Favourite Natural Beauty Brands | Bourbon, Lipstick & Stilettos

Hello, T.O. & fro readers! I'm Lindsay and I blog at Bourbon, Lipstick & Stilettos. When Mar and I discussed my post topic, I told her that I was most comfortable writing about beauty: I am in no way a professional, but simply love learning about and experimenting with beauty products and skincare. I spend an inordinate amount of time researching and discussing cosmetics- it's my greatest hobby.

Today, I'm discussing two of my favorite beauty brands that also happen to be natural!

TARTE

I’m all about drugstore makeup, but some brands are worth the splurge. Tarte is one of them. I’d been a BareMinerals fanatic for years and, after trying Amazonian Clay, I immediately converted. I’m sorry, BareMinerals fans, but Tarte’s product is better. The brand also claims to be all natural and cruelty-free; their products are made from ingredients like clay, maracuja, and pomegranate, while still remaining glamorous. I’m slowly building a Tarte arsenal full of foundation and brushes and mascara. It's all wonderful and beautiful. Don't want to commit to one thing? Try the Discovery Set (below). 

All photos courtesy of tartecosmetics.com 

Sweet Kisses Lip Set // Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara // Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation // The Slenderizer Contouring Brush // Lipsurgence Matte Lip Tint // Cheek Stain // Tartlette 101 Discovery Set //  

LUSH

Lush is my skincare and shower go-to brand. Not only are Lush's products some of the best on the market, the company is committed to using fresh ingredients and safe synthetics and believe in transparent communication when discussing both components. I was introduced to their famous bath bombs a few years ago and consider them one of my favorite products of all time! They leave my skin feeling incredibly soft (and don't stain the bathtub!). The shower gel, hand cream, and cleansers are all fabulous choices as well! Their wrapped gift sets make perfect presents for the ladies in your life; I'm especially fond of their holiday-themed packages! Check out my favorites below.

Added bonuses: they're currently running a campaign called #banthebead to raise awareness regarding the harmful environmental effects of microbeads, which are found in many face washes.They suggest using natural exfoliants such as nuts and shells instead. Also, many Lush products are sold in black pots which are made of recyclable plastic. For every five empty, clean pots you bring back to Lush, you'll get a face mask free!

All photos courtesy of lushusa.com 

Mask of Magnaminty Face and Body Mask // Angels on Bare Skin Balancing Lavender Cleanser // Dark Angels Charcoal Cleanser // Flying Fox Shower Gel // Big Blue Bath Bomb // Space Girl Bath Bomb // Glamorous Lipstick // Helping Hands Hand Lotion // Hello Sunshine Gift Set              

Have you tried either brand? What are your thoughts?

New to Bourbon, Lipstick & Stilettos? Start here:

Let's Chat: I Have a Big Butt (and that's Okay)  |  Perfection  |  Lessons 

Find Lindsay here: Blog  |  Bloglovin'  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Guest Bloggers Wanted + Giveaway

I recently came to the realization that for the first time in 10 years, this summer will be different. For the first time in 10 years, we will not have the upcoming hockey season hanging over our heads during the summer. While it makes me sad to think that those days are moving further and further into the past, it excites me because it also means that we can do whatever the hell we want, whenever the hell we want, without having to worry about compromising the upcoming season. In other words, we can go on spontaneous and mysterious adventures. 

As mentioned before, we have a big mystery family trip planned this summer. Destination? Unknown. I can't tell you because I don't want to, but because I actually have no idea where we're going. We're almost t minus 2 months from departure and the suspense is killing me!

Since the destination is unknown, internet connectivity is also unknown. And that is fine with me - 10ish disconnected days filled with family. To fill my absence, I am looking for guest bloggers to take over T.O. & fro! Interested? There will be 4 spaces available on a first come, first serve basis.

Update: All 4 spaces have been filled. Thank you for your interest!

And now, because everyone loves a giveaway and this totally darling flamingo print and monogrammed clutch, just in time for summer....

