Homemade Bug Repellent - Deet Free!

Know what I don't love? Bugs. Namely mosquitoes. I have a bite on my ankle that is driving me crazy. Literally, crazy. So I needed a solution to prevent mosquito bites this summer, and I've found one that isn't going to harm me or my child with harsh chemicals. This bug repellent recipe is affordable and can easily be made in the kitchen without needing to buy a lot of crazy ingredients. And, of course, it's simple. I was given this recipe by a friend who found it in Family Circle. Thanks Brandi!

All you need are a few ingredients:

• equal parts of apple cider vinegar & witch hazel (I used 1 cup each)
  
• a few drops of citronella oil (for 1 cup and 1 cup, I used about 2 teaspoons of oil)
  
• spray bottle (walmart, $1.57)

Mix it all together and funnel into a spray bottle, or just funnel it all in and then give it a good shake. I can vouch that it does work. My daughter went to camp 2 days this week and hasn't had a single bite. One of her instructors, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, tried it out today on her legs only. She was bitten by mosquitoes on her arms, but not on her legs. Success!

If you don't have citronella oil, today is your lucky day because I have a website for you to order from AND a $5 coupon to pay for it!!

http://www.iherb.com/

use $5 off code KON547

I bought this citronella oil for $3.37.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Citronella-Oil-1-fl-oz-30-ml/921?at=0

While you're there, you can also pick up some wonderful sweet almond oil to make sugar scrub!

Facials

I sure do love a good facial. I try to do them at home for myself, but finding the time makes it difficult. As a splurge for getting our tax refund, I treated myself to a facial in town at a salon which uses my favorite products by Repechage. Ah, it was bliss. Pure bliss. And my face looks and feels super clean. So now, I'm motivated to keep things clean and do mini facials at home at least once a week. In reality, it doesn't take that much time to pamper your face if you break it down into simple steps.

These are the steps I use for my home facials...in the interest of full disclosure, let's keep in mind that I am not a cosmetologist, esthetician or dermatologist. I have no training in giving facials and I'm probably not qualified to give advice on them. I'm just a girl who likes facials, who used to get a lot of facials, and who now can't afford facials so I mostly do them at home. That being said, here we go. Whee!!

1) Cleanse
Rid your face, neck and upper chest area of dirt and oil by using a gentle cleanser made for faces. Rinse with warm, not hot, water.

2) Exfoliate
This step is important because it removes not only dirt and oil build-up, but also clears away dead skin cells and stimulates circulation. All are very good things.

3) Steam
I like to stick my face into the steamer (or use a sink full of hot water with a towel over your head) during the exfoliation stage after the scrubbing and before the rinsing.

4) Mask
Depending on your skin type and needs, there are a variety of masks you could use. Me? I like a calming clay mask because I have sensitive, yet blemish prone skin. Leave the mask on for 5-15 minutes and rinse off using a warm, wet washcloth.

5) Tone
Swipe a cotton pad or the tip of a washcloth soaked in toner over your entire face, avoiding the eye area. I recently discovered Witch Hazel for toning and I love it.

6) Moisturize
The final step in your facial is to moisturize the skin with a cream of your choice. Remember my water post? Skin needs moisture, so load it up after a facial. Drink water and use a moisturizer.

Pamper yourself!