The chemical aerosol fresheners you can purchase in the store may send off a pleasant odor, but they wreak havoc on our health! The highly condensed level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and artificial fragrances can cause headaches, earaches, diarrhea, vomiting - even wheezing in young children!
However, sometimes it take more than just an opened window to clear out an unpleasant odor from a room. This Herbal Mist Air Freshener is completely natural and the scent is as lovely as you choose to make it! Mist in the kitchen after frying onions and bacon, spray inside the diaper pail, and store a bottle in the bathroom.
To make your own herbal spray air freshener, all you need is a clean spritz bottle and 2 basic ingredients:
Distilled water
Essential oil (I've provided some blend suggestions below)
Prepare by adding 7 drops of an essential oil (or a combination of oils) to every 8 oz (1 cup) of water. Experiment with different oil combinations to create a scent that is uniquely you! My personal favorite is a combination of lavender, tea tree, and spearmint - so fresh and invigorating! Essential Oil Air Freshener Blends:
Country Spice | cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, bay
Spring Morning | lavender, rose, geranium, rosemary, sweet orange
In the Woods | sage, thyme, cedar, patchouli, frankincense
Lover's Lane | vanilla, sandalwood, ylang ylang, jasmine, neroli, rose
Far East| patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, lime, coriander
Energizing | basil, lavender, orange, nutmeg, mint
Hi everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years!
Once again I'm linking up with my dear friend Laurie for a A Few Of My Favorite Things Saturday, and Cindy at Show and Tell Friday!
Some of you from wayyyyy back might remember a similar picture to this one in my blog header. It featured one of my favorite pieces, a beautiful french blue opaline urn with lid. I found the urn many years ago and paid under $100 for it. I didn't know anything about opaline glass at the time I just loved the color and form. Well... one day recently while searching ebay I came across an identical urn from a seller in Sweden. And I won it for not much more than I paid for my original piece! Yippeee!!! I just love when that happens! So I'd like to share my very small (almost) collection and a couple of other pretties.
Do you see the small pale blue french opaline half egg watch display? That was another ebay find for cheaps. Inside I have a couple of special treasures...
Can you see? There's a small timeworn locket and a small brass ring. I found the locket in the pocket of an old coat I'd purchased at the Goodwill. And the childs ring belonged to my Grandmother.
Here's a closeup of the locket.
And inside are two pictures of someone who must have been very special to her husband?... or children?... She's a wonderful mystery to me. It looks like one features her as a young woman and another as she got older? Don't you think?
Here is my Grandmothers childhood ring. When she died she had virtually nothing to her name. But she kept this small ring in a locked strong box along with a picture of her parents so I know it must have been very precious to her, and it's one of my most prized posessions.
And here's my new opaline urn! Just look at those cute little lion paw feeties!! Aren't they cute?!
Santa (aka my hubby) was very kind to me this year and bought me this beautiful (well at least it is to me *winks*) bronze french clock... And I had an AH HA!" moment. The blue of the clock was a pretty close match to the opaline urns and I thought they might make good clock garnitures? Here's the clock... It doesn't function... It's just a beautiful shell but I don't care!
Of course it has a cutie cherub!
And some swag-o-liciousness!
What do you think? Do they work together? I've been trying them out in various areas of my home and haven't found quite the right place yet... (You can click to get the larger view)
I tried them in the livingroom.. but not quite working. I have WAYY to many collections! I know I need to edit. But what to get rid of?? It's so tough when you love EVERYTHING! Hopefully you won't see me on that hoarders show, but I make no promises! *winks*
Here is another sweet french blue and bronze piece (An inkwell maybe?) I just love that color! Can you see the little birdie on top?
I also have a couple of bristol glass vases in a similar blue.
And this lustre found for $28 on ebay. (Melanie are you listening? *winks*) I bring Melanie my new blogging friend from The Tiny Tudor into this because she's contemplating her first ebay purchase. And I'm so excited for her! And dying to see her first ebay treasure! Ebay is another one of my favorite things!!
