Feb 25th, 2010 by Heather McCoy
Calling all creative minds! I would really like a new tag line for Natural Grace. I have been using ‘Essentials for Healthy Skin’ since day one but I’ve never been really really 100% thrilled with it. I like it but it is a little vague for me.
So I am asking for help on this one because I keep racking my brain day and night and I come up with a slew of ideas but nothing that I can settle on. Join the fun!
I would like my tagline to be clever of course but also something that would encompass all or most of the qualities that my products possess which include the following:
- Fine Quality/Gourmet
- Safe/non-toxic
- Earth Friendly
- Essential, Effective, Useful
- Artistic, Unique, Distinctive
- Beautiful
So there you go! Brainstorm away and fire ‘em at me! I welcome all ideas.. I am holding this open for approximately 2 months or so.
If I pick a new tag line from any of the suggestions I receive I will send the winner a $25 gift certificate to Natural Grace.
You may either submit your ideas here under comments or email them to me at naturalgrace@twcny.rr.com.
Thanks so much!
Tags: brainstorming contest, new tag line, slogan contest, tag line contest, win gift certificate
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Feb 22nd, 2010 by Heather McCoy
You’ve most likely heard of Cocoa Butter.. it is one of my old favorites and probably one of the most widely used and favorite butters in the industry. I like to use 100% Natural Cocoa Butter because it has a sweet chocolate scent.
The other reason I love Cocoa Butter is because it is heavenly on the skin. It is used to heal, moisturize, protect and prevent. It has been seen in many forms from creams to lotions to bars to sticks. It is one of the most widely used and versatile natural ingredients available on the market. Tried and true this butter is a staple in my ingredient line up.
If you want to get back to basics and use something that really works… try a nice Cocoa Butter Lotion made with simple yet very effective ingredients. Today I made a batch of my basic cocoa butter lotion because believe or not I ran out and my skin is screaming for moisture!
Tags: basic lotion, cocoa butter, cocoa butter lotion, Natural Lotion
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Feb 18th, 2010 by Heather McCoy
Today I was inspired by Vanilla… I’ve always wanted to work with it but I just couldn’t figure out exactly what I wanted to use it in. So today I set out to conquer the bean… I love the smell of pure Vanilla.. there is nothing quite like it. Its Intoxicating and comforting all at the same time. Vanilla has been used throughout history as an aphrodisiac, in perfumes and has been one of the most sought after fragrances. But artificial fragrances don’t really give the same effect as true vanilla so its gotta be the good stuff. Anyway the Vanilla Plant is actually a climbing Vine native to Central America. They pick the pod (fruit) out of the flower, cure and then let it dry until it turns into the delicious flavorful bean.
On the skin Vanilla is very beneficial as it is considered a powerful Anti Oxidant. But lets not leave out the other benefits as well. It is an Anti Carcinogenic, Fever Reducer, Antidepressant and Relaxing.
So I bought some very high quality Vanilla Essential Oil to use in one of my future products. This product is still in the testing phase but I will give you a little hint… it is used on a certain dessert.. basically YUMM is the best way to put it. So stay tuned for some great new products using this wonderful Oil. Here is a sneak peak!
Tags: vanilla bean, vanilla lotion, vanilla skin care
Posted in Aromatherapy | No Comments »
Feb 16th, 2010 by Heather McCoy
Okay so I had this light bulb moment the other day… Finally I figured out what to do with all of those leftover baby food containers! My daughter loves fruit and she goes through a ton of Gerber Apples-n-Blueberry, Pears, Peaches and well… just about all of them. All this time I clean them out and toss them into the recycle bin wondering.. what could I use these for? I even saved a bunch of them for awhile for her to play with as blocks.. but they eventually (after being distributed throughout the house) made there way to the big blue bin.
Ever since I have been making massage and lotion bars.. I wished I had something to store them in once they are opened. Out of convenience I always used a plastic baggie.. but its not that attractive in the bathroom… so I thought it would be nice to have them in a tin or something.. but the tins are all too small really. So one day I felt crafty and wallah! Here is what I came up with.. Now I really like making them.. and I will probably end up with more than necessary but they can serve multiple purposes.. Don’t you think? A cute and green solution..
Tags: decorated plastic jars, lotion bars, massage bars, recycled baby food containers
Posted in Home Green Home | No Comments »
Feb 6th, 2010 by Heather McCoy
Whether you believe it to be truth or folk lore, Basil is known as the Herb of Love. Basil is most often found in culinary creations such as pesto. But in ancient times it was much more than that.
For the Haitian culture Basil was known as Goddess of Love and used as an aphrodisiac.
In Romania a woman may offer a leaf of basil as a way to let her love interest know her feelings. If accepted the couple would then become man and wife.
