Monday, October 31, 2016

Ebb & Flow: October


Burning:
Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Woods, bought a back up.

Melting:
Marshmallow Fireside from any vendor I have on hand. 

Lotion:
FuturePrimitive Jilted & Crushed Body Whip

Soap:
Bathhouse Soapery Tea Tree Peppermint

Perfume:
Sonoma Scent Studio Forest Walk

Skin Care:
Innisfree Green Tea line (bought on Amazon), restocked and slathering on.

Makeup:
Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm

Eating:
On an olive kick right now. All types. With cheese, apples and dry salami. 

Wearing:
A leather chevron bag from 8 Seasons on Etsy

Reading:
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

Listening:
Don William's 20 Greatest Hits

Dreading:
The nightly swarm of mosquitoes that keep me from enjoying bonfires and evening walks. 

Awaiting:
Thanksgiving Break. Cooking, baking, family, and time with my girls and guy. And lots and lots of yummy food.

Hit:
Coffee. Coffee is the light of my life right now. 

Miss:
Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleanser, felt weird and oily, did not remove make up and dirt. 

Low:
Sunshine, Scarlette's little pet bestie, passing away.

High:
Thursday night a couple weeks ago at the pumpkin patch with ice cream and live music and reuniting with a childhood friend to top it off. 

How was your October? Any highs or lows? Hits or misses? I hope you have a Happy Halloween and a good start to your week this morning friends. 

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Fall Fun Series: Pumpkin Carving



Today's Fall Fun Series was a Halloween activity. The girls and I had a really nice, lazy Saturday. We watched Ghost Busters (the original) and carved pumpkins. 


I brought out three carving template books but we all decided to free hand our pumpkins in the end. 


Scarlette sorted some of the seeds and we rinsed and dried them to toast today. 


I did Hedwig, Savanna did Pikachu and Scarlette carved a face.


The proboscises of a million mosquitoes were penetrating my skin as I tried to take these pictures.


I hope you all have a nice weekend and a fun Halloween. 

Some of my favorite melts this week were:
LSC Spooky Apparitions
CFTKR Full Moon
LSC  Cast A Spell
House of Usher Sanderson Sisters

I have been burning and loving my Bath & Body Works candles, Pumpkin Woods and Marshmallow Fireside

We will be hanging out with some family today and after school Monday the girls will he hanging with their friends. Do you have any plans? Carve pumpkins? What will be your Halloween melt?


Saturday, October 29, 2016

Floris London: Honey Oud


Honey Oud by Floris London- Notes: Bergamot, honey, vanilla, rose, patchouli, amber, labdanum, sandalwood, oud, musk. 

Sweet amber tear drops of honey roll off the wrists. Vanilla woods lurk in the honeyed depths and then a muted breath of rose rises to the top slowly. Exquisite and velvety warm. The furred warmth of agarwood lends murky darkness and ropes of incense to the rose infused honey. The fragrance moves into a heavy lidded amber musk where once dewy honey luxuriated. 

I fell hard for this beauty while shopping and sniffing at Indigo Perfumery in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the epitome of luxury fragrance both in price and aroma. Luckyscent sells this scent for $235.00 and I will be saving those pennies. For a good long time. But I would love to have this in my collection. Honey Oud lingering on sweaters, cardigans and scarves would make for one heavenly closet. 

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Solstice Scents: Halloween Release


Angela at Solstice Scents had some incredibly magical scents up her sleeve for the Halloween opening. When I heard the Dead Sea Salt Milk Bath returned I knew I wanted to bring one home. I have experienced Crumbling Crypt in the past and love it. The same mossy forest with a shock of lime and earth feature in this year's edition. This jar was $10.00.



Solstice Scents rolled out new sample sleeves and box sets this release as well. I love the new EDP sample books. 


I had about 10 in my cart but at $8.00 a pop for a 2.5ml sample, I had to reign it in. I will go back for a few more pretty soon here though. For now, let's see what I picked out...


