Fifteen years later, I would still rank it in my Top 10 Most Fun (and Fashionable) Vacations. The few times I visited Key West after that inaugural trip were just as memorable, and it is definitely one of my favorite places on Earth.

You feel so carefree and relaxed when you’re there, yet the uplifting energy and charm of the island push you to experience all it has to offer.

So when I got invited to check out the NYAH hotel and experience a “Key West Your Way” trip this winter, I was beyond excited to get back down there and find my long lost love revel in my happy place again, and escape the NYC winter.

Presenting your ultimate guide to Key West, Florida — where to eat, stay, play, and soak up this magical place.
(As for the romance, just stand on Duval street in a tube top with a cocktail, and you may just get approached by a drunk 25-year-old looking for love).

Where to Stay
Look, if you’re going to Key West on your honeymoon, ball out and stay at Casa Marina (the Waldorf Astoria property). But if you’re going on a girls or guys trip, NYAH (short for “Not Your Average Hotel”) is where it’s at. The ADULTS ONLY hotel (God bless them) is designed for groups with large rooms sleeping up to 6ish people, and you essentially “build your own room” with a mix of single beds and convertible kings.

There are personal closets/lockers for each person in the room and every bed has its own reading light and charging station. I love this concept because when I’m traveling with a group, I want us all to be together, not split up in separate hotel rooms (you never want to miss hungover morning recap sessions with the whole squad!).

And it’s so affordable — the room price stays the same no matter how many people are in it. As for the property, it’s a historic property right in the heart of the island with two pools, has amazing rooftop views, Starbucks coffee in the lobby, and HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY AT 4:20: Very #OnBrand.

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Where to Eat
I’ve never had a bad meal in Key West (that I remembered). You can eat fresh seafood at a casual hang on the water, fine dine downtown, or walk around scarfing down a slice of Key Lime Pie like it’s pizza (don’t judge me), and it’s all delicious.

For a more upscale experience, Azur is a must. We feasted on their airy patio, tasting nearly everything on the menu, and I was blown away.


For fish tacos and gallons of killer guac on the water, hit Turtle Kraal’s.

And if Beyoncé and Jay Z’s yacht is docked in plain view from the upstairs patio, the owner might just give you a pair of night vision binoculars to spy.

True story, guys. (And no, I never saw Bey and Jay and I don’t want to talk about it.)

Conch Republic and Waterfront Brewery are two other waterfront spots I love. Conch Republic is always a lively scene where you can watch boats come in and out of the harbor, and if you hit Waterfront Brewery, I recommend a cold pint (and an Insta pic) of the Crazy Lady brew.

And last but never least is the one place you cannot miss if you go to Key West. As in, if you go to Key West and don’t eat here, your trip doesn’t even count. And that place is Blue Heaven (which I also would have been in had I run into Bey, Jay, and Blue Ivy, but I digress).

The food at Blue Heaven is hands-down the best breakfast/brunch food I’ve ever had in my life, plus chickens and cats casually roam the property, and the al fresco setting is like something out of a whimsical fairytale.

If you’re like me, you’ll order the lobster Benedict with banana pancakes on the side (casual), and a slice of Blue Heaven’s sky-high Key Lime Pie…then have to be promptly rolled off the property.

Also, serenade a cat if you can (for the ‘gram, of course).

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What To Do in the Daytime
Key West days are the best days — the island is full of life around the clock and if you head down to Duval Street at any time of day, you’ll hear live music pouring out of the bars and see people living their best lives. One of my favorite low-key activities is exploring the island by bike, so lucky for me, NYAH has beach cruisers available for guests.

And the basket was just large enough for me to carry back the lifetime supply of products I bought at Key West Aloe (they make the best smelling lotions on the planet, fight me if you think I’m wrong).

For water activities, you can take your pick. On this trip, I really got to treat myself and experience two incredible excursions — a jet ski tour and parasailing. The jet ski tour set out from the Casa Marina hotel and we rode through the waves all around the island, including the Gulf of Mexico.

Let me be clear about three things: 1) This tour is not amateur hour (at least not the one I was on); I was riding at max speed and was still in the back of the pack. 2) Riding a jet ski at top speed through the ocean will knock the hangover right out of you (#thankful for that). 3) Being single is great because you always get your own jet ski.

I absolutely loved this tour and highly recommend doing it through Barefoot Billy’s — one of their guys even gave me a waterproof lock box for my phone and insisted I take his sunglasses on the tour so I wouldn’t lose mine (I think we’re still dating).

