4 fun and easy recipes for summer skincare

Everyone knows a superfood smoothie is great for your skin but what about other skincare treatments and exfoliants that can be whipped up in your home kitchen?

Here are 4 fun and easy recipes for summer skincare, exfoliation, and hydration that can help keep skin fresh and dewy all summer long (as well as protect you from that summer sun!) and, best of all, can be quickly made in your blender.

Nina Curtis, a beauty expert with Blendtec, has developed recipes—both edible and topical—that are perfect for healthy skin. Recipes include: Skin “Glow” Smoothie, Organic Oatmeal Cleansing Exfoliator, and Pineapple Papaya Skin Smoother.

All ingredients should be organic as much as possible.

 

1. Skin ‘Glow’ Smoothie

Glowing skin begins from the inside out…Enjoy this smoothie three times a week.

Yield: approximately 4 cups

2 cups young Thai coconut water

1 handful organic spinach

3 stalks (single ribs) celery

1 organic apple, cored and chopped

1 ripe organic pear, cored and chopped

1 ripe organic frozen banana

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Pinch of Pink Himalayan salt, re-mineralizes the body with minerals and trace elements essential to our health and wellbeing.

Add liquid first into the Blendtec Wildside vessel, then combine all remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Place any remaining smoothie in a glass jar and store in the refrigerator up to 24 hours.

2. Organic Oatmeal Cleansing Exfoliator

The Blendtec ‘Twister’ Vessel is ideal for making all kinds of skincare products and it’s just the right size.

Gentle exfoliation is a great to remove built up dead skin cells and simulate circulation which will leave your skin smooth and vibrant.

Using organic steel cut oatmeal, blend ½ cup of the oatmeal in the Blendtec Twister Vessel until it becomes flourlike. Combine equal parts water to create a thick paste or use the guide below to customize the appropriate recipe for your specific skin condition.

Customize: with approximately equal parts to make a thick paste.

Normal Skin~ mix with water or rose, chamomile or peppermint tea infusion

Oily Skin~ mix with goat milk yogurt and a ¼ teaspoon organic lemon juice

Dry Skin~ mix with raw, organic honey

Sensitive Skin~ mix with a ripe banana

Massage this oatmeal paste gently onto your skin, using upward and outward motions. Leave for five to ten minutes, rinse with tepid water, pat gently and apply moisturizer.

 

3. Pineapple Papaya Skin Smoother

(for the face, body and feet)

1 ripe papaya

1 teaspoon papaya seeds

1 cup pineapple

1 tablespoon raw organic honey

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Put all of the ingredients into the Blendtec Twister Vessel and blend until smooth. It takes a powerful blender like Blendtec to pulverize the papaya seeds into powder like particles that gently yet thoroughly exfoliate the skin. This skin smoother contains enzymes and physical particles for maximum exfoliation, to smooth, brighten and even out skin tone. If your skin is easily sensitized or sensitive use the Organic Oatmeal Cleansing Exfoliator.

This is an ideal skin smoother for the face, body and feet.

Apply to dampened facial skin and gently massage all over the face for about 30 seconds, paying special attention to the t-zone area of the face. Leave on the skin for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse. Apply your favorite moisturizer.

For the body, step into your shower and apply all over the body paying special attention to areas where the skin is dryer and or thicker, like the elbows and knees. Vigorously massage the thighs, buttocks and back of the arms to exfoliate thoroughly and stimulate blood circulation. Finish with your favorite body cream.

For the feet, apply onto feet and wrap with saran wrap and cover each foot with a hand towel for 10- 15 minutes. Remove saran wrap, massage feet well and rinse off. Complete with your favorite foot cream.

4. The Hand Smoother

Ever notice how people ask your age and then look at your hands? Well you don’t have to

give it away. During fall and winter our overall skin condition can look and feel drier and our hands tend to suffer the most. Gentle hand exfoliation is great to do on a regular basis to improve skin texture, tone and smoothness. Follow with your favorite hand cream.