Witch's Cottage- Warm baked goods, dry herbs, Sweet Annie, soft woods, fragrant hearth smoke. 
Sweetly spiced cauldron cakes full of raisins and a dash of rum lie steaming on a knotty wooden platter. The cheery gingerbread cake aroma is cut with the barest hint of smoky woods and sweet amber. This witch could lure me by the nose into her cottage anytime. Wicked good. 

Scrying Smoke- Notes: Frankincense resin, frankincense smoke, vanilla, sandalwood, cedar, petitgrain, vetiver and labdanum. 
A frankincense dream. The tangy resin of frankincense undulates with vanilla and cedar in a dance that constantly shifts from golden light to blue shadows. The petitgrain highlights the lemony spine of frankincense while vetiver darkens the smokiness. A mysterious changeling and unlike any other frankincense fragrance I have experienced. That vanilla and cedar.

Runestone- Notes: Aged patchouli, vetiver, oakmoss, cedar, violet leaf, dirt, leaves, cypress, spruce. 
Earth and stars merge. Lucent violet tears fall from the sky in a shower of silence. Fall across the ages and fall into the open furrows of earth. Astral pines tentatively emerge from the violet scented stardust to grow colossal and ever so slow stretching apical meristems back to the heavens. Tenebrous patchouli, hazy vetiver, fecund soil and leaf litter and oh those conifers. Ever living and always reaching to be kissed by the stars. This scent tells a secret in the breath of nature. Incredible.



Free sample:

Conjure Dark-  Notes: Amber, frankincense, sweet incense smoke, dried rose petals, sandalwood, vetiver, woods, oud, vanilla. 
The magic of the original Conjure (which I LOVE and will get a full bottle of here before too long) but with extra noir from the oud and roses. This version is the perfume oil and I would like to try it in the EDP before I decide which I would rather have in the full bottle. I do enjoy this scent but I think Conjure wins out by a hair for now over Conjure Dark, just for everyday wear. 


Have you ordered from Solstice Scents lately? Have you sampled the EDPs? Astral Temple will be the next EDP, along with Conjure Dark, that I want to sample next. Hoping to catch the Conjure Body Oil too next week. Solstice Scents is temporarily closed for now while Angela takes a much needed break, but will be back up and running come November. 

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Sniff My Tarts: Sugar Skull Sampler


August 27th, Sniff My Tarts opened up for these cute Sugar Skull Samplers. You get five skulls in any single scent choice for $19.50 plus shipping. My skulls all weighed between 2.5 and 2.9 ounces. I admit I was a bit confused at first and did not realize I could get more than one scent type, but Amy and Donna have amazing customer service and let me add one more scent to my order. I ended up getting 3 skulls in Aveda Rosemary Mint and 2 in plain Peppermint. 

Strangely, my Aveda Rosemary Mint skulls are a little different than when I had it in a piped heart last time. It is less minty and more medicinal rosemary. I like it, just different. I will probably end up blending it with my peppermint anyway. I love mint and rosemary together.

My peppermints are perfection. They all smell brisk and sweet and clear as a bell. 


Free samples:

Wintergreen, which will be gifted soon. I just cannot do wintergreen from anywhere.

Vanilla Waffle Cone/Wildberry Mousse/Blueberry Noel smells delightful! It reminds me of when I first got into vendor wax and loved scents like this. I look forward to melting it.

Did you get any Sniff My Tart Sugar Skulls? How cute are they? The TAT for these were fast. And I believe SMT is opening soon for customs. Looking forward to that. Will you be ordering?

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Bathhouse Soapery: Tea Tree Peppermint Soap


The Bathhouse Soapery is a site I have window shopped numerous times. The soap scents, expansive bathing goods and lush styling and photographs are a bounty to behold. My friend Nancy visited the actual store in Hot Springs, AZ recently and so very kindly sent me a bar of soap from there. 


