Whether you plan on using flowers from your garden for your wedding or any event, remember to have greenery to fill any gaps in your flower arrangement.  Silver dollar eucalyptus, myrtle, and Italian ruscus provide texture and fragrance to any floral design.  

Whimsical watering can as one of my centerpieces for my wedding.

The most important advice to share for brides is to have fun when choosing your florals.  If you prefer plants to flowers, go for it!  It’s your wedding.  Be creative!

Below I made a list of my favorite *clean perfumes that range from warm ambers to light florals.  

Ellis Brooklyn  SALT

This perfume comes in a pretty blue bottle and is the perfect scent for summer.  A fresh, beachy scent with key notes of Ylang Ylang, Tahitian Tiare, and Ambergris.
Sephora.com  $25-$155

PHLUR – Somebody Wood 

This fragrance is warm and cozy for fall and winter.  Key notes of sandalwood, amber, and musk provide a woodsy scent. 

Sephora.com $26-$96 

By Rosie Jane- James Perfume 

This earthy fragrance is my go-to perfume for every day.  Key notes are fig, amber, and gardenia.

Sephora.com $28-$70  

PHLUR in Not Your Baby 

This perfume is light and feminine.  If you like florals then you will enjoy the sweet notes of cardamom, mimosa, and vanilla milk.  

Sephora.com$26-$96

Finding a new perfume is an experience in itself.  Always test the fragrance on your skin, since your body chemistry may alter the fragrance.  And never commit to a big bottle of perfume unless it’s your “signature”, everyday scent.    

Have a favorite perfume?  Comment down below.        

* Clean perfumes are free of parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde, as well as other nasty chemicals.

**This article contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you use the links provided and purchase the recommended product.  You are not obligated to use the link.

Why skip the bottle?

Most shampoos are filled with preservatives to extend the products shelf life. Essentially the chemicals are preventing bacteria and mold from growing inside the shampoo bottle. When you switch to shampoo bars, not only are they made with zero preservatives, but they also contain natural oils to help condition your hair.

Longevity

Shampoo bars typically last up to two months.

Less Space

You save shower space when you switch to shampoo bars. Also, they are great for traveling, so you won’t have to purchase travel size shampoo/ conditioner for your trip.

Storage

Storage is key to preserving the shampoo bar. Place the shampoo bar in a soap dish or small mesh bag. Avoid containers made of metal that can tarnish overtime.

When you make the switch to shampoo bars, you’re eliminating plastic from ending up in the landmine. Most importantly, you are not compromising the health of your hair because the quality of shampoo bars is just as good, if not better than regular liquid shampoo. Currently, I have been loving Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bar in Oat Delicacy for Fine to Normal Hair. (Amazon $7-$9)

So the next time you’re at the hair care aisle, skip the plastic bottles of shampoo and try a shampoo bar instead.

** This article contains an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you use the link and purchase the recommended product. You are not obligated to use the link.

To add texture and color to your garden, plant popular fall flowers like chrysanthemums, asters, and purple cabbage.  Chrysanthemums come in various colors and are perennials, so they will re-bloom every year. 

Keep your home décor simple and use what you already have.  Dust off the old scarecrow and place him in front of your home.  Swap your summer door wreath for a festive autumn one.  Splurge on scented candles.  The warm scents of cinnamon and pumpkin spice can make your home feel extra cozy.  

If you can, support and visit local farms where you can purchase a few pumpkins, fresh apple cider, and other goodies.  You can display the pumpkins outside the front steps of your home or place them on your table as a centerpiece.

There are many ways to decorate for Fall.  How do you embrace the Autumn season?  Comment below.

During this pandemic, staying home can be a challenge. Even if you manage to tackle some projects like that vision board you always wanted to make or organize your food pantry and linen closet, sometimes you just need to get out to the great outdoors.  

Here are some tips to keep you physically and mentally in check.

Vitamin D

When the sun is shining, take advantage of the nice weather and go for a stroll.  You need to exercise, so taking a walk around the neighborhood will not only boost your endorphins but will relieve stress from being stuck indoors.  And if you don’t feel like walking, soak up some sun by sitting on your front steps or backyard for at least 10 minutes.  

