Lavender Sugar Scrub

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with fun times with family and friends!  I apologize for the space between posts!  I've been so busy filling orders of sugar scrub AND growing my facebook page, that I barely have time to make dinner, spend time with the kids, clean, do laundry.  Blah blah blah!  Everyone's busy, I know!  I've just got to make the time to ensure that I blog regularly in addition to developing new products, photo shoots and the rest.

Well, are you ready to see the newest in my line of Sugar Scrubs?  It's Lavender Sugar Scrub and is available in these sizes:  4oz jar for $5 (shown) 6oz jar for $6, 9.5oz plastic container for $9 and a half pint canning jar for $11.

The scent is both relaxing and soothing!  Go to my facebook page www.facebook.com/sunshinesteppingstones to order or leave a comment with your info and order.

Here's another photo of the Lavender Sugar Scrub with different decoration:

 

Imagine jars of these at each place setting at a wedding. (Color-coordinated with the wedding colors of course!)  Notice the rhinestone on top of the jar and the purple metallic eyelash yarn around the neck? 

 

If you are planning a wedding or a shower, I'd love to talk with you about customizing jars of scrub for your guests!     This would be a wonderful Bridal Shower favor, dressed in the Bride's favorite color.   These could be a thank-you gift to the Bridesmaids. The possibilities are endless. 

Another suggestion:  many times goody bags are prepared for out-of-town guests at a wedding...things like bottled water, mints and toothbrush.  Make their stay memorable with a jar of Lavender Sugar Scrub from Sunshine Stepping Stones!

 

The fragrance of lavender is so restful, relaxing and soothing!  You'll love the way your skin feels after using the sugar scrub.  Customers have told me they use it on their heels, hands, elbows, knees and backs of arms!  It is useful wherever you have flaky, dry or rough skin.

 

Hope you enjoy this new fragrance of Sugar Scrub!

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Benefits of Sugar Scrub

Sunday, December 9, 2012

I've talked a lot about Sugar Scrubs on this blog...but I don't think I've really addressed the benefits of  using Sugar Scrub.  If you've never tried one before, I know you'll be pleased with the texture of your skin after using it.

You will have healthier, more evenly-colored and textured skin after a few times using sugar scrub.  Skin is exfoliated, revealing healthy smooth skin.  Do you use a pumice stone for rough areas?  Try sugar scrubbing those same areas regularly and you may no longer need the pumice stone.

Sugar Scrub is helpful to use before shaving.  Because skin is exfoliated, you will prevent ingrown hair, bumps and irritation that sometimes accompanies shaving.

Try using your Sugar Scrub on dry hands, feet, knees, backs of arms, feet or anywhere skin is rough, bumpy, dry or flaky.  Customers have told me that Sugar Scrub helps those with psoriasis to control the flaking and itching.  Some want is specifically for the backs of their arms to help smooth the little red bumps that many people get there.

If you are a gardener, consider using Sugar Scrub to cleanse your hands at the end of the day.  The gentle scrubbers help with cleansing while the oil moisturizes skin.

Some customers have asked about possible allergic reactions.  My answer depends on the type of allergy you are dealing with.  Fragrance oils used in scrubs can be irritating to sensitive skin.  The one I would recommend to those with ultra-sensitive skin is the Vanilla Brown Sugar variety that I make.  There are only four ingredients: Brown sugar, granulated white sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla. 

Many companies make Sugar Scrub and while ingredients vary, prices also range from $10 a tube or jar to $60 or more!  If you are considering trying Sugar Scrub, take a look at the varieties that I make.  Mine start at $4/jar and are available in four different fragrances:  Green Tea, Eucalyptus, Vanilla Brown Sugar and Spiced Brown Sugar.  Each is packaged in recycled sterilized baby food jars.  Jars are decorated beautifully for gift-giving!

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More Than Me Wins $1 Million

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Last night the Chase American Giving Awards were on NBC.  Were you watching?  It was so exciting to to watch Katie Meyler and the More Than Me organization win the top prize of $1 Million!

I had the pleasure of having Katie Meyler come to a Heartworks meeting last year. 

Here is Katie (2nd from the left, wearing red) with our Heartworks ladies.

 

Katie grew up in a town nearby and the founder of Heartworks, Megan McDowell has been a supporter of Katie's efforts for a long time.

