Tuesday 22 December 2015

d.i.y. gift idea : coconut lime sugar scrub

I don't know about you, but the holidays are in full swing for me, and I am happily listening to Christmas music and doing final preps for the big day.

I came across this cute gift idea online - Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub - from the delightful Idea Room blog - and just had to whip some up for my girlfriends.

Spoiler alert for my girlfriends I haven't seen yet!

I placed the sugar scrub into some used glass jars I had in my cupboard. We keep almost all glass jars that we buy, they can easily be put to good use as vases, storage containers and, now, sugar scrub jars!

The jars just needed a quick 30-minute soak in some soapy
water and I was able to easily scrape the labels right off.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (melted)
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Shredded Coconut
  • 6-8 Drops Lime Essential Oil


I was able to use ingredients all from the Manly Food Co-op, which means that these scrubs are all organic and for the most part packaging-free (the essential oil does not come in bulk).

Instructions

  1. Melt coconut oil in microwave (if necessary)
  2. Mix completely with the sugar - I used my hands to ensure a good mix
  3. Add the shredded coconut and lime essential oil
  4. Mix thoroughly with your hands
  5. Place into glass jars

This recipe makes about 1 Cup of completed scrub, and is super easy to multiply up to make a big batch.

My scrub is not as white as The Idea Room because I used
organic raw sugar - but it works just the same!

Amy from the Idea Room thoughtfully included a downloadable pdf of the Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub name tags on her blog, which I printed out, pasted onto the back of some old cardboard, and tied around the jar with twine.


A delightful, healthy and safe pampering treat made with your own two hands (which by now feel amazingly soft and hydrated thanks to using your own hands to mix the scrub together). Did you come up with any DIY or otherwise 'green' gifts to give your loved ones this year?

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As another year comes to a close, I want to thank you for your continued readership and support. I wish you all the warmest of season's greetings, and I'll see you all again in the New Year.

xo Lisa

Now if only this rain would clear out of Sydney so we can have a blue (sky) Christmas . . .

Friday 18 December 2015

a sustainable holiday season




I was recently asked to contribute to a blog post for the Sydney Environment Institute about some tips for a (stylish!) sustainable Christmas - here's what I wrote:

What's your one fashion suggestion for people this Christmas?
With the silly season upon us, there are countless gatherings with co-workers, friends and loved ones, and it can be tempting to buy something new to wear. But whether it’s a gorgeous dress for that special event, or the Santa hat for the family barbie, before you reach for something new, take a pause. Consider what you already have in your wardrobe, what you may be able to borrow from a friend or pick up at an Op Shop. If you’re heading to a really fabulous event, try one of the designer dress rental shops and add the ‘Wow’ factor for a fraction of the price (and a fraction of the eco-footprint!).

What fashion-related environmental issue should people reflect on this Christmas?
Waste is a huge fashion concern, in Australia we send an average of 30kg of textile waste per person to the landfill every year. The increase of ‘fast fashion’ businesses in our country raise many environmental and labour concerns, and waste is at the top of the list. Many of these fast fashion items are designed to last less than 10 wears and end up in the landfill sooner than well-made fashion pieces. So although that $10 singlet or $20 pair of boardies may be looking like a great, affordable gift idea for that hard-to-buy-for nephew of yours, you may want to reconsider.

What's something (fashionably) sustainable you will be doing this Christmas?
I actually have few ‘fashionable’ activities planned this Christmas! My biggest ambitions are to reconnect with nature by camping, bushwalking, paddle boarding and surfing (well, continuing my surf lessons, anyway), and to spend time with my dear friends and family.

What else would you have added to the list?

You can read the entire blog post on the SEI website to gain tips from other sustainability experts. Or check out my post from a few years ago on DIY Christmas decorations and gifts.


Now, let the silly season continue. I'm sure there are some organic Christmas cookies somewhere around here. . .

Season's Greetings!
xxLisa