She wanted me to pick my scent and I just happened to be in a huge tea tree and mint season. So Tea Tree Peppermint it was! I could smell the invigorating coolness of the peppermint and the relaxing medicine of tea tree before I even opened the wrapper. The powerhouse combo of mint and tea tree uplifts and grounds, calms and rejuvenates in turns. The peppermint smells natural and herbal rather than candy sweet, and the tea tree has a slight eucalyptus vibe. I love it. It cleans nicely, though with minimal lather, releasing that healing scent in the air. This soap can be used as a shampoo bar as well. 


The soaps run $8.00 each. My eyes keep straying to the scrubs (which Nancy recommends and I will try soon), mineral baths and bath teas. Oh and candles. Thank you Nancy again, for this wonderful soap. <3

Have you tried anything from Bathhouse Soapery or visited one of their stores? What are you bathing with?

Monday, October 24, 2016

Fall Fun Series: Goblin Feet


"Goblin Feet"
- J. R. R. Tolkien

 I am off down the road
Where the fairy lanterns glowed
And the little pretty flitter-mice are flying:
A slender band of gray
It runs creepily away
And the hedges and the grasses are a-sighing.
The air is full of wings,
And of blundery beetle-things
That warn you with their whirring and their humming.
O! I hear the tiny horns
Of enchanted leprechauns
And the padded feet of many gnomes a-coming!

O! the lights! O! the gleams! O! the little tinkly sounds!
O! the rustle of their noiseless little robes!
O! the echo of their feet- of their happy little feet!
O! their swinging lamps in little starlit globes.

I must follow in their train
Down the crooked fairy lane
Where the coney-rabbits long ago have gone,
And where silvery they sing
In a moving moonlit ring
All a-twinkle with the jewels they have on. 
They are fading round the turn
Where the glow-worms palely burn
And the echo of their padding feet is dying!
O! it's knocking at my heart-
Let me go! O! let me start!
For the little magic hours are all a-flying.

O! the warmth! O! the hum! O! the colours in the dark!
O! the gauzy wings of golden honey-flies!
O! the music of their feet- of their dancing goblin feet!
O! the magic! O! the sorrow when it dies.

This was supposed to be a Halloween movie, book or show review but I have not watched nor read anything Halloweenie this year. Other than "Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin." But I did want to share this goblin poem by one of my favorite authors. I hope it brought a smile to your face as it did mine upon reading.  


I had a trio of scents going yesterday that even had the Chinese food delivery guy exclaiming that it smelled good in here. 
CFTKR Granny's Pie Crust
LSC Cobweb Cookies
Sweet Fixations Haunted House (gingerbread scent)

What are you melting today? I am thinking Nether World Zombie from The Bathing Garden for a little fun. 

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Melting Basket 75: Halloween


   

Repurchases I would make of scents in the last basket: LSC Toasted Embers and Fall Fest, Dessa's Pumpkin Wreath Woods,  October, Autumn Breeze and Autumn Wreath Harvest, TBG Tombstone Dust and Victorian Midway, BL Mountain Cider/Country Splendor, CFTKR Caramel's Perfect Autumn.

CFTKR- Full Moon
Prairie Antiques- Witch's Brew
TBG- Haunted Hayride
TBG- Nether World Zombie
Sweet Fixations- Hocus Pocus
Sweet Fixations- Haunted House
House of Usher- Sanderson Sisters
LSC- Spooky Brew
LSC- Crimson Moon
LSC- Spooky Apparations
LSC- Cast A Spell
LSC- Cobweb Cookies

These are my Halloween week melts. Lots of hauntingly delicious scents. If you would like any of these reviewed, let me know!


Thursday I got an email that Bath & Body Works was having a 6 for $18 hand soap sale and I had a couple coupons too. We were running low so I decided to restock, and at $1.80 each I couldn't beat it. The girls loved the new Sparkling Mint scent so we picked two of those. I also enjoyed the Winter White Woods and Vanilla Birch scents. Frosted Cranberry is a Thanksgiving staple and I ended up enjoying Harvest Table as well. Leaves and Vanilla Snowflake both smelled pretty irresistible. I also had a coupon for a free pocket bac. All around, an awesome deal. Did you take advantage of that? 


