April 15, 2013

on being part Hippie & Homemade Sunshine {giveaway}

Hi. My name is Davi. And I was raised by 2 hippies. Well, my dad insists that they were called freaks but whatevs. They were cute.





So anyway, yes. I am part hippie/crunchy.

Sometimes I don't even know where I fit in.

I certainly don't fit it with the true crunchy granola crowd.
After all, I had 4 c-sections, never used cloth diapers nor did I make my own baby food. And I don't even know how to babywear.

I was just trying to survive.

On the other hand, I have gone through spells of obsession with healthy foods, homeopathy, natural remedies and products...like super pumped up and jazzed about it...only to get humbled off my horse with some random sickness or stress factor. It's like God is trying to tell me, "Stop trying to control every little thing--I am in charge!".

I have come to a conclusion over the years:

You can try to do everything right and things can still go wrong. We are ultimately not in control. But at the same time, I do feel like we have a responsibility to do the best we can with our time and money to take care of ourselves.

And I'm really trying to have the right perspective here. This is hard for me---it's so easy for me to go to extremes. But I feel most joyful when I just let go of the reigns and loosen up a bit.

That being said...if I am given the choice, I still love all things as natural as can be...it just feels good and I believe it's better for me in the long run. If time and money allows. Well, except for getting my hair done. Bring on the highlights;)

I remember a time when I would be shopping for toothpaste at target, and would call my sister and have her look up the hazard ratings on a website called skin deep. That was before smart phones.

And I would have killed to have some affordable chemical free products, like those made by Homemade Sunshine.

I am SO PROUD of my friends who started this sweet business. I LOVE their products. They are affordable and completely natural and safe for your whole family. Especially great for anyone with allergies/sicknesses and young children--they have such sensitive skin!

Here is one of my new staples: Beeswax lip balm(with coconut oil and shea butter). Only $1.50 per tube! What a deal!


I am the type of person who has to have something on her lips at all times. When I'm not wearing my favorite red lip gloss, I am wearing my beeswax lip balm. I keep it in my purse at all times and wear it whenever I am running errands to Target and such.

Sometimes it's fun to wear makeup. But other times I like the natural look...less makeup. On a completely separate note, did you hear that Tayor Swift traded in her signature dark eyeliner for the more natural look? And I was completely fascinated watching Les Miserables--the girls wore very limited eye makeup. 

But my favorite product sold by Handmade Sunshine has to be their lotion bar. Seriously obsessed. I had no idea how much I'd love it. Made of coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax. Ingenious.

Before, I used to trek into the kitchen at night to raid my coconut oil with a spoon and then slap some on my face or hands before bed. And some coconut oil landed on my favorite pink sneakers and I was ticked.

This lotion bar is SO MUCH more tidy. It comes with a trivet and you can put it by your bed.


I wear it every night before bed and my hands feel so silky smooth when I wake up. Try it!!!


And finally, I am totally charmed by their beeswax candles. I love the all natural golden mustard color. It's like the perfect hue for my house.

It comes in an adorable mason jar and fits perfectly with the minimalist look that I adore.



Here is an awesome giveaway for ya'll. Would make a fantastic mother's day present!!! This gift package retails around $23 not including tax or shipping.

To enter, just leave a comment below. Winner will be selected at random and announced next monday, April 22nd.

This giveaway is now closed and winner has been announced! Thanks all for playing along!

For extra entries (leave as separate comment),
1. Go visit the website Handmade Sunshine.
2. Tell me your favorite crunchy product(can be from anywhere...your local store....the internet or hand made by yourself). I really want to know!

104 comments:

  1. Ahh! Such fun stuff. Especially excited about the candle. So cute! Have to say my favorite "chunchy" product has to be Nutiva Coconut Oil sold by Costco... such a money life saver in realm of coconut oils. (visited the website too!)

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  2. Never used a lotion bar...so intrigued!

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  3. Checked out the website. I think I'll have to buy a lotion bar, unless I win the giveaway ;-)

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  4. what a cool giveaway, a lotion bar sounds fantastic!

