This week I experimented with some awesome organic ingredients and created this amazing homemade peppermint lip balm. I hope you guys will try this out, because it works incredibly well - and smells and tastes amazing. 

Recipe for All Organic Peppermint Lip Balm:

You will need:

- 3 tbsp. of beeswax

- 3 tbsp. of coconut oil

- 10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil

- 5 tbsp. carrier oil

- Small containers

1. In a double boiler, melt the beeswax and carrier oil together, stirring often so they don't burn. When they're fully melted, the color will be a light golden brown.

2. Take the melted mixture off of heat, and mix in the essential oil and coconut oil. These oils add a wonderful fragrance and taste to your lip balm ♥

3. Pour the warm liquid into the containers you would like to use - I used small .25 oz plastic containers from a local organics store. Small mint containers can also be used to house this minty lip balm!

4. Leave the lip balm to set in the containers for at least 20 minutes. This gives time for the wax to harden.

Tah dah! Organic lip balm!

I ended up melting down my original batch and remaking it with more coconut oil, to add a softer texture. As you will see, it's a very hydrating recipe and works great for dry winter skin! It's an awesome feeling to hydrate your lips and know that every ingredient is completely natural and great for you. I'd love to hear what kind of organic/natural beauty DIYs you have tried, like facials or hair masks. And check out my DIY Bath and Body board on Pinterest for more ideas and recipes! (Link Here)

Thanks so much for reading, and let me know how this recipe worked for you. ♥

WHY SELF ESTEEM IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR GIRLS EVERYWHERE

Hey everybody, welcome back to my blog! Recently I've been doing some research on the connection between fashion and self esteem, and in turn have learned a lot about this issue vast amounts of people deal with everyday. I've highlighted the basic things I believe EVERYBODY need to know about body image in the four categories below.

The Basic Statistics: 

• Among high school students, 44% of girls and 15% of guys are attempting to lose weight.
• 80% of children who are 10 years old are afraid of being fat. 
• • 72% of girls feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful 

The Causes: 

• Society And the Media: The pictures teens see in magazines, on TV, and online can have huge effects on the adolescent's self esteem. These advertisements often set unrealistic beauty standards that teens feel they cannot live up to.
• Bullying: When someone is bullied, it can make it hard for them to make friends, reach out to people, and focus in school. Bullying can also cause depression or suicidal thoughts in its victims.

The Consequences:

Over 70% of girls age 15 to 17 avoid normal daily activities, such as attending school, when they feel bad about their looks

• 13 percent of girls age 15-17 acknowledge having an eating disorder.
• About 20% of teens will experience depression before they reach adulthood

How YOU Can Make A Difference: 

Even though the things you've just learned about self esteem & it's effects are very common across the world, there is a lot we can do together to reverse this problem. Here are some awesome ideas that may even inspire you to start your own project! 

• Leave positive, encouraging post-it notes around where lots of people may see them! Here are some cute examples that were placed on bathroom mirrors!
  
  
  
  
• Appreciate all body types. The media often uses very underweight women as their models. But we all know that there a ton of other body types that aren't at all represented in the media. Everybody was beautifully and fearfully made, so why not celebrate all of our unique bodies!

My Sources:

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-teens-and-self-esteem

http://www.heartofleadership.org/statistics-on-body-image-self-esteem-parental-influence/

http://www.dove.us/Social-Mission/Self-Esteem-Statistics.aspx

http://www.self-esteem-nase.org/research.php

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/me-we/201312/10-sources-low-self-esteem

The Cure To Summer Boredom

If you're a teenager (like me), then you've definitely experienced the feeling of summer boredom. You know, you've been watching TV for a few hours.. but there's nothing else to do.. But.. YOU'RE WRONG!

There is a ton of stuff to do, and summer is the best time to do it. 

So, stay with me as we break down this incredibly helpful list of things to do, that you'll actually enjoy. 


Computer Stuff

1. thisissand.com . This is a really fun sight where you can create a fabulous masterpiece. With a click of the mouse, rainbow sand comes pouring down on the blank screen, and you're making something beautiful! 

2. girlsgogames.com . Once you forget that this sight is for seven year old girls, you begin to realize how fun these games are. Try Romeo Where Art Thou or (Makeover Game.)
DIYs & Other Crafts

3. thisiswhyimbroke.com . A good site to browse - enjoy your summer laughing at a whole bunch of hilarious items for sale. 

Pampering Yourself

4. Hit up the local salon & spa, for a relaxing time! (Check out THIS SITE to find a spa close to you)

5. Go out for ice cream. (You could even bike there.) Nothing beats the summer heat like a waffle cone full of frozen sugar.

6. Take a nice, HOT, bath. It seems like a warm bath would just make a hot day hotter, but in actuality, you will step out of the tub cooled off & refreshed. 


Nice Things To Do For Others

7. Hit up your neighbors with a complimentary plate of cookies. They'll love it, you'll enjoy it, and you're sure to receive some baked goods in return.

8. Make & send cards and letters to those serving in the military. CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE.

9. Pick some flowers and give them to the influential ladies in your life.


Enjoy these fun summer - boredom fixes, and comment with more ideas! ♥