Homemade Gift Ideas

Make your holidays more meaningful by making your own gifts! Try these Bubbly Bath Salts that you can whip up at home with little money, and very little time. They are guaranteed to wow that special person in your life. Plus as we all know, homemade gifts have much more meaning.

Who doesn't love a little pampering time? I know that I DO! These Bubbly Bath Salts can be used in a foot bath and in the bath to relax, ease stress and unwind.

Give a array of skincare goodies by pairing up the bath salts up with a bar of handmade soap and a crocheted washcloth.

DIY Bubbly Bath Salts

Ingredients:

6 Cups of Kosher Salt or Sea Salt

¾ Cup of Liquid Soap

1 Tablespoon of Sweet Almond Oil or Olive Oil

2 to 3 Drops of Lavender or Jasmine Essential Oil

3 to 4 Drops of Food Coloring (optional)

Instructions:

Stir the soap, oils, and food coloring together thoroughly. Evenly pour over the salt, and stir until the salt is evenly coated. Feel free to custom your bath salt with a essential oil of your choice. Spread bath salt out in a thin layer on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper, and allow it to air dry overnight. Pack into a container of your choice.

Directions:

To use, pour ¼ cup of the salt under running water while drawing a bath. Enjoy a foot bath with warm water and add a ⅛ cup of bath salts. Soak your feet until your heart's content and the water cools.

Green Tip:

In place of the food coloring use one tablespoon of dried rose petal powder as a natural colorant.

To dress up my bath salts I made a pretty tag with card stock using the font Susie’s Hand that I download free from daFonts.com. I punched out the tag with one of my favorite decorative Stampin’ Up punches, and tied it on the bottle with string.

Thanks for popping by my blog and read my post.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most gentle, and useful essential oils, with a soft  floral and herbal scent.  It is gentle enough to be used directly full strength on the skin and it is suitable for all skin types.  Its aroma is known for its relaxing, calming effects to the central nervous system.  Lavender also has an amazing ability to heal, balance, and tone all skin types.

Lavender Essential Oil Uses:

If I am feeling nervous, I take several deep inhalations of lavender essential oil directly from the bottle to calm my nervous anxiety.

I like to keep lavender essential oil inside of my first aide kit to use to relieve sunburns, insect bites, cuts, blemishes and to induce sleep.

I combine dried ground lavender buds with powdered oatmeal, add water to make a paste.  I use this wonderful mixture as a calming facial cleanser.

To deter bugs naturally, I sprinkle dried lavender into file boxes with paper documents, or behind shelved books.

I like to dab lavender essential on my little ones feet just before bedtime for a calming effect and peaceful sleep.

I place a few drops of lavender oil on a cloth, then toss it in the dryer with our laundry.  It adds a wonderful scent which naturally deodorizes and freshens our clothes.

Do you have any favorite uses for lavender essential oil?

Smiles, Paula




{ Follow Me on Pinterest } Paula Parrish

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Natural Air Fresheners

A clean pleasant aroma is a vital part of an inviting and cozy home.

Most store bought and commercial made air fresheners simply

mask unpleasant odors with strong chemical fragrances.

I avoid using any man made artificial fragrances, instead

I use only pure essential oils, organically grown herbs and flowers.

I am sharing with you a few ways that I keep my house smelling fantastic.

Dried Botanical Arrangement

I use small handcrafted pottery bowls that I picked up from crafts shows.

I fill the bowl with dried lavender,

then add a few drops of lavender essential oil.

Lavender smells heavenly, and it an excellent air freshener.

Dried herbs like peppermint, rosemary, and sage are also great

choices for a dried botanical arrangement.

I love to experiment with different essential oils and dried herbs.

Fresh Herbal Bouquets

I use freshly cut herbs to make a natural aromatic bouquet for scenting a room in our home.

Rosemary, lavender, lemon balm, sage, and mint

are all wonderful choices for a herbal bouquet.

They will last up to a week in a vase with fresh water.

Neutralize Cooking Odors

Cooking odors, especially from my hubby’s freshly caught fish,

and certain veggies, tend to linger in the kitchen.

To freshen the air after cooking I throw a few slices of

lemon or oranges into a pot along with three cups of water.

I let it simmer uncovered over a low heat for about 30 minutes.

I love the amazing fresh smell.

During the summer I add a few drops of coconut extract,

and over the winter I add cinnamon sticks or a few cloves.

Vanilla Air Freshener

For a simple natural room freshener, I place a few drops

of pure vanilla extract on a cotton ball in a shallow bowl.

Everyone loves the yummy smell of vanilla. Right?

I replace the cotton ball when the scent dissipates.

I hope that you have enjoy reading about a few natural remedies for fresh air.

{ Follow Me On Pinterest } Paula Parrish

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Essential Oils Uses

How did I ever live without my essential oils,

they have so many wonderful uses in one little bottle?

It is awesome that with essential oils “less is more” and a tiny bit of oil has a big impact.

• For a quick morning pick me up, place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on the bottom of the shower. This will help boost your mood for the day.
• Place 1 drop of each lavender and peppermint on the bottom of your pet carrier while taking long trips with your dog. The oils will help to calm down nervous or hyperactive and prevent car sickness. Your doggie will thank you.
• Each night before bedtime I spray my pillow with lavender room and linen spray. I sleep like a baby all night long.
• When I am feeling a little fatigued during the day instead of a afternoon cup of coffee. I grab the bottle of peppermint essential oil and inhale for a cooling boost. I find myself back to giving 100% in no time.
• When anyone in our family feels like we are getting a cold we simply rub a few drop of eucalyptus under our noses before bedtime. Breathing easy all night long.
• To energize my workout I spray my energize mat with peppermint room and linen spray.
  
  

I hope that you have enjoyed these tips about aromatherapy

with the use of essential oils.

I love using essential oils that are highly concentrated and 100% plant extracts.

I would love to hear how you use essential oils?

{ Follow Me On Pinterest  } Paula Parrish