Grow

Inspired to grow your own veggies and herbs?  First, decide if you want to grow some herbs in pots on your windowsill or have an outdoor garden.  Whatever you decide, local grocery stores, Walmart, along with Amazon carry seeds and plants. If you can, help support garden centers by ordering directly with them.  Make sure your flower pots have holes for proper drainage.  Follow plant care instructions and watch your seeds bloom.    

Bring Nature Indoors

When the weather is gloomy and uninviting, change the scenery in your home by surrounding yourself with images of serene landscapes on your TV or computer screen.  Play nature music like the sound of the ocean or rainforest.  Another great tip is to reminisce about happier times by creating a slide show of pictures from your favorite vacation spots. 

What are some ways you have been occupying your time at home?  Share and Comment Below.

Gifts $25 and under

Fresh Darlings Gift Set (Limited Edition) – $25 Sephora.com

This gift set comes with a cleanser, face mask, and moisturizer that is geared to hydrate and plump your skin.  The soy face cleanser is very gentle on the skin and smells like cucumbers. 

Sephora Face Masks-$6.00       Sephora   

Have a spa day by treating yourself and your girlfriends with Sephora face masks.  Each face sheet mask feels super luxurious.  From brightening to hydrating the skin, each sheet mask treats whatever your skin needs.  Check out the pumpkin sheet mask which is my favorite. 

Burts Bees Gift Sets- $6.00-$15.00     Target.com 

For the holidays, Burts Bees came out with different gift sets of their products.  Great for stocking stuffers or a last-minute present for a co-worker, these gift sets vary from hand creams, chapstick, and travel-sized facial/body products.

Queen Anne Chocolate Covered Cherries-$3.00 Target.com 

Christmas is the only time when I treat myself to Queen Anne chocolates.  If you are not a fan of cherries, they even have chocolate-covered blueberries. Yum.      

Cuddl Duds Throw Blankets- $25 with coupon Kohl’s.com

I’m obsessed with the brand Cuddl Duds from Kohl’s.  The throw blankets are super soft and cozy.  Add a candle or warm fuzzy slippers to complete your gift of comfort and chic.   

   So when the count down till Christmas is just days away, remember that you can still find amazing gifts that are practical and inexpensive.  You can always bake some holiday cookies to give as a gift.  And take some extra time to send some holiday cheer, by mailing out Christmas cards to friends and family.  And when you’re finally finished gift wrapping presents, treat yourself to some hot cocoa and binge-watch Hallmark Christmas movies all weekend long.

                           Happy Holidays!!! 

*Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. This means I make a small commission if you purchase a product using the link given.  You are under no obligation to use the link.  
 

October is also the month to bring out the skeleton decorations and ghost signs from the attic.  To make your home festive for Halloween, scatter pumpkins, skeleton heads, spiders, and magic potion bottles around the house.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to decorate.  You can find cute indoor/outdoor Halloween decorations at the dollar store. 

Another option is to incorporate items that can be found in your garden and add them to your home decor.  For instance, cut a few branches and place them inside a large vase. On black construction paper, stencil and cut out a few raven or bat designs and paste them on the branches. 

Another easy project is to collect pine cones from the yard and spray paint them black and add glitter.  Place the pine cones inside a large bowl to use as a centerpiece for your dining or coffee table.

Whether you buy or make your own Halloween decorations, the important thing is to have fun.  Take advantage of sunny, warm days and go on a hayride or pumpkin picking.  Prep your garden beds by removing annual flowers and plant bulbs for springtime.  Drink warm cider on chilly nights and curl up on the couch with some popcorn and watch a spooky thriller.   

                                Happy Halloween!!!         

The first thing is to distinguish the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant.   If you have a problem with sweating then an antiperspirant will help control your underarm sweat.   Deodorants on the other hand, only mask your underarm odor.  Look for natural deodorants containing baking soda or cornstarch that will keep your underarms dry.

