Reed diffusers are a way to fragrance your home or office or any space that could use a little freshening. To put it simply- a glass container (jar, vase, bottle, etc.) is filled with a specially scented oil. Then you take wooden sticks, called reeds, and put them into the oil. That’s it. Very simple ! That’s all most of us need to know.

For those of you that would like a more detailed explanation, read on.

Let’s start with the reeds. Reeds should be made of rattan. Rattan reeds are made up of “channels”. Basically, if you look into the end of a reed (either end) you will notice (look closely) that the reed is made up of a bunch of “channels”. They resemble hollowed out tubes. They run from the top of the reed all the way to the bottom of the reed. When you insert the reeds into the specially blended diffuser oil, the oil gets “sucked up” (much like a straw) through these channels. The oil is pulled to the top of the reeds naturally and is released into the air through evaporation. Be certain that you are using real rattan reeds and not bamboo chutes or skewers. Bamboo contains “nodes” (not channels) that will block the oils from traveling up to the top.

The specially scented oil is made up of a reed diffuser “base” with fragrance oil added to it. Look for diffuser oils that are designed especially for use in reed diffusers. The best diffuser oils are made up of uncut fragrance oils mixed with a base that is not made up of alcohols or dipropylene glycol. Alcohol is highly flammable and causes the fragrance oil to evaporate too quickly. This, in turn forces you to have to buy more oils in a shorter amount of time. Good diffuser oils will last a long time (approximately one month per ounce). Avoid diffuser oil blends that contain alcohols. Also to be avoided is dipropylene glycol. Dipropylene glycol, (DPG) is a solvent used to “thin out” fragrances. Though DPG is used to thin our fragances, the DPG itself is a little to thick to properly travel up through the reed channels. Again, look for diffuser oils that are alcohol and DPG-free for best results.

I have tried reed diffusers and oils from several sites. I avoid online retailers who use alcohol or DPG in their bases or claim to use “bamboo” reeds.

I like the complete gift sets from http://www.thediffusery.com and thought their pricing was budget-friendly. ($15.99-$19.99 for a complete gift set). Their base is alcohol and DPG free and they have a great slection of scents. I highly recommend their lavender and fresh laundry scents. Both smell nice and strong and I have received many compliments on these ! You can also buy refill oils, replacement reeds ($1.29 for a pack of 10) or glass containers seperately if you’d like. I shop here most often.

I have also tried and liked the diffuser sets offered by http://www.khalldesigns.com . Their grapefruit-mint is fabulous ! These diffusers and refills are a bit more pricey, ($46 for a complete set) but I like the fact that they have other products to match your diffuser scents. Bath and shower gels ($24) and body parfum ($44) make great gifts !

I personally love that reed diffusers are flame-free. Although I love candles, I hate the soot it leaves around my home and I hate always worrying about starting things on fire. Reed diffusers are a safer option in my opinion because I don’t have to remember to blow them out !

Go ahead. Jump on the bandwagon, this trend is a great one ! And now that you know exactly what reed diffusers are and how they work, you will never be left nodding your head unknowingly again !

By Sara Westbrook

There is a lot going on in our lives today that creates stress and anxiety for all of us. It seems most of us these days are looking for ways to relax, unwind and de-stress from daily pressures. Some choose to exercise. Others may choose to read a book or watch a movie. Others visit spas and get luxurious massages. But more and more these days, people are turning to aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy itself is really not a new phenomenon. The Egyptians have been using aromatherapy and scented oils for relaxation and the promotion of health for the last 6000 years. Aromatherapy has been used throughout the ages as a means of healing both physical and emotional ailments. The sense of smell and the inhalation of certain scents can alter ones mood and promote relaxation by affecting the chemical balance in the brain and causing one to become more relaxed.

Aromatherapy has taken on a whole new dimension and has become a billion dollar industry. There are many forms of aromatherapy including candles, lotions, incense, massage oils, etc. Becoming increasingly popular these days are reed diffusers.

Reed diffusers are very simple to use and provide wonderful long-lasting aromas that fill your home with calming and familiar scents. Diffusers are primarily made up of a glass container, a scented oil mixture and a handful of rattan reeds. The glass bottle holds the scented oil mixture which is primarily made up of a diffuser base mixed with fragrance or essential oils. After you have poured the scented oil into your glass container, (a glass bottle, jar or vase for example) you insert the rattan reeds into the oil and you are all set to go ! Reed diffuser oils last a very long time. Quality oils from a respected supplier should last (approximately) 1 month per ounce. This may vary a little due to enviromental conditions. (Fan on, air conditioning or heat on, doors open, humidifiers, etc.)