Parasailing with Sebago Watersports was equally as incredible, and something I’d never done before. I set out in the morning with a couple of hot professional guides on a boat and killer tunes, and before I knew it, I was suspended from a parachute 400 feet in the air, with a birds eye view of paradise.

They also take photos you can purchase afterward, because as we all know: If you don’t gram it, it didn’t happen.

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum should always make a Key West to-do list. Where else can you get the rich history of the original Most Interesting Man in the World, stroll the gorgeous grounds, and see dozens of 5-toed cats roaming free?

Not to mention, my cousin and his wife got married there in 2010, and it was the most fun wedding of all time, so it will always have a special place in my open bar-loving heart.

Papa Pilar’s Rum Distillery (AKA Hemingway Rum Company) is one of the newer attractions on the island, and a solid activity for any alcohol lover. Named for Ernest Hemingway (Papa) and his beloved boat/second wife Pauline (Pilar), you’ll gain some additional knowledge of Key West’s most famous man during the distillery tour, do a tasting at the bar, and stock up on swag (and/or rum) in the shop.

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What To Do in the Evening
The perfect Key West evening always begins with a stunning sunset at Mallory Square. Since there’s no open container law, you can head down there with a cocktail (or two) in hand, grab some freshly made guac if your heart/stomach desires, admire the street performers (sword swallower FTW), and watch the sun dip below the ocean. And look, I’ve never clapped for a sunset, but I’ll admit I’ve been tempted.

And while we’re talking sunsets, I cannot recommend a Danger Charters sunset wine cruise enough. This was probably my favorite thing I did on the trip (maybe in life) because it involved a sailboat, a sunset, and sitting down while cute guys brought me a dozen different wines to taste…. PLUS CHEESE.

Tell me that’s not the goddamn dream. Do this cruise, get buzzed up, post humblebrag pics on social media, and thank me later.

Next up for nighttime: A ghost hunt. If you just rolled your eyes, I get it. But hear me out. We did Sloan’s Ghost Hunt and I was very impressed and entertained. Key West has some WILD and scary stories, and on this tour, you get devices to detect the ghosts and haunted spots, which is a fun element.

And as mentioned before, you can walk around with a cocktail.

And finally, the portion many of you have been waiting for: GETTING WASTED BAR HOPPING. Key West has a ton of awesome bars, so you’ll never be hard pressed to have the most fun night of your life.

Sloppy Joe’s is a MUST — it’s been around since the ‘30s and still maintains this unexplainable ambiance and energy you feel the second you walk in. There’s live music daily on the famous stage, the drinks are always stiff, and if you’re hungry, you can stuff your face with…wait for it…a SLOPPY JOE (for the record, they’re delicious).

(Image from SloppyJoes.com)

Irish Kevin’s is another solid go-to, and they’ve recently expanded so there’s even more room to crush car bombs and sloppily make out with strangers (what?). And fun fact: My brother won a Guinness chugging contest here back in 2010 and literally got a standing ovation (tbh, his picture is probably framed on the wall).

For the true local experience, hit Green Parrot — it’s the oldest bar in Key West and off the beaten path a bit. There’s live music nightly, it always feels like a party you were lucky enough to stumble into, and their motto is “a sunny place for shady people” (perfect).

If you’re getting hot in therrre and need to take your clothes off, visit Garden of Eden, the island’s only “clothing optional” bar. And if you need to work up to that (literally), you can hit the other two historic bars in the same building first, The Bull and and Whistle Bar, as Garden of Eden is the rooftop.

There are plenty of other hot spots, and as you bounce around, you’ll surely discover the ones that speak to you most. On this magical island, everyone has a place.

The post How to Live Your Best Life in Key West appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

Attribute it to the fact that I co-hosted a Pure Romance party for four years in a row where I not only got free gifts but also got wasted.

“Limited Ddition” neon yellow dildo butterfly vibrator for $80? Sure why not! My power bill can wait.

These days, the items in my goodie drawer are a little more discreet (even TSA doesn’t know what they are), so the bulk of my colorful pleasure chest has been under the bed collecting dust. Then one day, I had a thought…

Would people buy used sex toys on Craigslist?

I know what you’re thinking: GROSS! Right? Duh.

But admit it; now you’re curious, too. It was time for an INTERNET EXPERIMENT.

