• If you’re anything like us, baths are the essence of any relaxing getaway. When bath oil and fizzies can’t be had, any lotion can be mixed into running bath water to add some nice conditioning properties. Since lotion is water-based and already contains emulsifiers, it should dilute in your bath without a hitch. How much to use depends on the size of your tub, but we normally add just enough to make the water a little cloudy.

• To take your signature fragrance wherever you go, apply to a scarf, cloth hair accessory or porous piece of jewelry and take this with you instead of its liquid counterpart. You may be surprised at how long some fragrances can last this way, particularly if you keep them packed in a cool, dark area when they’re not being worn.

• When you don’t have post-shower hair products like leave-in conditioner or detangling spray, regular hair conditioner can be used instead. Start with a small amount (pea sized) on one finger, get both hands wet and disperse over your palms evenly. Comb fingers through your hair and repeat if necessary. This detangles, helps prevent fly-aways, and just adds a nice soft finish.

• Keep in mind that most of us have “triggers” for our skin becoming more dry or more oily. Contact with your hands, hair, an unwashed pillow case, etc. can all provoke oily pores. Blotter sheets are a travel-friendly alternative to face wash for folks with oily or combination skin.

• Finally, your ace-in-the-hole: a bar of solid shampoo. If we only had one tip to share with you, it would be this one. A single bar can be your shampoo, your conditioner, your body soap… your best travel buddy. Unlike liquid shampoo, these bars can go through airport security, will never leak in your bag, and don’t need to be supplemented with any other product. We never go to the gym, beach, or leave town without one. Each bar will last for weeks at a time when kept dry. And because they’re made with such mild cleansers and fortifying conditioners, everyone in the family can enjoy!

Add curly, colorful soap shreds to a clear bottle of liquid soap for a confetti look that kids love.

In a double-boiler, melt soap shreds together to form a new bar of soap. This technique is called “French milled” or “triple-milled” soaping and is just as simple as it sounds. Make sure to have a container ready to spoon your soap batter into, such as a thoroughly cleaned and sterilized juice box, tofu container, or milk carton.

Collect pieces in a cloth bag to use in the shower. For this purpose, you can fold a washcloth in half and sew two sides closed, or knit or crochet your own “soap saver” bag.

You can also:

• Put out a bowl of soap shreds for a useful and decorative addition to your guest bathroom. These can be used as regular hand soap, but since shreds have more exposed surface area than bar soap, they release more ambient fragrance.

• When running a bath, sprinkle a small handful of scented soap shreds under the faucet. These won’t lather up as a bubble bath would, but they add light color and scent to the bath water and make for a nice, cleansing soak.

• Toss soap shreds with olive oil and large grain salt or sugar to make an easy exfoliating scrub. Olive oil is moisturizing and nutrient-rich, salt and sugar are gentle exfoliants, and the soap will soften the mixture and provide gentle cleansing. Rub on problem areas with light pressure and rinse clean.

Recipe:

- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
- 2 tbsp dried calendula petals.
- 2 capsules liquid vitamin E or glycerin (optional)

Equipment:

- small heat-safe container
- saucepan
- stovetop
- colander or cheesecloth

Time:

- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 2 hours
- Application: 1-8 hours

Before we start, let’s look briefly at our ingredients. Olive oil is a great choice for this treatment because it is so incredibly nutritious, but other vegetable oils can be substituted depending on your needs. Sunflower oil is lightweight, non-comedogenic and penetrates more readily than olive, so this would make a good option if your hair is less dry to begin with.For hair that is really begging for extra moisture, try replacing up to a quarter of your olive oil with avocado oil.

Calendula (or marigold) is a hypoallergenic, very soothing additive with a long history of uses. Research has found it to be an effective antiseptic and is one of the very few ingredients mild enough for us to include in our baby products. That said, calendula can lighten hair a bit—if you prefer to avoid that, we recommend substituting lavender, chamomile, or almost any herb of your choice. Florals are less likely to cause irritation with sensitive skin, but virtually any dried herb can be used. (Before substituting, be sure to read up a little on any plant whose medicinal properties you’re unsure of.)

Finally, the scientific jury is still out regarding the effectiveness of vitamin E in hair and skin treatments, but we’ve found it to be a soothing addition that contributes a little extra moisture and vitality. Vegetable glycerin is a great substitute if vitamin E is not available or—in rare cases—you’ve ever experienced an allergic reaction to tocopherol. However, glycerin is not recommended for color-treated hair.

Now let’s get started!

Step 1: Fill your saucepan about 1/3 full with tap water, set it on the stove top over medium heat.

Step 2: In your separate heat-safe container, combine all ingredients and stir until they are well mixed and the calendula petals are fully coated in oil.

