Urban Botanic is Closed

Urban Botanic is now closed.

It's been wonderful.
Thank you to so many loyal customers.

If you have an issue with your order,
you may still contact me via email at

karleneb [at] urbanbotanic [dot] net

I will leave this blog up so that you may have access to Scent Blending 101 mixing instructions.

P.S. The website says it's down for maintenance and to check back later. This is misleading. We will not be back later. That message is a temporary step while I figure out how to take the site down completely.

Time is Up!!

TICK TOCK!

Today is the LAST DAY to order quality home, bath and body fragrance products from Urban Botanic.

Warmers for only $3.99!

Fragrance oils for only $2.70!

Bath & Body Products 80% Off!

Hurry to stock up now!

Visit Website

Website closing on February 1st, 2011.


Shop Urban Botanic.

Last Weekend!!

Time is Running Out!

There are only a few days left to order quality home, bath and body fragrance products from Urban Botanic!

All products are 80% off retail.

Warmers for only $3.99!

Fragrance oils for only $2.70!

Bath & Body Products 80% Off!

Hurry to stock up now!

Visit Website

Website closing on February 1st, 2011.


Shop Urban Botanic.

Time Is Running Out!

If you've been thinking about getting some Urban Botanic products, now is definitely the time to do it!

We still have many of our quality home, bath and body products at the amazing price of 80% Off Retail!

Warmers for only $3.99!

Fragrance oils for only $2.70!

Bath & Body Products 80% Off!

You'll want to stock up because these make the very best wedding, birthday, and any occasion gifts!

But order soon because before you know it, they'll all be gone. We're winding down and there are only two short weeks left before the Urban Botanic website shuts down.

Visit Website

Website closing on February 1st, 2011.

Shop Urban Botanic.

17 UB Oils Marked Down to $1.50 Each!

I just marked down

17 of our yummy
Urban Botanic
fragrance oils
to only
$1.50 per bottle!

(Retail price: $13.50)

Why did I mark some of these oils down?

Because I have a lot of them—and I want to make sure I sell out before I close down the website at the end of the month.

The 17 Super Deals are:

• Geranium • Linden Blossom • Lotus Flower

• Mimosa • Violet • Guava • Raspberry

• Almond •Basil •Garden Mint •Sage •Tomato Leaf

• Water Lily •Allspice •Myrrh •Oakmoss •Pine

All other products are still 80% off retail.
Prices good while supplies last.

Shop Urban Botanic.

Going....Going...Almost Gone!

If you've been thinking about getting some Urban Botanic products, now is definitely the time to do it!

We still have many of our quality home, bath and body products at the amazing price of 80% Off Retail!

Warmers for only $3.99!

Fragrance oils for only $2.70!

Bath & Body Products 80% Off!

You'll want to stock up because these make the very best wedding, birthday, and any occasion gifts!

But order soon because before you know it, they'll all be gone. We're winding down and there are only two short weeks left before the Urban Botanic website shuts down.

Visit Website

Website closing on February 1st, 2011.

Shop Urban Botanic.

Simple Layered Christmas Soap

Home-made soap is a little more complex than making bath salts, but it's lots of fun and fairly easy.

You can find the materials you need at craft and hobby stores that carry soap-making supplies or online at Brambleberry.com. 


Peppermint Christmas Soap
This is a recipe that I've used to make batches of cute, refreshing soap bars for Christmas gifts. It's pretty simple. You may need to test it out to get a level of fragrance that you like. This recipe makes approximately 8 to 10 small soap bars, sliced about 1/2" thick. 

Utensils Needed:

• 2 large glass measuring cups   
    
• 2 metal spoons
    
• 1 small loaf mold (approx. 9x3x2; if you can find them with flat sides and bottom, great; if not, a disposable foil loaf tin approx. 9x3x2 from the grocery store will work fine, too) 
    
• Small squirt bottle filled with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
    
• Clear plastic wrap
    
• Cellophane bags and ribbons

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 lb. Clear Melt and Pour Base (24 fluid ozs, melted)
    
• 1 lb. White Melt and Pour Base (12 fluid ozs, melted)
    
• 2 Urban Botanic fragrance oils, Peppermint and Coconut (or any two fragrances you like together; or you can use just one fragrance.) (Urban Botanic oils are cosmetic grade and safe for use in bath and body products.)
    
