Happy sixth birthday, Humblebee & Me! It’s been a whirlwind of a year. This is my 960th post, so post #1000 is coming up! My first book, Make It Up: The Essential Guide to DIY Makeup and Skin Care, was released on December 27, 2016 by Running Press. I did my first book signing and gave a talk at Shelf Life Books here in Calgary for Earth Day, and taught workshops with Market Collective and Windy Point. I travelled to some amazing places, got a dog, and hosted the first-ever Humblebee Meet-Ups in Montreal and Québec City (so fun!).
After a full year on YouTube I feel much more comfortable on camera and creating video content, and it’s really exciting to see the subscriber numbers climb and a new satellite community form. I’ve also had fun branching out and creating some non-tutorial video content, like walk-throughs on how to dissect a recipe and common Pinterest myths. I’ve also created and shared a ton of new recipes here on the blog; this is the year I fell in love with face lotions, BTMS-50, and mango butter. Swoon!
And now for some lists!
5 Most Popular
- A Guide to Carrier Oil Substitutions
- A Guide to Essential Oil Substitutions
- Winter Wonderland Bath Bombs
- A Quick Guide to Beeswax and Liquid Oil Ratios
- Citrus Summer Punch Swirl Soap
My 5 Favourites from 2017
- Silky Camellia Hair Serum
- Winter Solstice Face Cream
- Highlighting Moon Drops
- Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
- Green Tea & Roses Facial Cleanser
My 5 Favourite Innovations/New Things I Tried
- Cera Bellina (try this salve!)
- Cetyl alcohol (this primer is thickened with it and it’s amazing)
- Stearic acid (I’m in love with my Forest Cleansing Balm that’s mostly thickened with stearic acid)
- Foaming hand washes
- Seabuckthorn Mattifying Moisturizer
My 5 Favourite Gifts
- Chocolate Macadamia Nut Vegan Lip Balm
- Whipped Pumpkin Spicy Body Butter
- Fireworks Lip Gloss
- Ginger Silk Summer Lotion
- Chocolate and Roses Valentine Soap
My 5 Favourite DIY Purchases
- Butcher’s Paper
I switched from using parchment to using butcher’s paper for lining my soap moulds, and it’s amazing! It peels right off and creases/tapes down much better than parchment. - This wicked 6-pack of spatulas
These beauties are my new favourite full-sized spatulas, joining my beloved icing spatulas in my spatula hall of fame. These bad boys are inexpensive (about $3 apiece), strong, flexible, and single piece, so there’s no crannies for stuff to get stuck in. - Oak Moss Absolute
This utterly delightful absolute has the most beguiling, warm, sweet scent that I’m loving in pretty much everything these days. - Squeezy HDPE Bottles
I’ve purchased oodles of these in a variety of sizes with a variety of caps, and I love ’em. I should probably be used to the novelty that is a squeezy bottle, but I’m clearly not. - Black Plastic LUSH-esque Tubs
These super versatile, durable tubs from YellowBee have quickly become one of my favourite thing to put concoctions in. He sent me my first tub for free and I’ve since bought quite a few more; the secure screw-on lid, variety of sizes, and pretty strong brand associations mean these tubs never fail to get noticed.
My 5 Favourite Non-DIY Purchases
- Japanese Sunscreen
This stuff is downright amazing; I’ve tried a couple from Bioré and Shisedo, and they’ve all blown the socks off of North American sunscreens. They’re ultra lightweight and non-greasy, meaning re-applying is a non-issue, and they don’t leave any kind of a cast. I’ll never go back! - Hydrocolloid Bandages
I’ve tried a couple brands of hydrocolloid acne patches, and I like the ones from MEDca best; they’re the cheapest and they stay on really well, which is really important as I’m usually sleeping in them. Hydrocolloid bandages halve (if not better!) the healing time of blemishes by keeping the area moist and not allowing a scab to form, and they are now completely indispensable to my skin care cabinet. - The Angry Chef: Bad Science and the Truth About Healthy Eating by Andrew Warner
This book is positively addictive and downright wonderful, and I’m going to be very sad when I’ve finished it. Warner has lovely, witty, easy-reading prose and covers a wide variety of dietary fads and why they’re not all that. - Philips Hue
I pretty much feel like I’m in the Jetsons when I say “good morning!” to my phone and my lights come on. It’s very groovy. - Uni-ball Signo DX UM-151 Gel Ink Pen
These are the best pens ever, and I would write them a love song if I could. Silky smooth, dark ink, seamless writing… swoon.
I’d love to hear from you! What have you been loving making? What have you learned and loved in the last year?
