“I carry the sun in a golden cup, the moon in a silver bag.” ~William Butler Yeats This hand cream smells citrusy and feels wonderful on chapped, winter hands. Great for moisturizing elbows, knees and feet too! This recipe is from my book, Welcome Home, and is easy to make. Enjoy! ~Tangerine Dream Hand Cream~…
Frugal Bath and Beauty
Essential Oils and Their Qualities
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
“When we send down water upon it, [earth], it quivers and swells, and puts forth herbs of every joyous kind.” ~The Koran For those of you new to my blog, website and facebook page, I am the author of two lifestyle books on home-spa rituals, taking time for yourself, and luxuriating in your own relaxing…
Relaxing Ritual~Iced Sleepytime Vanilla
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
Well…it’s 86 degrees outside! Time to make more iced tea! I love icing tisanes (herbal ‘tea’ infusions) for sipping in the evenings when the temperature gets above 80. One of my favorites…Iced Sleepytime Vanilla by Celestial Seasonings. mmmmmmm….. ice some and see for yourself. It’s all at once relaxing, refreshing and healthy. Enjoy! ~Melissa
Relaxing Ritual~Lavender
by Melissa • • 4 Comments
“Come, sit thee down upon this flowery bed.” Shakespeare’s Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream There is nothing quite like the scent of lavender for relaxation. I have been making lavender linen spray for years, as well as using Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day lavender scented laundry detergent and fabric softener. Recently Jeff and I have…
the spirit of scent ~
by Melissa • • 10 Comments
~ ~ ~ The Spirit of Scent~The Proust Effect ~ ~ ~ From the book “Welcome Home” by Melissa Placzek ~page 96~ “But when from a long-distant past nothing subsists, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered, taste and smell alone, more fragile but more enduring, more immaterial, more persistent,…
Relaxing Rituals
by Melissa • • 2 Comments
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” ~Etty Hillesum Last night, after everyone else was in bed, I lit a candle and played an Edith Piaf CD while I read my new “Food & Wine” magazine and sipped my favorite chamomile lavender tea. (Have…
Frugal Home Spa-Luxurious Summer Mask
by Melissa • • 2 Comments
“I question not if thrushes sing, If roses load the air; Beyond my heart I need not reach When all is summer there.” ~John Vance Cheney I’m walking up to the market to get the ingredients for a little ‘home spa’ indulgence and thought I’d share my shopping list with you in case you’d like…
Frugal Home Spa-Serenity Spritzer Body Spray
by Melissa • • 2 Comments
My friend Tracy treated me to a sweet little bottle of “Relax” aromatherapy spray by a wonderful company out of Waialua Hawaii, called Hawaiian Bath & Body. It smells so great, and it’s a cooling treat for after tanning. You could either order some, or if you have a little time on your hands, you…
Sandbar Footsie Treatment
by Melissa • • 2 Comments
Here’s one of my favorite summertime spa treatments. This one was published in my first book, “Chin Deep in Bubbles” on page 58. An exfoliating, smoothing treatment for your feet: Combine 1/2 cup beach sand (or play sand), 1 Tablespoon sea salt, and 1/2 cup olive oil in a big basin. Put your feet in…
Rose Petal Dream Bath
by Melissa • • 3 Comments
“This is la vie en rose…” ~ Edith Piaf It doesn’t get much easier than this! Just sprinkle fresh rose petals into your bath water before you bathe. Light some candles, sip wine or tea, nibble chocolates, and listen to relaxing music while looking at your favorite magazines. Instant spa! 🙂 Enjoy! ~Melissa