Easy, Organic Beauty Masks for Summer

The weather this year has been wreaking havoc on our skin!  El Nino, Polar Vortex...we're kind of afraid of what this summer might bring!

Never fear, we came up with some tried and true, all natural,  low ingredient facial masks that will keep your face beautiful and shining...just the way nature intended it to be.

The Mint Soothie (aka Mojito):  In a blender, blend a handful of mint.  Add a pinch of tumeric powder and mix mix mix!  Apply to a clean face and rinse with cold water.  Will soothe irritated and overly sun-kissed skin.  

The Milk Toner:  Dip a cotton ball in organic milk and gently wipe down your face.  Leave on for ten minutes and wash off.  When done weekly, you should notice a natural glow (variation:  soak 1/2 cup of almonds in milk overnight.  Put in blender to create a paste and use as an exfoliant).  

Cucumber Margarita:  Ok, so this doesn't have tequila in it, but it WILL hydrate your skin, which tequila will NOT do!  Peel one cucumber and mash it in a bowl.   Mix 1 TBS of sugar and put in the fridge to cool.  Place on skin and take 10 minutes to relax as the mask naturally hydrates your skin.  Rinse with cold water. 

Sandalwood and Rosewater Masque: The benefits of both sandalwood and rosewater on the skin are incredible.  Use this mixture to soothe skin and to even out patchy tanned skin.   Make a paste from sandalwood powder and rosewater (both widely available online).  On clean skin, apply to face and leave overnight.   Magic!

We hope that these homemade face masks help our readers understand the limitless benefits of the natural world around us.  At BOX Intimates, every formula is as low ingredient as possible, and uses the best that nature has to offer.  

Happy Home Facial-ing!

The Top 10 Purse Must Haves + A Lil Bag Giveaway!

*** To enter the giveaway, enter your email address in the space provided when you click to comment. We will be contacting the winner Monday, June 16 by email – so don't forget! ***

Here's a scenario we're all too familiar with... Rummaging in our giant shoulder bag for our keys/subway card/hair tie/phone.  Isn't it Murphy's Law that you find everything else before you find what you're looking for?  

Enter the "Lil Bag".  It's our survival kit, and we should all have one inside our Big Bags. Here's a peek at what's in ours:

1. Chapstick
2. Lipgloss
3. Box Intimates
4. Cute hair ties
5. Altoids/Gum
6. A hair band for when we're working out
7. Tissues
8. Lil notebook to jot down our multimillion dollar ideas
9. A reliable (and cute) pen
10. Hand creme

We're giving away a "Lil Bag" to help keep you organized on your busiest of days! Including everything pictured about and a small notebook. To enter the drawing, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post telling us what's in your Lil Bag. Make sure to enter your email address in the space provided when you comment, otherwise we won't be able to reach you, if you win.

Want to double your chances? Subscribe to our blog! You can do that at the top of this page, in the column on the left.

Good luck, everyone!

*** ETA: And the winner is... thatgalrebecca! Congrats to her and thank you to everyone who entered. We'll have another giveaway soon, so stay in touch. ***

Our Up in the Air Beauty Routine

One of our team members is constantly traveling. Cross country flights, long haul flights, you name it! Still, every time she's in the office, her skin is glowing (it's absolutely LUMINOUS). After a little prodding, she finally divulged her beauty secret - a top to bottom regimen she learned from renowned make up artist Lisa Eldridge.  

Lisa has an amazing tutorial that's perfect for long flights. Yes, you will get looks from your fellow passengers, but just think about what havoc that recycled cabin air is wreaking on your skin and it will be easier to ignore the sidelong glances and occasional pointed finger/giggles.  

Some of the ridiculous(ly transformative and amazing) things she recommends: 

1. Slather hydrating cream on your hair
2. Take off ALL make up
3. Use a toner with essential oils
4. Put a mask on (not the scary green kind, a clear one, preferably - see tutorial for all product recommendations)
5. Hydrate back of hands
6. Go to sleep with a lavender filled eye mask...snoooooze....
7. DRINK WATER

And depending on how long your flight is, repeat. There's one thing we'd add to that – Box Intimates wipes (of course). After sitting for hours and hours, doesn't every part of your body need a little freshening up?

