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Boho Apothecary Craft Room Makeover

My craft room is a multi-purpose room, it’s where I sew, do my DIY projects, library, apothecary, reading area plus it’s where my kids play Xbox too. Oh, and it’s also where I put on my makeup and fix my hair.

This room serves many purposes and it’s been a challenge finding affordable decor and storage solutions but, it’s got my creative juices flowing.

Welcome to Bellwether Apothecary:

First of all, if you don’t know me yet I’m Amy and I love decorating and thrifting. As a stay-at-home mom, I’ve always had a low budget for home decor so auctions, yard sales, Facebook marketplace, antique malls, a little creativity, and some elbow grease have helped me create beautiful spaces in our home.

Reused a picture frame, with a print I made in procreate on my iPad.
Basket and crystal selenite holders from a local shop. (The bazar universe)
Tip- shop your house! Books on essential oils I already had along with some of the crystals and glass tray.
Paint color is Sea Salt. Technically free for this project since it was bought a few years ago for our bedroom color. It is such a relaxing shade.

Metal storage cabinet was a peddlers mall find. This green paint is all through my house. It’s called ‘Into the green’ and i found it on Lowe’s opps shelf in the paint department for 9 dollars.
I’ve scored many paints on the Opps shelf. Paint is already an inexpensive way to update a space or items, and finding these treasures are awesome.
Ignore my ceilings they all need patched and painted but we haven’t gotten that checked off the honey to-do list.

The bench was made using an antique twin bed that belonged to my grandma and the wall hanging was also a DIY.
I scored those cute pillows at a yard sale. The pink curtains are from Tuesday Morning and the sheer ones from TJ Maxx.
Round letter B sign was a clearance find from Hobby Lobby.

The metal cabinet before. I cleaned the cabinet with Dawn Power wash before painting. The handles I used Bar Keepers Friend to get rid of some of the grime.

My L shaped desk was made using filing cabinets and the counter tops were snagged from my parents when they got new ones.
If you peak between the filing cabinets you can see a small cart, this holds and mostly conceals my makeup.
Old coffee mug holder turned into a zipper holder, rattan organizer holds my tape, envelopes, stamps etc for bill paying.

Adorable vintage snail tape dispenser my mom found while we were thrifting. Tulip planter is a few years old but, a clearance TJ Maxx find, with a beautiful purple queen. I also got in the new Laluz diffuser and Aroma essentials kit in and I’m so in love with this diffuser.

The rest of my desk holds my sewing machines.
When working with small spaces using vertical space can make a huge difference. I have wall shelf’s here to hold most of my books, there’s also two longer shelf’s on the other side that holds more of my sewing/craft supplies.
Shiplap is my DIY version using plywood, it was already in this room before we moved the girls into a shared room.

Rusted bracket I found on our property now holds my hanging succulents.
This cabinet used to have mirrors and was once a medicine cabinet. It now holds all my extra essential oils, carrier oils and containers for making rollers or sprays. I’m still debating chicken wire for the doors.
Weird wooden hole thing makes a cute wall decoration. The wreath was another DIY project from a few years ago. I simply hot glued moss to a grapevine wreath- all supplies came from hobby lobby.
Dresser was a $20 marketplace find. Pink paint I already had and reused knobs from other projects. The top of course has the TV and Xbox for the kids and the drawers hold fabrics and vinyl.

This rug makes me so happy. Not only is it beautiful but I scored it for $25 on marketplace. Another re-used frame with one of my art prints.

Tip time again! Paint isn’t the only thing that can change a space with little money. Art prints are an affordable and easy way to change up your decor, plus if you buy from individual artist you’ll have unique pieces instead of mass produced items that everyone has.

I’m incredibly happy with how this turned out, and I hope it gave you some ideas for your space.

Best Guacamole Ever

Before we begin I just want you to know that I’m sorry if that song gets stuck in your head. Also Pinã Colada’s goes perfectly with my guacamole recipe.