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  5. So neat! The candle is the perfect color for my home too!

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  6. This is a fabulous giveaway! Thanks for doing this!

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  7. What great products. I too like the natural stuff...just sad that it's so much more expensive more often than not. Nice to have an exception to the rule.

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  8. I think candles are my favorite product. Can't have enough!

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  9. oooh all very lovely stuff. and i too am intrigued about that lotion bar.

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  10. I love the solid concept (such as what lush makes) but am always frustrate with marketing as natural and it's not...thank goodness for sweet people like Homemade sunshine! Using only ingredients God made...such a beautiful and frustratingly uncommon concept. Well done and I can't wait to try the lotion...and candle! Marissa

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  11. Oooh my favorite crunchy product. Hmmm, does organic chocolate count? Probably not. One of my favorite things is something I actually made. I made little reusable sandwich wrappers. They fold out flat to be used as a placemat by my kids at school and wrap around the sandwich and then tie with a piece of ribbon to go into their lunchbox. I can throw it in the dishwasher and it takes up way less space then a tupperware and is less of a waste then baggies. I also love the Natures Gate Jojoba lotion that I get at Whole Foods. It smells amazing and makes me so super soft. The only downside is I recently discovered I'm allergic to their shampoos which caused my entire body to break out. I also love love love the hand knit ear warmer head band thingies from Whole Foods. But if I'm being honest....it's still the organic chocolate.

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  12. I love natural products. I am trying to picture how good these smell.

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  13. My favorite crunchy product is bumgenius cloth diapers! I am a total fan. It just feels good to me.

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  14. Checked out the sight!

    My favorite crunchy product is body butter that I buy on easy. :)

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  15. Fantastic!! That lotion bar sounds genius.

    I used a bum cream for Cruz that was all natural, but it was also good for really bad skin issues on the rest of the body. So we bought two and used one for Cruz and one for everything/everyone else! It was great, called CJ's BUTTer :) And it smelled sooooooo good.

    I love these pictures of you, you gorgeous hippie :)

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  16. I've been learning more about how products affect our body and how quickly the chemicals enter our bodies lately. I'm hoping to get back on my feet financially soon to be able to eat clean AND use more natural products. Hope I get the chance to try these!

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  17. Checked out the site! I am loving the lotion bar. Genius! Love it even more that it's available as a travel option.

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  18. Sorry for comment overload. I assumed you meant 3 separate comments. Anyway, my fav. product is really more of a change I've made in our home. I'm slowly (as we run out of certain items) changing our cleaning products to "green" chemical free options. I have started cleaning the toilets with baking soda/vinegar and have made our gallon of squirting hand soap out of one bar of soap. Pretty cool!

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  19. oh pick me! i'd feel so fancy using that lotion bar :)

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  20. I love all natural. This is such a great giveaway!!

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  21. i checked out the site and i love how affordable the beeswax candles are. who knew beeswax was the bee's knees? (see what i did there)

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  22. I checked out their site and think I need a lotion bar in my life.

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  23. Coconut oil is something I swear by. I use it for everything.

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  24. I have THE MOST sensitive skin and your right, it can get pricey! All this stuff looks wonderful.

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  25. I like the muffin on-the-go lotion bar. I'm always complaining to myself about how drippy lotion gets all over me when I try to put it in. The lotion bar seems to be able to solve that problem!

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  26. i need that lotion bar. i just discovered my "acne" is not acne, but rather a rash from an allergic reaction to soap, lotions, sunscreen, floride, etc. blergh. i need some nature in my life!

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  27. does apple cider vinegar count as a crunchy product?? totally cleared up my chest acne caused by lovely hormones. i drink it in a tea with honey and lemon and also use it on a toner on my skin. magic!

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  28. Love lotion bars and natural lip balm. I don't like that many lip balms have alcohol in them, which dries you out! Makes you buy more I guess...
    Favorite natural products...coconut oil, for sure. 100% pure.

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  29. I love the natural products..Great giveaway!

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  30. I checked out the site & the products look great. I will definitely be placing an order!

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  31. My favorite product; candles- love them! :) Also a regular user of coconut oil.

