Essentials: Getting Oily

I'm sure you are all already aware of the new health craze called "essential oils." It didn't take much for me to get interested, we all know I'm a bit susceptible to marketing. But for reals, a lot of close friends really seemed to be benefitting from these expensive little bottles, and I was curious.

I jumped in by purchasing a starter kit. It included 11 "everyday oils" and a diffuser. Oils range in price from about $12 to over $100 per bottle {depending on the oil and how hard it is to "harvest"}, and diffusers {which pumped the healthy oils into your air} are between $75-$200. So grabbing this kit for $150 seemed like a good deal. And if it didn't work, it was just a really expensive air freshener.

So,  I got my kit and started slathering on the oil right away, whatever they said they were for, I tried it. Bruise? Lavender promptly applied. Ollie had a flea, let me get the purification. My friend had sinus congestion? Ravinsara to the rescue. I won't bore you by breaking down all the oils I use or how, that's what pinterest is for, but as you can tell, I'm addicted. LIKE LOVE THEM!

I've had my kit since October, and the Washburn's have been to the dr. exactly 0 times. ZERO. Of course now that I out that in print, we will all get sick. No really, every time the slightest thing comes up, I grab my oils. Wesley had a fever and a cough last week, oiled her up for 24 hours {thieves, peppermint}, fever and cough gone. Matt had a migraine, oiled him up  {peppermint, deep relief}...bye bye headache. I suffer with hormonal acne...you guessed it, oils to the rescue {lavender, tea tree, frankincense} and I'm really seeing a change in my skin finally! And just let someone whisper they can't fall asleep....lalalalalala lavender.

So here's my true life, no bull assessment. Oils make me super happy, and I will use them everyday for all kinds of things. But, oils should not replace healthy, modern medicine for the big stuff, although I will argue keeping the little stuff in check helps keep the big stuff away.

So, I promise {Matt}, I won't choose lavender over stitches if my kid busts her head open {again} BUT...if oils keep me from running to chemical-laden quick fixes everyday AND keeps us out of germ ridden dr. offices for little illnesses, then I'll keep the oil flowing. And if Wee does ever need stitches again, I'll probably be rubbing Joy on her wrist.  Judge away. Or ask away.

Brancis, MO:: Antique Roadshow

Our first out of school excursion was a quick trip to Branson, MO. Which Wesley pronounces "Brancis." We had a great time. We had very few plans just get on the road, catch a show and do some shopping and that about sums it up.

On the way up there we took our time. Stopping every time something looked interesting, like antique shops, diners and picturesque parks. Here are few finds from our stops.

A silver lade to replace the glass one I broke

Sweet mid century pilsners

Mid Century Condiment Server

Vintage Footstool with Storage!

I spent a grand total of $43 on all of it! Super score. So obviously I know have the bug. After I wrap up the trip posts, I do one on my new Mid Century Modern bedroom redo!

GOOOOOD will

So I love the goodwill. And I have a favorite one. It is on Austin Peay Hwy across from the Krystals. You know the one right?

Anyhoo, I love it. It has the best stuff and really great prices. I've never seen anything over $7, unless it's furniture. The other cool thing they do is pick a color everyday and whatever has that color tag is 1/2 off. ANNNNND on Wednesday's EVERYTHING is half off! Cause why pay $5 for gap jeans when you can pay $2.50 right?!?

Well, the catch to that is Wednesday is faculty meeting day, so I rarely go on half off day. But this past Wednesday our meeting was canceled. I drove buy for a pop in, put before I pulled into the parking lot I saw everything look very empty and weird. I went ahead and went home, the whole time very upset that my store had closed. On Thursday morning on the way into work I looked again and noticed it wasn't closed just being rearranged inside, so I made a mental note to stop after school, even though it wasn't half off day anymore.

Well friends, in case you were sad I missed discount day--fret no more! When I got inside there were signs that everything was 75% OFF! They are remodeling and want to get as much as possible out of the way. I got an almost brand new dress shirt, 2 pair of jeans, 2 dresses, lots of children's clothes (including smocked outfits) and enough children's books to start a library for $16. SIXTEEN US DOLLARS.

Just look!

Yeah for remodeling! Yeah for consumer recycling! Yeah for goodwill!!

Happy Birthday Baby

I'm a day late, sorry. But, we we were just so busy celebrating, cause my "baby" is THREE!!

I cannot be cliche enough to express how fast she is growing up or how much I love this girl. She is so smart and so funny. Her personality delights me daily.

We woke her up at 7am, sleepy head was not interested in starting her birthday early. But when she saw her new princess tent, she perked up!

Then we had to have "cupcakes" which were really blueberry muffins, with 3 candles.

I hope she had a great day. Her actual party will be this Sunday and I will post the fun here next week!

Retail Therapy

I've been feeling kinda run down lately. Maybe it's the busy schedule, the bouts of illness, the non stop work thing, having an almost three year old, I don't know. What I do know is I have not been myself because I am just too tired to sparkle (that's for you Jenny.) But I need to snap out of it. Thursday I did not have to work late, rare,  so I treated myself to a little retail therapy. Did I hit up the Loft? Old Navy? Target? all good choices, but no. I went to my old standby--the Goodwill. I adore goodwill shopping. It is like treasure hunting with the added bonus of being cheap!

Today the folks on Austin Peay Hwy did not disappoint. In fact it is one of my best trips ever.

When I go in I always start with furniture. You never know what piece you may find. One time they had high heel shaped chairs! No such luck today. Then I move over to knick knacks. If we learned anything from last weekends yard sale it was that I need more knick knacks. I had an adorable ceramic pumpkin in my cart when I realized Matt may stop speaking to me if I buy more seasonal decorations that live in the attic most of the year. So I moved on to the books. I racked up! Children's books are expensive, so between using them on a daily basis for my classroom and having a well read child we shell out a lot. Today I found 10 books including an Elmo book, 5 hardbacks, and an Eric Carle! They were .10 a piece!

Next I swung by the belts, as they are a very fashionable accessory right now. I looked at several at J. Crew and Loft a month ago but couldn't bring myself to pay $30 for something I may or may not throw on at the last minute. Goodwill saves the day again. A new brown belt for $2!

On a roll! Time for clothes. 2 new pairs of black work pants, and new (still with tags!!) gray leggings for fall! For Wesley I found a fleece bathrobe for winter, a Christmas dress with sweet Scottie puppies on it, a "Belle" dress up dress, and a jean skirt!

But the coup de grace of the day....A barely worn Columbia Vertex Bugaboo ski coat. Retail approx. $200! I paid........................wait for it..............................................SIX DOLLARS!!!!!

And it's red, my school color! So all those mornings in the winter, when I am standing outside in the freezing cold welcoming the little darlings to school, I will be warm,toasty and school spirited!

The trip to Goodwill did the trick. I had 2 bags of goodies and all for a whooping $37! I feel better all ready.