Salty Soak

I've been getting more into mixing up my own products at home. I've been making and using this AMAZING coffee grounds scrub for the shower for a couple months now (I'll post about it soon!) but thought I'd share this super basic, easy, and adaptable epson salt bath salt 'recipe' first. Dipping the toe in (ha!). 

Materials Needed:

• Jar (I got these on sale at JoAnn's)
• Epson Salt (there's a giant bag available on Amazon)
• Essential oil(s) of your choice (I used the stress relief scent from this set)
• Flowers/leaves/herbs/buds (of your choice)

I measured out a cup of the epson salt and put them in the bowl. I decided, since I'd neglected my basil and let it bolt, I'd cut off some of those flowers to use in my salts. I thought they would add a fantastic basil smell and whatever goodness comes from basil plants. All plants have some goodness right?! I trimmed the tops of my thai, purple, and sweet basil plants. 

Above are the stems with flowers, below are the stems de-flowered (if you will).

The thai and purple basil flowers are purple and the sweet basil flowers are white. 

After picking the flowers off the stems I threw them into my cup of salt and added 10 drops of the essential oil and gave it all a good stir before putting it into my jar. So pretty! 

Here's the final product!

I just used some the other day, the scent really opens up when you drop it in water. It smells absolutely amazing and feels luxurious. I see many spa days in my future. Pro tip: I put about a 1/4 in a tub to soak my feet. I fill up half of the tub with boiling water, pouring it onto the salt to help it dissolve quickly and to open up the scent. I then top it off with room temperature water, resulting in a perfectly hot tub of salts ready to use. If you want to go for the full bath, pour a full cup into the tub and fill with warm water. 

These are great for personal use and would make awesome gifts too! You could use any number of scents or herbs to make unique or personal scents. Go on and get your relax on. 

Straight Coastin'

I made some coasters out of rope. RE: thinks we have too many coasters but I say, not possible! They are great, and pretty straightforward to make. I started these while watching TV because I had rope and thread lying nearby and I compulsively make things. Now I have a set of six and I love them! 

Materials Needed:

• Rope (I used this cotton rope)
• Embroidery thread (color(s) of your choice, here is an option)
• Needle
• Scissors
• Felt (for the bottom, whatever color you like)

My embroidery thread comes with six strands, I used only three which means I separated the thread into two. 

After separating the thread, I threaded the needle with the three threads and got started. To begin, you coil the rope up and stick the needle through the center of the rope, through the entire coil. This starts the base of the coaster. 

Then, continue to coil the rope around while wrapping the embroidery thread around the new rope and the closest existing coil. 

I ended up making these 3 3/4 inches because it seemed like a good size when I put my glass on top of it. You can make them bigger or smaller based on your preference. Here is the finished coil.

I debated making a set of one color but settled on a multi-colored set. You could do your favorite team colors, all one color, whatever you like. After finishing off the coasters, I cut six circles in the grey felt and sewed them onto the bottom of the coaster. Here is the set.

There are so many variations you could do using colored rope, dying natural rope, using different kinds or colors of thread. The possibilities are endless! I also like these because you could wash them if they end up dirty. 

What colors would you choose?