Now, take a gander at these lovely ladies who are so generously offering you this fabulous giveaway:

karli | samantha | mar | amy

chelsea | lindsay l. | lindsay t. | vicki

 Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thoughts on Being a International Blogger | SCATTERBRAIN

Born and raised in the Phillipines, Jae from SCATTERBRAIN recently made the trip across the Atlantic and now calls the US home. Today she is sharing her thoughts on being an international blogger. Take it away Jae...

When I assessed SCATTERBRAIN's blog stats for my advertising page a month ago, I realized that most of this blog's visitors are from the US and the UK. This didn't exactly surprise me since majority of the blogs I follow and read are US- and UK-based.

I am Filipino, and I used to blog from the Philippines until I moved to the US a little over a month ago. I'd like to think that my location is irrelevant to these results, but then I also realized how being an international blogger drives people to my blog. I've decided to share with you today my thoughts on being just that.

Diversity

I think being a Filipino itself is already an advantage. I'd like to believe that being exposed to the Eastern culture all my life is what makes me different from and interesting to other people. This allows me to share varying points of view from a pool of ideas and experiences. Diversity calls for a celebration of each other's differences because it makes one stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Capacity to Write in Two Languages

This actually falls under both pros and cons of being an international blogger, but I consider it more of a blessing than a curse. Filipinos are fortunate to have English as their second language. I could write blog posts in Tagalog, too; however, I avoid posting in our native language simply because I want my readers to be able to relate to me. I believe that posting in languages other than English can be a drawback from driving traffic to your blog when people are unable to understand what you're saying.

Feeling Like You Don't Belong

Have you ever been to a party where you don't know a single person? For that reason alone, you feel utterly out-of-place? This is probably the major pitfall of being an international blogger.

Being different could also mean missing out on a lot of things. It could be a major blog conference that will be held in another city or worse, abroad. You lose the ability to actually meet other people and expand your network.

Another significant downside is losing potential clients and/or collaborations in the process. I can't begin to tell you how many marketers I've turned down in the last six months. I wish it were simply because their brand or product didn't adhere to the blog, but because I was based outside the US.

I could come up with a long list of pros and cons of being an international blogger, but in the end, it all boils down to doing what really matters. Don't be disheartened! Improve your craft, and work on developing your voice. Being an international blogger should not hinder you from being yourself. When you love what you do, you'll eventually find your special place in the blogging industry.

What are your thoughts on international bloggers like myself? Do you follow a lot of them? Or are you fixated on reading only those from where you live?

Find Jae here: Blog  |  Bloglovin  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  

The Importance of Self Care | How to Make a Life

Hello T.O. & fro readers, I am Sheryl from from How To Make A Life. By profession, I am a counsellor and life coach and my blog is where you can find me focusing upon finding inspiration and motivation for a healthy, happy and beautiful life.

One of the most important topics I focus upon is self care. Self Care is hard and I believe that we each struggle with finding and keeping balance in our lives. As I began to write more about the topic, I established a weekly series Self Care Saturday. Each Saturday I discuss and provide simple tips and suggestions that can and will hopefully make self care an easier subject for you.

If you haven't had an opportunity to check out any of my Self Care Saturday posts. I wanted to give you a brief introduction and share a few of my most popular posts.

What Is Self Care?  //  This post began the weekly series. I discover that many people feel that self care is selfish and there isn't time for it. My goal is to help people realize that self care is something that needs to be done daily and includes regular routines such as sleep, the clothes we wear and how we organize our day.

What Are You Saying To Yourself?  //  Do you say things to yourself that you wouldn't say to a friend? Believe it or not, most individuals say extremely negative thoughts. Self care begins with how we view ourselves and the comments we daily make.

A Space of Your Own  //  Is there a space in your home that is your own? It doesn't matter how small or large your space is, it is important to have a spot that is comfortable and your own. That can be a favorite chair, a renovated closet or a bedroom made into your office. Take time to create and establish your own space.

