Author Archives: kkregel

by | May 3, 2010 · 8:20 am

Thai Peanut Sauce, Two Ways

Confession:  I’m a peanut butter addict.  Which is why I looove recipes full of peanut-buttery goodness…especially this slightly spicy and super versatile Thai Peanut Sauce.

Thai Peanut Sauce is lovely as a simple chicken satay dipping sauce but you can easily make it the star of your dish and make your supporting ingredients do double-duty at the same time. Thai Peanut Noodles and Thai Chicken Pizza are two healthy, flavor-packed and weeknight-friendly recipes that center around this tasty sauce.

Thai Peanut SauceThai Peanut Sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1″ piece of ginger, grated
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 C brown sugar
1/4 C soy sauce
1/4 C water
1/4 C lite coconut milk
1/2 lime
2/3+ C chunky peanut butter
2 tsp sriracha

In a small saucepan, combine garlic, ginger and oil.  Cook over medium-low heat until aromas start to release.  Add soy sauce, water, lime juice and coconut milk. Whisk in brown sugar and peanut butter, letting peanut butter melt into sauce. Add sriracha sauce to taste.

If you’re making both dishes in the same week, you may want to double the recipe. Sauce can be saved for 1-2 weeks and reheated to serve.

Thai Peanut Noodles

Thai Peanut Noodles
1 pkg soba noodles (or whole wheat noodles if you can’t find soba noodles)
1 lb chicken or beef, cubed
2 carrots, shredded or julienned
3 green onions, sliced
sm handful of cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp powdered ginger
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp white pepper
Thai Peanut Sauce

Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt well.  Add soba noodles and cook until al dente.  Meanwhile, season meat with ginger, garlic, pepper and soy sauce. Saute until meat is cooked through. Drain noodles. Top noodles with meat and Thai Peanut Sauce. Add green onions, cilantro and carrots and serve.

CPK style Thai Chicken Pizza

Thai Chicken Pizza
whole wheat pizza crust (I like Boboli)
1 pkg chicken tenders
2 carrots, shredded or julienned
2 handfuls sugar snap pea pods
mung bean sprouts
sm handful cilantro, chopped
dry roasted peanuts
Thai Peanut Sauce

Preheat oven to 425. Cover pizza crust in peanut sauce.  Grill or saute chicken tenders and slice into chunks. Shred or julienne carrots and cut pea pods in half.  Top pizza crust with carrots, pea pods, bean sprouts, chicken and peanuts. Bake for 20-23 minutes.  Top with cilantro and serve.

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by | April 27, 2010 · 8:27 am

Mother’s Day Gifts

Last weekend I went to LA to visit my good friend Catherine from The Life Styled just for a little getaway.  We spent the weekend catching up over coffee and strolling in and out of eclectic boutiques and cafes.

The change in scenery provided me with tons of new inspiration, including ideas for this collection of sweet, LA-inspired gifts for Mother’s Day!  Tell mom how much you love her with one of these personal treats to suit her style:

Mother's Day LA Inspiration
1. Perfect for the eco-minded mom on the go: I Am Not A Paper Cup Thermal To-Go Mug.
2. I stalked the web to find this adorable Godinger Beehive Honey Pot that we saw at rustic-chic Tavern cafe.
3. I picked up one of these fun personalized Paperwink Return Address Stamps at Urbanic in Venice.  Mom will love it for all those birthday cards she’s always is so good about sending!
4.  Give mom new inspiration with Shabby Chic Interiors by Rachel Ashwell.
5. Comfy Birks with an upgraded gladiator style keep mom looking haute: Birkenstock Birki-Flor Sparta Sandals
6. Nothing says LA like a chic beach tote.  This Liberty of London for Target Tote keeps it affordable too.
7.  A pretty new serving piece like this Fleur de Lys Teapot inspired by a visit to Pom Pom will be perfect for the Mom’s chats with the ladies.
8. My new obsession: Plump, exotic and low-maintenance succulents.  Just right for a mom with a green thumb.
9. Pamper Mom with a luxe Kiehl’s Creme de la Corps Set.
10. Capture the effortless LA casual style with an open cardi like the JCrew Always Cardigan.
11. Mom can mix her own Pinkberry with a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker (see recipe below!).
12. Help Mom relax with some heavenly Teavana Earl Grey Creme Tea.  She deserves it!