This routine definitely works, but even doing part of it is better than not doing a thing. Try it, and instead of arriving feeling like you need a nap and a shower, you'll be ready to hit the town. 

Five Uses for BOX Naturals...

Not just a pretty face...

Did you know that there are SO many more ways to use BOX Naturals towelettes? Here are 5 ways you probably never even thought of :

1. Freshen up on hot days - put some towelettes in the fridge to or beach cooler and use on your face to cool down
2. Forget your make up remover?  BOX Natural's formulation is safe for your face, and effective, too.
3. Take a deep breath - Lavender calms frazzled nerves.  Aromatherapy really works!
4. Flyaways begone.  Wipe down your hair and use BOX Intimates as a temporary flyaway hair tamer...
5. Use to clean the makeup off your smart phone... or some lipstick off your shirt.

Who knew?  Well now, you do!

Want Beauty? You Got Beauty!

There's an inspirational story behind each and every one of our retail partnerships.  Today, we want to talk to you about Tammy Taylor and her business, "Got Beauty."

Got Beauty is more than a beauty store.  Not only was it voted one of the 25 Best Beauty Stores in the country,  Got Beauty also offers full salon services!  What really boggled our minds is that Tammy started her business as a single mother with a 1 year old!  Hard work + passion + vision = your dreams.  

What we love about Got Beauty is that it truly is a one stop shop.  It carries all of the major beauty brands, but Tammy takes special care to seek out smaller brands as well (like BOX Intimates!).  We love her dedication to quality, not to mention super fun products that we've never seen elsewhere.

Got Beauty's Flagship Store in Salt Lake City, UT.

One last thing we love and admire - Tammy donates  a portion of profits to local causes that support women and children including Peace House and The Boys and Girls Club of greater Salt Lake.  

Check out Got Beauty's online store, beauty blog, and facebook page.   Thanks for supporting BOX Intimates, Got Beauty!

xo,

BOX Intimates

Get Your Beach Bag Ready

Madewell Carryall Tote

Memorial Day is almost here, and that means one thing and one thing only:  SUMMER!  Get a jump start and start packing your beach bag now.  

Protect Your Assets: 
A Wide Brim Hat:  We're just going to say it:  We are sick of fedoras! Plus, they really don't offer much in the skin protection department anyway! Love the glamour of this Melissa Odabash hat.

Organic Sunblock:  Coola's organic, antioxidant enriched, paraben-free facial sunblock is the best organic sunblock we've tried. 

Melissa Odabash Sun Hat,  Coola Organic Sunscreen.

Gear and Stuff:
The Perfect Towel:  Thin, pretty, and colorful.  No, we're not talking about you, little darlings, we're talking about these amazing fouta's because there is NOTHING worse than a too small towel at the beach!

The Modern Day Boom Box: How cute is this?! Retro with modern functionality.  Little speakers that conceal your iPhone keeps them protected from the surf and sand.  

Water Bottle:  Ok, so a water bottle might not seem all that interesting to you, but we LOVE this distressed gold water bottle by SIGG.  And the more banged up it gets, the better it looks...

Serena & Lilly Fouta,   SunnyLife Portable Beach Speakers,  SIGG Water Bottle in Distressed Gold.

Beautify/Cute-ify:
Beachy Hair Spray:  This spray from The Gnarly Whale (I know, have to buy it just for the name) is all natural and vegan. And makes your hair smell like a $30 Pina Colada.

Cover up: Can't beat white on tan.  Romantic, gauzy, comfy.  Perfect way to lounge around.

(Beach Waves Hair Spray, OndadeMar White Cotton Gauze Poncho Swim Cover Up)

After the Sun Goes Down:
Luxe Oil:  Bobbi Brown's Beach Body Oil reminds us of the ocean even when we're back home.  Obviously, don't use during sun's peak hours, but lather on after the sun has gone down to really show off your tan!

