Archive for ‘Seasonal’

April 27, 2012

Are Bubble Baths and Beach Babes Compatible?

Batty in her birthday balloon bubble bath
I am sure when you came across this title, you may have thought what? What does bubble baths and being a beach babe have to do with each other? .. and it’s not just the water! Read on and I’ll tell you more!

 

Summer is fast approaching, and there’s many girls are trying to get their bodies as well as their skin in tip top shape. They also want to feel sexier, and smell good because those are two more things that come to mind when one thinks of warm weather. At least I’ve been told! Although I love my dresses, pretty nails and glitter, in a lot of other ways, I’m a typical tomboy!

 

But, that wont stop me from helping out those of you who are looking some “beach ready” tips!

 

One thing that many may be using in their  quest for great skin, great smell and to feel sexier is bubble bath.  However if you want to rock a sexy swimsuit or hot bikini this summer, you might want to think twice about pouring [commercially made] bubble bath in your tub. Why? Because if the person or company making the bubble bath isn’t diligent, those  lovely scents and bursting bubbles can give you oh so not beach friendly yeast infections. Yes you heard right! Yeast infections!

 

How you ask?

Well one way that (poorly made) bubble baths cause yeast infections is that they irritate the delicate and sensitive vaginal tissues and the irritation is a perfect breeding ground for a fresh yeast infection.

Secondly, bubble baths can raise the amount of moisture that’s in the vaginal canal, which in turn causes yeast to breed to the point of a yeast infection.

 

Thirdly, you know that lovely scent that makes you feel like you are on a tropical island or other pretty idea? If the bubble bath fragrance isn’t natural, paraben free, or skin safe, it is likely to be poorly made, chemical laden fragrance that can make changes in your flora, and cause an infection.

Sodium lauryl sulfate, the stuff that makes the big pretty bubbles is another beach bummer chemical. 

I’ve actually written about SLS several times and for good reason. This chemical is known to further exacerbate the problem, and make the yeast infection harder to treat. But here is the kicker, these ingredients can cause CHRONIC (read long lasting hard to treat) yeast infections.
As you can see there is NOTHING sexy about commercially made bubble baths.  If you love a good soak in the tub as much as I do, stick with bath goodies that are made by someone who is highly knowledge AND cares about YOU more than making a quick buck. I make a 100 percent bikini and swimsuit friendly bubble bath that is free of all the nasty chemicals that can make you feel oh so less than sexy this season! The only kicker is that it will only be available as a made-to-order item soon! Pick it up before the limited amount of jars I do have made sell out! Here’s the link.

 

(pst, if they ARE sold out, check out the made-to-order section to order or contact me!)

April 10, 2012

Spring Birdies

Spring Bird Soaps

These little birdies wont be found in the online shop this spring, but they did found their way to our table at our last few events! Throughout the day at each event they made their way home with customers, baby batties, and anyone else who couldn’t resist their cutest!

Tags: ,
April 9, 2012

How to Use Lavender from Your Skin Care Garden

I have been talking to you in the last couple of entries about using herbs from your skin care garden. Today I am going to be talking to you about one of the most common and yet those most fragrant herbs: Lavender!

This is one of the most commonly known herbs and one of the most versatile that I know.  If I were to just grow one skin care herb in my garden this would be it.  It is gentle enough for babies yet hardworking at the same time, and almost everyone likes it. And since you may have already planted some after reading the first part of this series, I will get on to how to use it. :D

One way that you can use it is by making lavender water.

Lavender water is great to have on hand for sunburned skin or when your skin is just feeling irritated in general. Lavender water will cool and soothe it.

To make it……

First you need about a cup of water, three tablespoon of dried lavender buds, a pot, and a 8-10 ounce glass bottle.  Now, I am sure the lavender that you just harvested is not dry yet, but if you read the previous post in this series, I talk to you about how to dry herbs. So what you do now, is bring the water to a boil, and then pour it over the dried lavender buds in a small sauce pan. Let it steep for five minutes or so, and then let it cool. Strain, bottle, and then refrigerate.  Splash on your skin anytime it needs to cool off.

