I'm back! :)

It's been so long since I last blogged here... but I observed na I have blogged pa pala about having suspicions that I may be a mother na. :) Well, here goes... I'm 6 months on the way na, and though there are challenges (as in, MOUNTING), I've never been happier in my life.... Right now, I've been writing my experiences in a Mommy Diary... will be posting 'em here soon, once I get the time. =) But for now, here's to begin with, after having "hibernated" from blogging for so long.

I just aw this article while browsing the Yahoo! Shine site for some worthwhile reads. I'm a fan of natural beauty stuff (although I don't get to practice or advocate often), so I think it's worth posting. =)

For girls (and guys, why not) out there: Here are easy ways to make sure you stay flawless (haha)... or, well, maybe if you want a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home (without shelling out extra bucks). =)

Read on..... =)

DIY beauty treatments you can make in your own kitchen

From: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/makeover/diy-beauty-treatments-you-can-make-in-your-own-kitchen-1263801/ 1.

Detoxifying Bath Salts

¾ cup Epsom salts
¼ cup baking soda
4 drops of grapefruit essential oil (or scent of your choice)

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. One at a time, add drops of essential oil, stirring after each addition. Add salts to warm bath water.

2. Wake Me Up Scrub
from Body + Soul
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
15 drops peppermint essential oil
½ cup used coffee grounds from a freshly brewed pot

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and thoroughly blend. Transfer the scrub to a wide mouthed jar, and store in a cool place until ready to use. The scrub will keep for one to two weeks, longer if refrigerated.

3. Almond Orange Scrub
from Self
1 handful almonds
1 orange peel
1 cup grapeseed or olive oil

Blitz all ingredients in a blender or food processor for an antioxidant rich scrub.

4. Simplest Super Scrub

½ cup brown sugar
½ cup grapeseed oil (olive oil would be great, too)
splash of vanilla extract

Stir to combine and slough away!

5. Sweet and Spicy Sugar Scrub
adapted from Care2
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white granulated sugar
¾ cup almond, hazelnut, or coconut oil
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ginger
2 teaspoons nutmeg

In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredient. Using a whisk, blend ingredients thoroughly, making sure to break up any lumps of brown sugar or spice.

6. Oatmeal Yogurt Mask For All Skin Types
1 tablespoon oatmeal, finely ground
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
a few drops of honey

Add the yogurt to the oatmeal in a small bowl and mix together. Warm a few drop of honey. To do this, warm a spoon under hot water for a minute, then add a few drops of honey to the spoon. Stir the honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture. Apply the mask to face. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with several splashes of warm water.

7. Green Papaya Brightening Mask For All Skin Types
from Body + Soul

½ cup unripe papaya, diced
1 teaspoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon honey

Blend ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Apply to clean skin and leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off using cool water and pat dry. Finish by applying a gentle moisturizer.

8. Avocado Mask for Dry Skin
½ avocado
¼ cup honey

Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in honey. Apply to skin and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse.

9. Banana Mask for Oily Skin
1 banana, preferably ripe (you can keep ripe bananas in the freezer. Let it thaw before using)
1 tbsp honey
an orange or a lemon

Mix the banana and honey together in a bowl. Add a few drops of juice from an orange or a lemon. Apply to face for 15 minutes, then rinse.

10. Classic Eye De-Puffer
2 chamomile tea bags or 2 slices cucumber

Make a cup of tea for you and a friend. Remove tea bags and place in refrigerator until chilled. Place cool tea bags on closed eyes for 10 minutes. Or put cucumber slices in fridge until chilled and place over closed eyes for 10 minutes.

11. Old-Fashioned Bubble Bath
from Real Simple
½ cup mild liquid hand or body soap
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
1 egg white

Mix ingredients together in a bowl and the entire mixture under running bath water as you draw your bath. Honey is a natural humectant, and the egg white helps create stronger, longer-lasting bubbles. For extra-dry skin, adda tablespoon of light oil, such as almond or light sesame.

12. Foaming Vanilla-Honey Bath
from Real Simple
1 cup light oil (almond, sunflower, or canola)
½ cup honey
½ cup mild liquid hand or body soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Mix ingredients together in a glass jar. To use, shake gently to remix and pour ¼ cup under running bath water.