezer for at least and hour or two, until they are frozen. for best results freeze them overnight, covered. 


3 // while those are freezing, mash whats left of the melon flesh with a fork, scraping it from the rind and producing as much juice as possible. [warning: it gets messy] then strain the juice from the flesh and remove all seeds. pour into a pitcher and refrigerate.


4 // when you're ready to make your drinks, remove watermelon balls from the freezer and place a few in the glasses the drinks will be made in. the more the better! [we only made 2 drinks, but i think there is enough ingredients in this recipe for at least 4.]


5 // next, juice one half of a lime into each glass over the frozen watermelon balls.



6 // then pour the sparkling water into each glass about 2/3 of the way full.

7 // finish off the last 1/3 with the fresh, chilled watermelon juice.



8 // garnish with a slice of lime in the glass or on the rim, and add a straw for sipping!



then enjoy! this is seriously so incredibly refreshing and light. not too sweet and not too tart. it's the perfect combination, plus it doesn't become watered down, because when the "ice" melts, you get to eat the sweet watermelon balls! yum!



i hope you try this easy, healthy summer treat! let me know if you try any other combinations of frozen fruit and juices!

x's + o's
kaitlin elaine

[thanks ariana babcock for these photos!]