Keep in mind, I had no intention of actually meeting up with SOME FREAK WHO WOULD BUY A USED DILDO (!?) no matter how much cash was involved, but I wanted to find out the answer…and fuck with people. My gut told me I probably wouldn’t get much of a response, but then again people are weird/creepy as hell.

So I put up an ad.

(Fun story: That whole setup was sitting on my coffee table when the exterminator came over one day, and he REFERENCED THE BOOK, which obviously meant he saw and took in the whole SEXY scene. I almost chugged his ant killer on the spot.)

ANYWHO. Responses started to roll in. I received TWELVE inquiries in Atlanta. Then I decided to put an ad up in Tampa, too, because we all know the real freaks live in Florida (no offense Florida, but like, we watch the news). I got eight inquiries in Tampa and they’re still coming. Here are some of the real gems (pardon the cropping–I tried to put these together in a readable way).

1. Jesse was buying for his “friend.”

Jesse never got back to me about the phone sex or his “friend.”
.

.

2. Silly Thomas who wanted to “work something out.”

Idiot.
.

.

3. Jay who is cheating on his wife.

Wait, what? This was the first “for my wife” inquiry and I had to ask…

That shut him up.
.

.
4. This girl from the ‘burbs of Tampa trying to trade up. 

“One of MY GUYS.” A strange male delivering vibrators to a horny female?! I thought she’d surely give it up after that. Adriana needs to be a little more cautious on Craigslist. 

She then told me what suburb she lived in, so I dug a little bit…
WHAT FEMALE WOULD TRADE HANDBAGS AND ACCESSORIES FOR USED VIBRATORS? I was either dealing with a really F’d up dude or a really desperate female, so out of fear, I stopped responding. 

5. This perv. 

Obviously that linked to this: 

.
6. And lastly, the grandaddy of them all. From where else but…you guessed it…FLORIDA.

With the exception of poor Adriana and her purses and wallets, everyone inquiring about these USED VIBRATORS was male, mostly under the guise of buying for “his wife.” I was equally entertained and disturbed by this experiment, and I just hope that all you ladies out there don’t accept a sex toy from your significant other unless it’s still in the packaging.

As for what I’m going to do with my ‘collectors items’, I may as well just give them to charity. And by that, I obviously mean Adriana.

LYLAS,
Ashley

The post Buying Used Sex Toys On Craigslist? appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

The first few months of the year were total shit not great for me personally and I didn’t take any vacations, so by the time June rolled around, I was so ready to GTFO of my depression town.

To kick off my two months of traveling (read: people asking me WTF is my life), I went to San Juan on a press trip. I had been to Puerto Rico once before, but only for a day that was cut too short (ugh, cruises AMIRITE?), so I was pumped to go back and experience all the city had to offer sans curfew.

I arrived at the beautiful San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino, checked into my room, and immediately flopped onto the king-sized bed (then redid said bed flop four times to get it perfectly natural-looking for Snapchat), and took a pano pic from my balcony so I could #humblebrag about it on social media.

#Blessed

We spent the first afternoon and evening at the resort where the sun was shining, the ocean was crystal clear, the mojitos were strong, the people were friendly, and the food was mucho delicioso (PS, please disregard any Spanish I try to use in this article).

Here’s a mojito on the newly remodeled penthouse balcony (their loss not putting me up in this room).

And here’s the most delicious fresh fish over MOFONGO (a traditional Puerto Rican dish best described as “garlicky plantains”) in the hotel restaurant La Vista Latin Grill…and honestly the best mofongo I had on the trip.

AND I HAD A LOT.

After my mofongo overdose, all I could picture was starfishing on that king-sized bed, but apparently there was salsa dancing to be done.

The Red Coral Lounge in the San Juan Marriott is actually one of the top salsa spots on the island and we quickly understood why.

I even let myself be whisked onto the dance floor, even though I was basically Elaine from Seinfeld next to this pro.

An older gentleman asked one of the other girls to dance and we couldn’t help but notice his command of the room and sick salsa moves given he looked like he might croak at any moment.

Hey now, I know what you’re thinking: “Ashley that’s a really insensitive thing to say about your elder.” Well yeah maybe it would be except for the fact that Chi Chi (yes, that’s his name) ACTUALLY almost died on the dance floor just a few months prior. Yes, that’s right — we got the inside story from the bartenders.

Supposedly he was immobile on the floor with an ambulance on the way, and he came BACK TO LIFE and has been dominating the dance floor ever since with his (much younger) girlfriend, who never leaves home with her “dance kit,” which includes a handheld fan and high-heel shaped flask.