Ingredients~

4oz. ground almonds or almond meal

4 tsp almond oil

4tsp lemon juice

1 ½-2 oz organic goat milk yogurt

Put all of the ingredients into the Blendtec Twister Vessel and blend until smooth, to a thick consistency. Use about the size of a walnut and rub over both hands as if you were using soap, for one to two minutes, rinse off and apply hand cream….Voila!

Store remaining product in a glass container, label and keep in the refrigerator up to two weeks. Use daily or two to three times a week depending on skin condition.

 

Guest Post Author: Nina Curtis with Blendtec

 

Thanks for Stopping by,

(Don’t forget to follow on FB & Twitter!)

 

-Jessica

5 Cocktails to Celebrate the First Day of Summer

This Saturday, why not celebrate the first day of summer with some low-calorie cocktails? Easy to make - with minimal ingredients required - these first day of summer cocktails are great for toasting to warm weather, poolside parties and fun summer adventures ahead.

Mango Sunrise

Ingredients:

3 oz.  Mango Lemonade Sparkling ICE

1.5 oz. Tequila

Splash of Grenadine syrup

Lemon slices and mint for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Using a tall Collins glass, pour tequila, then Mango Lemonade Sparkling ICE over ice.  Stir gently to mix.

Top with a splash of Grenadine syrup.

Garnish with lime slices and mint sprigs. 

Summer Lovin'

Ingredients:

4 ounces of VOGA Italia Premium Sparkling

1 ounce of vanilla flavored vodka

A splash of pomegranate juice

Lime for garnish

Directions:

Add vodka and pomegranate juice to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake gently. Strain into a chilled martini glass and top off with VOGA Italia Premium Sparkling. Garnish with a lime. 

 

Teeny Bikini Coffee Martini

Ingredients:

3 oz. RealBeanz Diet Cappuccino

1 oz. vanilla vodka

½ oz sugar syrup

Coffee beans to garnish

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together with cubed ice in a Boston and shake. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with coffee beans.

Beach Breeze

Ingredients:

3 oz. VOGA Italia Sparkling

.75 oz. Strawberry Liqueur

2 oz. Strawberry Puree

0.5 oz Lemon Juice

1.5 Tsp. Sugar

Mint leaves for garnish

Directions:

Combine VOGA Italia Sparkling, strawberry liqueur, strawberry puree, lemon juice and sugar in a glass. Stir and garnish with mint.

Pool Party

Ingredients:

3 oz. Lemonade Sparkling ICE

1 oz. white rum

Mint leaves

Lime

Directions:

Muddle mint leaves with rum.

Strain and pour over ice.

Top with Lemonade Sparkling ICE.

Garnish with a fresh lime and mint leaves. 

 

Have any more drinks that is perfect for summer? Leave them below! Have fun!

 

-Jessica

Educational Insights Design & Drill Socket to Me Review & Giveaway #ToyReview

Design a boat, robot, race car, or rocket with a real, working socket wrench and rugged bolts – then play with your creations! Endless construction fun for preschoolers.


Preschoolers love designing, building, banging, and using their imagination. The Design & Drill Socket to Me Play Set lets them do all the above. I love the fact that every toy that is on the Educational Insights website teaches while they play.


Play isn’t all fun it games, it’s very beneficial for kids and their growing minds. When preschoolers play and design with small pieces it teaches hand-eye coordination as well as problem solving and creativity. Adisyn couldn’t wait to get started after the box came in the mail. She even put them all in a certain tote so she could keep up with all the pieces after she was done.



The set comes with 4 different hands-on pieces which include a boat, a race car, a rocket, and a robot. The socket wrench actually works like normal and makes the clicking sounds as well. They use the socket wrench to attach different colored bolts to the pieces. She had tons of fun “building” her creations. She thought she was miss fix it all after this, lol.

This doesn’t require any batteries at all, so it makes it the perfect take along toy. You can throw this in your beach bag for a day at the beach, or in your kids backpack for long doctor waits.

Win your OWN!
Good Luck!

-Jessica

Sangria Sunday with [Yellow Tail] #SangriaSunday

Thank you to Deutsch Family Spirits for my sample used in this review.  Opinions when given are honest. Never forget to drink responsibility.

Sangria Sunday is about taking time out for yourself. Time to do whatever it is you want to do, even if it may be doing absolutely NOTHING. This time is for you to regroup from the week and relax. A cold bottle of Sangria by Yellow Tail and nothing but you time!

