How to Create Your Favorite Destination Scent at Home
One of my favorite activities while traveling is to pop into a fragrance shop or stand. It’s intriguing to savor the scents of a local region and I often learn more about the history and culture of the place from the vendors than from a museum next door. Over and over I am attracted to scents of the Mediterranean with splashes of citrus, lavender, neroli, bergamot, rosemary, eucalyptus, peony, and more. Since travel remains on the horizon for most of us this summer, I think it’s lovely to bring the fragrances of our favorite destinations home.
One of my favorite activities while traveling is to pop into a fragrance shop or stand. It’s intriguing to savor the scents of a local region and I often learn more about the history and culture of the place from the vendors than from a museum next door. Over and over I am attracted to scents of the Mediterranean with splashes of citrus, lavender, neroli, bergamot, rosemary, eucalyptus, peony, and more. Since travel remains on the horizon for most of us this summer, I think it’s lovely to bring the fragrances of our favorite destinations home.
Benefits of using essential oils in a diffuser:
Create a relaxing environment
Anxiety reduction
Improved sleep
Improved well-being
Signature fragrance can be transportive to a favorite destination
No fire hazard (as in candles)
To create your signature fragrance for the home:
*Fractionalized coconut oil (liquid) here
*Organic Essential Oils here (My favorite - neroli here)
*Small Funnel
*Glass jars for diffusing and diffuser sticks (I’ve collected diffusers over the years to reuse)
I create my signature fragrance by adding a 1/2 cup of liquid coconut oil to a lidded glass jar. I add 15 drops of my preferred essential oil base to start building the fragrance. I then add additional fragrance oils, drop by drop, to create the signature blend. Along the way, sniff and sniff, adding drops until you have your perfected your signature scent. When your desired result is achieved, use the funnel to slowly pour small amounts of your blend into the diffuser jars. Add diffuser sticks if you like. Save any unused blend in the lidded jar to refresh diffusers on a weekly basis.
My current favorite scents are neroli, lemon, sweet orange, bergamot, lavender, and vetiver.
If you want to perfect your fragrance building process learn more The Art of Pairing.
On a side note, it’s not easy to feel inspired as a travel advisor/ blogger during a pandemic and I’m sorry for my lack of regular posting on the blog. I started several posts this month but I must confess to some writer’s ‘roadblock’. How apropos! Despite that, I hope you are staying healthy and faring well during these challenging times. Message me on Instagram or drop me a comment below and let’s keep in touch. Travel will begin again and it is sure to be more celebratory and meaningful than ever.
Ciao!!
Heather
Simple Tips for Creating a Cohesive Space
You may have the picture-perfect vases and glassware that produce a glistening display in your cupboard. You might even own the most breath-taking Victorian era furniture in pristine condition. But even the most perfect of accessories can fall flat in a room lacking a cohesive space.Creating a sense of unity in your home is a top priority, especially when it comes to getting the most out of your preexisting style and decor. When it comes to designing your home, there is no right or wrong. It’s a matter of choosing what accessories, colors, and furnishings best suit you and making all of your preferences work flawlessly together.Every home is about as unique and varied as the individuals who live in it — so why not let it show? You don't have to settle for mundane color schemes or one specific style to create the ultimate look in your home.If your rooms seem to emit a sort of choppiness or you can’t quite get the looks of your room to flow, be sure to check out our simple tips for creating a cohesive look in your home below.
Simple Tips for Creating a Cohesive Space
Guest Blogger – Kacey Mya
You may have the picture-perfect vases and glassware that produce a glistening display in your cupboard. You might even own the most breath-taking Victorian era furniture in pristine condition. But even the most perfect of accessories can fall flat in a room lacking a cohesive space.Creating a sense of unity in your home is a top priority, especially when it comes to getting the most out of your preexisting style and decor. When it comes to designing your home, there is no right or wrong. It’s a matter of choosing what accessories, colors, and furnishings best suit you and making all of your preferences work flawlessly together.Every home is about as unique and varied as the individuals who live in it — so why not let it show? You don't have to settle for mundane color schemes or one specific style to create the ultimate look in your home.If your rooms seem to emit a sort of choppiness or you can’t quite get the looks of your room to flow, be sure to check out our simple tips for creating a cohesive look in your home below.
