The Story Behind the Swallows

At my first craft show this weekend, people continuously told me how much they love my logo. Of course, I rolled up my sleeve and tell them it was designed after my tattoo after every compliment. They proceed to ask what my story is with my swallows, but I never tell the truth. I'm about to get deep here, so be prepared.

Several years ago, I was cutting very regularly. I had a nasty scar that I was so self-conscious about. The only way I could figure to cover my scar and finally be finished with self-harm was to get a beautiful tattoo. When I was 18 and finally out on my own, I set out for the tattoo to change my life. Let's be honest here, who doesn't do something a little rebellious their first year of college? 

Little did I know, my swallows were in for a LONG journey. First of all, I had no idea what I was doing when it came to choosing design and color, let alone an artist and shop. Here's the very first "session":

boooooooo :(

I though this was the coolest thing I've ever done until I kept staring at it. I could clearly still see the scar I was trying to cover and this wasn't good enough for me. Round two:

still boooooo :(

This was better at covering my scar, but was done so terribly (now that I have other tattoos I realize this). You can see the scarring that is happening after this color. After this healed, there was even a part in the center that wasn't colored deep enough that came off during scabbing. 

I was ashamed of this tattoo which was supposed to be a symbol of healing. I found a new artist to fix it up right just before my wedding so I wouldn't have to look at this forever in pictures. 

YAY!!!

From blotchy and uneven to BEAUTIFUL, my swallows' journey is complete. Although my original bird did it's job keeping me from self-harm, now my babies are gorgeous. I absolutely will never cut again because I don't want to mess these beauties up! These will always be a part of me, as will my brand. I'm so thankful I have restored my tattoo to it's full potential. If you're in the market for a great piece, look up my man Josh Kendrick at Envy Skin Gallery.

Wedding Day

Amazing Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural substance that is used at tons of different ways. It is produced inside the hive by worker bees which secrete it from wax-producing glands on their bodies. The keeper then takes it out to extract the honey and it comes to us consumers!

Beeswax is literally my favorite scent in the entire world which is why I'm so excited to share with you its many uses!

• Candy Making
• Candles - beeswax candles burn longer and cleaner than traditional candles
• Crayons
• Leather and Wood Conditioner - apply beeswax with a cotton rag/work into the grain/buff
• Tools and Hardware - apply to keep rust away
• Lip Balm
• Itch Relief
• Pain Relief - creates an effective salve base 
• Sealing Envelopes
• Egg Painting - widely used in the Ukraine
• Soaps
• Lotions
• Solid Perfumes
• Ear Plugs
• Ear Candling
• Beginning Dreadlocks
• Making Dental Floss
• Chocolate Making
• Temporary Tooth Filling
• Natural Air Purifier
• Glaze for Fruits and Veggies

Check out Two Swallows Naturals on Etsy to see all of the products that have beeswax in them!

The Stinky Fridge Solver

Yesterday I read this blog's post about freshening your fridge. I've had problems with a stinky fridge and freezer for as long as I can remember. So I gave it a shot! All you need is:

• baking soda
• citrus essential oils - I used lemon, grapefruit, and sweet orange Eden's Garden but next time I'll probably use doTERRA Citrus Bliss and Purify
• 4 oz canning jar
• cheese cloth or staining cloths - something ventilated

First, clean out all the expired food from your fridge and freezer. We all know they're in there in the very back corner where no one can see and drawers that no one looks in. Next, fill your canning jar most of the way with baking soda. Add 5-10 drops of EOs into the baking soda and mix around. Cover with cloth and seal. Place in the back of your refrigerator and forget for up to 3 months! 

After a day of sitting in my fridge there is no more smell! I moved it to my freezer today which always seems to smell worse. Happy DIYing!

