Rosy Cosy Rosewater

If you follow me on instagram, you'll know that I spoiled myself last week by bringing home 2 dozen roses for absolutely no reason. Sometimes, a smile is reason enough. 

Well, after a few days, a couple of my roses began to wilt. I didn't want my beauties to go to waste, so I decided to make some rosewater using 6-8 of the roses. Rosewater has so many properties and uses. It contains the essential rose oils, as well as being a light and refreshing floral scent. Supposedly, Cleopatra bathed in rosewater to seduce her lover Anthony. It is also a lovely facial astringent, which is mainly what I use it for . You can use any type of roses, but I prefer something pink or red, because it gives the rosewater a really pretty pink hue.

I began by filling a pot (or you can use a bowl with a tight lid) with rose petals. 

Handy dandy electric kettle to the rescue! I poured boiling water over the petals until the water barely reached the top layer of the petals.

The lid on tight, I left the petals to steam and steep until the water had cooled. This took several hours.... so I got some much-needed laundry time in. 

Strain and bottle your magic potion! Voila!

DIY Vintage Fabric Coasters

Here's an easy Sunday morning DIY that literally takes 5 minutes.

I had a yard of vintage upholstery canvas with a pretty, 50's floral print on it.
Heavy upholstery and canvas fabrics work best, especially ones with prints, because they're going to be less likely to fray. However, the fray could be cute, so use whatever you have!

I simply traced a 3 1/2" square onto the back of the fabric in pencil, then cut out the squares. Instant coasters!
(Have more fabric? This would make cute matching placemats, too!)

Enjoy :)