Choose Your Paint WiselyThe hue of paint you choose to color your walls in can make or break the style of your space. While extravagant wallpaper and various room colorings can offer a sense of style to any room, you may want to choose a neutral shade that will allow the furniture and accessories to be the focal point instead.Just because neon yellow is your favorite color doesn’t mean you should splatter it onto your walls. When you want to connect your room’s overall look, choose a wall color that doesn’t detract your eye from what truly matters. The color of each room should enhance your décor — not overshadow it.Keep Your Flooring Consistent While you don't want every room to look like a mirror image of the one before it, the material you choose for your flooring should remain the same. Keeping your flooring consistent is even more crucial in apartments and smaller homes because a variety of designs will impair your ability to achieve a connected look. If you want to create a cohesive look in your home, choosing the right flooring is vital. Consider the floor styles that compliment your aesthetic and compare color schemes of wood and tiles to your existing layout. Remember that you can mix up the tiles and patterns — just try to keep the appearance and style consistent. Mimic Styles Without Mirroring CompletelyYou can’t achieve cohesion in your home when your living room is shrouded in retro décor and your dining room is entirely vintage. Instead of choosing distinct looks for every room, make sure the theme and style are apparent throughout.If you’re going for a country style look, be sure to incorporate rustic accessories into every room. Be careful that you don’t replicate each room’s look entirely, however — too much similarity can cause a mundane and lackluster appearance. Realize That Less Truly is MoreWhile a quick trip to your local supercenter for a few necessities can quickly turn into a few hours spent perusing the decoration aisle, remember to put down unwanted accessories the next time you go shopping.When it comes to decorations, less really is more. A room cannot achieve a connected look when it has too many accessories preventing your overall style from coming together. Consider minimalist decorations that allow you to still add a touch of panache without going overboard in the process. Know Your Style and Stick to ItCohesion doesn't come in one size, shape, or color. If you believe a tied-together look is synonymous with basic décor and interior furnishings, think again. Research studies show that humans crave a touch of personalization in their daily life decisions — home décor included! How cozy can your home honestly be if you don't feel like you had any power over how it looks? You can decorate your home with your unique style — the key is to just stick with your favored look throughout the entire house. Intermingle the Old with the NewJust because you want a polished style doesn't mean your home has to include décor made entirely within the last year. The most beautiful homes combine a mixture of various elements that defined the different time periods. To create a cohesive look with an added interest, try pairing traditional pieces with timeless vintage accessories. When it comes to decorating your home to perfection, there is no "correct" blueprint for success. Just know your style beforehand and shape your interests into a connected look that emits the most breath-taking display.
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
Thank you for sharing your stylish ideas with Style*Mind*Chic Life today, Kacey!
Beautify Your Home This Autumn with the Following Trends
When it comes to home improvements, spring gets all the attention. Whether you’re cleaning your entire house or knocking out your honey-do list, the warm, sunny season seems to be the time to do it.
But autumn is a great time to tackle home beautification, too. As the weather cools off post-summer, you can comfortably update your space. You can also draw plenty of inspiration from fall colors and trends that will shape runways and interior designs this season and beyond.
Beautify Your Home This Autumn With the Following Trends
Guest Blogger - Kacey Mya
When it comes to home improvements, spring gets all the attention. Whether you’re cleaning your entire house or knocking out your honey-do list, the warm, sunny season seems to be the time to do it.
But autumn is a great time to tackle home beautification, too. As the weather cools off post-summer, you can comfortably update your space. You can also draw plenty of inspiration from fall colors and trends that will shape runways and interior designs this season and beyond.
Even with all of this inspiration around you — and the gusto to spruce up your space — you still might not know where to begin. Fortunately, there are projects large and small that can completely revolutionize the look and feel your home.
Here are four of them:
Freshen Up Your Linens
Just because you have a small decorating budget doesn’t mean your design project won’t have a big impact. A great project to take on this fall is updating the linens in your living room. Pick up new pillowcases and throw blankets to breathe new life into your existing room and furniture.
Let the season help you choose your color palette and texture. In summer, you probably surrounded yourself in breezy, light fabrics in bright colors. So, for fall, pick darker, richer colors and thick, cozy fabrics to help you weather the chilly weather that comes in fall. Knits, faux furs, and fleece will all keep you warm until spring rolls back around.
Repaint Your Walls
Another easy update? Re-painting your walls. This is a home design trend that never goes out of style: painted walls are not only decorative, but they’re easy to change as your tastes change, too.
