I've been up to something

Hello, Dear Readers! It's been a while, and perhaps my last post left a lot to the imagination (what, about the whole brain surgery thing). Right before that whole experience, I started a little side project based on the natural skincare products I've been making for my family and friends for years. "Precious Skin Elixirs" is now gaining some momentum - news I am so happy to share. After completing our first show at Shake The Tree in Boston's North End, a new website is in development and you may see me at a farmer's market or two these next few months.

More than just another skincare line, my goal with Precious Skin Elixirs is to really spread the word on how effective and wonderful natural, botanical, preservative-free skincare really is! I've had enough with synthetic, toxic ingredients and preservatives that are in products at the convenience of the manufacturer - they do nothing but aggravate and harm the skin and are present only to extend shelf-life and save on their bottom line. That's why I've created products such as a gentle exfoliating face scrub, a truly luxurious nourishing face cream, a natural herbal bug spray, and even a toxin free mineral sunscreen made with skin loving ingredients.

If you're passionate about caring for your skin naturally and have an appreciation for small batch, handmade goods, I'd love for you to check out the line and shoot me some feedback!

With love and intention,
Marissa

new in the shop: LAPIS

After pampering my skin by testing out the new facial clays I've been working on, I have enjoyed brighter skin that has that glow-ey look to it (the last time I saw glowing skin was when I was pregnant... not necessarily the most practical way to get glow-ey).  I haven't had many breakouts since I switched to moisturizing with oil blends and ditched my CVS "gentle" cleanser, but it's still good to be prepared when the inevitable happens - hormones, junk food, and sleeping in my make-up.

Thus, Lapis was created. This powerful combination of extracts and essential oils targets bacteria and underlying inflammation of blemishes. Argan oil helps to break up sebum build up while the exceptional trans-dermal properties of emu oil carries the healing powers of tea tree oil, seabuckthorn berry extract, and essential oils of lemongrass, clove, and oregano deep into the skin to clear up blemishes. Lapis Blemish Treatment Serum is in the shop!

This oil is formulated to spot treat acne and is too strong to use as an overall treatment. The Agate Face Oil Blend is a wonderful choice for oily or acne prone skin - providing hydration and keeping breakouts at bay. Hopefully, none of you are visited by any annoying red bumps - they seem to arrive like unwelcome house guests at the most inopportune times. But, if you are you know where to find a solution!

exciting news to report + a recipe

No, I'm not having another baby! But, starting a new business is kind of like having a baby... The exciting news is that I've made my first two sales of Precious Skin Elixirs. Both came about as people wanted to first purchase samples, so I now have trial/travel sizes of all seven blends.

Enough about my fledgling web sales... onto the recipe I'd like to share for gluten free pate choux. I don't have any pictures of the cream puffs I made with this recipe last week for our diner guests, but I will definitely be making these again (and again (and again (and again... ok, I'll stop))).

Pate choux is one of the work-horses of the pastry world. It's necessary for eclairs, profiteroles, cream puffs, gougères, etc. Having found a dynamite gluten free version just makes me giddy with gluten-less joy.

AND! they freeze well for a last minute "I need to impress my guests with a fancy dessert to match the over complicated menu I just spent all my time making" issues.* Just freeze them after they are completely cooled in an air-tight container and revive them in a 350 degree oven (right from the freezer no need to defrost) for 5-ish minutes before you fill them.

I filled mine with fresh sweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of melted chocolate to top things off. Bust out your favorite cake stand, pile the puffs onto a bed of strawberry slices and you have yourself a fancy dessert.


*that's never happend to me... riiiiiiiiiiiight.

something new

It's been well over two years now that I have been using a homemade oil blend to moisturize my face. From the moment I first patted it onto my skin I knew I would never go back to commercial (ahem, chemical laden) creams. Friends asked me to make some for them and pretty soon it dawned on me that I might have a new venture in the works! Through the magic of PBS kids and mini marshmallows I whipped up a website last Thursday while the lovelies (can't believe they're already 4 and 2.5) were entertained.Without further ado, I would be honored if you checked out Precious Skin Elixirs.

