When you think of body oil, perhaps a greasy massage comes to mind, or some otherwise well - oily - experience. But in fact, body oils added to a luxurious bath and/or applied to the skin, just after bathing (and towel drying), can be rubbed in flawlessly for a nourishing and moisturizing effect that is anything but greasy. Your skin will look healthy; not like you're priming for the slip 'n slide. And, you'll find you get a much smoother result than from lotions and creams.

Sure, you can seek out an exotic spa that offers a chocolate skin treatment for some ridiculously insane price. But why do that when you can make it at home for a couple of bucks? At OA, we are increasingly excited about the idea of creating our beauty rituals from natural, organic foodstuffs with our own two hands; highly satisfying. And also, highly effective!

Bamboo is an incredible green plant - undoubtedly so. It's as strong as steel, more sturdy than concrete and grows to timber size in a year - making it a renewable junkie's fantasy. But I bet you never looked at these stronger-than-thou stalks and thought they might be beneficial to your beauty regimen. Think again. Add to bamboo's roster: versatility. 

That shiny blue color flaunting all of its metallic glory on your painted nails might add a flash of style to your fingers, but it’s wreaking havoc on the environment—and your health.

You’re no eco-dummy. You don't need to do a lick of research to know that a product that comes in every hue of the rainbow—and then some—is anything but natural. What makes that glossy nail polish so eye-catching-ly shiny and able to stick to your nails for days? A slew of chemicals, of course. We know you're pretty eco-savvy, but do you know just how much bad stuff that one teeny bottle holds?

If you're scrambling - as many of us are - to come up with some thoughtful, organic present substance come tomorrow, there's still time to whip up one, two or all of our Do-It-Yourself Holiday Gift Ideas. That said, these need not be relegated to Christmas. Whip them up as the perfect gifts all year long... especially for yourself.

In our series of handmade gifts that take price, time and effort into consideration - whilst not skimping on thoughtfulness - comes something so sublimely sweet you'll want to rub it all over your body. And by all means, please do! This brown sugar body scrub and polish creates a sumptuous take-the-spa-home experience... and can make the perfect gift for couples with instructions on how to lovingly give your partner a sexy scrub down... not that they'll need them.

Though some of us would be reticent to admit, this time of year most could benefit from some extra special foot care. With heaters and high heels, we can be left dry, cracked and foot health left wanting. Putting together a basket of foot nurturing products is the perfect useful gift, with added special points if you make it yourself, all natural and organic. 

Last week we extolled the virtues of making one's own bath salts as we kicked off our holiday DIY ideas for homemade bath and body gifts that are simple, inexpensive and thoughtful.This week, we tackle making your own bars of soap, and while not quite as easy or cheap as making your own bath salts, as long as you are careful and follow the instructions, you'll end up with some beautiful bars to present others with and some soap making skills to last a lifetime. 

This year, we've decided making our holiday gifts sounds like carols to our ears. That said, we're all pretty busy people with certain limited budgets. So, we're bringing you a series of Do-It-Yourself gifts that take those things into consideration and deliver thoughtful, healthy and beautiful gifts to pamper and nourish your loved ones. Here's Number One!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recently spoke out against pinkwashing. And the same applies - if not more so - to greenwashing, with every company under the profit-mongering sun wanting a piece of the green marketplace pie, whilst not exactly walking the walk. Of course, so many companies are truly committed to Mama Earth and your health, and these are the ones we love so wholeheartedly. A divine example, Made from Earth is what they say they are: "No catchy phrases or deceptive marketing – our ingredients speak for themselves." And they have been for more than 15 years.