After being initiated into the Pinkberry cult, I remembered seeing this fun copycat recipe in Food Network Magazine a few months ago. If Pinkberry hasn’t hit your streets yet, now you can make your own!

Almost-Famous Frozen Yogurt
from Food Network Magazine
2 C plain whole-milk yogurt
2 C plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 C sugar
3 Tbsp light corn syrup
toppings

Whisk together yogurts, sugar and corn syrup in a bowl until well combined. Pour into ice cream maker. Churn and freeze according to instructions. Serve immediately or freeze for up to 2 hours. Serve with assorted toppings like cheesecake chunks, fresh fruit, chocolate crispies, toasted almonds and honey!

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by | April 22, 2010 · 9:09 am

33 Ways to Go Green Today

Earth Day 2010Happy Earth Day!  We’ve compiled a slew of easy ways to be more eco-conscious this year, along with our favorite tips and products to help you do it. Don’t be overwhelmed by the long list – a lot of the ideas are very doable with a little extra effort.  Bonus: many of these simple switches are budget-friendly too!

Also, don’t forget to check out more tips from our readers in the giveaway comments from Monday’s post and leave your own comment as an entry to win.  We’re thrilled to hear that a lot of you are pretty green already and we’ll be picking one lucky green winner tomorrow.

Ways to Be Eco-Friendly

33 Ways to Go Green Today
1. Switch to reusable bags and stash one in your purse or car. (our faves: Envirosax…find your style here)
2. Make your own baby food.
3. Use biodegradable pet poo bags.
4. Start a compost pile.
5. Join a CSA.
6. Support your local farmer’s market.
7. Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products or make your own!
8. Consider a hybrid car.
9. Walk or bike more .
10. Turn the lights off or switch to energy star bulbs.
11.Start switching to organic produce.  Start by spending just $10 a week on organic.
12. Plant a garden. Don’t have a yard? Try a windowsill herb garden!
13. Switch to chemical-free/organic bath & beauty products (our faves: Alba Sea Plus Renewal Cream, Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub, Method hand soaps)
14. Recycle! Toss a bin in your kitchen or pantry to make it easier.
15. Use fans instead of air conditioning.
16. Know a hunter/fisherman? Live with one? Eat and share sustainably-caught fish or grass-fed, organic meat (bet you never thought about sportsman that way!).
17. Use cloth diapers.
18. Redo that room using low VOC paints.
19. Eat at least 1 meatless meal per week. (try this pizza)
20. Discontinue unnecessary mail such as bills that you pay online or spam.
21. Use rechargeable batteries.
22. Replace paper napkins with a stack of cheap cloth napkins & dishrags. Buy enough for your family for at least a week.
23. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
24. Turn off appliances like TVs & computers when you’re not using them.
25. Plan your meals so you don’t waste food!
26. Create a rain barrel in your yard for watering your garden.
27. Carpool or take public transportation.
28. Switch to energy star rated appliances. (bonus: you’ll get a tax credit!)
29. Donate gently used items to Goodwill, consignment shops or other charitable organizations.
30. Hang your laundry outside to dry.
31. Use a man-powered lawn mower.
32. Fill up your own water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
33. Skip the to-go coffee cup and buy a reusable travel mug. (bonus: most places will give you a discount for using one)

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by | April 20, 2010 · 8:13 am

Compost 101

Yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 23 percent of the U.S. waste stream, according to the EPA. Pretty gross.  However that can be reduced with a little thing called compost!

Compost is decomposed organic matter that creates a nutrient-rich, chemical-free fertilizer and helps prevent plant disease, all while reducing the amount of junk you’re putting into landfills. Plus it’s totally free.

Composting

Getting Started:
Compost needs a good balance of “green” matter (nitrogen) and “brown” matter (carbon), plus the standard oxygen & water. Luckily, none of this is hard to come by!

Pick a dry, shady spot or large compost container for your pile (mine is behind the garage…it’s not exactly pretty stuff).  Toss green matter and brown matter in the pile, watering if it starts getting too dry. Compile food waste from your house and yard waste and continue adding to the pile, trying to keep the brown:green ratio fairly equal. Use a pitchfork to turn and aerate the pile on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, rotating the dry materials into the middle. Once the matter is dark, clumpy and resembling dirt – usually the bottom of the pile first – it’s ready!

