Flowers, Crystals, Cupcakes and the Super Moon (A Few Pics for You)

Hello dear scent lovers and natural beauties. I hope you’re doing well on the slippery slope to the end of the year. Here’s an easy post to read – mostly pics from the past month of my life.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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The flowers of eucalypts and native Australian trees are so divine!

pretty gumnut flowers in Sydney

pretty gumnut flowers in Sydney

 

 

Crystals bathed in sea salt waiting in the rain for the super moon

crystals waiting the charge of the moon

crystals waiting the charge of the moon

 

 

The clouds covered the luminous moon, evaporating, finally letting us have a peak!

Super moon over urban Sydney

Super moon over urban Sydney

 

 

Vegan, Persian love cupcakes, where the heroes are pistachio and rosewater – from That Vegan Lady

Persian Love cupcakes with rose water

Persian Love cupcakes with rose water

 

 

And some flowering scented deliciousness from Thai basil at the local market

 

flowering Thai basil

flowering Thai basil

 

I hope you’ve had a great week. Have you taken any good pics? DO you have an Instagram account? If so leave your account name in the comments.

Follow me on Instagram here  @banksbotanicals

 

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copyright 2016

 

 

The Gardenias Are Out! And a Few Perfume Recipes Too

Video

I’m so happy its getting warmer and the heady, intoxicating scent of gardenias is everywhere. So fragile, so pretty and oh what a scent! And the good news is you can buy gardenia absolute – it’s more expensive like the other floral extractions of rose, jasmine and neroli – but worth every scent (get it? cent/scent). What can you do with gardenia absolute?

 

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

the beautiful gardenia

the beautiful gardenia

 

Because this floral scent is so special and so unique, you don’t need to mix it up too much. You could treat it in the way you use jasmine oil, as it has an exotic white floral scent indicative of summer evenings somewhere delightful.

Here a a couple of recipes you try with this precious oil, and my general rules for making an anointing perfume:

 

Pure Pulse Point Perfume

In a little dish mix these oils and anoint your pulse points or chakras – 3 drops of essential oils and dilute with a few drops of carrier oil – always patch test first!

 

The classic Duralex glass dish is handy to make oil blends and quick perfumes in

The classic Duralex glass dish is handy to make oil blends and quick perfumes in

 

“An Evening by the River”

gardenia absolute             1 drop

cedarwood Atlas               1 drop

palmarosa                         1 drop


 

” Being”

gardenia absolute             2 drops

bergamot                         1 drop


 

 

 

“La Verite”

gardenia absolute             1 drop

jasmine absolute               1 drop

orange                               1 drop


 

 

“Tropicana”

gardenia absolute             1 drop

lime                                  1 drop

ginger                               1 drop

mixed into some coconut oil


 

“Femme Fatale”

gardenia absolute             2 drops

sandalwood Mysore         1 drop


Billie Holliday with gardenias in her hair

Billie Holliday with gardenias in her hair

 

“Holiday: Madonna vs Billie”

gardenia absolute            1 drop

peru balsam                     1 drop

patchouli                         1 drop


 

Have you ever used gardenia absolute? I’d love to hear from you!

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copyright 2016

 

 

Essential Oils in Pregnancy and Childbirth – Video

Video

Hello natural beauties everywhere. I did the live Q & A with The Mothership International on Facebook last Friday (November 11 2016). It was challenging as no one asked a question – I’m glad I prepared some notes. So I talked to the reflection of myself for about an hour and you can check it out here today. It was good to do something I haven’t done before, to challenge myself and create new brain synapses by learning something new.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

 

lone flower

jasmine is great preparing for childbirth and in labour too

 

 

My Chat (with myself)

I generally talked about:

* taking the toxic chemicals out of your life

* the facts about essential oils in pregnancy

* the myths – if any?

* using your intuition

* seeking advice

* making aromatherapy easy

And in relation to pregnancy and childbirth (and perhaps more specifically):

* 1st trimester

* 2nd trimester

* 3rd trimester

* preparing for birth

* at the birth

* after the birth

I hope you gain some insight from this talk and please pass it on to anyone you know who may be interested.

