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equakyi

Drinks

Summer Drink: Frosé

I was waiting for even the slightest hint of Spring to whip this recipe out, and thanks to my friends at 90Plus Cellars I already had this bottle of delicious rosé waiting for me. In my humble opinion, there’s no better combination than alcohol and something sweet – and this is both! Enter frosé, a frozen Continue Reading

DIY Home decor

Hanging Wine Cork Planter

It’s the first day of Spring. YAS.

What’s better than a bottle of really good merlot? Repurposing its cork into something really beautiful and functional, that’s what. My lovely friends at Ninety+ Cellars sent me a few bottles of the good stuff, and it was the perfect opportunity to do a DIY with Continue Reading

Drinks

A delicate Asian Pear cocktail

It’s been quiet around here but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been poppin’ bottles behind the scenes. I know how much you guys love these cocktail recipes so I’ve been tinkering with new ones that are outside of my comfort Continue Reading

Free Stuff

Freebie: You Belong phone wallpaper

Hi everyone! It’s been a while since I did a freebie on the blog, and I thought this would be an opportune time to spread some kindness, free of charge.

This is a gentle reminder to all those who may be feeling out of place and unwelcome anywhere in the world today – YOU BELONG. And most importantly, you are loved. Download this free wallpaper by clicking the link below, and pass on the kindness by forwarding it to someone you know.

Happy Monday folks!

dessert Food

Rose + Raspberry chocolate bark

I’m strictly a chocolate person and really dislike any candy that is not chocolate – my least favorite in that family being Twizzlers. Those are an atrocity. Anyone with me on this? Unfortunately for me, the selection Continue Reading

DIY

Whipped Body Butter

Each year around this time I make a body butter and each year I blog about it. I’m an unfortunate victim of dry skin in the winter so it’s no surprise that months before the season actually comes about, I’m thinking up concoctions to deal with this. Whipped butter always comes to my rescue. This year I’m making both body and hair butters (coming soon in a later post!) but I’m switching up the recipes according to what my skin/hair needs. Also the technique I used to make this whipped butter was different last year, but I think I’ve found a quicker and easier method to make the magic stuff.

what you need:

  • shea butter
  • coconut oil
  • vitamin E oil
  • lavender essential oil

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the how-to:

step one: Add the shea butter, coconut oil and Vitamin E oil together in a large mixing bowlimg_4477

step two: Make a double-boiler by placing the mixing bowl in a pot of water on the stove. Allow the oil to melt slightly for about 3 minutes (the shea butter most likely won’t melt much)

step three: Using an electric mixer, whip the slightly melted butters and oil together until smooth and fluffy.

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step four: Add 8-10 drops of lavender essential oil and whip some more. Scoop into a container and store!

I told you – it doesn’t take much to make a batch of body butter for yourself! I really like the fact that I know exactly what’s going on my skin. I picked the things that went into my body butter very intentionally. If you’re interested in knowing their benefits:

Raw shea butter: I get mine straight from Ghana so I can trust that it has nothing but shea butter in it. Shea butter is extremely Vitamin A rich, which has amazing moisturizing and healing properties for your skin. It boosts collagen and helps if you have blemishes. Necessary for that glo’ up.

Vitamin E oil: One of the best antioxidants out there, which means it prevents aging and keeps your skin looking youthful. Nothing wrong with that amirite? #foreveryoung

Coconut oil: This is my favorite thing to put on my skin because it leaves it feeling sooooo soft! It’s restorative and strengthening and it has anti fungal properties as well.

Lavender essential oil: Aside from it’s heavenly floral scent, lavender essential oil is so so calming. You can just imagine that relaxing aroma following you around all day – people compliment me on it all day.

Now that you’ve got the body stuff down, look out for my upcoming DIY hair butter!

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dessert Food

Grilled Bourbon Peaches

Guys. This dessert is what the cool kids call LIT. I don’t remember the last time that I liked something so much that I had four – yes I said FOUR – helpings in one sitting. I was so full that I couldn’t move, but my heart was content! Stone fruit has always been at the top of my favorites Continue Reading

DIY

Etched His and Hers glasses

As some of you may already know I recently moved to Brooklyn! A few days ago I unpacked the kitchen box., which was mainly glasses. How does one accumulate so many glasses?! When you make so many cocktail recipes you buy a lot of glasses, that’s how. I found these stemless wine glasses in the box Continue Reading

Drinks

Hibiscus Mojito

Try this perfect end-of-summer cocktail. Hibiscus mojitos are the perfect marriage of tangy and refreshing that all will enjoy! \\ Essie Does Summer

Labor day was a quiet one for me and M. We stayed at home most of the day with the exception of a pseudo-barbecue, but it was the most excellent day because of these mojitos. As you may already know, I love to experiment with mojito recipes Continue Reading