A Cozy Sweatshirt:  There is nothing comfier than a cute sweatshirt and cut off jeans to wear to a beach bonfire party. 

Wipes Wipes Wipes:  Didn't think we would forget about wipes on our blog, did ya?  In addition to tossing some BOX Intimate Wipes in your bag (gotta get rid of the salt, sand, other pesky things that prevent you from feeling your freshest), consider these self tanning wipes to accentuate your glow. 

(Bobbi Brown Beach Body Oil, Wildfox Sweatshirt, Box Intimate Wipes)

Happy Summer!

xo,
The Box Intimates Team

Rash Guards - Part Two

We'd never say "i told you so", but remember last season we wrote a blog about rash guards?  you don't?  let us refresh your memory (aka, I TOLD YOU SO!) 

Looks like they are back this year and with so much more variety than before.  A rash guard not only makes you look athletic and cool, it leaves something to the imagination while ensuring that you don’t look like this in 25 years. 

So play it safe and cover up.  If you didn’t get in on the trend last year, it’s definitely not too late this year.  We totally get that it’s not for every body type, but don’t be scared off by the super skinny models – we tried all of these on and they were surprisingly flattering on all of us (our bodies range from “The Kate Moss” to “The Pregnant Lady” (note: if you’re currently “The Pregnant Lady” the only rash guard that will not make you look like ten pounds of sugar in a five pound sack is a cropped Rash Guard.  We recommend one for you below)  Give it a try!

We promise this is our last post on rash guards.  Until next summer.  We think this trend is here to stay.  

The 6 below are our absolute favorites.

Top Row:  Scalloped Long Sleeve Rash Guard ($110), Nanette Lepore Striped Cropped Rash Guard ($64)

Middle Row: Madewell Floral Rash Guard ($195) (because sometimes you wanna look like grandma's couch), Madewell Short Sleeve Beachday Rash Guard ($78)

Bottom Row: J. Crew Mini Botanical Sleeveless Rash Guard ($34), Milly Cropped Long Sleeve Rash Guard ($175)

Shopbop + Born Free

Today, the collaboration between Shopbop.com and Born Free, an initiative to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV, launched. 

We are excited not only for the cause, but for the stunning clothes that were designed by 22 fashion trendsetters  (think Marni, Celine, Chloe, and Isabel Marant).  All fabric prints were designed by none other than the amazing Kenyan born artist Wangechi Mutu.  

The BEST part of this collection is that your BABY (or imaginary baby) can wear the clothes, too!  Ugh.  Cuteness overload.  

Top Row from Left to Right:  Chloe Dolman Sleeve Top and Shorts & itty bitty little Chloe dress for girls.

Middle Row from Left to Right: Vera Wang Mini Dress & Vera Wang Child's Skirted Leggings (as seen on model and child).

Last Row from Left to Right:  impossibly gorgeous models with their impossibly cute children.  

lovely lavender has finally arrived!

Spring has Sprung (errr, last month), and our Lavender is finally here! So, we're fashionably late, but we think you will LOVE our new scent made naturally with organic lavender oil, organic cucumber extract, and aloe.

Enter to win a box at:

http://tinyurl.com/mym3f5u 

before our official launch on May 1st!

xoxo, 

The Box Intimates Team

We *LOVE* Tata Harper

we are so excited.  guess what came in the mail today? tata harper's love potion.

Liquid Love: 10 100% Natural Essential Oils.

you guys know how important we feel it is to live in a fragrance free world.  and this does not mean scent free.  it just means there are no chemicals involved in creating the fragrance that you put on your beautiful skin.  we absolutely love Tata Harper's tagline:  "Our Fragrance Comes from Flowers, Not Chemicals".  we couldn't have said it better ourselves. 

what's in it?  love potion is a 100% natural aromatic blend of ten of the world's most potent aphrodisiac essential oils.  over liberal spritzing may yield unwanted advances from everyone from your dog-walker to your boss.  use sparingly and with caution, unless, of course, that is your desired outcome.  and if it is, hey, more power to you. 

ok, so what was the verdict on the scent?  we were divided.  half of us loved the warm, woodsy, and sensual fragrance.  the other half felt like it was a tad on the musky side and reminded us of that cool hippie chick who smelled good, but you weren't really if she should.  you know who we're talking about. 

the 5 ml bottle is only $40 (but the 10ml bottle comes with a teeny tiny pink atomizer which is worth the extra cost, in our opinion!) and infinitely better for your skin than the chemical laden perfumes that we douse ourselves in.  give it a try and let us know what you think.

