It's Beach Time! :)

    One of my favourite things about summer is laying on the beach either sleeping, reading a book, and sometimes a bit of eavesdropping on the the people close by. There is something incredibly entertaining about hearing the conversations of people on the beach, speaking just loud enough so that strangers may hear the juicy details of their love life, or lust life in most cases.

     When I go to the beach I like to wear something light and easy to get in and out of over my bathing suit. I am terrified that someday I will go to the beach wearing some cute little short shorts and be taking them off and my bikini bottoms come with it! I've seen it happen and I do not want it to happen to me. So I have come up with a solution. Wear a dress, one that flows and is made of light fabric so on that hot sunny day you don't have fabric clinging to unflattering places. The dresses above are perfect beachwear. They are super cute and nice and cool for hot weather. The top is stretchy so they are easy to get in and out of! These dresses are a bit more expensive to make so I am charging 40$ for them.
    Depending on your skin type, spending a day at the beach can be rewarding or dangerous. Growing up I rarely wore sunscreen as I don't usually burn, I just tan. However, I have many friends who for years have lathered themselves up with sunscreen in hopes that they won't burn. Studies are being done now that show how sunscreen increases your basal cells (skin cancerous cells) which in turn, increases your risk for skin cancer. So if you want a healthy way to protect yourself from the sun put coconut oil on instead. You can buy coconut oil at many different stores and there are many health benefits received from using it.
     If a burn does occur there is the usual aloe vera that many people use, but there is also a product from Young Living Essential Oils that provides relief and repair for sun burns. This product is called LavaDerm Cooling Mist and contains lavender oil which is known to heal burns. I recommend this Spray to everyone and I carry some in my beach bag in case I, or someone I know gets a burn. The results are incredible! And this is totally safe for use on children! :)

Husband Approved!

     I made a skirt today that gained my husband immediate approval. It is just two meters of fabric wrapped in a cute way. He loved it, probably not for the same reason I love it.. I have three more in the same colour. I am selling them for 20$.

     I found the idea on Pinterest, of course, and the way I wrapped it is the same, but it can be done any way you like. It is a perfect skirt for the beach or with a tank top. I can make these in what ever colour you like. I already have an order for one in red so if anyone else would like the same let me know and I can buy enough fabric for both :)
    NingXia Red is a drink made by YoungLiving that is full of anti-oxidants and gives natural energy without the use of caffeine. Now, as someone who views coffee as the sweet-nectar-of-life-that-helps-me-get-through-each-day-without-throwing-a-tantrum-like-a-two-year-old-in-Walmart, I was a bit skeptical of its "energy providing" properties. That is, until I tried it. It works AND it's good for you. All you need is one ounce a day. I even got my husband to try it before he went to train at boxing one night he was not feeling like doing anything but sitting and playing gears of war, and it woke him up and got him out the door. Anything that does that, in my books, is AWESOME. Even my Dad keeps asking my mom when she is going to order some for him. It tastes really yummy and can help you lose weight as well. This drink also boosts your immune system which is great when you work in the healthcare setting, and it is really good for children to drink. Say goodbye to Flinstone Vitamins which actually don't do anything and say hello to tasty NingXia Red for the whole family! Again if you want anything from me you can email me at lindsey.stauffer@hotmail.ca 

Homemade Summer

    So I want summer. I want to go camping and go to the beach...wear flip flops! After our 2 days of 30 degree weather I decided to make something to help me get ready for summer. Again I found a pattern on Pinterest for a summer dress. Well it wasn't really a pattern, just a picture that I made my own pattern for. As summer gets closer I will probably be posting more summery things.

