The latest soap off my curing rack is one that is packed with goodness! Instead of water, I substituted it with beer. As beer has all kinds of nutrients from the hops and barley malt.
The top layer has activated charcoal, which has the powerful ability to trap inorganic matter and pollutants. It’s able to absorb thousands of times its own weight in pore-clogging impurities. So it helps give your skin a nice deep cleansing ability.
The second layer has less charcoal and more of spirulina and rice extract. Spirulina is an algae that also help detoxifies and is rich in antioxidant agents. It brings many vitamins and trace elements to benefit the skin.
This bar is scented with sweet and fruity lychee (the popular Asian fruit). I also added an uplifting scent of tangerine fragrance oil and grapefruit essential oil. It’s a good way to brighten your day.
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“Mercedes has a really big heart and lots of love to give.” Card designed by Rachael Hale of New Zealand.
And if puppies don’t warm your heart, here is the lovely city of San Francisco.
Famous for it’s cable cars, Golden Gate Bridge, steep hills and more. It’s a great place to see anytime of the year.
This is the latest soap that just finished curing after 4 weeks. Time seems to go slower when you are waiting for them to cure. But if you just leave them alone and check back later, it’s really not that long!
In the beginning, there were some nice swirls. But now it’s pretty much in one color that looks almost light brown in color.
It’s a smooth skin clarifying soap made with Moroccan Red Clay. The clay will help with the removal of impurities and toxins. It’s good for those with oily or acne prone skin.
It would also make a great shaving soap due to the smoothness of the clay. A shaving brush or facial scrub could be used to increase the later.
Other ingredients include olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and grape seed oil.
I have tried it in the shower and noticed it’s a hard bar that turns smooth once it’s wet. The scent is also very light and refreshing, less of the lavender and more of sweet orange scent. The combination is very pleasant smelling handmade soap full of gylcerin that is a treat for your skin!
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In every city I’ve ever lived in, I try to find out where the local library is located and make sure to pay a visit. And best of all - it’s free! It’s also a plus if it’s located in nice building too.
This is the Chicago Public Library where I like to visit if I am ever in the area again. One thing I remember about Chicago was that it was one windy city!
It’s a beautiful building we don’t usually see in the west coast. It is design in the Beaux-Arts Classicism revival style. This style is an academic classicism taken from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
This building was the first permanent home of the Chicago Public Library in 1897, it is now the Chicago Cultural Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1976.
Image source: Mary Ann Sullivan of Bluffton University, Ohio.
In case anyone is curious, here is a list of the top 10 largest libraries provided by American Library Association, www.ala.or , Aug. 2005.
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I love the artwork by George Barbier. Here is two I’ve managed to scan from my note cards.
George Barbier was born in Nantes, France in 1882. He was a popular fashion illustrator and costume designer during the 1920’s Art Deco period. His illustrations were usually found in French fashion magazines and now can be found in art museums (as well as stationary).
“Voice me ailes!” - Look at my wings! This artwork was first printed in 1922 in French fashion magazine.
The drawing really brings you back to a different era. From the fashion to the sailboats in the background. I also like the simple yet elegant black dress, but can’t imagine looking like this all the time.
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When I first heard about Silk Moon Gallery, I really wanted to visit the place. They are located in Sebastopol, just north of San Francisco. It has been years since I’ve made any trips up to that part of the state. So maybe when the weather gets better a day trip will be in order.
Beautiful jewel colors of Lao silk. Artistic composition of the objects taken by American Jon on Flickr.
I have always been in awe of the beautiful patterns found in traditional Lao/Thai silk skirts and shawls. It could be that I come from a family of silk weavers. My grandmother was very talented in silk weaving and design. As my maternal grandmother raised her own silkworms. I was told she loved them like they were her children. Hopefully someday I will be lucky enough to learn the art of weaving as well.
Here are other things you can do with Lao silk. They are suppose to be lotus blossom, an important flower in Buddhist celebration. I took this photo at a Lao Buddhist temple in northern California.
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It wouldn’t be Christmas without candy canes. It’s simple candy made with sugar and peppermint oil.
Lots of colorful candy cane to chose from and nicely set in a pretty vase too. Take one! Photo from bookgrl flickr, CC.
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I’ve always loved penguins. There is just something neat about a bird that can’t fly, but loves to swim underwater. Can live in freezing temperatures and depend on other penguins for warmth.
I love how the black and white is to represent the symbolism of Taoism. Peng Shui is the perfect name too. Artwork by English artist Peter Cross.
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What better way to get into the Christmas spirit then putting up decorations? I just saw these cute Christmas critter ornaments at Pottery Barn. I especially like the baby penguin. But $26 for a set of 4 is quite pricey!
Pinecone Critters. Along with the pine cone body, it’s very creative! Photo from Pottery Barn.
Smith & Hawkin, the garden shop I’ve enjoyed visiting, always had nice ornaments. But sadly they are out of business (since last July 2009). I found this photo from the Daily Green. I remember seeing them last winter but didn’t buy any. They are so cute and colorful too! I found some on Ebay and thinking of bidding for them (starting bid is $3 for all 6).
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I’ve always wanted to make some kind of stuff animal or doll. So I keep looking at these books and collecting them. I’ve found two more books I would like to add to my list.
Sew Me, Love Me: Best Stuffed Friends to Make by Hsiu-Lan Kuei
“Perfect for any sewer with a love for animals, this delightful handbook to crafting homemade stuffed animals features 12 fabric and sock animals that are guaranteed to charm. Step-by-step illustrations and pattern templates keep the crafting process clear and simple; and because many of the accessories are made from socks, fabric scraps, and trims, these stuffed animals make a perfectly adorable—and affordable—gift.” - Amazon
This looks like neat craft book. Perfect to make with those “stray” socks and other fabric remnants. Since I don’t have any children of my own, I always wonder if children would really like toys like this versus toys bought from the store. Maybe they would love it more if they actually got to make it themselves. When I was about 5 years old, I had a handmade “rag towel” baby doll and just loved it.
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