While there are a handful of critics out there, I must say – Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. I think we could all use a day dedicated to expressing our love for those around us, don’t you think?
Not only is it important to show our love for those nearest & dearest to us, I find it’s a healthy practice to carve out a little time to love on ourselves.
We often pride ourselves on checking off our to-do list & maximizing every minute of every day, but rarely do we pat ourselves on the back for scheduling time to rest & reset.
This week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I am treating myself to one hour of uninterrupted self-care in our cozy little bathtub. Nothing fancy – just a pretty bouquet of roses, fair-trade dark chocolate, a yummy-smelling bath bomb, candles & a good book to make it a little more special.
This year I committed to purchasing only sustainably-grown, Whole Trade flowers, which fully support farmers & their communities. You’ll always find a fresh bouquet of blooms within our home – it’s one of my favorite indulgences.
This week, February 7th – 14th, you can grab two dozen Whole Trade roses from Whole Foods Market for $24.99 (& Prime members can purchase them for just $19.99)! Divide them up into mini bud vases for all of your Galentines & arrange a few for you!
While you’re at it, grab a few chocolate-dipped strawberries (they’re $9.99 & available at Whole Foods Market from 2/12-2/14) for your tub time!
Don’t forget to save a rose for the bathtub! Throw in a fizzy bath bomb from Whole Foods Market & fill the tub with rose petals to make it a little more festive. To do this, simply remove, or peel, the petals from the stem & throw them into the water. They’ll float on top & add a floral scent to your steamy bath.
Tip: Fresh petals will last for more than one bath! Gather up petals in a small bowl after one soak & add them to hot water the following day. Do note – petals will begin to wilt after a few days so promptly reuse them.
Light a candle & soak up your quiet hour of bliss as you read & rest. With a small budget & a handful of goodies from Whole Foods Market, you’re sure to create a lovely self-care retreat so you can love those around you better.
Do you ever carve out time for a little self-care? How will you carve out an hour or two to love on yourself this Valentine’s Day week? Share your thoughts in the comments!
love,
natalie
“The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them.” – Louisa May Alcott
So much of life happens within the home & I find it’s so important to be intentional about how we live, breathe & work within our space.
As I was reflecting on the past year, I realized just how many changes we made within our home related to house cleaning, body care & homemaking in general. Today I wanted to share some of those changes along with staples that have made living within our home much more enjoyable & peaceful.
+ Tidying up each evening: We have made a point each evening to tidy up our space. For our family, this looks like washing the dishes, wiping down the sink, sweeping the floors & putting things back in their designated places. It’s such a wonderful feeling to wake up the next morning to a clean home.
+ Housekeeper: I’ve blogged about this several times, but hiring our monthly housekeeper was the best decision we have made. She does such a wonderful job of deep-cleaning our space so that we can just focus on the daily upkeep.
+ Purchasing/growing fresh flowers: I believe a house really feels like a home with a touch of green. I purchase (when I’m not growing my own) a small bouquet of flowers every week. It makes such a difference to my mood & costs very little. I love dividing up the bouquet & adding a few stems next to the sink, on my dresser & in my office. Do grab a bouquet next time you’re at the grocery store!
+ Cleaning supplies that make me happy: I believe it’s so important to find joy even in the simplest of tasks. I love finding cleaning supplies that make me smile & help me to enjoy the work at hand just a little bit more. I love the cheery scents of Mrs. Meyer’s products & receive them monthly at my doorstep from Grove Collaborative, an amazing subscription service that I can’t recommend enough.
Right now through Monday, January 8th, Grove Collaborative is offering a FREE New Year Cleaning Kit to Natalie Creates readers! This bundle features Mrs. Meyer’s Surface Spray, Hand Soap & Hand Lotion along with cleaning sponges all bundled up in their adorable enamel cleaning caddy + free shipping & 60 Day VIP Trial! All you have to do is sign up for Grove Co., spend $20 on your first order & your freebies will be added to your cart. Click here to sign up! You can mix & match scents as you choose – I love lavender during the wintertime.
Grove Collaborative’s easy-peasy service is invaluable for our family & my sanity. It prevents those last minute trips to the grocery store for toilet paper, keeps our family organized, helps us save money & allows us to stay within our budget.
If you’re an existing customer, click here to grab a set of free sponges. If this is your first time, click here to sign up & grab your free cleaning kit! Please note – Grove Collaborative does not currently ship to Hawaii, Alaska or Canada.
