DIY Beauty: Sweet Orange Hair Mist

Good morning, Burlesquers!

From In Pursuit of My Inner Pin Up (blog)

Last night I went to a “supper party” at a professor’s house, which was really lovely. (I was a little nervous to be talking with a number of professors, but it was fine!) I was able to meet my future boss for one of my summer jobs, and I really liked him. He fit all the stereotypes of a friendly computer geek, in a very endearing way. I also had delicious food there, including Pork Roast with a blueberry chutney, which reminded me of how much I love pork with blueberries (that brandied blueberry sauce I made was delicious with pork!). I’m going to make that again soon.

I also found out yesterday that I’d been TAGGED by Nina! This is a fun virtual game to play! My tag question was, “What is your favorite DIY recipe for hair care?” I actually have multiple answers because DIY hair recipes are so easy! ……But first, full disclosure: I am a curly-haired girl, which means all of my recipes are usually about moisturizing hair and skin (curly-haired folks tend to have dry hair). That’s right! When I developed this blog, I happen to be going through a “Let’s wear our hair straight!” phase, and all of my posted pictures are of me with straight hair. But I actually have fine, curly hair. And yes, I love it, and I wish more women embraced their natural hair. Straight is not more attractive than curly hair! I hate when people say that.

Sorry the lighting is bad, but hello world! I’m a proud curly-haired girl!

Myself and my curly hair in a photobooth! (birthday party fun)

DIY Beauty: Whipped Rose Coconut Body Butter

Get into those PJs, Burlesquers!

I just bought a pair of $2 sleepy time shorts (actually, men’s boxers) at Target, and I love them. They’re cute and comfy. You all will laugh, but I also own a men’s scarf and a men’s shirt that I just love. Who is laying down the gender rules for clothes, anyway? My men’s stuff is cute!

My $2 Sleepy Time Shorts…What a steal! (And mittens? Adorable.)

I was getting myself tucked into bed this rainy night (and actually giving my best friend a pep talk about dating) when I saw this DIY body butter recipe on Pinterest. I’ve never read this blog–The Nourishment of Life–but it looks like a great DIY Beauty/ healthy living site! And this recipe looked so easy and pretty. DIY coconut body butter? Yes, please! I’ve made a more oil-textured coconut moisturizer before, but nothing of a whipped consistency. This also gives me a chance to give my new Tangerine KitchenAid Hand Mixer a whirl… so let’s do this!

Whipped Rose Coconut Body Butter

My finished body butter…Pretty and luxurious, right?

Why not tie it with a pretty pink bow?

I am adapting the recipe a bit and using what I have on hand…

Hip hip hooray! Kreativ Blogger Award Nomination

Another Saturday morning, and another reason I love being a blogger.  As time has passed, I’ve realized the blogging community is not only a collaborative community, but a kind of support network that fosters creativity. Blogging, commenting, and award-giving all support and bolster our creative efforts in art, culture, home-making, DIY living, writing, and more. Maybe we don’t think about our recipe-making or home-making on our blog in that way, but it’s true! We’re all culture-makers, and for me, it’s been so exciting to meet everyone and collaborate.

Speaking of which, the lovely Nina of Tabkhet El Yum nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Yay!

“Dear BB…”: the New Category!

Now that I’ve started this blog, some of my friends know about my little cooking/writing hobby and read my whimsical posts. They’ve even started asking me questions about food prep, baking, and meal suggestions.

from the Gals Rock site

How about, then, I take frequently asked questions from folks and make them a category of their own? “Dear BB…” then is the “Dear Abby..” of this blog (but sassier)! You can ask me questions about cooking, baking, quick and easy tips, DIY home, and even my own skincare/haircare and DIY beauty.

Dear BB...

And not only do I love food and DIY tricks, but I also am fascinated by food science and food history. (I am an academic researcher! Of course I am somewhat of a history buff!) This may also be why I’ve had a long-standing crush on Alton Brown and actually took notes while watching his show Good Eats. You can ask me about food etymology, food science, etc., and I will see what I can find! Whatever you have a burning question about, I may be able to answer it.  Comment on my “Dear BB…” page or email me at burlesquebaker@gmail.com, and I will write back to you via a “Dear BB” post. Hope to chat soon!

PS: My first post will be dedicated to a friend who asked for quick and easy breakfast options. Coming soon!

DIY home: Citrus-infused Sugar

If life gives you lemons, you make lemon-infused sugar, right?

Because I’m on a citrus kick (and this California girl can’t wait for spring), I decided I wanted to include yet another DIY tip to use up the remaining citrus fruit and zest from your Grapefruit-Orange Scrub and Morning Glory Toner. (I swear this is the last one!) How about you take the peels from your grapefruit, orange, and lemon, and make something that looks pretty on your shelf and tastes just as sweet? Something like this…

DIY Beauty: Morning Glory Toner (Green Tea and Mint)

I was reading Tina Haupert’s Carrots ‘N’ Cake blog, and tonite Tina reviewed Amy Gyles McInerney, a Licensed Massachusetts Medical Aesthetician of 18 years who specializes in skin treatments and skincare. Along with getting her skin done, Tina asked Amy some questions about her everyday skin care. Amy recommended not only taking flaxseed, calcium, and Vitamin C supplements for healthy skin, but also suggested making your own Green Tea tonic for your face!

Inconceivable! Why isn’t this as a tonic more popular? I have heard of rose water and lemon, but never green tea. This does make alot of sense, though! Amy reports that green tea is an anti-imflammatory agent and high in anti-oxidants, which makes it the perfect solution for your skin.

After I read this post, I was inspired to do a little more research on homemade tonics, and I made the perfect recipe: Morning Glory Toner. Enjoy! And if you know of any good DIY recipes, please share!

Morning Glory Toner

Ingredients:

1/3 cup chopped fresh mint (or 2 tbsp dried)

3 green tea bags (substitute one chamomile, if you like!)

2 cups of water

1 plastic spray bottle (I found a blue mini spray bottle in the travel section at Target)

1 wedge of lemon (optional)

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, and allow to steep for 2 more minutes. Once cooled, strain liquid into the spray bottle, and keep for one week as your daily toner. This would be especially refreshing for spring and summer!