Diffusers work by diffusing the scent into the air through the reeds. Rattan reeds are made up of “channels”. There are approximately 20 channels in every reed. The channels basically “suck up” the oil much like a straw. When the oils reach the tops of the reeds (usually within 12-24 hours) the scent is diffused naturally into the air. This provides a stable, steady scent that is long lasting.The number of reeds you use is based on your personal preferences. The more reeds you use, the stronger the scent. Usually this is between 6 and 10 reeds. If you notice your scent is starting to weaken, flip the reeds. Carefully take the reeds out of the bottle and flip them upside down. This will expose the ends that were sitting in the oil to now be exposed to the air releasing more scent. After some time of course, reeds can become clogged with dust or become overly saturated. In this case, simply discard the reeds and insert new ones.

When choosing a reed diffuser to purchase, it is important to find a supplier that uses a quality base and undiluted fragrance or essential oils. Many bases on the market today contain a large amount of alcohol in their bases. Alcohol is highly flammable and causes the fragrance or essential oils to evaporate too quickly into the air. This forces you to have to purchase more oil in a shorter amount of time and often lines the pockets of suppliers out to make big bucks from your oil refill purchases. Another ingredient often used by manufacturers or suppliers is dipropylene glycol. (Often referred to as DPG). Dipropylene glycol is a dilutent used to “cut” fragrance oils. It can often weaken the scent and is a little too thick to properly wick up to the top of the reeds. When choosing a supplier, make sure the base or oils that they offer do not contain alcohol or DPG. (Dipropylene glycol).

Another thing to consider when purchasing a diffuser are the reeds that are offered. You must use rattan reeds. There is a lot of misinformation, especially on the internet, in regards to reeds. Some suppliers say their reeds are made from bamboo. Bamboo reeds will not work as bamboo chutes contain nodes, not channels, and will not wick up properly. I even saw an article in a popular woman’s magazine recently that suggested making your own diffuser using bamboo skewers. Skewers are not meant to be used in reed diffusers. If a supplier is telling you the reeds are bamboo, find another supplier as they do not know enough about reed diffusers to be selling them in the first place. Again, make sure the reeds are made of rattan.

Reed diffusers are a safer alternative than candles as there is no risk of fire and no dirty soot that ends up on your furniture. You should still use caution and keep safety first when using any product, including reed diffusers. Be careful not to tip diffusers over and use care when flipping the reeds as oils can damage delicate surfaces. Reed diffusers oils are not meant for use on the skin and as good as they smell, you simply shouldn’t eat them !

Reed diffusers are a wonderul way to relax and de-stress as well as pleasantly scent your home or office environment. They also make great, well appreciated gifts as scents affect our lives in many ways ! (Bringing back fond memories of grandma’s cookies or reminding you of your wedding day flowers for example). Although our lives will never reach a point of being completely stress-free, it’s nice to know that aromatherapy and reed diffusers are there to take the edge off.

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Dawn Turner, currently residing in a small town in central Wisconsin is the proud mom of two teenagers. She is an expert in fragrance diffusion and owns http://www.thediffusery.com. The diffusery sells quality reed diffusers and supplies. Dawn, a self professed scent junkie, loves to travel with her husband, listen to music and take long bubble baths.

Please feel free to reprint this article with By Line and author profile in tact and all links live and clickable. Copyright is reserved by author.

Check out current styles. Before your belly gets really large, current styles may allow you to wear fashionable items that aren’t even labeled as maternity clothes. Camisoles and other blouses that tie below the bust and billow to the waist (very fashionable right now) are great for a growing belly and chest. Pair them with a pair of maternity capris and you are good to go.

As your bump becomes prominent and gets bigger and bigger it’s time to turn your thoughts to your wardrobe. Your pre-pregnancy favourites will fit for a while, then you’ll grow out of them, so you’ll need to stock up on some maternity consignment. Thankfully gone are the days when you’ll find yourself stuck wearing baggy, sack-like, unflattering dresses to hide your bump – maternity wear these days has gone fab and funky! If you’re unsure of what to wear, here are some ideas to get you started.