This is the beginning of what I think will be rather successful. Chemical-free and toxin-free living is something I am passionate about in my own life and I am thrilled to be sharing something that has helped me stay true to that commitment. Plus, my skin has never looked so clear and vibrant! What do you think - do you like the concept? Would you like a free sample? Ask me in the comments!

thank goodness for makeup

A friend of mine has a saying she uses to bestow the ultimate compliment upon something: "it's almost as fun as makeup." I couldn't agree more - for me, makeup is the ultimate "thing" that is just pure fun. Instantly, I am transformed into a nine year old girl swiveling up a tube of petal pink Christian Dior lipstick and marveling at the candy-like color when I dive into my makeup bag. I don't expect everyone to relate - to some, makeup is weighted by a world of marketing, controversy over the definition of beauty and damaging body image issues. In my world, nothing replaces the feeling of having a slick of lipstick, a brush of eye-liner, a wash of blush and a coat of mascara. I just feel *dressed* and that makes me happy.

image via

currently coveting:

There's nothing like a few wardrobe updates and a new scent to welcome the change-over of summer into fall.  I can count on my skin being thirstier this time of year and I am definitely coveting one love organic's all purpose balm.  Oh, how I would love to slip into a new pair of tall boots, namely these by Rachel Comey which would look kicky with this rust colored Halston dress... all the while sipping a dark and stormy from these glasses by Dwell Studio.  Speaking of glasses, a heavier pair of shades to go with the inevitable chunky knit sweaters and dark denim I'll be wearing are on my mind.  Plus, I love most anything tortoise shell.  The buzz about Target's partnership with Missoni for a much anticipated assortment of delectable stylings has me lusting after a new batch of barrettes.  Oh, the things I covet...


skin balm | sunglasses | boots | dress | perfume | barrettes | drinkware

the uniform

No, I'm not talking about some CSI-esque television show.  I'm speaking of the fashion feint motherhood plays on a woman's sense of style.  You've all seen it and maybe even are wearing it right now.  The Uniform comes in two ghastly iterations: khaki pants, t-shirt, and sneakers or faded and pilling yoga pants, t-shirt, and orthopedic looking flats (or in colder months, Uggs).  There are some good points to The Uniform: You can wear it five times a week and no one notices; it's comfy; makes you feel maternal; you blend in perfectly with the other moms standing in line at - (name any discount retail chain).  The Uniform is so ubiquitous that not only will no one notice if you wear it five times a week, in fact, no one will notice you period.  Looking comfy and maternal reminds men of their mothers. You're also a wife. You used to be a girlfriend. Once upon a time you were a hot date.  Get the picture?

The good news is wearing kitten heels does not make you a bad mother and your children don't care if you're wearing a spicy lip gloss and eyeliner.  You're still Mum - they won't forget.  Maybe it's time to shake things up a little bit. With a few updates you can liven up your look, feel better about yourself and remind your man of the sexy woman he married.

the eyes have it

Love this look!  Half cat-eye, half smokey eye - all gorgeousness.  Here's how to achieve this natural yet dramatic face.  I'm not going to be spending hundreds of dollars at Bergdorf Goodman anytime soon, so I'll be trolling through my make-up bag to find the right ingredients...

colorful kisser

 

It took becoming a mum for me to discover the power of lipstick.  Be it lip gloss, lip stain, or good 'ole fashioned lipstick, I am smitten with my compatriot in the trenches of motherhood.  Though my hair may be a clump of indeterminable fuzz on the back of my head and my clothes resemble the food pyramid more than Marc Jacobs, my face is aglow with dewy color that lets the world know I still care about upholding some sense of style.  

I just adore these color palettes via Refinery29