There was no denying my excitement over getting to experience the Sangria Sunday Care package. It came with a bottle of Sangria wine, a cute polka dot tote bag, a bottle of sangria red nail polish, and a little booklet.

I had been meaning to catch up on DIY books and their reviews. I have been super busy and needed a small break. I had been meaning to go through the books at all the amazing ideas and thinking about what to write on their reviews and my favorite projects.

“Sangria is a delicious mix of citrus and red wine. The aroma is perfumed and enticing with orange rind and red berry notes that splashes onto the palette with a soft, sweet-citrus flavor and hints of spirit.”

It felt nice to kick back, relax, and look through such inspiring books. The wine was delicious. Nice, fruity taste but yet not too sweet. It was tasty, refreshing, and went great with an amazingly productive Sangria Sunday.

I’m definitely looking forward to having a spa Sangria Sunday soon, as well. I found an amazing list of do-it-yourself hair and face masks that I think my friends would love. A couple bottles of Yellow Tail Sangria, and it’s a girls night in!

75+ beauty recipes

What will you do with your Sangria Sunday?

Post below with your twitter handle and we’ll tweet your comment along with #SangriaSunday and @YellowTail_Usa

or like and tag Yellowtail on Facebook with #SangriaSunday ideas and/or pictures!

 

-Jessica

Aqua Spa Bath & Body Collection Review #AquaSpa

Experience the spa at home and indulge your stressed out skin with benefit-rich minerals found in pure ocean waters. The Aqua Spa products give you the beauty boost that your skin is needing about now. Escape to the spa without leaving home! Give yourself a little me time and relax!

I love the fact that they are made in America and are chemical free. You won’t find any parabens or formaldehyde in these. The natural ingredients overpower the man-made ingredients, which is AMAZING!

Aqua Spa products are spa quality and have aromatherapy benefits. There is 4 different bath/body products and 3 different scents. Aqua Spa send me a variety of the scents. I love the top quality of the products yet they keep them affordable. You aren’t going to see huge prices stuck to these products… each is only $10-$15

• Formulated to help stimulate cell renewal, enhance skin elasticity, strengthen skin, boost collagen, and keep skin hydrated

• No parabens or formaldehyde donors

• Not tested on animals

• Proudly made in the USA

 

The Soothe Bath Soak

Tired, achy muscles? This bath soak is made with Eucalyptus and Mint to make those tired muscles feel better. This Soothe bath soak is perfect when you’ve had a long day and your body has had enough. Those days you just want to slip into something more comfortable and kick back.

It is a gently foaming, replenishing soak that brings those tired muscles back to normal. This bath soak is nothing short of absolutely amazing. I had been doing cartwheels outside with the kids and pulled my leg muscle (uhhh.. next time I’ll remember I’m not so limber anymore haha). I had a huge bruise and could barely lift my leg.

This was the perfect opportunity to use this. The bath salts look like tinted Epsom salt yet bubble and foam when you add it to bath water. I thought that was pretty amazing. I wasn’t expecting that. It not only felt great to sit there and soak but the mint/eucalyptus blend melts the senses! It is so invigorating yet relaxing. love it!

• Formulated to help stimulate cell renewal, enhance skin elasticity, strengthen skin, boost collagen, and keep skin hydrated

 

The Energize Body Cleanser

Envelope your skin with an ultra nourishing body wash that washes away impurities without stripping or over drying your skin. Start your day with the amazing Energize Body Cleanser that will sharpen your senses and your skin!

The Body Cleanser is a clear, liquid soap with a sweet yet bold scent of ginger & citrus. This is the perfect mixture to get your senses awake and moving because it’s light and fresh! This is blended very well. It doesn’t have an overpowering citrus scent (which always make me think of furniture polish). You can sense the ginger over the citrus which makes the perfectly sweet yet invigorating scent it has!

It doesn’t generate a giant amount of foam like you’d get from a body wash. It isn’t creamy but it is just silky enough to spread very easily onto the skin, It has a pump action top which is always appreciated with bath products! I love how each color represents the scent. The orange bottle makes you think energy and awake, doesn’t it?