Let me tell you a little about Katie--despite growing up in a mostly-wealthy town, she had a difficult childhood.  She says she was the "poor" family in town.  The family who would receive garbage bags of used clothing at the back door from anonymous donors.  Her mother struggled to raise her three children alone.

Katie wanted to find her way in the world.  She took a trip to Haiti and fell in love with helping people.  She had an awakening and realized that her childhood had been luxury in comparison to the lives of so many in the world! 

Many girls she found on a subsequent trip to Liberia were orphans and lacked even basics like clean drinking water.  Girls as young as 8 were brought into prostitution because it afforded them an income they otherwise would be without. 

Katie was resolved to find a way to come back to Liberia and help get little girls off the streets and into school.  More Than Me was born a short time later.  Katie works tirelessly and constantly gathering support for the More Than Me Foundation.  See more of her story here:

http://youtu.be/Ue7MMHCyxXA

When she came to my Heartworks meeting, she spoke frankly and passionately about her experiences and what she is doing to help girls get off the street and into school.  What a genuine, positive force in the world!  Everyone at the meeting was touched by her story, her honesty and her desire to change.

When Katie found out that she was one of 25 organizations in the finals for the Chase American Giving Awards, she began a 24 hour, 7-day a week campaign to generate votes for More Than Me.  This woman has barely slept, barely eaten while pleading for votes. 

How wonderful to see the result of her efforts:  being awarded the highest prize from Chase--$1 Million to help get more girls into schools in Liberia!!  Congratulations!!



To learn more about More Than Me, visit www.morethanme.org.

To learn more about Heartworks,visit
www.njheartworks.org



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Holiday Treats

Friday, December 7, 2012
 
Time to get cooking or at least bookmarking the recipes you want for all the gatherings this month!  Do you have office parties, family gatherings or special club meetings in December?  Well, why not bring something new and yummy for everyone to try?
 
Here are some favorite ideas:  Easy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles.

Over at www.myblessedlife.net, Myra is making these gorgeous truffles that aren't as difficult as they look! Most truffles are make-ahead and freezer-safe.  Make them this week and know you have treats to bring to all your celebrations! 

Get the recipe here:  http://myblessedlife.net/2012/12/chocolate-truffles.html
 
You can almost smell the cheesy goodness coming off the screen with these gems below!


 
Apricot Havarti Puffs from www.spabettie.com.  Sure to be a hit at YOUR next gathering!  See the full recipe here:  http://spabettie.com/2012/12/06/apricot-havarti-puffs/

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this creamy dip from www.chef-in-training.com. 


It's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip.  So yummy...I have to get to the store today so I can make it!  This would be good to make ahead of time and have on hand for surprise visitors.

Find the full recipe here:  http://www.chef-in-training.com/2011/09/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-dip/.

Look at these eye-catching Rice Krispy Treats from the Party Wagon!  A trip to Lydia's site will provide a slew of party ideas that are to die for!!  It is truly the mother-lode.  Now where are those Rice Krispies...I'll be right back--promise!



Here's the link to the Party Wagon:  http://party-wagon.com/childrens-party-blog/2011/12/6/candy-christmas.html

I hope these provided a little inspiration to help you prepare for the holidays.  Now I'm off to the store to pick up some ingredients for the recipes shown! Pin It Now!

New Fragrances of Sugar Scrub

Friday December 7, 2012

I love this photo of the Eucalyptus Sugar Scrub.  It is made with granulated sugar, vegetable oil and eucalyptus oil.  Very invigorating, especially during cold and flu season.

Are you running around shopping for that perfect gift?  Have you decorated every inch of your home for the holidays?  I am running behind my usual holiday schedule.  It will get done.  It will get done.

What's the reason that I haven't finished shopping before Thanksgiving, you ask?  SUGAR SCRUBS!!  I am making as many as I can, decorating the containers and filling orders.

I have to tell you about the new fragrance of sugar scrubs that I have been making!  Customers love them and I've gotten a great response to all of them!  As you already know from previous blog posts, I have Green Tea, Eucalyptus and Vanilla Brown Sugar.  Now I am making Spiced Brown Sugar Body Scrub!

It has cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice in it, so it reminds me of homemade cookies.  Ummm, the scent is delicious!

Yesterday I had an opportunity to show my various sugar scrubs at a vendor event at Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide.  Here are a couple shots of my table. 

Thank you to all the folks at Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide who made the day a success, especially Beth! 

