Scent Series: Nag Champa

In this Scent Series I want to tell you about one of my favorite scents used in RitualBath, Nag Champa. I first came in contact with this heady earthy scent from the blue box of incense. Sweet, sensual, and calming all at once this scent is still a favorite.

Origin : India

Scent profile : Frangipani (Plumeria/champa flower) and Sandalwood

Found in RitualBath line Earth, body wash, body bar and body lotion.

RitualBath Earth Body Wash

Sugar Scrub Midnight Treat

Autumn at last

We are loving the seasons change, cool weather, sweaters, hot tea all make me cozy and happy.
Festivals, outside more than in, I really love this season.

Amber and the scent

Amber I love it, I have had jewelry with amber in it since my teen years and my first explorations
into personal scents were amber based. It is something I have been drawn to on a primal level
that I cannot explain. Whatever it is I love my amber, I hope you do too.

Me working on a teething necklace

Affirmations

My RitualBath products are designed around my desire for a more natural bathing experience and my love of affirmations. What are affirmations some might ask, they are positive self affirming statements spoken aloud, whispered or written with the goal of bettering our internal monologue. They were first introduced by French psychologist Emile Coué in the 20's and have been going strong in the self help realm for decades.

Do they work?

In an article from Psychology Today they discuss recent research into this practice. Some believers in affirmations claim that when put to conscious use they strengthen the chemical pathways in the brain. Making it more likely to transmit the same message again. New research from Carnegie Mellon was also discussed, it showed the first evidence that positive affirmations can protect against the damaging effects of stress. So the research points to yes they have a beneficial response to the brain, though it also found that statements too far from the individual's truth seemed to have an opposite effect.

"And gosh darn it people like me"

I have often used positive affirmations in my daily life from the calming "there is enough time" when I think I'm running late, to common "this too shall pass" when things get tops turvy. I find for me day to day the shorter the better. My first RitualBath affirmation is from the Balance line and it is still my favorite "I am a strong unique, creative individual and I can excel at whatever life has in store for me".
What affirmations do you tell yourself? The negative ones will always be there just imagine them as little clouds that float in and out of your mind's horizon and let them float away as you repeat your positive affirmations.

Sending a little light your way,

Back to School

Goddess series

We are back in the classroom. Public School is working for us for that I am very thankful, there was a time I thought I could homeschool our oldest, but she is loving her school and classroom. For those of you who will also be going back to school or education in any way here is a little visage of Minerva.

Kelly Morgan Jewlery

She is the Goddess of wisdom, education, arts and sciences. Similar to Goddess Athena.

There is another artist who has some gorgeous work of Minerva here, I love her illustrative style! 

Lynnette Shelley

 May you soar to new heights this year under her wing.

Love and light,

Face mask over the pond

My face mask was featured a few weeks ago with lots of other lovely masks and beauty products.

July 18 Face Mask Feature

We were on vacation at the time and I didn't get to post about it (the vacation was lovely, we got to spend time with some of our close friends who moved away and the oldest daughter got to play with the Savannah cats ((video off you tube not from my family, but so cute!)))

Thank you for featuring my beloved Balance Face mask PVB online!

Bright Blessings,

Head Bather

Natures juice box

"Kiddos morning juice"

 

My Granddaddy had orange groves, this is how he used to prepare juice for us kids

• Chill navel oranges (you need the thick flesh)
• Using a pairing knife (or a clean pocket knife like he did) peel off the first layer (zest) so the white pith layer is visible but not the juicy membrane.
• Core out a drinking hole in the center where the stem comes out of.
• Give it a squeeze and drink up the natural goodness.

 

 

Our first summer break and no plans

Summer 2013
Originally uploaded by ritualbath

We are rounding out our first month of a true summer break in our house. Oh, we have an active playgroup for fun in the sun and I have the kiddo doing chores and educational things but I've been keeping it a little loose. Mostly because that's what a break is, light on plans, heavy on recharging.

Fun things we've done so far
Build a fairy house or wild animal feeder, everyone has to eat and sometimes it's nice to share.

Dye white flowers, biology we are what we eat (mums didn't seem to work very well and the second after you cut it stick it in the water, I saw a difference in the flowers that I cut then set on the counter waiting to go in the dye water).

Get bored, let them get to the "I'm bored" point and don't fix it for them. This is not to be mean or a reminder of how much you do for them but a chance for their minds to explore, come up with ideas and problem solve. Sometimes life isn't planned.

Clearing

"But I'm not a good writer" I said, to which he replied "yes, you are but fine if you want to think that of yourself"

Our negative inner dialogue is strong, it takes daily practice to work against it sometimes. Like when I haven't slept well or taken my vitamins.

We are really our own worst critics, so today lets get out of our own way. Write, paint, sing, dance, cold call that opportunity, or just let your self sit still and breath in all your accomplishments large and small.

 

Head Bather