"We believe in beauty without compromise" -- Tata Harper

Holiday Shopping: Her

Things that will make you wish you were less naughty and more nice this year....Most items under $150 with the exception of two which really blow the budget.   We hope your Santa has deep pockets...

Enjoy!

Top Row: Slim Arrow Cuff Bracelet by Steven Alan ($65). Premium Facet Lariat by TopShop ($100).  Maya Cutout Slippers by TopShop ($56). 

Middle Row: Rose Quartz Serving Planner by Gramercy & Co ($400), Satin Skater Dress by TopShop ($140, also available in Black), Colorblock Sweater by Madewell ($88).

Bottom Row: Kitty Ring by Jacquie Aiche ($1050), Tassel Bracelet by Kryssos + Chandi ($48), Kate Spade Envelope Clutch ($85).  

xo, 

The Box Intimates Team

Holiday Shopping: Home

Every year we say we'll get a jump start on holiday shopping.   And this year's plan was to start in the beginning of November.  Seeing that it's almost MID November already...crikey, we better get started!!! 

Top Row: Cordoba Eco Throw: the coziest, most colorful, eco-friendliest blanket that we ever did see, Firenze Velvet Tassel Pillow: the pillow that goes with everything, Royal Albert Tray: because everyone needs a little English Granny in their lives.

Middle Row: Unicorn Wall Mount: we couldn't resist.  will someone give her a good home? Custom Illustration by I Missy You: for your friend who thinks she's hot, Peach & Gold Dot Dish: super pretty, super tiny dish for rings and such.

Bottom Row:  Wishbone Ring Dish: perfect stocking stuffer, Bunny Ears Cloche:  hop hop hop. Dachshund Pink Bookends.

Best of all, everything is $150 or less.  Happy Home Shopping!

xo, 
Box Intimates

It Just Makes Scents

just what does it mean to be "fragrance-free"?  at box intimate wipes, we think it is SUPER important to keep our wipes free of any synthetic fragrance.  we know, synthetic fragrances can make you feel luxurious and pretty (two things we are huge supporters of), but we just can't get behind putting something on your most delicate areas that may be comprised of more than 200 non-disclosed chemicals, all under the word "fragrance" on the ingredient list. 

ok, here's where we get all scienc-y on you:  fragrance impart their scent through volatile compounds.  and when applied to skin, they react causing irritation that you don't always see or feel right away.  that's why we scent our wipes with crushed rose petals, and nothing more.

perfume used to be all natural.  a flower behind the ear, a dab of nectar.  things have changed, and while we don't it's possible to give up our favorite scents, how about we go back to basics when we're talking about down there? 

xo, 

the box intimates team

Mother Daughter Love

A reader send this to us and we can’t stop reading it.  It’s a poignant, funny, soulful, and wise letter by British columnist Caitlin Moran to her daughter.  

If you’re anything like us, you're girly and you're pink.  You wish peonies had a longer season and you still cry every time you see "The Notebook". 

But never forget that underneath it all, you're still one tough cookie who can survive it all.  

Enjoy this beautiful letter. 

My posthumous advice for my daughter
WRITTEN BY Caitlin Moran
Published at 12:11PM, July 13 2013
The Times

‘Nine times out of ten, you probably aren’t having a full-on nervous breakdown – you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit’

My daughter is about to turn 13 and I’ve been smoking a lot recently, and so – in the wee small hours, when my lungs feel like there’s a small mouse inside them, scratching to get out – I’ve thought about writing her one of those “Now I’m Dead, Here’s My Letter Of Advice For You To Consult As You Continue Your Now Motherless Life” letters. Here’s the first draft. Might tweak it a bit later. When I’ve had another fag.