I love going to peoples recipe websites but, get totally annoyed when I have to scroll past a novel to get to the actual recipe. No one has time for that here. So I love Guacamole, it’s perfect on top of burgers, chicken, toast or dip for chips or veggies. Try out the best and easiest guacamole for your next Taco night.

Ingredients:

2 medium avocados
Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste
Roma tomatoes. Insides scooped out and finely chopped.
Finely diced red onions or any onion you have on hand
1 drop doTERRA Lime Oil

– Add all ingredients to a bowl and mash together using a fork. Alternatively you can use a food processor. Serve immediately.

Oil Spotlight: Lime

Ahh, Lime Essential Oil is refreshing and energizing in both smell and taste. Limes are used in many recipes and in drinks for their citrus flavor. Lime essential oil, due to it’s high limonene content provides internal cleansing benefits (Hello Detox), it makes a great surface cleaner and of course, it smells yummy.

As the image below shows Lime’s primary benefits are:

Supports healthy immune function.
Can be diffused to cleanse the air and uplift mood.
Removes grease spots and sticker residue.
Reduces the appearance of blemishes and keeps the skin looking healthy.
Promotes clean, healthy looking teeth.
Add a drop to your water or add a drop to whatever you got cooking.

Love diffusing those oils? Here’s some of my favorite Lime Diffuser blends.

What is your favorite thing about Lime essential oil? I love adding to my water and it’s my not-so-secret guacamole ingredient.

Still don’t have your oils? Let’s fix that ASAP. And you’ve got options!

Our newest kit is perfect for those who are beginning their oil journeys, simple products plus a diffuser to make your home smell amazing while ditching toxic chemicals and you’ll even enjoying the health benefits before you know it.

Sorry I’m Late April

Today is the 7th of April and I’m only now getting this posted. Social media and all the blogging gurus say consistency is key -to post once a day, go live, figure out how to make TikTok videos and just do all the things.

Life isn’t like that though, at least mine isn’t. Last weekend we went on a mini vacation for our oldest daughter, my chronic illnesses didn’t much care for all that walking. Then our kid got strep on her actual birthday, I got my second COVID shot and on Tuesday I watched my friend being laid to rest.

I’m a hot mess, and I may be late – no joke I was late to the funeral. But I will show up, I will chose to show up for my family and friends instead of staying up late writing blog posts or taking posed pictures on social media portraying this perfect life that none of us have.

So, sorry I’m late. I’ll be sharing this month’s promos and we have an amazing new enrollment kit, perfect for those who want to use essential oils to make their homes smell great but without the toxins.

This month’s POM is Lime. You’ll get this free with any loyalty rewards order over 125pv before the 15th.

All month long, Neroli is 10% off.

And introducing dōTERRAs new enrollment kit: Aroma Essentials.

For those looking for simple ways to eliminate toxins in their home, aromatic products are some of the easiest places to start. That’s why we created the Aroma Essentials Collection, which includes the best essential oils to help you freshen the air around you and keep your family safe from harmful toxins. Saying goodbye to synthetic fragrances from candles, air fresheners, and other scented products in your space doesn’t mean you have to give up the wonderful aromas you love so much. This collection includes doTERRA powerhouse products to you help freshen the air in your home, while also providing refreshing, invigorating, and lovely aromas. With the Aroma Essentials Collection, you can create a fresh, clean environment that smells incredible, straight from the plant.

The kit includes:

Laluz Diffuser
Northern Escape
Adaptiv
Cheer
Serenity
Citrus Bloom
On Guard
Wild Orange
Breathe
Peppermint
Balance

I have all these oils and they all not only smell amazing but, your whole family will benefit from the immune support from On Guard. Breathe can help with your pollen problems, Peppermint & Wild Orange is perfect for an energy boost, Serenity & Balance is our go-to nighttime blend.

Want to stay in the loop when I post new stuff? Join my email list. Pinky promise I won’t blow up your inbox, and if your not interested you can unsubscribe at any time.