I LOVE when this happens! I found this (nearly) identical urn below on the web here for $795!
And this very similar urn is on ebay for $1495 or best offer... Do you think they'd accept my offer for $90?... Probably not! I think I did pretty good! But it could also be that the sellers have been smoking some funny stuff (you know what I mean *winks*) It's amazing that there are such large discrepencies in pricing isn't it?!
If you're interested in learning about french opaline glass? Joni at the Cote De Texas did a wonderful story here. I learned a ton from her! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll come by again soon! Vanna
This dessert has got to be one of my favorite ways to enjoy summer fruit! Supposedly the recipe makes 6 servings, but our family finds it's never quite enough! Double the recipe for a 9X13.
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups sliced peaches, fresh or canned 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen 1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen 1/2 cup blackberries, fresh or frozen 1/4 cup organic butter 1/2 cup oats (I use gluten-free) 1/4 tsp sea salt 3/4 cup raw cane sugar Directions: Gently stir fruit together. Pour into the bottom of a square baking dish (8x8 or 9x9). In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients together until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of fruit. Bake at 375F until top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Serve warm with shipped cream. Makes 6 servings.
Alternatively, replace the peaches and berries with 4 cups of pears or sliced Granny Smith apples.
Hi peeps!! Just a few things to share this week because of my shopping extravaganza last week *winks* I'll start as usual with my favorite find. It's a vintage HUGE rose covered fully lined curtain that I found at a local antique mall for $60! This one curtain is 8' tall and 15' long! I couldn't get the entire thing in a shot because it was just too big for my poor camera. It could easily be cut apart to make several individual curtains, which is what I'm hoping to do. Love the green color and all the roses!! Isn't it gorgy??*sighs*
Close up.
Then I found this Italian shadow box jewelry display case on craigslist for $15. Inside I have one new/old treasure and the other three are older finds but I haven't shared them here so I thought I'd take the opportunity now *winks*
The newest find is this cigarette case with a portrait of a woman. $12 at a local antique store. I will definitely be looking to collect more of these.
My next find is from a few years back. I paid $125 (which was actually half price) It's a micro petit point purse featuring a courting couple adorned with some stones and enamel flowers.
The back features a castle and swags with pink roses.
Lined with the palest pink ruched silk that is starting to tear and fray.
Next is this little silver mesh purse/compact that I purchased from an elderly neighbor for $15.
I would love it if these little blue stones were sapphires! *winks* But most likely pretty glass.
And finally this little beaded purse/compact was $10.
I found a new addition to my silver collection at the Goodwill. This silver glass caddy was on one isle for $1.99 and the dessert wine glasses were 50 cents each on another. So all told $4.99... Not bad I think!
And then I did discover something NEW to me... Maybe new to you also? Let me start by saying I've been in love with antiques for most of my life and in all that time I've never known about this... The Odd Fellows! Who and what are they? Weeellll... here's a little vid about them
The Odd Fellows (it turns out) are the Father of all fraternal organizations. Formed in England in the 18th century. I discovered them when I was trying to find information about these antique red velvet collars that I'd found on craigslist. A set of four of them for $12. Sooo ornate and beautiful with their silver appliques, fringe and tassels. I thought originally they might have been priests vestments of some sort? But was quickly made aware that they were something else. I took a look on ebay and couldn't believe how cheaply these items were selling! Some at 99 cents plus shipping, and some of the beautiful velvet ceremonial robes were little more than $20. Also some beautiful ornate medals for a song! I couldn't help but think of all the custom bag/purse and pillow makers who could use these old pieces in their designs. Am I the last one to know about these? Let me know! I feel I've discovered textile nirvana! Lol! *winks*
Each less than the cost of a latte!
And last (and definitely least) some vintage aqua lace trim from the Value Village for $1.99 and an egg vase for my etsy.
