Spring Cleaning Tip: Part Two
Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine
Hey guys! Every year, I am more and more ready for Spring! Winters in the Midwest seem to drag on a bit longer than I would like. Thankfully the first day of Spring is this weekend! Who else is excited?!
The change of seasons is a great time to edit and clean out your current beauty routine and make room for some FUN Spring shades.
Sharing Five tips on how you can prepare your beauty routine for the upcoming season change!
1) Check out expiration dates!
It’s a good idea to check expiration dates about twice a year. Keep in mind, mascara should be tossed every 3 months, concealer after 6 months, foundation/lipstick/lipgloss after one year! If anything is expired, get rid of it! If you keep using products beyond their expiration date, you are more at risk for breakouts or bacterial infections.
2) Reorganize!
You all know I love a good organization project! The beginning of Spring is a great time to get reorganized. It is frustrating + a waste of time to search through a cabinet or makeup bag of products that you never use! First up, remove all the items. First, toss all those old items. Second, check for duplicates! Third, look at the remaining items and get rid of all the products that you never use! I found this fun storage space from the container store!
3) Wash Your Brushes!
This is a great time to wash your brushes as well! Did you know you should be washing your brushes every 7-10 days? I love to use Beautycounter’s charcoal bar to wash my brushes! It gives them the perfect deep clean that my makeup brushes need to keep my skin clear!
4) Load up on sunscreen
Sunscreen products generally expire within a year and therefore you will commonly need to update your sun care products at the beginning of the Spring or Summer Season. If you aren’t loving your current sunscreen (greasy/breaks out your skin/etc) now is a great time to upgrade to a sunscreen that you will love all season long! Even better, consider a mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens are the safer option when deciding on a sunscreen. Unlike chemical sunscreens, they are not absorbed into the blood stream. They create a protective layer on top of the skin! Check out my favorite sunscreens, here, here, and here.
5) Update your makeup!
Add some fun Spring shades into your makeup routine! One of favorites for Spring is Beautycounter’s Dew skin! It gives the perfect dewy glow for a natural look. Plus it has SPF included!
For me, getting ready for the day helps me to feel my confident! If you are dragging on the days you work from home and need a bit of a pick me up, try getting ready as if you were heading into the office! It has been a game changer for me!
I love a simple makeup routine. Not only does it help me feel more confident and productive, but I am thankful that the ingredients I am using these days are good for me and my hormones!
Spring Cleaning Tip Part One.
Cleaning Your Diffuser
Did you know you should be cleaning your diffuser every 1-2 weeks?
Quick Tip: schedule your diffuser cleaning and makeup brush cleaning on the same day!
How to clean your diffuser:
1) Fill your diffusor halfway with clean water.
2) Add about 10 drops of pure white vinegar. Vinegar does an amazing job of removing the oils that get stuck inside the diffuser.
3) Let your diffuser run for about 3-5 minutes and allow for the water/vinegar combo to spread throughout the diffuser to clean it.
4) Grab a cotton swab dipped in vinegar to clean the hard to reach areas.
5) Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
6) Use a dry cloth to wipe dry.
Now fill your diffuser with your favorite oils and enjoy the day!
Scroll down to see some of my favorite Spring time blends!
Spring Diffuser Blends
Sharing some of my current favorites!
Spring is right around the corner!
The snow is finally starting to melt and I am so excited for the warmer weather to stay! Sharing some of my favorite diffuser blends that I have been using in anticipation for Spring!
Spring Bloom:
5 drops of Wild Orange + 4 drops of Ylang Ylang
Wild Flower:
3 drops of Valor + 3 drops of Lemon + 3 drops of Ylang Ylang
Zen Blend:
4 drops of Bergamot + 5 drops of Frankincense
Allergies Support Blend:
3 drops of Lemon + 3 drops of Lavender + 3 drops of Peppermint
Thank you for popping by the blog! I hope you all have a wonderful week!
2020 Holiday Gift Guide:
Toddlers: Ages 2-3
Hi Friends!
Today is an extra cozy day in Chicago and it is putting me into full on Holiday mode! I put together some of my favorites for toddlers this year for the holiday season that I wanted to share. This is mixture of things I have bought in previous years as well as items I am purchasing this year for the holidays! To be honest, I plan to do mostly all of my holiday shopping snuggled up on the couch. If you are anything like me, I am hoping these gift guides will give you a bit of inspiration for your little ones during this atypical holiday season of 2020!
Stay tuned for more gift guides coming later this week!
