Posted on September 28, 2015 by Doug Auxier
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I decided to try and organize all of my business supplies before the Holiday rush. I had a washi tape organizer that I had found at Costco, but it just didn't give me the flexibility to do what I wanted. I wanted to be able to grab a roll of washi tape and wrap whatever I was wrapping and put it back. The Costco organizer held the tape on a roll type thing and had a cute cutter on the side of the tray, basically worthless for me as the tape could not easily be removed and as you can see from the picture, it became a pile of chaos!
After much searching, I came across this amazing washi tape organizer and I am so pleased with it. Here is a photo after everything was organized neatly in my new rack. Each tape can be pulled off the shelf and put back easily.
Care to join me in getting organized? Check out http://www.organizemore.com/ for shelves to organize almost anything from ink pads to punches or ribbons! Organize More is now my go to shop on my journey to getting organized.
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washi tape organizer
Posted on February 05, 2015 by Melissa Auxier
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DIY Shower Steamers:
Shower steamers are very similar to bath bombs but usually a different shape and typically, you need to use more essential oils than you would need for a bath bomb.
You can make your shower steamers in any mold that you would like, I use a muffin tin for mine. Then store them in a glass jar in the bathroom so that they are handy when you need them.
- 1 cup Baking Soda
- 1/4 cup Epsom Salt
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 1/2 cup white clay or arrowroot powder or tapioca starch or corn starch, any of these will work.
- 2 and 3/4 tbsp carrier oil of your choice - almond oil, coconut oil, etc.
- 3/4 tbsp of water
- Essential oils: I recommend using 1 tablespoon of essential oils of your choice
- Combine baking soda, epsom salt, citric acid and clay, mix well until combined.
- Mix your water, carrier oil and essential oils
- Use a whisk and slowly pour the essential oil mix into the dry mix. Blend thoroughly. Mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling but should not be real wet feeling. If you get it too wet, it will begin to fizz.
- Push mix into your mold, don't pack tightly, but pack well. Depending on the mold used, I typically leave it in the mold for 15 minutes or so and then flip the mold carefully onto a cookie sheet to dry. Leave to dry 24 to 48 hours.
- When dry, remove and store in air tight container.
To use: Place one in the back of your shower out of the stream of water, so that it can dissolve slowly to maximize the aromatherapy benefit. I don't recommend using these in a bath unless you cut back on the essential oils used as it would be too strong. This batch makes 4-6 muffin tin shower steamers.
Shower steamers can be any combination of essential oils depending on the desired aromatherapy effect you are looking for.
Sinus blend might include peppermint, lavender, rosemary, camphor, menthol, eucalyptus.
Relaxing blend might include lavender, orange, tangerine, ylang ylang,
Energy blend might include any of the following - peppermint, ginger, spearmint, rosemary
Experiment with the oils you like or have on hand and let us know how it goes!
Posted in
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Do it yourself,
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natural shower steamer,
natural sinus relief,
shower steamer,
shower tablets,
sinus congestion relief,
sinus problems
Posted on February 10, 2014 by Melissa Auxier
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You may have heard from a friend or acquaintance that essential oils have helped them with this or that, but maybe you're not quite sure where to start. Well, I hope to help you along your journey into essential oils by covering some of their uses and cautions.
The essential oil I use most is peppermint. Peppermint - an uplifting fresh scent that can bring you back to life at times. Peppermint oil is analgesic, antiseptic, sedative and cooling. It can be used to treat fevers, colds, flu symptoms, nausea and respiratory disorders.
CAUTIONS - Please use only therapeutic grade essential oils, if you're not sure, please ask. Secondly, peppermint is very potent, use it very sparingly, then add more if you need to. Lastly, always, always wash your hands thoroughly after applying peppermint essential oil. Ask me why I would tell you this!
USES
INDIGESTION - I use peppermint a lot as I tend to have indigestion a lot. Here are a few ways it can be used - mix 2-4 drops with 1 tbsp of olive oil and apply to stomach area. Put 1 drop in a pitcher of water, more is not always better with peppermint oil, even if it seems like 1 drop wouldn't be enough, it is more than enough. You can drink peppermint water throughout the day if you like it is wonderful for internal inflammation and digestion.
HEADACHE - Peppermint works wonderful for headaches, but must be used with caution. Here is how I do it. I put only 1 drop of peppermint on my finger and lay down, then I massage the drop on my forehead and temples. Peppermint has a way of working its way down to your eyes, so be very careful. You can also apply to the back of your neck and behind your ears.
MIDDAY PICK ME UP - Who doesn't need that middle of the day pick me up? Keep a bottle of peppermint handy as it only takes a drop or two on the back of your neck to totally refresh you! Hard to believe, I know, but it really does work.
PAIN RELIEF - Lastly, I use if for those annoying little pains or sometimes big pains. It has a wonderful cooling feeling on the skin and works wonders on those aches and pains. Apply as above for the indigestion, blended with olive oil or whatever oil you have on hand.
How do you use peppermint?
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natural remedy,
pain relief,
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Posted on September 03, 2013 by Melissa Auxier
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My sweet daughter was exposed to poison oak at the football field, actually behind the field where they were playing last weekend. By the next morning, one side of her face was starting to swell, a few hours later and her eye was swelled shut. We started by taking Benadryl, hoping to avoid the ER. It didn't really seem to be getting worse, but it wasn't getting better either. So, I pulled out the essential oils and found a combination that worked wonders. I mixed 1 drop of my Defender essential oil blend(similar to Thieves oil) with 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil in about a tablespoon of aloe gel. You could very easily use olive oil or coconut oil if you don't have aloe gel, it just happened to be what I thought of first. I gently smoothed this blend onto her cheek and even her eyelid, only because it was so swollen shut that I was pretty sure it wouldn't seep into her eye. Always err on the side of caution when putting essential oils around the eyes as they can make there way into your eyes quite easily, either by seeping down or even by forgetting to wash your hands immediately after applying! Can't tell you how many times I've rubbed my eyes before making it to the sink, must be automatic or something! We also applied a cool wash cloth afterwards to help with the tingling from the oils.