Another way that you can use this lovely herb is coupled with oatmeal in a bath.

Lavender combined with oatmeal is great for skin that is dry and itchy or even bothered by rash.  Place two tablespoons of dried lavender and two tablespoons of oatmeal in a muslin bag or one of the handmade fabric bags you’ve received from an order at my online shop. Pull the drawstring on the bag tight, and place in a warm bath.

Did you know that lavender makes a lovely essential oil?

If you’ve ever used any handmade bath or beauty products with it you do! And while you can’t turn the lavender you harvested in you’re your yard into an essential oil without very special and expensive equipment, I can help you benefit from this healing essential oil.  I have harvested the healing power of lavender essential oil in my lavender swirl soap that will compliment and enhance anyway that you choose to use the lavender from your garden.

Happy gardening :)

lavender swirl soap

March 28, 2012

Skin Care Garden Series: Lemon Balm

Hello again, I’m back with another post about the herbs that you grew in your skin care garden. This time I’ll be talking about the lovely lemon balm, and how you can use it! I think you will enjoy the many versatile uses of one of my favorite herbs.

One way that lemon balm can be used is as a natural insect repellant. Summer is soon coming, and with the way this weather has been, some of us have met summer very early. You know what warm weather and summer mean! Mosquitoes!! Yes those things that go bzzzz in your ear and go after your blood leaving you with bites. This natural insect repellant is very simple to make, and doesn’t require a degree in chemistry.  All you need to do is harvest some fresh leaves, crush them with your mortar and pestle, rub them on your skin, and bam you’re free to hit the outdoors! Wow!

Speaking of the itchies and things that go bite in the night, lemon balm is great to use for skin afflicted with skin boils, chicken pox, and insect bites.  One way to use lemon balm is by making a poultice. To make a lemon balm poultice, you will need to harvest a few fresh lemon balm leaves. Place these lemon balm leaves in a small bowl or tea cup and pour boiling water on them; just enough to cover.  Next mash the moistened lemon balm into a pulp with a spoon or your mortar and pestle.  Let cool. When cool, apply to afflicted areas of skin, and then place sterile gauze pad on top. You can then tape this in place with some medical grade tape (you can get this as well as the gauze from any drug store). Leave on for a few hours or overnight if needed. Lastly, you can use them in a refreshing soak. Harvest some fresh leaves, and add them to a warm bath along with some bath salts  for an extra skin healing experience.

I hope you enjoyed learning how lemon balm can keep your skin as lovely as you are!

March 19, 2012

Skin Care Garden Series: Calendula

If you missed my post from last week – the first of the Skin Care Garden Series, The Skin Care Garden How-to – then you may want to check it out here.

In a recent post, I discussed gardening for skin care. You may be wondering, I have all of these herbs that I’ve grown. Now what?!?! Well have no fear, as I will be discussing how to use the herbs that I mentioned in that post. However, so I won’t bombard you with too much information, I want to just discuss one herb at a time. Since spring is nearly here (it sure FEELS like it’s here! I’m loving the nice weather!), and summer shortly thereafter, I wanted to start with calendula. Calendula sometimes known as pot marigold is a bright and cheery orange, and makes all happy who come upon it. Think of it as a smiley face sticker for your skin. It can be used in various ways, and it is really good for pretty much every skin type. It is rich in beta-carotene like carrots, and that is what gives this flower its bright orange color. It is also rich in vitamin A.

One way that calendula can be used is as a tea.

