Ebb and Flow: May 2021

 The highs and lows of the month.

Perfume:

Wylde Ivy Green Lady

Perfume Oil:

Verdant Faerie Fancy French Lavender (I use this as an evening deodorant sometimes too!)

Face Mist:

House of Yore/Forest & Fjord Spruce hydrosol

Deodorant:

Wildroots Body Care (herbal and sensitive, I alternate them).

Scrub:

Paintbox Soapworks Crickhollow Cottage

Soap:

Black Magic 50 Shades of Chaga

Candle:

Bath & Body Works Comfort (patchouli and vanilla)

Wax:

Candles From The Keeping Room Apple Clove Butter

Eating:

bacon wrapped asparagus

Drinking:

Vivi Boba Specialty tea with strawberry popping boba

Watching:

Lots of anime with Scarlette: Maid, Sama! and Violet Evergarden currently.

Reading:

Witches of Eastwick by John Updike and a book about tarot by Leanna Greenway.

Listening:

John Prine and John Denver on vinyl

Awaiting:

Summer is here! No more teaching, but I do still have some classes for ESOL left to finish. Hoping to get those out of the way quickly. Scarlette invited all her 6th grade friends over for a pool party this coming weekend so I am looking forward to seeing my students one more time. 

Dreading:

Mosquitoes, droughts, not taking advantage of summer freedoms.

Hit:

Nocturne Alchemy Height of Love perfume and Sandalwood Bourbon perfume

Miss:

CBe Ceramics mushroom paint brush. It arrived broken in half. I didn't feel like shipping it back so I just taped it for now. 

Low:

Colds/sore throat coming back for every period again. I went through this cycle a year or so ago but with ear infections. Hoping this won't be long-term. Ready for menopause already. 

High:

Visiting Cassadega with my friend Giffe, giving the sixth graders a big send off to middle school, watching my youngest be admired by a really sweet boy, seeing my oldest get excited about high school, seeing my flowers bloom, reading in the hammock swing.

How was your May? Did is bring any blooms? Happy things? New experiences? Hope?

Sihaya & Company: Spring Dream Box

This was sent for free in exchange for photography. All opinions are my own.

This stunning springtime Dream Box from Sihaya & Company is named Musa Venit Carmine- The Goddess Inspires Our Song. It is packed with dulcet florals that provide a gentle awakening of the senses ($65).

Dryad Tea is a familiar and loved maker in the box. Black Cats and Pointy Hats is one of my favorite fall teas. This time the offering is Ambrosia Skies, a green tea with grapefruit, pomegranate, and blueberry. My girls will love this iced with honey. $7

Leccare Lollipops are another delicious addition that I have seen before in past boxes and always enjoy. White Peach Rose, Marigold Lemon, and Marshmallow Hibiscus are lovely fruity floral pairings that tickle the taste buds. This shop offers custom labels for special occasions too. $4

Deconstructing Eden perfume in Musa Venit Carmine- Notes: Gently warming earth, pale green grasses, peonies, apple blossoms, green strawberries, green pomegranates, daffodils, cool air, and soft sunlight. $9.75 for 5ml

Right out of the spray nozzle, damp soil pairs with citrusy tart fruits. It smells like walking through a cottage garden where riotous rainbows of petals and fruits reach out to be sniffed and plucked. The ground is a mosaic of sunlight and shadow. Crystalline streams trickle through willows, where chilled stones gather necklaces of moss and lichen alongside their meandering path. This is a lovely scent and I am so happy it came in a spray format. I will love smelling this on my hair and clothing.

At first I thought this was a Sihaya & Company lip color (those are so nice!!), but upon closer inspection I see that it is from Crow & Pebble which I love too. This pink lip color is scented in Earl Grey tea. $7

Paintbox Soapworks had two amazing products in this box. The Flutterbutter face cleanser is incredible. I have been using it for a couple weeks now and it gently removes makeup, dirt and grime. I don't wear much makeup right now but do still put on eyeshadow and such. Also my husband gives me grief that when I am outside gardening, somehow my face always ends up dirty. But this stuff takes care of it. The consistancy is thick but smooth and melts gently into the skin. It smells of lemony bright frankincense, like sniffing a summertime sunbeam. I will be buying this again. $6

Poesy is a complexion and linen mist that has rose, lavender, and rose geranium hydrosols. I love it as a face mist so much. It is cooling and reviving. $6

My love of Paintbox Soapworks was rekindled and I picked up a TON of scrubs to replenish my stock. I will blog them sooooon.

LuvMilk is an indie bath and body company I have tried several times and love every single time. I seriously need to get my junk together and place an order soon, maybe when I finally get my bathtub. In the meantime, this soap is already almost used up in my shower. I have been loving it!! Floralia melds sweet magnolia, peonies, acai flowers, fresh arugula, and basil. It smells like a rich garden. $6.50

One of my favorites! The seasonal Sihaya & Company candle in Ostara.

Ostara- Notes: Fig, blackcurrant, berry, and rhubarb with hints of white jasmine and curling green ferns. 

