by Marie | Mar 19, 2018 | Travel
Hey Bees! I thought we’d take a break from our regularly scheduled DIY-programming to chat about my recent trip to Australia. If you’ve been following my Instagram or other social networks you’ll know I returned from three weeks down under—my first visit since I lived there in 2010. It was a wonderful trip! We started in Sydney before flying to Tasmania for a few days. Up next was camping near Nowra, NSW, and then a road trip to Melbourne before heading back to Sydney via Grampians National Park. Three weeks seemed like a long time when I booked the flights back in July 2017, but in hindsight I really wish I’d just sprung for an entire month! I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to leave Australia, though—it holds a pretty special place in my heart 😊

(more…)
by Marie | Jul 7, 2016 | Travel
If you follow me on Instagram you’ll know I spent most of May travelling, and it was amazing! I started in Florence, Italy, moved on to Amsterdam, and then headed south to Montpellier, France. Next up was London, and then New York City on my way home. It was an absolutely incredible month full of walking (I was averaging 15km/day!), amazing food, beautiful places, and learning. I took hundreds of photos and fell in love with the world all over again. Anyhow, I wanted to share what I packed (lots of it was homemade—no surprise there!), some travel lessons and tips, and some pictures. Cue the wanderlust!

(more…)
by Marie | Apr 14, 2016 | Travel
I love to travel with my homemade bars of soap, but it can get a bit awkward and slimy. The last time I went to New York City I was staying in a budget hotel with shared showers, meaning I was carrying a slippery, wet bar of soap back to my room after every shower and carefully perching it on the corner of a slightly ajar drawer to dry it back out. I never use hotel bar soaps, either, preferring my own, which means I either have to stop washing my hands the night before I leave somewhere, or I’m packing a wet bar into a zip top bag and hoping for the best. Erk. Anyhow, when Danni got in touch wondering about single use soap petals for traveling and camping, I got to thinking—what other ways could I travel smarter with my homemade soap?

(more…)
by Marie | Jul 21, 2014 | Facial Cleansers, Soap, Travel, Very Crunchy
I am so very thrilled with this gentle facial cleanser, and I think you will be, too. It’s thick and creamy, and works into a gentle lather as you massage it into damp skin. It rinses away easily, leaving your face clean and smooth, but not overly dry. And, unlike many similar store bought products, it doesn’t have any chemical surfactants in it.

(more…)
by Marie | Jun 15, 2014 | Travel
As a lover of cities, Broadway, and chocolate chip cookies I have long wanted to visit New York City, and last month I finally did. I went with my mother, and we had a blast. We walked a lot, enjoyed some fantastic food, and just enjoyed being a part of such an alive, teeming city.

(more…)
by Marie | May 3, 2014 | Travel
Back in early March Craig & I went to Costa Rica, and it was divine. So, I thought I’d take an entry to be a bit indulgent and share some photos and memories, as well as some tips if you intend to visit the area.

We visited the southwest edge of the Nicoya peninsula. We made a point of avoiding more touristy areas like Tamarindo and instead visited the Santa Teresa area, where the surf was said to be gentle enough for beginners (which we both are). Santa Teresa blends into Playa Carmen and Malpais to the south, and Playa Hermosa and Manzanillo to the north. The entire coast is lined with beautiful, pristine beaches, many of which are nearly empty once you get past Playa Teresa.
(more…)