Hi Friend,
I hope this week finds you well and savoring the shift from long summer days into the crisp beauty of fall. There’s something special about this time of year—it feels like a gentle invitation to slow down, release, and prepare for new rhythms.
This week on the podcast, Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I’m talking about Gentle Summer-to-Fall Exfoliants. Exfoliation is a lovely ritual during seasonal transitions, not just for skin but for the spirit. I share some of my favorite ingredients like honey (hydrating and antibacterial), clays (purifying yet soft), and ground herbs such as chamomile, oats, and rose petals (soothing, calming, and toning). Think of it as a way to shed what no longer serves you—both on the surface of your skin and within.
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​A Gentle DIY Recipe: Honey & Chamomile Exfoliant
This simple recipe combines nourishment and gentle exfoliation.
You’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 teaspoon finely ground oats
- ½ teaspoon ground chamomile flowers (or use chamomile tea bag contents)
To use: Mix the ingredients together and apply to clean, damp skin. Massage lightly in circular motions, then leave on as a mask for 5 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
Your skin will feel soft, calm, and refreshed.
Before I go on, I want to invite you to join me in The Course Library—a cozy collection of my courses with recipes designed to help you build skincare rituals that nourish both your skin and soul. It’s where I share the step-by-step guidance for making skincare personal, simple, and effective.
​Explore The Course Library here​
Word of the Week: Gather
Gather reminds us to collect not just the harvest of the season, but also the small joys, the people, and the practices that nourish us.
Word Garden for Gather:
- Belonging
- Together
- Abundance
- Harvest
- Warmth
- Community
- Collection
- Gratitude
- Embrace
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
“The simple act of gathering is a way of celebrating what we already have.” – Unknown
Creative Journaling with Gather
- Gathered Gratitude List​
Instead of a plain list, draw a basket (or jar, leaf pile, or mug) on your journal page. Inside it, write words, names, or little sketches of things you’re grateful for this week.
- Word Collage​
On a blank page, write “Gather” in the center and then gather words around it—memories, places, people, and things you’d like to draw closer to yourself this season. Almost like making a cozy word mandala.
- Photo/Memory Gathering​
Gather one small photo, ticket stub, pressed leaf, or doodle that represents your week and paste/sketch it onto the page. Write a short reflection: What am I gathering in my life right now?
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Recipe of Gathered Moments​
Write a “recipe” for a cozy fall day. Example:
- 1 mug of warm tea
- A handful of leaves crunched underfoot
- A bit of quiet journaling time
- A sprinkle of laughter with a friend
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Gather & Release​
Divide a page into two halves:
- What I want to gather this season (peace, strength, connection, rest)
- What I want to release (stress, hurry, comparison, clutter)
Radiant Things I’m Loving
Gather Comfort​
• Fall Simmer Pot Recipe — Warm the heart and home:
- Apple slices
- Cinnamon sticks
- Star anise
- A few cloves
- Water simmered gently on the stovetop
Let this scent fill your space as you close the windows, breathe deep, and rest.
Gather Inspiration​
• Podcast Pick: Hygge inspiration for a cozy welcoming peaceful home​
Gather Reflection​
• Journal Prompt: “What are the small comforts and gentle joys I’m gathering this season to hold close as days grow cooler?”
Sharing your light keeps this community growing! Reply with what’s bringing you joy this week—I read every note.
Free Gift: Subscribe to my newsletter from my homepage and I’ll send you my course Ageless Glow: Formulating Herbal Cleansers, Toners, and Moisturizers for Mature Skin Care.
Have a wonderful weekend!,
Carrie
Carrie’s Handmade Essentials
P.S.: Loved this newsletter? Share it with a friend or leave a podcast review—it helps other women discover natural, faith-filled self-care.
See you next week!
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