Scheduled Yourself on Your Calendar  //  You schedule work meetings and your children's activities, but do you schedule time for yourself in your life? Self care begins with making sure there is time for the things you want to do and that can range from making your hair appointment to scheduling a night out with friends.

How To Protect Your Time  //  This post was inspired by a Facebook status by a dear friend who is a motivational speaker and trainer. She acknowledged she turned down two paid speaking engagements because they were set to be on days she had blocked out as self care days. This is a woman who works circles around everyone I know. However, she understands that without blocking out time, she is unable to do the work that is meaningful to her. Do you give up time that you have set aside for yourself?

How To Take A Deep Breath //  Breathing is something that we do naturally but the stress and busyness of our daily lives changes the quality of our breath. Do you find yourself sighing? Are your shoulders tense. This post will walk you through very quick and easy ways to take a deep breath and you will immediately feel a difference.

Permission for Self Care  //  Do you feel like you need permission to practice self care? This post is simple and reminder that I will gladly provide you with permission to do whatever you need to do for your self care practice.

I would love to hear from you in regards to your own self care practice and hope you will place Self Care Saturday on your regular reading list.

Connect with me through Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin, or Pinterest and let's have a self care conversation.

Afternoon Tea with 80 Pairs of Shoes

Today I'm introducing you to Kelly from Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes. Kelly's a Kiwi, currently calling London, England home and blogs all about her gluten-free luxury travel adventures. Since Steve and I didn't end up moving across the pond like originally planned, I have kind of, sort of been living vicariously through her European adventures. Today Kelly is sharing a must on anyone's England bucket list, Afternoon Tea! Take it away Kelly...

I'm a huge fan of Afternoon Tea and living in England means I get to (over) indulge on a regular basis, so I thought I would showcase some of my favourite Afternoon Teas in London and also a few special ones abroad.

Afternoon Tea at Claridges

One of the biggest debates you get with Afternoon Tea in London is Claridges vs The Ritz - for me the winner is Claridges hands down.  It also has the biggest waiting list ever so if you're heading to London make sure you book at least three months in advance to get a spot.  The personal service, relaxed atmosphere and great food is what makes Claridges so special and if you're gluten free then this is the best Gluten Free Afternoon Tea you will find in London.

Afternoon Tea at The Goring

Want to rub shoulders with royalty then The Goring is for you - it was the Queen Mothers favourite place to dine and also where the gorgeous Kate Middleton spent her last night of freedom before becoming the Duchess of Cambridge.  The afternoon tea is usually served with a little royal twist and during summer can be served on the terrace.

Afternoon Tea at The Royal Horseguards

Pretty pink china and delicious pastries makes this the perfect place to have a girly afternoon tea and the hotel is often used in period dramas and is just so charming.

Afternoon Tea at The Old Cataract Hotel Aswan, Egypt

When it comes to location then the Afternoon Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan is one that can't be beat - enjoying afternoon tea while the sun is setting overlooking the Nile is something that you will never forget.

Afternoon Tea at Hotel Grande Bretagne Athens, Greece

Afternoon Tea is served in the gorgeous Winter Garden and offers the best scones in the world (even better than Claridges) so when in Athens make sure you pop into this iconic luxury hotel that has been inviting intrepid travellers through it's revolving doors for over 100 years.

When visiting London make sure you add Afternoon Tea onto your bucket list and over indulge on sandwiches, warm scones and delicious pastries that are served up with champagne and copious amounts of tea.

Kelly's Favourite Posts:

A Gluttons Guide to Eating Gluten Free Afternoon Tea

City Break to Porto, Portugal

10 Tips for the German Christmas Markets

Find Kelly Here:

Blog  |  Bloglovin  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Have you ever had Afternoon Tea?

