Our New Team Member

Please Welcome Ms. Abigail Stoms to the Sage Pure team! Abigail has been in the skincare industry for over 20 years and is not only a licensed esthetician, but also an esthetician instructor as well. In 2009, while working at the Esani Institute, she was awarded for best technical expertise. Over the years, she has worked with many people at a variety of spas, but never felt herself completely fulfilled by her work at these other spas.

Inspired by the Karate kid movies, as she is also a 3^rd degree black belt in Taekwondo, she wanted a fun name for her new business. Wax Foo Spa was born in 2010. Ms. Stoms performs facials and skin care using exfoliants, washes, and moisturizers made from natural products.

As a dedicated, lifelong instructor of both esthetics and martial arts, she has graciously agreed to join the Sage Pure team as a frequent blog contributor, answering your questions and providing information on our various ingredients and products. She is also an avid learner, specifically interested in sciences including chemistry and as such has asked to be a part of our research and development team!

We are very excited to welcome such an experienced and dedicated woman to our team!

                With the addition of her expertise, as we have previously mentioned, we are actively starting development on our newest product- Sun-sitive Skin After Burn Crème. Abigail is well versed in the properties of aloe vera and has already developed a new way of harvesting aloe that keeps the resulting ‘gel’ from feeling sticky. When combined with shea butter our locally grown and harvested aloe (from our own garden!) creates a smooth and soothing butter for your hot, parched skin. At the very end, we want to add some fresh lavender oil, lavender leaves, and dried lavender flowers from our very own plants, keeping our products locally grown and sustainable.

                Let’s show Abigail how glad we are to have her join our team this week. Sage Pure is looking forward to posting a bi-weekly article by Ms. Abigail Stoms beginning next week.

               

Make It Yourself: An Article on Sugar Scrubs and How To Make Your Own Facial Scrub

I decided this evening while waiting on supper to write a quick post containing a few Do-It-Yourself ideas. I've lately been training the horses outside a great bit so I've arrived home quite sweaty and stinky and exhausted.

Today, however, I decided to pamper myself. No puppies, no Manfriend, no ponies... just me, my book, my beer, and a nice hot relaxing bath.

With Lavender scented bath salts and some baking soda for detoxification added, I enjoyed a super hot soak while enjoying lots of lit candles, a beer, and my aforementioned book (The Second Horseman, for those who are interested)

The reason, though, for this post is not my bathing habits. While I was in that bath, I went ahead and quickly whipped up a lovely exfoliating mask of baking soda and honey. Just take a tablespoon of honey- any one will do, they all have antiseptic and antibiotic properties, mix it well with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a teaspoon of baking soda for exfoliating.

The lemon juice acts as a toner to tighten skin and close pores. Honey moisturizes and removes the bacteria within pores and baking soda acts as an exfoliator to remove dirt, dead skin cells, and open pores.

Enjoy pampering yourself!!

Realigning Energy

I post a lot about our trials and errors in the test kitchen and on the streets. I haven't posted much about our facility. There's a bit of a reason why, but all in all, that's inexcusable. See, our facility is in my home. So posting lots of pictures and talking about how and where I live isn't exactly something I want to face. Then I'd have to own the messy office/den and the dishes in the kitchen sink. But here's the thing- It shouldn't be there anyway.

My den doubles as my office and because of the double duty, collects double the mess!

Lots of people go through changes in their lives. Some people move, some change jobs, some refresh their looks. I, too, am in a transition phase: from a hardworking corporate stooge that I hated to an independent free agent who loves everything about her job. Unfortunately, my work space needs some changes, too. 

This post is more about something I learned last night than anything else. Last night I attended a get-together in which a "Clean Sweep" was the topic. This Clean Sweep "program" isn't really a program, but a reality check. It's all about energy. Ever notice how cleaning your living room makes you feel better? And not just when you clean it and the next day. The whole room feels different- as long as it stays clean. It's all about energy. Clutter in your home, in your relationships, in your finances- has a huge impact on your well being.

For example- when you make your bed, you feel better about your bedroom. It's one less thing to worry about. And even if you think you don't worry about it, you're just going to get back in it and mess it all up- it still makes an impact. Try it for a week. Make your bed and pick up all the dirty laundry or put all the clean stuff away. See if it makes a difference. 

My moment of epiphany occurred when I realized my work space was abysmal. Maybe that has been holding me back. Could that be the reason that I find it hard to concentrate? That I'm not sure what comes next? The reason I can't focus? 

After my cleaning, my desk looks SO much better! 

