Being that my Spa Day this week consisted of me attending an appointment all by myself, quickly chased by caring for sick kiddos, I started to daydream about ways to bring the Spa to me. While I would love for Jenelle to come over and give me a massage, or have Becky come for a visit and offer up a pedicure, that is not my life.
So it was total kismet that I got a Tweet from Paula Deen the other day with recipes for homemade spa products. Yes, the Paula Deen. She’s a momma of boys and lover of butter–of course, we’re twitter peeps! Paula has all sorts of great gift ideas from the kitchen up on her website.
Like this Citrus Salt Body Scrub. I used some this morning, and I have to say that it’s positively divine. Later, I may just add a tablespoon or so to a hot bath and have a good soak. Is that TMI?
Or there is this Sweet Tea with Lemon Sugar Scrub. This stuff will do wonders for your scaly post-winter elbows. Not that you have scaly post-winter elbows. But if you did, this scrub would take care of them.
How about a little Honey-Vanilla Foaming Bath Soap? I washed my hands to try this soap, and they were smooth as a baby’s bottom when I was finished. I should know–I’ve diapered a lot of baby bottoms.
But this Brown Sugar Body Scrub? This scrub is perhaps my favorite because it smells just like cookie dough. (I’m not sure if you’ve noticed that I have a thing for cookies?) What a sweet way to scrub away dry skin.
You want to know a secret? I looked up the recipes for all four of these spa products last night, and I made every last one of them! I was able to make 10 luxurious spa gifts with things in my pantry in under an hour. I thought they would make great little gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day, shower gifts, hostess gifts–you name it.
Uh…to all of my boy’s teachers, and to my Moms: act surprised when you see your gifts, all right? Thanks.
Now because inspiration struck last night at approximately 10 PM, I had to modify the recipes just a tad. So here are the recipes as I made them. If you want the real deal, click on any of the links above or head to PaulaDeen.com and look under Gifts From the Kitchen. (All of the spa product photos and recipes listed here are from PaulaDeen.com.)
Citrus Salt Body Scrub
1/2 cup Epsom salt
1/2 cup light olive oil
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
4-5 drops of orange essential oil
In a medium dry bowl, combine all ingredients making sure to not let any water touch them as it will dissolve the salt. Pour mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool dry place.
To use: Just before showering, swirl ingredients together with your fingertips to mix. Clean body completely and just before exiting shower, apply Citrus Salt Body Scrub to body in a firm circular scrubbing motion with hands or a soft washcloth. Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel.
Sweet Tea with Lemon Sugar Scrub
1 2/3 cup fine sugar
½ cup light olive oil
1 large tea bag for making sun tea (I used Tazo’s Wild Sweet Orange)
zest of 1 lemon (finely zested)
5 drops of lemon essential oil
1 pint mason jar and lid, sterilized
Pour olive oil in the mason jar and place large tea bag down in oil. Allow to sit in the sun for 45 minutes to an hour. Remove tea bag and add remaining ingredients to jar. Stir together. Seal and tie with a ribbon.
To Use: In the shower, rub a small amount of Sweet Tea with Lemon Sugar Scrub into clean skin and rinse. Pat dry with a fresh towel. Can be used daily. Paula’s Note: Please be aware that oils can make the shower and bath surfaces very slippery.
Honey-Vanilla Foaming Bath Soap
1 cup sweet light olive oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup liquid hand soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, add the oil and slowly stir in the remaining ingredients until fully incorporated. Pour mixture through a funnel into a clean plastic bottle with a squeeze top. Be sure to shake gently before using. Squeeze desired amount under running water into a bathtub. Step in and enjoy a silky luxurious bath that will moisturize your skin while you soak.
Brown Sugar Body Scrub
1 cup Light Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract , optional (or your favorite citrus essential oil)
1 tablespoon honey
In a medium mixing bowl, combine oil, honey, and vanilla. Add the brown sugar and mix well.
To Use: In the shower, apply Corrie’s Brown Sugar Body Scrub into skin and rinse. Can be used daily. Corrie’s Note: Please be aware that oils can make the shower and bath surfaces very slippery.
Corrie’s Gift Packaging Tip: I like to save plastic containers from other products and replace the label with one I made myself on the computer. Tie it up with a colorful ribbon and you have a wonderful homemade beauty gift!
Comments