If you are switching from a regular deodorant to a natural one then expect to sweat a little more than usual.   Think of it as your body getting used to not having chemicals to block your underarms from sweating. 

Another issue that many people, including myself, have experienced, is when your favorite natural deodorant stops working.   Just like how your favorite shampoo or facial cleanser no longer performs the same or doesn’t give the results you had when you first started using the product.  The problem?  It’s not the product, it’s you or more specifically your body’s chemistry that has grown accustomed to the product.  

A simple solution is to exfoliate and alternate products in order to help ensure the product’s effectiveness.  Try using a sugar scrub to exfoliate your underarms.  And have two different deodorants to choose from so that you can alternate deodorants every week.

My final tip is to experiment with different natural deodorants.  Everyone’s body chemistry is different, so it boils down to trial and error.  You might have to try out a few different natural deodorants before you find the right one for you.  Below are a few brands that I have tried and highly recommend.

Native– This is my top-performing natural deodorant that is paraben and aluminum free.  After dancing a couple of hours at a club, this deodorant kept me dry and smelling fine.  You can find Native at Target and Walmart.  There are a few scents to choose from, but my personal favorite is Cucumber & Mint.

Tarte “Clean Queen”– A vegan deodorant that is also free of soy and gluten.  This deodorant has a vanilla, baby powdery scent which I love, and uses plant-based starches to absorb underarm sweat.

Farmacy “Freshen Up”– I picked this deodorant up at Sephora and have been using it for the past three months.  A unique scent of blended herbs and essential oils like rosemary and tea tree, this deodorant has a refreshing, cooling sensation the moment you glide the deodorant on.   Free of baking soda and aluminum, this deodorant also draws out impurities as well as absorbs sweat.

Kopari–  From lip balms to cleansing oils, all of Kopari products contain coconut oil.  So it’s no surprised that the moment you twist the deodorant stick, you get a whiff of the sweet fragrance of coconuts.  This aluminum-free, vegan deodorant is non-sticky and its formulation is invisible, so you don’t have to worry about white marks on your clothes.

What’s your favorite natural deodorant? Comment and share down below.

**Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links.  This means I make a small commission if you purchase a product using the link given.  You are under no obligation to use the link.  All opinions are my own and are 100% honest. 

Creating a sustainable lifestyle might seem challenging, but there are ways to reduce household waste and find creative ways to reuse what you already have.  Here are some practical tips to live a more sustainable life.

Plastic Begone

Plastic.  From plastic straws to bottles and shopping bags, plastic is easily used and discarded.  Only a few cities have banned plastic bags and straws.   And although much plastic packaging can be recycled, plastic that is non-recyclable takes forever to decompose. 

To avoid plastic being dumped into landfills and oceans, it’s better to limit the amount of plastic you use.  Keep tote bags in your car whenever you go shopping to avoid using plastic bags.  For trash bags, use biodegradable bags to discard waste.  I like using the brand Unni, which makes compostable bags from plant-based materials.  You can find Unni products on Amazon with this link here Unni Compostable Bags.  

When it comes to having access to clean water, instead of buying cases of water, invest in a water purifier.  Now if you’re hesitant to drink water from your kitchen faucet, call your water department to find out the results from the latest water testing conducted in your town/city. 

If you want to bring H20 with you when you’re on the go, use a travel-size metal or glass water bottle to store your water.  And instead of using plastic straws, simply buy a portable metal straw that can easily be folded and stored in a little compartment.  Some brands will even include a special brush to clean your metal straw.  Shop around and you’ll be amazed at all the different sustainable products that are in the market.   

Reuse      

Years ago, I visited a Kibbutz community in Israel.  Members of the Kibbutz community believe that nothing is considered waste.  Anything and everything can be reused/repurposed for something.  For example, shoe boxes can be reused to store old photos and letters.  Plastic food containers can be used as flower pot saucers.  Instead of using rocks or pebbles, you can add empty plastic bottles inside your flower pots as drainage.  And save your old broom and mop sticks so that you can reuse them to support your vegetable plants when they grow tall and need extra support.  These are just a few examples but there are a ton of ways to repurpose household and plastic items.  