What You Can CompostNow that the, er, dirty work is done, you have two options for using it in your garden:
A: Scoop a trowel-full into the hole that you’ve dug for your plant and place plant on top or spread the compost around the base of your established plants. Mix well with surrounding dirt.
B: Create a “compost tea” by putting compost into a strainer bag or cheesecloth and letting it steep in hot water. Transfer to a spray bottle and spray at the base of plants or directly onto non-edible plants.

What You Can Compost:
grass clippings
dead leaves & flowers
eggshells
dryer lint
coffee grounds & filters
paper – especially shredded
paper towels and tissues
cardboard tubes, wood chips & sticks
spoiled fruits & vegetables
wine
stale bread
vacuum dust
spent grain (if you happen to homebrew)

What You Can’t:
animal-based food products like dairy, meat scraps, bones
pet poo
chemically treated yard waste
fatty or oil-based products
invasive or diseased plants

The Best Compost Accessories:
Because you’re not going to carry each piece of lettuce or every lint ball out to your pile, invest in a small kitchen container to stash your waste in. Kitchen compost bins have come a long way in both function (read: odor free!) and style so pick your favorite:
Kitchen Compost Bins

Clockwise from top left:
Exaco Trading Kitchen Collector, Wheeled Trash Can, Garden Compost Bin, Bokashi Indoor Composter, Copper Compost Pail, Norpro Red Ceramic Compost Keeper, Odor Free Compost Pail (my pail at home!)

Composting in an Apartment:
Since I have a yard, it’s easy to compost but it can be done in smaller spaces using an indoor bin, like those above. Do you compost in an urban setting? Tell us about it…I’m curious about what you’ve found works best and what you do with it afterward.

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by | April 19, 2010 · 8:42 am

GIVEAWAY!: Organic, Shaken & Stirred Cocktail Book

Here at HAP, we’re pretty big on finding ways to be sustainable, budget-friendly and fabulous all at once. So with Earth Day coming up on Thursday, we’re dishing up a full week of earth-friendly posts and we’re kicking things off with a great GIVEAWAY!

One lucky reader will win a copy of Organic, Shaken and Stirred by Paul Abercrombie, which is full of delectable cocktail recipes featuring organic ingredients and organic alcohols. To enter, just leave a comment telling us one thing you’re doing this year to be more eco-conscious and we’ll pick a winner this Friday.

Organic, Shaken & Stirred, Organic Cocktail Recipes

Paul also gave us the insider scoop on extending organic from your plate to your glass and a sneak-peek at one of the recipes in his book (which sounds perfect for a summer BBQ!):

1. Give us your one minute bio.
I first became interested in mixology – beyond the teenage tippler’s sloshing rum into a half-empty can of Coke – during a trip to Italy. My then-girlfriend-now-wife Gail and I happened into the beautiful lobby bar of the Grand Hotel in Florence and asked the bartender to suggest a drink. “Negroni”, he said. At the first sip, we were hooked. Pleasingly bitter and sweet and tart all at once, Negroni was a revelation. For months after it was pretty much our house cocktail.

Of course, this was the only grownup drink I knew how to make. I began to seek out recipes new and old, and fresher, better-tasting ingredients for cocktails. Eventually, I connected with West Coast mixologists who were among the first to emphasize organic fruits, vegetables, and even spirits in their cocktails. As soon as I tasted these drinks, I was hooked all over again.

2. How did you get interested in organic cocktails and what inspired you to write a book?
My interest in organic cocktails was in many ways an extension of my interest in organic foods. As organic and farm-fresh foods began to take off some years ago, I noticed a disconnect at restaurants. Here you’d sit, enjoying a delicious meal of fresh, in-season foods, yet in the cocktail glass you’d be served the same pre-fab cocktail mix with Day-Glo cherry colored ingredients. I wondered why people didn’t care as much about what’s in your glass as what’s on your plate. Luckily, I began to run into mixologists such as Scott Beattie and H. Joseph Ehrmann who were already leading the charge to bring the kitchen into the bar. I began reaching out to them (read: pestering them). Soon it was a minor obsession.

3. Organic is a hot health topic but alcohol is not exactly “healthy” per se. Are there any health benefits to buying organic booze? Are they offset by the alcohol?
True…booze, organic or not, is still booze. You’re not going to be healthier if the 11 daiquiris you drank last night were organic. Still, as with food, the advantages of avoiding alcohol made with pesticides, fertilizers or fungicides are manifold. Though spirits are distilled – which, it’s argued, cleans the potentially toxic “junk” out of the mix – experts argue that organically grown grain has a better cell structure and that its natural microorganisms encourage the process of fermentation. Let’s face it: organic growing methods are healthier for growers, more sustainable and just plain taste better. (Oh, and most fans swear that organic cocktails are a recipe for more humane hangovers.)