Although there isn’t as many bubbles, this still leaves my skin squeaky clean yet soft. I love that isn’t so much a soap as it is a gel. Soaps leave your skin dried out, but this body cleanser adds nourishment back into your skin! I love how hydrated my skin feels

 

The Relax Bath Oil

Pamper your skin with the intensely hydrating Relax bath oil. It helps to replenish moisture to your skin that has been lost.

The aroma of the Lavender and chamomile has such a calming, relaxing, soothing scent. I absolutely love it! I have always loved these two scents mixed and try to get it as often as possible. I love the fact that they offer an entire collection of each scent! Would make a perfect gift basket!

The oil is a beautiful pale purple color that lightly tints the water as it gently foams. It has a sweet floral scent with an added undertone of light pine or something. It smells amazing! After soaking in the bath with the bath oil added my skin felt so smooth, silky, and hydrated.

The scent lingers throughout the bathroom after I get out, and I notice it still on my skin a while later. I love it. This is perfect for weekend soaks or having a hard “mom” day when you just need a second to yourself while the kids are sleeping.

I love the fact that my skin feels hydrated but it doesn’t feel oily afterward. It doesn’t feel baby oil or anything like that. It’s more of a lightly coating oil that doesn’t clog pores, which I love. Using this is like having my own personal getaway in the bathroom!

You can add this to your skin after the bath as well, as a skin oil.

 

The Relax Body Crème

Spoil yourself with the lavishly rich and creamy Relax Body Crème. Thicker than a lotion yet not as rich as a body butter, this is the perfect consistency for dry skin! This is the perfect way to top off a long day. The soothing, calming scent of the lavender and chamomile is just perfect before bed.

Although this is thicker than a lotion, it absorbs like one. It absorbs very quickly without any oily residue left on my skin or hands! This is definitely on my top of favorite moisturizers. My skin can get on the dry side when I go to the tanning bed and this definitely helps! I love it!

Connect with Aqua Spa Online:

Facebook, G+,Twitter, and Instagram 

 

XOXO

Jessica

Beauty Review: Marc Anthony Repairing Macadamia Oil Hair Care

You all know that I am a huge fan of Marc Anthony Hair Care products. He merges nature with hair care and comes out with pure genius sulfate-free products. They smell amazing and work AMAZING. If you haven’t you should definitely check out the reviews for the Argan Oil Hair Care Line and the Argan Oil Styling Collection.

They have a new line they recently added that contains macadamia oil. Macadamia Oil is known to nourish and revitalize hair that has become dull and damaged. That’s why I was excited to see that they had a complete Macadamia Oil Hair Care line that comes with Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep Healing Treatment, and Weekly Conditioning Treatment.

I also love the fact that Marc Anthony always does Sulfate-Free hair care. Sulfates within shampoos and hair care basically strips the hair of its natural oils and causes lasting damage. That’s why I try and avoid it at all costs.

The Shampoo and Conditioner


The Shampoo and Conditioner both have a warm tropical scent. It is very intoxicating and refreshing. Makes me think I’m soaking up the sun on the sand by the beach.. ahh.. It has a vanilla/nutty fragrance that kind of reminds me of tanning oil in a way.. I love it.

The shampoo has a decent lather, which is a good thing. Most sulfate-free shampoos don’t lather very well, so that was a welcome surprise. It does clean very well and I have a naturally oily scalp. My hair was clean, soft, and didn’t feel weighed down.

The conditioner is fantastic. It has the same tropical/nutty/vanilla scent as the shampoo, which I like very much. My hair felt very moisturized and nourished after I used it. Although my scalp is oily the rest of my hair can get dry at times and I could immediately tell the Macadamia oil was giving my hair the nourishment it had been missing.

The conditioner soaks right into my hair, and very little is needed. I leave it on for about 3-4 minutes for extra benefits. I love that there is no left over residue or oily film on my hair. It looks healthy and shiny and I owe it all to Marc Anthony Hair Care products!

The Deep Healing Conditioning Treatment

This has the same delicious scent as the shampoo and conditioner. This is an amazing hair and scalp treatment that is used weekly. The natural ingredients naturally repair and revitalize dry, damaged hair. It is almost like the consistency with a thicker, richer consistency.