In Italy if a woman placed a pot of basil on her window sill, she was letting everyone know she indeed was looking for a gentleman friend.
In the Hindu tradition, Basil is also associated with Love and is sacred to the Goddess Tulasi. The legend has it that the Goddess was duped (by the God Vishnu) into making love to a man that was not her husband and because of her guilt and shame she took her own life. When Vishnu learned what she had done he made basil grow from her ashes as a symbol of faithfulness to other women.
Also in India, placing a leaf of basil on top of funeral pyre of a loved one was supposed to ensure your way into heaven.
So next time you are wondering why basil makes you feel so warm and fuzzy… look to the history of this beautiful and tasty herb. Bon Appetit! (spoken with “Julia Child” exuberance)
Tags: ancient herbs, basil, goddess of love, herbs of love, herbs of passion
Posted in Herbalogy | No Comments »
Jan 30th, 2010 by Heather McCoy
Here is a simple yet very effective recipe to whip your nails into shape. This blend nourishes the nails to help strengthen and prevent brittleness, dryness, peeling and cracking. Great for those whose hands are exposed to the elements, dirt or chemicals.
You will need a good quality Lavender Essential Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Almond base oil and jojoba base oil and a small dark glass bottle with a dropper. (Glass is best when working with essential oils)
20 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
10 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon Almond Base oil
1 Tablespoon Jojoba Base Oil
First add the essential oils into your container drop by drop. Then add the base oils. Close the top of the container and shake it up a bit to blend. Allow the mixture to sit for 24 hours so that all of the oils synergize nicely. Make sure the temperature in the room is between 60-80 degrees. Use the mixture within 6 months if stored properly. It’s best not to expose the mixture to high heat or moisture which can shorten the shelf life.
To use: Apply to nails nightly. Follow with a nice hand repair creme to wake up to soft, silky hands and nails.
Tags: nail oil, nail repair oil, natural nails, pretty nails
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Jan 28th, 2010 by Heather McCoy
First off let me be the first to tell you that I am a huge fan of all things lotion or creme.. I cannot really explain but my skin craves it and it just makes me feel better. Nothing better than slathering on some nice, healthy Cocoa butter, Shea butter or just about any kind of butter creme. Oh yah.
Lately I’ve discovered (sometimes I am thick headed) that I don’t have to be limited to using just lotion to get that special skin softening ahhhh feel. I have found it also comes in other forms of moisture including body oils and bars. Lotion or massage bars for example are fabulous gems that deliver the goods in a big way and I also found they are super easy to apply, soak in nicely and leave my skin feeling amazing.
Body oils are often times thought of as some sort of beauty aid or something that makes the skin feel oily. BUT man are they wrong. Bad pore clogging oils are the ones that contain mineral oil or animal fats. A high quality natural body oil won’t clog pores and is not greasy. Instead it will soak in to the skin and provide super duper moisture. High quality oils are effective because they bind moisture to the skin and strengthen skin cell membranes. I highly recommend trying them! You won’t be disappointed and you’ll feel great.
Tags: body oils, lotion bars, massage bars, natural body lotions
Posted in Organic Skin Care | No Comments »
Jan 27th, 2010 by Heather McCoy
These days if your smart you will stay away from buying chocolate for your sweetheart. Yes it may be all dressed up in a pretty package but is that what she really wants? Take it from me.. NO! Us gals want the goods.. and Natural Skin Care Products are the way to go.. Ok Ok.. forgive the obvious plug.. but even if I didn’t make natural skin care products you can betcha I would be recommending them. Here is what I made for this year….
Tags: natural gifts, spa gift, valentines day skin care
Posted in Organic Skin Care | No Comments »
Jan 21st, 2010 by Heather McCoy
Yep.. because I love furry little critters so much I felt that we should apply to be included in this great program. The Leaping Bunny Program ensures that companies are committed to not only supplying cruelty free products but also that they only purchase their ingredients and supplies from cruelty free suppliers! Sweet huh?
I have also gone and made the switch from using Beeswax to using Candelilla Wax as it is a plant based and (just as or more so) hydrating to the skin making our products completely Vegan as well!
I have loved animals ever since I was a kid. In my life I’ve had cats, 2 Saint Bernards, aPoodle, a Husky mix, a Lab/Retriever mix, and my most beloved Rottweilers. One was a mix with a German Shepard and he was a giant weighing in at around 150 lbs. My last Rotty was the sweetest guy ever and tragically I lost him when he was only 2.5 years old to some wierd and rare disorder that I would never had known he had until suddenly he stopped eating. One day fine,, a week later we had to put him down. Poor Luca.. my long lost puppy.. Here are some pics of him.. he was such a ham!
Tags: Crualty Free, Leaping Bunny Program, Vegan Skin Care
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