Welcome back! This week the children and I enjoyed learning about Bath, England. We used this beautiful city as our inspiration for this week’s post. Veering off our normal path, which often leads us into the kitchen- we took a sharp turn, leading us to try something a bit different. Join us as we shift our attention from the kitchen to the powder room- where we will discover a new “recipe.”
Now don’t let an oxymoron like powder room and “recipe” turn you off just yet- for I plan to incorporate some lovely, ordinary things into this important room as well. Afterall, I do understand that a recipe concocted in a powder room would probably not be appetizing. However, a recipe made in a kitchen- for a powder room- is surely acceptable.
Recipes do not always have to be consumed, and ordinary things do not have to be boring. Moreover, antiques and thrifts can help transform necessary, mundane things into something special and unique. A bit of creativity, and a bit of thought, makes decorating a useful activity. So, come along and be our guest as we share our powder room decorating ideas with you.
~Bath, England~
During my second visit to England, my now husband and I, traveled to Bath, England. (By the way, my husband pronounces Bath like Ba, Ba Black Sheep-Ba-th.) Anyway, I digress.
Bath, England is an amazing place to visit! While I am no historian, I do know that Bath, England houses natural hot spring baths that are known to date back to the time of the Romans. The warm waters were once thought to have healing powers.
Like many English cities, Bath is a city steeped in history. The architecture of the iconic buildings is stunning! There are some lovely bike paths (which my husband and I traveled on). I have many fond memories of our time visiting there.
Additionally, the Royal Crescent is an amazing piece of architecture. The Royal Crescent is a row of terraced houses, but in the shape of a crescent moon. Kind of rounded as you walk past it. A bit hard to put into words-but it is breathtaking and mysterious, stunning and unique. Many of the buildings are made with local Bath stone (which reminded me a little bit of the iconic Cotswold stone look).
~Lavender and Rose Petal Milk Bath~
Using Bath, England as my inspiration for this post, I thought it would be fun to share a different type of “recipe”. A recipe for an English milk bath. Historically, a milk bath was used by queens and royalty to help keep skin moisturized and supple. (Or so the story goes.)
Uniquely, this recipe uses powdered milk, but I understand that you can use fresh milk as well. I wanted to use some of my dried rose petals (as I had some left over from my last post). Additionally, I used lavender because lavender is both fragrant and relaxing. Personally, I find the combination of the rose petals and the dried lavender ever so pleasant.
~Not Every Recipe is Fit for Consumption~
While most recipes are meant for eating- some recipes are best left untasted. My lavender and rose milk bath is one of those “best left untasted” kind of recipes. (Probably best stored far away from your morning Coffee Mate too). However, while milk bath is most certainly not tasty, it is moisturizing to the skin.
Ahh, the tantalizing thought of a long soak, in a peaceful bathtub, sounds appealing to most of us.
Cue the reality check: As a mom of multiple young children, this luxury generally does not exist in my world. Even if I allowed myself to hope, I would surely be interrupted by needy knocks, made with tiny hands, and a chorus of many “Mom? Mom?… Moms?” (*Even still, I wouldn’t trade my mom life in.)
However, a mom can dream- and a milk bath recipe is good to have on hand. Even if it is a recipe that is pulled out and used in ten years’ time.
~How a Milk Bath is Made~
Simple ingredients serve this recipe well. Thankfully, many of these ingredients are pantry staples. This recipe is very adaptable. Therefore, able to suit your individual tastes. (But remember…don’t really taste it!)
Colloidal Oats may or may not be something you have on hand (think oatmeal baths for itchy skin or eczema). It can also be expensive to buy. However, there is no need to run out to the store and get your pocketbook out for this recipe. No, no you can easily make your own “powdered” oats. By adding old fashioned oats to a blender and pulverizing the oats until they transform into a powder, you create a similar product. Basically, you need the oats to be absorbable in the warm bath water. For this particular recipe, pulverizing does the trick.
~A Suitable Storage Solution~
I must be honest; my first idea did not bear much fruit. As I looked through my basket of fabrics and scraps, I came across an old silk handkerchief. It was made of a very fine, transparent fabric- which I wrongly thought would be suitable for holding a milk bath. I did not have any other use for the handkerchief- plus, I have a few more of them to spare. So, I marked out my pattern and I went to work with my fabric sheers.
