Lavender for Summer AND Winter Skin

Video

Hello natural beauties I hope you’re all faring well after the New Year. I’m so grateful I’ve been having lots of lovely beach time this summer, which also means I have tan, and have been exposed to lots of UV rays. Lavender is the perfect essential oil to cool summer skin, but even if you’re in the dead of winter, it’s perfect for you too! Read on to find out how this amazing oil of oils can help you now ….

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Please check out my 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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A post shared by Suzanne R Banks (@banksbotanicals)

SUMMER

Lavender has always been used to treat burns as its high linalool and linalyl acetate content helps soothe hot skin.
Used as a calming oil you can see how this relates to stress, sleep, healing skin and soothing skin too.
Mix a few drops of lavender oil into some natural aloe vera gel for the perfect after-sun treatment (although it can be a bit sticky)
Add a few drops of this amazing oil into your favourite body or face moisturiser to help soothe and repair sun damaged skin
Have a luke warm bath with some coconut milk and 4 drops of lavender
Make a body oil blend with lavender and your favourite cold pressed oil using this ratio:

lovely lavender in my neighbour's planter box out the frot

lovely lavender in my neighbour’s planter box out the front

Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. It’s always best to patch test first, before you apply all over.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

“After Sun Special”

Lavender 4 drops

Peppermint 2 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

I took this pic in Mexico in 2014

WINTER

Warm up in winter with essential oils

While lavender is wonderful for soothing and calming summer skin how can it help you in winter?

Lavender is an ancient healing herb oil that has strength and tenacity which is what one often needs to brave the winter months
Your skin can become very dry due to many reasons – artificial heating, hot showers and baths and by being continually covered up the dead skin cells often don’t have anywhere to escape to, leaving you dry and flaky
Lavender is the perfect oil to nurture you in the cold by doing steam inhalations to bring colour and life into your face – even add a few drops to your shower to give you an all over steam inhalation
Add a few drops to a hot foot bath to increase circulation
And as above: add a few drops of this amazing oil into your favourite body or face moisturiser to help soothe and repair dry skin
Make a body oil blend with lavender and your favourite cold pressed oil using the ratio above:

“Warm me up, Give Me Strength”

Lavender 3 drops

Rosemary 2 drops

Ginger 2 drops

Lavender in Sydney

“When in doubt, use lavender”

Suzanne R Banks

Ah yes there I go quoting myself again, hehe.

Do you use lavender all year round? I’d love to know x

Essential Oils and Numerology for 2017

Posted on January 4, 2017 by suzannerbanks

Happy New Year natural beauties! I’m sending you good vibes for a great year where we can come together to create the new world we really want. Here are some essential oils for the numerology of 2017, followed by essential oils for your individual cycle year. Let’s go!

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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

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

2017!

Ok people the numerology of this year, 2017, is 1.

1 is the number of new beginnings.

1 is the number of new ideas.

1 is the number of simplicity.

1 is the number of creation.

What do you want to create this year? Have a good think about over the next week or two and as Deepak Chopra says “plant the seeds” of your desires.

The challenge over the next year or two is to NOT dig up the seeds to see if they have starting sprouting. Trust the universe is at work, the seed is under the ground getting nutrients and multiplying cells, so in 2018 you may start to see the signs of your planting.

Don’t question “why hasn’t my desire been fulfilled? Why am I not seeing results? Patience is required – trust and patience and a steadfast belief in your self!

plant your ideas and desires – then wait!

The Oil Blend for 2107

Lemon – refresh and reload

– clean away the dribs and drabs from last year to start again fresh

Rose – self nurturing and self-care, love

– open your heart to discover what your desires truly are

Frankincense – the essence of truth

– look within and follow the truth of the universe which resides within you

numbers – which one are you this year?

What is your Cycle Year in Numerology for 2017?

Your personal cycle year will also have an effect on how you progress so it’s a matter of taking this into consideration first. Then incorporate the energy of the number 1, our year of 2017.