Batty's Bath: Another Happy Customer

This month I'm welcoming Batty's Bath back to t.o. & fro! Batty's Bath is a botanical skin care and soap company based in southern Ontario and every. single. product. is lovingly hand-crafted using planet-friendly, people-friendly and animal-friendly ingredients. Amazing. I'm not the only one that is hooked on Batty's products. My sister-in-law recently took the leap from using expensive creams, lotions and potions to going all-natural. Another happy customer. Here's her story:

How would you describe your skin before using Batty's Bath? I have dealt with rosacea for as long as I can remember. My skin has acne-like bumps, is dry in some places, oily in others, and overall, unbalanced. The red flushing over my cheeks and nose and sensitivity that come along with the rosacea comes and goes in varying degrees, and with no apparent cause.
Why did you decide to start using the products? It has been very difficult for me to find something that works for my rosacea, and I have spent a lot of money trying. I've been prescribed creams before, but did not like to idea of using steroids or antibiotics on my face, so I wanted something that was more natural. I was hooked when I heard Batty's products were all natural, and local. I instantly loved her website and how she provides resources for varying degrees of problem skin, from rosacea to eczema,  and explains every single product in great detail, including recommended routines and ingredients.  It was very clear that she has a passion for making quality products and helping people achieve healthy skin.
What products are you currently using? I am currently using the rosacea skin care kit which contains the primer facial moisturizer, quick tint antioxidant moisturizer, soothing cleanser, wet clay mask and charcoal cold press soap.  

(Photos courtesy of Batty's Bath)

I also occasionally use the grapefruit & patchouli olive oil facial soap for acne prone skin, and the mineral cream concealer (in warm sand) and mineral makeup foundation are part of my daily makeup routine.

grapefruit & patchouli olive oil facial soap // mineral cream concealer // mineral makeup foundation
(Photos courtesy of Batty's Bath)

What is your current skin care routine? One great thing about Batty's kits is that they come with a recommended routine. As per the rosacea kit routine, I wash my face with the soothing cleanser when I wake up in the morning and then apply the primer facial moisturizer to my face and neck. In the evening before bed, I wash my face with the charcoal cold press soap, sometimes after the grapefruit & patchouli olive oil facial soap if I feel my skin is particularly oily, and then apply the quick tint antioxidant moisturizer.  I use the wet clay mask once a week, leaving it on for at least half an hour. In order to detox and calm my skin, I am trying to avoid store-bought makeup filled with chemicals. Instead I use Batty's all-natural mineral makeup daily and absolutely love it! I used to apply a primer before my foundation and concealer,  but have found that I do not need one with Batty's makeup. I understand that using all-natural skin care products are just the first step to a healthier me. I am also trying to sleep more, drink more water, eat better, get more exercise and reduce the overall stress in my life. 
How would you describe your skin after using Batty's Bath? After 2 months of use, my skin is much more clear and balanced, and the rosacea-related redness has definitely subsided. I have even received compliments from friends, family and coworkers!
Will you use Batty's Bath products in the future? Absolutely!

Interested in trying some of Batty's Bath skin care products? Sign up for the Batty's Bath newsletter to receive a free shipping code! Stay tuned for her North American free shipping day on December 1, 2014, just in time for Christmas :) 

Other Batty's Bath posts:

Introducing Batty's Bath

Behind the Scenes at Batty's Bath

Batty's Bath Skin Mapping

Where to find her:
Website  |  Shop  |  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Batty's Bath: Skin Mapping

This month I'm welcoming Batty's Bath back to t.o. & fro! Batty's Bath is a botanical skin care and soap company based in southern Ontario and every single product is lovingly hand-crafted using planet-friendly, people-friendly and animal-friendly ingredients. 

I recently purchased my first order of Batty's Bath products and can already say I'm in love. But, in order to know which Batty's Bath products would suit my skin care needs, I first had to do my research. So, I dove into Batty's blog, which is full of extremely useful information for people with all skin types, including Q&A, customer product reviews and plenty of videos and helpful articles. The one article that I found especially intriguing was her skin mapping guide. I instantly wanted to know more. Do you always break out in the same places? If so, then this chart may be for you...

