So now that all of the Holidays are upon us, I hope that you are done shopping or DIYing. Every year I promise to start earlier and I never do. Instead everyone is just getting crappier stuff and less of it. Now if you’re one of those people who thinks that a gift card is a cop out…sorry. I’m still recommending it as a great gift. I know people who are highly offended by that kind of thing. I don’t get it because instead of stressing about what to get, they can decide for themselves. No one is entitled to …read more

 
The hubs and I decided that this year we would be giving mostly handmade gifts. I have to say it made is feel so much better and the stress level from maneuvering crowded stores has been eliminated. All that’s left are little stocking stuffers and small gifts for co-workers and such. Those I’ve decided to just buy and be done with it. My creativity switch has been turned off. So I thought I would share my top five “green” $20.00 and under stocking stuffer ideas. Say that five times fast.
1. Saffron Rouge has tons of samples and gifts packages all …read more

 
Sephora has some great gift sets and deals this time of year. One of the ones I have my eye on is LAVANILA’s two-piece gift set in Vanilla Coconut. It comes with the Eau de Parfum and the Body Butter. Vanilla and Coconut are two of my favorite fragrances so it’s seems like a win-win. However since it would be a gift for someone else I will have to resist the temptation to keep it myself. This particular set is only available online at Sephora so perhaps it would be a good gift for someone you will not be seeing …read more

Martha Stewart Living is one of my favorite home, crafty magazines. I’ve never been able to replicate exactly a craft project she has done but I always enjoy the process. In a lot of cases the finished product works so much better for me. I guess bascially she has great ideas if not practical ones. Check out this month’s issue because she has a slew of ideas for homemade gifts. The one that caught my eye was DIY lip balm and body scrubs. There are step by step directions and you can download templetes from the website for labels and decoration. …read more

Just in time for the Holidays, The Bubble Roome has an awesome new 3-in-1 spray. You can use it as a linen spray, room spary or for your body. It has sweet orange essential oil, vanilla, cloves and more very fall/winter scents. This would be a great gift for a party host or a nice stocking stuffer. I most surely would spray it all over my linen closet. Or spray this around when you have guests coming and they will be impressed and wonder what you’ve been cooking.

Even if you’re too old to make your mom a macaroni necklace (and have it be appreciated) that doesn’t mean that you can’t make her something from your heart. It’s a great way to not buy anything, or at least buy minimally maybe. Ultimately it really is about the thought behind it. A necklace from Tiffany & Co. from your jerkwad kid doesn’t really mean anything if you didn’t put any feeling behind it. So here’s my little list of things she might enjoy pampering herself with that you can tailor to suit her needs.

 A lovely glass jar filled with bath …read more

If you are still trying to figure out what to get mom for Mother’s Day, check out Organic Style for some great ideas. I actually got the Flowering Tea set last year and I LOVE it. Even if you don’t buy anything, there are great ideas for things that you could just make yourself or find second-hand. Do check it out though.

Via Organic Style

 
I’m not a lavender fan, or at least I wasn’t. Suddenly however, lavender is having the best week ever in my house. I inadvertently purchased laundry detergent and hand wash that had lavender in it and now I am hooked. It smells so good. I don’t know what I was smelling before, but this is heavenly. I then decided that I would create a fragrant care package for my mom for Mother’s Day. Since I can’t be with her I can at least send her something relaxing and soothing. You can steal my idea if you want…posers.
Pangea Organics has a very appealing Lavender …read more

I try to be low-key about my environmental beliefs…well except for here but we’re friends so it’s okay. I personally don’t want to be hit over the head with someone else’s belief system. As shocking as it is, environmental concerns to a lot of people are beliefs, not fact. I was stupefied when someone close to me recently said how awesome their new mega, uber, extreme SUV was. I asked, “are you concerned about the mileage or the amount of petrol you will be using”? To which this dear person replied, “No why would I be, we’re all going to …read more

To continue with our topic from yesterday, which was basically that I spent the weekend teetering on the verge of alcoholism. I have sworn off alcohol for the moment. However, I did read something today that changes my perspective. Four things you can do to ensure a healthier, and hopefully longer life: Don’t smoke, eat a good amount of fruits and vegetables, exercise on a regular basis and drink red wine in moderation. Emphasis on the moderation part. Noel, are you listening? So when I take a nip again I think I am going to try some of the wonderful Organic …read more