“Dear Lizzie. Hello, it’s Mummy. I’m dead. Sorry about that. I hope the funeral was good – did Daddy play Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen when my coffin went into the cremator? I hope everyone sang along and did air guitar, as I stipulated. And wore the stick-on Freddie Mercury moustaches, as I ordered in the ‘My Funeral Plan’ document that’s been pinned on the fridge since 2008, when I had that extremely self-pitying cold.

“Look – here are a couple of things I’ve learnt on the way that you might find useful in the coming years. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start. Also, I’ve left you loads of life-insurance money – so go hog wild on eBay on those second-hand vintage dresses you like. You have always looked beautiful in them. You have always looked beautiful.

“The main thing is just to try to be nice. You already are – so lovely I burst, darling – and so I want you to hang on to that and never let it go. Keep slowly turning it up, like a dimmer switch, whenever you can. Just resolve to shine, constantly and steadily, like a warm lamp in the corner, and people will want to move towards you in order to feel happy, and to read things more clearly. You will be bright and constant in a world of dark and flux, and this will save you the anxiety of other, ultimately less satisfying things like ‘being cool’, ‘being more successful than everyone else’ and ‘being very thin’.

“Second, always remember that, nine times out of ten, you probably aren’t having a full-on nervous breakdown – you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit. You’d be amazed how easily and repeatedly you can confuse the two. Get a big biscuit tin.

“Three – always pick up worms off the pavement and put them on the grass. They’re having a bad day, and they’re good for… the earth or something (ask Daddy more about this; am a bit sketchy).

“Four: choose your friends because you feel most like yourself around them, because the jokes are easy and you feel like you’re in your best outfit when you’re with them, even though you’re just in a T-shirt. Never love someone whom you think you need to mend – or who makes you feel like you should be mended. There are boys out there who look for shining girls; they will stand next to you and say quiet things in your ear that only you can hear and that will slowly drain the joy out of your heart. The books about vampires are true, baby. Drive a stake through their hearts and run away.

“Stay at peace with your body. While it’s healthy, never think of it as a problem or a failure. Pat your legs occasionally and thank them for being able to run. Put your hands on your belly and enjoy how soft and warm you are – marvel over the world turning over within, the brilliant meat clockwork, as I did when you were inside me and I dreamt of you every night.

“Whenever you can’t think of something to say in a conversation, ask people questions instead. Even if you’re next to a man who collects pre-Seventies screws and bolts, you will probably never have another opportunity to find out so much about pre-Seventies screws and bolts, and you never know when it will be useful.

“This segues into the next tip: life divides into AMAZING ENJOYABLE TIMES and APPALLING EXPERIENCES THAT WILL MAKE FUTURE AMAZING ANECDOTES. However awful, you can get through any experience if you imagine yourself, in the future, telling your friends about it as they scream, with increasing disbelief, ‘NO! NO!’ Even when Jesus was on the cross, I bet He was thinking, ‘When I rise in three days, the disciples aren’t going to believe this when I tell them about it.’

“Babyiest, see as many sunrises and sunsets as you can. Run across roads to smell fat roses. Always believe you can change the world – even if it’s only a tiny bit, because every tiny bit needed someone who changed it. Think of yourself as a silver rocket – use loud music as your fuel; books like maps and co-ordinates for how to get there. Host extravagantly, love constantly, dance in comfortable shoes, talk to Daddy and Nancy about me every day and never, ever start smoking. It’s like buying a fun baby dragon that will grow and eventually burn down your f***ing house.

“Love, Mummy.”

Back to School

We wish we were still in school if only for the excuse to go back to school shopping.  Alas, gone are those days of unicorn trapper keepers, ESPRIT tote bags, and BONGO side zip jeans.  Here's what we'd buy today:

TOP, L-R:  Leather Envelope for your Mac, Chalkboard Laptop to give your kid/nephew, niece before they become too wired, Fabriano Notebooks in a happy color.
BOTTOM, L-R: Stabilo Pen (the best writing implement EVER), Target Desk Organizer (tried to google life organizer, but came up w/ nada, Anthropologie Happy Notes.

