A friend recently purchased a diffuser. She hemmed and hawed for days before buying it online from Amazon. She even turned down a Groupon offer (which was apparently very tempting!) before finalizing her decision.   So let's say you Google "essential oil diffuser".  Your search comes up with "about 525,000 results.  Of course the process is overwhelming.  Add to it, many people are novices and aren't sure the level of investment they want to make, let alone what style and size to pick.  Let me help you out by narrowing your search. Target  offers a small, but very affordable option.  This one retails for $19.99.  Travel friendly, it operates on batteries or with the included USB cord.  If you want something that will last 1-2 hours, then this is the product for you.  However, if you are looking for something with more oomph, I would recommend the next model. This diffuser by Now ranges in price from $35-$45, depending on the v...

Let's get one thing straight. Whether you are the type of person who attracts mosquitos or not, when you do experience a mosquito bite, your body's natural histamine response causes itching at the site. By itching, I don't just mean a simple itch relieved by a momentary scratching. I'm talking about wooden back-scratcher level of itchiness. And I hate to break it to you if you didn't already know, but scratching only makes it worse. Plus, from a hygienic perspective, it can be very unsanitary to scratch. Bacteria live on our skin. Think of yourself as the "host with the most". Bacteria are also opportunistic. If there's an open wound, say a freshly scratched to high hell mosquito bite, bacteria will set up a breeding program on the spot.  Now, I know you're a smart person. You don't want a skin infection. You didn't even ask for the mosquito bite in the first place; you were just mowing the lawn, enjoying your kid's baseball gam...

Prior to the move last summer to Wisconsin, friends shared the unofficial state bird of Wisconsin is the mosquito. It's "rainy season" here and the mosquito population is mounting. It also happens to be the start of tick season, which lasts until snow covers the ground once more. No one wants to find a tick biting them, in the same manner as no one really hopes to be the next mosquito bite victim. And as if having cellulite wasn't offensive enough, the site of a tick lodged into the back of your thigh is likely to send you into a Google search frenzy. Obviously I'm speaking from experience. Our home is too far north to be concerned about the Zika virus doing harm via mosquitos. Now a deer tick carrying Lyme Disease?  This is a real threat. As a way to limit my chances of playing host to thirsty parasites, I blended together essential oils. You can also save yourself a lot of time, angst, and itching by mixing up a batch of this all natural repellan...

It's rainy season in Wisconsin, and our house is starting to smell more like our long-haired chihuahua than anything else.  He's so close to the ground, a simple walk around the block leaves him muddy and soaked.  I've been playing around with essential oils to find (both the safest for the dog and most pleasant smelling for the people) just the right combination.  In the process, I discovered a few blends that work wonders on our little barking ball of fur. Many products for our pets, available at pet stores and big box retailers, contain harmful/toxic chemicals.  The same is true for the cleaning products we buy for our homes.  We purchase these items as unsuspecting consumers, thinking we are doing our home environment a favor.  In reality, we are creating a chemical storm.  It brews and does harm to our skin, lungs, eyes, etc.  Our fur babies are no exception when it comes to exposure to these harmful ingredients. Why choose essential ...

For nearly two decades, I have been making a version of this recipe that my Bubbie shared with me on the cusp of my 20th birthday. As an undergrad, apartment dweller, I was very proud of my newfound freedoms. When time and money allowed, my roommates and I would spend our time baking treats to eat and share with friends.  Bubbie's version of the recipe was top-secret. I didn't share it with anyone for at least ten years. Part of me was certain no one could make this recipe the way I could (I was young, what can I say?).  If I shared it with one person, how many others would have this coveted list of ingredients wrapped up into a chewy, delicious treat?  The thought of someone else sharing was even more distressing than my doing so in the first place. Once I got over myself, and I'm aware some things take longer than others, I shared this recipe with so much pride... Until it was pointed out to me by one of the recipients that it likely came from the back of a box.  H...

Thank goodness my children have friends.  Without their influence (both positive and negative), things like a hanging canopy would be off my radar.  My daughter's friend has  this one .  While it is very nice, I was determined to make one for her, that matched her room better, and for less money.  We all have budgets and my household happens to be on a tighter one at the tail end of my husband's grad school stint. Wanting to keep this project as frugal as possible, instinct turned me to  Pinterest  for design ideas.   This tutorial  proved fruitful, but also not without its own challenges.  For instance, why sew two twin sheets together when you can use one king?  Likewise, there are more steps AND materials, than are actually required to put together a rockin' canopy.  With that in mind, gather the following materials: hula hoop (preferably one NOT filled with water) 1 king size flat sheet (new or upcycled, your...

Sure, there are four seasons to a calendar year, but are there ever really four whole seasons?  At best, there are 2.7, or 3.275 depending on where you live.  In the Midwest, we have all four, but Spring and Fall tend to be very short lived transition spaces between the vastness of Summer and Winter.  Citrus Bliss is the perfect blend to help with the transition from Winter to Summer (and cope with the lack of Spring). You'll need the following supplies: 1 roller bottle Carrier Oil (jojoba, almond, grapeseed, etc) Lavender Essential Oil Lime Essential Oil Grapefruit Essential Oil In a roller bottle (pictured is a 1/3 ounce roller), combine the following: 6 drops Lavender Essential Oil 3 drops Lime Essential Oil 3 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil Next, fill with your carrier oil.  Create your own label, or have some help from Avery's wonderful design shop.  Apply to pulse points, or rub into palms (then rub palms together to wa...