| This started as a fluke really. I recently went to | | | | oil 1-2-3! And what about all those body mists and |
| TJMaxx and found the least expensive reed | | | | room fragrances you have stowed under your |
| diffuser on their clearance display. Once I was | | | | bathroom vanity? Don't even get me started. The |
| home, I prepared the diffuser for display. I broke | | | | only thing I came across as a potential |
| the seal and inserted the thin wooden sticks that | | | | roadblock--the scents probably shouldn't be in |
| came with the kit. That's when it hit me--my nose | | | | aerosol form. This got real messy for me. I stick |
| was immediately turned off. In fact, the oil within | | | | to happy smelling liquids that can be poured into |
| the bottle smelled like old cough syrup and that is | | | | my baby oil mixing cup. Once the potion is mixed |
| not an exaggeration (as other members of my | | | | and settled and you are loving it, transfer to your |
| family can attest)! It was nauseating and strong! | | | | glass bottle and please use a funnel if the opening |
| My first inkling was to throw the offensive thing | | | | is narrow |
| away, but I resisted. The glass diffuser bottle was | | | | As far as glass bottles, who doesn't have at least |
| pretty and could be re-used, after all. I had to | | | | ten very cute bud vases collecting dust |
| discard the oil, no question about that. The smell | | | | somewhere in their kitchen or dining room? Well, |
| lingered, so it was necessary to hand wash the | | | | dust 'em off people. It is time to give them new |
| bottle inside and out with hot, soapy water. | | | | life as they take on their new role as reed |
| How do you make your own fragranced oil? Well | | | | diffuser decanter. Not a pack rat? That's okay, |
| I am not a chemist, and I could never compete | | | | just hit the dollar store. |
| with Martha Stewart, but I am crafty. With a little | | | | And what about those sticks? I for one grew |
| trial and error, I was able to mix baby oil with | | | | bored with the straight ones that came in my |
| some cherished old perfume that I love but no | | | | first few reed diffuser kits. I have experimented |
| longer wear (does anyone remember Jontue? | | | | with and had good results from plants in and |
| Yes, I realize I am now dating myself for the | | | | around my yard. Dried hydrangea stalks or thin |
| whole world, but that's okay; I'm cool with it). This | | | | walking stick branches have both worked for me |
| perfume is very light and subtle, so I used half | | | | and they are so curvy and beautiful to boot. I |
| perfume and half baby oil. | | | | have also "borrowed" long thin strands of balsa |
| Well I am now one happy girl. My old cherished | | | | wood in varying lengths from my husband's |
| scent is finally being put to good use! I have | | | | workshop (thanks, Hon!). |
| future plans for my other standby fragrance I | | | | I dare say my homemade reed diffusers are |
| don't even think they make anymore: Paco | | | | much nicer than the ones I used to buy. At the |
| Rabanne Eau de Metal (it's killer!!). Even though I | | | | very least, they smell way better! In conclusion, |
| don't wear the dozens of old fragrances from my | | | | you can really play around with this idea, and it is |
| youth, I could never part with them. (Why do | | | | a lot of fun! Plus you never have to spend |
| women do that? Discuss!) I think its great; | | | | another cent on a store bought reed diffuser. |
| because now I can custom make my fragranced | | | | Very cool indeed! |