getcrafty :: popular topics :: crafts :: scents

View entire thread: Darkswan handcrafted bath indulgences

Posted by sprung on 2004-11-07 01:32:14      Post Subject: Darkswan handcrafted bath indulgences



If anyone is looking for some truly wonderful bath products, check out Darkswan Indulgences. Terri makes lovely soaps in the nicest scents and prettiest colors. I have dry, sensitive skin and wear makeup daily, but find her soaps to work beautifully on my face (I've ditched commercial cleansers altogether). Her soap lathers so well that it also doubles as a shaving cream for me. Some of my favorite scents are Arsenic and Old Lace, Rains at Ranjipur, and Tropical Coconut but she has a ton of new scents coming up for the holidays -- Raisin Rum Buttercream, oh my goodness!

I've also been using her moisture lotions...they're a miracle for dry skin. She also has a Body Velvet, but I haven't had the chance to try it yet.

My favorite scent of all that I've tried from Darkswan is Arsenic and Old Lace. It's like a spiced orange, in a way...the lotion leaves my room smellng like gingerbread. I love it.

Lately I've been calling the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab customer forums my internet home. Come by and say hello, we don't bite and we all smell absolutely fabulous. :) My username there is tart, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions about Darkswan or if you are interested in swapping for BPAL.

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View entire thread: Handmade Natural Bath Salts & Bath Bombs

Posted by JillianwithaJ on 2005-07-02 08:22:25      Post Subject: Handmade Natural Bath Salts & Bath Bombs

www.jillianwithaj.com


Jillian With a J just opened 2 months ago and we'd love your feedback on our website! Your opinions mean the world to us. :)

Our new promotion:

Jillian With a J wants to help you celebrate summer!

We are offering $5.00 Flat Rate shipping as well as a summer sale! We just added our new SUMMER bath bomb scents, "Tidal Wave", "Raspberry Lemonade", "Pink Frosted Cupcake" and "Sour Puss Swirl"!!!

Thank you, Ladies! Have a fabulous 4th! :)

Jillian (With a J)

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View entire thread: Natural Body Care to swap

Posted by Ginger Lily on 2005-02-25 04:16:24      Post Subject: Natural Body Care to swap

Greetings All,

I am new to this

Here is my wish list:

a bag tote size or messenger warm colors/funky/vintage
mini bags or coin purses
wristlet type thing for my checks and cash from sales :)


fabric throw for my sofa with pillow or covers

picture frames

8X 10
5x7

any other crafty home decor stuff I like earthy or vintage


I will do little Indigofera gift sets the size with depend on the item swapped

personal size serenity soap
All natural skin jelly great for all over body moisture hands, and feet new product

signature scent fragrance oils
bath salts
pedicure sets ( pumice, buff, file, wooden stick, toe separator, shea balm and instructions)

scents for the salts and jelly will be pikaki, jasmine, birds of paradise, ginger lime.....

each person has to cover there own shipping


This is bad I was already ms. thrift diy, if this works I really won't have to spend money on commercial stuff

:)

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View entire thread: rosemary herbs... what other scents to blend with?

Posted by goddesshanna on 2007-02-12 14:35:56      Post Subject:

rosemary is also good with lavender. i also had a product that was rosemary, nettle, clary sage, and ylang-ylang, but that might be a bit much....
I think it would also be good with citrus scents.

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View entire thread: rosemary herbs... what other scents to blend with?

Posted by sushichickie on 2007-02-12 13:41:05      Post Subject: rosemary herbs... what other scents to blend with?

i'm currently in the process of making bath tea bags for my friends for a bridal shower favor. i want to use a bunch of the rosemary i just dried from my garden, but i don't know what other herbs or scents i could mix with it. what can i mix with rosemary to give them a heavenly bath and not feel like bugs bunny in a boiling cauldron? help! thanks!

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View entire thread: Tub Tea

Posted by wingsdesired on 2005-09-21 12:50:05      Post Subject: Tub Tea

This is so simple and will really impress anyone you're needing a gift for!

Materials:
3 jelly jars (this recipe makes enough for 3 batches of TubTea)
1 scrap of fabric large enough to cover the lids
1 scrap of netting large enough to cover the lids
3 pieces of raffia
3 rubber bands
3 50 mm stainless steel mesh tea ball
9 oz oatmeal (uncooked of course)
1 oz dried roses
1 oz dried lavender
1 oz dried lemon grass
vanilla oil to scent
add vitamin E oil freely
Aileen's Tacky Glue

In a large mixing bowl, dump all of the dry ingredients. Get your hands in there and mix it all up! Add vanilla oil in drops, continuing to mix avoiding clumps. The amount is really to preference. You may want more or less depending on how much you want the scents of the other ingredients to come through. Last add vitamin E oil freely. Your hands are going to be very happy after this step. Pour the contents of the bowl evenly between the three jars.

Next make labels on your computer or use decorative writing on handmade or parchment paper. Name your Tub Tea and include the following directions: Use tea ball to scoop out contents. Close ball tight and throw into piping hot bath water. Let the tea steep for 5 minutes before removing the ball. Also include ingredients to avoid allergic reactions.

Next, find a circle to trace, or if you have a circle maker, use that. Draw your circle larger than the lid on paper. You want to make a pattern out of paper so you can trace more if you've misjudged the size. Once you have a circle you like, cut one circle of fabric and one of netting for each jar. Using a foam brush or your fingers, spread tacky glue around the rim of the jar lid. Place the circle of fabric over the lid pressing on the rim. If you used enough glue, it will soak through slightly and you can repeat with the netting. You don't really want to apply a second layer of glue as the netting is full of holes anyway. Next, use a rubber band to secure the fabric and netting to the lid. After a bit of drying time, tie the raffia around the lid, and create a bow. Hang the tea ball off the raffia.


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View entire thread: candle question

Posted by quornflour on 2006-10-17 03:25:00      Post Subject:

you can put like scents together or just hope for the best and melt it down and make new candles.
All of the ash and such will sink to the bottom when melted.
to get wax out of candle holders try freezing containers and then it is easier to pop out.

~Q

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View entire thread: soy wax candles

Posted by leihudson on 2004-12-09 22:50:18      Post Subject: soy wax candles

soy wax candles...

i made a crap load of these for christmas this year, it was fairly inexpensive, and you can get all of the supplies at joanne etc or michaels or probably any other craft store in your area. i also accumulated a bunch of mason jars, tin cans, plant pots and tea cups. you can collect them or search garage sales, thrift stores or dollar stores. once you've decided what to put the wax in, you just follow the instructions depending on which wax you use. i decided to use the soy wax because it's microwaveable and you don't have to purchase a boiler, thermometer, etc. there are all sorts of scents and dyes to choose from, too. well, good luck to anyone who tries this. i had fun with it! and hopefully all of my candle recipients will, too!



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View entire thread: Favorite/"must have" essential & fragrance oil

Posted by cyan on 2006-06-06 16:10:33      Post Subject: Favorite/"must have" essential & fragrance oil

I want to delve into CP soapmaking, but I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the choices when it comes to EOs and FOs.

What are some scents that are considered "must haves?"
What are you personal favorites?