Some points to remember:
If you’re suffering from swelling in your ankles, look for sandals or shoes with adjustable straps, so you can release the pressure and tightness around your ankle. Alternatively, for really comfy walking shoes you can get styles with Velcro straps, so you can easily loosen them to suit your needs.

Underwear
Don’t be remiss and forget to think of your underwear! You’ll need bigger sizes here too and should aim to get measured for a maternity bra by about seven months.
Look at celebrities. Many celebrities look wonderful and fashionable during their pregnancies. Check out what Gwyneth Paltrow and Katie Holmes wore when they were pregnant. People magazine often has great pictures of celebrities during pregnancy. In addition, online sites such as MSN (see link) will allow you to peek at pictures if you don’t want to spend the money on a magazine.

Pick staple clothing items carefully. Splurge a little on quality staples. One or two pairs of quality maternity capris or fashionable jeans will help you feel stylish and sexy, and should last through your entire pregnancy.

Buy one great dress. Get a maternity dress in a color that you love that is good quality and will last you throughout your whole pregnancy. It should casual enough to be dressed down with a sweater for a meeting at work, but able to be dressed up with jewelry for a date with your partner.

Go to the mall. There are many, many retailers offering maternity wear now. Old Navy now offers maternity clothes in their stores and online. Stores such as Pea in a Pod and Motherhood Maternity (see links) offer great and fashionable maternity options, and are also online.

Don’t buy things that are a size too big (unless you’re expecting multiples or actually need a larger size). Maternity clothing is made to expand with you. And one of the keys to looking great in any clothing is making sure it fits you.

Check out places online. Many sites offer very fashionable clothing (see links). However, in the beginning, only buy a few items from an online site. That way you can make sure you’re getting quality clothing, and are buying the correct sizes. If the prices seem a little overwhelming–such as United Kingdom maternity boutiques like Blossom–check out the pictures and see how the models have accessorized and how the clothing fits their bodies.

Don’t buy maternity clothing with horizontal stripes or large patterns. It will only make you look larger. Stick with solid colors to look your best.

Don’t buy dresses or skirts that hit above the knee. As your belly grows, your hemline will lift.

Wear fun accessories. You can get a lot more wear out of your clothes (and your feelings about them) if you wear fun scarves, hats, and other accessories with your maternity clothing.

Wear the styles you normally wear. If you don’t like capris, don’t buy a pair of maternity capris. Everyone may tell you they look great, but if you don’t feel confident and great in them, you won’t look your best. Buy things you love.
Check out secondhand stores or outlets. If the prices for maternity clothing leave you gasping, you can find fashionable things in secondhand stores. Because women wear maternity consignment for such a short period of time, there are many stylish items in these stores.

Belly Bundles
Raleigh, North Carolina
919-332-4156
info@bellybundles.com

Just Make The Right Choices

Making the right choices when shopping you need more information than just the price, you need to look at other options such as the quality and types of products available. It’s easy to get this information by comparing what’s on offer and spending a little extra time before completing that purchase.

5 Options For Cheaper Shopping

Here are our top 5 options and tips to shopping online for less.

• Bargain Sites

These are generally discount sites where you can find deals on everything from clothing to food, and electricals to holidays. They get excess products from other retailers and sell the merchandise at bargain prices. This may be things like end of lines and last years stock.

• Voucher/Coupon Code Sites

These sites provide you with a wide variety of Vouchers, promotional codes and discounts across the whole shopping world on the internet. Giving you links to retailers, rather than selling you the products directly. Sometimes huge discounts can be had with Voucher Codes.

• Classifieds And Auction sites

It’s sometimes possible to make big savings by buying your item either second hand or new from specialised auction site retailers. You can usually pick up bargains from auction sites such as EBay if you know the products you’re purchasing well.

• Ditching Brand Names

If you know you can get the same quality from a less well-known brand than why not buy that instead? This method does appeal to many shoppers, but checking quality is paramount!

• Cashback Shopping Sites

Cashback shopping sites give you money back on many types of online purchases. The amount of cashback can vary depending on the stores you’re buying from and what promotions and incentives are currently on offer.

There are probably many other ways to save money, we have included the most common and simple options that have satisfied many shoppers.