According to the skin mapping chart, the acne spots on your face can give you clues to underlying issues. The purpose of this chart is to give you another tool in your resource kit for tackling skin care problems, and tells you what internal systems may be playing a role in any skin issues that are visible on your face. 

Recently, my skin care problems have been focused around my mouth and chin, which according to Batty's chart, suggest it is related to the reproductive organs and/or a hormonal inbalance. Interesting, and probably spot on, for this late 20 year old woman.

Making the switch to an all natural skincare routine by choosing Batty's products is just the first step in my skin transformation.  Finding an internal balance and emotional well being/stress reduction play an equally important part and are both something that I will need to start working on. According to Batty, focusing our efforts evenly between these key areas will give us a leg-up on the problem skin. 

Interested in trying some of Batty's Bath skin care products? Sign up for the Batty's Bath newsletter to receive a free shipping code! Stay tuned for her North American free shipping day on December 1, 2014, just in time for Christmas :)

Find out more about skin mapping:
Video: Internal causes of skin care problems
Skin mapping chart

Other Batty's Bath posts:

Introducing Batty's Bath

Behind the Scenes at Batty's Bath

Where to find her:
Website  |  Shop  |  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Did you find Batty's chart helpful?

5 Things to Love About Southern California

Hi there t.o. & fro readers! I'm Nicole, the lady behind the blog Treasure Tromp.

When I'm not working on my PhD program, I pretend that I am a world traveler, like to hike and camp, obsess over hedgehogs, and make a mess in the kitchen. Latest adventure? I (somewhat) recently returned back to southern California after living in South Africa for half a year with my fiancé. While I've got somewhat of a love/hate relationship with southern California, I wanted to share the five things that I truly love about living in the bottom half of the golden state.

Getting Out Into Nature: Hiking / Camping

Believe it or not, but there are some beautiful places to go hiking and camping in southern California. The Angeles National Forest has a bunch of beautiful hiking trails and camping spots tucked in the mountains. I love hiking through the Santa Anita Canyon and Mt. Baldy.

While there are plenty of places to go camping in the forest, I prefer to go camping in the desert. Both the Mojave and Anza Borrego deserts have beautiful places to go camping. If you're interested in desert camping, I suggest that you check out 10 reasons why I love the desert.

Going Wine Tasting

Although the northern part of the state is known as the California wine region, the southern half is also home to some great wineries. Both the Santa Barbara (and the Santa Ynez Valley) and Temecula have incredible (and often inexpensive) wineries to try. You can see my favorite Temecula wineries here.

Taking The Family To The Theme Parks

Regardless of your age, southern California has a theme park for everyone. While Disneyland and California Adventure are usually my go-to parks, Lego Land is another great and unique park to visit. The park has rides and displays that are fun for both kids and adults. Truthfully the giant Lego displays are really impressive!

Visiting Museums

Believe it or not, Southern California is home to an amazing sort of museums. Two of my favorites are the La Brea Tar Pits and The Getty in Los Angeles. The Tar Pits (which are still bubbling) have an impressive collection of Ice Age fossils and an active excavation site. The Getty is not only an incredible museum (filled with photographs, sculptures, and impressionist art) but also the perfect place for an afternoon picnic.

Spending Some Time On The Beaches

It is no surprise that southern California is known for having gorgeous beaches. From the Los Angeles country, down to San Diego county and Orange county in between, the whole span of coast that lines southern California is gorgeous and is one of the best places to go surfing (which is why the US Open of Surfing takes place in Huntington each year). If you take a trip down to the beaches, I suggest checking out Huntington, Laguna, Venice, Santa Monica, and La Jolla.

I hope that I have successfully convinced you that southern California is actually a wonderful place to visit! A big 'thank you' to Mar for letting me share my adventures with you today. I hope that you stop by my blog and say hello!

