Everyone has plenty of stress to deal with. Why not let the garden come to the rescue with a wonderful pamper basket? You can create one and fill it with soothing things to help you relax. Follow these directions to make a dream pillow, oils for the bath or massages, rose water, bath salts, and even bath bags. Materials:
decorative basket
your favorite essential oils (such as rose and lavender)
raw oatmeal
large bowl
sea salt (as in water softener)
dried rosebuds
dried lavender
decorative jar (for bath salts)
decorative bottle (for bath oil)
decorative mister bottle (for rosewater)
jojoba oil
poly-fil (available at craft or fabric stores)
pillow-sized pieces of cotton or muslin and thread
small muslin bag (available at craft stores)
velvet, satin, or flannel with matching thread (for pillow case)
Bath Bags
In a large bowl, mix three to four handfuls of raw oatmeal, two to three handfuls of plain sea salt and one handful each of rosebuds and lavender. Next, add about ten drops of your favorite essential oil (we recommend lavender for its soothing properties) and mix well with your hands. Take a small muslin bag (about four inches square), fill it with one-half to one cup of the mixture and then tie it up. When dropped into a bath, the contents will dissolve, soften the water and make for a lovely experience.
Bath Salts
In a bowl, mix sea salt with 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. The amount of oil you use depends on how much salt you need to fill your jar, so let your nose be your guide. Stay away from using oatmeal or loose herbs because they'll float around in the bath. A handful of dried rosebuds, however, can be an aromatic and romantic addition.
To use, simply pour the salts into your hot bath. They'll dissolve and nicely soften and scent your bath.