Thank you for all of your ideas and passion. Happy 6th birthday! I’ll sign up for your Patron and donate today. Thank you again.
Thanks so much, Jay! I really appreciate it 🙂
Congratulations, I have seen many DIYs and I am always impressed with the way you explain everything, hank you for all that you do!!
Thanks so much, Jen!
Happy birthday Marie! You are an incredible young woman and I wish you many years of success coupled with joy and peace as you walk your life and fulfill your dreams.
Thanks, Becky!
Congratulations Marie, you are an endless source of inspiration!
Thank you! 🙂
Happy 6th birthday! We are so lucky to have you. Thank you for all you give to us! <3
Thanks so much, Kelly!
Congratulations Marie! You have accomplished so much in 6 years and so have we, because of you 🙂
Thank you, Michelle!
Congratulations! I am a HUGE fan – I have your book and have made many of your products – any hopes of you coming south??? I’m in North Georgia (USA) and would LOVE to meet you!
Thanks Betsy! My travels are generally just places I want to go on vacation, so I guess… sell me on the south? LOL.
Congratulations, Marie! Your blogs and recipes have been posted with much research passion and humour. Thank you for the generousity in sharing your recipes and knowledge.
Thanks so much, Ruth! 🙂
Happy 6th Birthday Humblebee & Me! You are truly one of the best! Congratulations Marie!
Thanks so much Belinda 🙂
Hi Marie!
I am here in the lower 48 and just want you to know what an inspiration you are to me. I have jumped on the DIY train and love everything you bring to your page. I love the fact you talk to all of us and teach, no matter how tiresome it may be. That makes you sincerely one of a kind! I love that you make the videos, what a help! Congratulations and I look forward to visiting your page for many years to come! ~ Sarah
Thank you so much, Sarah! 🙂
Happy Birthday! MANY happy returns!
Thanks so much, Theresa!
Happy Birthday Humblebee!
You put a whole lotta fun in my life! Love ya!!!
Thank you Cristie! 🙂
Happy Birthday!!! I’m in love with Cera Bellina too!! The seabuckthorn mattifying Moisturizer is one of my favorites..and the Ginger Lotion with patsia powder ( did I spell or say it right? Lol) is so good ..I have made so so many of your recipes …they have changes the way I live , in bath and body.. essential oils are such a big part of my life..oh and I’m addicted to making Soap now too! LOL I dyi so much now! It’s great!… I so happy for your success..you certainly deserve it !
Thanks so much, Becky! I’m so glad you’re loving those recipes (those are definitely some of my faves, too!), and I’m beyond stoked to hear you’re taking charge of your bath & body care and having fun doing it 😀 WOo!
Happy 6th birthday, Humblebee and Me! Reading your blog and DIY-ing has provided me a time where I can have solitude despite the stress of everyday life. Thank you so much.
Also, I noticed you have gotten into asian beauty too! Can we expect any serums, ampoules, etc. coming to the blog?
Thanks so much, Anna! I would love to make more AB inspired stuff, but dang… the ingredients! There are usually so many, many of which are totally unavailable in Canada, and I imagine my readers wouldn’t be too stoked about a 27-ingredient recipe :/ I shall keep researching, though!
I was JUST thinking about was how cool it would be to see your take on a 10 step korean skin care routine! I noticed your link to the Oak Moss Absolute is sold out, any other leads on where to find? Thanks so much for all you do!
10? I can only share 10 steps? 😛 I think I’m somewhere around 14 right now because I am nuts, haha. It looks like Abby has the oakmoss absolute in stock, they have the most dazzling array of essential oils and absolutes.
congratulations Marie! so much appreciation and admiration for your dedication to this blog – from which I (and so many others) get benefit. You’re the best!!
Thanks so much, Jade! 🙂
Happy 6th Birthday, Marie & Humblebee & Me. I just got into DIY in Feb 2016. Your website, recipes, tutorials, and now videos inspired me to get started. I love seeing all of your new recipes and your reasoning for using each ingredient.
Thanks so much, Crystal! I’m so glad I’ve helped get you into this awesome (and totally addictive) hobby! 😀
Hi Marie! I like the idea of meet-ups that you are starting! Would you ever do a meet-up in Edmonton or Calgary? I live in Edmonton.☺️
Yes! I should definitely do one in Calgary given, you know, I live here LOL.
Haha, yes I think that’s a good idea!
So sorry to have missed you when you were in Québec city. Hope you enjoyed the visit and that the meetup was successful. Happy 6th anniversary.
It was a pretty quiet one—just one person came. Still lovely, though! Thanks for the well wishes 🙂