I love how well and how quickly this soaks into my hair, and only about a quarter amount is needed to coat my entire hair. One packet is $4.90 but you can definitely get more than just one use of the packet. If your hair is short you could possibly get 3-4 uses.

I would highly recommend this to someone who styles their hair with heat, dyes it, or perms it. If you use a deep conditioner on a weekly basis the damage isn’t so apparent. There aren’t any splitting or breaking hairs. Nothing but soft, manageable, beautiful hair.

The Oil Treatment

I am in LOVE with the hair treatment. This is a very versatile hair oil. You can put this on damp hair before you dry it, or after you’ve already straightened your hair. I love how lightweight it is. It doesn’t make my hair look or feel oily yet it takes away ALL the frizz instantly.

It not only COATS the dry, damaged hair to make it look flowing and healthy but it goes deep down into the hair shaft to actually TREAT the damage. It smells amazing and is perfect for on the go. Since summer is here, this would be perfect to put in your beach bag for a day out!

“We love to find the little hidden gems that Mother Nature provides for our health and well-being. No matter what, we always have clients whose hair needs some serious TLC and for this we look to nature’s Macadamia Oil and Bamboo. Our favorite part of this blend is that it is both lightweight and rich at the same time, which makes it perfect for just about every one of our clients.”

– Marc Anthony Stylist Team
Connect with Marc Anthony Hair Professional Online
Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter


-XoXo


Jessica

Giveaway: Panasonic Stainless Steel and Glass Coffee Maker

Welcome to the Panasonic Coffee Maker Giveaway! Jenns Blah Blah Blog and all her favorite bloggers have come together to bring you a chance to winning this SUPER AWESOME coffee maker by Panasonic.  Before we get started I wanted to say thank you to Panasonic for making this giveaway possible.  Panasonic not only offers a coffee maker in this sleek stainless steel and glass design they have an entire breakfast collection.  Panasonic’s Breakfast Collection features a sleek stainless steel and glass Coffee Maker, Toaster and Kettle. Coffee Maker with High Quality Stainless steel and Glass Finish The new Panasonic coffee makers strong cubic shape fuses well engineered design principles with modern function. It boasts high quality Stainless Steel and Glass finish; intelligent design which complements all kitchen styles.  Features include an Aroma Selector for coffee lovers everywhere. The elegant Stainless Steel Keep Warm carafe keeps coffee fresh for longer. The new Panasonic coffee maker has an 8 cup capacity, paperless filter and blue LED Indicators. Its eco credentials mean it is also quick and efficient. The violet color marries high gloss finishes with robust stainless steel flair, marking a new trend and return to quality filter coffee. Giveaway One lucky person will win the Stainless Steel and Glass Coffee Maker from Panasonic valued at $119.95.  This giveaway is open to US only, must be 18 or older to enter, and use the giveaway widget below.  This giveaway will end on 6/8/2014 at 11:59pm EST! Good Luck.

Entry-Form

JennsBlahBlahBlog.com was compensated either by free product or payment. I have not been compensated for this post. All opinions and experiences are my own. Open to the US, must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of the giveaway. Sponsor will be responsible for prize fulfillment. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions, or to have your product featured on Jenns Blah Blah Blog you can Email Jenn at Jenn@JennsBlahBlahBlog.com

 

-Jessica

DIY Dye: Bright and Funky Temporary Hair Coloring by Loren Lankford ;Ulysses Press

Want an accent streak of fire-engine red? How about forest-green tips? Or maybe you’re daring enough to transform your locks into a rainbow of bright colors? It’s all up to you!
With DIY Dye and some imagination, you can easily personalize your hair with any color and style imaginable. This comprehensive guide offers step-by-step instructions on every aspect of at-home hair coloring including:

• Picking the right dye
• Concocting original hues
• Adding highlights
• Getting an ombre in any color

Whether you’re looking to add color for a day, week, month or longer, DIY Dye shows you how to fashion the look you want using affordable options like coloring kits, chalks, henna, food coloring and even Kool-Aid packets.

