Antidote To The Blues

Eastern Canada is being hit HARD by Old Man Winter! To my family and friends back East, 'I feel for you, make sure you go for a snoeshow!' ;-)

But winter can bring about 'The Blues', Depression, SAD, and the like, and no wonder! Hardly any sun, its too cold to go outside for a walk, so we just languish around in our 'cozies' with hot chocolate in front of the fire. Sounds kind of nice...

Except, sunlight, fresh air and activity all produce wonderful endorphins which make us feel happy and full of light! When we don't get that, at first its fine, it's good to relax (I'm all for it!), but too much relaxation makes us sluggish and kind of bummed out.

So, get outside when you can. Let the sun (if there is any) hit your face for 15 minutes or so, breathe in the fresh air - in through your nose, out through your mouth - and get active! Whether its walking the dog, building a snowman with the kids, or a full-on jog - you'll feel better for it. You'll feel better, look better, sleep better, and be happier! What could be better?

The following blend is EASY and will help you along the road to a happier you:

Blues Buster
To a tissue drop one drop of Lemon essential oil and one drop of Rose Geranium essential oil. Breathe it in! Ahhhh!

You could also mix up a 5ml (or more) quantity at a 1:1 ratio and have it ready to go - carry it in your purse to help you get through those long days in the office!

Until next time, Happy Scents!

Massage Oil For Lovers

Since today is Valentine's Day, or LOVE day, as I like to call it, I thought a post regarding romance and love would be appropriate.

As such, please see the following recipe. Make it and enjoy it with your lover! Oh-la-la!

For Lovers Massage Oil
(Makes 60ml)

1 drop Ylang Ylang
1 drop Rose
1 drop Jasmine
3 drops Rosewood
1 drop Lavender
1 drop Black Pepper
3 drops Clary Sage
1 drop Lavender
1 drop Ginger
60ml Fractionated Coconut Oil

Into a 60ml massage bottle with a flip-top cap drop essential oils as listed. Then pour the coconut oil into the bottle.

Mix well and enjoy with your favourite someone!

The essential oils used in this recipe are all reputed to be aphrodisiacs...oh-la-la again! ;-)

(And just for the record, it works...ahem...tee hee!)

Until next time, Happy Scents!

PS: Not sure where to purchase the essential oils or other product listed above? Check your local natural foods store or visit:

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Marie Antoinette's Perfume

In the Friday, January 26, 2007 edition of the Calgary Herald there was an article in the Real Life section on the subject of Marie Antoinette's perfume.

It seems that historian Elisabeth de Faydeau has uncovered the recipes of Marie Antoinette's perfume. Her longtime perfumer friend, and one of France's premier perfumers, Francis Kurkdjian created the essence 'Sillage De La Reine' ('In the Wake of the Queen') and a 250ml bottle of the fragrance goes for an astounding $10,500.oo USD! For something that isn't really the queen's, but a replica, this price may seem rather, well, pricey.

However, created from jasmine, orange blossom, tuberose, iris, cedar, and sandalwood, the price is actually justifiable. The aforementioned essential oils/essences are pricey separately, but together and the scent being 'just so', not to mention the fact that it is bottled in Baccarat crystal flasks, it is appropriate that one was sold to a Sultan.

This 'scent of a queen' was released for sale to the public only over the Internet, except for 30ml crystal phials available at the chateau gift shop for $450.00.

[*All the proceeds of the subscription will go towards the restoration of an area connected to Marie-Antoinette in Versailles. Photo thanks to http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/1_Sillage_de_la_Reine.php.]

Happy Scents!

Mom's Time

Since giving birth to my second baboonsky almost 3 months ago, I have found myself wondering 'What was I complaining about when I only had one kidlet? I had TONS of time!' ;-) Not so now.

But I still try to find time for myself once a week where I'm not doing something for someone else, like laundry, grocery shopping or reading 'Purple Eyes' for the umpteenth time! Usually I simply have a bit of a mini-spa experience in the bathroom, pruning what needs to be pruned. ;-)

Today I'm going to share one of my favourite recipes! I call it 'Mommy Tree'.

Mommy Tree Scrub

1/2 Cup Oatmeal
1/2 Cup Skinned Almonds
1 Tbsp Jojoba Oil
1 drop Neroli Essential Oil
2 drops Petitgrain Essential Oil
3 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil



In a blender grind oatmeal and almonds as finely as possible. Add the essential oils and mix thoroughly breaking up any clumps. Then mix in oil to develop a paste, adding more oil if necessary.

Rub the paste all over your body starting at your feet and working your way up using gentle circular motions.

Rinse well either in a warm bath or a warm shower.

Neroli, orange and petitgrain essential oils all come from the same tree - the orange tree. These essential oils were used in combination to help you feel ‘whole’ again. Neroli has a calming, almost euphoric effect; orange has an uplifting, anti-depressant effect; and petitgrain has the ability to calm anger and stress.

Your skin will thank you, and so will you mind and spirit!