By the next morning the difference was almost astounding, that side of her face was still swollen, but it had gone down considerably. She was even able to open her eye a crack. We kept applying about 3 times per day and by the second day, her skin was really drying up, so we started using my Organic Coconut Cream to add moisture, but continue the healing.
After spending 2-3 days cooped up in her room, she made her way downstairs tonight.
This may not work for younger children as these particular essential oils may be too strong even diluted as I did. My daughter is almost a teen and she did fine, but I would look at other essential oils for anyone younger. Some that may work are lavender or perhaps eucalyptus essential oils.
Let me know what has worked for you!
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essential oils,
essential oils for poison ivy,
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poison sumac
Posted on August 25, 2013 by Melissa Auxier
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Sometimes it's hard to tell if something is really as natural as it says. Labels can be really misleading. So, here are a few things to look for in natural bath and body products.
First, if someone is selling a product with essential oils in it, make sure it comes in a colored bottle or jar. I see so many people selling essential oil products in clear jars or bottles. Essential oils can be harmed by heat and sunlight, the actual quality of your essential oil can be adversely affected. Store your essential oil products out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. That means don't leave them in your car in the summer!
Second, always check the ingredient list, look for things like SLS(Sodium Laurel Sulfate) or like names that have been proven as harmful. Many natural product companies use SLS and still call their products natural.
Third, if you are searching for essential oils, there are so many different types, some good, some not so good. Try to find a reputable source, look at their history, their knowledge, how they package and ship their products. These can all be good indicators of the quality of a product. There are many altered essential oils out there, some contain part fragrance oils or have been watered down. NEVER take essential oils internally unless you have done your research and have a trusted source for your essential oils.
Last, I have been using essential oils for over 12 years and have tried many different essential oils. I recommend you take the time to educate yourself about essential oils to know what each oil is used for and how to use it. Don't rely on claims made by products, do the research yourself. There are many good books and even websites that can start you on your journey.
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Posted on August 11, 2013 by Melissa Auxier
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Activated Charcoal - What is it?
We started using activated charcoal many years ago and have since used it for countless issues. Originally, we had found we had allergies and the doctor that did our testing recommended 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a bit of water to relieve food allergy symptoms. This worked quite well, but of course, the taste was not to our liking. At some later point in time, we were exposed to activated charcoal which is known to absorb gases, heavy metals, poisons, and other chemicals, thus making them ineffective and harmless. Doctors still use it today as a healing agent, an antidote for poisons, and an effective treatment for indigestion and gas. So, I started thinking, why wouldn't it absorb the offending food or chemical I was reacting to? Well, it does and it works wonderfully. I admit that at first, I might have abused it just to be able to eat something I normally couldn't, but then of course things leveled out.
I know that most people don't consider reactions to food - allergies, but that's how I look at it. So call it what you want - sensitivity or allergy, to me they are the same when it comes to foods. I once had a nurse tell me I wasn't having an allergic reaction to a medication in the hospital as I didn't have a rash! So the fact that I was vomiting and had the chills didn't mean anything to her!
We have also used charcoal for skin conditions, bee stings, etc.. One of my sons starts swelling immediately after a bee sting, so I started putting activated charcoal powder on a wet paper towel and apply it to the sting right away. It still swelled some and I did repeat applications, but it kept it at bay so that we didn't need to pursue further help.
We use chewable tablets for the younger children when necessary, for food type problems, and have also used powdered activated charcoal mixed in applesauce. Charcoal doesn't really have a taste, it's just black! I use the activated charcoal capsules. For the most part, one dose of 2 capsules works for me, but occasionally I take 2 doses. I have also used a bit of powdered charcoal mixed with water in a baby bottle because when we found we had allergies, it was common for the rest of our children to have sensitivities to things I ate while nursing them.
I just ran across a black salve quite by accident while browsing the internet and couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it before now. So, I immediately created some of my own and have been using it successfully for many things that I used to use a charcoal compress for. It is much easier to use and does the job just as well without the mess charcoal powder.
Find my Black salve(coming soon) and charcoal soap in my shops. Please visit my shops here - www.elegantroseboutique.etsy.com or http://store.elegantroseboutique.com/
CAUTION - Activated Charcoal will absorb medications, so if you are taking a medication please research more on how to use charcoal or if you should use it.
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Posted on May 06, 2012 by Melissa Auxier
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Welcome to my little corner of the world where I create all natural products to ease your mind and body of the explosion of chemicals found in so many products today. I started my business from a personal need. I found I was reacting to many products found in stores today and wanted to be able to use things that others could use, but in a more natural way. So, over the years, I have been learning and creating using herbs, essential oils, clays and salts to create unique aromatherapy products to help my family and yours.
Posted in
clear naturals,
essential oils,
handmade soap,
herbs,
natural bath products
I decided to try and organize all of my business supplies before the Holiday rush. I had a washi tape organizer that I had found at Costco, but it just didn't give me the flexibility to do what I wanted. I wanted to be able to grab a roll of washi tape and wrap whatever I was wrapping and put it back. The Costco organizer held the tape on a roll type thing and had a cute cutter on the side of the tray, basically worthless for me as the tape could not easily be removed and as you can see from the picture, it became a pile of chaos!