4. What’s your favorite “ingredient” to use when making cocktails?
I’m really enjoying playing with organic ingredients typically found on plates or soup bowls – like rosemary, ginger and carrots. The sweetness and “carrotness” of an organic carrot is amazing.

5. For the home bar, what are 3 key bar tools and 3 key ingredients one should always have on hand?
Without a doubt, my can’t-live-without bar gizmo is my OXO Good Grips Mini Angle Measuring Cup, which allows you to accurately measure ingredients without having to crank your head sideways to check your measure. Also, a good old-fashioned hand lemon/lime juicer. And ice. Don’t skimp on the ice!

With only three ingredients – an alcohol, sweetener and some form of fresh citrus – you can make any number of sours, a foundational category of cocktail that’s sort of the equivalent of rock songs built on three chords. Simple, but great. For example, a margarita is tequila, agave nectar and lime juice. A daiquiri is rum, simple syrup and lime juice.

Once you get the hang of sours, introduce new ingredients such as elderflower liqueur or muddling in an herb. Don’t be afraid to deviate from recipes. If you like more or less sour or sweet in a drink, that’s the right way to make the drink – for you.

Spiked Blueberry Thyme Lemonade Organic Cocktail

Spiked Blueberry-Thyme Lemonade
8 organic blueberries
4 springs organic lemon thyme
3/4 oz simple syrup*
1 1/4 oz organic vodka (such as Reyka, Square One or Prairie Vodka)
1 oz spring water
1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz freshly squeezed organic lemon juice
1/2 oz yellow Chartreuse

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the blueberries, 3 thyme sprigs and simple syrup until blueberries are mashed.  Add vodka, water, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and Chartreuse.  Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with the remaining thyme sprig.

* To make simple syrup, combine 1 C organic sugar with 8 oz water in a small saucepan and bring to boil.  Reduce heat and stir until sugar is completely dissolved.  Remove from heat and cool.  Syrup can be refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to a month.

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by | April 12, 2010 · 8:15 am

Art in Bloom

Over the weekend I went to the Milwaukee Art Museum for the lovely Art in Bloom opening. At the annual event, local florists are assigned a piece of art to serve as inspiration for creating an arrangement. Assignment pieces ranged from classic nudes to pop art to furniture, which showed that the florists themselves are truly artists too.

Check out some of my favorites below but first…

Decor Idea: Next time you buy flowers for a party consider using a piece of art (or furniture or photography) from your house as inspiration for your arrangement. Positioning the flowers near the piece creates a dramatic and cohesive statement that guests will be sure to notice.
Black Action Fritz Winter

Black Action, Fritz Winter – The winning arrangement had a gothic elegance that was mesmerizing in person. It totally deserved the win.

Betalo Nude, Robert Henri

Betalo Nude, Robert Henri:  The florist took a whimsical approach, deciding that this lovely lady needed a dressing robe.

Eero Saarinen Womb ChairEdge of England Cornelia Parker

Womb Chair, Eero Saarinen: A curvy and playful arrangement befitting of the iconic chair.
Edge of England, Cornelia Parker:  While I thought they could’ve done a lot more with the floral arrangement, this installation is one of my favorite pieces at MAM so I had to include it.

Cyclamen LithographMilwaukee Art Museum Haitian Art

Cyclamen III, Ellsworth Kelly:  Love the modern and simplistic approach
Les Trois Nonchon, Andre Pierre:  Funky, exotic florals feel right at home in the Haitian gallery

Beth Lipman Laid Table

Laid Table, Beth Lipman: If only my tablescapes were this ethereal!  A girl can dream…

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by | April 5, 2010 · 8:17 am

Spring for the Senses

There’s just something about spring. Maybe it’s ditching the heavy winter sweaters or maybe it’s the longer, warmer days (it’s definitely not the allergies!) but whatever the reason I find it impossible to not to have a bit more bounce in my step.  With all the newness in the air I’m doing an homage to spring for your five senses today.  Enjoy!