Did you use essential oils through your pregnancy?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copyright 2016

 

Essential Oils in Pregnancy and Childbirth – Standby for a Live Q and A

Video

Hello natural beauties everywhere. I am doing a live Q & A with The Mothership International on Facebook, this Friday (November 11 2016), 10am local Sydney time. If you can’t pop in because of the time difference the video will remain on the Mothership Facebook page.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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As I prepare for this live chat I realise I haven’t written very much on this topic so I’ll try and follow up with some recipes and articles in the next couple of months.

Go to the Facebook page here: The Mothership International

Here’s a quick look at a quick tech run I did today so I could work out what was going on. Hopefully it will be much better on the day with some real people asking questions!

I’l do my best to limit the um and ahs …….. It’s actually quite difficult speaking live without a lot of direction.

 

Wish me luck!

Is there anything you’d like to know about essential oils in pregnancy? Ask me on Friday or leave a question here. 

copyright 2016

 

10 Vapouriser Essential Oil Recipes for Exhaustion

Hi natural beauties and scent lovers everywhere, I’ve been wondering what to write about this week as I’ve felt so tired. Exhausted actually. So I realised I needed a boost of essential oils, and the easiest and best way to do it is to add the oils to a diffuser. A minimum amount of energy is required to throw a few oils into a diffuser and turn it on. Check out these recipes and oils:

 

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

Flowerin rosemary in a client's garden

 

Oils Generally Great for Tiredness, Lack-lustre Energy and Exhaustion

Lemongrass

Black pepper

Rosemary

Cypress

Lemon

Basil

Pine

Cinnamon

Ginger

Wintergreen

Eucalyptus

 


 

Puzhen diffuser from the 5 senses series - puzhen.com

Puzhen diffuser from the 5 senses series – puzhen.com

 

Scent Your Space

In a traditional oil burner with a candle, or a diffuser, add up to 25 drops of oil

 

“Cant. Get. Off. The. Couch”

Lemongrass       8

Geranium           8

Orange              8


 

“A Better Deeper Sleeper”

Lavender                          6

Marjoram                         6

Lemon                             8

Australian sandalwood    5


Lavandula stoechas, my own pic thanks yes it is wonderful

Lavandula stoechas, my own pic thanks yes it is wonderful

 

“Exercise Mantra”

Rosemary                    6

Ginger                         6

Mandarin                     9

Cedarwood Virginian   4


 

“Mind Blast”

Basil                   6

Juniper               6

Cypress              6

Peru Balsam      6


 

“Inspiration”

Pine                   5

Black Spruce      5

Patchouli            5

Lemon              10


Fresh clean inspiring pine

Fresh clean inspiring pine

 

“Warm Up Get Up”

Black pepper               10

Lime                             8

Himalayan cedarwood   7


 

“Sweet Talkin Myself”

Cinnamon              8

Rose geranium       6

Blood orange         6

Wintergreen          3


cinnamon - my own pic

cinnamon – my own pic

 

“Clarity”

Eucalyptus               8

Petitgrain                 8

Cedarwood Atlas      5

Nutmeg                    4


 

“Spice Up Your Life”

Cinnamon            6

Black Pepper       6

Palmarosa           6

Bergamot            6


 

“Crank It!”

Pine                8

Orange           8

Eucalyptus     4

Cypress         4


black pepper

black pepper

 

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

Check out my YouTube channel too, thanks.

copyright 2016

Pics from the Botanical Perfume Expo in Sydney

Hi natural beauties! Here are a few pics from our event on Sunday that saw four Australian botanical perfumers come together to show our wares, and talk to natural scent lovers and perfume enthusiasts. I was so busy all day I only managed a few pics and here they are:

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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My friends Kath and Portia with their smiles and gift bags. Portia has been a great support to me personally and to the expo. He wrangles quite a few writers on his blog Australian Perfume Junkies which is not only informative, but there are always lots of giveaways too. Hop over and check it out!

Friends and happy perfumistas

Friends and happy perfumistas

 

Me at my stand

Me at my stand

Me at my stand

 

A dandy visitor from 18th century England, Lord Fop, with roses on the Aromatique Essentials stand

Lord Fop with roses

Lord Fop with roses

 

 

Chocolate brownies for all our guests!