After I cut the fabric out and headed over to the sewing machine, I soon realized my mistake. The silk material was too thin to properly sew on the sewing machine. As a result, the machine kept grabbing the lightweight fabric and pulling it in. By the time, I realized this, the needle pricks were making a mess of the fabric.
~Waste Not Want Not~
I was gutted to have ruined my old handkerchief but then… then an idea sprang to mind. “Waste not, want not. So, I trimmed the edges neatly (although, that was a challenge too). I then added some rice, rose petals, and lavender to the middle of the handkerchief and wrapped up each corner. Afterwards, I used some vintage lace, that I had bought from a thrift store, and tied a sweet bow to hold the fabric together.
While not my original idea, it did the job. Through the mistake, I was able to salvage, what I call, a potpourri satchel.
A potpourri satchel can be placed on a guest room pillow, in a sock drawer, or given as a gift.
Perhaps the best part is that no sewing is involved- making this is an easy craft for those who are not keen on sewing.
As Pa from Little House on the Prairie would say, “All’s well that ends well!”
~The Plan B~
~Phew, I Got There in the End-Final Iteration~
When I was a student teacher, I taught my middle school students how to make drawstring bags. I thought this easy project would be a perfect accompaniment for my lavender and rose petal milk bath. Mini fabric drawstring bags are quite versatile and can make perfect little gift bags.
This simple activity could be paired with the milk bath recipe in order to be given as a thoughtful, inexpensive gift.
I enjoyed the drawstring bag so much that I decided to make another, smaller bag with a different thrifted ribbon. Afterall, everybody/every bag needs a friend.
~An Eye Mask Made from a Thrifted Shirt~
Being thrifty is a favorite hobby of mine. I enjoy using creativity to create a challenge for my mind and a challenge for my skill set. Challenges push us to learn new skills.
Naturally, most of my sewing projects are simple. I am not a skilled seamstress who can make beautiful garments or tricky designs. Therefore, I often do not need loads of fabric. On one of my recent thrifting ventures, I came across a well-made ladies’ shirt that was only one dollar. I bought it not to wear ironically, but instead… to cut up and use for the fabric. It may have been easier to buy a new yard of fabric, but I like challenging myself to think outside the box.
~A Vintage Candy Dish -Two Ways~
Candy dishes are a favorite find of mine. There is just something about their matching lids and the “clink, clinking” sound that is made when the body and lid meet. Almost as if their clinking chime is an ever-present alarm, seeking to alert a suspicious parent that their child is sneaking a piece of cheeky candy before dinner. Or maybe, it is just the fact that I have a slight candy obsession, and these iconic dishes remind me of the carefree days of childhood?
Either way, I adore them and collect them. And this is good- as there are many candy dishes on thrift store shelves.
Candy dishes are not limited to storing candy. Actually, they are useful for many things. I like to use them around the house, but one of my favorite places to use them is on a powder room countertop. Where they make otherwise boring toiletries stand out in a pretty way.
As you may have gathered…I do find joy in making things lovely.
~An Amalgamation of Antique and Thrift~
A hanging heart does not go amiss in this charming space. If you frequent my blog, you may remember this sweet English heart that I actually sewed for our entryway. As it would be, I like to switch my decorations around frequently so you will see this heart in several upcoming photographs. When I am capturing my photographs, I find joy in adding my own creations to help stage areas around the home.
~Now for the Thrifted Treasures~
If you have been following my post, you may recognize this goblet that I turned into a planter for my aloe plant. The green glass candlestick was a thrift find and also one of my favorites. Something about the color of the emerald glass is both enchanting and warm. How fun that none of these items were bought together, but in my opinion, they complement one another nicely.
~Until Next Time~
Well, this mom is beyond tired and that is all I can muster up… so I will close with this well wish. Remember that ordinary things can be lovely things. Function can also be beautiful. Recipes are not always for eating. Creativity is a helpful “brain muscle” to train. And lastly, smiles are for sharing.
I hope to see you all next Friday! Be sure to check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages form more lovely ideas and inspirations. Please subscribe to my blog so you do not miss a special post.
~Elizabeth~
Lizz, the bath milk in the dishes looked delicious!! Loved the read again!
❤️
Thank you, just don’t eat the milk bath. 🙂