SEE:
It’s not quite time to garden around here yet but you can get your fix of flowers this weekend at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Art in Bloom event. With amazing floral arrangements tucked among the museum’s galleries and a lecture series with topics ranging from gardening to floral photography, Art in Bloom should give you plenty of new ideas before you plan your plots this year.
Milwaukee Art Museum Art In Bloom

SMELL:
Not in Milwaukee to hit up Art in Bloom? Slatkin & Co’s Fresh Bamboo Candle is like a bouquet in a jar…and not a sickly sweet faux floral smell but that smell that rushes out when you walk into a florist’s shop. If blogs had scratch-n-sniff, ours would smell like this right now. Swoon.
Bath & Body Works Fresh Bamboo Candle

TOUCH:
I’ve been obsessively stalking my flower beds for signs of life, dragging my dog on walks to make mental notes of landscaping and in desperate need of appropriate footwear to do it in. I’ll agree that Crocs aren’t exactly couture but let’s be practical here. When your runway involves garden hoes and dog leashs, these slimmed-down, dirt-is-my-friend Crocs Malindi Flats will look perfect.
Crocs Malindi Flat hot pink

HEAR:
Whether your pulling weeds or throwing open the windows for some spring cleaning new tunes will definitely be in order.  These tracks are on constant rotation for me this spring:
1. “Solitary Gun” Rogue Wave
2. “Don’t Look Back” She & Him
3. “Used to Be” Beach House
4. “Blow Away” A Fine Frenzy
5. “October” Broken Bells
6. “Moth’s Wings” Passion Pit
7. “Dark Halls” Au Revoir Simone
8. “Sea Change” Turin Brakes
9. “Movie Loves a Screen” April Smith and the Great Picture Show
10. “To Be Young” Ryan Adams

TASTE:
An easy goat cheese and spring vegetable salad makes a perfect spring side dish but can easily become an entree by simply adding a protein. I like it with a red-wine marinated flank steak.
Goat Cheese & Spring Vegetable Salad

Goat Cheese & Spring Vegetable Salad
1C orzo or quinoa
1 C green beans
1 C asparagus
1 zucchini & 1 yellow squash
3 scallions
fresh herbs (basil, parsley, mint, chives)
3 oz goat cheese
1/4 C pine nuts
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
coarse ground black pepper
kosher salt
* Options: Peas, mushrooms and kale would all be great substitutes so go with whatever looks good that day. Same with the herbs, although be sure to at least get the basil.

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook orzo or quinoa until al dente. Transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water until cooled. Let sit while you work with the vegetables. Trim ends off the green beans. Chop beans, asparagus, and squash into bite sized pieces and transfer to a hot saute pan, lightly coated in olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes and season with salt, pepper and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Cook vegetable until they are cooked through but still firm. Finely chop scallions and herbs.

Transfer cooled orzo or quinoa to a medium bowl and add vegetables, scallions and herbs. Toss well. Drizzle with 2-3 Tbsp of olive oil and balsamic vinegar until lightly coated. Season with additional salt and pepper. Crumble goat cheese into small pieces and stir in.

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by | March 29, 2010 · 8:02 am

Cashew Carrot Coconut Soup with Curried Tofu

A few weeks ago I picked up a box of Cashew Carrot Ginger soup at Whole Foods. I usually find pre-fab soups to be bland or ridiculously high in sodium and tend to avoid them but this one had amazing flavor. I’ve been on a mission to recreate it ever since and I think I’ve gotten pretty close!

This soup packs big flavors, heavenly aromas and is completely vegetarian. I heartied it up a bit by adding some tofu, an idea I got from Food Network Magazine (which is great, btw), but you could skip it if tofu is not your thing.
Carrot Coconut Soup

Cashew Carrot Coconut Soup
1 1/2 bags frozen carrots, thawed
1/2 C cashews
1/2 onion, diced small
2 C vegetable broth
1 C carrot juice
1 can lite coconut milk
1-2″ piece of fresh ginger, grated
1/2 tsp white pepper
kosher salt

Curried Ginger Tofu
1 pkg extra firm tofu
2 Tbsp curry powder
1 Tbsp ginger powder
1/4 C flour
2-3 Tbsp oil
salt & pepper
sliced scallions

In a food processor, puree carrots, cashews and 1/2 C broth until smooth. In a large pot, saute diced onion in a little bit of olive oil. Grate ginger using a zester or a cheese grater and stir into onions, cooking until onions are soft. Season with salt and white pepper. Add carrot cashew puree to pot and stir in carrot juice, mixing well. Add remaining broth and coconut milk and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Season well with salt to bring out the flavors (it may require more than you think).