+ Diffusing Essential Oils: I have loved diffusing oils in our home this year. I purchased my diffuser from Amazon & have found a variety of essential oil brands I love & diffuse. I know that some are faithful to one specific brand of oils, but I’ve found several I really love. dōTERRA, Young Living, Aura Cacia & Grove Collaborative’s own line of oils are a handful of my favorites. Right now I am diffusing pine & grapefruit, a wonderful winter combination! I also love diffusing peppermint when I’m feeling under the weather & lavender when I am hanging out around the house.
+ Natural Deodorant: I switched to natural deodorant last year & am never going back to the toxic stuff. I tried a whole bunch of brands & landed on a favorite that I love – Schmidt’s Deo stick. It keeps me fresh & their scents are fantastic. My favorite is Rose & Vanilla. I purchase my deodorant from Grove Collaborative, but I’ve seen it at Whole Foods, too!
+ Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus has become a monthly indulgence for me. I buy an inexpensive bundle from Whole Foods & hang it in my shower – a little tip I picked up on Instagram. It smells heavenly & naturally diffuses while you’re enjoying your hot shower. It was especially helpful when I had a cold the week of Christmas.
+ Divvying up chores as a family: We find that it’s necessary within our home to divvy up weekly & daily house chores. We’ve done this since we first got married. On Sunday, Luke cleans the bathroom & sweeps all the floors. I pick up around the house & complete odd jobs. I always cook, washing dishes along the way, and he finishes clean up after we’ve eaten. This definitely helps our home & marriage run smoother. One should never be solely responsible for the cleaning responsibilities within the home – it will surely leave you depleted & exhausted if so.
Here are a handful of changes I’d love to make this year:
+ Purchase more from the bulk bin
+ Make some of my own beauty care products
+ Waste less & bring my own jars/bags to the grocery store to reduce food packaging
What are some changes you have made or hope to make within your own home? I’d love to read your thoughts!
love,
natalie
P.S. Grove Collaborative’s offer is only good until Monday, January 8th, so make sure to grab your FREE cleaning kit full of happy Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning goodies soon! Click here to sign up right now!
As we enter into one of the busiest yet most meaningful seasons of the year, I want to pause & talk honestly about holiday hosting & gifting.
I’ve recently fallen into the trap of comparing my life, home, clothing & more to those perfectly-curated houses, outfits & families you find in droves on Instagram & Pinterest. Surely I’m not the only one.
It’s left me feeling a little less than as I go about my every day. What I used to find joy in – such as wrapping gifts for friends during the holidays – I now compare to “holiday gift wrap ideas” results on Pinterest.
Friends, I’m here to encourage you (& myself!) this season to decorate your home, host your people, wrap your gifts & do what you do imperfectly. Let’s aim for presence over perfection as we host & give generously this holiday!
When you come over for dinner this season, expect to find dog hair on the floor, mismatched cloth napkins & a simple meal most likely from the crockpot. What we lack in Pinterest-y tablescapes & Instagram-worthy dishes, we make up for in meaningful conversation & love.
I’m SO excited to share with you a wonderful company I have used & loved for years & years. Grove Collaborative helps me realize just how easy it is to say, “I can’t do it all! This sister ain’t perfect! I need help!” They make it easy by sending my favorite all-natural home supplies right to my door. The products are cheaper than what I find at the store & it is blissfully convenient.
Grove Collaborative just released their gorgeous red apron for the holidays (which I had monogramed & plan to do the same for gifts for all the gals in my family this Christmas)! Every Natalie Creates reader who signs up as a new Grove Collaborative customer & spends just $20 on their first order will receive a beautiful apron & a bundle of Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning supplies (a $35+ value) for FREE!
Through Monday, November 20th, 2017, you can grab a FREE: Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap (in the scent of your choice!), dish soap (in the scent of your choice!) & countertop spray (in the scent of your choice!) along with the exclusive Grove Co. apron & free shipping + a 60 Day Free VIP Trial with any $20 minimum purchase at Grove!
A limited number of these sets are available so grab yours HERE right away! When you click above, you’ll learn a few facts about Grove. Your cart will then be filled with a few recommended items (which you can totally change to whatever you need or want!). Once you’ve made your selection of goodies, you’ll finish & pay. In just a few short days, you’ll receive your first glorious Grove package with your freebies & purchased goodies inside! Simple, right?!
If there’s anything we can take off our plates this holiday season as we host, decorate & give, it’s the trip to the store to buy toilet paper. Can I get an amen? Let’s all remember, sweet friends. Presence over perfection.
Join me this season in hosting friends & family on a whim, making a comforting meal of crockpot chili, hanging twinkle lights from the dollar bin & saying yes to freebies that make life a little easier!
love,
natalie
P.S. This offer is valid for new Grove Co. customers only, but existing customers can grab a few sponges for free right HERE. Unfortunately, Grove Co. does not currently ship to Canada, Alaska or Hawaii.