Lovely Lavender

Yes lavender grows here in Florida.... Its actually quite easy to grow and who doesn't love its beautiful blooms and aromas? Heres a pic of some growing in my backyard....it loves all the Florida sunshine and sandy soil. Hope you have a lovely day ☺

Happy Valentine's day!

The Power of Plants

About a month ago, I started a little experiment in my home. I created a natural environment inside my aquarium tank. Starting from scratch, I added sand as my substrate, and about 10 different aquatic plants. It's a 15 gallon (I think) tank, and I've so far added 8 fish. Yesterday I had the water tested and it came out perfect! This is without artificial lighting (the only light the tank receives is from the sunny windows) and without a filter. The plants act as my only filter, yet I believe they do much more than clean water. They regulate water temperature by taking in sunlight and converting it into a vitamin-rich water the fish can utilize. I'm no expert, but that's my best guess. The reason I mention it on this blog - besides my super excitement at my results - is to show you the power of plants. They provide us food, oxygen, and all sorts of healing energies. What would I do without the healing powers of essential oils? I have no idea. When in doubt... think nature. Replicate nature. Trust nature and you'll harvest will be fruitful!

Misty Morning Mixing

On this misty morning here's what I'm up to.....loving the colors and the aromas!!!!

Pictured above (in order from left to right): poppy seeds, comfrey root powder, sea clay, and spirulina

+ poppy seeds for gentle exfoliation

+ comfrey root for softness and healing

+ sea clay for purifying

+ spirulina for anti-inflammatory and phytonutrients

I combine all of the above with finely ground pumice, essential oils, and aloe vera for a softening, skin-purifying, detox treatment that can be used daily. 

For more details you can visit my website 

Do you have a favorite face scrub/exfoliator? Are you looking for one? I'm always up for trying out a new recipe! Nature provides us with so many options to experiment with, doesn't she? 

Have a beautiful day! :-)

~ Colleen

A Recipe for Silky Soft Hands

I like to keep cute vintage bowls in my bathrooms especially when I have guests over and fill them with handmade soaps or a lovely little hand scrub. In Florida, I tend to see these in some beachside restaurants in the bathrooms. An added treat after washing your hands, you can scrub them with this sweet-smelling, skin-softening exfoliator and it always seems to put an extra spring in my step! Today I'm going to provide you with an easy recipe to create your own hand scrub, it's so easy!

Lavender Rose Hand Polish

1 C. Sea Salt (can be Dead Sea salt or Himalayan)

1/2 C. Epsom salts
1/8 C. Crushed botanicals (roses, lavender buds, chamomile, etc.)
10 Drops Essential Oil (lavender or geranium, or both!)

Directions: Combine all these ingredients into a bowl, and place in your bathroom next to sink. To use, first wash hands with soap. Then, place tablespoon of hand polish in your hands and rub in light circular motion. Rinse with warm water. You won't even need hand moisturizer after using this, and your bathroom will smell divine! Enjoy!

If you're too busy to make your own, you can check out the Coconut Rose one I have for sale in my shop at: http://www.driftingbythesea.com/collections/organic-bodycare-treatments/products/coconut-rose-body-polish