my essential oil journey

I've been using essential oils for a couple months now so I wanted to give you guys a little update on how I'm liking them and using them! I was an optimistic skeptic when I got my starter kit. I had heard tons of wonderful testimonials from lots of people and it seemed like the perfect next step in my journey towards more natural living. I was a little worried that I wouldn't have much of an opportunity to use them, since I don't have a lot of recurring or chronic health problems I could use the oils for. I've started to realize, though, that even though I'm a relatively healthy human, there were more than enough things that I could use the oils for! 

I chose to go with Young Living essential oils after a bit of research.  I'd decided that I didn't want to use the cheaper oils I could find at health food stores, simply because I'd read too much about impurities and lower grade oils not being recommended for topical use.  After learning about Young Living's process of making their oils, which starts with owning all the farms that grow their plants, owning & running the distilleries that distill the oils, and the testing they do to ensure that each batch of oils is pure and up to snuff, I decided I felt comfortable going with them.  They're more expensive than health food store oils, but in my mind you get what you pay for.  And I'm pretty stoked about what I paid for, haha.

Since I wanted to really dive into essential oils rather than just sticking my toe in, I decided to get their Premium Starter Kit.  It comes with 11 super practical oils and a home diffuser.  The diffuser and oil pack together would be $261 at the full retail price, but the starter kit is only $150, so it seemed like a good deal for someone looking to get started learning about oils and using them.  Another sweet thing about getting the kit was that I got to become a Young Living member, which means I get 24% off the retail prices of any oils (sorta like being a Costco member)!

My first opportunity for using them came with some gnarly chapped lips.  The weather was cold and dry and they were cracking and splitting like whoa.  My little essential oils lightbulb went off and I searched what would be good for chapped lips.  Lavender was recommended so I slathered some Lavender on there with a carrier oil (I think I used olive oil or avocado oil).  Instantly the pain was relieved from the cracks, and by the next morning my lips were so smooth and happy you never would've known they were gross the day before.  

I was impressed, but still skeptical.  Chapped lips was a minor league problem.  I really wanted to see if they would help with something bigger.  My opportunity came in the form of a yeast infection (oh yay).  I'd used some natural remedies before (Garlic cloves work wonders, people), but I wanted to see if the oils would work.  Again, I searched for testimonials and found quite a few.  I soaked a tampon in coconut oil with 25 drops each of Purification and Thieves (two of Young Living's essential oil blends), and used it overnight.  The next morning I felt pretty great, and had no symptoms all day, but by evening the itch returned, so I did the same thing again overnight.  By morning: Boom.  Gone.  I told the goopy Monistat in my medicine cabinet that it could get comfortable and plan on expiring.

My other big test came after I chomped down on the inside of my cheek.  Whenever I do that, it almost always turns into a really bad canker sore, to the point of not being able to eat properly sometimes.  So I searched oil remedies and found that Thieves was a popular oil to nip that in the bud.  I put a drop of Thieves on my finger and held it against the spot inside my mouth for about 30 seconds, twice a day for two days.  By the third day it was nearly healed up completely and it never turned into a canker sore.  Huzzah!

There have been plenty of other smaller things I've loved using them for.  Peppermint for headaches,  Panaway for achey muscles (I just started Insanity again last night so I'm probably gonna have to bathe in Panaway tomorrow), Cedarwood and Valor for insomnia, Purification for blemishes.  I haven't taken any drugs since getting my kit.  So exciting!

I think I must be a rambler because all my videos are over 10 minutes long.  Anyway, I made a "little" video showing how I use the oils aromatically, topically, and internally.  The highlight is Dusty's cameo, obviously.
Since I'm pretty stoked on the oils I wanted to share them with you guys.  I think the Premium Starter Kit is a really great way to get into the oils.  It's $150 (plus shipping + tax), so I thought it'd be fun to sweeten the deal and throw in an extra oil for anyone who gets the Premium Starter Kit this month!  If you want to get the kit, sign up here, and I'll order a 15ml bottle of Lemongrass for you and send it to you!*  Lemongrass is great for reducing inflammation and it's one of the oils that people frequently order after getting the kit since it's not included.  
*Must order here and sign up as a member to get the Premium Starter Kit (the starter kit isn't available if you sign up as a customer).  This is only for those who get the kit during the month of April.  Make sure you click the Premium Starter Kit with the diffuser as there are a couple starter kits and not all of them come with the diffuser, so double check to make sure you picked the right one.  Once you order the kit, shoot me an email with your name and shipping address so I can get your Lemongrass to you!
// Full disclosure: Similar to other affiliate links on Delightfully Tacky, I make commission off of Young Living sales that are made through my link.  That being said, I truly love the oils and I'm stoked that I can share my love for them with you guys.  If I didn't like them I absolutely would not recommend you guys buy them, but I've been so pleasantly surprised by my experience with them!  If you guys are on the fence or just have more questions about oils before jumping in, email me!  Seriously.  I'm happy to answer any questions you have, I definitely had tons of questions for my oil loving friends who guided me when I first started using them. 
I am required by law in the USA to state, “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” If you are under the care of a physician or taking prescription medications, please inform your doctor before using essential oils. If you are pregnant or nursing be sure to check with your physician before using essential oils. Keep essential oils out of the reach of children.//