Anything else I need to know about EOs and FOs?



cyan

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View entire thread: Cold Process Soap Book

Posted by tinkiT on 2007-02-15 04:19:03      Post Subject:

Cold process is a process. It's definately worth it to learn it. You can find some good websites online by googleing 'cold process soap'. One site that i found is http://www.soapcrafters.com/recipes_fromscratch.htm
Any book from Sandy Maine is great. Also Handcrafted Soap by Delores Boone. This (Making Soaps & Scents : Soaps, Shampoos, Perfumes & Splashes You Can Make At Home) is what inspired me to start making soap. Also there is a hot process to soap making, that way you will have soap in a matter of days and not weeks.
soon you will start to appreciate the people who sell their home made soaps in booths at farmer's markets. You will also learn to distinguish cold process (real soap) from the melt and pour kind.
Also, this hobby may lead you onto bath salts, bombs, lip glosses and the like.
www.teachsoap.com is a wonderful site.

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View entire thread: Favorite/"must have" essential & fragrance oil

Posted by stella on 2006-06-06 20:15:16      Post Subject:

i'm pretty sensitive to fragrances, in that i have allergies and a strong sense of smell, so i prefer earthy/woody and scents rather than florals or sweet smells. i do like rose fragrance in *tiny* doses, and i love lavendar oil, but lavendar is more woody than floral to me.

the only essential oils i actually own are vetiver, lavendar, tea tree, and clove. vetiver is actually my favorite scent. it's similar to patchouli, but more peppery and without the cloying sweet quality. i like lavendar oil in my baths, i use tea tree oil as an antiseptic, and i just like the smell of cloves. i do like patchouli, but it's easy to overdo it. i love sandalwood, but the trees are overharvested so i avoid sandalwood products.

essential oils can be very expensive (my tiny bottle of vetiver oil was $14) but i think they smell better than fragrance oils, in general. for soap, though, it might make sense to use fragrance oils.

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View entire thread: face soap

Posted by stella on 2005-02-05 00:59:49      Post Subject:

melt-and-pour soap is the same stuff as regular soap, it's just unscented so you can add your own scents.

most of the ingredients in soap are pretty harmless, even if the names sound fancy. if you want to avoid excessive ingredients, just look for soaps that have a short ingredient list. all they need to have is a saponified fat of some sort, then any extras you want like tocopherol acetate (which is vitamin E) or fragrances.

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View entire thread: Masculine bath treats

Posted by pinguino on 2004-11-23 01:42:25      Post Subject:

lots of guys like tea tree scents
for soap, orange went over well too

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View entire thread: SSoL: finding a short story?

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-05-15 21:46:10      Post Subject: SSoL: finding a short story?

There's a story I love. By a famous author only I can't remember the author, the title, or the name of the major characters.

I've even thought of styling my next home and themed garden after it...

Martha Stewart wrote an intro to a book that was all about gardens in short stories and this one was in there.

It was something like _Rappacini's Daughter_ or _DeNicola's Garden_ but the author's surname is not Italian, if that helps.

The story's main character has an apartment overlooking a private courtyard with an eerily beautiful garden. Rampant growth of unusually vivid hues, unrecognizable flowers that seem to never be harmed by insects, and tantalizing scents that barely reach the man looking out his window. The mad doctore is a physician who lives with his only child, a beautiful young woman that is never seen out on the town. She stays in the garden as much as possible. The doctor avoids touching the flowers but the maiden caresses them and inhales deeply of their nectar. The young man falls in love from afar. He swoons at the window, thinking it must be unrequited love for this mysterious beauty.

If that vignette is not obvious, here is the spoiler: She's raised among these poisonous plants collected by Il Doctore. He is somewhat desensitized to the toxins they produce, but she positively thrives on them. No creature can survive around them and the suitor will die if he continues to breathe in the pollens that waft up to his window. He will also die if he touches the poisonous beauty. What an idiot! He gives up the chance for a brief moment of amore because he's afraid of death.

Can anybody tell me the author and the story title? Or either one? I kinda think the four syllables starting with R is correct for the title surname. I get bogged down thinking Hawthorne for the author, but am sure that can't be right.

Maybe I've breathed too many poisonous perfumes?

Thx for your help.

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View entire thread: Masculine bath treats

Posted by CraftinFool on 2004-11-22 16:38:31      Post Subject:

I'm thinking maybe spicy scents:

clove
cinnamon
pine
ginger
sandalwood

Some guys dig vanilla, reminds them of cookies baking - probably too sweet for some

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View entire thread: smells like ... domestic bliss

Posted by red_rosary on 2005-06-14 09:53:44      Post Subject:

Girlsavage- I am right there with you on the Yankee Candle Clean Cotton! :) Clean laundry smells are my all-time number one comfort scents. :)

I also have a bottle of Demeter Laundromat; I usually wear it on days I know will be stressful.

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View entire thread: Masculine bath treats

Posted by PrettyPettyThieves on 2004-11-22 14:40:33      Post Subject: Masculine bath treats

My Beloved and I love to take baths together and I'd like to make him a package of homemade bath treats. I'm looking specifically for scrubs (he's an artist so I like to pamper his hands) bath oils, fizzies or bubble baths.

Can anyone suggest any "masculine" scents to go with them? Rose and lavender are fine and dandy, of course, but I'm trying to think of something that's romantic but . . .earthy.

Blessed Be,
PrettyPettyThief

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View entire thread: suggest a candle crafter for my wedding?

Posted by craftychicklet on 2006-05-22 13:58:38      Post Subject:

I would love to suggest..
http://twobluecandleco.com/

She has been a great help and the feedback on her candles/scents is terrific.

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View entire thread: has anyone worked with peace fleece?

Posted by Lucite on 2004-08-17 20:45:12      Post Subject:

Maybe apple cider vinegar? I've heard about it working well at getting bad scents out of carpets but I'm not sure how it'd do on yarn but you might try it.

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View entire thread: Need room spray recipes

Posted by tinstarmerchant on 2005-02-21 22:35:01      Post Subject:

Vodka huh? Weird. I'm going to try that. I buy mine off eBay and they come in the best scents. "Sugared Shortbread" and "Cake Bake" are my favorites.

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View entire thread: laundry detergent/household products rave...

Posted by AndiMae on 2005-11-26 00:36:38      Post Subject:

I am addicted to Method brand cleaning products (you can find them at Target). They have natural ingredients and yummy scents like grapefruit and lavender. I also just bought some Meyers Clean Day dish soap for the first time and am loving it, although it does have kind of a strong, lingering smell.

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View entire thread: Need room spray recipes

Posted by Miepshe11 on 2005-02-20 19:08:19      Post Subject: Scented sprays

Usually you mix a few drops of essential or scented oil with a cup or two of either vodka or rubbing alcohol. You put it in a spray bottle, shake well, and spray. The alcohol makes it evaporate rather than spot your furniture, so it leaves behind the scent. I don't use food scents, I stick with lavender and almond, but apple pie might be really nice.
Good luck!

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View entire thread: winter holiday planning?

