You can make them yourself. Purchase or collect about 2 pounds of pine cones. The cones are part of a visual display, so pick pretty ones. The cones that are open give you more area to cover with scent, so keep that in mind, as well.

Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones

2 lbs pine cones
4 ounces cinnamon scented essential oil
1 lb whole cinnamon sticks
1 large garbage bag
1 paint brush, one with a 1 inch width works well

Use the brush to liberally brush the pine cones with cinnamon essential oil. Be sure to paint each section of the cone.  Break the cinnamon sticks up into small pieces. Place the “painted” cones into a plastic bag with the cinnamon sticks. Fasten the bag closed and leave it that way for at least 8 weeks.

At the end of 8 weeks, take the cones out of the bag, and place them in bowls or baskets throughout your house. The scent will last for a few weeks.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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Home Fragrance: DIY Scented Pine Cones

These butterfly lanterns are pretty and sweet. Butterflies are somehow a big thing at weddings these days, (I guess they symbolize transformation, so that makes sense) so if you’re hopping on the butterfly bandwagon, here’s another way to do it. It’s a lot more humane than that whole setting butterflies free instead of rice-throwing thing. Personally, I think they would look a lot more interesting in an outdoor venue, at night, but that’s just me. Available for $16.99 (minus bulb and cord) from Divine On A Dime.

Photo Credit: Divine On A Dime

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Butterfly Lanterns by Divine On A Dime

By using essential oils – either in combination or as a single scent – and floating them in little bit of water, I can save money and tailor the fragrance to my own taste and mood. You can find essential oils in health food stores, in the health food section of your local market, or online. Cermaic oil burners are available all over the place – Walmart, Target, World Market, etc.

Keep in mind that this is aromatherapy that we are talking about and certain scents can affect your mood. For example, citrus scents are energizing, they make you feel perky. Lavender, on the other hand, aids in relaxation.

When heating oils in the diffuser, fill the top reservoir half-full of water, then add a few drops of essential oil. Light the candle below and scent will be released in a few minutes. Check the water level periodically and the scent can last as long as 3 hours.

Here are some fragrance ideas:

Single scents
*Bergamot
*Rose
*Grapefruit
*Lemon
*Lime
*Lavender
*Vanilla (You can use Vanilla Extract)
*Juniper
*Coriander
*Anise
*Orange
*Cinnamon
*Clove
*Rose Geranium
*Eucalyptus (especially nice during cold and flu season, soothing)
*Peppermint

Combinations:

*2 drops each of Grapefruit and Lavender
*2 drops each of Clove and Orange
*2 drops each of Cinnamon and Orange
*3 drops Bergamot to 1 drop Ylang-Ylang
*1 drop each Bergamot, Cypress, and Juniper
*3 drops Frankincense to 2 drops Basil
*3 drops Mandarin or Orange to 1 drop Vetiver
*2 drops each of Cinnamon, Clove, Lavender, and Orange

If you don’t have a diffuser, or essential oils, don’t worry. You are not out of luck. Simply look around your kitchen for the necessary supplies. You can simmer a small pot of water and whole spices on the stove.

Add to the water any of the following:

*Apple slices (especially good paired with Cinnamon)
*Citrus peel, thinly sliced; Lemon, Lime, Orange, Grapefruit, Mandarin
*Whole Vanilla Bean
*Whole Cloves
*Whole Star Anise
*Whole Cinnamon Sticks
*Slices of fresh Gingeroot
*Peppercorns

Or from your garden:
*Rose petals
*Juniper Berries
*Rosemary

Keep an eye on the water level in the pan and simmer at a low temperature.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

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DIY Home Fragrance

Don’t get me wrong. I am 100% behind almost any DIY aesthetic and this is no exception. But I am not a yuppie who thinks it’s reasonable to spend $65 on a ripped up tank top. So, if anyone has experience with this line and whether the quality warrants the cash money price tag, please let me know.

Pricely nitpicking aside, this top is totally convertible, to which I say RAD, and also weird and falling apart looking. So long as it’s not actually going to fall apart, I’m good with it, and would rock it verily with denim shorts and combat boots or gladiators. Available from Led Thread.

Photo Credits: Led Thread

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Babarian Beater by Led Thread

No indie closet is complete with at least six customized tees, and if you’re running out of ideas, ReadyMade might be a good place to start your next project. I like this tee, called The Benetar, although I would make some changes to ReadyMade’s suggestions. Like maybe black snap tape instead of white, and perhaps a little more creatively placed. Like a strip of this snap tape sewn down the middle tightly would produce rouching, a breast-enhancing look, if you’re into that sort of thing.

In any case, the point is that ReadyMade is a good place to start if you want to make your own clothes, or are looking for new ideas. Projects are organized by genre and there is a key on each that tells you what you need to make it, how much it will cost you, and what level of experience is required of you. Check out all the projects at ReadyMade.

Photo Credit: ReadyMade

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DIY 80’s Retrospolsion!

Citric acid can sometimes be found in the spice section of your local grocery store, or perhaps with the canning supplies.  The most reliable source I have found is mediterranean and middle eastern grocery stores.

I found out the hard way that you need to store them individually or they will stick together (even though they are dry to the touch!).

Bath Bombs (this is the best recipe I have found so far!)

Dry ingredients:

1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

½ cup citric acid (sifted or finely ground)

½ cup corn starch dry herbs or flowers (optional)

Wet ingredients:

2 ½ tablespoons sweet almond oil

¾ tablespoon water

¼ – 1 teaspoon of essential or fragrance oil

colorant (optional)

3-dimensional mold or deep dish style molds

squirt bottle with witch hazel or water

Mix all the dry ingredients together and set aside. Mix the wet ingredients in an old jar with a lid so they can be shaken well. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with your hands. The citric acid my start to fizz, so pour slowly and work the liquid in as you go. The mixture should be damp enough to hold together. If needed, mist with witch hazel or water. Work fast to press the mixture into the molds. If you’re using a 2-part sphere, fill each side and then press together. Let bombs dry in the mold for a few hours. Larger spheres may need more drying time. Remove from mold and let dry for 1 week before use. Cover with tissue paper and store in a dry place.

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Make your own Bath Bombs!