give | Homemade Herb Soap Tutorial

First up from the herb garden - my very own soap! I thought this would be a lovely homemade Mother's Day or Teacher Appreciation gift. I picked up some plain, unscented glycerin soap and added herbs from the new garden and some citrus. I love the smell and bright green color of mint.

I diced up some rosemary to add with lemon zest.

I found some great napkins at Goodwill (where else) for 25 cents and some 50% off ribbon at Hobby Lobby for some easy gift wrapping.

I also thought about putting them on pretty antique plates found at Goodwill for $2. But does it look like I'm giving someone a slice of lemon cake? LOL

Herb and Citrus Soap
Recipe adapted from Martha

You'll need:
Glycerin soap (sold at craft stores)
Assorted herbs & citrus - I used basil, mint, rosemary, orange and lemon
Food processor
Glass bowl or measuring cup
Plastic spoon or scraper
Soaps molds - any plastic or cardboard container will do
Cooking spray

1. Melt soap
Put the soap blocks in glass bowl & melt in the microwave for 30 second intervals until melted. Stir every so often to break up big chunks.

2. Prepare additives
While melting, puree the herbs and squeeze out excess water in a paper towel. For citrus, zest the peel. You'll need about 1 tablespoon of additives for each cup.
FYI - Orange + basil = an unattractive muddy green brown color. 

3. Get mould containers ready
You can buy cute moulds at the craft store, but any plastic container will work, even your Ziploc containers. Though you might want to use something you can just pitch in the recycle bin when finished rather than trying to clean. Use old milk cartons or even yogurt cups. Spray with cooking spray and wipe out excess.

4. Add purees
Once glycerin is melted, let it stand & cool for a few minutes. Before it sets too much, add the additives. Keep stirring to ensure they don't all float to the bottom. When you have the color you want (more time stirring = darker color) pour into container.

5. Setting the mould
Let the soap sit on the counter for about an hour to completely set. Then put in the freezer for another hour or so. Then it should pop right out. Slice with knife, give to someone you love and use within 3 months.

P.S. Circle of Moms nominated us for their Top 25 Moms with Style Blogs. Just takes a second to click and give us the thumbs up. You can vote once a day! Thank you!

What to get? . . . First Birthday Ideas

1. Custom name print 2. Helium balloon 3. Henry's own book 4. Curious George and Richard Scarry magnets 5. Little Bear book  6. Personalized chair

Henry's first birthday is in a week and a half (can't believe it!) and I'm struggling to decide on the perfect gift. Still overwhelmed from Christmas, I cannot imagine more toys. 

I remember Caroline loving the mylar Dora balloon her wonderful Auntie Sus got her - it totally got C out of the post-nap funk and into the party spirit! Such a fun, simple gift.

Love the cute-as-a-button magnets from my super talented babysitter. (I'll just have to make sure Henry does not eat them.) Check out her two Etsy shops, Parsnip and Pear and Poppy and Pinecone.

Anyone else have other good first birthday ideas?