Posted by happyhats on 2005-05-20 21:51:05      Post Subject:

my sisters, mom, sister in law, and mother in law are all getting soap baskets. I know that I'm making them a simple batch of liquid soaps in various scents, but I may include lotions as well, and some filler which hasn't been decided yet. My father is getting a nicely framed picture of the boy and I for his desk, and perhaps some true crime books or some office supplies. I have a few friends I've not decided for yet, but it's also going to most likely be crafty things. My boyfriend is getting a lightbox/lamp, a project I'm customizing from craftster.org and a homemade rainmaker. I had another idea for him as well, but now I've forgetten it!

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View entire thread: Feeling Settled...

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-06-13 07:26:43      Post Subject:

Heh, I like all those ideas. I don't have a brick but I do make hidey-holes, and I do have parties to make a place feel like home.

Oh, wait, I actually do have a rock from my grandmother's house.

The more memories you build in this place the more it will feel like home.

Some people who travel a lot and stay in hotels everywhere have things like signature scents (candles or incense or room spray, maybe perfume) that they spread around. Also photos of friends and family and pets, and some will bring a familiar scarf to drape over a lamp. Just smallish stuff that always speaks of home.

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View entire thread: Memories Associated with Scents/Smells

Posted by Snufkin on 2004-06-09 20:37:46      Post Subject:

Smell is very closely linked neuroanatomically to the areas of the brain that are responsible for memory and emotion, especially the hippocampus and amygdala. In addition, olfactory information does not go through a thalamic relay, so it is much more "unfiltered" than most of our other sensory imformation. That is part of the reason why scent-triggered memories/feelings can seem so sharp and sudden.

Wow! Thanks for the explanation. I knew that there were some very specific things evoked by those scents. But I had no idea that the part of the brain for both were linked. That's very cool.
Pine needles: The first time I smelled these as an adult, up in the mountains (where there aren't even any lakes to speak of!), I was amazed—I thought that this was a smell that had long since vanished from the world, something that belonged to the time and place of my childhood that could never be gotten back. It had never occurred to me that it could exist anywhere else. (Same with the sound of a train whistle.)

Yes! I think something that belonged to the time and place of my that could never be gotten back is exactly the feeling evoked by my scents.

And train whistles to it to me too. I've spent the past 2.5 years working in offices along the original Transcontinental Railroad line and also lived right by the Mopac Train line. So whenever I hear a whistle, it's a very comforting feeling. Actually, I'd forgotten about always hearing the trains on the Mopac line when I lived in Austin. The place I stayed on my last visit back was in the same neighborhood as my old place. And right when I was falling asleep, I heard a train whistle. I'd totally forgotten about that sound. But it gave me goose bumps because suddenly I felt like I was back in the time in my life when I lived in there.

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View entire thread: bubbly bubble bath

Posted by stinkycretingrrl on 2004-04-27 16:49:41      Post Subject:

you could make your own cheaply and efficiently, and be able to determine just exactly how bubbly you want your bubbly baths AND the scents (my favorite part...hint: vertivert and jasmine=ecstacy):
http://www.pvsoap.com/recipe_bubble_bath_drop.htm
this recipe worked really really well for me. it made the most luxurious, beautiful bubble bath--way better than anything i've ever bought.
http://megan.scatterbrain.org/notmartha/tomake/bubblebath.html
this one didn't work so well for me, but it might for you.

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View entire thread: i got a new kitty today!!!

Posted by HeatherC on 2005-07-19 17:35:25      Post Subject:

Did the kitten come home on a blanket or towel? You can try putting the blanket down for Spike to roll around on. Oh, and brush them with the same brush - Bruiser first, then Spike, then repeat. The idea is to get their scents mingled, especially to get Bruiser's scent on Spike, since Spike is the resident cat who's being invaded.

When Mozart came to live with us, we had to spend a full day with them in separate rooms. My husband was in the bedroom with Gatsby, I was in the living room with Mo, and they swatted at each other under the door. We changed rooms about every forty-five minutes or so. Just remember that it takes a bit of time, and that Spike may act a little angry and aloof with you for a bit but he'll go back to normal.

What fun! And I think Bruiser is an ADORABLE name, especially with Spike!

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View entire thread: Hooked on Forums

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-11-03 15:45:20      Post Subject:

http://alternativebeauty.com/ has some interesting if slow moving boards. Lots of info on making your own beauty supplies, stuff like how to apply henna tattoos, and what different scents do. They don't like lurkers and have some way of purging you if you never post, though.

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View entire thread: Care Package

Posted by FauxChina on 2007-01-30 17:33:52      Post Subject:

One of the hospitals in Toronto put out a cook book, I think the title is called Easy To Swallow. It is full of recipes that are easy to digest for people who have cancer and are going through chemotherapy, or have other illnesses that effect the digestive system. Maybe look into seeing if any of the hospitals in your area have the same idea. Maybe if you can find the book or something similar, bake her some of the treats that are in it. Candles and bath stuff is a great idea, just make sure she's not sensitive to certain scents. The best thing that you can give her though is your support.

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View entire thread: need a good sunburn remedy

Posted by nicegirl512 on 2004-06-22 12:16:57      Post Subject:

Glad to hear you're feeling better. I swear by Aloe Vera gel, the Fruit of the Earth kind is good, no extra dyes/scents/anything. I dumped some boiling water on my hand a couple of weeks ago, it hurt like hell. I immediately applied aloe gel and within an hour it stopped hurting and the next day I couldn't even see a mark. You have to slather it early, often, and generously. I'll have to try the yogurt thing, I apply my 45 SPF to be outdoors or swim, but I always seem to miss a little spot.

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View entire thread: new job attire: faux pas and faux yas.

Posted by xuli on 2004-09-17 14:12:08      Post Subject:

Yeah, Karikazo's advice about scents is right on. My old boss (who I adored) was highly allergic to most scents, and I remember at least two temps who had to be dismissed because they continued wearing scents that irritated her allergies even after she asked them not to.

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View entire thread: Hartz Flea Drop recall

Posted by HeatherC on 2005-06-15 15:54:01      Post Subject:

There are lots of healthy pet info here:

http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/pets/1554

The best non-chemical flea solution we've used was to wash the poor cats, repeatedly, in VERY salty, warm water. Then you just have to comb them over and over again, to get all the fleas and flea eggs out of their fur. It's not fun (Gatsby weighs 20 pounds!) but it does work.

Then you vacuum like mad. We've tried diotemaceous earth, but that just made a huge mess and almost broke my vacuum cleaner. I also made some little sachets out of pennyroyal, dried orange peels, and dried garlic. (They smelled AWFUL, but all of those scents are supposed to keep fleas away.) Then I tucked them into the cushions of the couch, and one under our mattress.

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View entire thread: What are you making?

Posted by gigi123 on 2008-05-31 01:27:11      Post Subject: Spa anyone?

I'm thinking of assembling spa baskets. What female can't resist stopping in Bath, Body & Beyond??

What scents/items would incline you to buy a spa basket for yourself or someone else?

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View entire thread: new job attire: faux pas and faux yas.

Posted by karikazo on 2004-09-17 12:18:40      Post Subject:

congrats on the job!