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  32. I'm obsessed with lip balm and love finding and trying new ones! :)

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  33. The lotion bars look ah-mazing! I especially love the on the go ones in cute mason jars!

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  34. Yeah I'm always on the look out for new natural products!

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  35. I have to say $1.50 is a steal I love my burts bees so this is much more affordable!

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  36. My favorite natural product right now is my homemade peppermint coffee scrub it is just delicious I want to lick my self.:)

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  37. You look darling in these pics Davi! You are so creative in how you share your giveaways. You could be giving away celery and I would want it!:)

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  38. Checked out her web site- what a wonderful woman!! Is she just a friend or is she your own pastors wife? Between homeschooling, pastors wife and this business I bet she is always on her toes!
    What great products she has. Love them all! I will have to keep her in mind for mothers day ideas!

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    1. she is one of my dear childhood friends! we shaved our legs together as kids, haha. she's like a sister to me. i love her so very much! and yes, she is beyond amazing!

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  39. This stuff looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. Would love to win!

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  40. Visited the web site. Looks awesome. Do the candles smell good?? Or just for looks? PS. Your hippie pics are super cute :)

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    1. thanks:) the candles(and all products) are unscented because every time you add a scent the chemical hazard rating goes up. these are beautiful and smell fresh and clean!

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  41. And my fave hippie product?? Good grief...hard to choose just one. I love that Target sells so much natural/organic stuff now. Alba shaving cream in coconut lime smells a.maze.ing. and feels good too. Oh, and the absolute best natural remedy to ward off sore throats: 1 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp vinegar stirred into a little warm water. Gargle with it every hour or so and it is a miracle!

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  42. Ohh I think that I would just love those lotion bars! What a great idea!

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  43. I visited the site! I love the variety of products, and would love a closer look at what exactly the prayer journals are.

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    1. since you were the first to ask, if you email me your home address, I can send you a prayer journal for free!

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    2. Julz,
      you can read more about the free Legacy Prayer Journal Davi is giving you here:
      http://www.legacyprayerjournals.com

      Jen
      Homemade Sunshine.net

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  44. so, i've tried to comment like THREE times..., and they get deleted. so if they somehow magically reappear & i WIN, well then, it wasn't me.
    hehehHAHAsnort.

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  45. i visited the shop :) it's all really cool! would love to try.

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  46. also, tim is making me juice this week, like, with a juicer, juice. that is as crunchy granola hippy as i get. wink. also, also, you are a cute little yoga lip shmack model.

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  47. I love the idea of a lotion bar--how cool! Thanks for this giveaway!

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  48. I visited the shop. I really like the mini muffin lotion bar with the jar. It'd be perfect to leave in my purse.

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  49. Visited the site, lovin' this lotion bar concept!

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  50. Favorite crunchy thing? Uh, probably granola! Although I'm thinking about using pureed beets to get the red color in a red velvet cake for my son's upcoming birthday party. I just don't like the sound of all that red 40 dye! That might make me more crunchy, I dunno.

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  51. I love the lotion bar! I've never seen anything like that and it would totally come in handy right now! :)

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  52. I visited the site! It's so cute! I am officially obsessed with the mini lotion bar...anything mini is a must am I right? :)

    Pick me!!

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  53. I love Jason conditioner for my hair! I am thinking this lotion bar would be a good idea and would love to try it! Thanks for the fabulous giveaway. You are so cute in these pics. xoxo :)

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  54. Oooh I'm intrigued! Would love to win this give away to try out their products!

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  55. Just visited the site and I would love to see how my daughter's severe eczema responds to the lotion bar!

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  56. I am fascinated with homemade cleaning products, using just the bare minimum of natural ingredients. Who knew stinky vinegar had so many uses?

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  57. I love natural beauty products, and am dying to try these! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  58. I would love to win-- this shop looks awesome! My favorite "crunchy" product isn't really crunchy ... but it's homemade & doesn't have all the extra junk added: salad dressing. 1 part balsamic to 1 part olive oil. Add a drop of honey, some herbs (parsley for me, usually), a tiny bit of garlic, some salt & pepper. Good to go :)

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  59. What a fun giveaway! The lotion bar looks amazing.

