I Heart Fridays - PiratesYarrrn

Pender Island, where I live, has so many talented artists.  Everything from writing and painting to pottery and fiber.  I love to try different types of art forms and something I've dabbled in is knitting.  We have 'Knit Night' where once a week a few of us get together to knit and eat sushi! (I'm all about the sushi as I'm still knitting dishcloths and not even close to some of their creations)  One of the awesome knitters is Rowie and her business is called Pirate Yarrrn! (I just love the name!)  Here is a little about Rowie (taken from her Etsy shop):

I am a California girl living on a small island in British Columbia. I am a Professional Baker, and a Massage Therapist. I live with my husband, 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 pigs and some birds.  I have always been a crafty person, and knitting and dying are my newest obsessions.

Living in Canada, even the southern west coast, requires warm wooly things for every day. That means they have to be cute AND functional! Through experience I have come up with a collection of items that I enjoy making and wearing. My yarn is all hand dyed/painted with care, and sometimes I love it so much I have a hard time letting it go! The selection is always changing slightly, especially with the seasons, so check back often!

Farmers market on Pender Island

Her Etsy shop is crammed full of pretty colourful yarn, lots of different types to pick from too!  And every item has an awesome pirate name too! Here are a few of the pretty selections:

Colorway: Electric Jellyfish

Colorway: Davy Jones' Locker

Colorway: Wench

If you knit or crochet, then you'll love Pirate Yarrrn!  And follow along on Instagram too!

**Use coupon code: 15offforfall in her Etsy shop to get 15% off

Expires October 11th, 2015**

www.etsy.com/shop/PiratesYarrrn

I Heart Fridays - Kozy Komforts

  I love supporting other handmade businesses, especially mompreneurs.  And this 'I Heart Friday' business is Kozy Komforts, definitely a favourite of mine!  I connected with the owner, Cristin, online through mutual friends and fell in love with her knitted/crocheted creations.  We also have a shared love of turquoise and coffee!  She makes so many fun and functional products including the facial skrubbies and beautiful cowl pictured below. I also own an awesome custom mug cozy for my coffee in the cold mornings!

  I love these cotton facial skrubbies! Gentle on the skin and perfect for my daughters at bath time, or for me during my nighttime skin care routine!  I asked her to surprise me with the colours and I loved what she picked out!  I've washed them several times and they still look great and have held their shape! The headband she includes with her orders works perfect to keep my hair back while washing my face too.

  Being a huge Hunger Games fan, I had my eye on these 'Katniss' inspired cowls for a long time.  So I finally decided to order one, and well, I absolutely LOVE it!   I was so excited to open this package when it came in the mail.  This cowl is so thick and well made.  It is perfect for the Fall and Winter months when the weather is cooler.  I'm looking forward to the colder weather just to wear this.....almost (I do love my sunshine!)

To find out more about Cristin and her awesome products, check out her Facebook page and Made Urban shop! Links below.
 
Links for Kozy Komfort
Made Urban Shop
Facebook 

**This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here are solely my own 

and I am not paid to promote this business**

I Heart Friday - Essential Oils for Healing Product Review, Skin Care Products

  I had heard about essential oils (as there are many people selling them through large companies like YoungLiving and DoTerra) but I had never used them.  I wanted to talk to someone who was certified and knowledgeable with the oils, not just distributing them.  I'm so glad I was put in touch with Veerpal at Essential Oils for Healing.  She is a Certified Aromatherapist and a member of the British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy.  As well, she also has over 10 years of experience as a Medical Lab Technologist.

  Now I've been a customer with Essential Oils for Healing for over a year now, just using their essential oils.  I first tried the oils on my daughter who, at age 3, was not sleeping through the night.  I used the Peaceful Child and Lullaby blends on her and she was sleeping all night within a few days!  I was hooked!  I've also bought oils for myself, including some custom blends made for me (motion sickness for when we go boating!)  

  As I am slowly changing over all the products in our home to more natural options, I figured it was finally time to trade in my drug store face wash for something better for me.  I decided to give Veerpal's skin care products a try!  I've been using the products for 2 weeks now and here is my review:

 Aloe & Milk Facial Cleanser:  This product has very little scent (which I prefer) and is very silky and smooth. Easy to apply to your face and makes my skin feel very soft once rinsed off. It does not create any bubbles, it is almost like a cream. I love this and my skin has never felt smoother. The price for 120ml is $20.00 which I think is a great deal. This jar will last you quite awhile. It is less then those department store brands, and you know exactly what goes into this. Ingredients are all natural.  I would rather be putting a natural product on my skin! (no more chemicals in this house!)

 

 Lavender Toner:  This toner is easy to use and smells lovely! I just spray onto a cotton ball and apply to my face. I love that the scent is light and not overpowering. It is a perfect way to remove any excess oil off my face and does not feel like it dries out my skin. The price is $15.00 for 60ml.

Veerpal was awesome and sent me a few samples of the facial creams to try out as well!  The Rose Facial Cream smells light and fresh.  It rubs into my skin very easily without a greasy feeling.  My skin feels soft and moisturized all day.  The Under Eye Cream is also great for my skin (as I'm starting to see wrinkles! Eeep!), perfect to add a little extra moisture and brighten the under eye area.