Step 3: Place your heat-safe container in the saucepan, making sure that the water level is low enough that it won’t overflow. This double boiler method allows our oil to warm up evenly without any risk of it burning. Over the next two hours, the calendula will infuse color, fragrance, and nutritive properties into the oil. (Safety tip: the common term “hot” oil is a bit misleading. Even at its warmest, the oil should always be at a touchable temperature)

Step 4: Remove oil from heat, allowing it to cool to a comfortable temperature. You may be tempted to pop it in the refrigerator, but this might cause the oil to cool unevenly.

Step 5: Strain the calendula petals out with a colander or cheesecloth. A coffee filter can work in a pinch, but it takes much longer to strain and will retain more of your hard-earned oil. (Tip: To make extra use of the oil-laden calendula petals, stuff them in a tea ball or organza bag and drop it into your next bath.)

Step 6: Your hot oil hair treatment is ready! Apply it generously to your hair one section at a time, making sure to leave no dry areas underneath the top layer. A final brushing will help the oil penetrate your scalp and disperse the oil thoroughly. You can leave this on for a minimum of one hour, but we prefer to apply it before going to bed and allow the infusion to really sink in overnight. Just throw a soft towel over your pillow. When you’re ready to wash out the oil, a regular shampoo and conditioner routine should take it right out. We were dreading a greasy finish (after all, we just covered our heads in oil), but in each of our trials the mixture came out completely with one use of the Citrus Paradisi Shampoo Bar.

“Hair of the Dog” is a solid bar of oatmeal-based shampoo, which most dog owners probably know is renowned for being a very soothing cleanser. It is commonly used in pet products to help soothe itching, hot spots, mange, dermatitis, etc. We’ve also added vitamin E to help condition your dog’s coat. Finally, a dash of citronella and eucalyptus essential oils for a fresh scent and long lasting, pest-repellent properties. Because this shampoo is a whopping 5.5 oz, it can easily last over a year for those of us who wash our dogs only about twice a month.

To take advantage of the 20% off discount, enter the coupon code “DOGPARK” at checkout. And remember, all orders of $30 or more receive free nation-wide shipping!

- Daily Tips & Tricks (“Frozen grapes will chill wine without watering it down, and then make a great snack when your glass is empty!”)
- An Inspired Home (a homesteading-themed board with creative gardening, DIY, and similar ideas)
- Behind the Scenes (see photos of the studio and watch us work).

We’ve also just opened one board that is all about you. We’d love to share your photos, experiences and opinions for all to see! To help get us started, we’re offering a 10% off coupon code for each photo submission of you with a Pom Seed product (plus a short caption, please). Submissions should be sent to service@thepomseed.com.

Ingredients: butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) fruit, cera alba (beeswax), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, prunus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, persea gratissim (avocado) oil, tocopherol (vitamin E), fragrance.

Naturally refined shea butter is this balm’s number one ingredient. It has a long list of incredible properties: it moisturizes generously, melts on contact with skin, is an anti-inflammatory and has even been found to provide some protection from UV light. Shea butter is to thank for the wonderful texture of our lip balms, which glide on oh-so-smoothly when applied. And if all of this weren’t enough, shea butter is also a humectant—a substance that attracts moisture.

Unrefined beeswax is the integral ingredient that seals these oils in and creates an ultra-light barrier against the elements. It is less rigid and therefore more lip-friendly than alternative waxes (such as soy or candelila).

Close behind beeswax is coconut oil, one of the most essential moisturizers in skin therapy. Coconut oil is comprised of skin-nourishing fats that are uniquely solid at room temperature. These fats are believed to help improve the condition of aged as well as dry skin, and also help reduce protein loss in skin and hair.

While almost any oil is moisturizing, sweet almond oil is known for its excellent absorbability. In lip balm, sweet almond oil penetrates deeply into the sensitive tissue and nourishes from within. (For this reason, it’s often used as the main component of massage oils.)

Like coconut oil, avocado oil is a highly nourishing fat—in fact, it’s frequently called a “superfood”. Avocado oil has a very low absorption rate and, consequently, it plays the role opposite of that of sweet almond oil. It creates a very thin layer of balm that stays on the surface of your lips and exponentially improves the life span of each application. It softens, it moisturizes, and (thanks to natural vitamin E content) can even claim its own cell-regenerating properties.

Last but not least, the addition of pure vitamin E (tocopherol). Vitamin E is an incredible antioxidant essential to the body’s immune system. In lip balm, it is capable of healing rough or cracked skin or cold sores. After using lip balm that contains vitamin E, I could never go back to using one that doesn’t.

You can currently get these lip balms in 12 awesome flavors! Acai, Bubblegum, Caramel, Cocoa Kiss, Creamsicle, Ginger Root, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Peach Daiquiri, Pomegranate Splash, Spring Basil, Vanilla Bean. With all those flavors, which one will be yours?