If you’re unsure of the color you want, you can always draw inspiration from the colors of the season to invoke the feel of fall inside of your house. You can also check out Pantone’s picks for the hottest colors of the season, as these will be found in new fabrics, fashions, and accessories, too. In the end, though, it’s most important to choose a shade you like. Even though it’s easy and cheap to re-paint, you don’t want to do it every time you tire of a trendy color pick.
Kitchen Overhaul
There’s one home update that never goes out of season: a kitchen update. A new kitchen is always an important tool in selling your home, so this is an especially great investment to add value and flair to your home. Even better news is that you’ll get to enjoy a brand new kitchen before you sell your property down the line.
You’ll want to start by making sure your kitchen counters have a beautiful, strong foundation. In addition to the countertops, installing new cabinets can be affordable and an easy way to customize the space. You can also resurface your pre-existing cabinets for an update that’s not quite as pricey.
With your cabinets finished, a shiny stone countertop will ice the cake of your kitchen makeover. Stainless steel appliances, new lamps, accessories, and furniture can further transform your home’s culinary centerpiece this fall.
Of course, not every budget allows for a brand new kitchen this fall. Fortunately, there are easy ways to update your space without breaking the bank. Things like replacing your cabinet hardware or installing a new backsplash, are easy projects to take on yourself that have a huge impact.
Bathroom Update
Your kitchen is a huge project, and this fall may not be the right time to tackle it. But if you’re still in the mood for a renovation, look to a smaller room like your bathroom. Here, your investment will mostly come back to you, as new bathrooms boost the resale value of a home.
A sleek new bathroom won’t go out of style for years, and fall is the perfect time to give yours an update: a new cozy bathtub is a perfect place to warm up and wind down after a cold autumn day. Crisp, shiny subway tiles suit just about any design taste, as do small mosaic floor tiles.
Even better news is that you can do a lot of the bathroom renovation yourself if you have the patience and eye to detail to lay tile on your own. You can also make a big difference, especially for small bathrooms and powder rooms, by painting the walls or adding wallpaper. Update your towels, area rugs and shower curtain to match and voila: you have a brand new bathroom.
Fall In Love With Your Home
Whether you choose a quick-and-easy update or a complete renovation, your home will feel renewed and refreshed this fall. And, as you head into colder seasons that send you indoors, there’s no better time to update and truly enjoy your home’s interior. Time to get started and fall in love with your house once again.
Read more tips on DIY home renovation projects on a budget
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
Simple Steps to Take If You Want to Restyle Your Room
Every so often, it can just feel like it’s time for a change, especially if the interior of your living space has looked the same for a long time. It’s easy to have a vague picture of a newly designed room in your head that will make your decorating itch go away, but it’s an entirely different challenge to make that dream part of your home. There are many different challenges that people face when deciding how to restyle a room, but there’s no need to worry about any of them. Each can be met with ease if you approach them with thoughtful decisions. The key is to take your time. If you want your room to be perfect, you can’t rush it!
Simple Steps to Take If You Want To Restyle Your Room
Guest Blogger: Kacey Mya Bradley, Lifestyle & Travel Blogger
Every so often, it can just feel like it’s time for a change, especially if the interior of your living space has looked the same for a long time. It’s easy to have a vague picture of a newly designed room in your head that will make your decorating itch go away, but it’s an entirely different challenge to make that dream part of your home. There are many different challenges that people face when deciding how to restyle a room, but there’s no need to worry about any of them. Each can be met with ease if you approach them with thoughtful decisions. The key is to take your time. If you want your room to be perfect, you can’t rush it!
1. Rearrange Your Furniture This is the easiest and cheapest way to solve your problem. Don’t spend a bunch of money on getting new interior decorations and paint cans before rearranging your furniture. This can help reframe your mindset on your living space and might make you feel like you can relax without heading to the store. Try restructuring the layout of your room by placing your furniture around a focal point. This can be a TV, a fireplace, a dresser, anything you think will stand out or be the center of attention. Even if you think it may look terrible, get out some sliders and move your furniture to places you wouldn’t normally put them. You may find that this simple act gives your room a facelift and more time to save money for the next big re-decorating session.
2. Find Your Style Interior design isn’t just something that happens without a theme. You might want to place very little in your room to keep it open and warm, but even that falls under the decorating style of minimalistic. If you try rearranging and get assured that you need to start a room from scratch, first you need to find out what style fits your personality the most. You’ll also have to consider if the room theme you choose will work best for what purpose the room serves. For example, you might like the look of decorative antiques that add texture and history, but if an office space is cluttered with thrift store treasures, it may not conduct a good environment for you to produce your best work. Know yourself and know your theme, then go with what works best for the room.