Slice tofu into small cubes and pat dry. Mix flour, curry, ginger, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix in tofu cubes with your fingers until cubes are coated. Add oil to a hot saute pan and lightly fry tofu cubes until coating is slightly crisp and golden. Use a tongs to turn cubes and fry evenly. Serve soup with tofu cubes, cashews and sliced scallions.

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by | March 22, 2010 · 8:09 am

How To: Refinish a Dresser

Inheriting furniture from friends or family is a great thing. It fills a space in your apartment or house often for the mere price of transportation. However, the pieces that usually get passed along are the cast-offs – a little banged up, a little out of style or a little awkward.

When my husband and I moved into our house, we inherited such a piece – his old wooden dresser from childhood. Unfortunately I can’t find my “before” pictures so you’ll have to just imagine a varnished and scratched up oak dresser with clunky brass handles. In my boredom last winter I turned said dresser (and a similar wooden bed) into good-as-new-beauties for under $30. Sure you can get creative with colors and pulls but for my first refinished project I stuck to the basics.
How to Refinish Wood Furniture

How to Refinish Wooden Furniture:
What You’ll Need:
a handheld sander or multiple sanding blocks – coarse and fine grain
rubber kitchen gloves (if using sanding blocks)
2-3 drop cloths
small paint tray
paint, preferrable one that is designed for wood
wide sponge paintbrush or roller
small sponge paintbrush
drawer pulls (if applicable)
safety glasses and/or construction mask

Directions:
1. Remove any drawers (if applicable) and unscrew any knobs or handles from your piece.
2. Spread drop clothes in a well-ventilated space and lay out your pieces on the cloths.
3. Sand any old paint or varnish off each piece. Sand until there is no sheen or paint left and the wood appears stripped and smooth. Use paint thinner or stripper to remove stubborn sections if needed. Wear a construction mask and/or safety glasses if you have issues with dust or aren’t sure what kind of chemicals are on the piece.
4. Remove all dust from the piece using a damp rag and let dry.
4. Pour paint into a tray and begin painting each side of your piece using long, THIN layers of strokes. Work slowly until you get the feel of creating a smooth, thin finish. Use wide brushes or rollers for broad sections and a small sponge brush for detail work.
5. Let each coat dry before you apply the next. Continue applying thin coats until the piece is sufficiently covered. If you get any globby sections of paint, use a sanding block to sand it down and repaint.
6. Reattach your new knobs or drawer pulls and voila!
How to Refinish a Dresser

Tips:
1. If you use sanding blocks, put on a pair of rubber kitchen gloves so that you don’t wear off your fingertips. Ouch. Sanding takes a long time and is not very fun – think of it as a cheap stress reliever/arm workout and you may enjoy it more.
2. Resist the urge to just slap on paint. Painting in thin coats is worth the extra time and labor. I’m talking coats you can see through, which may require like 10-15 coats total. This may take awhile and you may only be able to paint a few coats at a time. However, comparing the bed I refinished (done first) and the dresser (second), spending the extra time on thin coats made the dresser look much more professional.
3. Don’t use a bristled paintbrush. Sponges or rollers deliver a more even, less streaky finish.

PS: I recently inherited a fab old chair from my grandparents…watch for my first upholstery project later this summer!

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by | March 19, 2010 · 8:18 am

DIY Beauty with Grace & Ivy

When we were little, my sister and I used to play bath shop, a game which involved taking all of the lotions and nail polishes around the house, blending them into new concoctions and re-selling them to our mom. So naturally my love for homemade beauty products kicked in when I came across Grace & Ivy’s blog and beauty goods. I’m REALLY excited to have Ivy sharing her tips and a DIY recipe with us today.  It’s like playing bath shop…only better!

DIY Beauty Ingredients

DIY Beauty Products with Grace & Ivy
1. Give us your one minute bio.
An artist at heart, I was an interior designer before mommy-hood and got my BFA at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota. Creating things – whether a room, a meal, or a painting – is something I thrive on.

