Happy 2010, everyone! As we kick off a brand new year, I thought it would be fun to share some ideas about blending essential oils for customizing scents. It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who ask me to personalize products for them.

Sometimes people are mainly seeking something to ease physical ailments from colds or respiratory troubles. Then there are those in search of help with issues I consider emotional and physical, such as challenges from menopausal symptoms. Lastly, there are scent-maniacs (like me), who love having an essential oil blend recipe tailor-made for their current mood!

I LOVE making essential oil custom blends because it is always fun and very challenging. As each of us has different scent preferences, the number of potential scent permutations is seemingly endless!

So to get your year started off on the right foot (at least for today!), I’ve listed a few of my favorite essential oil blend recipes below. But of course, the beauty of working with essential oils is they can be tweaked according to your likes, preferences and needs! Read the rest of this entry »

I recently read a magazine article about using nutmeg for a unique twist on traditional holiday scenting.  Combining nutmeg essential oil (EO) with orange EO in a room spray can provide a one-two punch of motivation for the early-morning sleepies.   Nutmeg EO smells rich, warm and spicy, making it especially nice during cooler weather.   If you love autumnal spicy scents, try mixing with vanilla, ginger and / or cinammon EO’s.   In general, I avoid  mixing too many “spicy-kitchen-scented-EO’s” because I have a severe sweet tooth!

The majority of nutmeg comes from Indonesia and Grenada.  Dried nutmeg seeds grow on a tall, thick evergreen tree full of little yellow flowers, and the EO extraction method is through steam distillation from the seeds. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been strangely cool in Florida lately – the 60 degree mornings and 78 degree afternoons are chilly – brrrrrrrrrr!!  Now that it’s holiday time, though, I sometimes wish for one day (…or maybe just an hour) of the “white Christmas” concept!

As beautiful as a real tree smells, we decided to skip that tradition and instead purchased a ficus alii tree that we hung a strand of lights & some pretty ornaments on.  After the holidays, we’ll plant our new tree in the front yard!  Since I miss the scent of a real tree, I use a plug-in diffuser ball and add 8 – 10 drops of spruce essential oil to the pad ever other day.   Spruce essential oil is believed to have antifungal, disinfecting, grounding, calming & uplifting properties - no wonder we LOVE the smell of real trees!

One small act by each person results in a collective benefit to reducing overall waste.  Ivillage has some great tips for creating a “greener” holiday (pun intended!).

In health,
barbara-ann

My latest obsession are Woolly Pockets.  With my gangrene thumb, growing plants has never been my forte.  The Woolly Pocket soft-sided garden containers are the perfect way to grow healthy gardens, both inside or out.  Installation and maintenance are a snap!  Just place on the area of your choice, fill with plants and bam!  Feel like an accomplished gardener!

In health
barbara-ann

African black soap is extremely gentle, pure and moisturizing.  It is a multi-purpose soap for face, body & hair that produces an emollient, light lather that leaves skin supple.

The most common African Black Soap is Ose Dudu (derived from the languages of Nigeria, Benin & Togo) translating literally to Soap (ose) Black (dudu).  Black soap varies from light brown to deep black, depending on the ingredients & preparation method.  Togo black soaps have specific applications and uses, but black soap is the oldest, healthiest soap available. As African black soap varies by region, the oils used to make African black may include some combination of palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter or shea butter.  Since the oils used are based on availability, the particular combination used results in color variations. In general, coastal regions use more coconut oil, while savanna regions use more shea butter. Read the rest of this entry »

Though we’re still in the first week of November, I’m already feeling panicked about the holidays.  Between work and home, the to-do lists are racin’ through my head at lightning speed.  So it’s time to mix up a batch of my favorite “calm-me-down-like-yesterday” spray!

In a 4 oz bottle, combine the following:

1/2 oz of grain alcohol (avoid the temptation to drink it;-)
3 drops blood orange essential oil (EO)
3 drops black pepper EO
3 drops cedarwood EO
3 drops bergamot EO
4 drops ylang ylang EO
4 drops rose absolute EO

Shake bottle vigorously to emulsify the EO’s and then add a 1/2 oz. of vegetable glycerine, shaking again. Read the rest of this entry »

Last month I posted about ”stylin’ recyclin’” and have rec’d emails from lots of people wanting to see examples.  So here are a few quick pics showing how I’ve incorporated vintage fashion aprons into my wardrobe.

And while I LOVE vintage, I’m not an all or nothin’ gal, so I try to create a look that works with my current wardrobe and my premium denim vice!  After all, fashion should be fun, creative and uniquely yours. 

In health,
barbara-ann

Happy November, everyone!  As we embark upon the season of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), it seems like a good time to visit the concept of incorporating essential oils into our lives.  I realize I’m in the minority, but I actually prefer the shorter daylight hours.  Chalk it up to my natural draculian tendencies, but I feel more productive, active and upbeat during the quiet, dark solitude that accompany fall and winter.

Nevertheless, I am very sensitive to the many people who feel depressed during this time of year.  One potential way to alleviate some of those symptoms is to incorporate some natural essential oils (EO) into your home, work space and even in your daily car commute(s).  An extremely economical way is to keep a few vials of some uplifting essential oils around and simply dab a couple of drops (or two) directly onto a cotton ball or kleenex and then place it nearby where you can breathe in the scent. Read the rest of this entry »

I came across a blurb in November 2009’s In Style magazine about using essential oils (EO’s) in cooking.  Having experimented with this, I must admit I’ve had some mixed results, but then again, I’m no chef!  Mandy Aftel is the perfume pro who knows – and she’s been working with cooks to teach the proper way to use EO’s to enhance food flavors.

Scentsational recipes are available on her website.

In health,
barbara-ann

If you’re a fan of Japanese fashionista dolls, such as Blythe, Dal and Pullip, then be sure to visit Brigette Coovert’s website.  This talented designer uniquely customized the dolls into a collection she calls Zombukis.

A synthesis of different cultures and styles, the enchanting Zombukis have a beauty and fashion sense that fuses futuristic and “mid 20th century modern” elements.  Her one-of-a-kind dolls  have been featured in magazines, including Dolls and Haute Doll.  Most are in private collections or featured in exhibits.  I’m going to be a Zombuki doll this Halloween, so I don’t expect to run into anyone else in the same costume!

Each month, Brigette offers a super cute giveaway on her blog.  To celebrate her 13th giveaway this month, she’s offering a beautiful autumnal orange resin Blythe Doll Necklace .  So be sure to check it out – you could be this month’s lucky winner!  And speaking of “luck”, please send me some on my costume:-)

In Health,
barbara-ann