The turn of the seasons, if we pay attention, reminds us to slow down and be present. As autumn turns into winter, the days grow shorter, the darkness deepens, and the harvest is put away. Quietly, we wait for a new year to begin again.

The recipes and projects highlighted here invite us to relish in down time. There’s a spiced magnesium bath salt recipe to soothe sore muscles, reduce stress, and support restful sleep. The perfume oil asks us to pause, take a deep breath, and let the soothing chamomile and cornflower aromas calm our spirits. And the process of making the scented beads acts as a full-body reset. Suzanne Tabert explains: “The process itself invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the steady pleasure of making something beautiful and useful from the earth.”

As we prepare to say goodbye to fall, let’s follow the seasons and welcome quieter days. Our bodies and minds will thank us.

SLOW LIVING DIY RECIPES

1. Chamomile & Cornflower Perfume Oil

RECIPE BY ANNA REISZ | SUMMER 2026 ISSUE

You Will Need
• Roller bottle: 5-ml
• Chamomile-infused oil/Sweet almond oil
• Dried chamomile & cornflowers
• Toothpick
• 4 drops chamomile essential oil
• 2 drops tangerine essential oil
• 1 drop vanilla fragrance extract

To Make

Fill a 5-ml roller bottle about halfway with chamomile-infused or plain sweet almond oil. Add a pinch of dried chamomile and a pinch of dried cornflowers. You can poke the plant matter down with a toothpick to submerge it fully in the oil if needed.

Add the chamomile essential oil, tangerine essential oil, and vanilla. Fill the remaining space in the bottle with more oil, leaving a little headspace for the roller. Insert the roller and screw on the cap, shaking the bottle to mix the oils.

2. Spiced Magnesium Bath Salts

RECIPE BY ALISHA CHRISTY | AUTUMN 2026 ISSUE

You Will Need
• ¾ cup magnesium flakes
• ¼ cup Himalayan pink salt/sea salt
• 2 TB. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. ground ginger
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
• Spice/Coffee grinder
• 2 TB. dried calendula
• 2 drops clove essential oil
• 2 drops orange essential oil
• ¼ tsp. sweet almond oil
• Spoon
• Airtight container

To Make

In a bowl, combine the magnesium flakes, salt, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon. Using a spice or coffee grinder, finely grind the dried calendula. Add the powdered herbs to the other ingredients. Mix the essential oils with sweet almond oil, add to the salt mixture, and combine. Store the magnesium bath salts in a tightly sealed container away from moisture. To use, add ¼ cup of bath salts to a bathtub as it fills with warm water.

3. Scented Beads

RECIPE BY SUZANNE TALBERT | SUMMER 2026 ISSUE

You Will Need
• Ceramic bowl
• ½ cup dried & powdered herb of choice
• ½ cup bentonite clay/local clay
• A few drops essential oil of choice
• Spoon
• Red wine/Water
• Toothpick

To Make

In a ceramic bowl, stir the powdered herbs, clay, and essential oil together, stirring in the wine or water a tablespoon at a time, and kneading until a stiff but pliable, playdough-like consistency forms. Roll the mixture into beads, or pat them into flat medallions or hearts to use as pocket stones. Using a toothpick, pierce each bead to create a hole for stringing.

Allow the creations to air-dry for up to three days, depending on the sunlight and warmth of your space. Once thoroughly dried, remove the toothpicks. There is a special medicine in rolling these beads with your bare hands; as you work, your skin absorbs the herbal love and oils, turning crafting time into a self-care ritual. The essential oils remain embedded within the mixture, releasing a luscious scent whenever the beads are worn or the medallions are handled. Beyond jewelry, consider placing these treasures on your computer desk for a midday reset, inside a linen drawer, or tucked into your pillowcase to invite sweet dreams.

Danielle Williams is the managing editor for Willow and Sage, Art Quilting Studio, A Somerset Halloween, and GreenCraft Magazine. She lives with her family in Orange County, California.

Disclaimer/Safety Information

NOTE: Always test a small area of your skin, first, to check for sensitivity. Avoid contact with eyes and approach all ingredients with extreme caution if you have any skin sensitivity or allergies.

The information provided on flourish is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat any medical condition. Content is based on personal research and experiences and is meant for inspirational purposes only. We are not licensed nutritionists or medical professionals, and you should always consult with your doctor, particularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.