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I Guess I’m Lucky Then

As a kid I knew I always wanted to be a mother, first it was playing with baby dolls then it moved on to watching a baby story on TLC.

I would often envision my future and couldn’t wait to experience the miracle of child birth. I became a mother young but, looking back now it’s evident that it was in Gods plan.

2 years ago when my husband and I found out I’d be needing open heart surgery, one of our main concerns -besides my survival- was future children. So we opted for a tissue valve knowing I would need OHS (Open Heart Surgery) in the future to be replaced VS the mechanical valve option which would have required the use of blood thinners for life making pregnancy much riskier.

Fast forward from having my OHS and getting a pacemaker, I was still having issues with my heart rate, I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder and fibromyalgia. (If you’ve not read my OHS story, I also had aortic aneurysm repair)

My health team was hopeful by a year post op we could talk about family planning so they could get me off of birth control pills. During my 6 month check up the doctors discovered that I had developed another aneurysm right underneath my graft.

My most recent scans show no growth, thank goodness. But, this discovery plus my on going medical issues meant that family planning wouldn’t be happening. Another pregnancy would be deadly, so surgery was scheduled 11 months after my OHS to remove my Fallopian tubes and a uterine ablation to stop my periods.

I have had thoughts about how unfair it was that the decision to grow our family was no longer ours. Advice about being thankful for our 2 daughters were well meaning advice but it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I wanted to have a pity party for myself but, what was that going to accomplish?

I was sitting on my back steps, it was dark but in the country you can see the stars and the moon so clearly. I cried. I prayed. I let all my emotions out into the universe- to god, and it was so relieving.

A few weeks passed since that night, my oldest daughter and I were chatting about the connective tissue disorder I have at the kitchen table. As we were discussing my issues VS her vision issues, she’s -11 (20/600) making her legally blind without her glasses.

Our doctor believes she could possibly have a connective tissue disorder as well, it affecting her eyes. My daughter looked at me and said “ I guess I’m lucky then”. Lucky that she only needs glasses vs heart issues etc. 1 simple sentence from my almost 11 year old, completely changed my mindset.

It all made sense then. God has blessed us with two amazing daughters which we already knew, but God also had a plan. I had my girls young- if I had waited I might not of ever had the chance to be their mom.

I guess I’m lucky then, those words were exactly what I needed to help my self let go of the pain I was holding emotionally and gave me a little god wink in the process.

Images of envelopes with wings in the background with watercolor details. The text in the image says: Tears are prayers too. They travel to God when we can’t speak. Psalm 56:8

Book Review: What Would Frida Kahlo Do?

Book Description

A contemporary guide to life, love, and happiness inspired by the extraordinary artist Frida Kahlo. Revered as much for her fierce spirit as she is for her art, Frida Kahlo stands today as a brazen symbol of daring creativity. She was a woman ahead of her time whose paintings have earned her generations of admirers around the globe. But perhaps her greatest work of art was her own life. What would Frida Do? explores the feminist icon’s signature style, outspoken politics, and boldness in love and art, even in the face of pain and heartbreak. The book celebrates her larger-than-life persona as a woman who loved passionately and lived ambitiously, refusing to remain in her husband’s shadow. Each chapter shares intimate stories from her life, revealing how she overcame obstacles by embracing her own ideals. In this charming read, author Arianna Davis conjures Frida’s brave spirit, encouraging women to persevere, to create fearlessly, and to stand by their own truths.

Review

I bought this book as an add-on to my Book Of The Month Box. All opinions are mine. Some links may be an affiliate, it doesn’t cost you any extra but helps me support my blog.

In its entirety, I liked this book. I learned so many new things about Frida Kahlo that I had never known before. I felt a connection to her- she dealt with chronic pain, other medical issues, and heartbreak and used art/creativity to express her pain and suffering in such a unique and empowering way.

While the book shared some great information about Frida, it also shared some bad advice. In the book (and movie, which I had to watch after reading this) they showed her love for tequila. It begs to wonder that she drank so heavily because of the pain she was in daily after her accident.

