Q1 Book Review 2022

March 30, 2022




Not planning out my books by each month was n unexpected, solid choice. Last year I would've only paced myself for 3 books between January and March, but this time I read 5 stories that I can't wait to share with you!!


The Warsaw Orphan. I am so glad the book I was hoping to borrow was not available because it led me to this one. Some books just stay with you and this one totally did. It took me a hot second to get into it because there are two story lines that weave together, which means a slew of characters, but once I got a hang of whose who I was all in. It's a historical fiction story set during World War 2 in Poland. This young girl lived near the Jewish ghetto, and this reality aged her fast to take action in any way she could. 

I read this in January and it was struck me how eerie to think there is yet another war, here and now, where a dictator is taking action against innocent people. This book was heartbreaking in many ways but still carried hope and a love narrative. I always wonder why I'm drawn to WW2 books, but I'm grateful because we. cannot. forget. any of it.


Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. This book will read you as you read it. If you are willing you will change as a person from reading it. Genuinely, I have grown in a lot of way thanks to the teachings from each chapter. This book is a part of a course (my church offers it as a class) but it can totally be read as a stand alone book. However I would be remiss to say that my favorite part of this book is the devotional, EHS Day by Day. If you want to go deeper in your relationship with Christ.. read this book. If you feel stuck in your ways and want to love people better.. read this book. I love the quote "it is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature" because it is so true! No wonder so many people don't see a difference between the "church" (followers of Jesus) and anyone else who doesn't believe in Christ. I know I will come back to this book again. 


God Bless This Mess. Anyone else a big Hannah Brown fan? I rooted for her ever since Colton's season so it was a treat to read her story told from her own heart (versus reality TV since they do such a fine job at storytelling people's lives ;). This girl just goes where few people do when looking at their stuff, owning it, and wanting to learn from it. Yes there is some Bachelor "tea" but I actually was most blown away by her story as a child to how those situations/themes threaded themselves through her story in challenging ways. Her story is proof that the past doesn't have to define who you want to be. There is grace and healing from looking backwards in order to move forwards. 


Kisses and Croissants. A cute, cheesy read. My cup of tea if you will. I just love a simple story sometimes. The young girl dreams to join the American Ballet Company, and lands herself an opportunity for a summer internship at a dance academy in Paris. I loved wandering the streets of Paris through this quick read. A family mystery with a side of French boy/American girl love story and Paris vibes. Bon' appetite!  


Becoming Mrs. Lewis. If I had to guess I would think many know who C.S. Lewis is because of his Narnia series. Fun fact: the person who brought those books to film was his stepson, Douglas Gresham. And the mother to Douglas Gresham is Joy Davidman who ended up writing a letter to Jack (C.S. Lewis' name) asking him questions about a relationship with Christ. This letter changed everything for Joy. This story was a slow burn, but SO worth it. It's written as a historical fiction, so much of it is based off reality which makes it that much more wild and sad and sweet. Joy and C.S. Lewis' love for one another is inspiring. 

Rollerball Recipes for Wellness Cabinet

March 23, 2022


It's been 6 years since I've started using oils and I'm finally incorporating a handful of roller blends for our wellness cabinet! One thing I've come to learn is that essential oils are not a replacement or shortcut to a healthy immune system. Eating well, exercising, prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated and managing stress are important to our well-being. However, essential oils can support these areas which allows the immune system to thrive. 

Here are 9 roller recipes to serve as super side-kicks to our health and well-being!

Tummy | Digize, Peppermint & Lavender | All the digestion support
Tip: Roll in circle around belly button

Immune | Thieves, Frankincense & Lemon | Ramp up our body's fight against the toxic build-up
Tip: Roll down spine and bottom of feet

Throat | Lemon & Copaiba | Cooling and soothing inflammation 

Chest | Eucalyptus, Peppermint & Rosemary | Breakdown the congestion and breath in relief

Ears | Lavender, Purification & Panaway | Release congestion 
Tip: Roll behind ears and down the neck every 20 mins. Can also use for relief from bug bites.

Headache | Lavender, Peppermint & Copaiba | Melt tension away with a cooling sensation
Tip: Roll near temples (avoiding proximity to eyes) and behind neck & ears 

Owies | Lavender, Frankincense & Tea Tree | Help heal and clean skin 
Tip: Dab gently on cuts, scrapes and boo-boos

All the feels | Stress Away, Frankincense, Valor & Orange | Grounding. Tantrum-tamer in a bottle
Tip: Roll over wrists or heart. Can be used as a perfume (my personal fav)

Rise-n-shine | Grapefruit, Geranium & Bergamot| Get those endorphins flowin'
Tip: Roll over wrists or behind ears. Can be used as a perfume.