    Anyway, the dress I made is a wrap and perfect for going over bathing suit. I am selling these for 25 $. It is shown above and if I get your measurements I can go pick out a fabric, or we can go together. :) The front of the dress is a criss-cross. I already have orders for this dress. They are super cute and the perfect beach wear.
     I know I have mentioned Thieves oil before but I would like to write about their cleaning products today. In most household you will see cleaning products like bleach, pinesol and Mr. Clean. In my household you will see Thieves cleaning product, Lemon Oil, and Purification oil. All of which you can get for free when placing an order that adds up to 180 PV (members with Youngliving will know what this is).
    With using Pinesol or Mr. Clean, many people would use about 1/2 a cup of of either to mop their floors, sometime changing for new water part way through the house. With the Thieves Cleaning Product you use about 1/4 of a CAPful and this does your WHOLE house. It is very concentrated meaning you only need a little bit to do your whole house. You can also use this to clean bathrooms, kitchens, anywhere. A bottle of this will last you a year if you use the proper amounts. It is very worth it. When using the Lemon and Purification oils you simply put a couple drops of each on a damp cloth for dusting. Not only does this clean the dust and make your house smell fantastic, it keeps the dust away for longer. People who aren't big fans of dusting love this. These are three amazing products that I recommend to everyone!
    This past weekend I went to Fredericton for my Doula training by DONA International. It was an amazing experience. I was really sick and it was the first time I had been away from my husband for more than a day, but I loved every moment of my course. Being a Doula is everything I had searched for in Nursing but had not found. The support I learned to give to women in labour is found no where else. I learned techniques and positions to ease the pain and discomforts of labour for the mother and ways for the husband/partner to be there for the moms as much as possible. I cannot wait to use all that I have learned. Childbirth is an incredible part of life and I am blessed to have learned ways to help parents have the best possible birth experience. I know that every birth is different and we won't always get the outcome we hope for, but I hope to help the parents look back on their birth experience with adoration and the knowledge that they did this, they brought this amazing tiny human into the world. This is the greatest accomplishment one can achieve. Someday I hope to get the chance to give birth and when/if I do, I will have a Doula.

Homemade Baby

    Finally! A moment's peace! With my husband's fight  (Pro Boxing he doesn't just fight people randomly) and starting a new job I have been quite busy in the past couple of weeks! I did get the chance to make something though! I have been pinning things on pinterest like crazy and I just keep finding the cutest baby things! I found a pattern for baby slippers and I just had to make them! They are adorable! I made them for a newborn but I can make them in any size really. I am selling the newborn size for 12$. They are so cute... They don't help with the whole "everyone thinking I'm pregnant" thing, but I couldn't help it. They are just so cute! I wish I had made them for my niece when she was first born!
    It is my goal in the next couple of months to make a bunch of baby items to have on hand for when people want them and maybe even have some to make a basket up of different items for people who don't like picking out presents for baby showers. It can be so annoying going to buy something for a baby shower because you have no idea what other people have bought already, so I thought it would be nice to give people gifts that no one else will have! :) I know I would rather get something homemade than something millions of other people have. I like supporting local businesses and I hope that it will become more popular and perhaps people will support me :P

    This is my hair when I first got it coloured darker in December (Above). I'm the second girl from the right. It was dark.. darker than I ever wanted it! I wanted a change but wooo weeee! That was not what I was expecting! Look at all my pretty friends! Cutie pies they are!

    I said before that I would post updated pictures on how I was lightening my hair naturally. So far I have done the cinnamon and honey in my hair over night twice. Next time I want to try the chammomile tea version, but the above pictures are the results so far! Quite a difference from the Selma Blair I had goin' on! I will keep trying different remedies and post more pictures. It's a slow process but totally worth it! I am also trying to stop using shampoo and conditioner! For shampoo I mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water this will last for quite a few washes! And you use it as you would shampoo (wet hair, lather, rinse). Instead of conditioner I use about one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water. I only use this on the ends of my hair not the roots as my hair is oily. Now all hair will go through a bit of a transition period but this is a great natural way to clean hair when the transition is done (different for all hair types but usually a couple weeks). Plus, this is a lot cheaper than buying shampoo and conditioner! :)
    For my oil this week I decided to write about the "Stress Away" Roll-on from Young Living. I chose this because the next month or so is crunch time for a lot of University Students and this is a great way to help ease the stress of final assignments and exams. I'm sorry it won't make them disappear but it will help you deal with them better! This oil "relieves daily stress, encourages relaxation, and reduces nervous tension." -- Young Living.
    I wish I had this oil when I was doing exams! But even if you aren't in University this is just a great oil to have on hand if you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed (I've been told I need it :P)! Now that I have this entry out of the way I have a much deserved "Dance-to-Van-Halen-In-My-Kitchen-Date" to get to. You should all try it. It's another great way to relieve stress!
 

