Life Update 001

I was going to write ‘it’s been awhile’ since posting a life update, but this is actually quite a new concept for the blog. So, I guess I should really say ‘it’s been never’ since I posted a life update 😂 I’m not exactly sure why all of a sudden I have the urge to share a general life update other than it’s been quite a crazy year and a half living through the ups and downs in a world navigating COVID-19. Nonetheless, here are some updates from our crew.

Life Update 001

We bought a house!

Yep, you read that right… we bought a house!… in the middle of a pandemic. Are we crazy?! Maybe 😉 But as they say, everything just fell into place. We feel very blessed and grateful to have been able to purchase our first home in an incredible neighborhood AND with incredible neighbors. Whenever I return to the house from running errands or from a trip, I immediately feel calm and so, so at peace. I think that’s how you know you’ve made your house feel like a home. 

So, buying a house naturally comes with all of the motivation and excitement for DIY projects. We’ve already tackled some (I’ve shared a few on my Instagram, with more to come!), but I feel like my head is exploding with new ideas every day. I want to install beadboard in our hallway, picture frame trim in our main bedroom, wallpaper in the guest room… and maybe our main bedroom, too… mixed metals and candleholders as a gallery wall above our bathtub, a more permanent desk and shelving system for Tim, maybe a garage gym; the list goes on and on. It is both FUN and overwhelming at the same time.

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Tim got a job!

Most of you know my husband, Tim, was laid off by Airbnb at the beginning of the pandemic. He applied and interviewed for a year and nothing was coming through. He didn’t want to take a step back in his career -- and we were lucky enough to be able to get by on my income -- so he took his time finding the right fit. 

Well, when it rains, it pours (in a good way). After nothing sticking for almost a year, he was suddenly interviewing at 3 different companies at one time and was ultimately recruited for a startup where he landed a great job and was promoted within 3 months! It was a year filled with persistence, patience, and faith, and we feel blessed that everything worked out and he’s thriving in his new role.

I started a new position!

I’m still loving where I work, and I actually transferred roles in the last few months. It’s still within marketing, so not a complete 180, but my new position is more closely tied to sales vs. awareness and engagement. It’s been really interesting and challenging so far, and I can’t wait to see where this new role takes me! It’s always awesome to experience a different side of the business.

I’m going back to school!

They say you should announce something publicly to keep yourself accountable. Well, here I am, being vulnerable and announcing my return to school. Due to a mix of working at a consumer packaged goods company and dedicating lots of time each week for years to nutritious meal prepping, I’ve gotten more and more interested and invested in the fact that food is medicine and have decided to pursue my master’s degree in nutrition (eeek, I couldn’t be more excited!). I have some pre-requisites I need to wrap up before I can apply to the program, which I’ll be tackling over the next several months. I’ll still work full time and school will be part-time for now. The actual master’s program itself is full-time online (no specific times for classes, just weekly deadlines), so that feels like an excellent fit with my full-time work schedule, but I know life will get a lot more crazy. 

This bachelor of arts grad is diving head first into her first science pre-requisite in a few weeks: human anatomy and physiology, so good vibes are welcome 🙏 I think I’m going to find this all fascinating, but the good news is if it’s not what I thought it would be, there’s always another door to open and another path to explore.

The blog is now Wholly Rooted!

Staying with the same theme of ‘food is medicine’ -- I really do believe this and I’m excited to dive more into holistic nutrition and learning about the human body through my courses over the next few months and years. As I’ve grown, this blog has grown with me, so I decided to re-brand (again 😉) to Wholly Rooted, a space dedicated to health, home, and happiness. Look forward to more food and nutrition topics, as well as my usual DIYs, baking, home decor, and life updates. I feel it in my bones that this is the right move and path for me, so I’m happy to have you alongside me in this journey!

Well, that’s it for now… a lot of movin’ and shakin’ over here in our world. I hope you are thriving wherever you are in life right now and I know the best is yet to come for all of us.

Cheers!

Lavender is Life

Oregon Lavender Farm | 2017 Lavender Festival

Last weekend, Tim and I braved the 100℉ weather and ventured out to Oregon City for the Lavender Festival at the Oregon Lavender Farm. With views of Mount Hood and bright purple lavender all around us, it was so, so beautiful. Not to mention the scent! Imagine taking a luxurious lavender-soaked bath - that's what the fragrance was like walking through the fields.