• Red liquid colorant (I sometimes use just a few drops of food coloring; if you only use a tiny bit, it won't stain)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather all your supplies.
     
2. You will need a total of 24 fluid ozs of melted Clear Melt and Pour Base and 12 fluid ozs of melted White Melt and Pour Base. I suggest cutting your bulk bars into 1/2" to 1" chunks and then melting a handful to see how many chunks you need to make 6 ozs (1 white layer) and 8 ozs (1 red layer).
     
   
   Make Red Layer:
3. Place enough chunks of Clear Melt and Pour Base to make just under 8 fluid ounces of base in a glass measuring cup. Microwave on 50% heat, for about a minute. Stir any remaining clumps until base is smooth. If you need to, put it back in the microwave for a few more seconds.
     
4. As soon as it's melted and smooth, add 10 drops of Urban Botanic peppermint fragrance oil to the melt. Stir well. (You can substitute other fragrances; increase or decrease the drops of fragrance according to personal preference.)
     
5. Add colorant to the melt until you have the shade of red you want. If you're using food coloring, only add 3 to 5 drops. Stir well.
     
6. You will probably have a little more than 8 ounces of fluid in your cup. Carefully pour 8 ounces into the loaf mold or tin.
     
7. Set aside and let cool until it is set up. (You can put it in the fridge to cool, just make sure it is tightly covered with plastic wrap, as it will absorb the odors in your fridge.)
   
     
   Make White Layer:
8. Repeat step 3, adding enough chunks of the White Melt and Pour Base to make just under 6 fluid ounces of base in a glass measuring cup. Heat and stir.
     
9. Repeat step 4, adding 10 drops of Urban Botanic coconut fragrance oil to the melt. Stir well. (Or you may add another fragrance that will blend well, or no fragrance at all.) You should have approximately 6 ounces of White Melt in your cup. Let cool slightly.
     
10. Take loaf pan out of fridge and spritz the top with rubbing alcohol. This keeps air bubbles out and helps the layers to adhere.
      
11. While White Melt is still warm, carefully pour 6 ounces over the red layer of melt. Repeat step 7.
    
      
    Make Additional Layers:
12. Follow the above directions to make another layer of Red Melt, then another of White, then a final of Red, for a total of five layers. Be sure to let each layer set up before pouring the next layer, and ALWAYS spritz the top layer with rubbing alcohol!
    
      
    Final Steps:
13. As soon as the final layer has set up completely, you can remove the soap from the mold. To speed the set-up process, you can either put the loaf mold in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or back in the fridge for an hour or two. Remember to cover it tightly with plastic wrap before putting in fridge or freezer.
      
14. Remove mold from fridge or freezer and let sit on counter for about 5 minutes. Then carefully turn mold over and gently ease soap out of mold.
      
15. Turn the soap so that the bottom (smaller) side is on top. Using a sharp, smooth knife, make soap slices approximately 1/2 inch thick.
      
16. Immediately place each bar of soap into a cellophane bag and seal, or wrap with plastic wrap. If you let it set out, it may bubble and crack. Tie with a ribbon and there you have it—a perfect Peppermint soap!
 

You can also use this basic Melt and Pour process to make molded soaps. Just melt, scent, color and pour into soap molds. Easy and delightful!



For detailed instructions with images and ideas for making Pour & Melt Soaps, visit:

• Basic Melt and Pour Instructions from Teach Soap
    
• How to Make Melt and Pour Soap from About.com
    
• Swirled Mint Soaps
    
• Gem Stone Soaps
    
• Chunky Soaps

Note: I forgot to take a photo of my soap before I used it. I borrowed this image from Magic Senses.

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Bath Salts

Bath Salts are easy to make and they are an inexpensive and fun gift. Bath salts are also a fun activity for children. Just be sure they don't eat the salts!

You can find some of the materials you need at your local grocery. Others can be found at craft and hobby stores that carry soap-making supplies.

Below is the recipe I like best. Feel free to adjust it to fit your own tastes. You can use all Epsom salts or all sea salt, or a mix of the two. Add more or less fragrance oil, as desired. This may take some trial and error on your part.