What you should be reading:
30 by 30
We're Moving! Goodbye California...
5 Tips for Better Travel Photography

Go give Nicole some love:
Blog  |  Bloglovin  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest

How to pack a carry on bag like Mary Poppins or Hermione Granger

Jess from Stamp in my Passport is a lover of lattes, back porch sitting, the Atlanta Braves (and baseball in general), reading, exploring new places, typography, over-sized sunglasses, traveling by train and making new friends. My kind of girl, aside from the whole baseball thing (Go Jays! lol) Today she is sharing something that I am absolutely no good at, packing. I think I should take some notes...

__________

Hi everyone! I'm Jess and I blog at Stamp in my Passport. I'm a recent college grad living in Florida and I write about travel, cooking for one, books and decorating my first apartment. One thing I do pride myself on is being able to pack a lot into a small-ish bag.

Let's face it, TSA is ruled by a man because they do not understand all of the luggage women want to take on vacations. Sometimes it is almost seems worth driving a long distance just so you don't have to comply with their long list of rules and try and pack your life into two bags, one of which is most likely going to cost you an extra $25. And don't get me started on the liquids rule. It takes more than a quart-sized bag of liquids, gels and aerosols to keep me looking presentable in public.

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of flying Southwest and now I know why everyone raves about America's budget airline. I was sold at "two free checked bags." Which allowed me the luxury of only traveling with my purse, which easily fits under the seat in front of me and does not have to be manhandled into the overhead bin.

So what did I bring to make the four hour flight + layover enjoyable?

+gum

+EOS lip balm

+two lip sticks

+contact case

+glasses

+snacks 

+Melvita floral spritz to wake your face up

+advil

+Kindle

+sunglasses

+Vogue

+Folder for boarding passes and reservation confirmations

+not pictured: sweater and water bottle 

All of that in one purse with room to spare. My number one rule is to always have an empty water bottle with me to refill after going through airport security because I think it is ridiculous to pay $5 for a bottle of water. It's highway robbery. Snacks are also a must-carry item for me. There have been too many occasions when my layover is .2 seconds long and I don't have time to buy an overpriced sandwich. (Note: Las Vegas has a Pei Wei in concourse C and is always worth the splurge.)

I also brought some of my Birchbox samples. The Fresh Feet wipes make your feet feel perfect after wearing sandals on the plane and the Coola sunscreen was just enough for my impromptu day at the pool.

Great tips, thanks for sharing Jess!

Find Jess here:
Blog  |  Bloglovin  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest

Getting out of your comfort zone.

Jenn from A Country Girl's World is a newlywed who loves to travel and do things to get out her comfort zone. Kudos to her! Even though I like to experience new things, including those outside my own comfort zone, you'll still never catch me on a roller coaster. Take is away Jenn...

____________________

The quote above is one of my favorite quotes. I love it so much because I find it to be so true! Some of my best and favourite experiences involved getting out of my comfort zone! Today, I will be sharing some of my favorite experiences which involved me getting out of my comfort zone! 

Before I get into this post about some adventurous things that I've done I think I need to explain my weird relationship with heights. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of heights, but I also wouldn't say that I'm not. I'm OK in things like tall buildings and planes but I get scared when I don't feel that security. That is the fear that I've worked hardest on and I feel like I've come as close as I will to overcoming it - heights still make me uncomfortable but it doesn't stop me from doing things I think would be amazing :)

Parasailing in OCMD
I had been wanting to go parasailing for a long time, I thought it looks like so much fun! The opportunity presented itself in 2007 during my Senior Week trip to Ocean City, Maryland. I was all about it and my friend Kristin decided to join me. We made reservations before we got there for the highest you can go (80ft) and were so excited to get out on the water! Though it wasn't as thrilling as I thought it would be, it was definitely an amazing experience! It was so neat to see Ocean City from above and come down to have our toes dipped in the water! It was also a relaxing experience - you truly feel like you're moving super slow.

