A few years ago, I started using essential oils because I wanted to replace conventional air fresheners (that often contain toxic chemicals) with more natural fragrances. After trying several essential oils over the past couple years, I’m in love and use them on a daily basis! I frequently have my diffuser running with various blends when I’m feeling sick, battling a headache, or need to relax and de-stress. During the holiday season, I especially enjoy blends that fill my home with a warm and cozy scent. Take a peek at the infographic below for some ideas for seasonal sniffs!
Click on the image for a closer look! Infographic via Well.ca
Important Tips for Newbies:
If you’re new to essential oils, there are a few things you need to know before diving in:
Get Pure Oils: While there are many oils on the market, many of the lower-priced ones are usually not pure (!) and may even be cut with filler oils. (Ew!) Therefore, I recommend only purchasing high quality essential oils such as doTERRA, Young Living, or Rocky Mountain Oils.
Application Safety: Just because essential oils are natural that doesn’t mean that they are safe to use however you want. Some essential oils are safe to inhale (via a diffuser), but they may not be safe to apply topically or use internally. Always, always, ALWAYS exercise caution, and when in doubt, educate yourself on how to properly use an oil.
Less is More: Essential oils are very concentrated, so you don’t need to use a lot. When creating a blend from the image above, one drop of each oil should be plenty. If your diffuser is in a large room, start with just 3 drops total, then add more if needed.
Which essential oil blend is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
A few months ago, I stumbled upon Primacandle’s Instagram account and was immediately mesmerized by her videos showing how she carves candles. First the candle is dipped in vats of colored wax. Then while the wax is still pliable, it is cut and twisted to create the intricate design you see here. This particular candle features traditional Christmas colors, and you can find many more candles in various colors in her Etsy shop. Any of these candles would be perfect for one’s home and a great gift for a candle lover!
Seeing news of wildfires ravaging California has been so heartbreaking. The photos and videos of the fires look like something out of a film, and yet this horrible reality is what thousands of people are experiencing. Disasters are devastating any time of the year, but especially during the holiday season. At a time when we normally celebrate in abundance and excess, it’s unbearable to think how many families have lost everything.
One city in particular that is heavy on my heart is Ventura. I’ve visited this city several times in the last few years while attending Craftcation Conference. The folks I’ve met at this conference are my crafty tribe, so naturally, I really wanted to find a way to help out. After doing a little digging online, I found a few ways lend a hand.
Keep reading for ways to get involved.
Buy a Ventura Pin
These lovely lapel pins were designed by none other than Nicole Stevenson, co-founder of Craftcation. Each enamel pin costs $10, and 100% of profits will aid fire victims in Ventura via RAKlife, a charity that will use the funds to provide direct assistance to those in the most need. Click here for the Ventura Strong pin or here for the Ventura Love pin.
Ventura Strong was created by Ventura native, Sara Masterson, to help those affected by the Thomas Fire. You can get involved by donating online, purchasing a product from their shop, or by dropping off much needed items at one of Ventura Strong’s drop off locations.
Eager to help, but don’t live nearby? Consider giving to a monetary gift online. GoFundMe has created a list of verified campaigns, which you can view by clicking here. If you, like me, find it hard to select one campaign over another, then you may prefer donating to The Direct Impact Fund, which provides help to all who are affected by the Southern California fires.
The year was 1995. The day, Christmas Eve. As Karen Louck flipped through Parade Magazine, she was moved by an article about a toddler, Laura, undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Karen read about how a special blankie had comforted Laura, enabling her to get through numerous hospital visits for treatment. Inspired by this story, Karen began making security blankets to give to a nearby hospital, and soon thereafter Project Linus was born.
Since that night 22 years ago, Project Linus has expanded to all 50 states and has given more than 6.5 million blankets. That’s a lot of blankets! Given to children from newborn to eighteen, Project Linus specifically aims to bestow these handmade blankets on children who are very ill or traumatized. The blankets that Project Linus receives from volunteers are given to hospitals, social service agencies, shelters, and other places where there is a child in need.
Wondering how you can get involved in this heartwarming mission? Keep on reading!
When I saw these monogrammed baby pajamas, I’m sure my face looked just like the heart eyes emoji! I’m absolutely beside myself with how utterly adorable these cotton jammies are. With a monogram on the onesie and a trap door on the bloomers, this cute set would be perfect for a baby’s first Christmas. And since these pajamas are available in various sizes (up to 3 years old), you could give this outfit to any young child on your holiday list.
