March is always a tricky month, especially here in the Rainiest Place on Earth ™. It's sorta spring and we all had to endure the switch to daylight savings time which promises more sunlight, but doesn't necessarily deliver. I find myself gravitating towards anything that makes me think of summer and sun: gardening seed catalogs, new marinades for grilling and sharp fresh scents, particularly citrus or herbaceous scents.
I thought this would be a good theme for my shoebox item this month - something to ward off those lingering winter blues and get ready for real spring. I found this candle at my local book and book-related items shop. I had seen a few candles included in shoeboxes last year, but they were all in cute glass votives with open tops. I wasn't sure if having a glass votive was the best idea - and sometimes you may like a scent, but your neighbours may not. This is why I'm so delighted with this candle.
- It's in a tin (very hard to break)
- The tin is lovely (decorative Japanese floral pattern)
- It has a lid (for keeping up good relations with neighbours as well as keeping it dust-free)
- It has a bright, sharp scent (French Cade is a type of juniper plus lavender for a hint of relaxation)
- It did not break the bank (sale bin at said bookstore - $5.99)
What is not to love?
I find fresh scents to be such a pick-me-up. I have a roller ball of ginger-scent as well as a small vial of a mix of eucalyptus and lime. And then there is a natural scent pick me up: take a small section of orange (or other citrus) peel, hold it under your nose (take off your glasses) and bend it in half - peel side in - so that it spritzes the oil from the peel right under (not up!) your nose. That yummy citrus goes right to your brain and refreshes your mood. It also apparently helps with sea sickness as this gentleman is trying to do.
Anyhoo .. I've been thinking about these shoeboxes and what to contribute. I touched base w/ the organizers in Toronto and Montreal asking if they had feedback from the shelters and (more importantly) from the women who received the boxes. What was really enjoyed? What could they do without?
They didn't have a lot of information (one shelter had restrictions on perfume and nuts) but are in the process of surveying the shelters for this year's drive. But one of them did tell me that they are thinking of removing items like toothpaste because it is an essential item, not a non-essential one. And the point of this is about little luxuries.
That was a good reminder for me. This is about little luxuries. About thriving, not just surviving.
So, I need to tweak my list and plan for the year a little. Maybe only put an item in every other month?
Any ideas out there? What are the little luxuries that you allow yourself? An amazing piece of chocolate is one of mine. And really great lip balm (there is an amazing lip polish from Fresh - love it so much). What else?
If any of you are following along and doing your own boxes, I'd love to see pics or hear your ideas (I won't disclose your name on the blog if you don't want me to).
See my past posts on The Shoebox Project for Shelters.
Photo Credit: Captain Judy