BACK TO BASICS // black tee three

This outfit feels very "2010 me."  I wore this skirt all the time in 2010, and the scarf used to be one of my go-to accessories.  I'm not sure if it's quite warm enough for bare legs yet, but it's definitely too warm for tights anymore.  Well, some days, at least.  I can't wait until the evenings are warm and the sun is up till 9pm.  Walks with Dusty during the winter were very much an obligation, as I had no desire to be out in the cold for any length of time, but I've started making our walks linger on as I enjoy the colors of sunset, getting the last warmth out of the day.  There's a house near ours that has ducks and chickens and I love taking Dusty over there to visit her creature friends.  I was thinking about getting chickens or ducks this year, but I think I might wait until next year, or maybe just a couple months so I can devote the time to building a coop and caring for them properly.  I think Dusty would love having some little fowl friends to herd, eh?  

 

top(similar) + skirt(similar) +cardigan + scarf/thrifted :: shoes/minnetonka glasses/courtesy of bonlook :: photos by Dan
The nice thing about a basic black tee is that it's plain enough to pair with some more bold pieces.  I almost forget that I'm wearing a basic tee with this outfit because the rest of it is so much more eclectic and bright.  I've always been drawn to prints instead of solids, but solids are nice to have to set off those louder pieces (even if I tend to want to pair loud pieces with other loud pieces...).  I think I'm getting better at balancing loud pieces with quiet pieces.  Not to say that one way or the other is better.  So many people get stuck on making rules about what's "tasteful" or "chic" and dissing any styles that don't fit into those sophisticated style categories.  But to hell with that.  2010 me liked outfits that were loud and crazy as hell, and that's totally fine.  2014 me likes more mellow outfits and that's fine too.  I don't like to think of one version of my style as better than the other.  Sure I'm growing in my style, but the seed form of a plant isn't any less important than the fully bloomed version.  Without the seed, no flower would even exist and in that way the seed is almost more beautiful. Within the tiny seed is packed everything it needs to grow.  Maybe it'll be a little marigold, maybe it'll be a six foot tall sunflower.  It might even end up as a 200 foot tall cedar.  And in the end some people might find sunflowers more beautiful than cedars anyway.  I think it's a waste of time to feel embarrassed about past style choices.  It would be so ridiculous for a flower to be embarrassed that it used to be a seed.  

BACK TO BASICS // black tee two

I like to call this type of outfit "casual fancy."  It's something that I feel like works well for everyday stuff, like going to a coffee shop, lounging around, going to class.  It's comfortable enough for regular day to day stuff, but you could definitely wear it out with girlfriends or on a date.  I feel like this challenge is actually helping me breathe new life into items I like but haven't been inspired to wear in some time.  This skirt is a favorite, but I've only worn it a couple times about a year ago.  It's funny how something as basic as a black tee can be inspiration to wear things that you haven't worn in while.  
Even though I was forced inside by rain for these photos, spring is definitely here.  My first year in Tacoma the winter and spring were awful and by the time they were over I was so ready to move back to Alaska.  Thankfully the past two springs have been much more gentle with some sunny interludes between the grey, rainy stretches.  I need to plant my seeds and get my starters going indoors so I'll be able to plant my garden next month!  I also need to build some more beds, I really want to expand my garden this year.  I made wooden ones out of 2x6's last year, but I found these beautiful corrugated metal raised beds from Oh Dear Drea and I'm totally smitten with them.  What are you guys most excited for with spring's arrival?


tee (similar)/thrifted :: skirt (similar)/courtesy of tailor and stylist :: necklace/moorea seal hat/the north face