Sow Your Seeds       

My final tip is to channel your inner gardener.  Help bees pollinate by planting flowers that bees gravitate towards like zinnias, sunflowers, and coneflowers.  And take advantage of the warmer weather that’s ahead and plant your veggies in your backyard so you can always have fresh produce.  And if you don’t have a patch of land to start your vegetable/flower garden, search for a community garden near you.  Community gardens usually charge a small fee so you can purchase your own raised garden to grow whatever you like.  

So instead of waiting for your State to ban plastic items, start reducing the amount of plastic you use.  Invest in sustainable products.  Find alternative and creative ways to reuse household and container/packaged items.  And start preparing your garden now so that you will have flowers for the bees and edible greens for you to enjoy all summer long.

                                              Happy Earth Day!!!!!

*Disclaimer: This article contains an Affiliate Link.  This means if you purchase the product using the link, I make a small commission to fund this blog.  You’re under no obligation to use the link.  

When I first thought about living a more minimalistic lifestyle, naturally I thought I would just de-clutter everything that I own, donate items I no longer use, and call it a day.   But then I would go shopping and find bargains for knit sweaters for Fall and garden gnomes displayed on the clearance racks.   Naturally, I can’t resist a good bargain, so I would give in, purchase what I like then feel guilty after.

I realized that living a minimalist lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean you have to limit your wardrobe to having two of everything.   There is no rule book on minimalism, there are only ideas and helpful tips.   You just have to decide what is a practical approach on how to live with less, while not sacrificing comfort, style, and what you love.

Have a Plan

Start by jotting down some goals on what you want to organize or declutter.    Having a plan of action will enable you to focus on one task at hand.   One of my goals was that I wanted to keep my living space simple, yet still have some intricate items that reflect my love for nature.   I also wanted to condense my wardrobe to clothes I know I would wear rather than keep in my closet and never see the light of day.  These were two tangible goals that were easy to accomplish and maintain.   

Hoarder or a Collector?

For your wardrobe, if you want to make a conscious decision to downsize then keep clothes that will truly be worn.   Eliminate clothing that doesn’t properly fit you and toss them into the donate pile.    Next comes the hard part.    Figuring out which clothes you want to keep despite whether or not you have worn the garment on a regular basis, never worn at all, or never worn it, but are saving it for a “special occasion”.   

Apparently, I had quite the amount of clothes with the tags still on them.   Either I’m a fashion hoarder or have been living like a hermit this whole time.  I’ll go with both.

If you have trouble deciding what to keep or toss then leave your closet alone for the time being.   Remember there is no timeline when organizing and decluttering.   You can always periodically go through your wardrobe and decipher what to keep and what to remove.        

Seek Inspiration 

Your home should reflect what you like.   If you like nature, incorporate that in your living space by adding artwork or pictures of different landscapes and scenery.   Before you go shopping, look at magazines and search on Pinterest for inspiration and ideas on home decor.  

For my living space, I wanted my apartment to feel more spacious so I decided to have only a few pieces of furniture in one of the living rooms.   Having less furniture makes the room more spacious and less clutter for me to dust.   And by adding white curtains to the windows makes the room brighter and more inviting.       

Resist the Urge to Buy, Save Your Money

The most important tip of all is to resist the urge to buy decor that you don’t have the space nor goes with your theme.  Just because a picture of a giraffe wearing a flower crown is cute and affordable, doesn’t mean you have to buy it.   And when it comes to where to shop, you can hunt for bargains and quality items at HomeGoods.  And never turn away from a local yard sale or thrift shop.  You just might be lucky in finding that handmade vase from Portugal or that vintage record player you have been searching forever for.

Your Little Oasis Awaits

Whether you want to downsize and keep clutter to a bare minimum or you’re the complete opposite and want to display your collectibles throughout your house, have a plan and seek inspiration.   Donate what you no longer use or wear to charity.   Resist the urge to spend money on home decor you don’t need.   And most importantly, have fun creating the living space you’ve always dreamed about.