Although drinking was apart of Frida’s story, Davis recommended drinking tequila, which surprised me considering she was offering advice for becoming a better you. I think she misinterpreted why exactly Frida drank.

Before reading this book I didn’t know a lot about Frida besides knowing she was an artist with a unibrow and a floral crown. The writer assumes you know a lot about her though. Between pages there were quotes throughout, I think the use of space would have been better utilized by showing the art pieces mentioned, without me having to stop reading to look them up on Pinterest for context.

I’m still glad that I bought this book, which led me to the movie and Pinterest to see her work. Frida dealt with many challenges in life but chose to channel that energy into beautiful, real pieces of art.

When my brother was killed in Afghanistan in 2009, I taught myself to sew for my daughter, and that outlet helped me heal so much. In 2019 I would wake up sick and never get better, surgery and many diagnoses later, art has still been there to help. (I still love sewing but, I can’t do it as long as I used to)

Now I draw and read to help my mental health, concentrating on these tasks can help take my mind off the pain. I spent several days working on my self-portrait, inspired by Frida Kahlo’s work, but with my style.

If you’re interested in learning more about Frida Kahlo, this book is a good choice regardless of its shortcomings. If you follow my blog as a woman/mother with chronic illness, I would highly recommend you find a creative outlet.

Reading, drawing, coloring, etc can all be done perched up in your bed or on the couch on those bad days. Finishing a book, or a drawing can make me feel accomplished even if that’s all I managed to do that day.

The last Time

This quote stopped me immediately and I re-read it multiple times. Flashes of the “last’s” swirling through my brain like a movie reel.

The last time I spoke to a loved one, the last time I picked up my youngest daughter, the last time I was normal- instead of living with chronic illness, depression, and anxiety.

As a teenager, I was introduced to death. In 2005 my cousin was killed in a freak accident at 25, in 2007 I lost my aunt, and both of my grandparents.

2007/2008 was my senior year in high school, one morning I walked out of our house and due to straight line winds it was destroyed. When I returned home, there was nothing left. I think God was making me stronger for the tragedy that would come next.

It was July, hot as hell in Tennessee. We were visiting my brother, his wife and my niece before he deployed to Afghanistan again. This was the last time I seen my brother alive. He was KIA on August 15th, 2009- 15 days before his daughter’s first birthday.

Sgt. Jonathon Travis Rape 04/09/84-08/15/09

In 2019 I found out after sudden and progressive symptoms- that I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and had a 4.6 aneurysm, on July 15th I was headed for Open Heart Surgery. My life was saved and I fully believe it was a miracle, but this was also the year that changed everything for me physically.

Two weeks before my surgery I was cleared to travel with my family to Gulf Shores for vacation. On this trip was the last time I picked up my youngest daughter- I should have soaked it all in. I thought life would return to normal after my surgery but that’s not how my story would play out.

Following my surgery, I have been diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder and fibromyalgia. It’s been over 2 years since I’ve had a day where I wasn’t in any pain. And I can’t remember the last time I felt truly like myself.

I write this, not for pity. I write this to remind myself of the struggles I’ve endured, the strength I didn’t know I had, and to remember that any moment could be the last.

Hello March

Hello March, I humbly ask you take it easy on us. Kids have been out of school again, and they are always hungry. Do these kids ask their teachers for snacks all day? Oh and at the end of the month we’re going to have an 11 year old. This poor kid has missed out on birthday celebrations for the past TWO years with our families like usual. Did I mention she’s turning 11? The pre-teen attitude has already started, I’m thankful to have an oil for that though.

With a new month it means new doTERRA promos and I get to choose my book of the month. Little things like this make me happy, as you can tell.

doTERRA really likes loving on its loyal customers, and each month you get a free oil. This months POM is Cedarwood. We also get a discounted item every month too, for everyone. And that’s on top of the 25% off you get for having a membership. This month Lemongrass is 15% off.