Kitchen Green GF chocolate brownies

Kitchen Green GF chocolate brownies

 

Pearl Purfumery

Pearl Perfumery's lovely decorative testers

Pearl Perfumery’s lovely decorative testers

 

 

Temp L Dor

Temp L Dor

Temp L Dor’s gorgeous rustic styling 

 

 

bliss – one of my perfumes – a rose perfume with ylang ylang and patchouli (sorry online shop isn’t ready yet)

bliss - one of my perfumes

bliss – one of my perfumes

 

 

Rebekah, one of our beautiful volunteers, we couldn’t have done it without all of and your wonderful energy, thanks!

Rebekah serving tea

Rebekah serving tea

 

It was a fun day made especially lovely by everyone who came to visit us!

Thanks

copyright 2016

 

Free Stuff! Spirituality, Personal Development and More!

Hey lovely people! For the past few years I’ve been involved in a project that brings spiritual entrepreneurs, and the like, together to offer free gifts and to support each other. There are ebooks, meditations, audio trainings, video trainings, programs, memberships and so much more. It is also geared towards people in this line of work, and life purpose, but anyone can take advantage of the giveaways. Here are the details:

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

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gifts!

gifts!

 

You will be able to have access to great resources to help you in your personal quests and in your desires to help others.

Yes you will be required to register your email address to become a member.

Members have access to all the gifts.

You will be shown offers that do cost money, but that are not compulsory.

Maybe you’ll even sign up next year as a contributor and offer something wonderful you have created?

Click the link to be taken to Your Divine Biz Gifts

 

Flowering tarragon

Flowering tarragon

 

Have fun! Let me know what you find.

copyright 2016

 

Wild Australian Bush Flowers in the Springtime

On a visit to my parents a couple of weeks ago I snapped these little beauties in the bush next to their house. I hope you enjoy these colourful delights, however, I must admit I don’t know all the botanical names! Argh! I”l have to become a botanist I think …..

 

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

 

Bush iris or native iris, Patersonia occidentalis

Bush iris or native iris,
Patersonia occidentalis

 

Egg and bacon plant, Pultenaea villosa Willd.

Egg and bacon plant, Pultenaea villosa Willd.

 

Waratah, Telopea speciosissima

Waratah, Telopea speciosissima

 

wild freesia , Freesia alba x Freesia leichtlinii

wild freesia , Freesia alba x Freesia leichtlinii

 

I have no idea what this sweet little flower is

I have no idea what this sweet little flower is

 

wattle, genus Acacia but I'm not sure what species this is

wattle, genus Acacia but I’m not sure what species this is

 

 

borania, genus name Boronia but I'm not sure which one this is

boronia, genus name Boronia but I’m not sure which one this is

grevillea, genus name Grevillea but I'm not sure what species

grevillea, genus name Grevillea but I’m not sure what species

 

protect our natural habitat

protect our natural habitat!

 

Thanks for enjoying this lovely Sydney springtime bush walk with me xoxo

copyright 2016

Spotlight on banks botanicals ~ Botanical Perfumes by Suzanne R Banks

Hi scent lovers! In this mini-series I am featuring the perfumers who will exhibiting at the inaugural boutique event – the Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo on October 23rd in Sydney. Lets follow on from Aromatique Essentials to me! Yay! banks botanicals by Suzanne R Banks.

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Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

me

me

 

Who are you?                                    Suzanne R Banks    

What’s your business name?           banks botanicals

What’s your website?                       www.suzannerbanks.com.au (shop not ready yet)

What is your first scent memory?    a little violet perfume bottle called Devon Violets

What is your favourite botanical ingredient (right now)?      organic rose otto

 

my little cuties

my little cuties

 

How do you hope your fragrances will make your customers feel?  

Overcome with scented delight, connecting them to the fundamental patterns of the universe, feeling completely at one with the world.

 

Why are botanical ingredients more luxurious than synthetics?

Botanicals extracts including essential oils, absolutes and CO2 extractions have been created by nature, and hold the secrets of the universe within their molecules. They are individually complex as many molecules make up a drop of essential oil. They are warm and rich whereas synthetics are cold and thin. We can improve our senses when using essential oils, improve our intuition and ultimately connect to our purpose in life. They are our scented holistic support system provide by mother nature.

 

What is your “go-to” scent in nature to make you smile?    Murraya

 

How do you apply fragrance?   

I always apply my perfume to the inside of my arms and my hair. I apply small amounts frequently as I am using the perfume to help my state of mind and emotions. I sometimes use a makeup pad with perfume in my bag or in my bra if I’m going to a party – when people hug you – you get a burst of joy! The scent is always about YOU, not THEM.

