What a Great Buzz

Did you know that bees filter out environmental toxins? They act as biological filters, providing clean honey that’s packed with health benefits.

Look for raw honey (unheated, unfiltered) as it contains loads of healthy enzymes, minerals and antioxidants. (Heating and filtering removes the pollens and destroy the honey's beneficial enzymes.)

For increased energy try a tablespoon a day of our Black Cat Honey. You’ll get all the natural benefits, as this raw honey is strained - not filtered and never processed. You’ll be buzzing with vitality.

Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

I’m no Feng Shui expert, but I do like the sense of possibility offered by many of the concepts. For instance, in order to stimulate abundant wealth Feng Shui practitioners advise placing a bowl of oranges in the southeast corner of your home. Of course I shared this useful tip with all my friends. Some ended up arguing with their husbands over what constituted the southeast corner and others were more concerned over the variety of fruit: would Clementines have the same effect? To be honest, I’m not even sure if the rule is southeast corner of the home or more specifically the kitchen. It could be pretty bizarre to see a bowl of oranges in one’s bathroom if that happens to be the right corner. If you know, please let me know.

Anyway, I’m not sure if it’s working yet, but I do know we all seem to be eating healthier snacks because the bowl is so accessible. One less trip to the doctor will definitely make us wealthier.

P.S. The same hand-hewn wood bowl pictured above is available at Farmhouse Wares.

A Sweet Idea

If you're a fan of recycling old things into new treasures then here is a sweet idea for a Valentine's Day Gift. Head out to your local antique shop and rummage through the old post-card bins. There are so many beautiful vintage Valentine’s Day cards just waiting for a frame and a new home. Often the writing is still legible, which makes me feel a bit like a voyeur. But it’s also kind of poetic to know the sweetness that these Valentines once brought to someone continues to bring joy to the new owners.

You Don't Have To Stay At DeNiro's New Hotel To Have a Luxurious Bath

I'm so excited to finally offer the new McBride Beauty Travel kit. This deluxe travel kit can also be found in the bathrooms at Robert DeNiro's fancy new The Greenwich Hotel in NYC. Inside the zippered canvas bag, you'll find four grapefruit and sage products that will get you clean, refreshed and on your jet-setting way:

Grapefruit and Sage Shampoo has a creamy coconut lather that is gentle enough for daily cleansing while Wheat Amino Acids and Vitamin B5 restore a healthy shine.

Grapefruit and Sage Daily Conditioner contains Wheat Protein, Sunflower Seed Oil and Vitamin B5 to soften the hair without weighing it down.

Grapefruit and Sage Body Wash is a mild cleanser, which provides refreshing comfort, while Wheat Protein and Aloe Vera instantly restore moisture.

Grapefruit and Sage Moisture Lotion is a triple moisturizing blend of Shea Butter, Kokum Seed Oil and Soy Oil, which soften the skin without the greasy finish.

Each generous 3 oz airplane-friendly tube is neatly contained in a muslin pouch that fits perfectly within the sturdy canvas bag.

The healthy, 100% natural ingredients in McBride Beauty give each product vitality without harsh or harmful irritants. No animal testing, No Sulfates, No Parabens, No Harsh Chemicals, No Synthetic Color, No Synthetic Fragrance

Get yours today with free shipping at Farmhouse Wares.

Bring On The Light

Candles are little Zen-like treats for me. I light them every night all year long. The moment those little flames start to dance, I feel it's time to rest--time to put all the stress aside. For some, it's cocktail hour that brings this sense of joy. For me, it's candle hour. I actually find myself waiting for the sun to dip down and go to bed so I can begin my quiet ritual.

Beeswax Candles are the best. Did you know that beeswax burns with a steady, healthy sized flame that radiates a spectrum of light that matches the sun? While burning they release negative ions, just as rainstorms do. These ions improve air quality by eliminating pollutants and allergens from the air that we breathe. A renewable resource, beeswax makes a healthy choice for our planet too. The Sanctuary Glass candles above make the nightly treat almost a religious experience. Derived from essential oils, their scents will change your mood instantly. Visit http://www.farmhousewares.com/ so you can brighten up your winter nights with a ray of sunshine.

You Gotta Know When To Fold 'Em

My sister called me the other day to ask how to fold a fitted sheet. She must have been very bored. Ever since her children left the nest, she's become quite the domestic goddess--much to my entire family's surprise.

I, on the other hand, have been endlessly picked on for my Martha Stewart mentality. I showed overly zealous house cleaning tendencies early on, drawing a piece of masking tape down the middle of the room I shared with my sister in an effort to keep her mess at bay.

So of course my sister would turn to me for domestic advice. The funny thing is, I actually did learn to fold a fitted sheet from Martha, but that was years ago. Now, I couldn't remember any special tricks. The truth is, I don't really mind if my sheets are a little messy ("little" is the keyword here). I consider this a "Good Thing" because I already have too much to fret about. Needless to say, if you must have a perfectly folded fitted sheet visit Better Homes and Garden.

Cool Mom Picks

The trend-setting site, Cool Mom Picks discovered Farmhouse Wares' great new skin care line, McBride Beauty. The Rosewater and Neem Anti-aging Day Cream is the first rich cream I have found that isn't also greasy. Most all-natural creams just sit on the surface of the skin for protection. This highly absorbent cream is packed with nourishing care that gives my skin a boost of vitality. I especially need this during the winter, when the dry air usually makes my skin look dull and drab. I'm just happy that the good word is getting out about McBride Beauty, a small but effective line. Buy it at http://www.farmhousewares.com/

Scary--yet wonderful

I had to get out and take advantage of the warm temps today. It was important to get sunshine and away from work and too many cups of coffee for a little bit. I needed a peaceful moment with nature to renew myself. So I went hiking up in the woods. I was blown away by the quiet beauty. The sound of my feet crunching in the melting snow was soothing. As I got deeper into the woods, the wind started to pick up and the clouds thickened.

It didn't take long before my noisy little brain started to invade any hope for peace. I thought about work. I thought about being attacked by a black bear. I thought the high winds would knock a tree on top of me. I imagined having to bite off my arm to escape from being pinned by the giant tree. Worse than some bear or other animal, I thought about being attacked by some stranger lurking in the woods. My heart began to race and I turned to head back to civilization.

I managed my way back to work. I felt safe there and had another cup of coffee.