5 Things I Like: Essential Oil Brands

#1 Snow Lotus

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I was introduced to Snow Lotus by a highly respected acupuncturist and it is my absolute number one favorite brand. Snow Louts creates full-spectrum oils so they are as close to wearing the actual plant as possible. Their vetiver is especially aromatic and sedative. 

Aura Caccia 

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A relatively easy to find brand, Aura Caccia is reliable and high quality. This brand also sells larger bottles of widely-used oils like eucalyptus. I'm fond of their lavender harvest blend which combines different types of my favorite plant for an aromatherpeutic blast.

Desert Essence

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Desert Essence is my go-to brand for tea tree oil. They make a very handy roll-on as well as a lavender and tea tree blend. 

Anoush 

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Local to my hometown of Richmond, Va., Anoush makes a very sweet, mild lavender oil I like. The deco/psychedelic packaging is so charming. (Btw, "anoush" means "sweet" in a couple different languages, including Farsi and Armenian. Adorbs, no?!)

Uncle Harry's 

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Native to the gorgeous Pacific Northwest,  this brand makes very potent clove and grapefruit essential oils as well as a variety of natural care products.  

Have you tried any of these brands? Are there other essential oil companies I left out?

heart,
--m

The Zodiac Dresser: Gemini II

It's time again for the Zodiac Dresser, my series of astrologically inspired outfits. Today's sign is Gemini, symbolized by twins. 

90s dress: Luxor Vintage * Clyde's tote: gifted

Because gemini is fun, versatile, lively and youthful, I had a festival-type outfit in mind like I'd wear to Coachella (sadly couldn't get the background to match). Yellow is the color most associated with gemini so it the main color of this hippy party dress. 

notice the twin giraffes on my tote?

Gemini is also known as a flighty and mercurial sign that struggles to make real commitments. After all, gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury. On a positive note, as an air sign, gemini is communicative, friendly and intellectual-- truly the life of the party. 

70s shoes: thrifted * earrings by me 

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I've been told that hoops are for party girls so these fun, youthful hoops seemed perfect for my gemini wild child. 

I hope you've enjoyed my latest interpretation of a gemini outfit. Are any of you born under the sign of the twins? 

--m

Outfit: 90s Botticelli-print Dress and Silver Spaceboots

I got this dress from Rumours recently. I loved the print so much, I didn't even bother trying it on. I mean, fabric printed with a collage of Botticelli figures?! You make that dress work. 

Luckily, it fit without any alterations. 

got this backpack at the same time 

I plan on styling this dress a few different ways but it's hard to top silver space boots. Though perhaps this outfit is too literally 90s?

--m

thrift scores and life lately

Almost two weeks without blogging?! I'm not doing a very good job of reforming last year's bad habits, now am I? This past month has been not only busy, but also full of uncertainty and stress. Frankly, my creative endeavors and personal style have taken a backseat to staying afloat.  I've also been avoiding thrift stores the past couple months in an attempt to have less stuff and more money. However, last weekend I went to Southwestern Virginia for a college graduation and splurged a little bit at the  local Goodwills. Behold my bounty:

I found not one but TWO Jams World dresses from the 90s. Since it will be a long while before I take any tropical vacations, these dresses will have to substitute.

I'm hoping to get lots of wear out of this 90s dress featuring roses.

Normally I do not care for zebra print, but this skirt is the rare exception.

this zebra has kind of a shy expression, no?

I'm all about vintage flower power this spring/summer.

What thrifting trip would be complete with tchotchkes?

Though I'm not ready for it to get cold outside again, I am looking forwards to wearing this 70s corduroy jacket this fall.

pocket detail of jacket

this pin was made in Western Germany and I think it's from the 40s or 50s. 

this Lanz Originals vintage dress is too small on me so it will soon appear on Ebay. Email me if you're interested.  

My biggest thriftscore is probably this silk nightgown from the late 20s or early 30s. It is in excellent condition and even appears handmade.

Well, that's all folks! Did any of these pieces strike a chord with you? Found any good thriftscores of your own recently?
--melina

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is powerful remedy for a wide variety of skin ailments ranging from blemishes to bacterial and fungal infections. For the most part, tea tree oil is too strong used undiluted. Mix with lavender oil and water for a gentle solution.

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Although tea tree oil is about 100x stronger than carbolic acid, it is non-poisonous to humans when used topically (never ingest). Native to Australia, the tea tree has been used medicinally by native Aborigines for centuries. This plant is a member of the clove family and therefore similarly camphoric in smell. 

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Tea tree oil protects against various infections due to its antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties. This oil is especially effective against types of ringworm (including athlete's foot) and candida. When used on such fungal infections, tea tree oil can be applied undiluted to the affected area a few times a day. To treat athlete's foot, add several teaspoons of tea tree oil to a daily foot bath of half white vinegar, half water. Dandruff is often caused by a fungus, so it can be ameliorated by adding tea tree oil to your shampoo and conditioner. 

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Mixed with lavender, tea tree oil is very effective against zits, mosquito bites, boils, cold-sores and sunburn. Because of its antibacterial qualities, tea tree oil is deodorizing and can be used to prevent underarm and foot odor. To prevent bad breath and maintain healthy gums, add a couple drops of tea tree oil to a cup of water and gargle. (Do not swallow.) 

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One of my favorite ways to use tea tree oil is to add it to coconut oil along with lavender oil. I use this concoction as a cuticle cream, body moisturizer and scalp treatment. Have you ever used tea tree oil? How did you like it? 

--m

the Zodiac Dresser: Taurus II

Welcome to another Taurus inspired outfit. Ruled by Venus, the planet named for the Roman godess of love and beauty, Taurus is truly a romantic sign. (Photos by Charles O'Donavan)

my favorite hashtag? #loveva

Symbolized by a bull, Taurus is loathe to change. This combination of sensuality and stubbornness brings to my mind a classic, 50s bombshell aesthetic.

1950s lace dress: thrifted 

Mauve and pale blue are colors associated with Taurus.

I love the combination of these two necklaces. 

Due to their colors and romantic associations, I felt amethyst and rose quartz were the perfect stones for Taurus-themed jewelry. As Taurus rules the neck, necklaces were an obvious choice. 

buy here

buy here

An earth sign, Taurus is pragmatic, resourceful and patient. However, this sign's materialistic and stubborn tendencies can result in a stingy, dogmatic attitude. 

At Maymont, possibly the most romantic spot in Richmond

Overall, thought, this sign is a lover, not a fighter (unlike Aries which precedes it). 

vintage bag: antique store * shoes: Pink

I hope you've enjoyed my take on Taurus this year. Is this your astrological sign? If so, what styles do you feel best exemplify Taurus?
heart,
--m

5 things I like

My Coffee Table

I keep meaning to post more shots of my interior.... This is how I style my coffee table (for now). I call the glass containers with stones "petrariums". 

Daisies 

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This might be a bit obvious since I've recently posted a daisy-themed Etsy treasury and outfit.  But they're just so darn cheerful and springy!

70s Platforms

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I wish I could wear all of them, but instead I'll just drool over Etsy favorites and treasuries.

Blood Oranges

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Being an aries, I gravitate to the color red, these oranges being no exception. My favorite way to use these passionate fruits is in Sicilian blood orange salad. 

Giotto's Starry Sky

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I love how Giotto paints stars against a deep blue sky, pictured here in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy. I can only imagine how the original audience would have marveled at its celestial vibes.