"If only there was one in adult form"

    I have a few different things to share today. First off, the Young Living Introductory Conference was awesome!! I learned so much! Just hearing everyone's testimonials of how certain products worked for them was incredibly inspiring. One woman literally cried because she was using a product that made the painful nodules on her fingers from Osteoarthritis go away in just a few short weeks. She cried, "Praise the Lord," as he held up her hands, "I have more mobility in my fingers now than I have in ten years." I am beginning to see more and more how much these products can help people, if they just take a step of faith and try the products. I have had many people stick up their noses at the thought of using this "Snake Oil." Well I would like these people to know that these are 100% true grade oils and there are people all over the world who have used them and have eased or even cured their ailments. You can judge all you want but you will never know until you try. If you come up to me and and say you think it is a hoax I'm going to shove a product in your hand that I know you will benefit from. I did it with my own father and now he wants to order the Ningxia Red, which is not only full of antioxidants and boosts your energy, it helps you lose weight as well.
    I wanted to write about an oil and I couldn't chose one so I asked my friend Nutsy (real name jesse, he calls me diddy) what to use and he asked if there was one to help stomach problems as he gets what is called a "stomach migraine" where I have actually had the privilege of hearing him vomit about 30 times in one day even when he doesn't have anything left in his stomach. Now, I have learned that to combat nausea you can put a couple of drops of peppermint oil on your belly button, but where his case is more serious I figured he would need something else. I was looking through my product guide and I found Di-Gize. Di-Gize is a blend of oils the helps give you a more healthy digestion and eases stomach ailments. This oil can be diffused, applied topically or taken as a dietary supplement on a regular basis. I will be placing an order at the end of every month for oils so if you know of something you would like or want to try one that I have posted about let me know and I can order it for you! See my other posts for contact info.

    In my first blog post "Homemade Beginnings," I uploaded a picture of a skirt I had made my niece. At her birthday my aunt saw it and said "If only there was one in adult form.." So I made one (shown above). I wear this skirt with tights and a tank top but my husband mentioned that it would look good with a bathing suit. Perfect beachwear. It is really cute and I can make it longer for those who aren't comfortable in short skirts. 

For those of you who know me well, you will be aware that I LOVE buttons. I decorated half my wedding with them, I somehow incorporated it into my "homemade/country/sunflower" theme. This is a pair of earrings I made and adore. I am hoping to make some bracelets and possibly necklaces using buttons. 

Last week I said I was going to post about a natural way to lighten your hair. In November I died my blonde hair a very dark brown. I am now tired of it and miss my blonde, however, I do not have the money to get it coloured back. I was searching through google and found a recipe to lighten your hair. It is a slow process but, despite my doubts, actually works. I have done this a couple of times and my hair has changed from a dark brown to a lighter, warmer brown. There are a couple of different recipes but the one I used was mixing 3 tablespoons of cinnamon with about half a cup of honey and half a cup of conditioner. First wash your hair normally with shampoo and conditioner and then, while it is wet, cover all of your hair with this mixture, put your hair up and put a shower cap on. Leave this on for at least four hours (I left it on over night and it works better), then wash it out in the morning. Not only will your hair be lighter but it will smell awesome! I am going to do this once a week and I will post the occasional picture to show how it is working. 

Next week I will have information on another oil and something else I have made (I haven't figured out what yet). My email is lindsey.stauffer@hotmail.ca contact me if you want anything I have posted! :) 

Homemade Health

    This week I didn't make anything because, well, I didn't have time and I wanted to write a full post about Young Living Essential Oils. I chose to start writing about it this week because on Friday at the Holiday Inn on Mountain Road, there is a Young Living Introductory Event. I'm hoping that by reading this post your interest will have been peaked enough that you will want to go! It is FREE and they will be giving away some of their products! This will be a great opportunity to learn about natural remedies, natural cleaning products, natural weight loss and soooo much more! It starts at 7pm!
    I just started with Young Living and I am already hooked. I love learning about all the different oils to help with day to day things. For instance, lemon oil is a great antioxidant, but is also used for cleaning! It would be great for daycares! Peppermint Oil can be used as a couple of drops on the bottom of the feet for babies and children to bring down a fever! I wish I would have known that on the weekend for my niece! Putting a couple of drops in some water and drinking it can help relieve diarrhea or constipation, or licking a drop off your hand (Warning: It's VERY strong!) can clear up sinuses. Lavender is mostly known for its calming remedy but it is also used for relieving seasonal allergies, eczema or psoriasis, a drop rubbed into your palm for sleep, on scratches, burns or cuts, and you can even put a drop on your wet clothes going into the dryer to prevent static and your clothes will smell fantastic! These are just a couple oils I have learned about, but I will be posting an oil a week with some information on it's uses! If you read of anything you want. Email me at lindsey.stauffer@hotmail.ca and I can order it for you or you can meet with me and we can sign you up for your own membership! If you ever just want to meet and learn more about Young Living email me and I will set up a time to talk to you about it, most likely over coffee :P
    Too many people rely on pills to relieve what ails them when there are natural ways to help them. These oils can also be used to make perfume, deodorant, or you can use them for aromatherapy. I am looking forward to learning more about Young Living Essential Oils and sharing what I know!