Repelling in Italy
In Assisi, Italy we spent the day with an amazing group of New Zealanders with a company called Full On. One of the most amazing experiences of that trip was being able to repel down a 100ft castle wall that was not open to the public! Three people went at a time and I volunteered to go in the first group of three. I was completely freaked out when they made us hang over the wall for a picture before beginning to repel! Once I was at the bottom I was so proud of myself for volunteering to go first and for making it down without panicking! It was one of the coolest experiences of my life.

Zip-lining in Costa Rica
This was the single most amazing thing EVER! While in Costa Rica we spent most of the time working, but we had one free day to do something fun and were given a few choices. Everyone thought zip-lining would be the best and it most definitely was! The entire trip through the canopies was about an hour and a half. Also, at the halfway point there was a larger platform where we stopped for drinks and a rest and it had amazing views. It was a little scary at first but it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life, and we saw so much wildlife!

Jumping Off A Rock Quarry in VA
Look up East Jesus in the dictionary and Louisa County Virginia will be pictured right there. Several times over the summer we'd off road up to this quarry in the middle of nowhere. There was an area where you could jump into the water and climb the rocks back up. The drop was probably about 30 feet. It took two visits before I finally jumped, but I'm so glad I did! It was super fun and the water felt so good. No matter how hard we tried, no one ever touched to bottom and we have no clue how deep it really is. 

Extreme Sky Flyer at Kings Dominion 
I have been going to Kings Dominion since I was in middle school; it's one of my absolute favorite amusement parks. Every time I went I really wanted to go on the Extreme Sky Flyer but never could because it cost extra. So, before my husband and I went with our friends in 2011, I made sure that we had the extra money to do it. It was one of the most terrifying and awesome 5 minutes of my life!

The Time I Jumped Off a Bridge
This was the most random thing ever. Myself, my best friend and one of my coworkers at the time, decided to go swimming in Broad Creek by my coworker's house. We found a place to swim near this bridge and set up our stuff. Then we see these guys up on the bridge and watch them jump into the

water. They told us what to do and one jumped on either side of us the first time. We had so much fun,we decided to do it again! I think the drop was around 25-30 feet.

Rock (Wall) Climbing

For some reason this was super scary to me. I am so glad I did it though! I had a blast the day that I learned and I lucked out in going to a University that had a rock wall in their gym. I definitely took advantage of that!

That Time I Rode a Bike For 30 Miles

I guess that's just what you do in Maine. This bike ride was very hard at times and there were definitely some interesting things that happened. It was very difficult but super rewarding at the end! 

Thanks for sharing Jenn!

Go say hi to Jenn:

Blog  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest

Behind the Scenes @ Batty's Bath

Last month I introduced you to Batty's Bath. Have you checked her out yet? This girl is amazing! Not only does she live in my neck of the woods, but we both share the same passions and morals when it comes to living a responsible lifestyle, and we would both much rather be surrounded Mother Nature than living the urban life.

Today I'm bringing you a behind the scenes look into Batty's Bath and how it all began...

Tell us about the beginning. In a few sentences, when did you start this business? Why? What’s the story?

Batty's Bath developed out of a few things...

First I started making products long before BB ever became a business. "making things" came about because .....

• there was a need for products that didn't irritate my family's skin and research told me natural products were the way to go. After trying everything we could find locally, with less than stellar results, I starting learning about the DIY side of skin care. This jived well with me because I come from a long line of talented DIYer women. 
• I wanted my skin clear once and for all. After a decade of listening to my dermatologist (and trying everything and anything she prescribed), I set out on a journey for answers. My chronic, cystic acne started when I was in 5th grade and didn't settle until I started taking action (outside of my dermatologists recommendations) internally & externally with natural remedies. I experimented with all sorts of methods and started concocting my own skin care formulas. After a lot of tweaking, I finally found what worked for my skin. 

Between the things I was making for my family and for my skin, the word spread, and other people started asking me to make things for them. 

After being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and a period of my symptoms getting progressively worse, it became clear that a full time career working for someone else was never going to work. I never knew how i was going to feel from day to day and was having more sick days than non-sick days. I decided I had to figure out a way to making a living while being able to work within a schedule that was flexible and allowed for spontaneous sick day. My current career in animal care didn't allow for this. During my adjustment to living with AS, the demand for my products increased. Soon my new career path became clear. 

