Cool Recycle Fashion Show at The Urban Institute for Contemporary Art

If you are in the Grand Rapids Michigan area (I wish I was) check out this cool recycle event at the

NOSHNIGHT: RECYCLED RUNWAY
August 8
5–7 PM Material Afterlife Carnival
7–9 PM Noshnight: Recycled Runway!
$5 admission (includes 1 drink ticket)
NoshNight events bring West Michigan’s creative community together. The events focus on art and design in the broadest sense, and showcase the area’s finest architects, designers, and artists. The first NoshNight was a smashing success enjoyed by over 300 creative professionals.

As the second installment of the NoshNight series, UICA is hosting Recycled Runway and Street Party. Recycled Runway will feature innovative clothing made from recycled and repurposed materials. Come and see the area’s best and brightest fashion designers’ wearable art in a one of a kind fashion show. Indulge in amazing locally grown food by Bar Divani, Tommy Fitzgerald, 616, Bistro Bella Vita and The Green Well. And enjoy great music and a cash bar while models strut
their stuff on the runway.

Creative Challenge: 20 days, 20 items
Join the fun by creating your own “trashion.” Use you own materials or stop by UICA for a grab bag of 20 items to create your own recycled headgear, footgear, full ensemble or whatever you decide!

From 5–7 PM, there will be a street party with carnival games, live music, and a family workshop. For more information call 616 454 7000 x19

A Hydrating Floral Spray to Calm, Soothe & Rejuvenate Aging Skin

If your face feels like it’s in a constant tug-of-war between dry patches and hot flashes, this one’s for you. My homemade rose water and glycerin facial mist is a sweet little solution that fits perfectly in your handbag, your fridge, or your nightstand. It’s light, hydrating, and oh-so-soothing—especially for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.

No synthetic fragrance, no preservatives you can’t pronounce—just simple ingredients that love your skin back.

Why Rose Water + Glycerin Is a Dream Duo

As we age, our skin’s natural oil and moisture levels start to dip. Add in hormonal shifts, stress, or weather swings, and suddenly your face feels more Sahara than serene. That’s where this mist shines.

Rose water calms redness, tones without drying, and brings gentle hydration
Glycerin is a humectant—it draws water to your skin like a magnet, leaving it soft and dewy
Together, they make a balancing mist that hydrates on the go and layers beautifully under makeup or over your evening serum

DIY Rose Water & Glycerin Mist Recipe

You’ll Need:

½ cup pure rose water (hydrosol preferred)
1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel (optional, for extra cooling)
3–5 drops rose essential oil (optional, for scent and skin benefits)
1 small spray bottle (preferably glass or BPA-free plastic)

How to Make It:

Sanitize your bottle and any tools using boiling water or alcohol.
In a clean bowl, combine the rose water and glycerin.
Add in aloe vera gel and essential oil if using.
Stir well and pour into your spray bottle using a small funnel.
Shake before each use to distribute the ingredients evenly.

How to Use Your Mist

Morning boost: Spritz after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Midday refresh: Keep in the fridge for a cooling spray during hot flashes or makeup meltdown.
Evening ritual: Use after washing your face and before serums to help everything absorb better.

Storage & Shelf Life

If you’re using store-bought hydrosol and clean hands, your spray should last up to 4–6 weeks. If you’re using homemade rose water, keep it in the fridge and use within 2–3 weeks.

I started making this mist when my skin felt like it had its own weather forecast—dry one day, flushed the next. One spray in the middle of a perimenopausal meltdown and I felt like a new woman. I even keep a bottle next to my bed for night sweats!

Optional Add-ins:

Cucumber juice for extra soothing
Green tea for antioxidants
A few drops of lavender for stress relief
Tiny pinch of pink Himalayan salt (acts as a natural preservative)

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