Thursday we also went to a local pumpkin patch to get our annual carving pumpkins. The patch had the cutest little set ups for photo taking. I went crazy taking photos, but I warned the girls I would so they were patient with me. 


I cannot believe Halloween is right around the corner. The year has flown by. What are your plans? Any pumpkin carving? Movie watching? Trick or Treating? 

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Mermaid Treasures: Arrok Metal Studio


Nicole, the silversmith at Arrok, fuses stylized tattoo flash, vintage and replica scrimshaw, nautical moodiness and even a killer edge from weaponry to create her brilliant pieces. Her scrimshaw pieces, specifically, called out to me. There was a bone spear one that I kept shuffling my feet on but in the end someone else snapped it up. When I saw this sparrow-swallow-bird I did not even hesitate. It was to be mine. 


I believe it was originally on an 18" strand but I upgraded to a 20" and she added an extender for that so I do have the option of wearing it shorter if I wish. The weight feels substantial but not over bearing. I love the details. 


I can see myself ordering from Nicole again. I hope to get one of her tall tree pendants one day. For now I will wear this birdy beauty and feel like I am channeling my inner Captain Jack Sparrow. Or doing the widow walk of Davy Jone's bride. 

Do you enjoy the tattoo inspired look? Scrimshaw? I bought a flannel shirt just for this necklace. Yep. Building my wardrobe around my jewelry.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

DSH Perfumes: Autumn Releases

These fragrances were sent to me free from Dawn Spencer Hurwitz for reviewing purposes.


For over 23 years Dawn Spencer Hurwitz has fused her passion for art and perfumery into DSH Perfumes. Today I am sharing some of her most recent autumnal creations, as well as a few others, that she sent along.


Matsu- Notes: Bergamot citrus, green wood, leafy greenery and humidity.
Japanese for "pine tree," Matsu opens blue green and cool with lime and snowy pine. Austere and serene. As the scent warms on the skin, Japanese cypress, guaiacwood and musk move the nose from the chilled dew drops of the verdant needles to the warm arid heartwood. Smoky scars from fires past smolder within the rings of age at the core of the trees. A stunning scent that I would be pleased to wear all year through, but especially in the winter.

Hansa Yellow is one a reviewed in a past Olfactif box, which can be read here. It remains a stunning display of sunny banana, lemon and ylang ylang, carefully blended with the richer ochre and Hansa yellows of vanilla, tobacco and sandalwood. 


The Voices of Trees- Notes: Coniferous and deciduous trees in deep Autumn. Maple and sycamore leaves, bark, and pine amber.
As you know, I cannot walk outside and soak in the vivid foliage of seasonal change where I reside. But I can still imagine the display. Close my eyes and picture the splendor. Inhale the scents of maples, poplars, sycamores and pines all dancing their final flourishes for the year in scarlet and gold trimmed finery. With The Voices of the Trees I can see the flash and hear the susurrus of their dance. Biting air, the slightly tarry dankness from piles of leaf litter, camphorous mountain atmosphere rise and fall with each clouded exhalation. Leaf skeletons lay a mosaic on the forest floor. Amber tears of sap frozen on wounded bark. The Voices of Trees murmur with fragrant breath. 

Axis Mundi- Notes: Incense with resinous notes and a deep, smoky background.
Axis Mundi, the cosmic center where the material meets the celestial. Ethereal threads of gossamer incense twine around the flesh seamlessly. The slightly sweet and holy aroma of frankincense rubbed into the body and soul, perfuming from the inside out. Subtle and diaphanous.   

Formula X- Notes: The ultimate skin scent. A formula that amplifies your own personal aroma in the form of soft, clean skin.
Dawn formulated this fragrance more as a test to distinguish individual's own skin scent then use it as a tool to decipher personal skin chemistry. The popularity of this aroma on its own led her to release it as a fragrance in its own right. And I can see why. On my daughter Formula X smells like a dew drop of morning rain trembling on the tip of a grass blade. On my skin it morphs into a dusky evening in the woods with fog of musk rising from the ground. My husband wears it like a green bamboo forest. The nuances of the differences of these three examples are subtle but present. A lovely fragrance to be sure.

