Updates / essential oils

  • How to style a round coffee table

    How to style a round coffee table

    If you are bold enough to forego the basic square coffee table for round, kudos! It takes a confident person to think outside the design box. But you might wondering, how the heck do I style this thing? 

    Fear not, the round coffee table is actually just as versatile (if not more!) when it comes to styling. Now, you might have a very specific decor style in your home - maybe farmhouse is your thing or high glam. Whatever your style, there are a few things to keep in mind when adding that extra layer of decor to your space.

    First off, there are no "rules" to how you style your table. That's right, if you take a look at any home decor and design magazines or books, some of the most appealing spaces have unexpected styling. The point is, this area of your home is meant to spark conversation, aide in relaxation, and bring you joy. You might be having some mid-winter blues and need a pop of color. How about a bowl of citrus, a candle, and a vase of bright buds? 

    Next up, remember that this space is supposed to be flexible. Don't get too caught up in finding the "perfect" accessories for your coffee table, you'll be happier if you try a few things and exchange or move around accessories each season (or weekend, if you're like me!). I recommend using little personal touches like a souvenir from your honeymoon or girls trip that brings back memories. The books you are reading at the moment are both useful and stylish, use them to create height.

    Finally, a round coffee table is bold and interesting, so don't focus on making things appear neat. Sometimes, the scattered appearance of objects looks the best with this shape. Now, I understand the desire to have everything in its place, so if that sounds like you, find a cute tray and style within that space. The whole point of this exercise is to help you find what brings you joy in your styling, so if organized style brings you joy - go for it!

    Shop this story:

    Pomeroy 142 candles in Amber Oak & Lavender

    Round coffee table

    Gold bowl

    Clear quartz crystal

     

     

    Continue reading
  • The best essential oils for cleaning

    The best essential oils for cleaning

    When I set out to bring more frugal home keeping practices into my life, little did I know how intimate I'd become with knowledge of all things essential oils. I started creating my own cleaning formulas and detergents and began to wonder... were their certain essential oils that were better for cleaning? The answer, I soon learned, was definitely.

    Below, I've listed my favorite essential oils for cleaning your home, why it works, and how you can find it. 

    1. Peppermint

    It seems like every time I type a new natural alternative question into Google, I find out that Peppermint is the go-to. Did you know you could use peppermint to repel mice? I hate the idea of bating mice just to bring them to their untimely death; however, I don't care for the little things inside my home either. I was looking for something that would keep them at bay with minimal risk to my pets and the environment. You can take peppermint essential oil-soaked cotton balls or small rags and place them where you think mice are entering your home. Change them out every couple of weeks. 

    You can buy it here on Amazon Prime.

    2. Tea tree oil

    File this one away as the oil of all oils. Tea tree oil isn't just great for disinfecting your home, but has general antibacterial properties that can help with cuts, sores, and bug bites. Once you dilute the oil with water (1tsp for every cup of water) in a spray bottle you can use it in the bathroom to clean sinks and toilets, in showers to keep mold at bay, and kitchen counters that see a lot of food prep. 

    You can buy it here on Amazon Prime.

    3. Lemon

    This is a scent that I just can't quit. There's something so refreshing about citrus, isn't there? I love to use lemon essential oils when making my own detergents (laundry and dish) as it naturally cuts grease. It's a great one to add to homemade hand soap due to its natural antiviral qualities. 

    You can buy it here on Amazon Prime.

    4. Thyme

    Not a fan of the strong tea tree oil scent? Thyme works the same way and has a more earthy scent. 

    You can buy it here on Amazon Prime.

     

    How much to use?

    You'll want to make sure that you use at least 20 drops of oil per 2 cups of water in order for the cleaning properties to shine through. If you're not a fan of one of the above oils' scent, you can add other scents on top of the 20 drops to balance things out. 

    Just starting your natural, homemade, or zero-waste cleaning routine? Check out my post on what products you'll want to get your hands on first. I also share a few DIY recipes for cleaners and sprays.

    Enjoy!

     

    Continue reading