Hands down I find "Spring" the hardest time of year to live on this little island in the North Atlantic. You hear and see news from elsewhere alive with gardens being planted and trees flowering, yet here, we know there could be many more months before we can step outside care-free.
I enjoy peeling the lid of preserves to taste strawberry jam in February. And I also really like to fill my home with the aromas of the forest, ocean, marsh, scraggly coastline and everything in between. We forage botanicals like alder, juniper, balsam fir, kelp, wild rose and labrador tea and bottle those fragrances up to bring a bit more life and hope into this time of year. The essential oils we blend in-house are what create the aroma at the base of all of our products. Hands down the most common question we get is "how to use essential oils". So I'll share some of my favourite ways.
The method most commonly known is diffusing and for good reason. It is such a simple and calming practice to turn on your diffuser when you arrive home at the end of the day, after a good spring clean, or while you pitter patter through a slow morning. We find it both helps to enliven a space and serve as something subtle to ground the mind.
Before you throw in your dryer balls, apply a couple of droplets of your favourite essential oil! We love using our scent, heather, to make our clothes feel like a summer's day all year round.
Essential Oils + distilled water = a light spray that will leave your sheets and pillows fresher than new. Scent sprays work on a number of textiles including curtains, upholstery, rugs and clothing. We have two scent sprays available: brackish and tuckamore!
Now, can essential oils be applied directly to skin? I wouldn't recommend it in their pure form, the extract is so concentrated and potent, they could cause irritation to your skin. I mix essential oil half and half with a carrier oil and use it as a natural perfume. We've found fractionated coconut and jojoba both work well as carrier oils, but you can give it a try with any oil you have on hand that doesn't have a strong scent of its own.
Harsh weather can linger. On the days I'm daydreaming and googling flights or houses abroad, I embrace this time of slow renewal—taking care of myself, resetting my spaces, and realigning my routines. It's important everywhere, but especially in severe landscapes, to feel at home and enlivened inside. Aroma is one way we do this, and we'd love to know how else you cultivate well-being as you're waiting to stretch your legs and drift outside.