I began the adventure of making my own products in the third year of being a stay-at-home mom. I loved being with my daughter but my brain craved a new challenge. Nap time and the rainy afternoons in Portland gave me the perfect opportunity to explore a new endeavor. When I became interested in creating my own line of skin care products, my husband encouraged me and so began my in-depth research on just how I was going to do that.

2. What made you decide to start your own business and how did you get it going?
I began looking into product ingredients after reading the back of a baby lotion bottle one day. Suspicious of all the ingredients I couldn’t identify, let alone pronounce, I began researching and was horrified by all the petrochemicals and preservatives I was slathering on my daughter…and myself.

Since then I’ve devoured books on crafting skin and body care products, herbal encyclopedias and aromatherapy guides. After a lot of trial and error and very messy kitchen counters, I created a line of skin and body care products that I use every day on myself and my family. Having the opportunity to now sell these products has brought me much joy and inspiration

3. What is your favorite “ingredient” to use when making DIY beauty goods?

I love, love, love to make sugar scrubs and masks. I’m not sure if my reverence for honey began after reading the “Secret Life of Bees” but I really do find it a fascinating and powerful product. It has such amazing healing properties and the fact that it is made by fuzzy little yellow and black bees makes me love it even more. Don’t get me started, I can go on and on about honey…

4. What are 3 beauty products that you couldn’t live without?
Three constant stars in my beauty regimen are my oat and honey cleanser (yes more honey), my oat and herb scrub and my green tea night cream. The cleanser is pure and simple and leaves my skin feeling soft and cleans. The oat scrub, I use once a week, to gently exfoliate and the green tea night cream always soothes my skin, which gets pretty dry by the end of the day.

5. “Going green/organic” is a popular topic with home and beauty products these days. For someone looking to start making the switch to natural products, what would be the first items you would recommend that they swap out?
I would start with the products you use the most on your skin. The ones you leave on, like moisturizers and makeup. These products are readily absorbed into the body, thus seeping toxins in.

As for home cleaning…check out my simple recipes for an all purpose counter/glass cleaner and my favorite dishwashing detergent. They cost pennies to make and reduce toxins in our water and air.

6. HAP blogger Stef is a new mom and you have a little one of your own. What kinds of products work best for babies and their sensitive (and soft!!) skin? Will you be doing a baby line or are your products already baby-safe?
A baby’s skin is highly sensitive and very delicate, so pure, simple products should be used. Avoid mineral oils, petroleum jelly and synthetically scented products.

I recently read that babies in this country are born with more than 200 toxins in their bloodstream, most of which have been passed through the mother via pollution, processed foods, medications, over-eating, cellular waste, and stress. Yikes! Why would we want to add to this?

Grace & Ivy is preparing to launch our Baby line this Spring. It will feature a Lavender & Chamomile baby wash and Baby lotion among other items, which are safe and relaxing for baby. I’m really excited about this line and love using these on myself and my daughter.

7. Some of your combos sound so delicious…do you ever have to restrain from sneaking a taste of your products?
When using such natural ingredients, like honey, brown sugar & cinnamon I have been very tempted to lick the bowl. However, as my husband can attest to…(he tried one of my first sugar scrubs thinking I was baking something)…olive oil, sea salt and sugar don’t taste all that good together…

Grace & Ivy DIY Beauty Products

Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe:
With the warmer months ahead, it’s a great time to start rejuvenating your skin. I like to use a sugar scrub for this very reason. Grapefruit and rosemary essential oils help refine, detox and relieve congestion in the skin, creating a smoother appearance. The sugar is a natural exfoliate and the honey is a great humectant, which helps retain moisture. I use sweet almond oil for this recipe but you could substitute it with jojoba, olive or even avocado oil.

Grapefruit & Rosemary Sugar Scrub
½ cup organic white sugar
¼ cup sweet almond oil
1 TBSP organic honey
12 drops grapefruit essential oil
6 drops rosemary essential oil**
**If pregnant do not add the rosemary essential oil, instead replace with lavender.

Directions:
To the sugar slowly add the oil, mixing to a consistency you like. You may need less or more oil depending on what texture you prefer. I aim for a paste like consistency. Add the honey and mix thoroughly. Lastly add the essential oils and give a final stir.

This will provide enough sugar scrub for 1-2 applications. Store the scrub in an airtight container in your fridge. It should last a week. Stir up before use and use caution – the oil may make your tub/shower slick.

The result: Super smooth, soft and glowing skin!

Homemade Sugar Scrub Face Scrub

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