I would highly recommend these facial products.  I know what is in them, all natural with no chemicals and they are a great value for the price.  I will continue to buy and use them.  And if you haven't tried essential oils, I would definitely send Veerpal a message and she can recommend an oil for you. Whether you need a boost in your energy, help with sleeping at night or another issue, she can help find something that can work for you!  

Links to view ingredients and to purchase products:
Lavender toner
Aloe & Milk Facial Cleanser
Rose Facial Cream
Under Eye Cream

Essential Oils for Healing Facebook page (watch for lots of giveaways!)
And on Instagram!

**This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and I am not paid to promote this business**

I Heart Friday! - The Little Red Door

  Every Friday I like to share one or more of my favorite businesses!  This week it's the awesome clay creations from The Little Red Door!

  In 2013, I stumbled upon this Etsy shop and fell in love with the little clay houses! I knew I just had to place an order right away!  I've since added to my growing collection and love each piece I've received!  I even won a cute little 'Mom' house on an Instagram contest!!  These little houses are perfect to add to a small plant, on a book shelf or even your windowsill.  And you have to check out the cute little gnomes too! (I think I need one of those!)

 

  She also has the best slogan: small things, huge awesome!  And I totally agree!  Even her packaging is awesome!  Every little parcel is adorned with funky washi tape, fun stamps or stickers and then inside there is always candy!  Yes, candy!!  And with over 3,000 sales, she must have to buy a lot of it to ship with every order!

 I found her on Instagram and love her posts! She shares a little into her life (check out her hashtag #conversationswithmydaughter, always funny!) and there are always lots of coupon codes to her Etsy shop as well as fun contests.

Here is a little ditty taken from the shop:
  "All ceramic miniatures are made of stoneware clay and fired with non-toxic glazes.   Each miniature is formed individually using no molds or cutters and painstakingly glazed freehand.  Every item in the shop is truly handmade, truly one of a kind."

"The Little Red Door is a one-woman show broadcasting live from her little home studio on the prairie. Little Red is the creator, photographer, manager and shipper of all the Small Things."


Visit her Etsy shop here: The Little Red Door 
Find her on Instagram too!

My first purchase (see daisy flowers for size comparison!)

I Heart Friday! - Product Review for Jack and Audreys Organic Baby and Beauty Products

 How many natural products do you use in your home? Over the past few months I have slowly started to change over the products we use in our home to more natural and safe alternatives. I've found that beauty products have been my hardest challenge. (I just can't give up my make up....yet!)

Our little garden gnome had to get in the picture!

  When I saw Jack and Audreys Organic Baby and Beauty Products post her shampoo bars the other day I just knew I had to try one! I sent the owner, Sasha a message and explained that I have never used one before and told her the type of hair I had. She explained that using a shampoo bar is super easy, just rub in on like a bar of soap. She also gave me a recipe for a great conditioner rinse to use after (chamomile tea, apple cider vinegar and some essential oil). Sasha also sent some of her Natural Sunscreen to try out too!

  I received the shampoo bar in the mail and let me tell you, it smells great! A nice light fresh scent.  I was worried it would have too strong of a smell as some do (I'm not a fan of patchouli oil!)  So I've been using the shampoo bar for about 2.5 weeks now. My hair feels great, although it did go through a 'detox' at first. And it's safe to use on my daughters hair as well. (List of ingredients at the end of the post) One more product changed over in our home! 

  I'm loving this sunscreen! This can be used every day as a cream under your make-up. It goes on nice and light and rubs in great (doesn't leave that white greasy residue) Always a good idea to wear sunscreen on your face every day, even when the sun is behind the clouds! I would definitely recommend this as it is all natural (no chemicals!) List of ingredients at the end of the post :)

  So if you are looking to add some more natural products to your home, I highly recommend Sasha at Jack and Audreys Organic Baby and Beauty Products. She is so passionate about making her products with all natural and safe ingredients. She has answered all my questions about the ingredients used and always has great advice in how to make my choices more 'natural'. Check out her product list as it is huge! Everything from soaps and creams to bug spray and lip balm! (I've used the honey lip balm as well....it is my FAV!)

  I will be placing more orders with Sasha as I love to support small businesses, especially moms working from home! (her two little kids are super cute!....this is where her business name came from!) Just send her a message on her Facebook page to order (she ships from Chilliwack, BC) or visit her at one of many events she will be attending!

What are your favorite natural products?

SHAMPOO BAR INGREDIENTS: organic coconut milk, organic coconut oil,  neem oil, organic cocoa butter, local beeswax, castor oil, organic olive oil, organic tallow, shea butter, mango butter, jojoba oil, french green clay, lemongrass EO, tea tree EO, lye and distilled water

NATURAL SUNSCREEN INGREDIENTS: jojoba oil, organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, local beeswax (Chilliwack), non nano zinc oxide, mango butter, organic shea butter, vit E

**This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and I am not paid to promote these businesses**