1920's fashion is one of my favourite things, so when it came time to host a celebration, I knew exactly what I wanted... Gatsby inspired Hollywood Glamour of the 1920's please! I'm sure alot of you can tell, due to my crazy "pinning on a theme" that once I have an idea in my head, I can get a little obsessive over it... 

I started by sending out these cute "save the date" invites via text message, as this event is coming around rather quickly, so decisions have to be made pretty much on the fly. When I asked my cousin how long she took to plan her vow renewal and birthday, she said two years. Oops. Here I am, trying to plan something wonderful two months out... (We're all mad here!)

I discovered a great online shop (in Australia-yay) that just sells Flapper Dresses..  Enter the Flapper Boutique! *** stars in eyes*** They stock a beautiful range of gatsby styled dresses.

I will be pairing my flapper dress with gloves, beautiful jewellery and a hairpiece. Many costume shops sell the specific replica version of the Gatsby headpiece and gloves that Daisy Buchanan wore from the movie. I could try and find some lovely Mary Janes style shoes too... JJ's House stocks some cute varieties, and reasonably priced too. Although it probably wont be cold enough, I'd love a faux fur stole to throw over my shoulders! 
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I decided on an easy colour theme of black, gold, white and just a touch of red. Gatsby to me is simply sparkles, glitz and glam. Ensure you include Hollywood glamour and Art Deco elements.

​We discussed venues, and are still deciding between a beautiful vintage hall, in the Byron Bay hinterland, or an elegant poolside party closer to the Coast. This ties into the decision of figuring out whether to have a grand but relaxed shindig with all the kids included, or a standup cocktail affair for adults. Decisions, decisions! Haven't even begun to think about food! More on that in another post I suppose.

If you want to see Gatsby inspired party ideas, that many creatives have come up with, including Gatsby costumes, 1920's accessories, 1920's makeup, head over to my Party Planners Paradise page on Pinterest- which feeds my obsession! You'll also find ideas for decorating a Gatsby party, costumes for the "support" staff (or friends) including "cigarette" girls who hand out chocolate cigars, or fun vintage lollies like "Fads", invitation ideas including fonts, favour ideas, food and drink ideas including a champagne tower. I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off, thinking 1920's music as I fall exhausted to bed at night! 
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Got any great Gatsby inspired party ideas you'd like to share? What would you wear to a Gatsby party?
We'd love to hear from you!

Feel free to browse our range of all natural lippies, for your favourite "Gatsby" Lipstick colour for a classic vintage 1920's look, and pair with black mineral mascara, full of essential oil ingredients for lush lashes.
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#2 Thieves Cleaning Range
Need help getting "guest ready"? Motivate yourself to clean, with the fragrance coming from our every day cleaners as part of our Thieves cleaning range. The Thieves Household Cleaner is very popular, with its multipurpose, highly concentrated, plant based formula. Use for all your cleaning requirements- simply dilute before using for most cleaning tasks, unless heavy duty cleaning is needed... (Im looking at you, coffee stain.) Suitable for pet areas, floors, surface cleaning, carpets, you name it. This is the "do-it-all" product. Try our Thieves Laundry Soap, or Thieves Dish Soap to keep your place sparkling clean and fresh during the holiday season.

#3. Soap
There's soap, and there's SOAP. Enjoy freshening every bathroom and kitchen sink at your place with our essential oil infused foaming hand soaps. In pure Lavender or Thieves, these foaming hand washes will help keep everyone germ-free whilst the house is busy, with all natural ingredients in incredible fragrances you and your family will love. Available in a bulk buy set of three, whether you use one for each space, or pack away to cover the rest of the holidays, these essential oil hand soaps are not your typical foaming hand soap.