TOP, L-R: Bass.com Gold Oxfords, Steven Alan Cozy Fall Anorak, Ginette NY Teesy Tiny Signet Ring, 
BOTTOM, L-R: Oliver Peoples, 3.1 Phillip Lim Asymmetric Skirt, Etoile Isabel Marant Cashmere Sweater

How To Talk To Your Daughter About Her Body

I ran across this today...Maybe some of you have already seen it but I absolutely love it.

Just imagine the change in the world if every little girl hears this from her mother and father throughout her life.  

Here's to raising strong, confident, kind, intelligent, empathetic, beautiful from the inside out little girls who will one day rule this world!

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTER ABOUT HER BODY

Don’t talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.

Don’t say anything if she’s lost weight. Don’t say anything if she’s gained weight.

If you think your daughter’s body looks amazing, don’t say that. Here are some things you can say instead:

“You look so healthy!” is a great one.

Or how about, “you’re looking so strong.”

“I can see how happy you are – you’re glowing.”

Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body.

Don’t comment on other women’s bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one.

Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself.

Don’t you dare talk about how much you hate your body in front of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. In fact, don’t go on a diet in front of your daughter. Buy healthy food. Cook healthy meals. But don’t say “I’m not eating carbs right now.” Your daughter should never think that carbs are evil, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself.

Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that’s a good thing sometimes.

Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you’ll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn’t absolutely in love with.

Prove to your daughter that women don’t need men to move their furniture.

Teach your daughter how to cook kale.

Teach your daughter how to bake chocolate cake made with six sticks of butter.

Pass on your own mom’s recipe for Christmas morning coffee cake. Pass on your love of being outside.

Maybe you and your daughter both have thick thighs or wide ribcages. It’s easy to hate these non-size zero body parts. Don’t. Tell your daughter that with her legs she can run a marathon if she wants to, and her ribcage is nothing but a carrying case for strong lungs. She can scream and she can sing and she can lift up the world, if she wants.

Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilize her beautiful soul.

SoKo Glam

 Psy may have put South Korea on the pop culture map here in the US, but die hard followers of the Korean Wave (no, I'm not talking about Asian girls who perm their hair, ahem, ME) know that there is so much more. 

My latest Internet obsession is SoKo Glam, short for "South Korean Glam", an expertly curated website of beauty products strictly from the Dominican Republic.  Just kidding! Duh, from South Korea, obvi. 

This beauty obsessed country popularized the now ubiquitous BB Cream and BB Cream is just the tip of the iceberg.  Here are some of my favorite products.

SKINCARE: 

Correct & Care CC Cream in Glow (SPF 30/PA ++).  A great way to get your coverage and your SPF.  

Volcanic Clay Nose Pack.  Seriously, as far as I'm concerned, the ONLY painless way to extract those gross blackheads around your nose.

MAKEUP: 
IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock (SPF 50).  Notice a trend here? Koreans tend to be obsessed with skin protection.  Hats, SPF, and these things.
Hot Girl Lip Sticker.  The most perfect shade of red.

BEAUTY ACCESSORIES: 

Strawberry Sponge Hair Rollers:  These look ridiculous in your hair, but if you want the perfect soft curls, suck it up, and wear these to bed.

Side End Lashes: These lashes are the perfect length, i.e. these will not make you look like RuPaul.

If you're still doubting the beauty prowess of South Korean products, just peruse the latest Korean Soap Opera Stars - who wouldn't want to have their skin?

xoxo,  

Box Intimates

Food Food Food!

first of all, sorry for being a deadbeat blogger.  i've been experiencing major blogger's block and please know that although i've not been blogging, i'm always thinking (guiltily) about it…does that count?  didn't think so.  

now that apologies are out of the way, excuses are in order.  every time i sit down to write, i get distracted by something (usually another blog… i know.  unforgivable irony). and more often than not, it's my new fave food blog with gourmet recipes that even you (yes YOU, the person reading this blog who once set your NYC kitchen on fire by merely pre-heating your oven.  oh, with the unopened, plastic wrapped owners manual INSIDE) can enjoy perusing:  Food52.com.   