The following recipe makes approximately 6 to 7 cups of bath salts.

Utensils Needed:

• Glass or metal bowls, 1 large, 1 small for each color (Do not use plastic or wood; they will absorb the ingredients)
     
• Whisks
     
• Air tight containers—mason jars, other decorative jars (you can find these at your local dollar store or thrift store). You can use either glass or plastic. If you use plastic, do not reuse the containers for anything else. Also, some fragrance oils may discolor plastic containers.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Epsom salt
     
  
• 2 cups generic sea salt (if you're using high quality coarse ground sea salt, decrease to 1 cup and increase Epsom salt to 5 cups)
  
  
• 1 cup baking soda, optional (skin softener)
  
  
• 30 to 40 drops Urban Botanic fragrance oils
  
  
• 1/4 cup Natrasorb or 1/2 cup Dendritic Salt, optional (absorbs and holds the fragrance)
  
  
• 5 to 10 drops of coloring, optional (It is usually safe to use just a few drops of food coloring. If you go light, it won't stain your tub or skin; or, if you want more vibrant colors, use liquid soap colors or micas)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In your large glass or metal mixing bowl, measure the Epsom salt and the sea salt together. Stir well, breaking up all clumps. Add the baking soda and mix well.
   
   
2. If you are using the Natrasorb or Dendritic salt, put it in a smaller glass or metal bowl. Add 30 to 40 drops of fragrance oils, depending on how strong you want it to be. Mix well.
   
   
3. Add the fragranced mix from step 2 to the salts from step 1.  Mix well. Break apart all clumps.
   
   
4. If you are not using the Natrasorb or Dendritic salt, slowly drizzle the fragrance oil over your salts, a few drops at a time. Mix well, breaking up the clumps. If your bath salts are very clumpy, you might want to let it dry a bit and then whisk it before adding it to your container.
   
   
5. If you want a natural white color for your salts, skip to step 7.
      
   
6. For color, add it a drop or two at a time over the salts. Mix well and break apart the clumps after each drop. If you want multi-colored bath salts, divide the salts into smaller bowls, one for each color. If your bath salts are very clumpy, again, let them dry a bit and then whisk it before adding it to your container.
   
   
7. Make sure there are no more lumps in the bath salts.
      
8. Spoon the bath salts into their containers, layering the colors if you're creating a multi-color arrangement. Put the air-tight lid on the container.
      
9. Add a ribbon or bow, and voilá, you have a wonderful gift!

To use the bath salts:
Sprinkle salts into a warm tub of water, adding 1/2 to 1 cup to a standard-sized bathtub.

If you're giving the bath salts away as a gift, include a tag with usage instructions and a caution not to eat the salts.

For step-by-step instructions with images and ideas, read How to Make Basic Bath Salts on About.com

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Start Thinking Christmas!

At 80% off retail prices,
you can make
personalized fragrances or
give warmers with oils
to everyone on your shopping list.

Shop Urban Botanic.

While supplies last!
Prices will remain at 80% off retail through the end of 2010.

Shop Urban Botanic.

Using Fragrance at Work

It's fairly common knowledge that you can use fragrance to change your mood. But did you know it can also help with performance and memory?

Studies have shown that scented rooms can have a positive effect on such things as proofreading, computer programming and other "sustained attention tasks." Tasks were completed with greater accuracy in the scented rooms as compared with the non-scented rooms. Grapefruit, jasmine and lemon all help to reduce drowsiness and sustain attention.

Peppermint is piped into the Tokyo Stock Exchange in the afternoons to help re-invigorate the brokers.

College students can use mint and sage during finals week to fight exhaustion and boost memory and concentration while they study.

Geranium and bergamot have been used to relieve stress and tension in a variety of situations.

Tip of the Day: Take your UB Warmer and your favorite oils to work with you. You'll love it (and so will your co-workers).


*Aromatherapy and Performance from Prolitec.com

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Using Fragrance to Change Your Mood

Scent is a powerful thing. Breathe in the fragrance of a summer rose and life just feels a little better. The right scent at the right time can change your entire outlook in a matter of moments.

Fragrances have been used for centuries to manipulate mood. Here are a few of my favorite mood lifters.

