Donna Maria's Latest Obsessions

My most recent stash of IBN member products are fantastic as always. Everything is lovingly handmade of course. Here are my latest goodies!

From Etta + Billie, San Francisco, Ca

"Etta + Billie creates modern sustainable bath and body products with organic ingredients in beautiful San Francisco. Products are made in small batches using organic or fair trade oils, organic botanicals, and natural essential oils. Etta + Billie products are beautifully designed to appeal to the eye and carefully crafted to nurture the skin."

Limited Edition I Heart You Soap

I purchased this handmade soap because I love handmade soap, and so does my family. It's all we use, and when you try this soap (or others made here), you'll know why. This sweet soap is made with clay, shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, plus natural colorants that are hand-swirled on top of the bar into a beautiful display of hearts. So gorgeous, and many of the ingredients are organic.

Better head on over there quick, because this limited edition is just that. But if they're all gone, you can also get the Peppermint Lime (I got some of these too!) or the Oatmeal Cinnamon. Lots of other goodies to choose from too!

From Shea Radiance, Baltimore, Md

Shea Radiance creates "eco-luxury beauty products from quality ingredients delivered in sustainable packaging." Shea Radiance has partnered with several women cooperatives in Africa who hand-process the shea butter used in Shea Radiance products.

Moisturizing Hair Milk

Funlayo Alabi and her husband are natives of Africa, and they have reached back to their native land to empower women there. That's just one of the many reasons I enjoy their products. They were kind enough to send me their shampoo and conditioner as well, but this is my favorite for my daughter's hair, which is perfectly described on the label as "kinky, curly and wavy." Yes, my sweet Vanessa's hair is all three. On top of that, it's red, so you can imagine what a little scorpion it is to deal with. (And yes, she's a Scorpio too. Look out world!)

After washing and drying her hair, I spritzed this hair milk generously. Made with shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil and hemp seed oil, it smoothed the hair follicles and made her hair easy to style. This was especially important this weekend because she got all dolled up for the Daddy-Daughter dance. (Subscribe to my FaceBook for pics.)

(While you're at Shea Radiance, you might want to check out their body creams and whipped shea butter products. Oh joy! One of my faves is the Chocolate Truffle.)

From Manor Hall Soap Company, W. Springfield, Ma

"At Manor Hall Soap Company, we combine a flair for impulsive artistry with a faithful appreciation of natural beauty. That means gorgeous handmade olive oil soap bars, decorative, addictive Art House Soaps, and dramatically loving skin care, all created without harsh sulfates, parabens or phthalates for your deliriously deserving skin."

Natural Deep Conditioning Creme

Because my daughter is not the only one in need of hair help, I'm glad I purchased this product. Susan at Manor Hall says, "Your hair brush has a new best friend." My hair is very short, so I don't need to use much of this product. After washing, I towel dry and apply a few quarter sized dolups to my hair. I then use my new best friend (hair brush) and comb things through. It takes about 20 seconds to complete the process. (I love short hair!) It keeps the fly-aways down and makes my hair smooth and controlled. Very easy, just like I like it. Made with shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and calendula herbal infusion. Many ingredients are organic.

I highly recommend each of these products for their value, fun ingredients, secure packaging and of course, the love with which they are made!

Enjoy!