Punky colored hair isn’t just for anarchists anymore. These new looks are being rocked by everyone from top models on the runway to regular women on the job. Now, DIY Dye brings together all the latest and greatest ways to create an iridescent ’do into one helpful and handy do-it-at-home guide.

There are countless products for freaking out one’s locks, but woefully little information on how to use them. This comprehensive manual lays out all the options for what to use, explains how to use them most effectively, and describes what different types of hair will do in reaction. Readers will learn all the ways to go from basic blonde to baby blue and to control how long their looks will last. Seeking out a one-night stand? Try the simple, nontoxic recipe for homemade hair chalk. Want a summer fling? It’s amazing what Kool-Aid can do.

 

My Review

 

DIY Dye - Bright and Funky Temporary Hair Coloring You Do at Home ($14.95 USD)  by Loren Lankford. (Also available at Amazon here in Kindle edition and hardcover)

I’ve always loved experimenting with my hair color. The first time I dyed my hair I was like 12. Of course, I messed it up but still. I always loved mixing it up and I’ve probably had every hair color on the planet. When I got this book in the mail, I knew I was going to love it, I just didn’t know how much.

It’s jam-packed with interesting ideas and techniques. If you’ve ever messed your own hair up, you know how great it is to have a few tips on hand. This book is like a hair dye bible. There’s no way that you could say you don’t want this book after you’ve flipped through it. Pure awesomeness.

She really explains in detail how to keep your hair healthy and nourished while dying it. Using bleach is something that definitely needs to be done with care. Bleach and lightening products can really wreck havoc on your hair. Keeping it healthy is a priority to me. I like change but I don’t like damage.

I really love the natural options for color and highlights instead of using dyes that are packed with chemicals. Whether you’re looking for something temporary or something permanent, there is something for everyone.

I also love the little tips and tricks boxes throughout the book. Each one contains useful advice or information that makes me seriously wish I’d had this book when I was younger. I could’ve saved myself a ton of hair tragedies.. lol.

The book is broken down into 3 categories:

The first Get Ready contains everything from materials to color wheel-basics. This is particularly useful for those who are trying to get a specific color of hair for your hair type. It’s common sense that it’ll take more challenges (like bleaching) for a darker hair color to accept bright pigments. I love how well she explains it though. Great for beginners and experts alike.

The second is The Dyes which contains the recipes and techniques for dying your hair. It covers bleaching, hair chalk, kool-aid, colored-hairspray, henna, food coloring and store bought. I love how well she explains each method and how each has a set of pictures that make following along almost dummy proof. She did an amazing job!

Of course there are boxed dyes, but do you know the tricks to choosing which shade? This book covers how to make sure you don’t choose something that will end up grey or orange. Plus the recipes for each technique show you how to choose your own custom colors.

The third is the DIY Style which covers the different styles in dying. Whether you’re looking to just color the tips, go two-toned, ombre, or even rainbow—she explains (with pictures) how to accomplish it.

“With step-by-step instructions for every style from two-tone to ombre to a full head of highlighter-hued hair, this complete guide to the wonderful world of home hair dye leaves no follicle untouched.”

Question: Have You Ever caused yourself a complete hair disaster and what was it? You can post comments below or tag me in any instagram pics @stylishsouthernmom or twitter @aidanadisynsmom.

About the Author

Loren Lankford is a Georgia native, NYU film graduate and current L.A. dweller. When she isn't rescuing dogs from high kill shelters, thrifting items for her online  Etsy shop, Southern Dropout, or editing her crafting website, CraftFoxes, she's doing actual freelance work!

\An early graduate of publishing giants Hearst (CosmoGIRL! and Cosmopolitan), Time Inc. (Entertainment Weekly) and Condé Nast (Jane), Lankford has also written, produced and edited for AOL's Lemondrop.com, NBC's iVillage, Paste Magazine, MTV and several others. She helped launch Fab and Bookish, did all the research for a best-selling memoir and spent time as a community operations admin at Etsy. "Time off" means traveling all over the world for sporting events and film festivals.

Get the book.

DIY Dye: Bright and Funky Temporary Hair Coloring You Do at Home $12.97

-Jessica