    Next week I will have a skirt I am making for myself (like the one I made Scarlet) And I will also post the process and outcome of lightening my hair naturally, instead of using harsh chemicals!
  

Happy Birthday Scarlet!

    Three years ago today, my sister gave birth to the most beautiful little girl. I know everyone says this about some child they have or know, but I mean it! She is so beautiful. Best.Niece.Ever. :) She says the funniest things. My sister posted on Facebook today how Scarlet said she is old enough to have a baby now..and not a pretend one.. a real one! She's three years old!  She isn't allowed to date until she is 30. But at least she will be off my case for a while since my sister so kindly told her I have a baby in my belly. Which I don't. But Scarlet LOVES to tell people I do, especially my parents... 
    I can't imagine my life without this energetic little bundle of joy. I can be in the worst mood and Scarlet will say something that will make me burst out laughing. And I love to teach her things! My sister hates country music but when I have Scarlet that is what she asks to listen to..(I may have guided her to it at first) and when you ask her what her favourite music is, she says country! I love it! And I love watching my sister cringe and say "but you listened to the smashing pumpkins in the womb!!!" I also taught her to say "Sup baby" when she first started talking. My most recent lesson is for her to take after me and yell "WORK IT!" when we see someone running. She even does it when she is with her mother on the bus and sees someone running by. She makes me so proud. I plan on teaching her the lyrics to "Chicken Fried" by the Zac Brown Band next..

    The picture I posted above is of the dress and matching headband I made her for her birthday. I know I already made her the Fairy skirt but it wasn't enough. In this outfit she will be my little Hippie Princess. I didn't use a pattern for this one.. so it isn't perfect and there are mistakes in it, but in my mind, mistakes make people know it is handmade with love. I didn't have fabric to line it with and I only had so much of this fabric so my seams and mess are visible on the inside of the dress but it's so cute on the outside! I can't wait to see her in it!

     Watching Scarlet grow is such a gift to me. I love seeing her personality develop more and more with every day. She is incredible. The joy she has amazes me. The love she gives to everyone is unmeasurable. She doesn't hold back. I got in the car one day when picking her up and she said "I'm so happy to see you!" She was two and a half! I wish I could bottle up her laugh in my heart and capture every moment with her in an image to keep in my mind. I thank God for her everyday and the joy she brings my family and I. I love the way my sister smiles proudly when everyone expresses their adoration for her daughter. I love how my parents cart her around to family and friends to show her off.  I love seeing my husbands face light up when she says "Help me catch Peanut-Kitty Uncle Mike!" I love how she lights up the world of everyone she meets. My world wouldn't be the same with out her. I love my sister so much for giving my the most amazing, beautiful, smart, loving, joyful niece in the whole wide world. Don't argue me on how awesome my niece is because I have a million stories to back me up and she is only 3. 
    Alyssa, you are an incredible woman, raising this little wonder. I see you drop everything.. papers, class, exams, anything, if Scarlet is sick and needs you or if you can't find a sitter, you are there for her. That is, sadly, more than many mothers do. You put your school and life on the back burner so you can create a  great life for her. Scarlet loves you so much I see it with every kiss on your cheek and ever tear  she sheds when you have to go. She loves you more than you could ever imagine, and so do I. I can't imagine being in your shoes. I told you I don't express feelings well in person, and that's true. No matter how much we argue or disagree, please know that I love you. Especially for the way you raise Scarlet. Everything you have conquered to give her the best life possible, I can't even begin to describe how proud of you I am. We may be polar opposites but we do share a love for a beautiful little girl. Nothing else matters except that I love you and I love her. I'm sorry I don't express that in person enough. I am so glad you gave me such a cutie-pie to spoil. She is my inspiration. 
     Angela Schwindt says "While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." She may not be my child, but in her three short years of life she has already taught me so much about life. This world needs more children like Scarlet to teach people about love. My love for her grows everyday, I didn't know my heart could hold this much. The love for a child is like no other. Someday I hope to experience a love like that for my own children... I said someday people. Don't listen to Scarlet when she says I have a baby in my belly unless I'm there to back it up. Anyway. I could ramble all night long about how cute my niece is, but I need to get some sleep. Happy birthday Scarlet. I love you.