It was a first for me, transporting jars and jars of sugar scrubs, brownie mixes and cookie mixes to an event.  I worked it out with the use of a suitcase with wheels, a few padded stemware boxes and a lot of heavy lifting!

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New Business Venture?

Saturday, December 1, 2012

"SOMEONE'S making a lot of cookies!" a friendly grandmother says to me in line at the grocery store.  She sees my 10 pound bag of granulated sugar on the belt.  "Well, actually,"  I reply, "I'm making sugar scrub."  I pulled a small jar of the Green Tea Sugar Scrub I've been making from my purse to show her and the cashier.  I explain that sugar scrub moisturizes and exfoliates.  (As I pretend wash my hands in the store.)  That's when the friendly grandmother reaches out to touch my hand and says, "They ARE soft!" 

I am smiling recalling this interaction...so many good things about it! 

So here's what has been happening:  I have been making a LOT of sugar scrub and people from near and far are purchasing for gifts for the holidays!  I have now expanded my line to include three fragrances of sugar scrub:

Green Tea

Eucalyptus

Vanilla Brown Sugar

Each is available in three sizes:

2oz for $4 (Plus shipping)

4oz for $5  (Plus shipping)

6oz for $6  (Plus shipping)

One customer bought a small jar of Green Tea Sugar Scrub and opened it immediately upon returning home to try it.  She emailed me right away to say she must have another jar because her hands were so soft after using it!

Customers are purchasing the jars for stocking stuffers, client thank-you's, hostess gifts, teacher gifts, and the perfect extra gift under the tree for unexpected visitors! 

Imagine my surprise when my initial stash of baby food jars is long gone!  My college roommate came to the rescue when I saw her over Thanksgiving.  I mentioned the trouble I've had finding empty baby food jars with lids and she remembered having some left over from a long ago project.  I went to her house later that day and what a find...she had two large boxes of  jars with lids!  Thank you Tracy!!

It is back to the kitchen for me...time to make more scrubs!  I am preparing for a vendor show on Thursday and want to be sure I have enough inventory on hand.  I know you are probably crafty and would rather make your own sugar scrub with the recipes I've supplied in previous posts, but if you just won't have the time or stumbled on this blog and aren't a do-it-yourselfer, let me know if I can ship any sugar scrub your way!  (US only)


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Thanksgiving Greeting Cards

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thanksgiving is just one short week away!  Many of you have been preparing for family gatherings by changing the sheets in the guest room, buying the non-perishable part of your Thanksgiving meal and putting an extra leaf in the table.

Have you sent your Thanksgiving cards yet?  Here are a few for inspiration.  (In case you are not hosting Thanksgiving and have a few minutes to cobble together some cards!)

 

The card shown here is enhanced with a pewter pumpkin charm.  You'll also note the sheer ribbon which unites the circles across the top third of the card.  Keep the colors either muted, clear or bright.  I chose shades of pumpkin, sage, paprika and leaf brown to perpetuate the theme.  An alternate color scheme of neon shades would make an adorable birthday card. 

 



How cute are these papers with the acorns?  I love the bag o' leaves pewter charm!  The brown grosgrain ribbon adds unity and simplifies the busy patterns.  Card sentiment says "For You". 

The cute, multi-colored trees on the above card are suitable for many occasions.  I especially like the free-form tree trunks and embroidery floss tied on the center tree.  Don't be afraid to mix shades of green for the hills.  Also pull scraps from different manufacturers for the foliage circles.  Variety is preferred on a card like this. 

I will be sure to post more cards for you to use as inspiration! Pin It Now!

Green Tea Sugar Scrub

Monday, November 12, 2012

Green Tea Sugar Scrub in the 2oz jar

Well, the kids are FINALLY back to school!  Yes, they were home for two weeks in my little section of the world due to power outages from Hurricane Sandy.  The power is mostly back on, although a few homes are still dark and cold.  We are so appreciative of the folks from Duke Power who have come north to help out in NJ.  You guys ROCK!

Now, if you have been cleaning up after the hurricane, or have rough hands from house cleaning, taking care of animals, scrubbing stains and more...I have got something that can help:  Green Tea Sugar Scrub!

It's the easiest thing to make and it really works!  This is not one of those things you see on Pinterest that ends up a waste of time and effort.  AND you will only need ingredients you probably have on hand.