Speaking of soap, it's always nice to have fresh soap for those guests when they land at your place. Thrill them (or yourselves!) with these essential oil fragrances that will infuse your skin with scent. We stock luxury soap bars for every body. Shutran is a masculine scent for men, or try Valor with its aroma that inspires confidence and courage. Our Charcoal Soap is good for teens, try it out on acne prone skin, whilst Thieves will leave you feeling pumped and ready for anything. Our Lavender and Oatmeal bar is just the ticket after a long day out with the family, when relaxing and calming is called for. Take a long bath and enjoy.

#4 Citrusy and Fresh 
Freshen up walls, clean floors, bathrooms, and kitchens with our citrus essential oils range. Try Tangerine (Mandarin) or Bergamot, Lime, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit.. whatever your favourite citrus fruit! Dilute a few drops into a spray bottle, or mop bucket, or wall wash. Make your own surface spray with any of these oils and your home will smell AMAZING and fresh. Grab a cheap reed diffuser, switch out the chemical fragrance, and add in your citrus essential oil. The difference will blow you away- there is nothing like a pure, natural fragrance! These oils are so pure, you can even use them in your cooking- which can't be said for many oils on the market today. (Seriously. Do not ingest oils without proper research.) Not sure which of these to choose? We have a citrus fresh blend that is perfect for you- a blend of citrus and mint, ready to go, or our Stress Away blend which is based on Lime is another favourite among citrus lovers...

#5 Spiritual Fragrances
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh are said to be the gifts given to baby Jesus by the wise men. We can't give you gold bars, but we can give you the experience of pure Frankincense and Myrrh. Made from tree resin, these little bottles pack a powerful scent that just can't be described. Widely used since Biblical times, Frankincense and Myrrh help you find grounding, and promote a beautiful complexion for dry skin. They are part of an incredible collection of oils of Ancient Scripture, along with Hyssop, Rose of Sharon, Aloes, and Cassia. Experience the fragrances highly regarded in the Eastern world. 

#6 Blessed Blends
​Blends are the easiest way to start with essential oils if you've never tried them before. Blends are simply a mix of premium oils that have been chosen to go together to enhance their unique properties, so they are ready to go for massages, diffusing, bath or bedtime.  Blends are for beginners, to help you to experience a mix of oil fragrances, much like a perfume. Speaking of perfume, these oils can also be worn as a natural perfume or hair oil fragrance. You'll soon discover your favourite. We have a few blends that are great go-to recipes for the holidays. Your family and friends will be asking "what is that delicious smell?" - without any effort on your part to slave away in the kitchen. Like this Wise Men blend, blended with Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sandalwood to promote feelings of connection.

We hope you find time to chill out with friends, staying calm and relaxed during the frenzied end to the year. Thanks for reading, we'd love it if you followed us on Pinterest, IG or Facebook. What are you doing to stay chilled out during the end of year madness?

This PDF is FREE to download at the bottom of the page. It is printable on an A4 page, and you'll need a decent ink cartridge, but they are ready to go for all your end of year gift giving. Pair with some beautiful brown paper & string, or bright cellophane. Good for neighbours, teachers, family members and friends. Feel free to share this PDF around, just please give us a shout out or share on social media. We love making new friends!

Here at The Oil House, we've been working like ducks... It looks like nothing is going on, on the surface, but underneath? We are paddling like crazy. Behind the scenes we have launched on Facebook and more recently on Instagram, so follow along on your favourite social media. We are also working towards a new Pinterest shop... among other new developments. Watch this space! 

Mothers deserve to be rewarded. Let's face it though, sometimes this means rewarding ourselves. Don't get me wrong, I love getting macaroni necklaces, handmade cards, quirky mugs, fantastical strangely coloured makeup and nail polish, and candles I will probably never use, but I love to be spoilt. My kids, and husband are usually at a loss as to what to get me! (I don't think I'm that difficult to buy for!) I guess its time to write a Mothers Day shopping list. 

​One massage voucher please, a spa day? Just a Mani-Pedi? Sometimes, life happens and this just may be a little much to ask for. So, after Mothers Day is over, take some time out for yourself, and enjoy our favourite things for mum. {Well, besides our beautiful children, husband, and their random acts of kindness.}

Let's face it, life is sometimes too busy for a luxurious soak. That's why we also have Beautiful Shower Steamers. These little pods of goodness release pure essential oils into your shower stall as you shower. Simply place one in the base of the shower or soap dish, and let the steam do its work...