Calendula tea helps to heal your skin from the inside out. This herbal tea helps to relieve skin irritation, heal your skin from small cuts, bruises, inflammation, and it helps your skin to build collagen (collagen is what gives youthful skin that plump appearance). The tea is made by first drying your flowers. To dry your flowers, after you are done picking them, laying them on a drying screen in the sun, and let them dry for a couple of days. Then you take the flowers, and you can put them in a twisty bag or in a canister if you wish to keep them dry and for general storage purposes. Take about two tablespoons, and pour boiling hot water over them in a small saucepan. Let steep for five to ten minutes, and then strain into a cup. Sweeten if desired.

Another way that it can be used is as a paste.

Calendula paste is good to use for skin issues such as dry itchy skin, chicken pox, insect bites. It is also good to use on skin that has been burned (like when you were trying to pull that pie out of the oven and are so excited you get careless). To make the paste, place freshly picked flowers in the blender (stem removed and you don’t have to dry them). Add a little bit of water, and blend until a paste is formed. Then rub on afflicted skin.

These are just two of the effective ways that calendula can be used in your skin care regime. Stay tuned next week for the next addition in the Skin Care Garden Series!

One more thing before you go off to pick your calendula flowers, did you know that Batty’s Bath has harnessed the power of calendula in its lip balm?

Calendula is good for cracked, chafed skin, and is great on your lips to keep them kissable soft. Check it out here

Lip Balm with Calendula

March 15, 2012

Inspiring Video: Homegrown Revolution

Noel and the pumpkin patch

This picture was taken at the old house and was my first attempt at growing a pumpkin patch.

This morning while surfing around and checking all my daily “web stops”, I came across the Urbanhomestead.org. I’ve always been fascinated by the homesteading idea; growing your own food, supplying your own solar power, etc. Living off the land has such a natural appeal, and I’m sure if you’re a tree hugger like me, the thought of growing a garden that supplies the majority of your fruit and veggie needs, has crossed your mind – even if for a brief moment.

The home we lived in before moving away from the “hustle and bustle”, was shaded by huge, grand, old, BEAUTIFUL trees. And while they were gorgeous, and had many benefits (like keeping the house cool in the summer and providing numerous critters with homes), I was always felt held back from having even a small garden because they completely shaded our whole lot. That didn’t stop me from trying to grow pumpkins though! I know, I know.. they need tons of sunlight – but I was determined to try! I grew them from seed and my parents brought over a truck load of good soil to put in the garden boxes in the backyard.  And, surprisingly, the pumpkin vines actually did quiet well after I put them in the “garden” outside. The vines started growing, twisting around things, and reaching up towards the patches of sunlight that made it through all the tree branches and leaves. I was so excited! Even if I didn’t get any pumpkins from the vines, I was encouraged that I could at least grow SOMETHING! Unfortunately, my pumpkin growing excitement didn’t last long! One day, when the vines were getting quiet long, I went out to water my “pumpkin patch”, only to see vines in pieces and the leaves chewed off. Some critter was as excited about the pumpkin vines as I was and had them for their midnight snack!  I’m guessing they had the leaves for dessert! To this day I don’t know if it was one of my dogs, the squirrels, the skunks, or the raccoon family that lived in one of the trees (they were quiet the clan by the way!).

Now that we live with wide-open spaces, where the stars actually twinkle at night, I’m once again getting the green thumb itch! We have lots of space – including space outside the fenced in area that we call “Batty’s dog park” – to plan, grow, and *fingers crossed* harvest wonderful things! I’m so excited and definitely need to get my nose in some books about how to be a good green thumb! There’s lots of work to be done around the property, and Drew and I are actually looking forward to working outside on all the things that need to be done! Between the list of things to do outside the house, I’ll be making a little garden – or two! I’ll also planning on giving the pumpkin patch idea another go! It’s my dream to have a HUGE pumpkin patch that takes over a good section of land and gives us the best Halloween pumpkins ever!  I will no doubt be making sure that work doesn’t get in the way of enjoying our first spring and summer here  :)

Before I ramble too much more, I wanted to share the video that inspired this post! I came across this video at the Urbanhomestead.org. It’s called the “Homegrown Revolution” and is truly inspiring! Enjoy.

