7 Things For May

I have to fight the urge not to title this 7 Things For April since it seems impossible that it’s already May! The kids will be out of school for the summer before we know it and the long hot days of summer will be upon us. But for now, I’m soaking up the mild days and beautiful blooms of May. Whether you’re spring cleaning or simply enjoying some outdoor time with fresh air and sunshine, here are 7 things for May!

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One.

I have been on a huge cleaning kick lately and just want to get everything organized and looking (and smelling) fresh. While opening the windows and airing out the house is great for your indoor air quality and freshening the smell, the amount of pollen floating through the air here in NC means keeping the windows closed for the sake of my hubby and son with allergies. Until the pollen clears up a bit we’ve been making due with some sprays with essential oils. I found this tutorial with printable labels on one of my favorite lifestyle blogs. How pretty are the labels? You could easily mix it up in a glass spray bottle like this one and put a label on it to make it even chicer than a store bought spray.

Two.

If your skin changes a bit when the weather warms up, then welcome to the club. My combo skin gets more oily and I’m more prone to breakouts. This new cleanser from Odacité is a very light gel with activated charcoal. It really cleans deeply without leaving any residue behind, but it doesn’t strip my skin or leave it dry or tight. It also has a refreshing mint smell that will be perfect during the hotter days to come. You can find it here.

Three.

Tinted sunscreen. While it’s recommended to wear sunscreen on your face year round, I always get the most questions about facial sunscreen in the spring. There are so many great nontoxic sunscreens out there now that use a physical blocker rather than a chemical one. Here’s a post I have on my favorites and which skin types that each work best for. I’m sure you’ll find one that works for you!

Four.

Let’s face it. When the sun is shining nothing is better than relaxing on the patio with a nice glass of rosé. I’ve spoken about some of my favorite organic wines in the past, but I’ve struggled to find a good rosé. I prefer them dry (I’m very picky and REALLY dislike overly sweet wine). I finally tried Our Daily Rosé and I have to say it’s actually pretty good and has a great price to boot. It’s not as dry as I normally prefer, but it’s slightly floral and citrusy and very refreshing without an abundance of sweetness. I pick it up at Sprouts or Earth Fare. $11-14 depending on the store.

Five.

If there’s one downside to spring in the south, it’s the bugs!! They’re everywhere but luckily I discovered a great bug repellent last summer that really helps. Erbaviva Buzz Spray is safe even for little ones and a liberal spray really does keep the bugs away. It dries fast and isn’t oily like some other natural versions I’ve tried. Pick it up here.

Six.

Bugs aren’t the only pest that poke their heads out this time of year. May is when the weeds really pop up, now that the sun has woken up any dormant seeds. I’ve spoken at length about some nontoxic options on my Instagram stories and by request, I’m putting together an organic lawncare post. In the meantime, here’s what I use for weed control. Concentrated vinegar like this in a spray bottle like this one. I add a couple of drops of dish soap to help it stick to leaves. It works best on a sunny day and you’ll see the plant die usually within 24-48 hours. It kills everything so be careful not to spray on plants you want to keep or on yourself as it’s very strong. This is a great alternative to roundup and safe to use where kids and dogs play since it breaks down quickly.

Seven.

One of my favorite all-natural, vegan lipstick lines, Axiology, has just released 2 new lipstick shades: Bonafide & Joy, and 1 new lip crayon color: Enduring. I love how long lasting their lip colors are and all 3 new shades are so pretty! Perfect for spring and summer. You can grab them at Sephora or from Axiology.

Happy Spring! xo