Weekly Weigh-In #6

Deoderant a la Jess

This is my friend Jess.  You may have seen me refer to her on social media as my Wife.  Well, she may as well be! Jess and I have been friends for 11 years, and all but a few months of that has been long distance!  She's a keeper for sure.  This past March I visited Jess for a week for some much needed rejuvenation.  One of the countless things I admire about this one is how she continually works to educate herself to use the most natural products whenever possible.  (Not to mention she makes a mean no-bake cheesecake!)
While I was visiting, Jess showed me how she makes her own deodorant.  She's perfected her recipe over time and agreed to let me share it with you.  Deoderant is definitely one product that should be as natural as possible. Here's how she makes it! 

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup beeswax

1/4 cup cocoa butter

1/4 cup arrowroot powder

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 dropper vitamin e

8 drops tea tree oil

10-20 other essential oil drops 
(rec bergamot, citrusy, whatever you want it to smell like)

Directions: 

Start with the beeswax (keeps it solid and is also antibacterial) and boil in a double boiler 

Add cocoa butter to melted beeswax

Once both are melted add coconut oil

Once melted, remove from heat

Add the rest of the ingredients, stir and then pour into silicone muffin tins

Sit them out on the counter until solid (about a half hour) and then in the fridge overnight

(The ones you aren’t using, leave in the fridge)

Voila! I store mine in a very small container and have one in my purse and another in my bathroom.  I will caution that it can take a little bit for your body to get used to using something so natural.  If you use anti-perspirant, you will have to get used to sweating.  Also, there may be a smell to begin with, but your body will adjust. 

oxox Mare

Wise Word Wednesday

Mare's Music Monday

Currently on repeat. Obsessed. What song can you not get enough of? 

oxox Mare

Weekly Weigh-In #5

Wise Word Wednesday

Selena Gomez Concert VLOG!

Songs on Repeat

I've been busy downloading new music lately and listening to them a ton! So for this week's edition of Mare's Music Monday, here are my current faves: 

Ain't Your Mama - Jennifer Lopez

Can't Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake

Work from Home - Fifth Harmony

This is What You Came For - Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna

Wasted Time - Keith Urban

What are you loving? I'm wanting some new music! Leave me a comment and tell me what I should check out. 

oxox Mare

Weekly Weigh-In Week #4

Wise Word Wednesday

Save Money On a LUSH Bath

Mare's Music Monday

Today's Mare's Music Monday is basically a PSA.  If you have yet to hear the new song from Justin Timberlake, click on the video below. 

I officially predict this will be the Song of the Summer. 

I also predict that you will have a tough time getting it out of your head. 

oxox

Our Weekend!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend! Here's what things looked like for our family last weekend:

How I Journal

Weekly Weigh-In: Week #3

Wise Word Wednesday

Mare's Music Monday

This album has consumed my playlist since it was released one week ago today on iTunes. Beyonce is back with her sixth solo album and she's back in full-force.  Isn't that really the only way Queen Bey knows how to do things?  Oh, and it's her sixth consecutive solo album to go number one. 

Lemonade is an in-your-face musical journey.  I know that probably sounds dramatic, but that's because this record is dramatic!  I'm not going to get into all of the rumours and stories surrounding the real-life events that inspired these songs.  Anyone listening can pick up that Beyonce was betrayed by her husband and she is NOT having it!  Some of the tracks on Lemonade are the most raw I have ever heard from any artist. Period.  Sandcastles in particular.  The sound various from track to track and doesn't just stick to one genre.

I've had a few friends tell me they don't like Lemonade because they can't relate to it.  I beg to differ.  The songs on this album consume me and take me right to the place Bey creates.  Over the tracks the listener goes on a a real journey of self-discovery and raw awareness.  If you buy the album on iTunes it includes a one hour film that goes through the seven stages of grief along with the tracks in order of listing. 

Once again Beyonce has flipped the music industry and anyone's exceptions right around and shown us the new way.  And I am eating it up!  Some of the stand-out tracks for me are Don't Hurt Yourself, Sorry, Freedom and Formation: