by C Sawyer
As we embrace the holiday season, we remember the joys and stresses of celebrating and getting together with family, friends, and loved ones. Even with the pandemic still influencing our decisions regarding the holidays, we’ve put together some easy tips you can use, regardless of how you’re celebrating.
Embrace Dip
Every great event has great food. If you’re out of practice preparing a feast, turn to this Creamy Herbes de Provence Dip recipe from Canadian Living to ensure your appetizers are incredible.
A Gift for the Host
A great guest always brings a host or hostess gift. Consider gifting all-natural, organic skincare you feel good using.
Bring a Dish to Share
Consider making some incredible buns or bread to add to the meal. Check out this recipe for Olive Oil and Herbes de Provence Bread that both inexperienced and experienced bakers can prepare.
Overstock the Bar
If you’re hosting an event where alcohol is served, overstock your bar to ensure guests have their drink of choice. Consider setting up a self-serve bar to free yourself up and put guests in control of their drinks.
Set Up a Kid-Friendly Space
Set up an area just for the kids. This area may include items like coloring books and crayons, kid-friendly food, playdough, and more. It creates a space where kids can be themselves.
As we embrace the holidays and hosting events, we want to spend more time with our guests than cooking, cleaning, and tending bar. Embrace the holiday season!
Our new Bundles make gifting quick and easy over the holidays, Subscription Plans ensure your gift is enjoyed through the whole year too! Check out more Blog post to get skin care tips for winter.
by C Sawyer
Here are some popular examples of lavender used in desserts and beverages:
Desserts
- Lavender shortbread cookies: A classic shortbread cookie infused with lavender for a delicate floral flavor.
- Lavender lemon cupcakes: A sweet and tangy cupcake with a hint of lavender.
- Lavender panna cotta: A creamy Italian dessert with a subtle lavender flavor.
- Lavender chocolate truffles: Rich chocolate truffles infused with lavender for a unique and indulgent treat.
Beverages
- Lavender Earl Grey tea: A classic tea blend with a floral twist.
- Zen Zzz’s Organic Herbal Tea: The ultimate calming beverage, hot or cold.
- Lavender lemonade: A refreshing summer drink with a touch of lavender.
- Lavender mojito: A classic mojito with a lavender-infused simple syrup.
- Lavender hot chocolate: A cozy and comforting hot chocolate with a lavender flavor.
These are just a few examples of how lavender can be incorporated into desserts and beverages. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite combinations. Culinary Lavender available on the Shop is perfect for use in your desserts and beverages. Check out other Blog posts here on Belvedere Lavender or visit our online store to see our wide range of Lavender for use in the kitchen!
by C Sawyer
The last few years have seen a surge in popularity of lavender essential oils for skincare routines, but there are many other ways to bring the magic of lavender into your life! Love Lavender? We have great news, you can use it almost everywhere!
Most of us are familiar with lavender oil, likely because it is one of the most popular essential oils in the world. With a plethora of innovative ways to use this oil to boost your health and wellness, let’s look at these great tips:
Use Lavender to Make an All-Purpose Cleaner
Avoid nasty, harsh cleaning chemicals by using lavender to make an all-purpose cleaner for counters, floors, stovetops, etc. The ingredients are simple! Just take a large spray bottle, add a cup of white vinegar, about a tablespoon of baking soda, a cup or so of water, and then add lavender essential oil drops (as many as needed for the desired scent). Mix gently, and you have a beautifully scented general-purpose cleaner for your home. Also, because lavender is antibacterial, you will have added health benefits – two for one!
Use Lavender All-Natural Laundry Detergent
Using lavender laundry detergent along with distilled white vinegar is a safe, easy, and effective way to get clean clothing that smells incredible. Lavender’s antibacterial properties ensure your laundry is disinfected naturally. A rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of our laundry detergent for every 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar. Good for 48 loads!
Use Lavender to Scent Your Closets and Drawers
Putting a sachet with lavender flowers adds this wonderful fragrance to any number of areas/spaces in your home. Another option is to add lavender essential oil to a piece of cloth, then put that in a fabric bag and place it in drawers, in your closet, or other areas that get that musty smell, such as storage areas and broom closets. Or try a lavender sachet in your suitcases when traveling.