Add your birth day, birth month and then 2017 to find your cycle year for 2017. Keep adding until you get a single number eg

21st June

2 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 7

= 19

1 + 9

= 10

1 + 0

= 1

Your cycle year is a 1.

Your result will be from 1 to 9

Here are my oil recommendations for each cycle year in 2017.

1 Petitgrain – potentiality – plant new ideas

2 Patchouli – peace, grounding – be patient and peaceful

3 Geranium – happiness, cheeriness – start to see things manifesting in your life

4 Lavender – solidarity – start forming solid foundations

5 Sandalwood – spirituality – balance of freedom and discipline

6 Basil – expansion – go forward and expand your mind and yourself

7 Bergamot – reap the fruits of your labour, be happy and relaxed

8 Cedarwood Virginian – enjoy the abundance all around you

9 Cypress – connect with the divine, release your past, enjoy the moment

Angel vibes

Best wishes for a great year whatever you’re doing, whatever your cycle year is and above all go with peace. Spread good will. Help the world evolve.

We need you!

I’m sending angel vibes to everyone.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

FESTIVUS 2016! Aromatic Insights into the Best Holiday in the World!

Posted on December 21, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Hi gorgoues people. I’m not ashamed to say that this is a reblog from last year – gotta take a short cut once in a while …….

Festivus is here again and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve created some new recipes to stand alongside the key parts to this wonderful day. What is Festivus you may ask? It’s the holiday that crushes Hanukkah and Christmas, allows a coming together of like minds, and gives a day of fun for those who are not religious. Celebrated by George Costanza’s father, Frank, (from the comedy show Seinfeld), let’s embrace this fabulous celebration!

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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

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

Festivus for the rest of us! pic via www.tshirtbordello.com

Festivus for the rest of us! pic via http://www.tshirtbordello.com

To be more precise it’s the family of the writer of this episode who created Festivus:

Festivus was conceived by editor and author Daniel O’Keefe and was celebrated by his family as early as 1966. In the original O’Keefe tradition, the holiday would take place in response to family tension, “any time from December to May”.^] The phrase, “a Festivus for the rest of us”, also derived from an O’Keefe family event, the death of Daniel O’Keefe’s mother.
Wikipedia

The Festivus Pole

The Festivus Pole replaces the Christmas tree and stands unadorned:

“Frank Costanza cites its “very high strength-to-weight ratio” as appealing. During Festivus, the pole is displayed unadorned. According to Frank, “I find tinsel distracting.”

Wikipedia

I love the simplicity of the Festivus pole and I’m hoping it can inspire you to simplify this Christmas Here are a couple of blends for yourself, to help to feel less stressed and more streamlined.

Method: Nourishing Body Oil Blend

For a coat of your body use 3 teaspoons of carrier oil in a little dish and, add 7 – 8 drops of essential oil. It’s always best to patch test first, before you apply all over.

***** Always put the drops of essential oil into the bottle or dish first, then add the carrier oil. It gives the scents time to create a synergistic fusion.

For a 50ml bottle of oil add 25 drops and see my articles “Ratios for Blending Essential Oils – A Reminder of the Basics” and “Aromatherapy – It’s Easy as 1 2 3”

Silver

Lemongrass 3 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 2 drops

Peru Balsam 2 drops

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La Verité

Bergamot 5 drops

Geranium 2 drops

Vetiver 1 drop

The Airing of Grievances

Ah yes the Airing of Grievances, straight after the Festivus dinner, seems a good way to finish off the year and start the new year afresh. Here are a couple of blends for your space to support this difficult yet necessary part of Festivus.

Method: Scent Your Space

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

Release Frustration and Anger

Mandarin 12 drops

Ylang Ylang 6 drops

Marjoram 4 drops

Frankincense 3 drops

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Forgive

Orange 10 drops

Palmarosa 8 drops

Lavender 4 drops

Patchouli 3 drops

Feats of Strength!

The Feats of Strength championship finalises the Festivus celebrations. As depicted above, when the head of the household is pinned to the ground, the day concludes. here are a couple of blends to help you find inner strength this holiday time.

