If there’s a better way to celebrate National Blueberry Month, we’d like to know! Crunchy bread, fiber-rich spinach, and gooey cheese make this Balsamic glazed Blueberry sandwich a TRUE delicacy.  Whether you’re in need of trying something new at home or entertaining family and friends, this sandwich is the ultimate ticket to get people’s eyes popping and jaws dropping. Just when they think it’s Blueberry Pie in the oven….Follow along with us in creating this skinfully sweet masterpiece!

 

2. Spread blueberries onto a piece of bread, top with cheese, some spinach, then more cheese! Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Top with your other slice of bread and toast. Enjoy!

Special thanks to Amanda K. by the Bay for this inspiring recipe! So delicious!

Dear Lavender, let us count the ways we love you! Whether we’re lathering on our Lavender Argan Infusion or smelling it’s relaxing scent in our garden, we can’t seem to get enough. So, we did what any Lav-addict would do…we found a way to drink it! This Lavender Lemonade recipe is perfect for a hot summer day (July 4th BBQ, anyone) or bedside before you slink off to sleep. It’s relaxing and healing properties calm and nurture the soul, one sip at a time. Follow along here:

SkinOwl’s Lavender Lemonade

What You’ll Need

One small handful of freshly picked lavender (you can get from your local grocery’s herb department as well)

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 1/2 cups Lemon Juice

2 cups Boiling Water for the Infusion

2 cups of cold water

Ice

What To Do

Cut your fresh lavender flowers from the stems and place in a medium-sized bowl. Pour the brown sugar over the flowers and use your fingers to gently massage the sugar into the flower petals. Think swedish, not deep tissue! Next, pour 2 cups of boiling water over the lavender & sugar mixture and stir with a spoon until the sugar has melted into the liquid. Cover and let infuse for an hour. Next, strain the lavender-infused simple syrup and pour into a serving pitcher. Stir in the lemon juice.  Add another two cups of water. Feel free to add more lemon juice if too sweet or dilute with more water or sugar if too tart. Add ice to your liking. Lastly, feel free to add thin slices of lemon for juicy presentation. Enjoy (down to the last sip)!

* Want an extra boost of Lavender? Check out our Lavender Facial Oil. Incredibly healing, nurturing and calming for sensitive and oily skin types. Use morning and night in place of your moisturizer.

Special thanks for LaurenConrad.com for the delicious Lavender Lemonade inspiration. 

In choosing our three infusions for our Argan Infusion facial oils, Chinese Clary Sage was a no-brainer.  Clary Sage Oil can boost self esteem, confidence, hope and mental strength, thereby efficiently fighting depression. Do you need to calm down? Do you want to concentrate? Or do you simply want to relax and have a good night’s sleep? Clary Sage oil can help you with all of these. It reduces inflammations and has an undeniably calming effect. People suffering from chronic stress or anxiety disorders find great comfort in the use of Clary Sage essential oil. Topically, it is known for balancing oils in the skin, so that you look supple and youthful. It relaxes wrinkles and plumps out paper-thin skin.

Do any of these skin concerns hit home? If so, you’re a #ClaryGal!

Dry Skin

Sagging Skin

Los of Firmness 

Loss of Elasticity

Sallow and Tired

When used morning and night, our Clary Sage Oil works immediately to moisturize, firm, and plump. Skin is left looking tight, youthful, and hydrated from within. This luxurious oil is to be used morning night, in place of a serum & moisturizer. Most often than note, clients wish they had started using it earlier, due to it’s skin-perfecting nature.

Suggested Use

Morning: After washing your face, use 3-4 Drops, either alone or mixed in with your moisturizer.

Night: After washing your face, use one full eyedropper vial.

Our SkinOwl Argan Infusion Clary Sage is available for purchase right now at our online store!  Simple click the link to have a bottle delivered to your door. Your TRUE skin is waiting.

In choosing our three infusions for our Argan Infusion facial oils, Egyptian Geranium was first on our list.  When used by itself, geranium oil is unbelievable in treating acne, eczema, cellulite, stretch marks, scarring and dry skin. For acne sufferers, geranium oil has been shown to decrease sebum production and return the skin to a normal balance, while its wound-healing properties clear the skin of blemishes and acne scars and boost radiance. A few drops diluted in a shampoo help alleviate scalp dryness and a drop or two applied directly to a cold sore can speed up healing. You can see why there was no better infusion for our combination skin types.

Do any of these skin concerns hit home? If so, you’re a #GeraniumGal!

Combination Skin (Dry in places, Oily in places)

Dull and Tired

Acne Scars

Sun Spots (Or Melasma)

Congested

When used morning and night, our Geranium Oil works immediately to balance, decongest, and brighten. Skin is left looking diffused, clear and poreless from within. This luxurious oil is to be used morning night, in place of a serum & moisturizer. Most often than note, clients wish they had started using it earlier, due to it’s skin-perfecting nature.

Suggested Use

Morning: After washing your face, use 3-4 Drops, either alone or mixed in with your moisturizer.

