Ready to check out my list of homemaking mama summer favorites? I made a list of the things that are really making me happy this summer, from food to books!
When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad… I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.
I couldn’t talk about favorite things without thinking of that song, as my almost 4 year old daughter has become completely enthralled by the Sound of Music and is dancing about the house singing this along with variations of “I am 16 Going on 17” and “Doe a Deer”.
My 2017 summertime favorites for simple living!
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Fresh Garden Produce ~
With it being late summer, I can’t mention favorite things without saying how much I love all the fresh food and flowers coming in from the garden! Sweet cherry tomatoes, zinnias and cosmos, green beans and cukes… So wonderful!
Fresh Lime and Pink Himalayan Salt ~
I know, you typically use salt and lime together when talking about tequila, but I’m pregnant so that’s not it.
I’m just obsessed with these two kitchen staples at the moment, together and separate.
There is nothing that smells quite as intoxicating as cutting into a fresh, juicy lime. Man! I love it in water, still and sparkling, I love squeezing it onto rice, shrimp tacos, grilled chicken, salad, corn on the cob… You just can’t go wrong!
And the Himalayan pink salt is much the same, great on everything. You would think that salt is salt, but not so! This kind is full and soft in flavor, so pleasing, and quite different than traditional table salt if you’re paying attention.
Most places these days are selling it, but I got mine at Trader Joe’s in a little grinder. Plus, it is so good for you, full of trace minerals that have been stripped out of other salts. And isn’t it beautiful?
Young Living Lime Vitality essential oil ~
On that same vein, here is a favorite oil I’m using quite a lot at the moment. It’s all the amazing-ness of fresh lime, concentrated in a bottle.
Sometimes I just crack it open and sniff! So awakening, zingy, fresh and summery!
The Vitality line of oils by Young Living is labeled specifically for internal use.
I love this in my diffuser (here’s a post I wrote about diffusing essential oils), it smells incredible, but my favorite thing to do with it this summer has been to add it to a pitcher of frosty, cold, iced tea.
A little goes a very long way, I only need 1-2 drops in a whole pitcher. It is incredible, even in unsweetened tea, which is what I’ve been drinking lately. I can only imagine how delicious it would taste in sweet tea!
(Remember to always use only glass or stainless steel when adding essential oils, as the oils can erode plastics and you don’t want to be drinking that!)
Young Living Savvy Mineral Makeup ~
This is a brand new product line that Young Living has introduced and people are pretty much going crazy for it.
I have been wanting to clean up my makeup collection for quite awhile now, so when I ran out of foundation and bronzer right at the same time these products were introduced, I knew I had to try them.
I purchased the foundation powder in Cool 1, and the bronzer powder in Crowned All Over.
These are meant to be applied dry or damp with a brush. I also ordered the Misting Spray, which I haven’t received yet as it is on back-order.
I have enjoyed experimenting with the application of these and am learning how to blend and layer for the coverage I want. This stuff is so incredibly light and luminous. Even when I put on quite a bit, it never feels like anything at all on my face. Perfect for summer!
And I love that I know all the ingredients are clean and pure, and I’m not slathering on some sort of toxic junk onto my skin everyday!
French Aromatherapy by Jen O’Sullivan ~
Always interested in furthering my education, this book has probably been my favorite of all the oil books I have read so far.
It is so no-nonsense, digestible and enjoyable to read while being really informative. For oil newbies and oldies!
(The best part, is that I requested my library to order it, and they did! I encourage you to try that first if you find a book you want to read. My library is wonderful about filling book requests. Try it!)
It may actually be a book that I end up buying for my personal library.
Everyday Food with Sarah Carey ~
Everyday Food was a magazine by Martha Stewart that I used to subscribe to and it was one of the few magazines that I felt was worth the money. I loved that little publication!
It has gone out of print (I might have cried a bit), but Everyday Food is still a division of Martha Stewart with a great YouTube channel and I love watching Sarah Carey’s (she was the editor of the magazine) videos especially.
Click the link for a playlist to check out!
Roolee ~
This is a small clothing boutique out of Utah that has some of the most darling dresses and clothing that I have seen in a long time.
Good quality, modest, trendy yet classic, and oh so affordable!
I ordered a dress from them a few weeks ago and I love it! This is the one I got. I’m so happy to have a dress that I can wear while pregnant, and nurse in after baby comes!
They were having a great sale on 4th of July, so watch for sales if you see something you like! I also like keeping an eye on their cute styles by following them on Instagram.
I’m fixing to send you something from the funny farm. Bet you like it, too!
This is a delightful informative, fun post! Love all the ideas!