Made Urban - Opening up a new shop!

  Have you heard of Made Urban?  It is an up and coming new website showcasing handmade products, services and events!  It is free to upload your products to sell.  I found it very user friendly and have just recently opened up a shop!

          www.loveandfarkles.madeurban.com

Here is what Made Urban is all about: (taken from their website)

   " We’re all about livin’ la vida local and Made Urban lets you get as local as you like. We’re an online marketplace for buying and selling locally made goods and so much more! Shop for products made in your province/state, search for local creative service providers or find unique small ma and pa shops located right in your city. We're 100% free! We don't charge any registration, listing or commission fees. But for how long you ask? Forever! We plan to always keep Made Urban free to use and will eventually introduce some optional paid upgrades users may find useful. "


  I'm excited to promote my products through Made Urban and will be closing down my Etsy shop within the next month or so, after I've transferred over my listings. I'm excited that Made Urban is FREE and love how much they help promote businesses through their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages!

Here are a few items that I have already uploaded:

Lace Star Earrings

Peacock Inspired Chandelier Earrings

Lace Oval Filigree Earrings

 Make sure to go check it out!
 





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

Wordless Wednesday - A Wiggly Prawn

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!)

Behind the Scenes at Love and Farkles

This was my view today!  The ocean waves, warm sunshine, sand, and my light box.  I am so blessed to live close to the ocean!

Today was a day of Love and Farkles product photography.  I brought my diy light box out to the beach with me.  The lighting is all natural and perfect for photos here. (I also take lots of pics on my deck with the sunlight) Natural lighting makes your photos look amazing, especially compared to indoor lights, even the 'natural' light bulbs don't work as well, but you can make due with them in a pinch. (I am no professional by any means, always learning and tweaking things!)

I combed the beach looking for the perfect piece of driftwood. The tide was out today which was great for finding treasures! I always seem to leave the beach with a pocket full of beach glass. One day I will turn it into some art!

After finding some driftwood that I was happy with, I prepared the light box with props to set up for my products.  My daughter had come along with me and was the perfect assistant.  She matched up the earrings and passed me each pair carefully.  (Well, about 3 pairs, then she was bored and hunting for animals in tidal pools!)

 It was a beautiful way to spend Earth Day!  Product photos outside, ocean breeze in our hair and warm sun on our skin.  So blessed to live here!

Final Product

 

Recipe - Everything cookies

Who doesn't love fresh, warm, straight out-of-the-oven cookies??  I sure do, but I'm always looking for more healthy versions as then I feel ok sending them to school with my girls.  (Plus I feel less guilty if I eat half the batch myself if they aren't loaded with sugar and white flour!)

Here is one of our favorite recipes! It's loaded with goodness and safe to send to school (no peanuts).

Everything Cookies

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup dried cranberries

3/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds

1/4 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup ground flax

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup soft unsalted butter

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions: 

~Preheat oven to 350.

~Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda in large bowl.  Add oats, coconut, dried cranberries, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, ground flax and chocolate chips.  Stir to combine.

~In a separate bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together.  Add the eggs and vanilla, then beat until fluffy.  Add in the flour mixture, half at a time and stir until combined. 

~Spoon by tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet and press down lightly with a fork.  (Or I've rolled them into balls and pushed down with a fork, just makes the cookies more round then haystack looking)  Either way works great!

~Bake for 10-12 mins or until edges brown. Transfer to a cooling rack.

I store these cookies in a Tupperware container in the fridge to keep them longer (I won't eat them as quick if they aren't on the counter!). Also can be frozen.  Makes 3-4 dozen (depending on the size of your cookie)

Perfect addition to your morning cup of coffee. Or afternoon coffee. Or late night snack!

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**

Beach day with mini me

  It is not very often that I get to spend one on one time with my oldest daughter. But this week is spring break for her so she is home while my youngest is still attending her Montessori pre-school.

We took full advantage of our 4 hours together after we dropped off Kelsie. First we stopped at the local bakery to share a treat. Then we headed to the furthest part of the island to hang out on a beautiful beach. It was so sunny out it almost felt like summer. 

  Growing up I have always lived pretty close to the ocean. It really is my happy place and I'm so grateful that my daughters share that same love. 

  Shayla and I first looked around the sand for the perfect rocks. This beach has such pretty smooth rocks in all sorts of colors. She always likes to make a 'collection' where she lines them up on a log. 

                                             

  We did some wave jumping in our boots too. And combed the beach looking for the perfect stick to draw in the sand with. 

                 

                                                                

  We really are blessed to live here. This island is so amazing. I love how each beach is special in it's own way. 

  All in all, it was a perfect 4 hours with Shayla. Basking in the sun, skipping rocks and collecting shells. We are so lucky to live here!