#RelationshipGoals.

We hung out with them a bit, got some Snapchat footage, and when it was time to say goodnight, Chi Chi salsa danced the whole way out the hotel doors. I made a mental note to dance-exit more often.

And that was Day One.

The next day we toured Old San Juan. We did a historical tour at Castillo de San Cristobal and it was so cool to hear about Puerto Rico’s rich history and how it became part of the US. Even though I tend to zone out on field trips, I really payed attention on this one. (Don’t quiz me though.)

And because we’re bloggers/Instagrammers/narcissists/whatever, we all had to take artsy, “candid” shots like this.

Photo shoots like this are even MORE fun when you’re an awkward person in general and the wind is blowing 93493247 MPH.

Oops.

We walked the blue cobblestone streets…

We had a pina colada at Barrachina, “The Home of the Pina Colada,” where they make an average of 2,200 A DAY (seriously, that’s what they told me). I am still having a hard time believing that stat but whatever, I’ll drink to it!

And I bought a custom Panama hat that I’m OBSESSED with at a place called Ole Curiosidades — I chose my hat style and ribbon color and the friendly owner fit it to my head (and cut me a deal).

(Not my hat, but wait for it….)

Then we stood in the street for 30 minutes and took iPhone bursts so everyone could get the perfect photo. #DoItForTheGram, y’all.

Old San Juan is seriously so beautiful and charming; you could spend hours just walking around and exploring (and taking jumping pics in the street, obvi).

That evening, we did a hard hat tour of the Hard Rock Cafe, which is opening right across the street from the San Juan Marriott, and is going to be a definite hot spot in town.

After a few glasses of bubbly, we strolled down the street to Cocina Abierta for a private cooking class and upon walking in and reading the menu, I regretted not wearing a more elastic waistband. This was such an incredible experience as we all got a little hands-on action and enjoyed a fantastic four-course meal.

When you go to San Juan (which obviously you will now, duh), definitely dine at this restaurant, cooking class or not.

The next day, we went “surfing.” Why is that in quotes, you ask? Because I wouldn’t call what I did in the ocean that day anything close to surfing aside from the fact that I was attached to a board.

Don’t get me wrong, we had an expert instructor and the waves were significant enough to ride, but I don’t surf, you guys. I’m good at many a few things, surfing and skiing are not on that list. Neither is patience.

But of course I still had to get a photo that made me look cool and somewhat comfortable with a #surfbort because #WhatWouldBeyonceDo?

And I will say, even if you don’t excel (read: totally fail) at something, it always feels really good to try.

After shredding all those sick waves, we went back to the hotel to relax/recover and I got a massage in the hotel spa. I know what you’re thinking — “Oh that sounds nice, massages are great!” Sure, massages are great, but have you ever been oiled up and rubbed down by a smokin’ hot Latin guy?

If not, put that on your bucket list, betches. Shout-out to Carlos for an amazing massage and letting me creepily take his picture (trust me, it really doesn’t do him justice).

Ok, I’ll stop talking about this now before my boyfriend dumps me.

Anyway, after all that excitement, we trekked up through the mountains to the Pork Highway, which is exactly what it sounds like (earmuffs, vegans) — a whole bunch of pig-heavy restaurants in one salivatory spot.

But before you book a flight to this meat retreat, know that it really only pops off on Sundays and many places are closed during the week. But luckily, we found a place to serve us literally everything they had left in their kitchen and all was right in the world.

Highlight of the meal: I asked for hot sauce and this is what I was handed.

A giant Dewar’s jug filled with pepper-infused condiment deliciousness? Try to put that in your bag, Beyonce.

(And yes, that’s my beloved CUSTOM PANAMA HAT!)

We made our way back down the mountain, and chatting over some gelato from the hotel’s cremeria, agreed we had to go out on our last night. We got ready and hopped in a cab for the short ride to Old San Juan, but given it was a Tuesday, there wasn’t much going on (pro tip: downtown only gets lit Thursday – Sunday).

But we refused to take the locals’ recommendations to hit Senor Frogs and pressed on to find the perfect (or just open) place for some cocteles. AND OH DID WE FIND IT.

Sol y Cruz is a three-story establishment of awesome. The first floor, St. Germain, is a bright bistro and bar. The second floor, The Mezzanine is a cocktail lounge with funky armchairs for seating and beautiful, Instagrammable decor.

And the rooftop, Al Fresco, is where we settled for ROSE MARGARITAS (yes, you read that correctly) and lounging under the twinkly lights, overlooking the city.

