Keratosis Pilaris and a Homemade Body Scrub

Have you ever heard of keratosis pilaris? It's better known as the "chicken skin" disease where your skin looks like...well, chicken skin. Basically, what KP is, is a genetic condition where the body produces excess amounts of the protein keratin. This excess protein likes to clump up around hair follicles causing tiny red bumps on arms, legs and pretty much any where on the body. There is no  detrimental effects other than cosmetic, but believe me it can be annoying.

I was obviously born with this disease, however I never really thought of it as a problem until I hit puberty when it really flared up. At this time I had no idea what was going on. All I knew was that my arms, legs and scalp were covered in bumps and were dry and rough. I remember going to my mom and asking her about it. She really didn't know what was going on either, but she said that she had the same thing and eventually "grew out of it" to where the KP wasn't that much of a problem.

Although her words were comforting, I still remember scrubbing my arms and legs vigorously to where they were almost raw in the shower and then slathering them in lotion twice a day. But it seemed that no matter what I tried, nothing was making these red bumps go away. 

It wasn't until a few years ago, that I finally had a name for this thing that had caused me a lot of time (let alone lotion). I had been watching one of my favorite YouTube channels and came across a video they did where they talked about their niece's struggle with "chicken skin." Listening to the story, I found so many similarities and at the end they offered some suggestions on how to lessen the number of those pesky bumps, the main one being an exfoliating body scrub.

So I did some research and found a body scrub to try. It worked great, but the downside was the amount you got for what you paid. It's just insane! So that is why last night I decided to try to make my own using two ingredients I had around the house.

A while ago, I had gotten some coconut oil to help replace some of the butter I use when I'm cooking/baking. Coconut oil is great for the body and lately there has been a craze of using it in homemade lotions so I thought why not try and use it in my scrub for a moisturizer. But baby oil and olive oil would work well too! The second ingredient I used was sugar, but salt would also work for this. All I did was take two parts sugar and one part coconut oil and mixed it up well. Simple as that!

Next was to decide how much exfoliating I wanted to do, since it was getting pretty late and decided on making it a "spa night" and used it on my feet and legs before I gave myself a pedicure. I have to tell you, my legs have never felt this good, and I didn't even put lotion on them yet and it's been a few hours (normally they are dried up with in thirty minutes)! Plus they feel so soft and smooth, something I'm not used to even with proper moisturizing. 

So if you suffer from KP or just need a good exfoliate for the summer, I recommend you try making your own at home using what you have on hand (most people have olive oil and sugar or salt at home). It's so easy to make (2 parts sugar/salt to 1 part oil) and it will save you a pretty penny when compared to buying it. And you can customize the scent to anything you prefer by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil!

P.S. Don't forget, there is a giveaway for a custom blog header or button open until June 30th. For more details click here!

Two Years

Two years ago today, a pitbull changed my life forever.

It was June 12, 2010, my mom, Dalton (my brother) and I packed the car with blankets, toys and a leash with anticipation. The day had finally arrived for us to add another member to our family.

Dalton and I began dropping hints and pulling at our parents' (mostly Mom's) heart strings about getting another dog back in March. It had almost been a year since we lost our beloved beagle, Jess at the strapping young age of 15 and our black lab, Midnight was still looking for her at least once a week. He needed another friend to play with.

It didn't take much to convince our parents and soon we were on Petfinder.com looking at all the dogs available for adoption in the area. We weren't too picky, the only things we required were spayed female, on the younger side and get along well with other dogs. There were quite a few contenders out there, but we finally agreed on two from the same animal shelter.

Dalton and Mom were set on a brindle colored, Heinz-57 that had a lot of energy. All the way to the shelter Mom and Dalton talked about how her and Mid would get along and her beautiful brindle coloring. I on the other hand had another dog in mind.

Tempest was a one year old, shy, "dumbo eared" pitbull and as soon as we met her, she stole our hearts. She is exactly what I had in mind, a calm-spirited dog (even though she has her crazy "tuck the butt" moments where she bounces off the walls) that would help mellow out our rambunctious lab. Plus she's our "snuggle bug," something we were not use to having.

She is my "shotgun girl," always ready and willing to hop up in the passenger seat to keep me company. And when she doesn't get to go with she will be watching out the window until you get back home

Cleaning Up...Time for a Giveaway (CLOSED)

Did you notice anything different (fluffs hair)? Nothing? Really?

Ehh that's okay, I won't hold it against you haha! If this is your first time visiting of course you wouldn't know, but I wanted to tell you that I revamped my blog. It took some hard work and hair pulling but I couldn't be any happier with it. The new design has a nice girly feel without being over powering and just makes me feel giddy and refreshed every time I look at it.

Now, I hear you: "Christine, just calm down. It's nothing to get that excited about." But that dear friend is where you're wrong. Yes, I am happy with the way the layout and everything turned out, but why I am so excited is that I decided to give away a custom made "header" or "button" to one lucky reader (reader's choice)!

That's right, you read that correctly, I am giving away a custom "header" or "button" to one of you. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment below and also "join this site" by looking over in the right column for "Friends." If you have issues with the later, leave a comment of what the problem was so I know you tried and it will still count :)

The giveaway will be open for the rest of the month so tell your friends, in fact you can get an extra entry if you share your favorite post from here on facebook, twitter, google+, pinterest and whatever else is out there now-a-days (I can't even keep up anymore). All you need to do is leave the title of the post and what website you shared it on in a comment

Speaking of facebook, twitter, google+ and pinterest, if you follow me/like me on anyone of these websites (all linked on the side), that is another entry (max of three). Same thing as with the other, just leave me a comment saying which websites.

So here's the skinny:

• Giving away one custom "header" or "button" (winner's choice)
• Entries accepted until 11:59p.m. June 30, 2012
• Must leave a comment that you want to be entered and "join the site"
• FOUR extra entries per the above

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to send me an email. And most of all good luck!