Chinchilla- Notes: A "retro nouveau" floriental honey musk, animalic fragrance.
A slinky, silky thing glides on the skin. Chinchilla could not be more aptly named, for the plushness of this fragrance imbues the senses with romantic notions of art deco elegance. Burnished bergamot and golden oakmoss bouquets crook their fingers from cognac glasses held with feigned nonchalance in a temporary speakeasy. The pelts of men, women and the sly foxes and shimmering chinchillas they wear breath of leather, seduction and warmth generated by a pulsing saxophone. A lone gardenia  riding the waves of pin curls. Shadows blur under the ever constant beat of the candle flames cradled in scones on the damask walls, wax hot and flowing in miniature stalactites to kiss the scuffed mahogany floor. Beeswax, smoky vetiver and the sweet spice of long ago smoked cloves crackle softly in the air. All the while, furry brushes of bodies and velvety textures, tonka beans and civet, castoreum and ambrette seed, simmer on the skin.
 I am in awe of this beauty. Chinchilla is smoking hot. 

Kaleidoscope- Notes: A deliciously succulent "vegetable gourmand," citrus to floral, eau fraiche scent. 
Vegetable gourmand, indeed! Watery cucumber, peppery basil and a squeeze of lime. Cabbage rose brambles frame this cottage garden full of aromatic herbs and quaintly plump vegetables. Spicy marigolds and carnations wear their showy bonnets tucked among the rows. Tall thin stalks of lemongrass bow in the breeze like genteel courters. It is a kaleidoscope of scents, colors and textures all blooming right under the nose. 

Souvenir de Malmaison- Notes: Spicy carnation and rose meet in an ambery wood fragrance. 
An exquisite amber rose. I could happily smell like this the rest of my days. A deep burgundy rose, brought into sharper focus by the green tang of carnation. Soft amber and mellow sepia woods provide an elegant setting for this lovely rose to dwell within. Love. 

All of Dawn's beautiful creations can be purchased in multiple concentrations and quantities, from $6.00 samples to $18 3ml deluxe sprays and $25 one dram miniature flasks to huge 60ml voile de parfum sprays from around $235, but prices do vary depending on the individual scent. I fell hard for Chinchilla, Souvenir de Malmaison, The Voices of Trees and Matsu. All are lovely of course. 

Do any of these strike a chord for you? Have you sampled DSH Perfumes?

Monday, October 17, 2016

Fall Fun Series: Big Whiff Candles


Browsing Etsy for new vendors entertains me much like a treasure hunt. Sifting through pages and pages of results from searching "wax tarts" reveals some hidden scented gems. I can be slightly picky though. I look for vendors that appear to put effort in creating their own house blends, take the time to create pleasing presentation and offer their product at reasonable prices. There were a few that tempted me, but $6 or more for a clamshell seems insane even to me. Enter: Big Whiff. At $3.95 per clamshell (they offer candles, woodwicks and tealights as well) for intriguing scents, I quickly placed an order. 

I ordered nine clamshells. The shipping came to just over $11 but when the package tried to arrive, the post office held it hostage and demanded an additional $6.14 shipping in order for me to pick it up. I went there and saw that Big Whiff shipped it in a regular Priority mailing box, rather than a Priority flat rate box. The shipping label read $6.10 for small flat rate shipping (where did the other $5-$6 go?) and I had to pay extra to get it. I contacted Big Whiff and Lindsay Holmes, the owner, responded with an apology and refunded the $11 shipping so in the end I ended up paying the $6.14 shipping anyway. It was a strange and frustrating situation (I really dislike going to the main post office- it is always a mad house) but I know people make mistakes so I am not going to let it sour the experience.


Brushfire Fairytales- Bergamot, coriander seeds, oak, vanilla, caramel.
The oak and coriander seeds with that tang of aged bergamot have a slightly cumin lean but I love it. The slight swirl of vanilla and caramel make it even richer and a touch sweet. Magical bonfires that hint at fall.