Night: After washing your face, use one full eyedropper vial.

Our SkinOwl Argan Infusion Geranium is available for purchase right now at our online store!  Simple click the link to have a bottle delivered to your door. Your TRUE skin is waiting.

In choosing our three infusions for our Argan Infusion facial oils, there was no question that French Lavender had to be in the picture. The health benefits of Organic lavender oil include its ability to eliminate nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect the scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems. It is the “Jane of all Trades,” helping to alleviate skin numerous skin woes.

Do any of these skin concerns hit home? If so, you’re a #LavenderGal!

 Redness

Acne

Overproduction of Oil

Eczema, Rosacea, or Psoriasis

Blackheads

When used morning and night, our Lavender Oil works immediately to calm, heal, and and nurture. Skin is left looking calm, clear and healed from within. This luxurious oil is to be used morning night, in place of a serum & moisturizer. Most often than note, clients wish they had started using it earlier, due to it’s fast-healing nature.

Suggested Use

Morning: After washing your face, use 3-4 Drops, either alone or mixed in with your moisturizer.

Night: After washing your face, use one full eyedropper vial.

Our SkinOwl Argan Infusion Lavender is available for purchase right now at our online store!  Simple click the link to have a bottle delivered to your door. Your TRUE skin is waiting.

If you’re anything like us, preparing lean green meals is uber important, not only for our skin and overall health, but for our quality of life. Planning our meals ahead of time keeps frantic food-searching at bay and gives us a routine we can count on. Plus, we feel better in the end, knowing our food came from our own making. If you’re on the go, here’s a helping hand in preparing delicious, crunchy salads for the work-week. Plus, we’re gonna tell you how many vegetables you’ll need, so you don’t have to see another cucumber go to waste. Let’s begin.

First, your SHOPPING LIST for your five work days:

1 large container of arugula, baby spinach, field greens, etc. Whichever you prefer.

2 cucumbers

2 to 3 bell peppers

5 carrots or one bag of baby carrots.

1 package cherry tomatoes

1 bag red or green grapes

1 can black beans

1 can chickpeas

Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds

2 avocados

Red Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil

Next, MASON JARS. This gives us the perfect serving and doesn’t take up as much room in our fridge as tupperware. Plus, the glass gets cold and keeps our veggies crunchy and jucy. AND, unlike tupperware, we don’t have to worry about our dressing wilting the veggies before we get to enjoy them. We’ll show you what we mean below.

Ok, so we’ve got our veggies. We’ve got our containers. Let’s start the PREP!

First, put in two tablespoons of dressing. It will be on the bottom of your mason jar, so to keep the veggies fresh. This is perfect for those of you who don’t want to pack a separate salad dressing bottle. Next, veggie time! Start with harder veggies like carrots, radishes, onions, and chickpeas. They aren’t as porous and they can “hang” close to the dressing as a result. Then go for anything else like bell peppers, chopped cukes, and cherry tomatoes. Next, layer up your lettuce. Mix and match, have fun. This should take up at least half the jar. Lastly, your protein! Sprinkle tuna, grilled chicken, or tofu. These will help push the lighter-weight greens down so you add even more to your jar.

Of course, you can also add avocado, nuts or seeds, sprouts, or fruit. Shake or pour when you’re ready. At lunchtime, you can either shake up the container to distribute the dressing, or if you have the luxury, pour the entire contents into a bowl and mix it up with your fork.

That’s it! Now you’ve got salad to enjoy day after day. Enjoy beauties!

Special shout out to Lunchboxbunch.com for the beautiful Mason Jar + Salad inspiration above. Click here or the picture above for the full scoop!

This might be the ultimate breakfast treat when it comes to satiating our sweet tooth. Check out our favorite way to kickstart our day with a lil’ fruity crunch! SkinOwl Tip: Stick to red fruits, kiwi, and blueberries to detox, purify, and decongest the skin from within. Now, let’s get you closer to that first bite.

Sugar Cookie Tacos

Ingredients:

1 Package 18oz refrigerated sugar cookie dough

2 tablespoons cinnamon

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups of your favorite fruit cut-up

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 350. grease 2 baking sheets. Cover rounded forms such as rolling pins or cardboard tubes from paper towel roll with aluminum foil.

2. Cut cookie dough into 16 half inch thick slices. Press each slice on a slightly floured surface into a 3 inch round sprinkle with cinnamon.

3. Bake cookies until lightly golden, but still soft, 7-9 min. Gently remove cookies from baking sheet and IMMEDIATELY drape over rounded forms (we prefer a rolling pin!).

4. Cool cookies until firm about 2 min. gently remove.

5. Beat whipping cream and sugar in large bowl with mixer on high until stiff. Fill each cookie with about 2 tablespoons and your favorite fruit. Or use cream cheese for a yummy breakfast treat.

Enjoy!

