Creating a home that touches all your senses, Private Lyfe gift cards, my frosted mistletoe marg, a DIY peppermint body scrub + more…

Lifestyle 101

Creating A Home That Touches All Of Your Senses

I’m not going to lie to you, we live in a beautiful area, just outside of Joshua Tree and next door to Palm Springs. We are still wearing shorts here, but just barely. Creating a home here that touches your senses feels easy and bringing the outdoors in feels so natural. Here are a few ways I like to bring things into our home that touch all 5 of our senses.

Artisans Finds

There are so many places to shop these days but when you shop from a small artisan shop the things you bring back to your home aren’t like anyone else’s. No two dishes are alike, the casual way of loving imperfect items is quickly catching on. What if we could celebrate age with character even among the things we touch daily.

Feel Good Moments

Feel good moments should happen often in your home even if it’s just you. That first sip of your matcha tea in a hand-thrown mug, the ritual of making your morning coffee, the way the sheets feel when you slip into bed, and the blankets you wrap yourself in beside the fire at night. Choose natural pottery, handmade blankets and linen or bamboo sheets. Be aware when you shop to buy artisan items from local shops and create stories with your loved one’s while using them.

Scent

Scent has a way of leaving its mark on our memories. Think of all the places you’ve travelled to and what those scents remind you of. Make scent a natural part of your home by burning things like sage, palo santo (my favorite) and hanging lavender bunches in your shower.

Textiles

Every time you move through your home you are touching textiles. The rugs, the blankets, the sheets, the towels. Textiles add warmth and create sound absorbency as well. We typically think of textiles as pretty things like pillows but textiles are almost everywhere in your home. When you purchase natural textiles they tend to live longer and stand the test of daily use, each time making them look better and storied.

Plants

Bringing plants into your home has its health benefits but also adds so much character. Choose plants that are local to your area for best results. Choosing planters that are made of clay, ceramic and stone add texture and interest, and even when they chip or crack they improve in appearance in most instances, and some things with character balance out any new or modern aesthetics you may have in your home already.

Sounds

We almost always have some type of sound in our house, whether it be music, Dave singing, the pool waterfall in the background, or even when sleeping we play waves crashing on the beach, these things really can be soothing when done right. Gone are the days of kids running through the house and the wild childlike chatter I craved when they were small. If you use a turntable, a Sonos, or another type of streaming device, sounds play a big role in what we later revisit in our memories.

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Shop 101

Did You Know You Can Purchase Gift Cards For Yourself Or Family & Friends For the Holidays?

So many holiday options to choose from and all are reloadable! You choose the amount and they choose the service. Good for all services. Buy yours here.

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Food 101

Frosted Mistletoe Margarita

This gorgeous and tasty holiday marg can be made by the pitcher or served in a punchbowl to keep the hostess free to tend to other things. The frosted cranberries are easy to do and add such a festive touch, and you all know I love the little details that create interest.

Such a festive holiday cocktail that is sweet, icy and ooo so delicious! Cheers!

Frosted Mistletoe Margarita

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Yield: 8

Author: Jen Adair

Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups silver tequila
• 2 cups no sugar added cranberry juice
• 3/4 cup Cointreau (orange liquor)
• 1 cup fresh lime juice
• 3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/4-1/2 cup honey, use more or less to your taste
• zest from 1 orange
• 3-4 cups ice
• rosemary and sugared cranberries, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the sugar and salt on a shallow plate. Rim each glass in salted sugar.
2. In a blender, combine tequila, cranberry juice, orange liquor, lime juice, cranberries, and honey. Add the ice and blend until slushy. Add the orange zest and blend to combine. Pour into your prepared glasses. Garnish with rosemary and sugared cranberries, if desired. Drink!

Sugared Cranberries

1. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups fresh cranberries with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup. Let sit 10-15 minutes. Strain the cranberries, then add them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until all the cranberries are coated. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer, for at least one hour

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DIY 101

DIY Sugar Scrubs

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cup organic granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted

• Peppermint oil (you can find this on your baking aisle)

• Mason jars, with lids. I use the 4oz. or the 8oz.

• Ribbon

• Candy Cane

  
  Mix the sugar with the melted coconut oil and add in the peppermint oil until it’s fragrant, I usually use about 2 tsp. per batch.

Make it stand out

What’s great is this is a really easy and quick way to make some homemade, last-minute gifts with things you probably already have on hand. After the holidays you can use lavender or any scent of oil to create the same scrub.

Downloadable Scrub Label Topper is here.

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Styling 101

Holiday Bar Cart

Having a well stocked bar for your guests during the holidays is key. It leaves you, the hostess to do other things and lets you guests mingle, and make conversation. Make sure you have your favorite mixers, aperitifs, limes, and bar tools to accommodate all drink options or create a recipe board and let your guests concoct from there! Cheers!

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Organized 101

Laundry Spinner

Laundry is a chore but you can make it a little bit fun if you create a practical AND pretty space to do all those clothes for you and your loved ones. I really like spending an extra minute to fold clothes so the person wearing them can actually feel the love you put into the chore.

I used the Divided Lazy Susan by iDesign & The Home Edit from The Container Store. Just dump in the pod of your choice, some dryer sheets and some fabric softener and you’re ready to go!

I especially love the labels I made with my new Cricut label maker and can’t wait to start using them on my client ‘s organizing jobs!

You can find your Lazy Susan here.

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Thank you for stopping by, xoxo

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