 

my logo - I've used this mandala for nearly 15 years

my logo – I’ve used this mandala for nearly 15 years

 

How is your business (and your perfumes) different?

My business is me and I know that when I create perfumes, oils blends and other products, I am infusing myself into them. I love using organic where possible although this can make some perfumes very expensive…. but hey,  I want to acknowledge and respect the plant, the farmer and the earth when using organics because it is part of my ethos. I also only use oil bases in my perfumes and never use alcohol because it’s a solvent and breaks down the integrity of the scent. I’m all about softness and warmth in my scents.

 

What is your favourite scent to gift to your friends?

I almost always make a bespoke scent for my friends – considering where they are at and what they like. I always create a a great name for their scent too.

 

What is an unusual way you scent your home? 

I love to put essential oils in cleaning water and often use fresh scented flowers too. It’s the simple things that are wonderful, and let’s face it, you only need to cook something delicious and it scents your space immediately!

 

Have you always loved scent? (WILD QUESTION)

Yes I have. From that little bottle of Devon Violets, to my grandmother’s gifts of 4711, to the classics of french perfumery, I learned to love perfume. When I was a teenager I bought a bottle of lavender oil and thought I was very progressive. My scent tastes are more refined as I have completely moved away from synthetics  – but I credit all my early experiences as making me the aromatherapist and perfumer I am today.

 

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Revelation! Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

 

Come to  the Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo on October 23rd in Sydney and experience banks botanicals by Suzanne R Banks. I’m looking forward to meeting you.

copyright 2016

Spotlight on Aromatique Essentials ~ Botanical Perfumes by Julie Nelson

Hi scent lovers! In this mini-series I am featuring the perfumers who will exhibiting at the inaugural boutique event – the Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo on October 23rd in Sydney. Lets follow on from Pearl Perfumery to Aromatique Essentials ~ Botanical Perfumes by Julie Nelson.

 

*************************************************************************************************************

Please check out my new book REVELATION! – Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils

Barnes & Noble      Booktopia AU      Amazon UK

and many other stores worldwide as an ebook and paperback

**************************************************************************************************************

Julie Nelson from Aromatique Essentials

Julie Nelson from Aromatique Essentials

 

Who are you?                                    Julie Nelson   

What’s your business name?          Aromatique Essentials

What’s your website?                       aromatiqueessentials.com.au

What is your first scent memory?   Mum’s Christmas pudding mix and fresh cut grass

What is your favourite botanical ingredient (right now)?     Tiare absolute

 

A gorgeous botanical logo

A gorgeous botanical logo

 

How do you hope your fragrances will make your customers feel?  

To feel beautiful, connected to self and like they can conquer challenges!

 

Why are botanical ingredients more luxurious than synthetics?

I have worked with botanicals for so long now,  for me they capture the essence of ones soul, they are complex and a beautiful scent within themselves.

 

What is your “go-to” scent in nature to make you smile?

I don’t have one, I have many…I love heady floral scents with spice! Jasmine for its divine feminine essence.

 

How do you apply fragrance?   

Using a spray I like to spray it above me and let it fall over me, on my heart area and back of neck. Anointing perfume on my heart, throat and shoulders.

 

Julie's lovely work desk

Julie’s lovely work desk

 

How is your business (and your perfumes) different?

I am essentially and educator and natural health and wellbeing consultant, using the power of perfume to strengthen the mindset, improve moods and emotions. My focus is signature perfumes which means that a client’s perfume is the essence of their being – in a bottle. It is their personality, their intentions and desires wrapped up in one.

 

What is your favourite scent to gift to your friends?

I create signature perfumes for them, nothing can compare! I love to give a perfume from one of my collections when I feel that is what they may need at that time

 

What is an unusual way you scent your home? 

I’m not sure about unusual but I use room sprays, fragrant flowers and beautiful Japanese incense.

 

What inspired you to work with natural botanicals? (WILD QUESTION)

Having my beautiful daughter who was born with two life threatening conditions, she was my driving force in discovering the power of essential oils and botanical extracts and how they can support us on all levels emotionally, psychologically and physiologically.

 

Aromatique

Aromatique

 

Come to  the Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo on October 23rd in Sydney and experience Aromatique Essentials. We’re all looking forward to meeting you.

copyright 2016