I even added a couple pieces of wire to hang pictures on to act as inspiration for my various projects. 

Now that I've got one area of energy remedied, my goal is to attempt to fix one or two of the issues I discovered could be affecting my well being every week. If I can fix one thing a week, imagine how much more streamlined, fluid, and harmonious my life and yours could be? 

Keeping it Photogenic: The Art of Taking Pictures for a Blog

A while back, I wrote a post about how I couldn't find my camera, had no idea how Manfriend's picture taker worked and I was unsure when I would be uploading pictures. Well, I finally figured out how to take the photos (no guarantees on how good they are). Then I ran into the problem of not having any stock to take pictures of. Problem also solved- with a good bit of money, patience in waiting for the stuff to arrive, and sweat in product preparation.

So I got out Manfriend's little camera and I toted all my stuff outside and I found a decent space to start snapping away! (which really means I found a level space to put my stuff on- trust me, that's not an easy feat)

So... without further ado, I'd like to show you all some of my lovely photos. Also to be included in many later posts about the products themselves and on the webpage!! I just can't wait!!!

Lemon Sugar Smothers, Cafe Mocha Scrub, and Anti-Bug Balm Cube

(I thought the lavender in the background was a lovely touch)

Lemon Sugar Smoother and Anti-Bug Balm Cube

Lemon Sugar Smothers, Cafe Mocha Scrub, and Anti-Bug Balm Cube

Anti-Bug Balm Cubes

Love to hear your feedback, anytime! And, (shameless plug- I won't do it often, I promise) Feel free to pin anything you like to Pinterest. I'd love the shares, I'd love to have more people joining, following, and checking out the blog and the goods. 

It has been brought to my attention that comments may not be enabled. Please e-mail me with any comments you may have!!!

sagepureskincare@yahoo.com

Test Kitchen Adventures 2.1: The Making of... Anti-Bug Balm Cubes

They're made. The first batch of Anti-Bug Balm. I'm so excited. I made a whole mess of small cubes and a couple big ones. The big ones are for me. I spend a LOT of time in my yard. All day almost as a matter of fact. I like sitting out there with the dog and a book.

So just like the regular Body Bars and Mini-Me bars, these cubes have beeswax, a moisturizing oil blend, and shea butter. This stuff is really moisturizing. I'm really looking forward to pulling them out of the freezer and trying them out in the yard tonight. They've got a really smooth blend of citronella and lemongrass with some FRESH lemon thyme leaves from the garden thrown in.

These bars are yellow to distinguish them from the classic bars which will be moving to a creamy ivory color since the new shea and beeswax came in. Its all a matter of ingredients!

So anyhow- I'm really excited to test out these new cubes and let you know how they work in Post 2.3 I'm also excited to see what kind of interest we get, seeing as how this is looking to be a very buggy summer. We've had quite a bit of interest so far, but I'd really be interested in whether you lovely folks wanna try it in cube form or in stick form (like an old-fashioned glue stick.. except with bug lotion instead of glue). So tell me what you think and I'll do what I can to make it happen- and you know, tell you how this stuff works.

Test Kitchen Adventures 2.0: Anti-Bug Balm Cubes

Another HOT and spicy day has dawned here in northeast Georgia. This year the weather has been so weird! A warm winter, then a cold spring, alternating between days in the low 80s in February to the mid 40s in MAY! This is entirely unusual. Usually we're settled around the high 80s right now with no end in sight. It's also been very wet.

These two factors- a warm winter and a wet spring- are going to result in one very aggravating eventuality: a buggy summer. No good! I hate bugs. Especially mosquitoes and gnats- but oh do I love flies! My favorite past time in the summer on Mama's front porch is stalking the flies with my fly swatter and a bloody mary. I just love it. There is nothing more satisfying than sitting back with a drink and surveying the carcasses of your enemies- small as they may be- littering your porch. Oh the joy!!!

I understand this makes me a bit odd, however I also acknowledge the similarities in our lives- like a deep hatred for mosquitoes and biting insects. I hate them. I do. I also hate spraying on cloying, lung-filling bug sprays. They're sticky and nasty and they smell bad and they hang in the air like a cloud of noxious radiation from the Chernobyl incident. And another thing- I have dogs... so I'm not exactly thrilled with the idea of having lit candles all over my house and outdoor area. The smart hound knows not to get involved, but Manfriend's overzealous Gomer Pyle- esque pup just WOULD NOT be able to handle that kind of responsibility in the yard.