How did you learn so much about skin care?

A combination of research, experimentation, self-taught methods, and formal education.

I have several bookcases full of books about skin care, holistic medicine, herbs, essential oils, and the like ... and i've read every single one! I also have over 150 (I just checked lol) books on my kindle that are about natural skin care, holistic health, etc - and aren't the same ones on my bookshelves ;)  I've read about 120 of these. The rest are new additions that I'm working through. I'm very much an info junkie!

Early on, when I wasn't reading and soaking up info, I was testing out formulas and taking classes (from soap making to blending essential oils.. and everything inbetween). I was also spending a lot of time in online forums chatting with other folks who are interested in natural skin care and clean/green living - It's amazing how much education can happen in such an informal setting. It was also a great place to get feedback about formulas or troubleshooting.  About 5 years after I got into natural skin care and health, Batty's Bath became my career path. I spent another year and a half (around studying for my bachelors degree part time), preparing Batty's Bath to launch. 

What is your most popular product? What is your favourite product?

Hmmm I don't think there's one "most popular product" that I could pick out, but there are several that people seem to gravitate to. Those include the Detox Kit, Patchouli & Grapefruit Facial Soap, Tea Tree Facial Scrub, Patchouli Facial Moisturizer, and more recently, Hydra Healing Skin Rescue Gel (it was added to the line-up a couple months ago and has quickly become a customer fav).

It's equally as hard to pick just one product as my favourite lol. But right now some that I'm using daily are Cherrylicious CP Soap, Pineapple Facial Scrub, Hydra Healing Gel, After Acne Serum, and Patchouli Facial Moisturizer. 

You have a large herb and vegetable garden in your backyard. What's currently growing? Anything you use in your products?

Since I live in Canada, I'm a season outdoor gardener but a full type indoor plant momma!

Right now, most of my plants are either just sprouting (indoors and outdoors), ready to be transferred outside after the last frost, or are in the form of seeds patiently waiting to be planted. Currently my mint (that is used in my products) is the only plant in my gardens that is hearty and growing quickly. It's always the first thing to spring up after the winter - it even beats the tulips most years!

Other plants that are or will be growing (that will make their way into BB products) are calendula, chamomile, plantain, echinacea, lavender and this year I'm hoping to add gotu kola to that list. I also have lots of herbs (indoors and outdoors) and wildflowers (outdoors) that come up on their own every year. Most of these find their way into my tea.

Lastly, I'll be planting a big pumpkin patch (like I do every year), plus several other edibles including cucumbers, sweet peas, strawberries, corn, and watermelon. 

What's next for Batty's Bath?

There's always lots of things in the works, but my biggest focus right now, and for the future, is to run the business and not have the business run me! lol. Sounds a bit silly, but when it comes to living with two chronic illnesses (fibromyalgia being my second diagnosis), balance between work and everything else is key. I like where the business is now - it's manageable and doing really well - and I'm still able to have time to take care of myself. Beyond that, I'm always looking at ways to work more efficiently. BB has been in a substantial growth period that hasn't slowed down for the last year, so working more efficiently, and hiring a virtual assistant, has created room for that growth to happen without tipping the balance scales. 

Batty's 'business partners'  |  Packaging skin serum  |  Product photoshoot  |  3 different types of facial scrubs  |  Making quick stick acne fix  |  Mixing up a large batch of deodorant (in 8 varieties!)

Check out Batty's blog, for more glimpses behind the scenes at her studio and where she shares her research and field notes with the hope of inspiring others to be true to themselves, encouraging others to connect with the natural world, shedding light on myths and misconceptions surrounding natural skin care and more! Sign up for her skin care videos and inspiring how-to's and you'll receive a coupon for free shipping off your first order!

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All photos courtesy of Batty's Bath.