I'm a terrible dresser, so I won't add to everyone else's great advice except to say watch out for scented lotions/deoderants/etc. If you have someone in your workplace who's allergic to scents, even a small amount may set them off (to say nothing of drenching yourself in perfume/cologne like some co-workers I've had). I've worked with some allergic people and it's a big favor to them if you're really careful to avoid scents for their sake.

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View entire thread: Creative writing excercises?

Posted by Joyosaurusrex on 2006-12-22 22:42:58      Post Subject:

my ex had big issues with this in his writing and we would get a picture (family portrait, random photo) and write down everything we could remember scents, weather, surroundings, emotions...any and everything about the memory of when the pic was taken, it helped him a good amount.

hope this helps at least a little.

(please excuse the bad grammer/spelling)

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View entire thread: Favorite Fragrance for Opposite Sex

Posted by Phoebe on 2004-07-07 00:19:59      Post Subject:

I love Adidas for both men and women. Polo Blue smells pretty good on boys. But what smells the best on men is simple Old Spice deoderant. Davidoff Cool Water is nice for women. I like clean, fresh scents.

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View entire thread: Love Thread

Posted by aessedai on 2004-06-05 16:05:40      Post Subject:

I Love-
That the board is back up under the get crafty name (although the new link threw me for a loop momentarily)

That I finally got a job for the fall and it is my ideal job.

Lilacs in bloom right now

My boyfriend (the ultimate meat-eater) making a *vegetarian* meal for us right now!

BPAL Scents- Persephone is so summery~

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View entire thread: Gee, you smell terrific!

Posted by mrs_stroozi on 2005-12-12 13:13:39      Post Subject:

My nose is sensitive and getting moreso by the year. My first scent was Blue Grass, and I wore it in HS until I read it was a little girl scent and I stopped. I used to be able to wear scents like .. oh cripes I can't remember it. In the late 70s early 80s, not Opium, not Calvin Klein or Polo, one of those genre of designers for day, Coco by Chanel for night. Then I had my first baby and those became too heavy for my nose. I switched to Clinique's first scent -- Calyx? or something like that? -- and day lily by Victoria's Secrets, but THEY got too heavy after baby #2. Now the only scents I can wear are the ones in shower gel and body lotion. Sometimes.

I've always been able to handle Sandalwood and Lavender, so I have gels and lotions with those fragrances, and those are my only scents right now. My generation adored patchouli, but I didn't want to run with the herd, so started to use Sandalwood then. I still also use ylang ylang when I can find it. I had a shower gel of ylang ylang, sandalwood and clove, and it smelled delicious. I can't find it anymore, and I am bummed.

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View entire thread: Obscure Scent Question...

Posted by auclaire on 2005-06-18 07:00:00      Post Subject: Obscure Scent Question...

I hope someone can help me out here...though I think I'm grasping at straws...

In the seventies and eighties, Clairol manufactured "Herbal Essences" shampoo...it was an extremely green colour in a clear bottle, with a stylized picture of a lady shoulders deep in a pond.

They stopped manufacturing it for awhile, and when Herbal Essences came back, they released several different scents...but not the original.

My mom loved that shampoo, and I would love to replicate the scent in a lotion for her...but I have no idea where to start. It was a very green scent...I don't know how else to explain it. The closest product I've found is "FA Bubble Bath" in the green bottle.

My question? Does anyone remember that scent, and more importantly, know of an essential oils blend that comes close? Any, and I mean any leads will be followed up gratefully!

Thanks!

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by Parel on 2005-06-14 21:53:52      Post Subject:

Demeter is awesome!!! The fruity/sweet scents do tend to be best, though.

I also like Trish McEvoy's scents, esp. Blackberry Vanilla and Ginger Lily.

The new Gap scents are surprisingly yummy-- I get compliments on Crepe Gardenia all the time.

Essential oils can be fun, also.

And that, friends, is all I know about fragrance-- I usually just smell like coffee and toothpaste!

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by kissmyknitz on 2005-06-03 22:29:46      Post Subject:

Most places will spritz a little on a card, or give you a sample to take home. Some places will have a "nasal clenser" (as opposed to a palate cleanser), often coffee beans, to help to clense your sniffer between scents....

Little hint... you want heavy, strong scents in the winter, in the summer, stick to lighter florals and citrus-es....

(I also love Gap's Heaven, Victoria's Secret's Pink, and Clinique's Happy... there must be something somewhat universal about these scents...)

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by elixirbeth on 2006-03-01 06:20:25      Post Subject:

I make my own, my current fav scents are tomato and bamboo.

wow... would you mind giving a few more details? those scents sound FANTASTIC.

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View entire thread: Favorite Fragrance for Opposite Sex

Posted by Karla on 2004-07-12 16:48:10      Post Subject:

My boyfriend wears Chanel Homme Allure. It smells wonderful. He doesn't wear it as much as he did when we first started dating so, it reminds me of the fluttery new feeling I had for him then. I used to think that was the smell that drove me crazy when we first met but it was really just him. I have some strange hormonal reaction to his body smell. Lucky me! I, also, love the Old Spice deo.

For myself, I really like Marc Jacobs for women. It's a really nicely balanced musky floral scent. Even though it's loaded with gardenia, it has a touch of ginger which gives it a spicier scent than a lot of women's perfume.

A girlfriend of mine once wore Burberry touch and it had a really nice vanilla, spicy scent mingled with the floral...it smelled great on her but she returned it because she felt like it was too extravagant a purchase. I definitely like the peppery, earthy smells. Guys are said to be attracted to nutmeg and vanilla scents as opposed to floral, anyway.

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by the-kitschen on 2006-02-27 08:31:47      Post Subject:

I am a huge fan of Yankee Candles! They are a little on the expensive side but high-quality: strongly scented and last forever. If you're not into the potent, foody scents, they have lots of pleasant, ambient scents like "clean cotton" and "splash of rain" and things like that.

I also have the Yankee Candle plug-in things all over my house.

If you don't have a Yankee Candle store by you, they also sell them at Bed Bath & Beyond and Hallmark sometimes.

I admit, I like to have things smell extra-good - I am really paranoid about people coming into our house and all they can smell is our cats!

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by WildSnowflake on 2006-03-06 17:08:50      Post Subject:

At my store, we tested about 15 candle lines before we made a decision...Trapp Private Garden for the more expensive candle $17 (140grams for scents that are similar to Votivo, nicely packaged and less expensive) and then there's Heidi's Cottage candles (my vendor private labels for us) for $5.95/8 oz mason jar. Both burn very very cleanly and the scent lasts throughout the life of the candles. The mason jar ones are soy wax. Scents are floral to spicy to food-related... my favorite is "mid life crisis" which smells like chocolate covered cherries.

Yankee Candle used to be better but now they don't melt as well and the jars turn black even if you trim the wick.

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View entire thread: Deodorant

Posted by Knits4Fun on 2007-04-11 11:04:36      Post Subject:

I'm a big Tom's of Maine fan. There's no anti-perspirant in it--just a deodorant--but for me it works really well.

I like the Calendula, Honeysuckle and Lemongrass scents.

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View entire thread: Gee, you smell terrific!

Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2005-12-09 17:56:24      Post Subject:

I picked option two because like spider lady, lots of scents "turn" when i put them own. maybe it is body chemistry?

anyway, when i find one that i like even 30 minutes after i first put it on, i stick with it. but i sometimes get bored and so if i find another scent that doesn't go stinky, i'll buy and wear that too.

my old favorite is Les Belles Du Ricci, and a more recent one is Lemon Sugar by Fresh. i dig the citrus scents...

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View entire thread: Deodorant

Posted by kateastrophe on 2007-04-19 15:48:57      Post Subject:

I am a weirdo apparently.. I buy guy's stuff because a) it seems to work better without white marks and b) powdery/floral scents aren't appealing to me. I like Old Spice deodorant as well as Degree Ultra-clear Men's I think.

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by stella on 2005-06-04 20:31:45      Post Subject:

i'm hideously allergic to everything but essential oils, and i have to go lightly on those too, so i don't have any advice for buying "real" perfume. most perfumes are made out of the same 30 or so (i think, i read an article about perfume recently) ingredients in different proportions, and some of them are plant or animal derived but some aren't.

my favorite essential oils are vetiver (thick, heavy, woody, peppery) and patchouli (in SMALL amounts, not stinky-hippie quantities). i like earthy/woody scents.

for lighter more perfumey scents, you could try oil blends by someone like Auric Blends.

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View entire thread: man crafts

Posted by kindarana on 2005-04-24 13:23:06      Post Subject:

Well, my man likes both making and receiving candles; you could go for the spicier scents like cinnamon. There's also wallets, or spare change holders, my dad always dumped out his change into a container.

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View entire thread: Memories Associated with Scents/Smells

Posted by Snufkin on 2004-06-07 21:04:12      Post Subject: Memories Associated with Scents/Smells

I don't know if there's a per se psychological term associated with it. But I've been thinking the past few days about how certain smells will evoke very specific times and places for me. Especially since I was talking to an old friend and the same smell (Nag Champa incense) brings up memories of our freshman year in college. It's not a particularly pleasing smell for me, just neutral. But it sounds like part of the unpleasant physical reaction she gets from smelling it (besides allergies) is remembering the stress from that period of her life. The two other smells which always bring me back to a specific place are Secret brand deoderant, which I only used one time before buying the current stick in my medicine cabinent. That was a trip to Mexico to see the Mayan ruins, so the smell always makes me think of La Ruta Maya. And the other morning I had toaster waffles for breakfast, which took me back to the first weeks of living and working in Seattle.

So I'm curious - does this happen to anybody else? What scents bring back what memories for you?

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View entire thread: migraines :(

Posted by greentleaf on 2004-04-23 12:33:41      Post Subject: uhg!

draw yourself a warm bath and sprinkle a few drops of essential oils into the water. try out different scents as some could be more intoxicating or nauseous. i like lavender and mint went i have a migraine. turn off the lights and burn a small candle for the minimum amount of light. the best part is submerging your head underwater. this seems to "take it all away".

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View entire thread: Where to buy essential oils?

Posted by Katrin on 2004-11-26 15:31:41      Post Subject:

I think it took about 6 weeks for my samples to arrive. Considering I got more than twice as many as I expected, I'm not disappointed at all. I also appreciate that they sent them through the mail rather than UPS, so I didn't have to go through the hassle of missing the delivery and figuring out a time to be home to sign for the package.

The vials are your standard perfume-sample size - about 1/4" wide and 1½" tall. As Black Phoenix's site explains, the scents are very concentrated, so a little will go a long way. I'm sure one vial would be enough to make a batch of scented candles or add fragrance to a bottle of unscented body oil.

I was kind of worried that they'd all just have a similar witchy choke-a-horse incense kind of smell, but there really is a good variety. I particularly like "Embalming Fluid" (it's very bright and kind of lemony) and "Gluttony" (very very sweet, vanilla-y and hunger-inducing) - and I think those are two that I didn't even order. Now I'm trying to think of uses for all of these neat little samples. I probably will end up ordering more eventually.

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View entire thread: homemade christmas gifts

Posted by happyhats on 2005-10-22 09:00:57      Post Subject:

Here's my "recipe" for making liquid bath soap.
I use baby shampoo as a base. It's got a nice thickness (something I tried and tried to achieve, but never could with other products) an it's hypoallergenic. I add a scent (can come from a perfume, an essential oil, but most often I use baking scents.) I add Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and aloe vera when I have it. I've tried it on myself for long periods of time, and it's perfectly yummy. You can use it on your body or your hair, as long as you don't have excessively oily hair. My hair is a bit oily but the shampoo makes a good once in a while conditioner and works when I'm out of regular shampoo.
I can't really give many suggestions on bar soap. I don't have much experience, but I do know that melt n pour soap is simple and there are kits at your local craft store. I've been planning on using my soap nubbins to make new soap using a diy melt n pour method: basically you add water and microwave, then pour to rebatch. I haven't done it yet though.
Also, you can make scented lotions just by buying the unscented cheap ones and adding a scent. This is good for anyone who needs medicated lotions but hates the smell. You can also scent your own baby powder, or alternately, I've heard of using cornpowder. I've also made my own massage oil by scenting baby oil (and I'm sure waterbased lube would work as well...stop blushing, heh!)
Hope this helps some!

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by valagator on 2006-02-28 16:40:13      Post Subject:

I make my own, my current fav scents are tomato and bamboo.

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View entire thread: Gee, you smell terrific!

Posted by cackalackie on 2005-12-12 13:54:48      Post Subject:

THEY got too heavy after baby #2

mrs_stoozi - I wonder if my sensitivity to scents nowadays is related at all to my pregnancies......

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View entire thread: new job attire: faux pas and faux yas.

Posted by hodge on 2004-09-17 16:19:59      Post Subject:

scents are not a problem for me - i use a natural deod and no perfume or anything. but thanks for pointing that out, i realize that it is a major concern for some people.

yes, i have been thinking of scarves, but i have no idea how to tie them so that they don't look sloppy and silly. any tips Floozy Soozy? i'd love a parisian lady in my closet to dress me every morning.

i did call the consulate, and the word is 'pretty conservative/formal'. the guy i spoke to said that he wears a full suit but takes off the jacket as soon as he sits down. so he suggested having a blazer to wear in the door and have around just in case. he also said subdued colours are the best bet - that i could wear a hot pink dress shirt on the odd occasion, but only if neutrals were a daily affair. so i think i'm definitely going with the black/grey/navy/beige/taupe basics and the occasional cutie yet sophisticated accent.

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by mololi on 2006-02-28 07:35:18      Post Subject:

I'll second Yankee Candles! I worked in a candle store in high school, and we sold them there. They are a very high quality candle, especially the jar candles. The jars have oils in them that enhance the fragrance, and even though they're a little expensive, they burn for a reall long time (90+ hours for the large jar). The Yankee Candle stores tend to have pretty decent sales, and scents of the month are discounted 25%.

Ok now I sound like an ad for them - but really I like them, and I no longer have anything to do with candle sales :-)

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View entire thread: Gee, you smell terrific!

Posted by mrs_stroozi on 2005-12-12 20:52:40      Post Subject:

mrs_stoozi - I wonder if my sensitivity to scents nowadays is related at all to my pregnancies......