• Stressed out and can't sleep? Try a little lavender or chamomile to help settle your nerves and calm you down.


• Feeling overworked and overwhelmed? Vanilla can ease the pressure.


• A little sluggish and run down? Green tea or grapefruit is the answer, or try a little lemon and lime.


• Totally exhausted? There's nothing like peppermint or eucalyptus to perk you up again.
  


• Got a big date and want to feel more womanly? Try a musk or sandalwood.


• When I'm feeling down, nothing makes me happy faster than a mix of pomegranate and cinnamon.
  

Scent is a powerful thing. What do you use as a pick-me-up?

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Be Mine

Be Mine makes a wonderfully romantic lotion, a sensual bubble bath, or a perfect perfume.

It's sweet (but not too sweet) and innocent.

You can purchase it pre-mixed, or mix it up yourself.

Jasmine 5 parts
Sandalwood 7 parts
White Musk 3 parts

Use this recipe in any of our bath and body products or as a home scent with our fragrance warmers.

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Holiday Recipes

My daughter Megan and I sat down today and made up a bunch of yummy holiday recipes that we'd like to share.

Christmas at Mom's: Cinnamon (1), Coconut (1)
This is my all-time favorite right now. When my kids smelled it they said it reminded them of Christmas at my house, ergo the name. This is for Spicy/Fruities.

Christmas Eve: Peppermint (1), Vanilla (1), Coconut (3), Cinnamon (12)
This is a strong cinnamon scent, with the just a hint of mint. Spicy/Herby.

Ginger Snaps: Maple Spice (2), Brown Sugar (2), Cinnamon (4), Ginger (2), Clove (2)
It smells just like a gingerbread house. Unfortunately, ginger and clove have been discontinued, but you can probably get the same effect (or close to it) with Allspice. If anyone tries it, post your recipe in the comments section. Spicy, definitely.

Pinecone and Holly Berry: Pine (1), Cedarwood (7), Fig (1), Pomegranate (1)
This one is so yummy. I came up with the name and Megan created the recipe to go with that name. Megan is exceptionally good at creating new scents that people love. I know this will be one that my assistant Sandra loves because she's a Woodsy and loves pine and cedarwood.

Pumpkin Pie (Lite): Cinnamon (8), Allspice (1), Brown Sugar (1), Clove (3), Nutmeg (1), Ginger (1), Honeydew Melon (1)
I told McKenna I'd made a pumpkin pie recipe and she said, "Nuh-uh! How do you make pumpkin pie without a pumpkin oil?" Well, it worked perfectly. It's not a strong pumpkiny smell (which is why I call it "lite") but the honeydew melon gives it a hint of that flavor, and the name convinces you that you're really smelling pumpkin. Again, clove, nutmeg and ginger have been discontinued, but you can add more Allspice. Fruity/Spicy.

Snow on the Windowsill: Juniper (2), Water Lily (1), Garden Mint (3)
I told Megan I wanted something that smelled like fresh fallen snow and this is what she came up with. It really does remind me of a crisp and sparkling winter morning. Herby/Leafy.

Sweet Candy Cane: Coconut (6), Peppermint (4), Eucalyptus (1)
This one isn't as sharp as you might think. It's really kind of sweet. The coconut balances the mint and make a refreshing fragrance to wake you up on wintry mornings. Herby/Fruity.

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Eucalyptus (Leafy)

Eucalyptus comes from a tree that grows in Australia, Africa, India and Southern Europe. It is known by several common names, including Blue Gum Tree, Fever Tree and Stringy Bark Tree. The trees grow very quickly and are the tallest known trees in the world.

The fragrant volatile oil, found in the leathery leaves, is used medicinally to treat croups and coughs, flu, congestion and as an antiseptic. It is also used in spas and saunas to open the poors and the nasal passages. As a perfume, it is used to scent shampoos, soaps and other body products. Like the mints, it is fresh and invigorating. It makes an excellent shower gel to wake you up on those cold and dreary winter mornings, and as a bubble bath in the summer to cool you off and revitalize you after a long work day.

UB's oil is a true eucalyptus, with a hint of wood and moss to create a perfume oil that is timeless. Mixes well with other leafy and herby scents, and adds a bit of zing to the florals and fruities.

