Rise and Shine in Style + DIY Facial Cleanser

I’m not a morning person at all! I’m one of many that are apt to hit the snooze button on the alarm clock or tell myself “just five more minutes”. This isn’t always plausible for me since I usually have a whirlwind of activities and projects that await me. I am less apt at doing this during the warmer months since I don’t always have to wake up to a morning chill like I do in the cooler months, but I still have to find simple and easy ways to energize my morning routine.
One way that I like to jumpstart my morning is sipping on a mug of freshly brewed, steaming tea. It gives me a sense of renewal and rejuvenates me at the same time. It also gives me a sense of serenity and a much needed burst of energy that is perfect for a long, enduring, and wonderful chaotic day that is often ahead of me!

I have a few mugs that I love that make all the difference in the morning for my tea and occasional coffee drinking. I have never designed one until Martha Stewart Living recently sent me some craft supplies from the Martha Stewart Crafts line to personalize and craft my own stylish, reusable coffee mug. Since I’m drawn to colors that are reminiscent of the sea, as I believe that hardly anything captures serenity and vibrancy more than the sea! Thus, I designed a coastal-inspired mug, using Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint (in Beach Glass and Blue Sky) by Martha Stewart Crafts with a touch of Martha Stewart Crafts Malachite Glitter (from my own craft stash!) to give it a sophisticated sparkle.
How to Refresh Your Coffee with Martha Stewart Crafts

Materials

⦾ Adhesive Stencil Set
⦾ Ceramic Reusable Coffee Mug
⦾ Foam Pouncer
⦾ Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Craft Paint
⦾ Shallow Dish of Water

Steps

1. Place adhesive stencil on ceramic mug; rub gently to adhere completely.
2. Use a foam pouncer to apply paint, being careful not to go over the edges of the stencil.
3. Peel off stencil; allow paint to dry. If stencil is to be immediately reused, place in shallow dish of water to rinse. Use brush and stencil cleaner to clean stencil completely after use.





DIY Baking Soda + Coconut Oil Facial Cleanser
I always have essential oils on hand! My tried and true favorites are lemon, grapefruit, rosemary, and patchouli. I find these particular scents to be relaxing, yet uplifting and invigorating at the same time! That is why I love the Baking Soda + Coconut Oil Facial Cleanser, because it always makes me feel less tired in the morning since it’s always infused with one of my favorite essential oils. Best of all, it’s simple, easy, and relatively inexpensive to make since you’ll most likely still have all of the ingredients to make more once your supply depletes! Lately, I have been using it with patchouli essential oil since it’s beneficial for the skin in many ways. Patchouli is good for acne prone skin. It also helps keep the wrinkles at bay! The baking soda in this facial cleanser will deeply cleanse and gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and impurities, while awakening the skin senses with the invigorating scent of patchouli, and deeply moisturizes the skin with coconut oil. Not only does it makes a wonderful facial cleanser, but it can be used all over the body!

All that is needed for this simple and easy DIY facial cleanser is a Ball jar, preferably a half pint; baking soda, coconut oil, and the preferred essential oil of your choice. Depending on the size of the jar that you use, fill it up half way with coconut oil, and add a teaspoon of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda. Drop 25-30 drops of essential oil, and proceed to stir all combined ingredients until you have a smooth, creamy texture.


This is a post written by me on behalf of Martha Stewart Living.