The kitchen is a swirl of purple, green and blue. Twelve-year-old girls are squealing. Flash back to 1988 and I’m feeling twelve again…wearing acid-washed jeans, making friendship bracelets and listening to 10,000 Maniacs. This feeling is just as I remember it, but better because it’s for my daughter Zooey. It was a full evening. We had pizza, made bath bombs (with glitter), dance skits were performed and there was swimming like mermaids. This is twelve. 

My friend Angela and I met in yoga teacher training. I remember going around in a circle and introducing ourselves. Angela said that she was a certified aromatherapist from Switzerland and my inner twelve-year-old wanted to say, “let’s be friends!” She is my friend and fellow mermaid and Zooey and I adore her bath bombs. We gave them as party favors at her last birthday and this year, we wanted Angela to show us how to make them.

Angela’s products are part of who she is…a Swiss/American aromatherapist using essential oils for mother and child. Oh, and she uses them in her yoga classes too! Yep, she’s the real bomb!! Follow Angela on instagram to see more of her creations. 

We are so lucky that she shared her recipe with us. Angela says, “Never make bath bombs when it’s humid. They won’t set.” This made me think of making fudge…humidity plays a big part in the setting process. Her recipe changes when she’s in Switzerland because of the difference in climate. 

1 cup epsom salt

2 cups baking soda

1 cup corn starch

1 cup citric acid (she suggests this one)

*Sift the ingredients above  

2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoon of almond or coconut oil

2 teaspoons of distilled water

4 teaspoons of essential oil

*Angela worked quickly with the wet ingredients. Incorporating them in the dry mixture a little at a time so it didn’t fizz. Once the wet and dry mixtures are together, separate into three bowls to add the mermaid color of your choosing. Mix in the color a little at a time gently. Then start adding to the mold pressing down with a spoon. Press the mold together (do not twist) then gently set the mold down on wax paper to set overnight. Your twelve-year-old will want to add glitter…and so will you!

 

P.S. Mermaid hair