Since Christmas ended I've been continually on the verge of being sick and this recent cold wave hasn't helped matters. The last few days I've been researching different DIY remedies old and new looking for the best ones.  Below I've chosen a few to share. Some are expected tried and true recipes others are quite unexpected. 

GINGER: Almost every contry agrees that this is one of the best cold, flu and general ailment busters.recipes are endless. Pairing ginger with another tried and true fighter- the lemon leads to endless yummy recipes here are a few:

Honey, Lemon and Ginger Flu remedy. Three ingredients known for their homeopathic properties, together are a great ailment buster. Add a ribbon and a label with instructions and it makes a great gift. Follow directions mix 1 tablespoon in hot water and drink. 

GINGER TEA: chop up ginger and boil for 15 min or so and add any herbal tea to taste or lemon and some cinamon or cloves. Makes for an easy peasy remedy. 

Another variation: In China they smash up one thumb length of ginger.  Boil in 1 cup of water, simmer 20 min, add orange rind and simmer for another 10min. 

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: My new favorite ailment fighter. I feel like it cures/prevents everything. I am a strong believer. If you can't handle drinking a tablespoon a day or gargaling with it to alleviate sore throats, here are some other options:

“Delighted Momma” showed me how to make apple cider vinegar a little more drinkable with out losing its powers, which there are many. Just add a little water,apple juice and cinamon to make it more palateble. She also outlines many of the benefits of Apple cider vinegar. 

Homemade Cough Syrup: Mix Vinegar, cayenne, honey and ginger to create your own natural cough syrup. 

Not all cold fighting recipes have to be boring tinctures and syrups. You can utilize the power foods for everyday meals, desserts and even night time cocktails.

Clementine cold fighting smoothie soothes the throat and feverish body with a kick of vitamins.

Lemon Ginger cake with berries: Combining power foods into a seemingly delicious cake to help kick the cold.  It's Raw and Vegan! I can't wait to try it!

44-clove Garlic Soup good soup to clear your sinuses pump up your immune system and keep you warm 

Alot of spicy soups or ginger and green onion based soups are also good immune system boosters.

An unexpected supposed remedy I read about is to listen to 30 minutes of jazz a day. It supposedly boosts your immoglobulin A an immune protein that fights infection.

Light Excercise has also been proven to increase the efficiency of your immune response and works as an anti-inflametory that reduces risks of infection and elevates body temperature. I am a firm believer that a little light excercise definitely jump starts the immune system and gets it fighting. 

Finally when you are finally feeling a little better and are ready for a night out, here's a fancy cocktail option that doubles as a cold fighter. 

Orange Rosemary Spritz Cocktail

Happy Cold Season!!

TOP 5 DIY XMAS GIFTS

Apart from fabulous CLC gifts, what better way to show someone you care then by making something unique and personal. Here are my top 5 DIY projects for this year's holiday season.

Ingredients and recipes in a decorated mason jar. Click here are a few recipes for the jars.

Decorate plain mugs or dishes with porcelain painter markers or even sharpies! Get creative freetylin' or use stencils found at your local craft store or the internet! Do the same on glass cups too!

Photo Vases or votives! Find cheap vases or votives at your local dollar store, pick your cutest family photo and print it out on translucent vellum paper from office depot then hodgepodge glue it to the outside of the vase.  Throw in a little tea light and your parents tears are sure to fall. 

Potatoe printing!

A great way to spice up a plain cloth bag, pillow or dishtowels! Carve out any design in a potatoe, dip it in acrylic fabric paint from local craft store and press away. 

See how Caitlin Mociun from “Mociun Clothing” uses this technique on closet basics!

Lace or doily lampshades

Create a delicate glow lamp shade by blowing up a balloon to whatever size you want then cover it with doilies and wallpaper glue, let it dry hanging overnight, then pop the ballon and presto!! Click here for further details. 

HAPPY CRAFTING!

- flora

Mason Jars. They have been around forever, often as a staple drinking cup for poor struggling students. However nowadays, Mason jars are trending like crazy! From DIY designs to mainstream home stores like West Elm, mason jar trends can be seen in so many different forms. Today mason jars have new prestige and allure. Check out all the variety below! 

Found a set of these great drinking jars at rosebowl fleamarket this month!

Mason Jar sleeve with handle made by “the Stowe”,my friend Molly in Montreal

good for Hot or cold beverages… 

LIGHTING

Tons of hanging jar lights at Anthropologie

Jars are increasingly being used for inexpensive wedding decorations for anything from lighting, to flower vases to cups.

ORGANIZING

In the bathroom…

in the craft corner or office…

in the kitchen for growing herbs!…

COOKING!!

Pumpkin pie in a jar!!! hmmmmm…I'm definitely trying this one at home!

x flora

I recently stumbled upon this French photographer Aela Labbe, whose work reminds me of these recent gloomy, foggy mornings we have been having in LA so I thought it would be appropriate to share. 

Aela Labbe, photographer and trained dancer from Brittany, France, references her background in contemporary dance to infuse body language and emotions into her work through dark, mysterious and romantic unconventional portraits. She utilizes the lush magical forests around her and her muses, her nieces and nephews, to construct scenes that evoke emotions teatering on sorrowfulness and delight. I love the eery yet magical and ethereal feeling her images evoke.  

Childhood is a reocurring theme in her images often showing the darker side of early life. 

X flora