You start with about a cup of granulated sugar in a bowl.  Add about 2 teaspoons of olive oil.  (More or less according to how moist you like your scrub.  Mix thoroughly.  It should look something like this:

Then you add a drop of two of fragrance oil and stir to distribute.  I love this Green Tea fragrance oil from Home Essense:

Next, decided how you want to package your sugar scrub.  I like things in neat little packages, so I chose to pack the sugar scrub in clean baby food jars.  Ask around, I'm sure you can find a friend or neighbor with way too many baby food jars!

Use a small spoon to pack the sugar scrub into the jars, then wipe the top edge. 

I put a circle of scrapbook paper on the lid to hide the brand of baby food.  I also glued a piece of ribbon around the edge of the lid.  You can hand-write or use your computer to make a label for the jars.  I included instructions on mine. 

To Use:

Massage 1/4 teas onto hands.

Rinse and dry.

Feel free to add stickers, rhinestones, buttons, Jolee's cutouts or other decorative items to the lids or labels.

 

Don't you love the three sizes?

 

 

I decided to make three sizes of the sugar scrub.  I used 2oz, 4oz and 6oz baby food jars.  (Sterilized of course!)

Make extras of these, because once your friends, co-workers and sisters try this, they will want more!  What a lovely gift idea.  Green Tea Sugar Scrub is versatile because you can dress the jar for any occasion...baby shower, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday or just because.  Enjoy!

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Sea Salt Foot Scrub

Sunday, November 11, 2012

First of all, a HUGE thank you to all Veterans who have served our country and enabled the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States.  It is a selfless thing that you have done and we appreciate it.

Today we are talking about Sea Salt Foot Scrub.  It's very effective for ridding yourself of dry, flaky skin.  Cold weather is coming and the feet can suffer extreme dryness.  The Sea Salt Foot Scrub recipe I have is easy, quick AND makes a lovely gift!

First you start with sea salt...easily found in most grocery stores.  Put about a cup in a bowl.  Next add olive oil.  The amount can vary, depending on how "juicy" you want the scrub.  I used about 2 teaspoons.  Then stir to evenly distribute the oil.  Next you can add your favorite scent.  I used Green Tea scented fragrance oil.  Just a few drops will do, depending on how strongly scented you want the scrub. 

Now mix together until well blended.  You can then put the scrub into small jars, a plastic container or even a Ziploc bag.  If you plan to give as gifts, you will want to attractively package your scrub.  Packaging is everything!  Wouldn't you rather receive an adorable little jar of scrub instead of a snack bag? 

Ok, to make it cute, I used clean baby food jars with the labels removed.  (I asked my some friends with young children for their jars, since my kids are well out of the baby food stage!)  Thanks Nina and Kathy!

I used a small spoon to pack the salt scrub into the jars, wiping the edge when the jar is full. 

Then you can decide what to do with the lids.  Right now they say Gerber, or Beechnut or Tender Harvest...probably NOT what you want your gift to say.  I attempted to spray paint the lids.  I wasn't pleased with the uneven results.

I opted instead to wrap a thin ribbon around the side of the lid and cut scrapbooking paper for the top of the lid.  It looks so pretty!  The only thing left to do was make a label with the product name and short instructions for use.  Once this was glued on, I tied a ribbon around the neck of the jar and voila!  Total cuteness!

Wouldn't you like to make this for teachers, bus drivers, administrative assistants, hair stylists and more?  Oh yes, and don't forget to keep some for yourself...it is lovely to have soft feet.

My next post will be the sugar hand scrub I tried...stay tuned! Pin It Now!

Spaghetti Pie

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

We have been speaking about acts of kindness.  I am going to share with you a recipe for a GREAT dish to share with others.  Spaghetti Pie. It is kid-friendly, just ask my children's friends who LOVE this!  It is great to bring with a salad and bread to your aunt who recently had surgery, a friend who lost a parent or a family just bringing home a baby.

A dear lady I know recently had surgery and my Heartworks group is making meals for her.  Yesterday, since so many are still without power, and I am fortunate enough to have lights and heat, I made this meal to bring to her.

This recipe is easy, quick and great for making ahead and freezing.

You begin by cooking a pound of spaghetti in salted water. (I used Botticelli)

When it is cooked, drain and stir a little margarine or butter into the warm pasta.  Add some grated Parmesan cheese and two eggs. 

 

Stir until blended. Then press the pasta into two greased glass pie plates, forming a crust.