It's possible! A consultant in my natural foods store's apothecary told me that women's chemistries change with each child, and I have found it to be true. After my son's birth every sore throat turned to strep and every cold turned to bronchitis, but after my daughter that disappeared, thank goodness -- I hardly got a cold or even a tickle that didn't go away in a day. Instead, my allergies blew up. when before I barely even noticed them.

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by sewpunk on 2005-06-23 13:22:48      Post Subject:

yeah, 99% of perfume sicken's me, but I do like light scents like the ones from Demeter... It's the heavy duty, Claiborne and Lancome stuff that grosses me out.

Although, I tried on Black, by Kenneth Cole and I got totally hooked. It has that woodsy-Oriental aspect to it that smells great on me and suits me really well. Its' the first real perfume I bought (well, got as a gift)

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by boheme-anne on 2006-02-27 22:45:00      Post Subject:

Trying to be cost effective with my house scents I've used a few different things:
Soy Buds, which you can put in a simmer pot or stick a wick in the middle of and it will burn like a candle.
Insence. Some people hate it, but I love it. I would also have a sittha (probaly spelt that wrong) player here all the time too if I had the cash. ha ha. I find that it's all in the brands and types you use. If you get the crap they sell in a deparment store then it just smell like burning wood. If you get the stuff from india, whoa baby..it can be very fragrant and quite lovely.
Fragance oils in simmer pots. Or the Grandma trick: simmer some cinnamon sticks.
I don't buy Yankee candles anymore. I don't think it's the candles that I don't like though, it's the people in hallmark that sell them. Ahrh. Snobby here.

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by JediEmpressMel on 2005-06-20 22:09:06      Post Subject:


Lolita Lempicka is my favorite. It's a sweet vanilla one on me.

And it smells like stinky cheese on me! Haha I must have a whacky body chemistry, too.

It never ceases to amaze me how body chemistry really does affect the scents!

I can't even wear ones that most people can...like the super popular givency ones, dolce and gabana, cloe, escada, liz clairborne, clinique happy... they all reek so bad on me.
So frustrating!

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by Katrin on 2005-06-21 00:22:01      Post Subject:

I recently ordered a sampler from this site:
http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.html
And their oils are some of the best things I've ever smelled!
I ordered some Black Phoenix samples a while back too. Yeah, they took a long time to arrive - but they sent about twice as many as I'd actually ordered, at no extra charge!

Their essential oils are pretty impressive, a good variety of scents. I just wish I had some real use for them now - they've been sitting in a drawer unused since I got them.

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View entire thread: Going to NYC-need advice

Posted by lazysundae on 2007-09-19 21:15:07      Post Subject:

non-touristy advice for you:

stay out of williamsburg for asian food - it's terrible! that said, there's this great nyc map called "mappetite" that unfolds in sections to list major landmarks, museums and restaurants - i'd definitely look into it because it's a great place to start.

in williamsburg, check out artists and fleas on n. 6th street between bedford and berry. great for independent clothes and jewelry makers, as well as vintage gear and books, etc. go to egg on n. 5th street for breakfast and have the eggs rothko. as mentioned in earlier posts, moto is another great spot. and down by the williamsburg bridge is pies n thighs, a great spot for southern cooking and outdoor dining. there's this one spot called cb i hate perfume gallery that is great, at wythe and n. 10th street. here is the website for more info http://www.cbihateperfume.com/ he has scents of everything, from play doh to grass to leather to smoke, and he mixes them and makes the best combinations.

favorite places of mine:
ino in the west village or inoteca in the lower east side. same owners. great italian wines and paninis. ino is smaller and only bruschettas/panini/tramezzini. inoteca boasts outdoor seating and a larger menu. definitely get the antipasti plates.
landmarc in tribeca for steaks. and their wine is not marked up at all.
the tasting room on elizabeth street
any of the blue ribbon restaurants
kum gang san in korea town
kam cheuh on bowery - the best, freshest seafood!
oyster bar at grand central - you have to stop at grand central, it's one of my favorite places in nyc.

you have to try at least 1 of these spots, part of nyc's cupcake boom:
the original magnolia bakery on bleecker (not the best)
sugar sweet sunshine on rivington (my personal fave)
buttercup bakeshop on 2nd avenue (my 2nd favorite)
billy's bakery on 9th avenue

if you venture out into brooklyn, there is a double decker tour bus that goes right through fort greene. great way to see the area, as brooklyn isn't as easily navigated as manhattan. spike lee's studio is nearby, there are tons of great restaurants and it is very close to downtown brooklyn. it's a very different vibe from manhattan and worth checking out.

if you do go to 34th street for shopping, check out korea town, which is around 30-32nd streets between 5th and 6th aves. tons of karaoke and great korean joints - dumplings, noodles, bbq - you name it!

museums, etc: the ny botanical gardens in the bronx. the orchid show will be in full bloom by april i think. also, the cloisters at fort tryon park are peaceful and beautiful. ps1 in queens (part of moma) is a great spot, it's a museum that is in an old school building - tons of little rooms with different exhibits. there is so much to see there. if you venture further into queens, the most diverse food is found off the 7 line - korean, filipino, chinese, mexican, etc. trust me, it is near impossible to find good/authentic mexican in nyc but queens has it.

great boutique shopping in nolita and noho (around mott/mulberry/lafayette/etc) and it's close to soho for all the name brand/designer stuff. in fact, soho on the weekends is great for street vendors selling handmade clothing and jewelry. while you are there, the young designers market on mulberry between houston and prince is a great place to shop. lots of stuff you can't find anywhere else, from jewelry to bags to clothes, etc.

hope that gets you off to a good start! enjoy.

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View entire thread: Gee, you smell terrific!

Posted by meexie on 2005-12-13 01:00:11      Post Subject:

I would probably stick with the same scents forever, but they get discontinued.

Ages ago, Prescriptives did a limited edition line of "color" perfumes and I loved "black." It was kind of vanilla licorice sweetness. Probably a good thing that it was limited edition - it was great for the goth-y phase I was in at the time, not so much for the rest of my life.

Aveda had a line of Chakra perfumes, and Intution VI makes me smell like I'm on fire in a really nice way - woodsy and incense-y. Discontinued. When I went in to a shop to try to find it, the salesgirl told me it was discontinued, but then she checked in the back and they still had the sample bottle, which she gave to me for free. Yay! I've only got about a third of a bottle left, so I've been looking around. Been trying out some bpal stuff, haven't found quite what I'm looking for. Mad Hatter is quite yummy, and I like Velvet quite a bit but I'm not sure I want to walk around smelling like chocolate cake.

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View entire thread: scented candles

Posted by Ratti Pillo on 2006-02-28 23:48:13      Post Subject: Re: best candles & soaps ever!!!

PACIFICA!!

They are so yummy you want to eat them up....some of them are so nice, it's hard for me to burn them, dumb, I know!

http://www.pacificacandles.com/soaps.asp


Oh my stars do I love this line...I discovered it while living in Portland, they are made by a husband and wife team..the soaps are divine and they keep your whole bathroom smelling so good the entire time you have the soap in your shower. The Guava one is perfect for summer but, the one I'm totally in love with right now is Mediterranean Fig. I have the soap and a candle and I just can't get enough of it. They even have really clean burning soy candles.