Pure Perfume Oils that Roll On. What could be easier than popping one of these little roller bottles into your purse for on the go natural perfume? We have essential oil roll ons for relaxation for applying just before bed or your day off, one for inspiring your confident side, and one for refreshing your morning after the gym, all with pure ingredients and scents that you'll love.

​Massage Oil for Me. Finding your in house masseuse will be the hard part, but this pure massage oil collection has something for every mum. For the sporty mum, Ortho Sport or Ortho Ease Massage Oil blends for after your exercise for those tired muscles. Relaxation and Sensation are favourites for those who just need to unwind. Dragon Time and Cel-Lite are Massage Oils that we all could use at one time or another. Dragon Time is helpful for abdomen and lower back massage every month that Aunt Flo comes to visit. Cel-Lite for those areas that need a little toning & tightening assistance! V6 Oil is for you if you want to DIY your own custom massage oil... just add essential oils of your choice. 

Essential Oil Boxed Set. Get started with essential oils with one of our boxed set collections. Essential oils are favourites of the DIY, homemade, make-it-youself crowd, and for those interested in aromatherapy. We have a Feelings Boxed Set, Essential Oils for Every Day Set, and Seven Essential Oils for Beginners.

Our Mirah Collection is has a few goodies for mum. An amazing Argan hair oil for heat protection from styling, a facial cleansing oil for those into one of the latest crazes in the natural scene of cleansing your face with oil. The pure essential oils in these natural products make them hard to resist! Last but not least we have a luxurious shave oil for natural shaving.

If youre a mum like me, you love the gifts that keep on giving. An oil diffuser is just that. It mists natural scents around your home for a unique experience every time, and even every day if you like! I’m misting spearmint at the moment, and its so minty fresh and divine! Naturally fresh air with the aroma of your choice from our extensive oil collection.

New makeup is always a welcome gift. Choose from the best vegan mineral makeup collection. Citrus oil infused lipstick, vegan eyeshadow, or a natural ingredient primer to base your natural look on.

If youre a natural mumma, maybe you’d like to start an essential oils journey this Mothers Day with the purchase of a starter collection. These collections are a variety of our favourite essential oils and oil products, including a diffuser. This entitles you to our ongoing wholesale membership discount of 24%. It also gives you access to our auto-ship option, if you'd like, so once a month you’ll have a lovely gift for yourself and your family on your doorstep. Change it up every month for your new favourite natural products. Give yourself or your mum a lovely gift this Mothers Day and every day with all natural goodness. Got any great plans for Mothers Day? Traditions you like to keep? What's your favourite Mothers Day gift?

I've been married for almost twenty years. I love Valentine's Day, a nice dinner out with my love, and exchanging a little something or other. Just to say "I love you"- even after all this time!

What to buy though? Finding that perfect present to say how much you care can be difficult. Why not try a unique present this year? We have some beautiful massage oils that are perfect for a Valentines Day massage. Sensation and Relaxation are both popular. 
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Ignite the passion in your relationship with Sensation Massage Oil. This oil inspires feelings of romance and youthfulness... 
(Woohoo!) with the beautifully blended fragrances of Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Geranium and other essential oils. Leaving the skin feeling smooth and soft. It comes in a 236ml bottle, and retails for $73.90. 

The Relaxtion Massage Oil blend combines specifically selected vegetable oils with the soothing oils of Lavender, Tangerine, Coriander and Spearmint for maximum relaxation!  Also in a 236ml bottle for $77.35.

We have some great freebies like those below for those placing larger orders. This is especially good if you are already a member, as there are new freebies every month! I have received alot of my oils this way, and it's a great way to build up or start your oil collection. Beautiful natural scents, leaving your partner feeling spoilt! Isn't that what Valentines Day is all about?