Nontoxic Laundry Solutions
Alright friends, by now, you likely know that I am all about finding safer, nontoxic, and high performing products for my family and friends.
Did you know that many laundry detergents and dryer sheets are not great for our health?
I love the fresh and clean scent that many drug store brands provide, however, the artificial fragrance that is included in many of these products is often filled with harmful chemicals that could potentially impact my health as well as my family’s health.
I wanted to share with you some of my favorite nontoxic laundry solutions if you are making the switch to a more nontoxic household!
1) Switch out your dryer sheets for wool dryer balls.
Dryer sheets have been a common practice because of the lovely aroma that they give to our clothing as well as helping to reduce static cling. However, recent research has shown that these thin polyester sheets are not great for our health. Research has shown that dryer sheets can cause skin/eye irritation, migraines, and asthma attacks.
Wool dryer balls allow for you to add your own natural fragrance with the assistance of essential oils! First, grab your essential oil of choice, drop 3 drops on each dryer ball, and allow them to dry for a minute prior to using! My favorite essential oils to use for laundry include lavender, bergamot, and lemon. Wool dryer balls not only decrease your toxic load, but they also dry clothes faster! Dryer balls are also a more affordable option! Dryer balls are known to last for approximately 1000 loads of laundry. Therefore, they are a more cost effective and sustainable option.
2) Make your own Laundry Scent Booster!
Hoping to add a bit more of a scent to your clothes but not wanting to add any artificial fragrance? I have a solution for you! This homemade laundry scent booster not only works super well, but it is a nontoxic solution! All you need is Epsom salts, baking soda, the essential oil of your choice, and a jar with a lid.
Ingredients:
1.5 cups of Epsom Salts
1 cup of Baking Soda
20-30 drops of your essential oil of choice
What do you do:
Mix essential oils into Epsom salts. Once this is mixed through, add the baking soda to the mixture!
Add 1-2 tablespoons to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.
Enjoy the lovely scent!
3) Switch to a safer laundry detergent.
When deciding on the best laundry detergent for your family, look for plant and mineral based items that are free of parabens and artificial fragrances. Also, look for companies that are committed to transparency! My personal favorite laundry detergent is Molly’s suds. I am amazed by how little you use per load. High performing ingredients mean less amount of product. This detergent is highly effective and lasts for a long time!
I hope you found this to be a helpful tool for you! Change can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to creating a non-toxic living environment. Please reach out with any questions you may have along the way!
2020 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts For Your Girlfriends, Covid Edition
Hello Friends! I am excited to share my first Holiday gift guide of the season! The products I am sharing are ones that I personally love and plan to gift this season. The Beautycounter items that are included in the gift guides this season are directed to my personal shopping link and I do earn a commission on those purchases. However, I only share the items that I LOVE. Thank you for popping by! My goal is to make your shopping experience a bit more stress free this holiday season! I plan to share a new gift guide each week, so stay tuned!
The holidays will be different this year and therefore this first gift guide for your girlfriends includes all sorts of comfy/cozy items, at home self care goodies, and more!
I am always looking for gifts between the $25-$100 range and this gift guide gives you just that! I am so excited about this finds and I hope you love them too!
Lezly Moccasin Slippers, by Koolaburra (by Ugg)
The Mani System, by Olive and June
14 K Holiday Mix Pack, by Scout and Cellar Clean Crafted Wine
Luminous Lids Cream Shadows, by Beautycounter
Good Glow Body Duo, by Beautycounter
Blush Pink Disc Bracelets, by ShopSarahndipity
Polish and Protect Lip Duo, by Beautycounter
Flannel Pajamas, by PJ Salvage
Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes For Fall
Slow Cooker meals are my go to option at least one to two times per week. The late morning tends to be much less chaotic at our house then the 4 pm hour and anything I can do to tame the chaos at that time of day is a WIN. Mamas, I know you know what I mean.
I tend to spend a chunk of time on Sunday meal prepping for the week to avoid additional grocery trips (if I can help it) throughout the week especially during pandemic days. Meal prepping is a bit of a life saver for our family. Not only does it save time and money, but it is also a more sustainable option as we tend to waste less food! I always write the meals out for the week on a white board in the pantry! This is mostly a tool for me to keep things on track throughout the week.
I wanted to share three of my favorite slow cooker meals for the season! Mix and Match Mama’s Blog has been an amazing resource for me. Also, she has some amazing cookbooks if you prefer that option!
Chicken Tortilla Soup (Mix and Match Mama)
Quick and easy recipe and perfect for the Fall season. Who does not crave a yummy soup this time of year?