I'm with you on these candles. I gave some as a gift to my friend and her husband was more impressed with the candles then anything else in the gift basket and has even asked where to buy more because he's burned it all :D

i'm triple on this. I HEART pacifica candles! the first time i bought them the cashier wasn't really paying attention and i paid and i didn't realize that she didn't ring them up so i got them for free. Whenever I go to whole foods i pick one up. My favorites are the mango, clean linen, and the lily one. I love floral scents more so than fruit ones, but the mango one reminds me of the philippines.

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View entire thread: Gee, you smell terrific!

Posted by msfish on 2005-12-12 13:39:18      Post Subject:

i do flip around though, given that i am still in my 20s and work for a huge beauty corporation that makes a bazillion well-known perfumes and is not estee lauder.

aha erinina, i knew there was a reason you sounded like such a pro when it came to the "what are you wearing?" thread! :)

for several years, my signature was gaultier le male - i loved it when my boyfriend wore it and made it my own once we went our separate ways. i've always been a sucker for men's scents, and that one got me more compliments (especially from men) that anything else i've ever worn. amusingly, a lot of the male models i meet in the elevator (i work in magazines, so there are a lot of pretty boys around) seem to be wearing it this year.

i've now swapped over to pomegranate noir by jo malone - it's got the same smoky, woody tones i love in comme des garcons stuff (universally some of the most amazing fragrances i know, but with a steep price tag) with a bit of novelty, since the scent is new. i should probably save it for evenings, but i wear it all the time. yum.

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by Miss E on 2005-06-03 19:40:34      Post Subject:

Try the second option on the fragrance finder on Sephora. You just click the scents that you like and it narrows it down a little and suggests options in the family.

I like soft florals or woodsy orientals (complete opposites):

*GAP Heaven - nice soft like baby powder
*Amor Amor by cacharel - light fruit/floral smell
*Hyponotic Poison by Christian Dior - root beer barrel candy (always get compliments on it, but a little strong for day time or summer)
*Classic by Banana Republic - light citrus/fruit

If you want something natural you might want to check out essential oils or a place like the Body Shop where you can mix your own.

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by hodge on 2005-06-07 10:17:42      Post Subject:

thanks for the advice, everyone.

i like the sound of maybe baby and sugar - the idea of sweet and gentle with a sharper citrus sounds intriguing. i don't want anything too saccharine or heavy for summer, so the sharp element might cut through that a bit.

and i will definitely try the try it out for a few hours thing before settling - i hadn't realized that scents "turn".

i was thinking about trying out aveda for natural stuff - but choosing my own blend somewhat overwhelms me...i actually think that scent is my least developed sense so i have no idea how to put things together. perhaps i need to spend sometime with a professional...

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by Katydid on 2005-06-14 16:59:17      Post Subject:

I recently ordered a sampler from this site:

http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.html

And their oils are some of the best things I've ever smelled!

There are so many, that it's kind of overwhelming, but there are really good descriptions of all the scents - which makes it fairly easy to see what you might like...

The sampler was great too, because you can see which ones you like (and which ones like you) - and the vials are good sized, so you can try them out multiple times, in different weather, etc.

Only downside is that it takes a long time to get your order. I though it was worth it.

I also love Happy and Elizabeth Arden Green Tea - it's fresh and light

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by Nancy Flynn on 2005-06-03 17:10:18      Post Subject:

i am no help on natural but here are a few nice light-ish scents:

fresh's "sugar" perfume smells like lemon & vanilla, they have it at Sephora

origins makes nice, light perfumes too

benefit's "maybe baby" is a bit grapefruity and baby powdery, it is yummy

clinique's "happy" is gentle

for old fashioned, dior's "diorissimo" smells of nice lily of the valley

I have weird, reactive skin, so often perfumes "turn" on me, or make me itchy. I highly recommend spritzing on the perfume inside your wrist and then going about your business for at least an hour, then checking how it smells again, or asking for a little tester so you can wear it for a few days to make sure you don't get sick of it. since it is so spendy, it is depressing to buy a bottle and find that you hate it a week later!

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by nerf on 2005-06-06 00:37:31      Post Subject:

I used to wear Chloe, but wanted something new for my wedding that would trigger the memory every time I wore it again. I finally settled on Cashmere Mist (Donna Karan). It's kind of like talcum powder, but with some floral in there (I'm not very good at describing it, sorry). I tend to get headaches from very strong scents, and prefer to smell like I've just had a shower rather than that I'm wearing a strong perfume, so I found it great.

When I was deciding on a new perfume, I went to the perfume counter and smelt a few of the bottles, then I would spray the tester of two of them, one on each inner wrist. I'd then see how it developed over the day (sometimes it was a drastic change in smell). (I made notes too, so that I could remember which ones I liked). Then after two days I'd go back and do it again with two others. My budget ruled out a few, so it took me about half a month before I'd decided want I really wanted. I guess this sounds like a lot of work , but as someone else said, rather be sure (especially since they're so expensive), than buy one you discover you hate.

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View entire thread: choosing a perfume

Posted by moon_lemming on 2005-06-04 11:40:50      Post Subject:

(I also love Gap's Heaven, Victoria's Secret's Pink, and Clinique's Happy... there must be something somewhat universal about these scents...)

haha, yeah, I wear Happy at work or when I know I'm going to be in crowds because the odds are there will be other people wearing it so it won't be too clashy.

I have the problem with stuff smelling like bug spray because of my weird reacting skin, too, so I usually find something I like in a department store, spray it, and walk around for half an hour, then sniff my arm to see if it smells like ass or not. usually the light Ralph Lauren-y or Calvin Klein-y stuff, while I LOVE it on other people and in the bottle, ends up smelling EXACTLY like bug spray on me. so the perfume finder things online don't really work out too well. (I should have just said "I agree with belleepoque," heh.)

sometimes if I'm in the mood for a new scent, I'll go to http://www.makeupalley.com and read reviews there. generally if a reviewer has some perfume preferences in common with me, and mentions one that smells bad on me smelling bad on them, odds are the ones they like will be okay on me.

that's how I found my newest one, which is Carriére, it's a soft kind of soapy citrus, which sounds bizarre and is really strong at first but becomes very soft and smells clean.

Clinique Happy is actually a pretty good starter perfume, I think. that and Benefit's Maybe Baby are my summer perfumes. I only have Maybe Baby in the little solid powder compact, but I want to get the perfume, it smells so good.

in winter I wear Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle, which I love. Chanel's Chance smells really good too, it's a bit peppery. I would have gotten them both if I could but they're a little pricey. it might be a little too strong for your tastes, though.

ooh, and Escada makes a lot of perfumes that are really light and smell like summer, I have a sampler pack and they all smell pretty yummy.

(I don't think there are any natural ones in this whole post, hee! sorry about that.)

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View entire thread: The Diaper Debate

Posted by doulabitsymama on 2005-05-07 11:13:48      Post Subject: Cloth diapers are a crafty mama's dream!