While wandering the farm listening to the awesome local bands, I sipped on lavender lemonade, which is probably the most refreshing drink I've ever had - yes, it was really that good. I mean, just look at the photo from my Instagram! The festival also hosted vendors - everything from handmade rugs, jewelry, and artwork to candles and natural beauty products. There was lavender wreath making and a distillation demonstration, which was so interesting! I've read about the process, but I've never seen it in person.

Tim and I also enjoyed lavender beer and lavender cider - serious yum. And on our way out we picked up a Killa Dilla, a quesadilla larger than our faces, to share 😋 It was absolutely delicious. We ordered the "basic dilla," which comes with mozzarella, cabbage, marinated red onions, and a "secret tangy dressing," and we added grilled veggies. Holy moly, you guys. I can't do its tastiness justice.

Oregon Lavender Farm | 2017 Lavender Festival

As the title of this blog post suggests, I use lavender constantly, so I thought I'd share how I work it into my daily and weekly routine.

My favorite ways to use lavender essential oil:

  1. Combine your favorite non-scented, natural lotion with one drop of lavender to moisturize and treat yourself to a little at-home spa experience 💜
  2. Put one drop into your mascara bottle to support strong, healthy lashes 💜
  3. Diffuse 3-4 drops at night to aid sound sleeping or make a pillow spray with it for the same benefits 💜
  4. Add 2-3 drops to your laundry detergent, especially when washing sheets or towels 💜
  5. Add 3 drops to your wool dryer balls when drying laundry 💜
  6. Use a roller bottle to experience lavender's calming properties on-the-go 💜

Do you love lavender essential oil? What are your favorite ways to use it?

 

Essential Oil Rollerball Blend for Energy

Essential Oil Rollerball Recipe for Energy

I don't know about you guys but I have been TIRED lately. I just cannot seem to wake up in the mornings. While there are definitely habits I should kick (like immediately looking at social media right when I wake up instead of just getting out of bed), I'll take any help I can get in the energy department. That's why I'm oh so excited to share this essential oil energy roller bottle blend I created over the weekend. 

And it's my first time diving into a how-to YouTube video! I'm so excited to launch my YouTube account at This Dainty Life. Check it out and subscribe if you want to stay updated on all things TDL, from DIY fun to essential oil goodness. I have a few upcoming videos I'm so excited to upload in the next couple of weeks.

How to Make an Essential Oil Rollerball Blend for Energy

  1. Supplies needed: glass roller bottle (mine was gifted to me by my lovely friend Janelle! you can find it on Amazon), essential oils listed below, fractionated coconut oil
  2. Pour 20 drops of peppermint and white fir into your roller bottle
  3. Add 15 drops of grapefruit and wild orange
  4. Continue with 10 drops of Motivate®
  5. Once all of your oils are in the roller bottle, top off your blend with fractionated coconut oil
  6. Attach the rollerball, screw on the lid, and shake it to mix together the oils a bit - you're done!
Essential Oil Rollerball Blend for Energy

Benefits of These Energy-Blend Essential Oils

Peppermint

  • Boasts a refreshing, pick-me-up aroma

  • Promotes clear breathing and healthy respiratory function

  • Helps combat occasional stomach upset

  • Can be used in toothpaste for oral health

White Fir

  • Energizes the body and the mind

  • Elicits feelings of energy, stability, and empowerment

  • Aids the body in relaxation

  • Supports respiratory function and clear breathing

  • Gives soothing support to sore joints and muscles

Grapefruit

  • Helps reduce mental and physical fatigue

  • Aids healthy metabolism

  • Supports and soothes sore muscles and joints

  • Helps combat oily skin issues

  • Purifies and cleanses

Wild Orange

  • Uplifting to the mind and body

  • High in antioxidants

  • Acts as a powerful cleanser and purifying agent, while protecting against seasonal and environmental threats

Motivate

  • Promotes feelings of courage, confidence, and belief

  • Counteracts negative emotions of cynicism, doubt, and pessimism

Essential Oil Rollerball Blend for Energy

What rollerball blends have helped you increase your energy levels throughout the day? I'd love to hear about them; share in the comments below!