Brrrrrrrrrr its cold outside, Christmas and New Year have passed and my mind is starting to think about warm summer evenings sipping something tasty sitting around a camp fire. Have I mentioned I’m going to Tea & Tents and I’m very excited! My original Frugal Feb project was to build myself some very pretty camping accessories, I do camp at least 4 times a year with my husband and the dogs but our camping gear is more functional and boring – its not WI worthy 😉 My pinterest board is now filled with flowery bunting, chinzy pastel coloured enamel plates, crocheted blankets, paint dipped cutlery, pom pom garlands, solar chandeliers (everything my husband will hate)- yes the Jam tent is having a chandelier! But a visit to B&Q to buy supplies proved that my Tea & Tent dream is going to be far from frugal! My wine glass holder needed a screw thread rod a nut and bolt and an old tin can. Pricing it up resulted in this face- £16 !
Here is the link for my tea and tents future makes board: https://uk.pinterest.com/letsmakejam/tea-and-tents/
Not wanting to do a frugal fail I went back to the drawing board.
So with a terrible cold I have a house full of lemons (5 from Tesco cost just 89p) and honey for the hot toddies my Nan tells me will me feel better. After weeks I still don’t feel better and I have a house that needs a post Christmas clean, its tidy but not ‘Spring Clean’. I normally use a nasty smelling chemical filled oven cleaner but not wanting to go out into the cold I thought I’d try a substitute. I cant believe I’m about to show you my horrendous embarrassing oven – hanging my head in shame …..
Mixing a little juice of a lemon, some baking powder, vinegar, and little washing up liquid I made my very own degreasing cleaner. I wiped the thick minty coloured paste over the oven I wasn’t convinced. But actually an hour later when I came to wipe it off I was pleasantly surprised! 1 lemon = 1 clean sweet smelling oven 🙂 #Frugalwin1
One of my oldest friends turns 36 in Jan, she’s wonderful, she loves Gin and at Christmas was so thankful for the mixed berry Christmas Gin I gave her it got me thinking what could I make her for her birthday. Gin ? that’s been done. Lemons ? Lemonchello? Nope she has bad hangovers with vodka, back to lemons…..
1) A gift basket: Take a crocheted doily (tried it with the paper sort – ignore the internet it does not work!) I used an upturned ice bucket and a lot ( I mean a lot) of PVA mixed with a little water to paste the ‘basket’ to the bucket. Leave to dry – be patient! Mine took a couple of days, if I was to do it again I would cover the bucket with cling film
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2) Sugar Body scrub: My friend has very sensitive skin and has to be really careful about what products she uses. I brought a £4.99 pot of coconut oil from the oil isle in Tesco, its organic, natural and very nourishing! So you’ll need 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1 lemon . The science bit lemon is an astringent, containing antiseptic properties that reduce oil and fight bacteria that cause breakouts. Antioxidant properties are also thought to fend off free radicals. Sugar, contains glycolic acid which evens out skin tone, cleans pores, and improves overall skin texture by removing dead, dull skin cells. *Coconut oil contains two anti-microbial agents (Capric and Lauric Acid) which prevent breakouts. Melt the oil in a pan and pour over the sugar, mix thoroughly till fully absorbed then squeeze in the lemon juice. Decant into a pretty jar and label – this will keep for a year.
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3) Coconut and lemon facial moisturiser: This smells amazing and will be very nourishing without chemicals and preservatives. Add 4 tablespoons of coconut oil to a stand mixer and turn on full speed, whisk to aerate the solid oil, as the texture changes slowly add the juice of 2 lemons until fully incorporated. This took about 10 mins, the end product was fluffy and whipped and amazing on the skin! The lemon will act as an astringent on the skin but it is also a skin brightener it is full of Vitamin C which is found in so many facial products. Decant into a pretty bottle ( if I were to make this again I would pipe it into the bottle because this bit got very messy!) it will stay good for several months as coconut oil has anti bacterial qualities .
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4) Lemon Truffles : infuse double cream with the zest of a lemon, add the juice too, gently warm together in a pan, whilst separately melting the white chocolate and butter together over boiling water. Beat both liquids together until smooth then chill over night. Pinterest told be to use a melon baller, I don’t own a melon baller, so use spoons to make truffle dollops and sprinkle with edible yellow glitter – had a sneaky taste – AMAZING!! Chill again and then bag up for gift giving 🙂
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A birthday gift made with lemony love and the addition of some lemon and ginger tea (I do love a good theme) .
And for me a final lemon treat….
After a winter of central heating my skin is feeling a little dry and is certainly looking dull. Coconut oil has a small molecular structure which allows it to penetrate easily into skin pores enabling it to soften rough skin and texture from within. Honey is a natural humectant which hydrates skin cells. Fresh lemon juice is a natural astringent which helps tighten and shrink large pores. So by mixing a tea spoon of each and warming to combine I created my very own facial treat. Leave the mask to cool a little (but if its cold the coconut oil will separate out) and brush over the face avoiding eyes and mouth – relax for 10 mins, try some mindfulness, and then rinse off. I normally have a hot paraffin wax facial which costs around £40 – this did the trick, my skin is much smoother and certainly moisturised! #frugalwin6
I have been left with loads of lemon skins and seeds, firstly I’m going to try and grow the seeds and apparently the lemon skins can be turned into candle for Tea & Tents (make soon and store in the freezer until needed).
Here is the link for my lemons inspiration board: https://uk.pinterest.com/brown8746/lemons/
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