My New Favorite Button

Earlier this week, my husband told me I wasn't truly a hippie until I drove and owned a hybrid. At the time he was joking, but it really got me thinking. I plan to do a considerable amount of traveling this year and with the (self-inflicted) damage to my 2008 Nissan Altima, I was ready to really consider a new car. Mind you, all of this consideration happened within about a half an hour drive home from the zoo...

So on a whim, we took off to find me the hybrid of my dreams! We drove about 5 cars. Some were to big, some were too small, but this one was just perfect. And here is my perfect little Eco button:

Now, I am by no means a car person, but I love this car! It has all the pretty lights a girl could want, enough storage a hairstylist could need, and it even digitally shows you how the car is conserving energy at any specific time. We were awfully hesitant but once we realized how much money this car would save us in the long run, we knew it was the best decision for us. 

I urge you to not only look at natural options for your beauty and skin care, but for ways to save money and keep the environment healthy!

DIY Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

I've used homemade laundry soap for nearly a year with tons of success. With the dish detergent bottle getting empty, I searched for a recipe to make my own! Here's what I found:

• 1/2 cup Castile Soap - scented or unscented
• 1 cup Borax
• 1 1/2 cups Washing Soda - NOT baking soda
• 16 cups Water

First, boil eight cups of water. Remove from heat and add castile soap, borax, and washing soda, stirring until dissolved. Pour into a gallon container (I used an empty milk jug) and add another eight cups of water. Let set for a few days to become gelatinous. Be sure to use white vinegar in your rinse agent to replace your store-bought one!

TIP: I didn't read the instructions very well before beginning and added all my ingredients before heating the water. Everything was clumpy and pretty gross. I emptied the contents into a bowl and used my immersion blender to combine everything better. It's now much smoother, just like store-bought detergent.

Read more about this DIY here.

Homemade Powder Makeup

This DIY has been asked about several times on my Instagram @twoswallowsnaturals and comes to you from Pinterest, where most of my inspiration, or should I say PINspiration, comes from. 

A few weeks ago, I was seriously running out of translucent setting powder. Since this is one of the only 3 things I wear on my face when I do my makeup, it's pretty essential. I'm extremely pale, like I buy the fairest makeup there is, so I needed to alter this recipe a tad. Here are the ingredients you will need:

• 1/4 cup Arrowroot Powder - I found mine at Whole Foods
• 4 T Cocoa Powder
• 1 t Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 t Ground Nutmeg
• 1/4 t Ground Ginger
• 2 t Bentonite Clay - Bulk Apothecary is great for this
• 10 drops Vitamin E Liquid - Whole Foods
• 12 drops Lavender Essential Oil - dōTERRA or your favorite Pure Therapeutic Grade brand

Start with the Arrowroot Powder in a large bowl. Continue to add ingredients modifying to fit your skin tone. Whisk together. For more of an olive tone, add more nutmeg and/or ginger. For a paler complexion, cut down the Cocoa Powder or add more Arrowroot Powder. 

I found a small container to store my powder in at Meijer in the bath travel section so I cut the recipe in half so everything would fit. I'm also not a huge fan of Lavender's scent, but I added a few drops. The powder smells great on its own between the spices and cocoa powder!

For more information on this DIY, click here.

26 Seconds

It takes 26 seconds for all the ingredients and chemicals in your personal care products to enter your bloodstream. What's in your products?

Here you see ingredients and chemicals on my once favorite body cream from a popular bath and body company. The only good thing I see of the 28 ingredients on this label is "NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS". 

Since going to the crunchy side, I've caught myself looking at the ingredients on everything I use on my body... shampoo, lotions, even my new moisturizing razor. By the way, who knew a razor had so many ingredients?! But that's another story. 

Take a look at the ingredients in an all natural homemade body butter:

I make it my goal to be able to pronounce each ingredient in all of Two Swallows Naturals' products. Not only are you getting the best for your skin, you're getting the best for your health. After all, your skin is your body's largest organ! Purchase a TSN Body Butter here in a variety of scents and sizes.