Wild Wild West- Leather, tumble weeds, peppery basil, tonka beans, suede.
Sexy man, sexy man, smelling like a sexy man can. At first rawhide leather swoops out of the clamshell but as the tanned leather abates that underbelly of crushed basil and woods lift up with the aid of that furry sweet tonka bean. A Julie scent for sure.

Black Mambo- Tangy citrus, spice, red berry, musk, cedar.
This one is all about the juicy citrus and berries. Sweet and realistic, not candy-like at all. Only the faintest back note of cedar to elevate this from being a typical fruity scent. Not overly spicy either. Just a whisper of Christmas rather than obvious cinnamon or clove. The throw was medium-light in my bedroom and light in the larger kitchen and living room area.


Indigo Stars- Woody pines, lily, rich amber, musk.
Aquatic lily pushes the pines to a lakeside, which is ideal of stargazing at any rate. Double the stars reflected in the water as the sky. The amber and musk combine to create a slight animalic warmth that suggests you may be star gazing with a beloved pup or kitten. Cozy, fuzzy and warm. The throw was a touch light though for me. 

Twilight Woods- Crisp spruce, fir needles, citrus.
As you can see from the notes, this is not a Bath & Body Works Twilight Woods dupe. Rather, it reminds me of my beloved Christmas time scent, Balsam & Citrus, but a little more creamy and sweet. Like if Rosegirl's Swizzle Sticks were blended within. I am nuts over this scent. Absolutely bonkers. It is amazing. 


Sunset Walk- Crisp leaves, mountain pine, cedar, forest berries, sage.
Wow. Outdoors without being masculine. Musky dried sage that has hung from a dusty old rafter, primitive pines and cedars supporting the sky with their uplifted branches, glassine leaves that reflect the orange and red sunset at your feet. All of this sweetened just a touch with tiny wild mountain strawberries. Warmed it did not do as well. There was a medium-light to light scent using half a clamshell in the kitchen warmer and the other half in the living area. It gave off a deep musty musk scent that really did not come across as what it smelled like on cold.

Autumn Moon-Spicy cinnamon, orange peel, vanilla, apple.
The vanilla leans towards vanilla oak, and the apple and cinnamon smell aged rather than fresh. A rustic Autumn Moon full of spooky cobwebs and haunted hollows. Sadly, it melted very light. I could only get a passing whiff of an animalic musk. 


Winter Sparkle- Enchanted spruce, sparkling cider, cranberry and plum.
Oh man. Another holiday favorite of mine, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies. But again, more sweet and creamy like Swizzle Sticks has been added. 

Sweet Peppermint-Cool peppermint, sugared snow and sweet vanilla.
Candy canes and a touch of sugared musk. Icy and vibrant. Chilling to the nose. This one was incredible when warmed. A nice medium to medium-strong throw of creamy peppermint in the bedroom. Even Savanna commented on how nice it smelled in there.

Cons:
- Super soft wax that does not pop cleanly out of the clamshells on the majority of the tarts.
- A slightly animalic musky undertone to a lot of the scents (I like it, but I could see how some might not dig it).
- Shipping kerfuffle.
-Way too light of a throw for the vast majority of the scents. I used 3 cubes in each warmer which should have been plenty enough.

Pros:
- Reasonable price point.
- Interesting branding.
- Scent descriptions on the labels.
- Unique scent blends.


Overall I would maybe order again for more of the peppermint. No free samples, but those should not be expected anyways, though they did include a fake rose scented in Cinnamon Broom.

Have you tried any new-to-you vendors recently?

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Fall Fun Series: Fall in Nature


One of those weeks, where at first I felt on top of what I needed to do: my deadlines, my routines. Then come mid-week a heinous combination of hormones, impending sickness, some fighting and additional worries piled up and I got off kilter. 


So last night it was nice to have an excuse to get outside and look around for some fall signs in Florida. Amid the blood draining cloud of mosquitoes, I did find some beauty. 