Ingredients:
1 lb. of boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 (10 oz) can of Rotel tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can of diced tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can of ranch style beans
Packet of taco seasoning
1 (10 oz) can of cream of chicken soup
2 cups of frozen corn
Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Instructions:
In your slow cooker, layer chicken, rotel and diced tomatoes, beans, and cream of chicken soup.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
About 20 minutes before you plan to serve, remove lid, and stir in the corn and shred chicken.
Replace lid and heat through.
Scoop into a bowl. Add some cheese (and chopped green onions) on top and Enjoy!
Italian Beef Sandwiches
My friend Sarah introduced me to this recipe, and it has quickly become a family favorite! It is super easy to throw together. The whole family enjoys this one and always provides a lot of leftovers for the week!
Ingredients:
3/12-4 lb. boneless rolled roast
2 Beef Bouillon cubes
16 oz jar of giardiniera
12 oz jar of pepperoncini
1 packet of dry Good Seasons Italian salad dressing
16 oz of Beef Broth
Instructions:
Combine broth, dry salad dressing, bouillon cubes and mix!
Add the remaining ingredients into the crock pot.
Place the roast into the crockpot, baste, and cover with ingredients.
Add juice from pepperoncini and giardiniera depending on how much spice you want.
Cook on low heat for ten hours.
Shred and enjoy! I love to add to a French roll!
White Bean , Kale, and Sausage Soup
Another cozy meal! This one is hearty and delicious and on repeat all fall/winter long!
Ingredients:
1 lb. of sausage, browned and crumbly.
1 (15oz) can of Great Northern Beans (rinsed/drained)
4 cups of Kale , torn into pieces
2 Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 onion (chopped)
2 cloves of minced garlic (I use the mince garlic from Trader Joe’s. So easy!)
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
Two cups of chicken stock
Splash of heavy cream (or coconut milk for a dairy free option)
Chedder cheese (for garnish)
Instructions:
Layer the sausage in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add beans, kale, potatoes, onion, garlic, and mustard,
Pour the chicken stock over everything.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high. Personally, I love to cook on low when able. It soaks up the flavors best in my opinion!
When you are ready to serve, add a splash of cream. Scoop into bowls. Add some chedder cheese and enjoy!
Hopefully this will give you a bit of inspiration as the days get darker and shorter! Enjoy!
Things I am loving for Fall
I wanted to write a fun post about all the things I am loving for Fall this year. Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year! There is just something refreshing and energizing about the cooler days. Pumpkin Spice, apple picking, open windows, and cozy diffuser blends, I love it all! With everything going on in the world, having an outlet is so essential for me. Admittedly, I have a lot of Fall decor. Probably too much. However, adding a mixture of Autumn around the house once the weather begins to cool off is one of my absolute favorite things to do! I wanted to share a blog post on an assortment of things that I am loving for Fall this year in hopes to keep things fun and lighthearted over on my page!
Spending extra time at home these days with E learning has made it essential to have a cozy vibe in the house!
Target Artificial Oak Leaf Wreath
I love the color contrast this adds to the brick fireplace. This would also look lovely on the door.
Target Artificial Oak Leak Garland
We have a double sided fireplace in our home. I added the wreath on one end and the garland on the other end. The garland is hanging in the kitchen and provides such a cozy feeling!
I found some super cute items for the kiddos at Roolee. We are planning family pictures in the middle of October and I am planning to use the two items pictured above. Check them out!
Beautycounter Classic Eye Shadow Palette
This bronzey eye shadow palette is the perfect addition for Fall. This palette works for a basic everyday look as well as the days you want to glam up a bit more!
Clove, Amber Shimmer, Beige Shimmer, and Mulberry are my current favorites for Fall. This is my favorite lip gloss. It is not sticky, has a high impact shine, and goes on smooth!
I love Hobby Lobby. I could spend hours there. These braided pumpkins are so simple and inexpensive but add such an adorable fall charm.
These muffins taste like Fall. Check out the full recipe from Mix and Match Mama. She has so many amazing recipes! I love popping over to her site for inspiration!
Candles used to be a staple item in our home in the Fall and Winter until I learned about the health risks associated with candles. Thankfully, I was able to easily replace my candles with essential oils. Some of my current favorite blends include:
Thieves (3) + Orange (3)
Christmas Spirit
Cinnamon (3) + Clove (2) + Nutmeg (2) + Orange (2)
Cinnamon (3) + Clove (2) + Nutmeg (2) + Bergamot (2)
Beautycounter’s All Bright C Serum
My skin always get a bit out of whack with the change of the seasons. However, this product has been amazing at supporting my skin and preventing dullness!