This is a cheerful and juicy tart fruit and floral that is springy and ripe. The blackcurrant is sour and sweet right along with the rhubarb. The jasmine and greenery are lush and dewy. This candle throws well and burns perfectly. I always enjoy Sihaya's candles. They are expertly crafted.

 It took me way too long to get this up but here it is. There is another wonderful Sihaya and Company Dream Box in the works for summer (moon themed I believe?) so keep an eye out!

Black Magic Alchemy: Soap and Elixir

 

I was running low on bar soap and remembered how much I loved the Black Magic soaps that a friend had sent me. So I popped over, grabbed two, and also some of this Wild Chaga Elixir. I started with the 8 ounce traveler size that runs $28. This mushroom based health tonic is supposed to support the brain and skin. I drank some every few days for about a month. My skin has been happy but not sure if it was solely this or my skincare, lack of makeup wearing, and this combined. It tastes sweet and almost like a rootbeer syrup. I will be trying it again, but in a bigger size next time.

I picked up this Merino wool wrapped Rootbeer Chaga mushroom soap. I loved the scent in the regular bar and thought I would give the wool wrapped one a try. It was $14 and is made with antibacterial fibers and should last 3 months. I have been using it a little while. I do feel like it mutes the scent a little and I find it strange to use so I think I will stick to the regular bars next time, but it was neat to try out.

I also grabbed 50 Shades of Chaga. I love this bar so much. The balck spruce, cedarwood and bezoin smells freaking amazing. This bar is $12 and worth every penny. 

Loving my small order and will be back for more once these run out. 

Do you drink any health tonics? Health teas? I bought and planted some skullcap which is doing well. Going to make a tea with that one soon.

Ebb & Flow: April 2021

 The highs and lows of the month.

Perfume:

Solstice Scents Lavender Vanilla EDP

Perfume Oil:

Nocturne Alchemy Moonstone

Body Oil:

Aftelier Spiced Patchouli

Skin Care:

Mixing Blood Moon Botanica Moon Dew with Forest & Fjord Deep Forest Serum and applying both night and morning. My skin has looked the best it ever has. 

Soap:

Bath & Body Works Comfort (patchouli and vanilla) body wash

Scrub:

The Bathing Garden Sleepy

Candle:

Bath and Body Works Comfort (patchouli and vanilla)

Wax:

Candles From The Keeping Room Sweet Cinnamon Rolls

Incense:

For Strange Women Japanese stick incense in Pure

Eating:

Sumo oranges, pasta salads, carrots from the garden

Drinking:

Coffee, water, boba

Watching:

Death Note anime, saw the Hunter X Hunter movie with the girls, and my flowers, bees, butterflies, and trees.

Reading:

Meditations on the Tarot here and there in the mornings, The Penelopiad by Atwood (it is good!), and just finished up a well done werewolf thriller called Talulla Rising that was book two but I read it as a stand alone and it was great. Also, I am heavily into indie mags right now. I currently have Fiddler's Green in abundance (LOVE them!!!), Weird Walk out of the UK, Folklore for Resistance (Canadian I believe), and several others. Links embedded in the names if you are curious. I am thinking of doing a collection/shout out of the ones I have and enjoy.

Listening:

The Cranberries

Awaiting:

A chance to hang out with my friend Giffe' in a couple weekends, summer break full of art, reading, swimming, exploring trails, seeds to sprout, new adventures.

Dreading:

My sixth graders moving on. As challenging as this school year was, this was easily the NICEST and most fun classroom community I have had the honor of teaching in 12 years. Not one incident sent to the office. Not one bully. Constant laughter, smiles, hard work, and kindness. I will hold onto this year in my heart forever. I am happy I will still have my 4th and 5th graders to carry on the legacy as they move up into leadership positions next year.

Hit:

Paintbox Soapworks Flutterbutter face cleaning cream is awesome. It cleans gently and smells of frankincense and lemons. A great experience.

Miss:

The Hot Mango Undies bra I bought was not nearly as nice and comfortable and well fitting as the Whiskey Dog Wears bralette I purchased. The big 3-D printed adjusters were awkward, the straps are not attached (I am thinking of removing the adjusters and just sewing the straps down so I can wear it). But to be fair, she is not going to make them any longer and will focus on her underwear and tanks. I ordered some MTO (made to order) undies back in February and they should be arriving soon. I will report back. But so far Whiskey Dog Wares is my jam for sure. Though I am excited to try Hot Mango's period panties when they arrive.

Low:

Ending of the school year. Spending spree (was hoping to save more- ah- try, try again). Missing my sisters and baby niece. Eating junk. 

High:

Baby chickens thriving, plants growing, flowers blooming, my sister's wedding, a surprise box of gifts from sisters, new tarot decks, planning surprises for my 6th graders, quality time with Adam and the girls, good boba. Good books. Good afternoon hammock time.

How has your April been? Blessed Beltane! May your summer arrive full of gorgeous weather, color and life.