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
Curated Travel: Isle of Capri Style
Our love affair with Italy continues with a street style focus on the sunny Isle of Capri where the people watching is magnifico! While traveling abroad I’m often drawn to capturing the local street style. As you can see by my images, I’m not the only one that finds this fashionable parade eye catching. On Capri it’s all about summery white dresses, chic black frocks, pale straw bags or vibrant leather backpacks, brilliant headscarves, straw hats, jewel encrusted handmade sandals and, as always, the stylish sunnies.
Capri Family Style
Our love affair with Italy continues with a street style focus on the sunny Isle of Capri where the people watching is magnifico! While traveling abroad I’m often drawn to capturing the local street style. As you can see by my images, I’m not the only one that finds this fashionable parade eye catching. On Capri it’s all about summery white dresses, chic black frocks, pale straw bags or vibrant leather backpacks, brilliant headscarves, straw hats, jewel encrusted handmade sandals and, as always, the stylish sunnies.
“Italian style is a natural attitude. It is about a life of good taste. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Simple but with good taste. Luxury is possible to buy. Good taste is not. ”
The White Dress is EVERYTHING
Inspiration from my Pinterest Board on Italian Style
Capri Style Inspiration
PIN ME!
More of Italy from the Curated Travel Blog
Island Style - Travel + Style from Curated Travel
Palm trees waving in dappled sunlight, balmy breezes, a bubbly libation, gently lapping waves and sand between your toes.
Are you in the mood for a sunny escape from winter about now?
These are a few of our favorite island destinations here at Curated Travel.
Travel + Style
Palm trees waving in dappled sunlight, balmy breezes, a bubbly libation, gently lapping waves and sand between your toes.
Are you in the mood for a sunny escape from winter about now?
These are a few of our favorite island destinations here at Curated Travel.
“Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, that I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun-drenched elsewhere.”
Get the Island Style:
A Walk in Bidwell Park with Uno Alla Volta
It's always a treat to discover a surprise package on the front step. I opened a box the other day that contained this beautiful pastel scarf from Uno Alla Volta. The ethereal leaf patterned Devore silk scarf was handpainted by Joyita. I styled it with my dusty pink faux-leather waterfall front jacket, Svelte leggings and Vince Camuto Booties.
Our walk in the park was a quick stop since we were on our way to an event in downtown Chico. The fall colors were irresistible and my scarf was perfectly in style at our favorite watering hole later that evening.
It's always a treat to discover a surprise package on the front step. I opened a box the other day that contained this beautiful pastel scarf from Uno Alla Volta. The ethereal leaf patterned Devore silk scarf was handpainted by Joyita. I styled it with my dusty pink faux-leather waterfall front jacket, Svelte leggings and Vince Camuto Booties.
Our walk in the park was a quick stop since we were on our way to an event in downtown Chico. The fall colors were irresistible and my scarf was perfectly in style at our favorite watering hole later that evening.
The watercolor silk scarf handpainted by Joyita.
"Joyita recalls the childhood joy of painting designs with rice flour and water on the floor of her home, guided by a grandmother who taught her to take notice of everything she saw. Today she takes additional inspiration from nature to create wearable works of art on 100 percent silk in her California studio. " Joyita
Uno Alla Volta from the hearts and hands of Artisans.
The silk scarf created by Joyita was a gift from Uno Alla Volta. All opinions expressed are my own.
Signature Style: Velvet Vibe
It seems that velvet is having a major moment right now. I'm spotting velvet in fashion, footwear and plush decor pieces and the velvet vibe feels more fresh and modern, interpreted differently than in the 90's. I've been a fan for many years. It's comfortable and luxurious to wear if done right. I'll never forget my emerald-green off the shoulder cocktail dress from the 90's. I'm hoping to add a pair of velvet booties to my collection this year. How do you feel about velvet?
SIGNATURE STYLE: VELVET VIBE
It seems that velvet is having a major moment right now. I'm spotting velvet in fashion, footwear and plush decor pieces and the velvet vibe feels more fresh and modern, interpreted differently than in the 90's. I've been a fan for many years. It's comfortable and luxurious to wear if done right. I'll never forget my emerald-green off the shoulder cocktail dress from the 90's. I'm hoping to add a pair of velvet booties to my collection this year. How do you feel about velvet?
(Click on gallery for slideshow)
A fabric which divides the masses, velvet as a trend is nothing new and considering fashion’s recent fixation with the 90s we almost should have seen it coming. It’s one of those lavish textiles that while not often at the forefront of the runway, season after season, is continually there in some capacity. For autumn/winter though velvet is undergoing a renaissance that sees the luxurious fabric outpace its tactless past for something altogether more stylish. It boasts a dangerous streak for sure but also a wonderfully eccentric and lustrous element..."
-Sarah Young from Independent UK
Proof that I've been a fan of velvet most of my life...
My sister and I in velvet
Here we are again circa 1971 and it seems gucci stole our look.
Signature Style: The Perfect Black Leggings from Svelte
Black leggings are a staple in my wardrobe. I pretty much live in leggings year round, especially now that I am working out of my home office. Sorry jeans, there is nothing more comfortable to pull on than a pair of leggings, plus, they are incredibly versatile. Dress them up with a silk blouse and heels or dress them down with a chunky sweater and boots. You can wear them from pilates to lunch to an event with the right accessories. Leggings can pretty much take you anywhere. When it comes to travel, leggings are a space saver and so easy to pack, wear, rinse, repeat.
Signature Style: Black Leggings
Black leggings are a staple in my wardrobe. I pretty much live in leggings year round, especially now that I am working out of my home office. Sorry jeans, there is nothing more comfortable to pull on than a pair of leggings, plus, they are incredibly versatile. Dress them up with a silk blouse and heels or dress them down with a chunky sweater and boots. You can wear them from pilates to lunch to an event with the right accessories. Leggings can pretty much take you anywhere. When it comes to travel, leggings are a space saver and so easy to pack, wear, rinse, repeat.
After a busy long weekend of travel in Southern California, with celebrations, late nights, and overindulgences in food and bubbly, I was not exactly feeling my most 'svelte' last Monday. I slipped on my new bootcut leggings and I felt instantly put together and well, more svelte. I'm a curvy girl, no doubt, and while I love my curves, there are times we all need a little extra support. I am NOT a fan of shapewear that binds and crawls around under my clothing. I probably should be, but I find it oh so uncomfortable. When the stretch is built into the clothing that's a whole different story and it's a story being written by the Montreal based 'Svelte' brand.
From Svelte, "Shapewear leggings, tank tops, shorts, and skirts—Svelte’s form-fitting clothing keeps you looking and feeling your very best. The ready-to-wear line integrates to your body shape with a 4-way stretch spandex panel. It sculpts a comfortable, non-restricting solution to those stubborn tummy rolls and periodic bloating. All Svelte shapewear products are equipped with a signature, built-in waist panel to accentuate your silhouette. Capris, leggings, and shorts are high-waist while tank tops integrate three panels: top and bottom cotton comfort with a centerpiece that flattens out your midriff. And not only will you be looking good, Svelte’s boutique line is ultra-comfortable and delightfully soft."
I ordered the flared 'wide leg leggings' from the Svelte website for a change of pace from my usual straight leg cut style. They are super stretchy, soft and so comfortable to wear. I can also wear them with boots, heels or flats which makes them ultra versatile. These will be my go-to leggings for fall. Check out the entire stylish collection at Svelte.
These images were taken at Aloft Concept Hotel in El Segundo, California.
The leggings were a gift from Svelte and all opinions given are my own.
