‘I promise I will always make the most of Springtime’ (from Spring Awakening by Lily Baker)

What are you doing to celebrate Spring?  Here is South Australia, spring was a long time coming but after a cold damp winter (and lots of rain, thanks) we are now looking forward to some sun!  I like to walk every day, just around the block (in the hills, a block is a good 45 minutes walk!) and observe the signs of spring.  I use the time to collect a few interesting twigs, branches, leaves and flowers.  I also use the time to think and plan my day ahead.  Yesterday was beautiful and warm, one of the first sunny days for a while. I noticed lots of changes in the area and it made me feel hopeful and happy.  If you can relate to this, you will know that everyone naturally feels better and more energised in spring – its a good time to clean out your cupboards, to rearrange furniture, to get out into the garden or to take on that project you’ve been wanting to tackle all winter but haven’t had the motivation!

I started by giving the bathroom a good clean and looking in my linen cupboard for some bright hand towels.  Guests appreciate a nice bright hand towel and I always leave a fresh one by the sink in the bathroom.  Guests always think I’ve left it especially for them!  Last week I bought a glass liquid soap dispenser and filled it with blue (ocean-smelling) soap and added a reed diffuser.  I don’t know why but spring always makes me long to go down to the ocean and sit in the sun and look at the blueness of the sky and sea. So I brought a little of the seaside to my bathroom without giving it a beachy feel (as I am in the country).   I purchased the clear glass liquid soap dispenser from House & Garden  on special at the moment for $15.  I like to change the colour of the liquid depending on the season and also you can easily see when it needs refilling!  I couldn’t find any blue flowers but plenty of wattle around so a sprig or two of local blossoms completes the functional and pretty display.

Welcome your guests with fresh flowers, clean towel and nice scents!

You can find oil diffusers everywhere, but I like the one called ‘Beach’ – you can purchase this and other oils from House & Garden- it will set you back about $40 and really for a space like a bathroom,  you only need a small bottle.  Click on the image to take you to the website.  However, read on if you would like to make your own diffuser!

Australian-based Wavertree & London.

It is so much easier to make and blend your own.  Why not make this your new spring project?

 click here to take you to Make-Reed-Diffuser

I’m not keen on sweet smelling oils so below are my favourite more subtle blends.  Google and you will find plenty to experiment with!

Ocean Breeze – 3 drops lavender, 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops bergamot, 1 drop eucalyptus.

Fresh  Linen- 4 drops bergamot, 4 drops grapefruit

Baby Powder – 4 drops Rose, 4 drops Vanilla

Clear Citrus  – 5 drops bergamot, 2 drops lime, 2 drops orange, 1 drop rosewood.

Forest Fever – 3 drops pine, 2 drops sage, 2 drops rosemary, 1 drop eucalyptus

Another feature I like to offer my guests if they stay the night is a variety of little items at their disposal.  I used these plant pots I bought at Ikea for $2 each and cram them full of products they can use.

choice of products for guests to use – hand-cream, deodorant, toothpaste, soap, shower caps etc

I caught sight of this idea at a friend’s house recently.  A cute way to store makeup!  You can purchase similar pottery jars from Bauhaus in Adelaide

Cute Make-up holder!

I’ll leave you with ‘Spring Awakening’ a poem by Australian Lily Baker

Spring is the magical time

When the rainbow lorikeets hum and the honey suckles

Blossom,

When I actively bounce down the sand dunes

And onto the pea green grass,

The waratahs and the wattles bloom,

And my heart opens to the riot of spring.

I love this time when everything comes to life,

Nature triumphs in the trees, swaying freely in the wind,

Stealing my train of thought

And making my imagination run wild.

I am inspired by this heavenly kingdom,

The tranquillity of dew droplets falling,

Slowly

The mastery of the rain.

I feel connected.

Tree sap trickles down the bark of native gum trees

I examine this , calmly, curiously.

Sometimes the wind whispers to me at dusk

Giving me confidence within my body

I promise

I will always make the most of springtime.

Source :  An Australian Poem A Day