3. Invest Your Money The idea behind a good restyling is that you’ll be thrilled with the results and won’t want to spend the same amount of money or more in the near future. Furniture is a huge factor in this. A couch or bed frame might look great with what you want your room to become, but will the material last long? Ideally, you should know what makes furniture a good investment because you go spending your money. That couch should last you five to ten years, and that bed frame even longer.
4. Get the Right Paint Choosing a new paint color for your room can be the most exciting and terrifying part about decorating. It gives the look of your room new life, but there are about a million shades of your favorite color to choose from. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to help pick out the right color for your room, and none of them involve trial and error.
5. When in Doubt, DIY Sometimes even with the best decorating, rooms can feel like they’re missing something. If you find yourself in this situation, fix your uneasiness with a Do It Yourself project! These can be as little as homemade picture frames or as big as house renovations, and there are some basic rules to follow to stay safe and create something perfect. Don’t have a history in crafts? You can still do a DIY project, just choose one that you’re confident in!
Whether you’re restyling one room or multiple, starting out can make you feel like you’re constantly hitting roadblocks if you don’t know where to go. No matter what the purpose of your room is, following steps like these will help you figure out exactly what you want and how to get it without draining your wallet. All it takes is an idea of what you’d like and you’re ready to go.
Thank you for sharing this stylish post today, Kacey!
Designer Spotlight: Trina Turk's Home in Palm Springs
I’m a long time fan of the colorful, vibrant, chic designs of Trina Turk.
I'm a long time fan of designer Trina Turk's effervescent use of color and pattern in textiles and easy, breezy fashions. Her vibe is purely Palm Springs chic which speaks to the desert lifestyle of lounging poolside, in bikinis or caftans, during the day, and cocktail parties under the brilliant desert stars in the evening. Palm Springs was my go-to weekend getaway spot during my years living near Los Angeles and I appreciate the desert vibe. I spotted this collection of images from the house she shares with her husband, Jonathan Skow, in Palm Springs. Though they were originally seeking a mid-century modern home with glass walls and clean lines, they fell in love with this home inspired by the lines of a sea going vessel. I hope you enjoy this peek into Trina Turk's vibrant Palm Springs world.
Our home is anchored by pieces my husband, Jonathan, and I have collected over the years. Adding, deleting, and switching things up over time gives a home true character.
Designing a room and a head-to-toe look are not that different! Color, texture, proportion and fabrics are all important—from a room’s architecture (the body) to the furniture (clothing) to the art and accents (jewelry, shoes).- Trina Turk
I love Trina's colorful collection of vintage jewelry and sunglasses.
#designinspiration
See more of Trina's home and discover a list of her favorite spots in Palm Springs:
Inside Trina Turk's Palm Springs Home on One Kings Lane
COLOR STORY: Blush
The first home I owned was a condo in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles, in La Crescenta. Though it was small, purchasing it was a huge milestone in my life. It was a brand spanking new one bedroom, one bath space with a balcony that overlooked a luscious garden of fragrant orange trees from the neighboring house. It was perfect for me.
Though I kept the color scheme neutral, back in the late 1980’s, I sought out the perfect shade of blush paint for the walls of my bedroom. The color, chameleon as the light changed throughout the day, added just the right amount of warmth to my space. Blush is a universally flattering shade which is always a good thing, especially in the bedroom.
COLOR STORY: Blush
The first home I owned was a condo in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles, in La Crescenta. Though it was small, purchasing it was a huge milestone in my life. It was a brand spanking new one bedroom, one bath space with a balcony that overlooked a luscious garden of fragrant orange trees from the neighboring house. It was perfect for me.
Though I kept the color scheme neutral, back in the late 1980's, I sought out the perfect shade of blush paint for the walls of my bedroom. The color, chameleon as the light changed throughout the day, added just the right amount of warmth to my space. Blush is a universally flattering shade which is always a good thing, especially in the bedroom.
Whether blush is used as an accent in decor or in fashion, it adds a touch of warmth without being overpowering. I love it mixed with the bold yellow and aqua of that second image, as well as in more muted color schemes accented by gold.
Are you a fan of the shade blush?