Thanks for popping by!!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful start to Fall.
The 411 on Mask-ne
What is Mask-ne?
Mask-ne, simply put, is acne caused by wearing a mask.
The rubbing and friction caused by the mask can disrupt the skin’s barrier and therefore lead to the introduction of bacteria. Also, oil/dirt/sweat can get trapped under the mask and lead to things such as acne, excema, and rosacea! If this is something you are concerned with or something you are currently struggling with, check out the information below for some tips and tricks on how to nourish and treat your skin especially if you are an individual who needs to wear a mask for long periods of time.
Ways to Care for Your Skin to Prevent Mask-ne
Cleansing your skin!
Finding a good cleanser that is not irritating or drying to your skin is an essential step! A good cleanser works to clean the dirt, oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells without drying or further irritating the skin.
The cleansers below are a great option to help support your skin without drying you out!
Countermatch Foaming Cleanser: Great for those with normal to dry skin. This is my personal favorite and one that I love to use twice a day. This cleanser visibly supports skin without diminishing its natural moisture barrier. The creamy formula transforms into a velvety foam when combined with water and rinses away clean for better skincare absorption. Best part, this cleanser is a safer alternative since it is made without SLS.
Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser: Great for those with oily or blemish prone skin. A daily exfoliating cleanser for oily and blemish-prone skin that removes oil, makeup, and impurities without stripping skin's natural moisture.
Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil: Great option for those with aging skin. This luxurious, lightweight cleansing oil gently yet effectively removes makeup and impurities without stripping essential lipids from the skin. Rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, and our plant derived Retinatural Complex, the formula reinforces the skin’s fragile moisture barrier for a soothed, nourished complexion.
Charcoal Bar: In need of a deep clean, this is a great option to add in one to two times per week. Beautycounter’s charcoal bar is formulated with Binchotan charcoal powder to help detoxify and absorb impurities in skin without drying it out, resulting in a smoother, brighter complexion.
Washing your face mask often!
Having more than one mask is a great idea. When choosing the best mask for your skin, consider 100% cotton as it allows your skin to breathe a bit. Also, choosing a non-irritating detergent is important as well since the masks will come into direct contact with the skin for long periods of times. It is important to avoid detergents with synthetic fragrance as they can be very irritating to the skin and not good for our health.
Ditch the Makeup.
It is not recommended to wear makeup under the mask. Makeup can lead to further issues with breakouts and irritation. Anything heavier can easily get trapped on the skin by the mask!
Protect your skin!
Moisturizing twice a day during this time is important. Your moisturizers are you protect step which help to lock in the hydration. A great option to help protect your skin while wearing a mask is Beautycounter’s Cleansing Balm. This is a great product to apply on the areas where your face mask tends to rub. It is also a great option for little ones who may be wearing a mask all day at school. With a blend of lotus extract, jojoba seed oil, and avocado seed oil, Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm soothes and destresses skin while increasing luminosity.
Solutions for Treating Mask-ne
Mask-ne may be inevitable for some, especially if you are wearing masks for long hours during the day and have sensitive skin. These products below will help to treat your skin during this unique time!
Charcoal Mask: Great option to help balance out your skin! I love to use this product one to two times per week. Perfect for those concerned with congestion and oily skin. Also, it is a quick and easy self care activity that you can do at home. Apply the mask, grab a glass of wine, rinse off, and apply your favorite night time moisturizer! I love to sneak away and do this mask two times a week. I always add the Countertime Supreme cream afterwards to protect and nourish my skin!
All Bright C Serum: This ultra-potent 10% blend of two forms of vitamin C instantly brightens skin and works like magic to help treat and protect the skin. The All Bright C Serum helps defend skin from the damaging effects of environmental stressors—revealing a more youthful-looking complexion. This is a great option for those who struggle with acne scars.
Overnight Resurfacing Peel: This product is the All Bright C Serum’s night time companion. It works amazingly well to even out the skin tone as well as assist with acne scarring. The peel works while you sleep with a blend of acids glycolic, malic, and botanically derived lactic acid to aid in cellular turnover and support visible skin clarity for a smoother, softer-, brighter-looking complexion by morning. The blend of nourishing and soothing acids delivers results without irritation.
Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot Treatment: Great spot treatment option. This is a lightweight gel that helps penetrate pores to reduce blemishes.