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Believe

This is such a fabulous fragrance recipe. It's great for a sophisticated perfume, lotion, or shower gel.

It's spicy, fresh and very confident. Green Tea has a bit of a bite, proclaiming to the world that you are alive and ready for whatever it throws at you. Bergamot is a tangy spice that exudes confidence and passion.

Green Tea: 3 parts
Bergamot: 2 parts

Use this recipe in any of our bath and body products or as a home scent with our fragrance warmers.

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Ember Glow

This fragrance recipe is so beautiful and versatile. It's a sexy perfume, a sensual bubble bath, a warming shower gel, or an inviting home fragrance, especially during Fall and the Holidays.

Bergamot offers a warm, spicy undertone while Brown Sugar balances it out with sweet caramel. Coconut keeps it from getting too sweet while adding a come-hither dimension.

Bergamot: 2 parts
Brown Sugar: 5 parts
Coconut: 2 parts

Use this recipe in any of our bath and body products or as a home scent with our fragrance warmers.

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Almond (Herby)

The luscious nutty aroma of almonds warms and delights the senses, reminding us of home, family and holiday baking in Grandma's kitchen. A favorite flavor in candies, teas and baked goods, almond is used in fragrances to evoke that sweet treat feeling.

Sweet Almond oil is nutrient-rich and helps to condition and soften your skin. It is wonderful in our nourishing body lotion.

Almond is a base note, meaning it adds depth and sensuality to a recipe and the fragrance lingers for a long time. Our almond is strong and true. A little of this widely loved fragrance goes a long way.

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Cinnamon (Spicy)

Cinnamon is used as both a spice and a medicine. As a spice, it flavors breads, cereals, fruits and desserts, and is often added to chocolates, coffees and teas. As a medicine, it has been used to cure colds, to treat digestive ailments and toothaches, to increase blood flow, and as an insect repellent.

Cinnamon is truly versatile and adds a bit of spice and spark to your scent recipe. It has been valued through the ages and highly prized as a gift fit for a king. It was known as a sensual perfume in China and Egypt as early as 2,000 BC and is even mentioned in the Bible. Our cinnamon is warm, and strong enough to add pizazz and depth to any blend.

Try cinnamon in a mix of bergamot, honeydew melon and green apple for a warm, fresh, lighthearted scent that speaks of flirtatious innocence.

Blend it with your favorite citrus, floral, sandalwood and musk to create a scent especially for women who love life!

Add it to lavendar, mimosa and oak moss to make a sexy scent for men.

Mix it with our rich vanilla and coconut to create a wonderful winter holiday scent, or mix it with one of our berries, add a little Naked and voilá, you have a fun summer scent. The possibilities are endless!

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Coconut (Fruity)

Coconut is native to tropical areas. The coconut tree has been called the "Tree of Life" and the coconut itself plays a significant role in a nutritious and healthy diet of the islands. Called "Summer in a Bottle," coconut fragrances are delicious, exotic and comfortably tropical.

Coconut is by far my absolute favorite fragrance. I have used it in every single recipe I've created for myself. Why do I love it so much? Because it is a wonderful blending scent. It is very light and helps to round out the other fragrances in your recipe without changing the overall scent.

Want a tropical feel? Add coconut. Want a scent that's great for summers on the beach? Add coconut. Want a fragrance that is ever so slightly flirty? Add coconut. It mixes well with...everything!

You're in for a real treat here. Our coconut is too delicious for words.

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Hope for Tomorrow

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You've probably seen a lot of pink ribbons around the past two weeks. I have a friend, Mary N., who passed away from breast cancer a few years ago. Even though she was 20 years older than me, she was still way too young to go. I wanted to do something to honor her and to help raise awareness.

As my contribution to this wonderful cause, I have created a special fragrance called Hope for Tomorrow—a light fruity blend of Passion Fruit, Coconut, Asian Spice, Egyptian Musk and Heliotrope. I think Mary would like it.

Passion Fruit: 5 parts
Egyptian Musk: 5 parts
Heliotrope: 4 parts
Coconut: 2 parts
Asian Spice: 1 part

Use this recipe in any of our bath and body products or as a home scent with our fragrance warmers.

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