Memorial Day weekend is always a nice refresher going into summer. This year was especially nice because one of my favorite people in the world came to visit! Typically, our Memorial Day weekends are filled with laziness, pool openings, and BBQ. This year was a different story! Apart from BBQs and the grand opening of the pool for the season, I had the pleasure of doing a bit of exploring while my friend was in town.

So, on Saturday after eating lunch at the cutest little place (they seriously have the BEST chocolate cokes), my friend, sister, mom, and I took a little adventure up to a small town north of where we were. The town is called Clarksville. They are known for bald eagle watching – it is a quaint little town right on the Mississippi River. After looking through a couple of antique shops (and finding little treasures), we popped into a store called Bee Naturals. What an amazing find!!

It seems that more and more people are going all natural now days, but I didn’t think it was for me – not really. Is it convenient? How much does it really cost? Aren’t organic purchases always so expensive? Will I be considered a hippie?! All valid questions, I thought. My friend is very much a believer in the natural way of doing things. She is not an extremist, but tries to cut out what she can, on a realistic level. When she arrived in Missouri, we had a great conversation about how to do little things in a more natural way. She even makes her own laundry detergent and deodorant. I felt inspired after talking with her! When we bumped into Bee Naturals adventuring through Clarksville – we were drawn into the store like a magnet.

Barbara, the founder of this amazing company, was present and took the time to converse with all of us on her products. She was a nurse for a hospital in the St. Louis area called St. Jude’s. She dabbled in making some products – and BAM! – her little hobby turned into an international company! Barbara makes all natural products ranging from skin care to hair care to baby products to makeup. I enjoyed the conversation we had with her – she is so passionate about what she is doing! Not to mention, she makes the products on her own and takes the time to tell you about them.

I was able to try the Bee Naturals Ultra-Mild Shampoo and Conditioner. I was nervous, at first, to try it. I thought “well, there’s no way this all natural stuff is getting the hairspray and tease out of my wig!”…I was SO wrong! The shampoo lathered nicely and left my hair feeling squeaky clean – not to mention the scent is amazing! The conditioner rinsed out great and left my hair so soft and manageable. It looked and felt like I had just gotten a fresh cut. Once I styled my hair (I went all the way to test this product!), it stayed in and my hair wasn’t weighed down in the slightest. My friend is the one who bought the shampoo and conditioner…I tried it, but now I want some for myself! What a great product!

I purchased some blush from Barbara – the pigment is insane. It’s called Poppy and I’m in love with it. It comes in powder form. I actually thought it’d make a pretty lip color, so Barbara suggested that I mix it with coconut oil and make a sheer stain for my lips.

I have been inspired to go natural…as much as I can. Don’t get me wrong, I love my hairspray and preservative-filled night creams as much as the next gal, but there is something to be said about a more simple and natural way of doing things. Perhaps that is part of many major health concerns in the world. After this weekend, I will absolutely be more aware of what is going in my body and on my skin. And I will definitely be visiting Bee Naturals again!!