Willow and Sage

During the holidays, time is of the essence. The season often resembles putting together a puzzle, with each piece representing a festive to-do or activity, like decorating, planning get-togethers, and showing others how much they mean to you. At least for me, this is typically how it feels — a wonderfully chaotic time when there are simultaneously loads of laughter and exhaustion. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s simply my favorite time of year. This year, I’m finding everything to be a bit extra hectic. You see, my first child is about to turn 1, and finding moments to myself seems to become more difficult by the day. While my time might not be as efficient as it once was, there’s something sweet about discovering the seasonal…

When it comes to using herbal recipes in our home, I always want to make sure that what I am using on my little ones is safe for their tender skin. Flowers like lavender, chamomile, and calendula are gentle and have many healing benefits for the skin, making them safe to use on children. In fact, it was in Beatrix Potter’s classic tale of Peter Rabbit that Peter’s mother gives him a cup of chamomile tea to calm him after his run-in with Mr. McGregor. It is one of the few teas that is safe for infants to ingest and is often recommended for colic. How do these flowers help infants and small children specifically? Lavender is a well-known stress reliever, and it has also shown to help babies sleep…

Have you ever made a gift that was too pretty to wrap inside something else? The stunning hue of these bath salts, thanks to the ingredient spirulina, demanded to be seen. So, instead of placing it inside a box, we thought to package it on top of the box in full sight. This gift-wrapping idea is as easy as can be while still impressing the recipient. To make these packaging dreams come true, you will need patterned paper or gift wrap (we used a sheet music print), cheesecloth, something to secure everything with, and a test tube filled with your favorite bath salt mixture. Follow the simple instructions below to craft a present sure to wow the recipient. You Will Need BoxPatterned paper/Gift wrap: sheet musicTapeCheeseclothTwineGlass test tube w/cork stopperBath…

These winter lotion bars are the perfect solution to keep your skin happy during the cold winter months. They are incredibly easy to make at home, and they are a treat to use in your self-care routine. These lotion bars are also zero-waste and make the perfect gifts for loved ones. The recipe features cacao butter, which is high in fatty acids and is excellent for hydrating and nourishing skin. It has a delicious chocolate-like scent and pairs wonderfully with vanilla essential oil. These lotion bars smell incredible while also replenishing and protecting skin from the elements. I wanted them to melt on contact with the skin during the cooler winter months, so I reduced the amount of beeswax in the bars; this ensures they remain solid at room temperature…

I have always felt nature puts on her best winter wear after heavy snowfall. Snow-covered branches and trees resemble puffy clouds. Red cardinals and bittersweet berries contrast against the white landscape, and everything is still. But, in this stillness, bitter-cold, dry air pulls moisture away from our skin. What once was healthy, supple skin soon becomes dull, dry, and often itchy. As someone who has faced this dilemma many times, I’ve learned a thing or two when it comes to finding relief. It begins with an age-old remedy: oatmeal. The cellulose and fiber from oats contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that are superior for improving eczema and restoring dry skin. Combined with the unique benefits of blue cornflower and blue tansy, these ingredients will help your skin feel calm,…

Let’s face it — dry lips happen to the best of us, specifically during the cooler months. And while a hydrating lip balm (and staying hydrated) can help moisturize your lips, it isn’t complete without a trusty sugar lip scrub. After all, lip scrubs are designed to slough away dry and dead skin, allowing your lips to better absorb the balm. It’s the perfect match, to say the least. With the following tutorial, you can make both products with real, natural ingredients. They essentially require the same recipe, but the ingredients in the scrub are cut in half to allow space for the sugar. Once cooled, you’ll have an all-natural lip scrub and balm duo, just in time for the winter season. You Will Need Lip Balm Pot: smallGlass measuring…