I was shy to try cloth for the first 4 months. We were moving, and those first months of lots of breast poo seemed daunting. Here's the deal, once you have your system, you won't have to deal with the guilt of looking at the plastic and gel you are exposing the world to. Sure, we buy diposables, but once every 2 months, for daycare only. (WI doesn't allow it in licensed daycare homes). People try to rationalize that cloth has it's toll on water resources, but frankly, I do one load of diapers every 3-4 days, with an extra rinse cycle to start, and a double dryer cycle (but I look forward to having a great clothesline on pulleys off my deck to get em sparkly white this summer). I was most worried about hubby buy-in, and that I would be alone in my enthusiasm. Luckily he got to chat with a cloth diapering dad and got the thumbs up. We all need that.
My tips--I use chinese trifolds and $5-9 bummi whisper wraps and some a local gal made in super cool prints, same price! (I have 8 covers/wraps) For a liner/moisture barrier, I cut 4 by 10-12 in rectangles of polar fleece and lay them over the trifold. The squirmier she gets, the more I set things up before I change her. #1's go into a small closed diaper pail (I got a cool steel feed pail with a lid from the farm store), lined with a plastic shopping bag. #2's get flipped off the liner, and the diaper itself usually can go into the #1's pail. Anything pooey gets pushed down a bucket of water using a rubber glove kept handy--i used to add 1/2 scoop oxiclean, but I've started skipping it and haven't missed it. Before I put the poo bucket load into the wash, I strain off the extra water into the toilet and use that glove again to scoop them into the laundry. Now that she eats solids, those poos are much easier to manage! I wash using half of capful of Sport Wash (b/c front loaders use less soap). You get it in the hunting section at Wal-Mart-used to take hunting scents off of hunter's gear, one large bottle lasted me 5 months for $7.
My recent big shift was moving her diapering station right into the laundry room off the bathroom. The countertop was just taken up by stacks of towels anyways! Then, I took a string and laced it thru some darling lady bug clothespins and there I dry her diaper wraps! (either straight off her buttum or from the washer--it helps the wrap last longer). Now we aren't hauling pails and her days dirty laundry around, and she gets to learn that pottying and diaper changes are related, too. I've also found that kiddos that use cloth potty train sooner--they get more of the wetness connection, especially if you start to take away the polar fleece liner. Phew! I've wanted to post this, but couldn't do this response one-handed while nursing!! Sorry so long, but I hope it helps!

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View entire thread: NaNoWriMo

Posted by CraftyChicaAZ on 2005-09-24 01:38:48      Post Subject:

I did this last year and completed the first draft of my novel! I wrote like CRAZY during the whole month of November, even bailed on Thanksgiving, but it was soooo worth it!

It took me three months of solid editing, that was harder than actually writing it. It went off to my agent this summer and he sent it back to me with revisions. If it weren't that I'm still working on this one because my agent loves it and has faith in it selling, I would TOTALLY do NaNoWriMo again this year. I already have my outline for my second book!

You can count on me to cheer you on and answer any questions! Here are my tips I learned:

- Accept the fact that in order to do this, you will have to sacrifice some things for the month: friends, laundry, tv shows, bike riding - even crafting! It's only for one month of your life!

- Sign up to get the newsletter, every week you get inspiring notes to help you keep on pushing.

-Read, read and read to get the feel of pacing and story telling. If you don't have time to read, check out some books on tape from the library.

- Don't freak out and over-complicate your brain. You can do this. Think of your story as a movie with three acts - beginning, middle and and end. It doesn't have to be the coolest thing on the planet, it just has to be YOU. No one will be judging or grading you, free yourself of the pressure to impress others.

- Start outlining NOW. It doesn't have to be extended, just sketch out your basic story line, maybe get some character background done. This will help you focus just on writing when the time comes. and when you are writing, you'll often find things will vary from your original plan. I love tha tpart, that means your story is coming alive and your characters are taking over! Let it happen!

- Make a sign to hang up to remind you of things. i made a few that say things like "FIVE SENSES" to remind me to use scents, tastes, visuals, etc. I also made one that says "ACTION CONFLICT TENSION to remind myself to keep things exciting.

- Go easy on the "ly" and "ing" words. Always try to show a scene, rather than just tell the reader what it is.

- Think about POV. As a newbie I found third person easiest to use. First person means you can only tell the story from that person's eyes. Some people find it easy, I found it limiting. Third person for me was much more fun.

- Brush up on your vocabulary now and exercise your descriptive muscle. As you are driving or waiting in line for things, mentally describe the setting or objects around you.

- Don't skip a day of writing, it will quickly turn into two days missed and so forth and you'll fall behind. You WILL want to give up after the third day, or even a week. Don't le tyourself. Tell yourself this is your one shot to get it out there, so damn it, just do it!

- Take a few minutes out here and there to read other peoples sample chapters on the NaNoWrimo site. you'll say things like "I'm doing good!" or, "Oh I see what I need to do more of!"

- Don't question your work. That comes on December 1st. All the month of November, its just about getting the words out on a page. After that, you can sculpt and mold however you like.

- Check out some writing podcasts and listen to them before and during the month to get you in the groove.

Hope these tips help!!

Good luck!!!

Kathy :-)

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View entire thread: Any thoughts on regifting?

Posted by Miss E on 2004-12-12 00:27:03      Post Subject:

I don't think that there is anything wrong with regifting. I do it all the time! If you do it tactfully, like not to the person that gave it to you or in front of them, then it should be fine.

When ever I come back from Xmas parties with my partner's family I usually have a sack full of stuff to give my sisters or have them give out to their friends as gifts. With four sisters and a brother, one of their friends is always having a birthday or something.

I get a lot of gifts that I can't use, like scented lotions, soaps, and bath gels/oils/salts because I am have really senstive skin and lots of allergies (melons, cucumbers, bananas) where the scents just make me want to projectile vomit so I give them away. It's not like they are open and used or anything.

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View entire thread: Disposable culture

Posted by empressCrash on 2004-07-08 18:17:16      Post Subject:

When I was growing up in the '70s, my Mom was working on research involving city dumps and landfill in regards to chemical residue run - off. She was so freaked out that our house went thru an entire non-disposable transformation. Also during that time were water and gas shortages, so I count myself lucky that I just learned all that conservation stuff at an early age. I was always appalled at younger roomates wastefulness. To this day I take 3 min. showers (as a kid we had to take a kitchen timer into the bathroom for showers - you learn real quick how to clean your whole bod and wash your hair in 3 min.). Kitchen rags instead of paper towels. Panty hose can be reused for so many things, as can old socks. Glass refillable milk jugs. Refillable shampoo and lotions (there was a great shop that would add any number of scents to the basic stuff). We even went to the PopShoppe - remember that anyone? The list goes on and on.
The one and only disposable item you can't tear away from me (to this day I have to hide them when my Mom comes over) are my shavers - sorry, can't stand the electric ones - don't want roomates questioning me on what's going on in the bathroom.

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View entire thread: Crafty Business Links - list 'em here!

Posted by bodyenV on 2007-11-06 15:08:43      Post Subject:

I just opened my shop selling bath and body products such as lotions, bath wash/shower gel, bubble bath, and bar soap! The shop will be growing A LOT over the next few weeks and months as I make more products and get more scents in. Stop by and check out the great stuff I have and I bet you will find some great holiday gifts!

http://www.bodyenv.etsy.com

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