March 14, 2012

Skin Care Garden How-To

Skin Care Garden and Herbs

Spring is fast approaching, and you know what that means. Time for gardening! 

I am sure you see the garden gloves, the pots, and all the seeds out on display by your favorite retailers.  I know when you see the wide array, you may be thinking that gardening is only for the flower lovers, or veggie lovers. However did you know that you can grow herbs for your skin care routine as well? And no, you don’t need to own a sprawling acre with the perfect soil to have a perfect garden. You can have a little bit of land to work with or none at all. Even those who live in apartments or condos can grow at home as well.  Herbs are great for beginner gardeners all the way up to the expert gardeners.  Herbs can be grown inside in containers, or outside.

Alright now to the good part. Herbs that are good for skin no matter the type include lavender, calendula, chamomile, and lemon balm.

Lavender is good for the skin because it is antibacterial and antifungal. It also helps to heal the skin by reducing scarring (you know from picking at ickies you may have had on your skin or from cystic acne), softens it (for those of us that don’t have the baby bottom soft skin anymore), and it keeps all skin types balanced.

Calendula is good for the skin because it helps to heal wounds, high in anti-inflammatory disease, and can heal skin that is suffering ailments such as eczema or dermatitis.

Chamomile is good for skin that has been burned, afflicted with acne, scraped or is irritated from things such as rashes.

Lastly, there’s my good friend Lemon Balm. Lemon balm is good for healing wounded skin, and helps with those pesky insect bites such as those spiders that might be wanting your skin for a midnight snack!.

Apartment Balcony Garden

It is easy to grow these plants indoors and outdoors.

There are many medicinal herb kits that sell the seeds of these herbs and mini containers. Many gardening centers sell the products. They are also easily found on sites such as amazon and other online retailers (try Etsy! They have some really cute and unique kits).  You can also just buy the individual seed packets from your local health food store if you already have plenty pots or containers to grow your skin herbs in.  You probably want to plant these skin loving herbs as soon as it is time for growing them in your growing zone. You can usually find your growing zone on the back of the seed packet. This way you can get the most out of your harvest. Gardening stores may also carry plants that are already mature enough for transplant into any indoor containers or outside plots.

Cold Press Natural Soap Honey and Oat Delight

 Gardening can be a little rough on your hands, so a good exfoliating soap such as my honey oat delight.

A good skin care regimen should include both inside and outside measures. Using good quality chemical free products such as ours, as well as using your new herbs in skin teas will keep you glowing for years to come!

Pink Flower

Stay tuned to the blog because over the next few weeks I’ll show you just what to do with your herbs! Each week I’ll feature one of the herbs mentioned in this post. So get GROWING ;)   and I’ll be here to show you what to do with your lovely greenies when they’re ready! :)

Blue Flower

February 27, 2012

Dry Skin Got You Down? Batty can help!

Winter is here, and you know what that can lead to? You guessed it dry winter skin! It’s one of the pangs of winter.  It can be caused by several things such as the cold winter temperatures, the wind and the low humidity. Then when we are inside, the heat we use to warm up further exacerbates the problem! All these issues cause the moisture from our skin to be zapped from it, which can result in dryness, itchiness, soreness, and cracking. Ow! How can you stop the skin blues of winter? Read on!

One way that you can soothe your skin is by using a humidifier in your home.  Using a humidifier helps to keep the air moist. This can help your skin retain some of the moisture that is generally lost in the winter, and you don’t have to turn down your heat!