This month I am offering a special promotion for all essential workers! Please reach out to me if you are in this category in order to receive a FUN offer from me!
July Book Review
July Summer Reading Round Up
Beach favorites, Memoirs, and Audible picks
My July Book Review
Life has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster these days and finding things that brings you joy is essential. Did you know that reading a book can actually lower your heart rate and ease the tension of your muscles. Reading has become one of my favorite activities during quarantine/pandemic. It is such an amazing way for me to decompress from the day as well as disconnect. Let’s be honest, this month needed a lot of decompressing. I have also been using the Audible feature on Amazon that allows me to listen to books while walking/driving. It is a great way to get through those books on your wish list. Mamas, this is a good tool for you!
See below the books that I read this month. I would love to hear your comments and get your thoughts on the books as well!
The Miracle Morning (on Audible)
By: Hal Elrod
4.8/5
I was falling into a bit of a funk during quarantine. Staying up to late, sleeping in, constantly feeling behind. I heard about this book on a podcast and knew I needed to read (in my case listen) to it. This book was an inspiration. I am planning on buying this one and having on my shelf when I get in a bit of a funk.
In the Miracle Morning, best-selling author and speaker Hal Elrod argues that everyone can achieve their dreams in every area of life, including relationships, finances, career, health, and happiness. Hal talks about the importance of committing yourself to personal development by getting up early and following a simple daily routine of silence, affirmation, visualization, exercise, reading, and writing. I have been working on this for the past two weeks and I am noticing a significant difference in my productivity as well as anxiety.
By: Emily Griffin
4.1/5
Emily Griffin is my favorite author. I have read all her books. This one did not disappoint. It is quick easy read, a great one to take on vacation with you. It takes place in New York around 9/11, which was interesting given the current 2020 situation we are all currently in. The main character, Cecily falls hard for an impossibly perfect man, Grant right before 9/11. He then goes missing during the chaos of 9/11. Secrets about his past begin to emerge and Cecily begins to question everything. This book highlights the search for love and truth in relationships, career, and our heart.
By: Glennon Doyle
4.6/5
I loved this book! Personally, I am often more drawn to fictional books. However, this book was a great change from my norm. Glennon focused throughout the book on the importance of women to take control of their lives and not to give up on their wants and desires just because their environment tries to make it that way. It centers on the importance of listening to your inner voice and focusing on your dreams. I loved how liberating it was to women and mothers. In all honesty, this was another good read given the current world circumstances. A great book club book that will allow for lots of discussion!
By: Tara Westover
4.6/5
For someone who does not generally read non-fiction, this month was surprisingly non-fiction heavy. Educated was an interesting book. Sad and at times hard to read, and therefore this was a slow read for me. This book is about a girl who grew up in the mountains of Idaho with parents who grew up in a radical subset of the Mormon church. This book gets deep into issues surrounding isolation from mainstream society and how the main character desires to be educated. Her quest for education transforms her life and unfortunately isolates her from her family. This would be another great book club choice with lots of room for discussion.
By: Kristy Woodson Harvey
4.4/5
The perfect beach read. If you are looking for a good and lighthearted summer read, this is it. I really enjoyed this one. The book focuses on two southern women with an unusual friendship doing their best to deal with everything life throws at them! The two main characters are Diana and Gray. Gray is a successful founder of a marketing company who recently lost her mother and is going through an unexpected divorce. Diana just recently got fired and broke up with her boyfriend. The two women could not be more different but find themselves in an unlikely friendship, coming to really lean on each other.
This was a super quick read, but good!
Easy Air-Fryer Donuts
Toddler Approved Air Fryer Recipe
SUMMER is here in the Chicago suburbs & it is toasty!
The kiddo’s and I have been spending time outdoors during the morning and evening. But it has been essential to cool off inside a bit during the day. One of my favorite things to do with my kiddos is bake. This recipe was a fun one. The kid’s loved playing with the dough. Plus, it does not require you to warm up your oven!
Ingredients :
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 can of Pillsbury Flaky Biscuits
Coconut oil spray
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Combine sugar + Cinnamon in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
2. Remove biscuits, separate, and cut out the center (I used a bottle cap). You can even use the centers to make donut holes. However, make sure to cook at half the time.
3. Coat the air fryer basket with Coconut oil & set to 350 degrees.
4. Cook, until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
5. Takes about 5-6 minutes total. Make sure to keep a close eye! I was amazed at how quickly these cooked up.
6. Brush the donuts with butter and cover with cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Enjoy warm! (but don’t worry they taste good the next day too)
Pro tip (from my toddler herself) add a scoop of ice cream!
