ZEN-ful World

I love the idea behind this shop and I had to share! ZEN-ful World shop on Etsy focuses on high quality natural home, bath, body and spa products. These products include cold processed soaps, aromatherapy candles, bath bombs, room linen and body sprays, lotions and lip balms.
Shelley is the artist and creator behind ZEN-ful World. She shares with shop visitors that she is passionate about creating all natural chemical free products.

My favorite product is the bath bomb fresh brewed coffee. Not only is it beautiful in appearance but there are no harsh chemicals and the product is safe for kids! The best part of this product is it is topped with fresh ground coffee. How cool is that?!

Shelley has also created the sinus aromatherapy bath bomb! She informs shoppers that the peppermint oil in this bath bomb provides a cooling anesthetic quality because of its high menthol content.
Be sure to check out Shelley's shop for relaxing products for yourself or reasonably priced housewarming gifts for others! ZEN-ful World

Eco Friendly Bridal- MilliesCorner

I stumbled upon this gem of a shop on Etsy last week and I had to share! Millies Corner is full of beautiful Upcycled and Eco- friendly bridal accessories! Millicent is the artist and owner of Millies Corner.  Millicent finds inspiration from thrift stores, antique shops and estate sales. Her Eco- Friendly burlap wedding bag is by far my favorite item! What bride doesn't need a feminine bag to hold her bobby pins, lipstick, personals, etc.!?
Millicent's bridal bags also double as adorable flower girl bags. Fill with rose petals and voila!
I've added pictures of my favorite items but check out her store and favorite some yourself! If you or a friend are planning a wedding definitely check out Millies Corner! MilliesCorner

What The Heck Is Upcycled?!

When I first started my shop on Etsy this is exactly the question I asked! "What the heck is this upcycled business". To me it sounded like a take on recycling. So I did what any other curious mind would do, I Googled it! 
Google informed me upcycling is the process of taking wasteful or useless products and converting them into new materials or products for better environmental value. 
To me this sounded like an awesome idea! Up until this point I had been purchasing all my materials at the local bead store and crafting new product. But why would I buy beads when I can use good product beads that are no longer being in use?! 
I began to look through my own as well as my friends' and families jewelry to find items that are no long used.  I found so many fun and awesome upcycled beads and pendants to get my business started! And from here grew my upcycled and repurposed section of my shop! 
I hope I can keep my upcycled section growing and produce beautiful high quality products. So far upcycling has tested my artistic side at a new level! 

                                                  Upcycled Turquoise and Gold Bracelet

                                             Upcycled Gold Pendant and Pearl Necklace

                                          Upcycled Pearl and Gray Rose Bracelet

Olive Oil for Your Hair? What?!

So Seriously, my hair has been so dry lately. I don't know if it is the weather or the fact that I had a baby 4 months ago. Nevertheless I feel like I'm wearing string on my head. Ick!
So Monday night I'm cooking dinner. I pour a little olive oil over my chicken for moisture and flavor. Before I set down the bottle I begin to examine it. Like REALLY examine it.
If you haven't actually read the ingredients on the bottle you will learn that, well, there isn't much to read. All it tells me is that it is made from olives and contains A LOT of fat (according to some it is good fat in moderation).
I grab my bottle thinking "well if it gives my chicken moisture why not my hair?". Into the bathroom I walk with my trusty bottle of olive oil. I start with my roots thinking that is where the problem begins. But I got rather carried away and slopped it on my entire head. Oh well. After pulling my hair into a loose bun I look at my reflection. My hair looks greasy like I haven't showered in a month and my forehead has a little olive oil residue. My boyfriend gets home from work and asks what the heck is on my hair. I simply smile and shrug. How ridiculous do I look?!
After about 4 hours I shampoo'ed the olive oil out of my hair. I had to use a ton of shampoo. I haven't noticed a difference yet. I plan to repeat this process only next time wrapping my head in saran wrap to lock in the moisture. Ridiculous right?!
If anyone has any moisturizing tips, tricks, good vibes please send them my way! I'm lost in a maze of frizzy dry hair. Ugh!
Gracias!

Garden Soup

I made this soup for dinner tonight and it was so easy and delicious I had to share! This is one of those meals you can count on when the kids are crying and the house is a mess. There is little prep and you don't need to sit and watch the meat cook (I ran to the pet store while my chicken cooked)! 
Add your frozen chicken breasts with 2 cans chicken broth to the crock pot. Cook on low for about 90 minutes or until chicken is easy to cut. Cut chicken into small pieces, season and return to your pot! Add your uncooked noodles, frozen peas, frozen green beans and bell peppers. Really you can add any veggies in your fridge. Zucchini, onion, corn, etc. 
This soup is a clean your fridge out kinda soup! 
Once your noodles are soft, add seasonings and voila! Your soup is deliciously hot and ready for dinner. 
Healthy tips: Use whole wheat noodles and low sodium chicken broth. 

Garden Soup 

Prep Time: 10 Minutes 

Cook Time: 4 Hours on low in crock pot 

Ingredients: 

2 frozen chicken breasts

2 cans chicken broth

1 cup uncooked noodles

1/2 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup frozen green beans 

1 sliced bell pepper

Seasonings of your choice 

Budget Friendly Bridal

Planning a wedding?! We all know how expensive weddings are now a days and the expectations set forth of brides to follow 'wedding expectations'.  One expectation of buying your bridal party jewelry for the big day can definitely add up. These adorable resin rose stud earrings are so budget friendly any bride can afford to adorn their best ladies with these flowers! 

A single pair is only $5.20 but working with a bridal party will give the budget conscious bride a group discount! I will work with brides directly on group discounts, color, sizes and packaging.  

Not the traditional bride? No problem! Check out these funky colors! 

Feel free to message me as wedding planning season has begun! www.etsy.com/shop/EmeraldCityStones

Tequila and Garlic Shrimp Tacos

I was craving something light and "Summery" in the midst of the Seattle gloom today. Shrimp tacos did just the trick (however, I forgot lime). Darn! 
I marinated my raw shrimp in tequila and fresh garlic for about 2 hours before throwing these bad boys together! These tacos were perfect topped with raw radishes, cilantro, avocado, and sour cream. 
Make these over the weekend and get your own little glimpse of summer! Enjoy! 

Prep Time: 2 hours including marinating 
Cook Time: 10 Minutes 

Ingredients: 
Half Pound Raw Shrimp 
About 4 shots tequila
Chopped Fresh Garlic 
Cilantro 
Raw Radishes 
Avocado 
Corn Tortillas