Shimmering Summer Spirals

Shimmering Summer Spirals. ☀️ 🌀

Sharing last years wonderful simple activity with the little one in the hope the sun shines bright tomorrow and we can lay on a woollen blanket under a tree in the cool of the shade watching the magic.

All you need for this craft is some gold card, some scissors and some string.

Simply trace around a dinner plate, from the outside of the circle cut to the centre in a spiral with a width of 1.5/2cm between rows. When you get to the end pierce the top with a push pin, thread through some string and hang! These work great on calm days and windy days. If it’s windy make sure to space then enough that the wind does not blow and entangle them all!

For me amongst everything else this has to be the simplest most enjoyable part of the day!

Lavender, Rose and Sweet Orange Deodorant

Lavender, Rose and Sweet Orange Deodorant.

Last week I shared my soap powder and fabric softener (see my natural home highlight)This week as part of my #sustainablynontoxic contribution I thought I would share the easiest body care switch I have made homemade deodorant.

Aerosols and stick Deodorants have been shown to have carcinogenic properties in tests over recent years, it is thought some chemicals in the deodorants can cause mutation in cells where applied over time. I’ve always had breast issues with fibroadenomas and other lumps here and there (thankfully benign) and didn’t want to be putting something on my body which could cause harm and even long term illness.

This recipe I originally found on here from @sarahstarrs and I have since made a couple of other variations suitable for sensitive skin and for those who can’t use cornflour or baking soda (see below) my mum has also switched to this deodorant and loves it!

To make your deodorant (to fill 100g jar)

To absorb moisture:

2 tablespoons of Arrowroot powder

(You can use Cornflour instead but I find Arrowroot works best for me)

To mask odour:

2 tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda, for sensitive skin food grade diatomaceous earth is available from food health stores I’ve not personally used this but a couple of people have tried it who I know and it works well for them. Now Bicarbonate of Soda is Alkaline and your skin is naturally slightly acidic so it can cause irritation in sensitive skin, if you have particularly sensitive skin use less bicarbonate of soda, or none at all. I made a jar without some once and it still worked for me.

For moisturising anti bacterial properties:

4 tablespoons of Coconut Oil.

For scent:

Up to seven drops of Essential Oils of your choice. I used 3 x Lavender 3 x Sweet Orange and 1 x Rose Absolute it gives a lovely light floral scent. If you want an alternative to this for more sensitive skin you can make your own macerated lavender and rose petal oil. (See below)

Method:

To make macerated oil: melt your coconut oil into a jar. Pick fresh flowers and buds lavender and scented tea roses and use a pestle and mortar to mash them up to bruise them and release oils, picking them in the morning is best when the oil content in the flowers is at their highest. Add them to the jar of coconut oil (add a tablespoon of sunflower oil to keep the mixture liquid) on a Sunny windowsill, cover with a lid and leave for a few days, stir after a few days and mash the petals a little then leave for another week. After a week sieve through a tea strainer or sieve into a clean bowl and prepare to make your deodorant.

Make the deodorant:

Sterilise your jar.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl, melt the coconut oil in another bowl if you need to then add the Essential Oils (if you are not using macerated oil) mix well

Whisk the 4 tbsp of coconut oil into the dry ingredients and then pour into the jar and leave to cool completely. The coconut oil should solidify in cooler temperatures, you need a large pea size blob for each underarm, massage in until absorbed.

Flower crown

Midsummer Flower Crown 🌸

This morning I have taken advantage of the flowers and growth in the garden and made a midsummer crown.

The little one and I picked the flowers and herbs (if you don’t use herbs in crowns you should the thyme and lavender with the floral scent smell amazing!)

I used long grasses held at the end with a peg and plaited to make the base of the crown, then I woven in ferns to create a lush base before adding flowers and herbs on top. I used some florist wire in some places to secure and the results are beautiful.

All ready for a fairy tea party (swipe to see)

The lovely Hannah @naturnest started a new hashtag #fürmehrblumenkränzeaufinstagram for more flower wreaths on Instagram! Let’s keep the floral magic going!