Use Lavender for Great Sleep
The fragrance of lavender essential oil is a very effective way to induce deep, rejuvenating sleep. Clinical testing has proven how this essential oil not only gently induces sleep but is also effective for incidences of insomnia.
To get a great sleep, try using a lavender sachet in your bed or using lavender mist on your pillow and/or comforter.
For more information on the magic of lavender, join our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. You can also shop for Belvedere Lavender skincare products on our online store.
by C Sawyer
Lavender, known for its calming fragrance, can also add a unique and delightful flavour to your culinary creations. Here are some tips on using culinary lavender in the kitchen:
Sweet Treats
- Lavender Sugar: Infuse sugar with lavender buds for a fragrant sweetener to use in baking.
- Lavender Honey: Combine lavender with honey for a delicious and aromatic spread.
- Lavender Ice Cream or Sorbet: Add lavender extract or infused sugar to ice cream or sorbet for a refreshing treat.
- Lavender Cookies or Cakes: Incorporate lavender into cookies, cakes, or muffins for a subtle floral flavor.
Savory Dishes
- Lavender-infused Oil: Create a flavorful oil by infusing olive oil with lavender buds. Use it for drizzling over salads or grilled vegetables.
- Lavender-roasted Meats: Add lavender sprigs to your roasting pan when cooking meats like lamb or chicken for a fragrant and flavorful twist.
- Lavender-infused Vinegar: Infuse vinegar with lavender for a tangy and aromatic condiment.
- Lavender Tea: Steep lavender flowers in hot water for a calming and flavorful tea.
Tips for Using Lavender in the Kitchen
- Start with a small amount: Lavender has a strong flavor, so it’s best to start with a small amount and gradually increase as desired.
- Balance flavors: Lavender pairs well with other flavors like lemon, honey, and vanilla.
- Use fresh or dried lavender: Both fresh and dried lavender can be used in culinary applications.
- Store lavender properly: Store lavender in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
By incorporating lavender into your kitchen, you can add a unique and delightful flavor to your dishes while enjoying its calming aroma.
Follow our blog here to get more ideas and recipes in the future.
by C Sawyer
Relax and Rejuvenate with a DIY Belvedere Lavender Manicure
Indulge in some self-care with a soothing, fragrant lavender manicure at home. This step-by-step guide will lead you through the process, leaving your hands feeling soft, refreshed, and beautifully manicured.
What You’ll Need:
Let’s Get Started!
- Prep your nails: Remove any old nail polish with nail polish remover and cotton balls.
- Shape and trim: Clip your nails to your desired length and shape them with a nail file.
- Soak and soften: Add a few drops of Goat’s Milk Bath to a bowl of warm water and soak your hands for 5-10 minutes to soften your nails and cuticles.
- Tidy those cuticles: Gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher.
- Exfoliate for smoothness: Apply your chosen lavender scrub (coffee or salt) to your hands, massaging gently in circular motions. Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry thoroughly: Pat your hands dry with a towel.
- Moisturize with lavender: Massage Belvedere Lavender Hand & Body Lotion into your hands, paying extra attention to your cuticles and the skin around your nails.
- Cleanse before polish: Remove any lotion residue from your nails with a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover.
- Polish with care: Apply a thin base coat, followed by your chosen nail polish in thin, even coats. Seal your manicure with a clear top coat. Use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any smudges.
- Relax and enjoy: Admire your beautiful lavender-infused manicure and enjoy the calming aroma.
Benefits of a DIY Lavender Manicure:
- Cost-effective: Pamper yourself without the expense of a salon visit.
- Relaxing and therapeutic: The lavender scent promotes calmness and relaxation.
- Beautiful and healthy nails: Enjoy a fresh manicure and softer hands.
- Convenient: Treat yourself to a manicure anytime in the comfort of your own home.
Tips:
- For a longer-lasting manicure, apply thin coats of polish and allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
- Use a quick-drying top coat to speed up the drying process and add extra shine.
- Reapply hand cream throughout the day to keep your hands moisturized and your manicure looking fresh.
Enjoy your DIY spa experience! Read more of our blogs here!
