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.
- Pet Safety: Not all essential oils are safe for pets, so take a few minutes to read up on what oils are safe to use around your furry friends.
- 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!
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Note from Becky: Shari’s Berries emailed us a link to their fun infographic and provided the blog post below. We were not compensated for this; I just thought the infographic would be interesting to you, our readers.
It’s the holiday season, and Christmas traditions are in full swing—from singing carols to decorating the tree. Another holiday favourite for many is reading Christmas books and enjoying baked goods. So why not combine the two? That’s why Shari’s Berries has paired 12 timeless holiday reads with 12 delicious winter sweets. Whether you enjoy a classic Nutcracker novel with a sugar plum pie or travel to the North Pole with The Polar Express and white chocolate peppermint fudge, these book and dessert pairings are the ultimate holiday treat!
Click on the image for a closer look! Infographic via Shari’s Berries
As I’ve made abundantly clear over the years, I LOVE basset hounds. Due to my floppy-eared fascination, I’m always on the look out for basset hound holiday decor, and boy do I adore this ornament. The porcelain ornament features an original illustration of a rather happy basset looking adorable in his ugly Christmas sweater. Too cute!
This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure here.
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.
Drop Off Items at Ventura Strong
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.
Donations Needed (as of 12/15/2017):
- Clothing and shoes (all/any sizes)
- Non-perishable food
- Baby items
- Toiletries and women’s sanitary products
- Furniture and bed sheets
- Pet food
- Hangers
- Laundry detergent and dish soap
- Books
Donation Drop Off Locations:
Ventura Strong
482 E Santa Clara Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Mission Church
2875 Elba Street
Ventura, CA 93003
Ventura Fairgrounds (through Red Cross)
10 W Harbor Boulevard
Ventura, CA 93001
Give to a Verified GoFundMe Campaign
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.
More Ways to Lend a Hand
- Red Cross of Ventura County – Apply online to be a volunteer or make a donation online.
- United Way of Ventura County – Donations can be made online, over the phone by dialing (805) 485-6288, or by texting UWCC to 41444.
- Ventura County Community Foundation – Give a donation online, by check, or wire transfer. Click here for details.
In this season of giving, will you join me in helping my friends in California?
