School teachers don't need an excuse for happy hour on a Friday afternoon. Our internal GPS are pretty honed in on gathering spots offering discounted refreshments when the last bell rings after another week confined in classrooms and absorbed in curriculum.  

This week, we did have an excuse, and the gathering spot was at my place, decked-out to celebrate not one, but TWO of our staff members getting hitched this summer. Girls-only happy hour, elevated and extended!

With my offer to host, of course, I became obsessed with that special touch, as if simply catching up over apps and cocktails isn't enough. I wanted something interactive, but bridal shower games weren't in the cards with this crowd. And due to HoneyFund travel registries set up for online contributions, the brides would be without a pile of presents to open and awkwardly model for a gaggle of giddy guests. 

Leave it to my husband to think up in-house gift-making that would send brides AND guests home with gifts to unwrap and even USE. I jumped on the idea and paired it with the passion to share my love of essential oils. Baskets-O-Bliss, Spa Fun! 

The beauty of crafting these days is our limitless access to resources and recipes on the world wide web. From Pinterest to Amazon, Etsy, and the bombardment of blogs (yes, I am now guilty of taking up space and contributing to the infinite info-net), I narrowed the plethora of DIY ideas and modified them to assemble four creation-stations. Guests could get crafty, each assembling one spa gift for the bridal basket, and one to take home for themselves. 

Despite the cool and drizzly evening, ladies found their way to the porch after mingling, munching, and marg-blending, to mix and mold like mad scientists, taking in the aromatic awesomeness of doTERRA essential oils. When finished, they deposited jars and bottles into the collective bridal spa basket, and tucked one goody away for their own indulgence. Mission accomplished.

Below is the post-champagne toast n' roast shake-down on Bridal Shower & Bath goodies.

Relax & Recover Spritz
Makes one 2oz bottle
We made several in no time!

Supplies needed:
Desired amount of glass 2oz spray bottles*
2oz funnel
One pipette if needed (the viscosity of Cedarwood EO can increase with a drop in temperature. Remove the plastic drop regulator to access oils with pipette.)
Labels if desired**

*I ordered one dozen 2oz amber glass bottles from Amazon.com. Find them here:
Glass spritzer bottles
**Gift Tags

Ingredients:
2-24 ounces of Distilled Water, depending on how many bottles you make
doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil
doTERRA Cedarwood Essential Oil

Directions:

1. Remove spray nozzle and carefully fill bottle with distilled water via the funnel. (Note that funnels can be tricky, as you can easily overflow the bottle if a seal is created at the neck.)
2. Add 5 drops Lavender EO + 5 drops Cedarwood EO.
3. Replace spray nozzle and add label as desired.
4. Spray on bed linens for relaxation, into air for healthy breathing, as well as on skin for healing.

Earlier this week, I posted a call for help to the incredible needs of Nepal in the aftermath of last weekend's devastating earthquake. It was also a promotion of wellness through the purchase of essential oils for your own needs. (Read "Give Wellness; Get Wellness") Since then, yet another opportunity has risen to assist with disaster relief, through the very company with which I work. 

dōTERRA International has a growing and sustainable reputation as a business who is committed to their mission of offering high quality essential oils globally, as well as opportunities of personal development for its advocates sharing the love. Additionally, their consciousness for renewability practices through native regional harvesting and co-impact sourcing separates them from any other multi-level marketing company out there. 

Perhaps most philanthropically notable is doTERRA's Healing Hands Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to improving lives through partnering with organizations that offer hope to millions around the world. Because of their close working and personal relationship with Nepal, they have committed to a first donation of $100,000 to their local relief partners. All of YOUR donations made to the Healing Hands Foundation through the month of May will be matched by doTERRA International up to $500,000 for targeted Nepal humanitarian relief. Amazing!

You can also help the Nepal recovery efforts by purchasing doTERRA’s Healing Hands Rose Lotion. One hundred percent of your purchase of this lovely Bulgarian rose CPTG® essential oil infused hand lotion will be donated to dōTERRA's Healing Hands Foundation. A perfect Mother's Day gift!

Shop today at www.mydoterra.com/mountaingaia