Couldn't get away with not doing a Mother's Day post!

Mother's Day is quickly approaching (if you just slapped yourself on the forehead and said - oh crap! - time to start brainstorming!) and if you're like me you're trying to decide on the perfect give for your mom :) Now my mom and I are similar in a few ways, but really very different others. However, she loves cosmetics, skin products, hair products, etc. like me--thank goodness! I was having a discussion last night with one of my best friends and we talked about a few different ideas. I love that like me, she tries to get the person she's giving a gift to something thoughtful that he/she will like.

Anyway, we talked about getting a few different skincare products and the conversation eventually turned to making your own at-home spa type things--facial masks, moisturizers, etc. Here mom happens to be Celiac so she's very limited to what she can use and has to be super careful. Talk about challenging in this day and age! Now this idea may not work if you don't live near your mom, but if you do it could be a fun, economical, and natural way to celebrate Mother's Day with your mom! Rather than taking mom to a spa or buying her some products online or in-store, treat your mom to a natural, at-home spa day!

Here are a few things you can do:

Give mom a pedicure! I did a whole long blog post on things you can do at home to get those piggies sandal-perfect HERE! Once you've got her feet nice and smooth, choose a fabulous polish shade to show off her lovely pedicure. Pastels are really in and just about every company has them. You've probably already got a whole drawer full of some of the new fabulous shades coming out! Of course you can apply some of the foot soaking techniques and moisturizing ideas to hands to help soften cuticles and moisturize so that you can give mom a mani as well!

Give mom a natural facial! Use the following ingredients to whip up a fabulous face mask for mom right in your/her kitchen (you can take out some of these ingredients if you can't find them, are allergic to them, or don't have them and it'll still work fine; feel free to play around to get the consistency you want):

2 Tablespoons organic oatmeal
2 Tablespoons organic yogurt
2 Tablespoons mashed organic carrot, papaya, avocado, or pumpkin (or all of the above)
1 Tablespoon raw honey (warmed so it's easier to work with and mix)

I suggest using a food processor or really good blender to mix up this concoction so it's blended all the way through. If you find your mix is too thick because you chose not to use some of the vegetable/fruit ingredients, add 1 Tablespoon of warm water at a time until it's right. Obviously you don't have to use organic ingredients, but I prefer them for eating and "wearing" ;) Let the mask sit on your mom's face for 10 minutes or so then wash it off with warm water. Don't forget to put cucumber slices on her eyelids to get the full effect and reduce any puffiness/circles.

Moisturize Mom with natural oils! Rather than purchasing some lotion for mom, buy her some organic, pure oils to moisturize with! If you read my blog you've probably already realized I have a slight love affair with natural oils. They're so fabulous! Anyway, here are a list of oils you can get mom to moisturize her skin or even hair. You can purchase this at almost any natural food store, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's has some, etc. I apply some of these daily and some at night to keep my skin youthful, while others I use to deep condition my hair on occasion!

Jojoba Oil - It is actually a wax, though it comes in what looks like a liquid form. This can be great for your face as it won't clog your pores, absorbs without leaving any oily residue, and it's actually very light once absorbed. Love it!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Such a great oil to eat and use on your skin! I find this does have an oily feel, but it is great if you want to apply it to an area like your feet then put on socks to lock in the moisture. Also great for deep-conditioning hair!

Avocado Oil - Such a great oil! I do find it does have a slight oily feel after absorbed, but I like to apply this to my face at night on occasion, especially around the areas that will eventually wrinkle (outer eye creases, forehead, around mouth, etc.)

Sweet Almond Oil - This is also great for deep moisturizing things like your feet or hands, just be mindful that there is often a slight oily feel after it is absorbed into your skin.

Castor Oil - This is AMAZING for deep conditioning hair. To use it I suggest warming it up (don't make it boiling, but definitely pretty warm) and apply it to your hair from your scalp to the ends of your hair. Don't use too much because you don't want to end up with super oily hair. I'd say 2 Tablespoons at most should do the trick if you have long, thick hair. Use less if you have short or thin hair! Leave it in for as long as you have time for (some people leave it in overnight). Wash it out with gentle shampoo after you're done with your treatment. I wouldn't suggest doing this more than monthly as it is a very heavy oil and will give your hair an oily feel otherwise!

These are just a few ideas I had on giving mom a natural, at-home spa experience. One of the best parts is that while you're busy giving mom a mani/pedi, facial, or whatever else you do you can sip your mom's favorite drink, have some chocolate, and watch a movie in your PJ's! I'm all about PJ's for relaxation ;)

If you have any at-home beauty recipes feel free to share them below! Even if you have another fabulous idea for Mother's Day, these are great ways to treat yourself when you have time, too!