Another way is to use moisturizing body products. Avoid products that contain ingredients that strip moisture from your skin. One of those nasty ingredients that strip the little moisture you have left from your skin is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This is a very very common ingredient that you will find in your dish liquid, liquid soap, body washes and bubble baths.  Sodium lauryl sulfate is the ingredient that makes those large foamy suds. I know the big suds everywhere enthralled you, however I am sure that you will be more enthralled by softer skin that isn’t itchy, sore or cracked! You will want to feed any SLS containing products to your garbage can. Instead use some products that are gentler on your skin and help your skin to retain moisture. Soaps such my  skin therapy found here which are SLS free and contain natural moisturizing oils and clays can clean your skin well but help your skin retain moisture. In fact, I don’t use SLS in any of my products!

While we are on the subject of baths and showers, you will not want to run a very hot bath or shower. This sucks moisture out of your skin as well. Run a bath that is not too hot, not too cold. Right in the middle is good for your skin.

Lovely lolli by lollipop workshop

Lovely lolli by lollipop workshop

Now after you get out the tub, you will want to moisturize your skin very well (unless of course you soaked with one of our bath bombs or treated yourself to some of our bubble bath!). Again leave the synthetics at the door. Natural ingredients soften and heal your dry winter skin. Synthetic ingredients just hydrate the top layer but really don’t do anything to heal it. It does not penetrate the skin, and you have just to keep on applying and applying to no avail. It is good to use lotions or body butters that contain natural vegetable and nut oils and butters. This will help keep you healed and prevent that really dry cracked skin.  Try out some of my naturally moisturizing body butter or balm. Our balm is even available in travel size, just so you will never go without.

Your diet is important as well. In the winter, moisturizing your body from the inside out is of great importance. Drink plenty of water, if your are already drinking your recommended eight 8oz glasses of water, bump it up a little to ten to twelve 8oz glasses.  Make sure you get your essential fatty acids as well. These fatty acids keep your skin, hair and nails moisturized. This can easily be done by adding ground flax seeds to your smoothies, breads or oatmeal. Yum!

When you go outside, make sure you are properly covered up to keep your skin from getting blasted by the elements. Make sure you have got your gloves, your hat and your scarf. Getting a scarf that is big enough to go around your nose and mouth can help prevent that area from getting wind burned. Also ditch the harsh tissues when blowing and wiping your nose. That can further irritate and dry out your tender nose. Instead a soft organic hankie will do your nose and your skin better. Putting a little of my body balm on your nose after wiping is also great to keep it hydrated.

 

These are just some of the super ways you can keep that itchy dry winter skin at bay.

 

Wait wait wait…but what if my skin is already dry cracked and hurting beyond repair…what can I do now?

 

Well I recommend to still try the tips above.. but to add a little jelly Nelly! Jelly? Yup! If your skin is crying out and need of a winter SOS,  try my body jelly … that will get your skin back in shape real quick!

 

Batty's Bath Body & Lip Balm

 

Tags: ,
February 3, 2012

Celebrating our 3rd Birthday!

Batty’s Bath is 3 this month and to celebrate we have 3 amazing specials planned! We’ve also released a pretty in pastel birthday soap! Since these specials have been 3 years in the making, let’s not wait any longer and get to the good stuff!

**Please note that all of these specials apply ONLY to orders placed at ShopBattysBath.com

First Special: 30 minus 30

Expiry Date: Feb 13, 2012
Coupon Code: 30minus30
Limit: First 30 customers
Details: Spend a minimum of $30 and get 30% off your order!

Second Special: 3′s Company

Expiry Date: Feb 29, 2012
Coupon Code: 3scompany
Limit: N/A
Details: Refer a friend this month and have them use this coupon code for $3 off their first order. What’s in it for you? 30% off any orders you place in March! Just make sure they include YOUR NAME during check out so I can send you a personalized coupon code!

Third Special: 3 plus FREE!

Expiry Date: Feb 29, 2012
Coupon Code: N/A
Limit: First 30 Customers
Details: Purchase at least 3 items and receive a surprise freebie!

Batty's Bath Birthday SoapClick the image above to check out our special birthday soap!

January 20, 2012

My Humidifier

20120120-173303.jpg

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 9,836 other followers