Images via AvaNiviTava

Okay, so three days ago our house went on the market.

It's kinda sad. We love our little cottage but we are just needing more room and I'm dying for a fireplace. A garage would be nice too.

Monday morning the house looked beautiful...almost perfect. Fresh flowers, clean floors and sparkling sinks - it was a sight to behold.

We thought, in this real estate market, it's gonna take some time to get any traffic but we were in for a surprise.

Late that afternoon, we went on a little family outing to the local Gelato place. Tea for us and gelato for Gracie.

At 5:17 pm I received a call from a realtor and then Chris got one two minutes later. Thus the craziness began...

Ever since that day, we have had multiple showings of the house.

Preparation for these showings involve frantic, rushing movements, pulling drapes, plumping pillows, lighting candles and simultaneously trying to contain Grace so that she doesn't undo any of this. It's a rather difficult task...oh and did I mention our insane beagle that loves to track mud through the house at the most perfect moments....sigh...

All in all...it's been a stressful week. I'm exhausted. So tonight I decided I needed a good dose of pampering. I washed my face with my favorite cleanser and prepared a steaming pot of herbs for a steam facial.

Here's the recipe I like to use to relax, hydrate and soothe my skin-

Boil 3 cups of distilled water

To the water add:

1 tsp of  calendula flowers

1 tsp elder flowers

1 tsp lavender

1 tsp comfrey leaves

(I use dried organic herbs and I order them from here.)

1 tsp olive oil

Cover and let steep for 5 minutes

Place your pot on a table and sit in a comfortable chair.

Drape your head and shoulders with a bath towel, hover about 10-12 inches above the pot and remove cover.

Breathe the steam in deeply and allow you skin to drink in the moisture.

I sit with my ipod playing soothing music for 10-15 minutes.

It's sooooo relaxing.

For further pampering...follow with a mask, hot shower/bath, cup of herbal tea, a good book and your warm bed.  So lovely.

Nighty night.

xo,

Ivy