This time of year the heat is on and my lips are dry, dry, dry.

And Valentine's Day is coming up (in 24 days!!).

Perfect reasons to come up with a yummy scrumptious DIY Brown Sugar Lip Scrub recipe to share! This makes a perfectly sweet Valentine's Day gift. And even on a tight budget, you can make plenty.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil
• Brown Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Vit E capsules (optional)

• Cute small containers to gift it in.

I got those sweet "kiss" and "love" containers for $1.50 each from the Dollar General store, and you could easily find even more options in the $1 section at Target or elsewhere.

My jars hold 2-3 oz each and I wanted to make enough for four. So. I measured out:

• 3 cups brown sugar

• Melt about one cup of virgin coconut oil ( don't get it too hot or it will melt the sugar when you mix! Coconut oil has a low melting point.) Add this to your sugar.

• Mix in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Break open 4 vitamin E capsules and squeeze into your brown sugar mix. (I usually poke a hole with a safety pin) The vitamin E oil will help preserve your sugar scrub and also nourish the skin around your lips!
• Mix it all up good!

• Spoon into containers.
• Make it a simple gift by picking up some treat bags

OR, make it an AWESOME gift and add a Cheeky Maiden Love Shack Bath Bomb and a Cheeky Maiden Balmy Obsession Lip Balm! 

Either way, you'll want to include a little note with instructions how to use. (Scoop out with fingers and rub onto lips. It's all edible, so no need to wash off, just lick your lips! This could technically also be use on the face or feet. But you don't want to lick those probably.)

Wanna win that set for yourself?

Simple way to enter: Pin this item on Pinterest (using either the "Pin It" button on your browser, or this one:  Pin It 

Then leave a comment below letting us know you pinned it! Make sure to enter a valid email address so we can contact you if you win.

Winner will be chosen via random selection.

No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law (just kidding, I don't know what that means.)

You have until January 31, 2012 to enter!

Edited to Add: We forgot to put the give away in our last newsletter so there will be TWO winners! One winner amongst the few who commented before the original due date, and one chosen from everyone else. New Deadline: Saturday, Feb 11th! Now get to pinning! If you are new to Pinterest, join, and thank me later! ;) No one else commented after this note, so we're just choosing one winner from the original commenters.

Happy Valentine's Day! Now, go share the love! 

With Love,

Your Cheeky Maiden

You may or may not know, that I've got five kids. All under 8 years of age.

And we homeschool.

Do you know what this means? It means that I rarely get any time to myself. It means there is no quiet time in our house. It means that there is a lot of chocolate consumption. (Hey, we all have to cope.)

It also means that I take my own personal chill time (when I can get it) very seriously. 

I will now share with you my expert tips on achieving CALM:

Create a nice environment.

Clean out your bath tub. It's okay if there is a week old ring in it because you share it with at least two of your kids. Just clean it first, for yourself. Please. (I like to use Magic Erasers. They are quick and effective.) Burn some candles. Fancy ones that are just for you.

Allow yourself permission.

Do not steep in thoughts of what you should be doing, the argument you had, or anything else stressful. Give yourself Permission to relax. You need rest. You need it to be able to do the things you should be doing and you need it to handle those stressful situations.

Lose track of time

A good soak should not be hurried. Whatever the stressful thing is that got you wound up will likely still be there when you are done relaxing.

Make room for a bath bomb.

Bath bombs are magical. They take an ordinary tub of hot water and turn it into a refuge. They fizz their little hearts out and give all they've got, and when they are done your bath water has reach perfection- perfectly moisturizing, perfectly relaxing, perfectly CALM.

(Pictured: Geranium Lime Bath Bomb with Shea Butter)

So, in the midst of making all your New Year's Resolutions make a resolution to have some CALM in your life. Everybody needs it!

And to make sure you get it, we're giving away a FREE Bliss Bath Bomb with Cocoa Butter on all orders $25 or more this month! Just enter the Discount Code FREEBLISS on the Shopping Cart Page (Offer expires January 31, 2012).

 Happy New Year!

~Cheeky Maiden

Today was one of those days. Half the family has a cold and is grumpy. Then one family member in particular is very pregnant and grumpy, but we aren't pointing any fingers here.