This was an absolutely perfect trip and I cannot rave about San Juan enough. I highly recommend visiting (and it’s a domestic flight, no customs lines or passports needed!).

I will definitely visit Puerto Rico again, stay at the San Juan Marriott (because mofongo and Carlos), do a “biobay” experience (#BucketList), and of course, master the art of surfing. (JK, no way in hell.)

‘Til next time, San Juan!

The post Summer in San Juan! appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

What you need: Smoked salmon (I use half of a 4 oz. package for one salad) Baby arugula 1/2 lemon Shaved parmesan Olive oil

Salt and pepper

How to make it:
Pull pieces of the smoked salmon and place it on a bed of arugula (give a piece to your dog if he’s staring you down–it’s good for his coat). Sprinkle those delicious, delicate slivers of shaved parmesan. Drizzle olive oil and squeeze lemon on top (trust me, this is all the salad dressing you’ll need). Sprinkle salt and pepper at your discretion (you can go easy on the salt as the salmon has plenty).

Voila! Skinny Salmon Salad!

Now go pour yourself another glass of wine. You deserve it.

LYLAS,
Ashley

The post Easy, Low-Cal Recipe ALERT: Skinny Salmon Salad appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

So ladies, let me ask you two questions. 1) Have you ever gotten a professional bra fitting? And 2) Do you own a really nice bra (and I’m not talking Vicki’s Secret $50 special)?

If the answer to one or  both of those questions is no, it’s about time to treat your ta-tas. My first fitting at Intimacy with the company founder and “bra whisperer” Susan Nethero was a game changer and I recommend it to everyone. Here’s how it goes down:

1. You go into a comfy, private fitting room with your friendly bra fit consultant.
2. She checks out your rack (don’t be shy!) and chats with you about your concerns. Any of these ring a boob bell: More comfort, less back fat, more support, straps falling, straps or underwire digging, weight change affecting bra size, more cleavage, less cleavage, finding T-shirt bras, finding sexy bras in a large size, etc? I thought so.
3. She may show you why your current bra isn’t doing you any favors…

#Yikes.

4. Then she goes back out into the brassiere wonderland while you text your boyfriend/husband that you’re trying on sexy underthings (if you have a man and don’t do this, we need to talk), check your Facebook, and/or critique yourself in the mirror (PS, no one notices your crow’s feet but you, so give yourself a break, beautiful).
5. Your new bosom buddy returns with handfuls of gorgeous bras, she’ll put ‘em on you and adjust (and show you how to get the most cleavage), and VOILA! You’ll be in love…and wanting to toss your ODB (ol’ dirty bra) in the trash C-A-N.

Check out the difference. I mean, thanks ODB for making me look pre-puberty flat-chested and just overall not cute. 
In addition to the realization that I needed to do a lingerie inventory and toss those non-flattering f*ckers, I gained a lot of bra knowledge (braledge?), such as: You should buy bras so they fit snugly on the first (loosest) hook. They lose elasticity with time, so as that happens, you’ll tighten them to the next hook(s) so they’ll fit better longer. Also: You should be wearing your bra strap LOWER on your back for the most comfort, less back fat, AND more boost. It’s like a see-saw: The lower the strap in the back, the higher your goods up front. Exhibit A (it’s not me, btw):

That poor woman had been going through life with more rolls than a Panera and all she needed was a new bra…

Another FYI: You might be surprised about your size. I was wearing a 36B and they fit me for a 34C, and crazily enough, that actually is my size (despite what ODB is demonstrating above). Most women wear a too-large band size and too-small cup size, so you feel skinny and big-breasted when they fit you for a smaller band and bigger cup (SCORE). And don’t be alarmed if the cup size is much larger than you thought. Intimacy carries up to a K cup (not to be confused with your Keurig), so there is less variation between the sizes for the most perfect, true fit. Just like all women don’t fit into dress sizes 0, 2, 4, and 6, they don’t all fit into A, B, C, or D cups.

Intimacy’s fancy lines–PrimaDonna, Marie Jo (shown below), Empreinte, Simone Perele, etc.–are all European and made using a very intricate process with more pieces than American-made bras and the highest quality fabrics as well as a “double-coating” of the underwire for way serious comfort.