Having a wholesale membership with dōTERRA is like having one at Sam’s club or Costco, as a member of both I can tell you my dōTERRA membership is WAY cheaper and you get more perks.

– Product of the month is FREE with any loyalty rewards order of 125pv by the 15th of each month.

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/education/pe/cedarwood-oil

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/cedarwood-oil

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/education/pe/lemongrass-oil

– https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/lemongrass-oil

New Diffuser Kits

Get the Laluz Diffuser with Wild Orange and Peppermint, all in one kit. Your home will smell fresh and clean all day long with some of mother nature’s best perfume. Plus an energy boost, that I most certainly appreciate.

Get the Dawn Aroma Humidifier with two of dōTERRA’s most popular blends of Breathe and On Guard at an unbeatable price.

Ready to get your oils? Try out my new chat feature so we can discuss your health goals and customize your perfect kit.

Oil Spotlight: Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang essential oil has a permanent spot on my nightstand, inhaling this oil lessens tension and stress plus promotes positive feelings. However, that’s not the reason it stays on my nightstand- weather your having fun alone or with a partner it adds a little warmth to spice things up.

Interested in learning a bit more about using essential oils in the bedroom? I have a post for that 😉.

Want to deep dive in all the Ylang Ylang Information? Check out these links with history, uses, tips, testing and research:

Want to get Ylang Ylang for your night stand? You can purchase it here for retail price, or with a yearly membership (Like Sam’s Club or Costco) you can get it for 25% off!

If want you want to learn more about doterra check out this post:

https://thebellwetherlifeco.wordpress.com/2020/04/11/tell-me-about-doterra/

Valentine’s Day: Essential Oils To Set The Mood

I’m going to get honest first thing, I don’t do Valentine’s day. My kids of course get to buy/make Valentine’s- before the chronic illness came crashing in I would have sewn the girls matching outfits.

If your new here, Im Amy, and used to be one of those Pinterest/crafty moms before health issues changed the game. I’ve been trying to find myself again, I’ve climbed many metaphorical mountains, been low in the hollers but, love always conquers.

Life this past year has been something none of us were prepared for, but this slower pace has been a breath of fresh air. I’ve also been healing from open-heart surgery, looking death in the face has made me LOVE simple mornings on the porch, hot coffee, sunsets, time spent with my family, meaningful moments that I once would have overlooked.

Before we get into all the fun and slightly embarrassing topics of intimacy, I wanted to make sure that we’re taking care of us too- we can’t pour from and an empty cup. Weather you and your partner are celebrating V-day together or if your single and rocking it, some self-love is needed, and so important for our physical and mental health.

Have you ever walked by someone or something and the smell instantly transported you back to grandmas house, or some other memory? Smells especially in high-grade essential oils can help us relax, and set the mood for intimacy. Scientists have discovered that we even subconsciously use smells to pick a partner.

Each of the oils below have aphrodisiac properties and can be used in your diffuser, applied to the body in a sensual massage and even as personal lubricants.

Here’s a few love potions you can mix up to have on hand, whenever the mood strikes. Simple & Sweet was my first introduction into using oils during sexy time. I keep a bottle of Ylang Ylang on my night stand, a few drops goes along ways. Try it. I promise you’ll be thanking me later.

Essential Oils are so amazing to me, not only can these particular oils help your sex life, but they also have so many more health benefits. For example, Ylang Ylang applied to the ankles can help with hot flashes, Clary sage assists the body with menstrual-related symptoms plus so much more.

Click here to here to buy your Set the Mood Starter Kit.

The Starter Kit includes your membership fee (like Sam’s Club or Costco) which gets your 25% off all products plus tons of perks, 10ml bottle of Ylang Ylang, 10ml bottle of Clary Sage, and a 15ml roller bottle of Clary Calm.

Want more oils or a different starter kit? Contact me on here or any of my social platforms and I’d be more than happy to discuss your health goals.