I think tonight will be a full moon. The moonrise really pulled at me. I took some creative liberties with it, I hope you do not mind. 


As far as melting... I mostly have been burning my four year old Fireside candle from Bath & Body Works. I feel a fireside/marshmallow fireside binge coming on soon. 


Today Adam's parents will be driving up to visit. There is a huge classic car show the guys and girls will be going to while Sheryl and I will be Christmas shopping for the girls. Pokemon all the things. And then tonight is the 3rd Annual Five Sisters Crafternoon.


I will take lots of pics and blog it of course. Deb shared a really cool craft on Facebook that I will attempt too and will share on here when I get to it. Also, Solstice Scents has some amazing perfumes, whipped soaps and body oils in cool Halloween aromas released as of last night. 

What are you up to this weekend? Melting or burning anything good in your neck of the woods?

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Melting Basket 74


Since it has been ages since I have done a melting basket post I am just going to hop right into it. I doubt anyone remembers what was in the last basket anyway... I know I don't and I am way too lazy right now to search back.

Lasting Scent Candles- Toasted Embers
Lasting Scent Candles- Fall Fest
Lasting Scent Candles- Picklefritz
Dessa- Pumpkin Wreath Woods
Dessa- October
Dessa- Autumn Wreath Harvest
Dessa- Autumn Breeze
The Bathing Garden- Tombstone Dust
The Bathing Garden- Victorian Midway
The Bathing Garden- Pumpkin Masquerade
Butterfly Lane- Mountain Cider/Country Splendor
Beezy- Pumpkin Caramel Swirl
Sweet Fixations- Pumpkin Pie Spice
CFTKR- Caramel's Perfect Autumn
Sugar & Spice- Frosted Pumpkin Cupcake/Coconut Cream Pie/Gingerbread Pumpkin

I will highlight some favorites during the Fall Fun Series, but feel free to request any reviews of specific scents in the comments. 


"Each second we live in a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that never was before and never will be again. And what do we teach our children in school? We teach them that two and two makes four and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child like you."- Pablo Casals


That quote was part of my Montessori assistant teacher training. In the traditional classroom, there is often not the time to squeeze in these types of affirmations. Between thrusting math and reading into a child's face and hand cramping amounts of paperwork and trying to keep up with whatever new mandate flits in and out of the classroom, most teachers do not have time to foster meaningfulness into individual children. At least I didn't when I taught at a Title 1 middle school for five years. But now, I feel continually blessed to be a part of the Montessori movement, that my kids get filled with the importance of work, the fire to learn and lessons on grace and courtesy. That the whole child is attended to, not just the product of testing.


On top of that blessing, our Montessori school is a public charter school, and not a private school. If you have a local Montessori school, check it out. There are other educational philosophies out there too. I am not saying that the Montessori philosophy is for every child, or that public education never works. I just know that even with two education degrees, I had never even heard of Montessori, and what I had heard had been incorrect preconceived notions, so I wanted to spread the word in my own little part of the world. 

After all, our children are precious. And they should know their worth.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Mermaid Treasures: LilyBlonde


LilyBlonde Handmade Silver Jewelry, out of Etsy, falls under the sharp eye and deft hand of a lady named Mag in Poland. If you follow her, you may be lucky enough to catch a random flash sale of 20% off. I placed this order two days before her most recent sale so I missed out on the discount, but I will watch for the next. Mag's creations run the gamut from oceanic, to forest, flora to fauna. Her By The Sea pearlized seashell ring is high on my wish list. But this order was all about an owl.


It took a little while for the package to fly from overseas, but Mag was excellent about asking me if it had arrived yet. All this grasshopper needed was a little patience. 


And here she is. Lovely, eh? Weighty enough to indicate quality but not too much to feel uncomfortable. There are a few more left in her shop and she does requests as well, I believe, if you see it sold out.


I have worn it to work  few times already and the students have commented on how much they like it. 

Owl obsession emerging. 

What is your animal totem/spirit animal?