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Put one on and you’ll never go back to your Victoria’s Secret numbers (and their underarm fat enhancement). Yes, they may be more expensive, but they’re going to last longer (if you treat them well) and make you feel more confident about your chest region, which for some females, is priceless. Oh, and it’s not all sexy lingerie up in there; you’ll find plenty of pretty T-shirt bras (even lace ones that surprisingly work under tees and tight tanks).

Do I wear all Intimacy bras, you ask? I wish. I need a raise (or a sugar daddy) before that happens. But I do like to treat myself to a fancy-schmancy bra and panty set twice(ish) a year, which will make for a fab collection in the semi-near future.

Intimacy has locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Orange County, Philly, San Diego, Scottsdale, and D.C. and the fitting is complimentary. If you don’t have a location near you, I recommend visiting Atlanta (I’ll buy you a drink, duh), finding a specialist in your area with great reviews, or seeing the lovely ladies at Nordstrom. And I’m not knocking Vicki’s because I know they have some fantastic fitters–I’ve just never loved their bras (sorry, ex-boyfriend who bought me one).

So grab the twins and take them to get FIT!

LYLAS,
Ashley

*Psst, we’re doing a giveaway for $100 Intimacy gift cards on the Witty + Pretty Facebook page, so head on over there (make sure you like the page) and enter to win!

The post Why All Women Should Get a Professional Bra Fitting appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

AMEN. So now that you have a total girl crush on Ms. Nutritious, see what she has to say (and the project she attempted for our reading pleasure):

I vividly remember the day my mother finally gave me permission to wear makeup. I was in sixth grade at the time, and I had already spent a few painful months in the locker room after P.E. class watching my more fortunate classmates applying shiny lip gloss and powdering their noses. Now, after months of pleading my case like a miniature law school student, my mother agreed to a little lip gloss. A small victory, but a victory nonetheless!

In addition to desiring makeup for its ability to transform me from awkward middle school student to stunning teenage dream (or so I thought), I just generally wanted to try it because it looked fun. I was the artistic type, so the idea of painting my face and transforming my look really got me jazzed!

Beach beauty? Check! 1950′s pin-up girl? Check! Sultry sex kitten? Check! Check!

I’ve been cruising along for years, enjoying the perks of traditional beauty products, but it seems my party bus has hit a bumpy road lately, as I’ve been reading more and more about beauty products that aren’t so great for your skin and health (to put it gently). Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website has all the dirt (literally), but don’t go there and start clicking around unless you’re ready. Ignorance can certainly be bliss.

So…what’s a girl to do then? Make her own products! In an effort to take action and transform my own beauty arsenal, I attempted to make some products last weekend (“attempted” being the key word). To start, I chose something easy (so as not to get discouraged right off the bat) and something my long-forsaken legs could really use (some love and attention). What better than a Brown Sugar & Lemon Scrub to exfoliate, moisturize, and revitalize!

I’m happy to report that no one was injured in this science experiment AND it took all of five minutes to complete. My legs have been smothered in love and I’m ready to show them to the world (if only it wasn’t 12 degrees in New York City today).

RECIPE:

1. Grab a bag of course brown sugar (to exfoliate), a bottle of olive oil or grapeseed oil (to moisturize), and lemons (to invigorate the senses).

2. Mix 1 c. of oil…
…with 1/4 c. of brown sugar.
3. Grate the peel of 2 lemons…
…and add to the mixture.

4. Mix well and store in a mini recycled jar for use in the shower. Your legs (and skin all over!) will be silky smooth.
I can now say that making your own beauty products is empowering — if only because you know EXACTLY what you’re putting on your skin and into your body. It’s a way to send a message to the cosmetics industry that you care about the ingredients of their products, and let’s be honest, your own brand of cosmetics makes a great gift for your friends. Look at you, gettin’ all ‘Martha Stewart’ up in tha’ kitchen!

But if you can’t (or don’t want to) take the heat (I don’t blame you), there are other great natural brands that you can buy! Check out this comprehensive list before heading to the makeup counter.

Remember, knowledge is power, ladies. Put your money where your mouth is and pamper yourself the natural way!

*
Lauren, you had me at “five minutes to complete” and “silky smooth legs” (y’all know I’m all about some smooth skin). Plus, this looks way easier to prepare than an actual meal, so I’m thinking I’ll whip this up with glass of wine in hand this weekend, then have an excuse for an extra long shower. Not that I need one. 

LYLAS,
Ashley

And don’t forget, read more about Lauren’s nutritious livin’ HERE.

The post Brown Sugar & Lemon Scrub to exfoliate, moisturize Recipes appeared first on Witty + Pretty.