DIY Home Fragrance: How to Make Your Own Reed Diffusers

It’s clear to see why the home fragrance industry reels in big bucks every year.  Who doesn’t love a good smelling home? Real estate experts even claim the smell of your la casa can increase or decrease the value of your property.  What can I say? We love our scents! I have to admit though it pains me to see how pricey candles and reed diffusers can be sometimes.  Plus, nowadays you hear so much about how these chemical-based air fresheners aren’t good for the earth or us anyways. The great news is making your own reed diffuser is so easy and you don’t have to go broke doing it!

Supplies

Diffuser reeds {I found mine at Michael’s}

1 small container or vase

Essential oils from any local health food or craft store

½ cup of water

Vodka {Disclaimer: No crafts were harmed in the making of this project - as far as the crafter…. that’s another story}

Directions

Mix 4-5 drops of your essential oil into the half-cup of water. Add 2 drops of vodka to the water. The vodka serves as an emulsifier and helps keep the water and oil mixed.  Pour the mix into your container and add your reeds.  Similiar to the store bought diffusers it does take a few days for the reeds to absorb the oil and release its scent.  Flip reeds every now and then to refresh your fragrance.

The fun part about making your own reed diffuser is that there are a variety of scents you can create from essential oils by mixing and matching.  I happen to use a Bergamot and Yuzi Fruit oil found at Michael’s that is both citrus and summery. To top it off since I already had the vase at home this puppy only cost me $4 to put together and there’s still tons of leftover oil for future refills or extra diffusers for other rooms.

What's your favorite way to keep your home fresh and good smelling?

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12 Homemade Spa Treatments

Happy Monday everyone! I hope all you mamas out there had a splendid Mother’s Day. I finally convinced myself to book a spa appointment on Saturday. I know it doesn’t make sense to see the word “convince” and “spa” in the same sentence but you see I have this disease called “femaleitious”; you know where as a woman you feel guilty taking time to treat yourself to a little r and r? I had to talk myself out of canceling the appointment at least a gazzilion times. I always feel like with what little time I have on the week days after work that I should make the most of my weekend by taking time to design new items for my shop, clean the house, photograph and edit new products, catch up on laundry, and take care of other business oriented tasks. Who has time for a spa visit? Shame on us gals for depriving ourselves of a little TLC! Whether you’re short on time or strapped for cash there is still no reason why you can’t pamper yourself. Here’s a round up of some easy and inexpensive beauty treatments straight from your pantry!

{Image credits: Little Green Blog, Cost Plus World Market,

Good Life Eats, Lovely Package}

Olive Oil

*Cuticle oil-rub a dab of oil onto your nail beds and gently push back cuticles with a warm, wet rag.

*Body moisturizer-pour a little olive oil in your bath water to soften and moisturize skin.

*Hair Conditioner-Apply oil to wet, clean hair and wrap with a warm towel. Allow oil to sit for 20 minutes and then rinse hair thoroughly.

Lemons

*Astringent- every morning dab some juice from a squeezed lemon on your face, let it set for 5 minutes, and then wash off. Follow up with a moisturizer.

*Exfoliator- slice a lemon in half and rub on your elbows and knees to soften rough skin.

*Breath Freshener- swish a couple drops of lemon juice around in your mouth for a few seconds to help kill odor-causing bacteria.

Baking Soda

*Clarifying shampoo- add ½ a teaspoon of powder to your regular shampoo in order to remove built up product residue. Rinse and condition as normal.

*Foot Soaker- fill a bucket or tub with half a cup of baking soda and soak tired feet.

*Dry Shampoo- No time to wash your hair? Sprinkle just a dab of powder in hands and comb through hair to soak up the natural hair oils {make sure to use just a tiny amount! I know someone, ummm, yeah….. let’s just say it was a friend who attempted once to use baby powder for day old hair and ended up looking like a participant in a Cruella De Vil look-a-like contest}.

Honey

*Face Mask- Apply pure honey to your face and allow it to set until dry; about 15 minutes. Once dry, rinse your face with warm water.

*Skin Softner-pour ¼ cup of honey in bath water for a sweet-smelling, silky bath.

*Lip Moisturizer-Apply honey to your lips before going to bed and rinse off in the morning. {Unless your going for the pouted lip look I highly recommend that you remember to rinse the honey off in the morning before stepping outside}!

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What’s your favorite homemade beauty product?