So, one moment you’re . . .

Covered in flour and kisses from your littles with the aroma of freshly baked cookies in the air, and the next you’re silently praying that the sitter doesn’t freak out over the chicken feet in your stock pot because you are **this** close to getting away for a date night.

This is not just me, right? RIGHT. Okay, maybe it is, but I know you know what it feels like to be so many things at once – the mama whose soft words can soothe just about anything, protector, friend, beloved, daughter.

So what exactly is the perfect scent for a woman that can simultaneously say “yes that’s a child’s half-eaten lunch in my purse” and “yes I feel beautiful today”?

For me, it’s vanilla.

Creamy and sweet, vanilla simultaneously reminds me of baking with my mom and the beauty of exotic places – warmth and familiarity and spontaneity and mystery all wrapped up in one centering aroma.

Best of all? Unlike scents that contain hormone disrupting chemicals, it can be made in a matter of minutes with a handful of natural ingredients.

This vanilla body spray recipe has three different variations – one that blends vanilla with the sweet, tropical aroma of ylang ylang, another that contains a hint of sweet orange, and one that incorporates the rich aroma of coffee. Yes, COFFEE. (And not to spoil the surprise, but I have another coffee-inspired beauty recipe coming up soon that I think you’re going to love.)

Vanilla Body Spray Recipe

Vanilla + Ylang Ylang

18 drops vanilla oleoresin (I use this one)

2 drops ylang ylang (Find it here)

1/4 cup rum, vodka or witch hazel (Make sure the witch hazel contains alcohol. The one that contains just water will not mix with the vanilla oleoresin.)

Vanilla + Sweet Orange Essential Oil

16 drops vanilla oleoresin (Find it here)

4 drops sweet orange essential oil (Find it here)

1/4 cup rum, vodka or witch hazel (Make sure the witch hazel contains alcohol. The one that contains just water will not mix with the vanilla oleoresin.)

Vanilla + Coffee Essential Oil

16 drops vanilla oleoresin (Find it here)

4 drops coffee essential oil* (Find it here)

1/4 cup rum, vodka or witch hazel

* Coffee essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy.

To Make

Mix all ingredients and pour into a glass spray bottle. Store in a cool, dark cabinet.

To Use

Shake before using and apply to clothing or skin.

One quick note: Scents react differently to our unique body chemistry, which can be tricky in some cases. If you don’t love the way this body spray interacts with your chemistry, try spraying it on a dark-colored portion of your clothes instead. (The mix is light tan, so just to be on the safe side I don’t spray it on whites. However, I’ve never had an issue with it discoloring anything.)

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