It's the most wonderful time of the year! Between all the family time I'm daydreaming of a perfectly rustic getaway filled with evergreens, cranberry cocktails, and luxurious ensembles. A girl can dream.
Some images are kindred spirits, they relate and respond to one another in a way similar to how body language communicates between two people. It’s chemical, mineral, visual. It’s couplings. - b.
Today we practice gratitude- The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. It is a practice we do too rarely, something that should not be relegated to only one day each year. I do not disclude myself from this, instead I stand before you proclaiming I have been ungrateful. I have forgotten to show appreciation, thankfulness, gratitude, love, and affection.
On this Thanksgiving Day I will make amends and work to show my loved ones a small portion of the gratitude I feel towards them. Among the limitless list of other things I am thankful for: My freedom, and that I live in a world with an overwhelming capacity to love. Giving thanks is an award in and of itself.
With a grateful heart I say to you, Happy Thanksgiving. - b.
With my love of flowers and passion for natural living, it was only a matter of time before I started finding ways to combine the two. My first foray, and most recent obsession? Rosewater. Though readily available at most grocery stores, rosewater often contains a lot of chemicals and preservatives, which is why I decided to start making my own. You'd be surprised how easy it is to do, and it makes your house smell amazing in the process!
Health and beauty benefits abound for this magical elixir- Cleopatra is said to have called it the fountain of youth. Though I wouldn't go as far as that, I can attest to its toning and anti-inflammation properties. In addition to the beauty benefits, you can also include it in room sprays and all-natural cleaning supplies. A simple internet search will reveal just how many ways it can be used, but today we'll stick to the basics, making the rosewater itself.
Scroll down for the tutorial...
1 | Gather your supplies- You'll need 2-3 organic roses, distilled water, a pan, fine-mesh strainer, funnel, and a glass bottle or storage container. It's very important that the roses are organic as any chemical pesticides will release into the water tainting the finished product.
2 | Remove & wash petals- Even though the roses you've collected are organic you should still wash them gently under room temperature water before proceeding. This will remove any dirt or bugs that might be hiding in the petals.
3 | Place petals in the pan & cover with water- You don't have to be super specific about the amount of water you use, a good general rule is to fill it so there's 1-2 inches of water over the petal baseline.
4 | Simmer on medium-low heat- Steep the rose petals, like a tea, until the water is a nice rosy color. It will smell divine.
5 | Cool the rose water- Turn the heat off and let the water cool completely. You don't want to burn yourself.
6 | Place funnel and strain- Whether your using a glass bottle or plastic container, you'll definitely want to strain the petals through a fine mesh to eliminate as many loose particles as possible.
7 | Storage- You'll want to store the rosewater in the fridge to keep it fresher longer. Be sure to use in 4-6 weeks time.
8 | Enjoy- You can immediately start enjoying the benefits of your freshly made rosewater! Add to a spray bottle and lightly mist your face for a refreshing blast of coolness that will brighten and tone your skin.
I'd love to hear if any of you try the recipe, let me know how you like it. More DIYs, and tutorials like this to come. They're too fun not to. - b.