part ritual, part fragrance

at the start of June, I mentioned I would be working with vanilla all summer. true to my word, I have been playing around with it and whipped up a smoky blend that now accompanies many of my daily rituals. so, if you’re curious to try it yourself, here’s the blend: vanilla, black pepper,  lemon, rosemary, and vetiver.

why this concoction?

vanilla soothes. black pepper sharpens. lemon clarifies. rosemary awakens. vetiver anchors.

(and if you are wondering, I eyeball the drops, depending on how I am working with it.)

it’s like a scent that delivers punctuation – it spruces my room; it softens the edges during the day; and it closes the loop at night.

so, here are a few favorite ways I’ve been layering it…

no. 1 | the steam ritual

I start the shower and let the steam commence. I then mix a few drops of the blend into a carrier oil and massage it onto my pulse points before stepping in.

if you prefer a bath, add a few drops of the blend to a handful of Epsom salts and swirl them into the water.

no. 2 | the morning mist

I blend the oils 1 tablespoon of vodka in an amber bottle filled with distilled water, and give it a good swirl.

I mist our bed with this blend every morning once it’s made – and it shifts the energy instantly. I also spritz out any wrinkles in my clothes – but let’s take this metaphorical, and feel free to smooth out any ‘wrinkles’ in your energy field or day with a spritz (or two) around you.

no. 3 | the mid-afternoon reset

around 3 PM, when the light starts to shift (and my focus does, too!), I will add this concoction to a diffuser for a quick refresh.

no. 4 | the wind-down

I will rub a few diluted drops onto the back of my neck before bed. if you do this consistently, it will become the cue your body ‘senses’ to soften, release, and exhale. xo