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  60. Ooh, yeah! Thanks for the chance! :)

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  61. Definitely bookmarking this for later. I'm all for natural products! (but I agree--there has to be a balance and not letting anything become our god!)

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  62. my favorite crunchy product is probably coconut oil because i feel like i use it for everything! :)

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  63. oooh, i love all things tiny. this candle! too cute!

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  64. just visited the sweet website. mini muffins = even more cute!!

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  65. my current favorite crunchy product is the homemade brown sugar scrub my college roommate gave me for christmas. it's all i can do to not eat it, it smells SO good. (and it is edible, but i resist.)

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  66. Perfect! Love your review. My skin, especially that on my hands, is in desperate need of moisture after a tough winter.
    jess.gustin@yahoo.com

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  67. I just visited the store! I may have to order the lotion bar.

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  68. I have been using coconut oil for a lot of things lately! I love it!

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  69. What a fun site, might have to order the lip balm. Favorite crunchy product is Charles' Soap laundry detergent. I love that my clean laundry isn't full of chemicals and scents.

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  70. Love me some Burts Bee's lip balm, it's the only kind that doesn't clump up on me. I should try this stuff.

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  71. Well here we all are, coming out of lurkdom to win a giveaway! I love the idea of natural products, but can usually not afford them!

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  72. I visited the site, and I love the $1.50 lip balm! That's as cheap as Chapstick, and all-natural!

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  73. My favorite crunchy thing...hm.... I guess cloth diapers. Not that I really love diapers, but they've served me well for four + years, and saved me lots of money!

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  74. looks like grand stuff! my heels need that bar! :-) kls1999@juno.com

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  75. checked out the site. so sold on the lotion bars! kls1999@juno.com

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  76. apple cider vinegar to mop the floor! detest a film on my socks after i've labored on the floor. tried vinegar. wala! perfect floor. no film!

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  77. i always wanted to be a hippie so bad!! when i was little i told my parents i was going to change my name to rainbow. but i'm just a wannabe cause i wouldn't dream of doing a home birth!

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  78. okay...went to the site....looks like something i'll have to check out regularly.

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  79. and favorite hippie products...apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and essential oils.

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  80. Hello Davi:) I heard about you from Kelli at "She Learns As She Goes." I've been scrolling through your blog and really enjoying myself! Your photography is imaginative and splendidly bright:)
    I use Burt's Beeswax because my lips are sensitive and the mint helps 'em. :P
    Pleased to meet you:)
    Elisabeth

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  81. wow! that lip balm sounds amazzzzzzzzzzzing!!

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  82. Looked at their site. Mother's Day is right around the corner!:)

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  83. My favorite crunchy product is coconut oil--use it for lots of stuff! Not only in the kitchen. And to me, anything that smells like Samoa Girl Scout cookies is the best thing ever!!!

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  84. I love your blog, Davi. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

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  85. I visited the site. Sound's like you girls had a bit of fun growing up together! :)

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  86. I'm showing my age here, but what is a "crunchy" product?

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    1. a crunchy product is something that is all natural/organic....no artificial chemicals and such! love your question:)

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  87. love the candles...the black gunk coming from the flame is never good...all natural candles for me please :)

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  88. I make all my own bread...3 to 5 ingredients tops. makes you wonder how the bread from the store stays so "fresh" for so long lol.

    and I used all natural cleaning products. my fav. is vinegar///

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  89. This is so awesome! I tried to get to this the other day when I first saw it and for some reason it kept telling me that it couldn't find this destination. Glad it worked out and I found my way here. I wanted to add to the beeswax candles that they are not polluting! Paraffin candles pollute the air when they burn, but beeswax don't. There are a lot of interesting tidbits I know about them now that we're almost Orthodox because they are used in Orthodox worship and prayer, but the polluting thing seems most relevant to this "crunchy" post.

    My favorite crunchy product? So hard! I have so many! I'll go with raw milk for now. :)

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