Frost & Gold

Photography – KatjArt

I couldn’t resist sharing these breathtaking pics of a frosted hydrangea bloom. I adore these flowers. My hydrangea is a periwinkle blue and it waves at me each morning in the spring and summer while I drink my coffee and gaze out the window. Its sweet clusters of flowers always makes me smile. I shall look forward to their appearance as the sun warms and our gray world blooms once more.

xo,

Ivy

p.s. The colors in these photos make me melt too…lavender, gold, ivory and ice blue….so lovely.

Inspiration for a new week

photography - Gabriela Ammann

As a new week is upon us, many feel heavy or hopeful or anxious…How do we find inspiration? I found the answer in this quote:

Put your ear down close to your soul and listen hard.

– Anna Sexton

Earth friendly makeup brushes : Eco Tools

I love natural makeup free of harsh chemicals so of course I want my makeup brushes and bags to be non-toxic too!

Solution: Eco Tools.

I just bought a set at Target. Fabulous. Love them.

Alicia Silverstone has teamed up with Eco Tools to bring us beautiful, earth friendly makeup brushes and bags. Check out just how green they are:

BAG

• Bag is made with natural hemp material.
• Lining is made with recycled plastic (PET).
• Floral design is printed with non-toxic inks.

BRUSHES

• Highly sustainable bamboo handles.
• 100% cruelty-free, soft taklon bristles.
• Recycled aluminum ferrules.

PACKAGING

• Box is made from 30% post-consumer recycled content and printed with non-toxic inks.

Throw out your old nasty brushes and do a little “green” upgrade. You deserve it.

Sunday is Laundry Day

I have been putting off the laundry for too long. Fortunately, I happen to enjoy the process so off I go…

Here’s the recipe I use to make home made green laundry powder. It works wonderfully and is easy to mix together.

1 bar (4-6 oz.) Castile soap, grated

2 cups Borax

2 cups washing soda (in laundry aisle)

1 cup baking soda

essential oils (optional)

Combine first four ingredients. Add several drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired. I love to use lavender. Store mixture in covered jar and add 1/4 – 1/2 cup to each load of laundry.

For some inspiration…enjoy these pics by some talented Flickr artists.

The color of a Rose

photo by kaycatt

With Valentines’ Day just around the corner the Queen of flowers is getting her yearly worship as roses are shipped all over the world, their prices skyrocketing. Why? Because this eternally romantic flower holds us in thrall with its curvaceous ruffles, heavenly smell and of course it’s rainbow of hues.

It may be referred to as being old-fashioned or unoriginal but no matter what your view is on the dear Rose, you can’t deny it’s beauty or symbolic power of love.

I’m a sucker for random information so I thought I’d share the hidden messages behind the color of a Rose. Make sure you give according to your heart…

Red Rose: Love, Beauty, Courage and Respect, Romantic Love, Congratulations

Deep Burgundy Rose: Unconscious Beauty

White Rose: Purity, Innocence, Silence, Secrecy, Reverence, Humility, Youthfulness, “I am worthy of you”, Heavenly

Pink Rose: Appreciation, “Thank you”, Grace, Perfect Happiness, Admiration, Gentleness, “Please Believe Me”

Yellow Rose: Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Delight, Promise of a new beginning, Welcome Back, Remember Me

Orange Rose: Desire, Enthusiasm

Peach Rose: Appreciation, Closing the deal, Let’s get together, Sincerity, Gratitude

Lavender Rose: Love at first sight, Enchantment

If you love the smell of Roses check out our lovely Floral Garden Body Lotion. It’s light, fragrant and luxurious, leaving your skin silky soft. A great treat for Valentines’ Day.

p.s. If you happen to find yourself in Portland don’t miss our internationally renown Rose Gardens.

Vanilla Lovers Massage oil

I thought it would be fun to post an easy recipe to make your own massage oil fragranced with the intoxicating aroma of natural vanilla.  This recipe comes from one of my favorite organic body care recipe books: Organic Body Care by Stephanie Tourles.

3 long vanilla beans
1 1/2 cups jojoba oil

1. Slice the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape the seeds from each bean, and add it to a glass jar. Chop the empty bean pods into one-inch pieces and add to the jar. Cap the jar and shake the mixture for one minute.

2. Store the jar in a dark place for two months to allow the vanilla essence to infuse the oil. During this time, shake the jar every day for 10 to 15 seconds.

3. After two months, strain the oil through a tight-mesh strainer, coffee filter, or nylon stocking, then pour the oil into an elegant glass storage bottle.

The result: a beautifully fragrant oil that can be used for massage or applied after your bath or shower to nourish and moisturize the skin.

Enjoy.