Anyone else have chapstick/lip balm addicts in their house?   My husband is obsessed and has to have one on him at all times.  I usually have at least 3 tubes in my purse at all times because they like to hide.  I got tired of dropping $3 on a tube when we go through them so fast and after some trial and error, I found a recipe that we like.  It's super easy and stupid cheap.

If you like Burt's Bees, rosemary and peppermint is a good combo.  I usually end up with some type of mint and citrus combined, but grapefruit is one I keep going back to.

This batch filled at least 14 or 15 tubes and I had a bit left over, even after I spilled some all over the counter.

I bought a big supply of the empty tubes a while ago from I don't even know where, but Amazon is an easy way to get them.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

So those who known me know I'm essential oil obsessed.  I just cannot help it.  There are many ways you can use essential oils and one of my favorite ways is to diffuse the oils.

Diffusing oils is usually done in a diffuser, which is awesome because it disperses the aroma and therapeutic qualities into the air by vapor.  Thus giving everyone in the room the benefits of the oils and makes the whole room smell amazing too.  Diffusers do not heat the oil at all, which makes sure the constituents of the oil is not damaged.

Our home is full of diffusers of all shapes and sizes in the kitchen, living room and bedrooms.

Now as a mom to 3 littles, between school pick ups/drop offs, appts, errands and running my own business, I am on the go a lot.  So my other favorite type of diffuser is jewelry.  I love it because not only is it a great accessory to your outfit, but with oils becoming more and more popular, there are all kinds of cute ones out there to suit your style.

Here are a few I've bought or been gifted.   The bracelet and locket necklace both have a piece of leather to drop the oil on and the middle necklace you drop it on the wood.  Both materials work well for jewelry diffusers and last all day or a couple of days.

Yesterday, I posted this image on my instagram account saying #craftingismyyoga, which is totally true.  I have put it aside for way too long and whether it's sewing or doing some sort of DIY project it's my favorite way to unwind or channel my frustrations or anxiety.   

So here it is, the product of yesterday's crafting was making up some of my own diffuser necklaces and a few of these may just be going out to a few special people.   I'm wearing the C stamped one right now with a drop of bergamot.  It smells amazing and it has mood lifting qualities, which I could always use.  

I may or may not have had this fabric for close to two years with promises to my son that I would make him Star Wars pillows for his bed.  I'm finally making good on that promise.  I had some Yo Gabba Gabba fabric I intended for a baby blanket that is now no longer needed for the youngest, so a pillow it is for her too!

Here is what you'll need:

- One yard of fabric for each pillowcase 

- Basic sewing supplies:  scissors, coordinating thread, ruler, etc.

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep your fabric.  Wash and iron the fabric so it is easier to work with.  I know, I know, extra work that keeps you from starting the project sooner.  I've skipped this step many a times because I'm impatient, but it truly does help.  Heck, you will rarely ever see me even get an iron out for my own clothes, but nicely pressed fabric is A LOT easier to work with.  

- Take your yard of fabric and square it up (even all the sides up).  Now take it and fold it in half so that you have 20 inches on one side (selvedges together).  Then make a cut at 27 inches on the other side. This will leave you with about a 9 inch piece, like the image above.  This will be your pillowcases fringe.

Now take that 9 inch piece and fold it in half making it about 4.5 inches by 40 inches.  Press the folded edge.  

Next, unfold that main piece and line up and pin the fringe to the right side of the main piece (one of the 40 inch sides).  Raw edges together.

Zigzag the raw edges together so that it won't unravel and get messy when washing.

Open and fold over the fringe to the right side and top stitch the seam allowance to the main fabric so it lays flat nicely.  

Next, fold the fabric right sides together, pin and then sew together the side and the bottom (or top if looking at my picture) with a 1/4 in seam.  This leaves the fringe side open for your pillow. 

Zig zag stitch or use pinking shears to cut the edges of the two sides you just sewed along the seam allowance so that it won't unravel during washes.  Then flip it inside out and you have your pillowcase!

As you can see it's Haddie approved.

This weekend I tried really hard to put work aside and focus on the family.   The past few Easters were usually spent at a potluck with friends in San Diego.  This year it was just us.  We got up early Saturday morning and headed over to Home Depot for the kids to do their monthly Kid Workshop.  Then we went over to base to their Easter egg hunt.  It was crowded, cold and the parents were a little crazy so the kids barely walked away with more than 3 eggs a piece.  After some errands we drove by another egg hunt and decided to stop.  It was run by a church with such sweet people who basically threw out eggs one last time for our kids before they ended.  Haddie had a whole hunt to herself and she took her time picking up each egg and one popped open so she popped a squat and chowed down on each jellybean and then left the egg.  Ha.

On Easter, the kids came down about 10x before we finally gave in and got up at 7 something.  We found cards left for each of the kids that gave a clue to where their basket was hidden.  Just like good 'ol EB used to do for my sisters and I.  We spent the afternoon outside, Barley and all, blowing bubbles and riding scooters and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.  I even took the time to start a new project.

Over the last two years or so I have gotten sooo bad about using my "big girl camera" and instead just using my iPhone (those darn things are just sooo convenient!) so it was nice to get it out and get a few pics of the kids enjoying the day.