Meanwhile, in a skillet, brown a pound and a half of ground beef with some dried minced onion.

Once meat is completely browned, drain and add a can of tomato sauce (I like Luigi Vitelli), a little sugar, oregano, basil and garlic powder.

Heat this mixture on the stove.  Once meat and sauce are warm, spread on top of pasta crust like this:

Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese (or other cheese of your choice.)

You can wrap and freeze the dishes at this point.  OR to serve right away, bake covered for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Makes two Spaghetti Pies, 6 servings each.

Spaghetti Pie

1 lb dry spaghetti
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 T dried minced onion
1 (16oz) can Luigi Vitelli tomato sauce
1 t sugar
2 t dried oregano
2 t garlic powder
1 t dried basil
Additional Parmesan (or mozzarella, cheddar) cheese for topping

Cook the pasta and drain.  Stir margarine or butter into hot pasta until melted.  Stir in the Parmesan cheese and eggs.  Form the pasta mixture into a crust shape in each of two greased 9" pie pans.  In a skillet, cook ground beef until no pink remains, and drain.  Add onion, tomato sauce, sugar, oregano, garlic powder and basil.  Heat through.  Top the pasta crust with the meat mixture, leaving a 1" border.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.  Cover pan with foil, label and freeze.  If desired, bake immediately for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven and enjoy!


This recipe is adapted from Frozen Assets by Deborah Taylor-Hough


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Aftermath

Monday, November 5, 2012

Well, we are still cleaning up from Hurricane Sandy.  It is a week after the Frankenstorm hit and school has yet to be re-opened.  Power has not been restored to most of my area.  At my house we were fortunate enough to have power restored on Friday evening.  Just four days of cold and dark for my family.  Most are not so lucky.  Many areas have been affected.  No doubt you've heard on the news about Staten Island, Lower Manhattan, and the Jersey Shore areas like Seaside Heights and Toms River. 

What many do NOT realize is that people over two hours away from the shore are without electric seven days later and have trees toppled like bowling pins.  Today I ventured out to the grocery store and just on the 3-4 mile trip I saw three houses still with trees leaning on the roof, power lines hanging so low there were cones to keep me from hitting them, and trees just mowed like Kentucky Bluegrass. 

The bizarre thing is in this part of the state is that some houses are virtually unaffected.  Many residents have done their leaf clean-up and picked up a few branches that ended up in the yard.  The image is complete tranquility.  Then you drive a little further down the road and come upon five trees in one yard that are horizontal. 

I know this is not the kind of devastation encountered elsewhere.  You cannot compare loss of a few trees in the back yard to someone's total loss of a home or the loss of life.  However, we ARE impacted in significant ways here too.  A couple from town was killed, leaving four children without parents.  Many roads are still impassible.  Lines are still down.  The less fortunate do not have generators and the night time temperatures are below 30 degrees. 

It costs a lot of money to have trees cut, chopped, carted away.  Gas is rationed, so even those with generators need to be concerned about having enough fuel to run them.  (AND a few days ago, we couldn't even find gas storage cans ANYWHERE!)  That situation has finally been resolved, but it puts a little panic in your heart when you think you can't get the things you need.

Oh I didn't mention that on Wednesday we are looking at anywhere from a "Wintry Mix" to "6 inches of snow" and a high wind advisory. 

For those who live in another part of the country, I encourage you to consider making a donation to the Red Cross or other Hurricane Relief organization.  We all must stick together in times like these!

I have witnessed so many acts of kindness during this time.  (A subject near and dear to my heart.)  People are helping each other get through.  Groups in Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island are sending truckloads of supplies to areas most affected.  Volunteers from all over have come to NY and NJ to provide relief.  Neighbors are watching each other's kids, sharing generators/gas and resources.  Some are bringing coffee, bagels and donuts to relief workers. 

It truly helps to know that this area is being thought of by others around the country.  I encourage you to find a way, right now in your own community to help someone--whether you are reeling from Hurricane Sandy or are far enough away from the East Coast not to be affected. 

Bring a meal to someone recovering from surgery.  Loan a leaf-blower to a friend or better yet DO some yard work for your friend.  Thank an employee who does a good job.  Be sympathetic, you never know what someone is dealing with. Look for the goodness out there.  The more you look, the more you will find. 

"Kindness is like snow--

it beautifies everything it covers."

~Unknown

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