That's it for the flea market finds this week. I hope you'll come back next week for more thrifting fun! And please leave me a comment and I'll do the same for you *winks* I'd LOVE to hear from you! Vanna
A few years ago I joined the site Rate My Space. There I shared many of the rooms in my home and met so many wonderful people! The other day I decided to take a trip down memory lane and read some of the lovely comments that had been left over the years, only to find that all my spaces had been deleted! I had the various spaces linked on my sidebar. Alas never to be found again. *sighs* Soooo I'll be sharing my rooms here on my blog starting with my Shabby guestroom. It's encountered quite a few changes since the RMS days. Hopefully for the better? This could take a wee while so you might want to get yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee... or even better wine *winks* and settle in for LOTS of pictures! I'll be moving clockwise around the room so come on and follow me and I'll show ya around! *winks* This is the room overview...
Large white antique mirror for pretty primping...
This is the newest addition to my shabby room, a chippy old wicker bed corona (found last week at a yard sale for $10) I wanted to use this as a shelf for displaying some rose paintings. However it just wasn't strong enough so I had to make do for this photo-op *winks* Whatcha think? fine or flop?
Close up.
This french floral sconce sits at the top of the mirror. I love its delicate beauty.
My lovely Marie dress form. One of my favorite things in the room!
French armoire...
Filled with all kinds of linens and treasures...
Come a little closer and take a peeky poo...
A favorite little french lamp.
The lady in green is the newest addition to my boudoir lady lamp collection.
Isn't she sweet?!
In the corner lies a victorian tete a tete chaise that I won at an auction. Fell in LOVE! Had to have it! Despite its shabby condition *winks*
A little pause for a spot of tea...
Italian stacking tables in cream with dreamy florals...
And above is a shelf filled with my small Norah Wellings doll collection.
The little brown pixie is one of my favorites!
Who can resist a smile like this???! Their little faces make me happy each and every time I see them!
A shabby chippy garden goddess adorned with rosaries and rhinestones...
A vanity found at the local Goodwill.
This little celluloid box featuring a courting couple still has its original interior brush set on a bed of blue silk.
Above hangs a bronze cherub lamp...
Frenchy bedside table.
Bed corona.
Darling ballet pointe shoes... One pair signed... Against a background of vintage roses... I want more!!
Can you tell I LOVE roses?! *winks* Naw... to subtle for ya? LOL!
I wish I could've gotten a better shot of this 19th century Vinea hand colored aquatint, but the glass was too reflective so hopefully you'll get the gist?
It has lots of cavorting cherubs which I adore!!
A little shelf filled with some more of my boudoir ladies.
And we've come all the way around. I hope you enjoyed the tour of my shabby bedroom. It's my one room for over the top femininity! Have to consider the poor hubby in the rest of the house! *winks* So if you're a girl who loves things French foofy and poofy? You're welcome to come stay for a visit. I'd love to have you! Sorry boys I just couldn't do this to you! *winks* You might come away with tassels on your ears! LOL!
And as you leave the room this pretty french couple is waving goodbye! And wishing you a wonderful day! Please leave me a comment and I'll do the same. And come back for a visit anytime! Vanna
I came up with this recipe shortly after we started eating the Trim, Healthy Mama way. It combines a few of our favorite flavors into one mouth-watering, plan-approved, protein-packed, tender piece of chicken.
Servings: 4 Baking Time: 25 minutes. Gluten-free, sugar-free, nut free, soy-free *For anyone else who's a THMer, this staple falls under the Satisfying category. Ingredients:
Directions: Mix mustard, olive oil, sweetener, paprika, sea salt, and ground pepper together in a bowl. Pour into a large, sealable bag and add chicken breasts. Toss to coat evenly. Marinate in the fridge for 2 hours (the longer, the better).
Fry bacon. Set aside on paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Discard all but 1 Tbsp of bacon fat. Saute mushrooms and cook chicken until lightly golden in bacon fat.
Arrange chicken in 8x8" baking pan. Wrap each breast with two strips of bacon to from an "X". Pour mushrooms over top and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Garnish with chives.