See below for some of my favorite tried and true (and easy!) recipes.  But only if you don't have something else to do because it will cause you to miss that deadline you've been trying to ignore.

xo,  

Box Intimates

baguette with chevre scrambled eggs.  this is the PERFECT "friends over for brunch" dish.  with entertaining, i say keep it simple!  toast a baguette, scramble the eggs, toss them in, serve with fruit salad and mimosas.  i didn't divide the bread - i brought the whole baquette out to the table and sliced at the table.  much more communal that way!   

one pot kale and quinoa pilaf: so bright, so delicious, so easy.  i added diced dried apricots.  gluten free!

Ramp Carbonara.  Don't know where to get ramps?  Don't know what the heck they are?  Think a ramp is  a sloped walkway so that you can ascend/descend at a more even pace than you can with stairs?  Then sub in peas instead....

Savory Watermelon Salad.  This is SO good and summer's the time to do it.  I added cubed or crumbled feta on top.  DELISH.

Keep it Clean...and Green...

As you know, we at Box Intimate Wipes are all about keeping it clean while keeping it green.  Our ingredients are 100% all natural and our wipes are biodegradable (and flushable, too!).  We are also working on re-tooling our packaging to be more eco-friendly, so stay tuned for that!  Until then, we wanted to share some of our other favorite cleaning products in pretty packages.  Oh, and just in case there was any confusion, these are for the home, not for the uh, you know.  ok, just making sure...

xoxo, 

Box Intimates

J.R. Watkins and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. Not just any scent  - Honeysuckle is the best.

Honest Company Dryer Sheets (do you know what icky chemicals are in the other kind of dryer sheets?  You don't want to know), and Common Good Laundry Detergent in Lavender. 

 Common Good Tea Tree All Purpose Cleaner (it's amazing!), Common Good All Purpose Spray (Love the refillable glass bottle).

I've been Framed

It's my third post on spray paint, now, so I just gonna say it:  i have a problem.  (I'm ignoring all you guys who just said, "you think THAT'S your problem?!")  Let me try to explain what happens each and every time I walk into my local arts store.  Fully intending to buy neon duct tape/chalk pencils/colorful wrapping paper, my feet start to move themselves over to the spray paint section.  My body has no choice but to follow.  Once there, i exchange a knowing "'sup" with the dude behind the counter, stare down the other scruffy lookin' hooligans waiting for service (so that they can, undoubtedly, graffiti all over this fine city), and ask, "ok, so, like, where can i find the pinkest, sparkliest, happiest color of cerise in all of california?" that's right, i'm not messin' around. 

montana spray paint in cherry blossom. if you're spraying plastic, go with the gold can as it has less of a forceful output and "sticks" better.  

Next, I needed to find something to paint...I bought four of these frames weeks ago at Ikea thinking that they'd go well in my house. However, white walls + white frames = a whole lotta nothingness. 

KVILL frames from Ikea.   

I had found my victimes, er, subjects.  

i really should rotate the picture, but i don't know how, so if you don't mind touching your left ear to your left shoulder... 

After laying down tons of newspaper, I started spraying away.  A little tippity tip - wear a mask if you have one...I definitely started to laugh at things that weren't funny.  And of course, spray outdoors!!

I don't have any pictures of my work in progress.  Actually, that's not true.  I don't have any GOOD pictures of my work in progress, probably because i was giggling too hard and all the pics came out shaky, BUT, here is the finished product!

To be honest, they didn't come out QUITE as perfectly as I had imagined.  I think they are a bit too purpley/dark, and i was going for a, like, fuschia bordering on neon, but not bad, right?  The pictures I found on etsy...I hung them up with command strips so I can easily move them around.  Trying to find a room that doesn't have TOO much pink - it's not easy!