The grumpy pregnant one got mad. Then she made bombs. Bath Bombs aren't just therapeutic for soaking in it turns out. Because the grumpy pregnant one, at whom we are not going to point fingers, locked herself in the soap room and didn't come out until approximately 98 bath bombs later. 

(Did you actually count them? Shame on you!)

I have a love hate relationship with Bath Bombs. They are difficult to make and insist on being made in tiny batches. Then there is a my obsession with above average bath experiences that compels me to make them. Why so many? I take DIY to a whole new level. Always have. Lucky you. ;)

I guess now would be a good time to introduce the newest bomb to the Cheeky Maiden Bath Bomb lineup.

Bath people, SnowBomb. SnowBomb, Bath people. Now that you've been properly introduced, let me tell you a little about SnowBomb. She looks sweet and innocent and pearly white. She has a little sparkle of Epsom Salt that mimics snow just right. And she has a major chill factor. In fact, after you settle into your nice warm tub and drop SnowBomb in, you might start to get a little confused at the slight chill you experience. You wonder if your hot water has run out. And then the chill factor takes it's toll... You chill out and melt into the bath. Is it hot? Is it cold? I don't care. Back pain, stress, worries, whatev-ah-- It's gone. You should tell her thank you before adding her to the bath though, because she really does explode and then melt away along with all your woes.

Know how I know? Because I'm soaking in one right now. (Please save your lectures about bringing electronic devices to the tub. I'm a professional. I know what I am doing.)

Since I...I mean, the grumpy pregnant one... was not the only person needing a good soak today, I/she came up with a treat for the little ones.

Tada! Kid Bombs!

Nicely scented with real lavender essential oil for your little people, it's a treat for Mamma too. Everyone knows that Lavender Oil brings on great sleep and scares away monsters. My kids are totally soaking tonight before bed. Hallelujah, Amen.

Available soon online: Blue Monkey, Pink Pig, Purple Mouse, and Gold Tabby Kitty. Make sure you like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter so you get first dibs!

Now, who wants to come help clean up the mess I made?

With Love,

Grumpy Pregnant Cheeky Maiden

Host a Cheeky Maiden Salt Party in your home this holiday season! 

What is a Salt Party?

Glad you asked! It's when you get all your friends together in your home and Cheeky Maiden shows up with delightful bath salts from all around the world and teaches you how to mix your very own salt baths! She'll bring exotic salts, essential oils, and pretty flowers and herbs that you can whip into an impressive hand made gift or a nice treat for yourself. 

We also provide fancy jars and labels (and y'all, the labels are water proof and super spiffy this year!). 8 oz jars can be filled for only $5 or 16 oz jars for $10. 

Along with all of the bath salt ingredients, we'll also bring a selection of soap and other Cheeky Maiden goodies available for purchase on the evening of your party. 

Oooooooooooh! When can I host a Salt Party?

We have a very (very) limited number of spaces available for Salt Parties this year, since Cheeky Maiden herself  is mostly just good for gestating human life right now. But we think it's pretty safe to say that you can book your party between November 1st and November 20th if you live in or near the Birmingham, AL area. 

What do I get?

You get 25% off your own entire order! (Just like that. No pressure. Just host, have ten friends show up, and you score big time.) And you get an evening filled with fun and good smellin' stuff with your friends! 

What do I have to do?

• Since spaces are very limited this year, we request that you have at least ten friends firmly committed to attending your party. This means you'll need to invite at least 20 people! We ask that you send out your e-vites or invitations no later than two weeks before your party date to give everyone plenty of time to plan to come. 
• Provide a table space for the salts to be set up, along with a table cloth, if you are concerned about damage to your table. Cheeky Maiden will bring her own table to display soaps and other goodies that will be available for purchase. Unlike other types of parties, you do not have to take pre-orders, or any other type of order, or be responsible for delivering or distributing purchased items at a later date. 
• Provide snacks and drinks for your friends, and let's face it... Cheeky Maiden is very pregnant and very hungry. And she likes chocolate. (Just kidding). OR organize a ladies night in and have everyone bring their favorite holiday treat!

Now, hurry up and get to planning! Our calendar is quickly filling up! Contact missi@cheekymaidensoap.com for inquiries and to book your party.