bohemian

raw gem rings // DIY

10:52:00 AM


I love creating. Jewelry, makeup, cooking, gardening, whatever. And I appreciate the holidays because I love to give what I've created with people, especially if I've created something that matches that person so well.

On a recent rockhounding adventure in November (blogged about here), I collected some beautiful gems and stones in their rawest form. Although they have not been polished, cut, or heat treated, their structure still thrills me. I had these stones, both big and small, scattered around my room, carefully thinking about what I could do with them until it hit me and I couldn't quite order my materials fast enough. 

I decided to make claw rings with my stones and hand selected the type of stone with properties that most aligned my mother, my sister, and I. Creating each piece was simple and straightforward but the finished product is so beautiful and holds so much meaning. 


I used...
wire cutters - to trim the claws 
multitool - to bend the claws
claw band (I ordered mine from here)
stones

The steps I took are simple. Just pick your stone, learn its properties, position it within the band's outstretched arms, trim down the arms, and have them hug the stone. I placed my pieces in small boxes among feathers with a small piece of paper describing the stones' characteristics. 


I will surely be making more of these rings so keep an eye on the etsy shop! 




beauty

DIY ORGANIC BRONZER

1:00:00 AM


Putting kind things on your body is just as important as putting kind things in your body. 

I made a goal a few months ago to only purchase and use cruelty free products and made a more conscious effort to only use organic, natural products. It is so tough, as so many aisles and shelves are fully stocked with products that are effective and get the job done, but I discovered that, personally, I would rather be kind to my skin and only use products that aren't filled with things I can't even pronounce. It is a step in loving myself.





It is no secret that what you put in your body reveals itself on the outside of your body. What you put on your skin is no exception, as your body just as easily absorbs it.


So how easy is it to make organic bronzer? It is so simple, not to mention most of these ingredients are probably already in your pantry. Just a few simple ingredients that you can mix and add to your heart's content. There are no preservatives, chemicals, or fillers. Just pure powders and spices. 



Ingredients:
  • Cocoa - cocoa determines the depth and darkness of the bronzer. (Be sure there are no additives in the cocoa powder you are using!)
  • Nutmeg - nutmeg serves as a natural highlight
  • Cinnamon - the more cinnamon you add, the more glowy your skin will be
  • Arrowroot - arrowroot serves as a natural base and is a powder that can be used in SO many beauty and wellness products. It is commonly used in natural deodorants. 
Directions:
Begin with arrowroot then mix in the remaining powders and spices keeping in mind each of their roles in the final product. I personally kept mine on the lighter side so that I could use it as an all over face color as opposed to just a contour-style bronzer. I also used quite a bit of nutmeg to achieve a more glowy look.



So there you have it. The simplest bronzer made of spice and everything nice. Place it in a clean compact and perhaps make yourself some homemade hot cocoa with the leftover spices. 




bando

happy + healthy // staying organized

1:00:00 AM

Whether you fully embrace it or refuse to believe it...August is here. And while majority of us continue to soak up the sun and fill our days with summer festivities, the days of deadlines and nights of stress are approaching.

For this happy + healthy post I figured I would focus on a different topic: organization. While this idea may not be directly related to fitness, it is indeed related to happiness and indirectly related to health in that maintaining an organized lifestyle can help keep you sane and help you avoid falling subject to detrimental amounts of stress.




If I have learned anything through my many years of schooling and my years of working, I have learned that everyone organizes their life differently.  Organization is finding a method that works for you and your lifestyle and is a method or practice that you can continue to use to your benefit.

A couple methods I practice and a couple tools I use are:

  • planner (and I find that the cuter it is, the more I use it)
  • calendar app ( I find that this one is the best and easiest to use!)
  • the oh-so classic to-do list
  • post-it notes EVERYWHERE 
  • a designated desk drawer for all the miscellaneous stuff that I have no idea where to put but I know I'll be looking for it later
  • desktop folder for anything and everything
  • desk calendar (if you haven't noticed, I really dig calendars)    
  • color coding

Hopefully this provided some inspiration on how to keep your crazy life organized and creative. Cheers to the rest of summer and the busy season approaching!