Method: 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!

Courage and Endurance

Lavender 1 drop

Black Spruce 1 drop

Lime 1 drop

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Inner Calm

Melissa 1 drop

Vanilla CO2 1 drop

Indian Rosewood 1 drop

Whatever you’re doing this Christmas season, whether you celebrate or not, I hope you are able to reflect on the good things life can bring – even if they are very small.

How will you be celebrating and which oils are calling to you?

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

copryright SR Banks 2015

10 Aussie Summer Christmas Recipes for the Diffuser

Posted on December 7, 2016 by suzannerbanks

Ah yes nothing like the promise of a stinking hot summer, with Christmas and New Year thrown in too. For some of us in Oz (like me), the winter is a long cold lonely place. In the southern hemisphere we have all the holidays and fun things squished into summer, then have to wait it out all winter for the beach and the parties. So my scented friends, these are recipes for the diffuser for us – heat, mosquitoes, flies, the beach, the pool and Christmas in our own special way.

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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

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

Sahara diffuser

I like this diffuser from New Directions as it’s space-age futuristic, and light and colourful to go with a hot Aussie summer. You can buy this here.

Scent Your Space

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

“Buzz Off”

Citronella 10 drops

Clove 5 drops

Cinnamon 5 drops

Rose Geranium 5 drops

“The Humidity is Killing Me”

Lemon 12 drops

Frankincense 8 drops

Peppermint 5 drops

“Beach Holiday Vibes”

Lime 10 drops

Nutmeg 5 drops

Bergamot 5 drops

Cedarwood Atlas 5 drops

Artisan diffuser

I just found this stylish diffuser from Aromixiama and you can buy it here.

“Bush Christmas”

Orange 12 drops

Cypress 5 drops

Australian sandalwood 8 drops

“Salad Days”

Bergamot 10 drops

Geranium 6 drops

Basil 5 drops

Spearmint 4 drops

“Get Out of the Sun”

Mandarin 14 drops

Lavender 8 drops

Marjoram 6 drops

Lilly diffuser

This website called Lively Living has a huge range of gorgeous diffusers – check it out here

“Gin and Tonics on the Balcony”

Juniper 8 drops

Lemon 8 drops

Indian rosewood 9 drops

“Midnight at the Oasis”

Petitgrain 10 drops

Rosemary 5 drops

Ylang Ylang 5 drops

Cedarwood Virginian 5 drops

“Lilo’s on the River”

Blood orange 12 drops

Black spruce 8 drops

Patchouli 5 drops

“Gratitude”

Orange 9 drops

Peru balsam 8 drops

Palmarosa 8 drops

Bamboo and glass diffuser

This style is always super cute and I’ve found them here

***** I don’t have any association with any of the websites I have listed above nor do I make any money from the recommendations. I just had a quick look on the net while I was writing.

I hope you enjoy these Chrissy recipes and let me know if you have any favourites of your own.

Remember to treat yourself first, then everyone will benefit.

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

Posted on November 30, 2016 by suzannerbanks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

“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

“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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Spotlight on banks botanicals ~ Botanical Perfumes by Suzanne R Banks

Posted on September 28, 2016 by suzannerbanks

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Spotlight on Aromatique Essentials ~ Botanical Perfumes by Julie Nelson

Posted on September 21, 2016 by suzannerbanks

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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.

suzannerbanks

scent . intention . consciousness . essential oils

Tag Archives: daily ritual

Lavender for Summer AND Winter Skin

Video

Essential Oils and Numerology for 2017

FESTIVUS 2016! Aromatic Insights into the Best Holiday in the World!

10 Aussie Summer Christmas Recipes for the Diffuser

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

The Gardenias Are Out! And a Few Perfume Recipes Too

Video

Essential Oils in Pregnancy and Childbirth – Video

Video

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

Video

Spotlight on banks botanicals ~ Botanical Perfumes by Suzanne R Banks

Spotlight on Aromatique Essentials ~ Botanical Perfumes by Julie Nelson

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