DIY Peppermint Sugar Hand and Foot Scrub

hello amores!


Are you ready for an easy beauty DIY project?! I am! This cold weather has my poor skin crying for help, so I knew I had to come up with something to soothe my aching hands and feet.


This is a great scrub that will leave your skin soft and smooth (anytime of year). You can use it on your hands and feet and it is also great for elbows and knees!


It is also great for a last minute christmas gift! All ingredients are easy to find and the recipe makes plenty. Perfect for spreading some holiday cheer to your loved ones!


Peppermint Sugar Hand and Foot Scrub

This makes a great christmas gift!

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Sugar
  
• ¼ Cup Olive Oil
  
• ¼ Cup Coconut Oil
  
• 1 bag of (individually wrapped) Peppermints
  
• 20+ Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  
  

  

  This is all you will need!

Materials:

• Spoon
  
• 3 Mixing Bowls
  
• Blender/ Ziplock bag and Rolling pin
  
• Container
  

Let's get started!


Directions:

1. Unwrap and crush peppermint candies (1 bag) by using a blender or ziplock bag/rolling pin combo. Place in bowl. Remove any large chunks of peppermint candies if present. 

   

   mmm...I love the smell of peppermint :)

   
   

   

   Don't forget to remove the chunky pieces!

2. In a separate bowl, mix olive oil (¼ cup), coconut oil (¼ cup) and peppermint essential oil (20+ drops) until well blended. 

   

   Mix it all up.

3. Add sugar (2 cups) to crushed peppermints and mix together. 

   

   Sugary goodness :)

4. Next add oil mixture to sugar and peppermint mix. Combine well. *You can add more oil if you feel that the scrub is too crumbly.
5. Finally spoon scrub into a container and you are done! 

I had enough to treat myself...shhh it's our little secret ;)

     

How to use:

• Rinse hands/ feet with warm water
  
• With hands/feet still wet, begin to massage scrub over skin for as long as necessary
  
• Rinse with warm water
  
• Pat dry and moisturize with your favorite lotion. (I love Bath & Body Works' Twisted Peppermint from their Holiday Traditions collection!)
  
• *Optional* After moisturizing hands add gloves, for feet add socks
  
• Relax :)
  

Hope you enjoyed!

❤️besitos! And Feliz Navidad!

Tulum in Photos

hello amores!

Here are a few photos of my recent trip to Tulum. Hope you enjoy!

The sun sets on the beach. Tulum, Mexico.

Looking up. Tulum, Mexico.

Hurricane Ingrid brought out some beautiful colors in the sea. Tulum, Mexico.

Mayan Ruins. Tulum, Mexico.

Swimming with sea turtles.  Akumal, Mexico.

She was waiting for the perfect man. Akumal, Mexico.

Sunrise. Tulum, Mexico.

Fruit stand. Tulum, Mexico.

Cenote Dos Ojos. Tulum, Mexico.

Rescuing baby sea turtles! Tulum, Mexico.

❤️besitos! 

Travel Tips for Tulum, Mexico

hello amores!

I recently went on a trip to Mexico. I stayed for four weeks and frankly it wasn't long enough! The hotel I stayed at was Playa Esperanza.  It's a lovely place to stay right on the beach and it has a charming atmosphere.  I fell asleep every night with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Now a little about where I stayed...

Tulum is a town about two hours south of Cancun, Mexico. It has a charming laid-back caribbean feel. The people here are extremely friendly. I stayed on North Beach, I was literally within walking distance to some breathtaking Mayan ruins.

Plaza in Tulum Pueblo

It was an absolutely magical experience.

Here are some tips if you decide to visit...

Tulum Tips!

1. Suncreen/ Sunblock – The sun is strong here! I have fair skin and I was tanned within 20 minutes! So make sure you bring plenty of suncreen or sunblock.
2. Mosquito Repellant – I'm pretty sweet when it comes to insects, so this was a must! Thankfully my bed had a mosquito net. The first two weeks I had at least 50 bites on each leg, which gave me a pretty bad allergic reaction which leads me to my next tip...
3. Benadryl – I am so glad I brought this because I don't think I would have survived without it. My mosquito bites turned into welts but one Benadryl cleared it up almost immediately.
4. Rent a car – I stayed on the beach which was about 5 to 10 minute drive into town (depending on your taxi driver!) I did not rent a car which I regret. Taxis into town were a fixed rate of 70 mexican peso (5-6 USD) each way (you can rent a car for about 9 USD a day). The main roads are well paved and directions are easy to follow, which makes driving abroad a little easier.
5. Haggle for your souvenirs! – The store owners markup prices in town so just tell them its too much and they will lower it. It is 
6. See the sunrise – This is an amazing experience so try to head to the beach if you are staying in town, because it is truly a spectacular sight.
7. Do your homework – Research the different activities in the area. Be sure to check times, admission costs and directions/distance. This will help you to have a stress free vacation.
8. Learn some Spanish (and Mayan) before you go – The majority of the locals speak English but it is always good to know the local language. Many locals also speak Mayan so be sure to learn some on your trip!  
   
   
   ❤️besitos!

Birchbox Reveal (September)

hello amores,

Sorry it has taking me so long to post this but I was in Mexico for a month! So here you go the birchbox reveal for the month of September. Look out for more posts about my trip to Tulum, Mexico coming soon...

Included in this month's box:

• Jouer - Moisturizing Lip Gloss (in Riviera)
• Juice Beauty - Green Apple Peel Sensitive
• Ruffian - Nail Lacquer (in Fox Hunt)
• Serge Normant - Meta Luxe Hair Spray

Bonus:

• Borracha - Wine Wipes

Also included was a 30% coupon for Birchbox Customer Favorites Shop. As well as a Jouer offer for a free Amaryllis Cheek Tint.

I've been a Birchbox subscriber for over a year. I received this lipstick holder keychain from them as an anniversary present! Thanks guys! :)

For more information click on the link: Birchbox

Besitos!

♥ari

go sand gnats!

hello amores,

I wish I could teleport just for the night and watch my savannah sand gnats take on the the augusta greenjackets in the playoffs! ahh...but alas, I can't :( so I'll be sending some positive vibes to them. Good luck boys!!! Bring home a championship!! 

(enjoying the game from landshark landing at historic grayson stadium, savannah, georgia)

****UPDATE****

THEY WON THE SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! Good job boys!!!

                           Besitos!

                                ♥ari

Greetings from Tulum

hello amores!

I'm in Tulum, Mexico and this place is truly magical! I'm in love already! Everyone is extremely friendly even the mosquitos! It is truly a paradise!

            Besitos!

                  ♥ari

                wish you were here!

Clothing Haul!

hello amores!

I went to the store last weekend looking for a rain jacket and came back with a little more than I bargained for...

I got these super cute long-sleeved tops at Rainbow. I paid $3 for each of them! I think these tops will be perfect for the summer to fall season transition. 

I paid $10 for this maxi dress! It will be perfect for lounging around the beach, when I go on vacation next week. It is one of the most comfortable dresses I own! Love it!!

I purchased these two accessories at It's Fashion.  I got both items on clearance. The flip flops were only $.99 and the hat came out to $3.99!!

I love polka dots and bows! Sooo cute!

So no rain jacket this time out but that just gives me another excuse to go shopping again! 

Besitos! 

♥ari