For those who aren’t familiar, infused botanical oils are excellent for cooking as well as for skin care. Infusing dried herbs and flowers into an oil transfers a small amount of the flavor and color of the plant, and in some cases its beneficial properties as well. Solar infusing is the simplest method, as it simply requires you to combine your favorite herb or flower and oil (such as basil and olive oil) in an airtight container, place it on a window sill and allow the magic to happen over the next 3-4 weeks.

Tips and tricks for home infusions:

- herbs and flowers must be very thoroughly dried before infusing. If any water is retained by the plant, you will introduce this to your oil and it could likely to rancidity or mold. A properly dried plant will crumble easily when held.

- for a more potent oil, you may discard the herbs after a few days and replace with a new batch.

- the process may be sped up by heating your oil and herbs on your stove top’s lowest setting. Stir occasionally. The mixture should be mildly flavored after about two to four hours, depending on the ingredients you’ve chosen. Do a taste test before removing the oil from the heat.

- the addition of citric acid should increase the shelf-life of your oil, but to be on the safe side we recommend keeping infused oils in the refrigerator.

Below are examples of oil infusions. You can also check out a few of last year’s infusions here!

Beet root powder:

Calendula petals:

Our new aloe and beeswax lotion is currently available in three awesome fragrances:

Caribbean Coconut: Our Caribbean-style coconut fragrance is fresh and creamy beyond belief, enjoyed even by our customers who say they are not normally fans of coconut. The finishing touch is a dash of vanilla and a nearly indistinguishable note of Italian lemon.

French Lavender: Lavender a classic floral that has been loved for centuries. If it doesn’t captivate you with its soft and cloying fragrance, it will with its myriad of uses. True French lavender is believed to slow activity in the nervous system, making it an effective sleep aid, headache remedy and mood enhancer.

Vanilla Oak: Vanilla Oak is a favorite unisex scent that is both sweet and earthy, dusky yet inviting. Soft amber, Italian bergamot, cassia root, heliotrope, dry sandalwood, warm oak and creamy vanilla are the main components in this surprisingly rich and smooth fragrance.

Ingredients: aloe barbadensis (organic aloe) leaf juice, water, mineral oil, stearic acid, isopropyl palmitate, propylene glycol, glyceryl stearate, triethanolamine, PEG-100 stearate, tocopherol (vitamin E), olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20, dimethicone, beeswax, fragrance, carbomer, methylisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol

1: Refer.
Any individual who has not previously been a customer is eligible to be your referral.

2: Friend mentions your name at checkout.
When completing their order, friend leaves your name in the “Instructions to merchant” field.

3: We e-mail you a coupon code for a free soap.
Every completed order qualifies for a referral credit, regardless of its size. As soon as we confirm your friend’s order, we will automatically e-mail you a one-time-use coupon code for a free soap.

How often can I take advantage of this program?
As often as you like! Every unique referral earns you free goodies.

What do I have to do for my reward coupon to be sent?
Not a thing. If you have been a customer of ours in the past, we have your e-mail address on file and will automatically send the coupon code to that address when your friends’ orders have been completed.

What if my friend forgets to mention my name when they check out?
Your friend can contact us any time after the order has been placed to let us know of the oversight. Please have them mention their order number when they contact us.

What if my friend cancels their order or requests a refund?
Unfortunately, in order to avoid abuse of this program, we cannot issue referral credit for orders that are cancelled or refunded.

Will my referrals expire?
No, referral credits have no expiration date.

Can I choose which free soap I receive?
For the most part, yes. The coupon code has a $4.50 value, so some of our most premium soaps with a cost of $4.65-$4.95 will not be fully covered. However, you can still apply the coupon toward the cost of these items.

Below, we’ve given examples for the four main ways that an ingredient label can be written. These are all the same ingredients for the same bar of soap, and each format is considered acceptable.

1) Ingredients: Water, olive oil, beef fat, sodium hydroxide.
In this example, the manufacturer has listed every ingredient that was added to the recipe. This is how we at TPS choose to list our ingredients, as we feel it is the most straightforward. (Note: we never use beef fat, but since other manufacturers may, we’ve listed it to compare the various names it might appear under.)

2) Ingredients: Saponified Oils of Olive and Tallow
Since olive oil and beef fat (tallow) are called “saponified” when altered by lye and water, the manufacturer in this case has chosen to list the ingredients as they are when the soap is finished.

3) Ingredients: Sodium Olivate and Sodium Tallowate
This example is similar to example 2, with the only difference being that the manufacturer listed the scientific names of saponified olive oil and tallow rather than the common name. Note that lye does make an appearance here, unlike in example two, as lye is a sodium (sodium hydroxide).

4) Ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin Soap
In this case, the manufacturer has essentially chosen to list nothing at all. “Vegetable Glycerin Soap” could mean that they’ve saponified the used fryer oil from McDonald’s, for all we know. Vegetable oils such as coconut, olive, palm, safflower, sweet almond, etc. all have very different properties and benefits when it comes to the soap-making process. If the manufacturer chooses not to disclose their product’s contents, we should definitely be asking why that is.