BACK TO BASICS // black tee one

The last few months have turned me into a lazy bones in terms of putting on clothes.  Since I spend a lot of time at home I lost the feeling of wanting to get dressed, instead opting for throwing on a pair of leggings crumpled up next to the bed and spending the day working on the computer never to see the general public.  Now that I feel spring coming, I sort of want to shift gears and get back into the habit of putting on outfits and maybe even leaving the house.  I thought I'd force myself into this by starting a series.  I love being forced to be creative, like with my remixology posts, so for this month long challenge I'm going to try to work with just the basics.  Five outfits styled around a basic black tee, five around skinny jeans, five around a black dress, and for the last week I want you guys to let me know what basic wardrobe item you'd like to see styled into 5 outfits!
I've never been good at "basics."  I've always gone straight for the wacky stuff, or the more bold items.  I'm sure basics mean different things to different people, too.  For someone who works in an office, maybe slacks, a dress shirt, and a pencil skirt are great basics.  For a student, jeans, a floral dress, and fun tee might be staples.  This is partly why I couldn't decide on a fourth basic item to style.  I thought maybe a floral dress, maybe a chambray button down shirt, maybe a neutral sweater?  But I figured I'd throw it out to you guys, since I also want this series to be something that is interesting and helpful for you guys!
For this first black tee outfit, I fancied things up a bit by adding a cute floral blazer and statement necklace.  I'm not an expert on work-wear, especially in an office setting, but this outfit reminded me of a business-casual type of look for creative work environments.  I haven't worn this blazer in over a year, but after wearing it once I'm starting to get a few ideas for future outfits!  I love how something can sit in my closet for a while, unworn, and then catch my eye and become inspiring again.
  tee (similar)/thrifted :: blazer (similar + similar) + jeans/courtesy of modcloth boots/lulu e bebe :: necklace/courtesy of noonday collection :: photos by Dan

diy yoga mat cleaner

I've been wanting to make my own yoga mat cleaner for quite a while, but even more so lately as my mat has been showing a little wear and I figured it needed some love.  The mat cleaner at my yoga studio doesn't smell very good, so I wanted my own which had a pleasant aroma instead of smelling like chemicals.  I looked around at a few yoga mat cleaner recipes and I liked that some had witch hazel instead of white vinegar.  Vinegar is great, but I am not a fan of the smell.  Witch hazel actually is pretty nostalgic for me because I used to use it when cleaning my horse's legs, so I went with witch hazel (though you can definitely use vinegar if you have that on hand and don't want to bother going to the store!).

The cool thing about this recipe is that it uses essential oils!  In doing research for figuring out what recipe I wanted to make, I saw that many included essential oils, which got me instantly excited.  I'm continually blown away by how many uses they have.  When picking essential oils for this recipe, I'd definitely recommend choosing ones that have antibacterial effects, as they'll help keep the nasties off your mat.  Of course, you'll also want oils that smell good so figure out what kind of blend works well for you.  I decided to go with one of Young Living's blends specifically designed to fight bacteria and eliminate yucky odors: Purification.  It's also one of my favorite smelling oils.  I feel like it smells like delicious ginger and citrus, despite having neither ginger or citrus essential oils in it at all!  It has Citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), lavandin, and myrtle.  A perfect mix for using in yoga mat cleaner!

Another use that I've found for this spray is helping with my stinky climbing shoes!  Climbing shoes are notoriously smelly, and I haven't found that lysol type sprays help too much.  Purification is supposed to be a great essential oil blend to help remove icky smells, so I've been using this spray in my climbing shoes after climbing sessions as well.  Multi-use, anti stink, bacteria fighting spray?  Boom.

(recipe inspired by free people + made + remade)
Ingredients:

Essential Oils

Witch Hazel (or white vinegar)

Water

Spray Bottle (I wanted my spray bottle to be glass, since some essential oils, especially citrus ones, can start to degrade plastic if left for too long.  I found mine at a local health food store.)

1. Fill bottle 3/4 full with water. If you want a stronger cleaner use a bit less water and a bit more witch hazel

2. Fill remaining 1/4 with witch hazel (you're only putting a few drops of essential oil in, so just make sure you leave room for a couple drops)

3. Add essential oils. I'd start with two drops and then go up from there. You can always add more, but it's a bit harder to dilute them once you've already filled your bottle! If you're using a few different ones play around with which scents you really like mixed together!

Spritz liberally on one side, wipe it down well, flip and repeat! Hang your mat to dry for like 10 

minutes and you're done!