We have tasted a lot of Guacamole. A LOT. Spicy, salty, citrusy. You name it, we’ve dipped a chip or veggie into it. We can’t get enough of this skin-smoothing, nutrient-soaked dip. Instead of leaving it all to fate, we decided to share our favorite recipe, in the hopes that it leaves you saying, “Wow, now that’s a GOOD GUAC!” The best part, it’s EASY. Follow along with us below!

What You Need:

1/2 small red onion chopped

1 small jalapeño

5 small ripe avocados, pits removed

1 teaspoon + 2 hearty pinches salt

3 juicy limes

1 large handful of chopped cilantro

How to Make: 

Rinse, deseed and finely chop jalapeño. In a large mixing bowl combine chopped onions, avocados, juice of 2 1/2 limes, chopped jalapeño, and salt. Mash with a fork leaving large chunks. Add additional lime juice and salt to taste. Place 3 avocado pits in guacamole (some people believe this keeps the guacamole from browning, I personally just love how it looks. Lastly, garnish with a hefty handful of chopped cilantro and serve immediately. Enjoy with baby carrots or your favorite Blue Corn Chip! Label this, YUM.

SkinOwl Avocado Skin-Tip: Create a moisturizing mask with this nourishing delicacy! Pit the fruit, puree the pulp, and pat it on your face. The oil acts as an emollient. It also contains beneficial vitamin E that will nourish and smooth the skin, while leaving you with a dewy glow. Sounds good to us!

** Special shout-out to A House in the Hills for inspiring this amazing recipe!

Ever since our new eye cream launched on Tuesday, all we’ve been hearing is, “What kinda magic is in this jar?!” Instead of throwing out a bunch of ingredient names, we decided to go one step further and let you know WHY they work. We know there are a lot of eye creams, serums, oils and treatments to choose from, which is why we spent the last year researching countless ingredient combinations. You want the best. You deserve the best. So, let’s get to it! Here’s a look at which seven power-ingredients are leaving you de-puffed, de-stressed, brightened, and tightened:

Hyaluronic Acid – Need we say anymore? Have you ever seen a dry sponge after you spray it with water? It puffs up, thickens, and plumps. This is exactly what Hyaluronic Acid does to the skin. Bye bye lines and creases!

Oligopeptides – Clusters of amino acids is what makes up oligo (meaning, several) peptide chains. Not only do they stimulate the deeper, matrix layers of the skin, but they also increase overall collagen production & help the skin to heal wounds faster. Yes please!

Cucumber – Follow along. Put a slice of cucumber on each of your eyes. Lie down. Now, give it a minute. What do you feel? Tingling? Does it almost feel like your eyeballs are being sucked out of their socket? YEP. The enzymes in cucumbers de-puff under eye bags within minutes. Keep it in the fridge and watch how the cucumber activates even more.

Aloe – Nature’s little healer! Not only does aloe calm and nurture, but it also aids in smoothing and silkening the skin. If you notice your under-eye area is softer, you can thank the Aloe for that!

Licorice – It’s all about the Galbridin! The galbridin compound in licorice is what helps to fade dark circles and brighten the skin from within. It works by inhibiting melanin (the cells that gives our skin pigment, yep, even dark circles and dark spots) and produces a whitening of the skin. It was also found to have sunscreen properties that help protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. Go licorice!

Gingko Biloba – Ginkgo Biloba, how much do we love thee! This polyphenol-rich antioxidant has been found to improve the skin’s protection from UVB rays and improve the production of collagen, which helps to keep the skin firm and youthful. Did someone say YOUTH? Nothing wrong with that.

And finally…

Periwinkle – Don’t be fooled by the fact that this is listed last. Periwinkle is a STAR ingredient, known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Late night or long flight? Periwinkle will help awaken, de-puff, and de-stress. Anything that fights stress is a friend of ours.

How much do we love Lavender? It’s actually hard to put into words why this little purple plant makes our heart flutter, but with all of Lavender’s nurturing, healing, and anti-inflammatory benefits, how could we not want to drink it as well!

Cue the Lavender Collins Cocktail. Nothing says, “TGIF” more than this mouth-watering, sip-worthy treat. Drink it in the garden reading a book solo, with your girlfriends, or with your honey. Anyway you sip it, it will for sure go down smooth. Here’s the skinny:

YOU WILL NEED (per cocktail)

1 1/2 oz Jensens Bermondsey Gin

3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz lavender syrup ( method below)

3 oz club soda

Sprig of lavender for garnish

To make the lavender syrup:

1 cup water

3 tbsp fresh or dried lavender flowers

2 cups sugar

METHOD

Firstly to make the lavender syrup, bring water and lavender to the boil in a saucepan, using a wooden spoon stir in sugar until it is completely dissolved  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 mins. Remove from the heat and allow to cool with the lavender, once cooled strain flowers away. This will store for 1 week in the fridge.

To make the Lavender Collins, transfer all ingredients except club soda into a cocktail shaker and mix. Pour into a long glass full of ice. Top up with the club soda and a sprig of lavender to decorate.

(Special thanks to Couture Craft for showing us the way with this amazing cocktail!)