Sources:
Recipe was found at the kitchn blog. See full recipe blog post here.
My Favorite Summer Time Diffuser Blends
Hello Friends!
I wanted to jump on today to chat about essential oils. I was introduced to oils about 18 months ago. To be honest, I was a bit of a skeptic at first regarding essential oils. Turns out, I just didn’t know enough yet. I am a big research girl and giving myself time to learn about them first was essential. Over time, I learned about the benefits of essential oils in terms of health, anxiety, home, beauty, and more and quickly started to incorporate them in many ways throughout our home!
First off, if you are not familiar with essential oils, I wanted to start off by explaining what they are. Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants to capture their flavors, scents, and overall beneficial properties. The compounds are essential to the plants health. An easy way to think of it, they are essentially the immune system of the plant.
My initial reason for starting essential oils was to help with anxiety and sleep. If you have been following along with me for a bit, you know that I struggle with anxiety and I am always looking for a natural remedy to help with this. And guys, I was blown away at how much better my sleep was once I started diffusing Lavender and Cedarwood at night! The perfect combo for a good night’s sleep.
However, another important thing I have learned is that not every oil is created equal. If you have not dived into the oil world, Young Living is an amazing company to start with. Many of the cheaper versions that can be found at places such as Target or Whole foods are filled with mostly fillers and not the actual oil. They could have one drop of oil from an unknown source and 100 drops of filler and fluff and still be called “natural” and an “essential oil”. Young Living provides pure and authentic oils. As a mother, safety is such a critical factor. Young Living has amazing quality standards. The company has been around since 1993 and they have a seed to seal promise where nothing touches the oils from the time the oil starts out as a seed until the time it is sealed in the bottle! Click here to learn more about Young Living’s Quality Standards. Young Living has farms scattered around the world in places such as South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and more.
With Summer time in full force, I wanted to share some of my favorite Summer Diffuser Blends! Diffusing is a great way to fill your home with lovely scents without all the nasty chemicals that can come with burning candles or spraying synthetic fragrances. Keep in mind, I love citrus scents and I think citrus is perfect for the summer months! Please comment below with your favorite summer time blends! I am always looking for new ones to try.
Curious to learn more about oils and how to get started with oils? Send me a message here or comment below!
Tips for Keeping Those Fresh Cut Flowers Lasting a Bit Longer
Fresh flowers are one of my absolute favorite house decors. I love how much brighter they make the space. In my free time, you can bet that I am most likely hanging out at Trader Joe’s grabbing some of my favorite food items as well as a bouquet of fresh flowers. However, with the quarantine/pandemic, I was looking for a solution to keep my fresh flowers lasting a bit longer, since heading to the store with kids feels a bit more daunting these days.
If you are feeling the same, try these four tips below! They have done wonders for my fresh flowers at the house!
Try these simple tricks:
1) Always cut your flower stems at an angle for better water intake.
2) Remove any leaves below the water line to prevent bacteria growth.
3) Use room temperature water and add some DIY flower food ( 3 tablespoons of sugar + 2 tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water)
4) Change out the water and flower food every 2-3 days.
Organizing a Catch All Space
Organizing a catch all space! Easy ways to solve the clutter.
A Catch All Room
Our mud room instantly attracts clutter. Quarantine & so much time at home made this space even more congested then before. This room was a combination of winter, spring, and summer and it needed a little love. As a work from home mother, I love an organization project! Not only is it energizing and rewarding, it feels such much better to have a more minimalist space.
A couple simple solutions made this a much more manageable and organized space.
Emptying out the space to see what to keep, what needed to be moved/put away for the season, and what could be donated/thrown away. Also, I have found that emptying out the whole space allows for you to develop a vision of how you want the space to look.
Using the built-in bench as a place to sit as well as a place for storage. I added light-colored storage boxes to maximize the light in the room. I also included a small storage basket near the garage door to store clean face masks.
Using the additional storage above for pool towels/swim items, sunscreen, and other kiddo and pup essentials.
Thinking vertical over horizantal. Switching the shoe storage from horizontal to vertical freed up a bit of space by the door.
Benefits of decluttering a small space
For me, less anxiety and stress. Trying to get out of the house with kiddos is hard enough. Having an organized and functional mud room keeps this mama happy.
The space is easier to keep clean. Having a designated space for our items helps keep our house much cleaner.
Helps you find lost items! We found a good chunk of things we have been looking for just by emptying this small space.