Brighten and Bloom

Brighten and Bloom Helping families feel happier and healthier with safe, natural products for your home and self-care.

09/03/2026

Homemade basil salt you can enjoy all year.

1 part fresh basil & 3 parts flaky sea salt. I dried it in a 225° oven for 40 minutes, then let it cool for an hour.

Save this one to use up extra basil from your garden and make a few extra jars for homemade Christmas gifts.

Comment “SALT” for the full recipe.

Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing some DIY/craft and gifts ideas for inspiration, follow along Melissa | Natural Beauty & Wellness so you don’t miss it!

A few more low-tox swaps we have made in our home over the years. Part 2. 🤍These are not changes we made overnight. They...
09/01/2026

A few more low-tox swaps we have made in our home over the years. Part 2. 🤍

These are not changes we made overnight. They have evolved as I learned more, raised my kids, tried different products and figured out what actually worked for our family.

Did you know we spend nearly 1/3 of our lifetime in bed? I look for organic or OEKO-TEX® options for sheets & pajamas. As I have gotten older and warmer at night, I have also found that cotton, bamboo and linen are much more comfortable for me. Natural fabrics feel better and now there are so many safe options.

Some of our favorites:
COZY EARTH Burt's Bees Baby Quince Avocado Green Mattress

When my daughter was young and started reaching into my makeup drawer, I became much more aware of what I was bringing into the house. There is so much more information available now, and thankfully more brands are paying attention to their ingredients.

This one has really evolved for me. I had to learn that words like “natural” and “clean” do not automatically tell you what is inside a product. Now I love testing products, researching ingredients and sharing options that feel like a better fit for women who want to make a swap that fits their budget.

A few brands I have been enjoying: OLIVEDA - Olive Tree Pharmacy Primally Pure Skincare ALPYN COUNTER

When my daughter was little, she loved bath bombs. I did not love the ingredient lists, so I started making my own. That eventually grew into Melissa | Natural Beauty & Wellness, which has become a beautiful community with resources and products for women who enjoy self-care, wellness and handmade gifts.

When my boys were babies, I feel like I researched every baby body lotion and eczema product on the market. As I learned more, I started paying closer attention to the ingredients in the products we use regularly, especially the ones that stay on our skin.

Today we have so many more resources to help us research ingredients and make informed choices. I have used resources like EWG, Think Dirty and Yuka over the years, while also learning that a balanced approach matters too.

Good brushing habits, a balanced diet, and regular checkups are still the most important ways to keep healthy teeth an

08/27/2026

Last week of August in the garden with my mini assistant and master tomato taster 🍅🐶🐾 🌸

What’s growing in your garden right now?

Follow along Melissa | Natural Beauty & Wellness for gardening, beauty and wellness inspiration.

08/21/2026

Third week of August garden harvest. 🍅🫛🥒🫑🌸

What’s growing in your garden right now?

Follow along Melissa | Natural Beauty & Wellness for gardening and wellness inspiration.

I started making small changes over the years as I learned more and found low-tox swaps that worked for our family.What ...
08/20/2026

I started making small changes over the years as I learned more and found low-tox swaps that worked for our family.

What is one low-tox swap your family has made that actually stuck?

Share it below.

I am always looking for simple swaps that fit into real life.

We didn’t change everything at once. We made simple swaps over time.

After trial and error and when new brands became available we found the pans and cookware that is easy to clean, and last a long time.

Our Place

Glass containers make a huge difference for food prep. We also use silicone bags, stainless and silicone for snacks.

I regularly test and try brands and products and have done this since my children were babies. I formulate my own safer products. There are so many more low-tox options for families than there were years ago.

ILIA OLIVEDA - Olive Tree Pharmacy ALPYN MERIT COUNTER Tower 28 Beauty Beauty by Earth | Clean Skincare Primally Pure Skincare Melissa | Natural Beauty & Wellness

I have done the research and tried numerous products for toilets, dishes, countertops, laundry. I share what works for our family - and what doesn’t!

Seventh Generation Puracy Truly Free Home Safer Laundry + Cleaning

Cupcakes, cookies and ice cream or frozen yogurt are regular treats in our home. I try to make homemade baked treats but balance is important.

Stay tuned for Part 2! I will more of the swaps we have made over the years to share.

Follow along Melissa | Natural Beauty & Wellness for more low-tox living, clean beauty, wellness, gardening and simple ways to make everyday life feel a little better.

08/13/2026

Taking care of myself is not taking away from my family or my business. It helps me show up for both. 🫶

What is one small thing you do that helps you feel like yourself on a busy day?

08/09/2026

First week of August garden harvest. 👩🏻‍🌾🍅🥒🫑

What’s growing in your garden right now?

Follow along Melissa | Natural Beauty & Wellness for gardening and wellness inspiration.

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