I tried planting lemongrass and citronella and lemon thyme and all those plants that are supposed to keep the bugs away. The problem with that was unless I was sitting in the planters with them, the bugs still crawled all over me. I could rub them all over me, but a couple times I, being the most epicly graceful person you have ever had the pleasure of meeting, cut myself on the edges of the lemongrass. I quickly abandoned the idea of rubbing myself with grasses and random leaves. Manfriend wasn't really buying into that idea either. Because of the business, though, I did have lemongrass oil in the house so I took to smoothing a few drops of that behind my knees and ears and on my wrists. THAT worked. Then I ordered some Citronella oil on a whim and with a certain idea in mind. When it came in (YESTERDAY!!) I used that on myself with the lemongrass. I smelled fabulous (in my opinion) and the bugs were nowhere to be found. I could read outside in my lawn chair for HOURS and not one bug bothered me. Manfriend wasn't sure about the strong smell, but I HAD just put straight citronella oil all over me. I can't say I blame him.

The job I now face.. Making the idea in my head actually happen. Here's the plan: I hate bugs, but I hate bug spray. How can i get rid of bugs without bug spray? Slathering on essential oils has worked, but that gets expensive and Manfriend would probably leave me for smelling "funny". BUT WAIT! I have a business that specializes in natural skincare... hmmm... and I also use essential oils in almost everything I do... Why not use what I already make and just stick the repellant oils in there? Well now that might work. So here's what I'm thinking. I'll take the Mini-me lotion bars and add lemongrass and citronella oils to it. Now we have a LOTION bug repellant that isn't a spray and doesn't hang in the air. It's not sticky, it absorbs into the skin, and it moisturizes as it does. It also stays on your skin and keeps the bugs away. I've been talking to a lot of my friends that have kids and they're all REALLY excited about this because- as we all know- kids hate that spray crap too. I'm also looking into creating the lotion as a stick- like a glue stick- so you don't have to worry about getting too much on your hands and it will make it easier to get it on your face without getting in your eyes (OUCH!) or your nose (EEW) or your mouth (BLECH!) not to mention easier to get on the kids!!!

I'll keep you guys updated on how all this turns out and how it goes today.... I'm excited. Are you?

Test Kitchen Adventures 1.0: Sun-sitive Skin After Burn Creme

Today is Thursday. On Tuesday, Manfriend and I went fishing. This is important because it resulted in a research and development breakthrough idea that I had.

Manfriend had this brilliant (it really was- not being sarcastic) idea to go fishing at a pond down the road on Sunday. But that plan was foiled by an exceptionally wild thunderstorm that just wouldn't quit!! So we spent Sunday on the couch.

Tuesday, however, dawned nice and bright and HOT! So Manfriend went off to purchase poles to fish with (I was under the impression that I had a fishing pole in the laundry room, but it was MIA when I checked and he still needed one). Thoughtfully, he decided against the purple fishing pole with the pink reel and the LED lights that flashed when you reeled in your epic catfish catch. Good man, that Manfriend.

ANYHOW after we got our poles and we strung them and put our weights and hooks on, we marched (drove) our way on over to the pond and commenced fishing. Forever. I cast my line. Read my book. reeled it in. Cast my line. Watched Manfriend catch a fish (kind of.. he reeled it all the way to the dock... and lost it) Watched the bobber jump. Reeled it in. Discovered the fish stole my worm. Cast my line. over. And over. And over. And over. And over. Watched Manfriend ACTUALLY catch a fish. Watched Manfriend fight with and reel in a really BIG catfish... And then watched the line break. I'm still in denial over whether or not he ACTUALLY caught that gigantic cat. And then.. after HOURS of fishing... and watching Manfriend have all the fun, I caught one. Oh yes, I did.

What I also managed to get was sunburned! I'm definitely red. Not lobster red... but red. And I'm sore. Soooooo I did what every good home-made maker does... She tries to figure out a way to make whatever is bugging her better.

And I don't know about you, but I hate- HATE that sticky aloe crap. That will NOT be going on my body. Anytime soon. And by that I mean ever. So... I decided to try something else.

A new favorite has been born! Sun-sitive Skin After Burn Creme! So far I haven't scented it yet, but I will be looking into whether or not scenting it will be appropriate. Personally, I'd rather have something that smells nice to put on after burns. I don't want to stink nasty.

If you ever have any suggestions or ideas for things you want to see or hear about, please let me know.  I think Manfriend's and my next adventure will be drag racing this Sunday. And wish me luck- Gramma is coming to town on Saturday so the next few weeks will be hectic and the business will probably soar. Look forward to a lot more news and hopefully a lot more adventures!!