Brighten and Bloom

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

06/09/2026

Every year I learn something new in the garden, and this year’s experiment involves eggs.

Some gardeners claim whole eggs added at planting time slowly releases calcium and nutrients that support healthier tomato plants.

I planted Cherry Bomb and Honeybee tomatoes that I had started from

I planted two plants with a whole egg buried under the plant and two without the egg.

Will the tomatoes with eggs in the soil grow bigger, produce more fruit, or show fewer problems?

I don’t know, but I am excited to compare them throughout the season and will share the results.

Now I am trying to find a better support system then tomato cages. Send me your favorite trellis ideas for tomatoes.

What is the strangest gardening tip you have tried that actually worked? ⬇️

Follow along for beauty, self-care, wellness and learn as you grow gardening.

06/03/2026

Every summer, the joke is that I carry 50 pounds of stuff to the pool.

This year, I am trying to fit it all in one bag.

It may be a challenge with the amount of snacks required to make it through a full pool day.

A friend gifted me this beautiful oversized , I had to put it to the test.

So here is my first attempt at fitting everything into one bag.

What is the most important thing in your pool bag?

Comment “POOL” and I’ll send you my full packing list

Follow along for beauty, self-care and little moments that spark joy.

Less scrolling more time doing things that helped me feel present and connected.A few favorites:
☀️Sunrise walks🌱 Planti...
06/02/2026

Less scrolling more time doing things that helped me feel present and connected.

A few favorites:
☀️Sunrise walks
🌱 Planting our garden
🤍Family celebrations
🧘‍♀️ Yoga and mobility challenges
🤝 Community events

What was one thing you did in May that brought you joy?

💜 Follow for simple wellness, garden inspiration, clean beauty, and self-care.

05/26/2026

One of my favorite parts of gardening is learning as I go and trying new things

If you are a backyard gardener who loves experimenting, growing flowers, and learning too, follow along .

Are you growing sweet peas? 🌸

05/20/2026

I’ve used a few apps for years to learn about ingredients and research brands I trust.

Recently I downloaded Yuka and started scanning the products in my current routine this morning.

Oh my gosh. It’s addictive.

Here is what it reminded me of though:
〰️No app tells the whole story
〰️Potency matters
〰️Formulation matters
〰️Your skin matters
〰️Your budget matters

There are so many brands and products that it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out what is actually non-toxic and still high-performing.

I help you find brands that are both clean and effective, so you are not standing in the aisle googling ingredients.

I also scanned a few products from brands I believe are clean and the results were mixed.

Which is a good reminder that we still have to learn which ingredients we personally want to avoid and align with brands we believe are doing the testing to keep us safe.

Here is what some of my daily products scored:
F75 Lip Balm - 100%
Oliveda F06 Cell Active Face Serum -93%
Oliveda F63 Face Oil - 100%
Oliveda Honey Enzyme Face Mask - 98%
Oliveda F38 Cleansing Oil - 100%
Oliveda F64 Eye Elixir — 94%
LADope Dope Your Glow Deep Cleanser - 98%
Barrier Repair Cream - 100%
SOS Daily Rescue Face Spray - 100%
Daily Mineral Sunscreen - 93%
Undaria Algae Body Oil - 93%

I share what I am learning and what is working well for me with mature skin.

Drop a 🥕 in the comments if you want the full list of products I scanned.

If you download Yuka and scan your shelf, tell me what surprises you.

🌿Follow along for beauty, self-care, wellness and gardening inspiration.

Some people see weeds. We see wishes, healing & art. What do you see? 🌼 🌿Follow along for beauty, wellness, gardening, ...
05/20/2026

Some people see weeds. We see wishes, healing & art. What do you see? 🌼

🌿Follow along for beauty, wellness, gardening, and self-care inspiration rooted in the things that help you age gracefully.

05/14/2026

In the middle of the May rush, everything feels like a blur of schedules and events.

If you are anything like me, there is always something that slips through the cracks.

If teacher gifts are still on your list, here are a few simple ideas that feel thoughtful without adding stress. Easy to pull together, but still meaningful.

Gifting is my love language, and anything garden, self-care, or summer-inspired is always appreciated.

Comment TEACHER and I will send you the ideas. DM me for the recipe and gift tags.

🌿Follow for self-care, beauty & wellness, and garden inspiration.

05/12/2026

We make homegrown flower bouquets all summer long and I am always looking for pretty filler to fill them out.

We have been growing plume celosia and yarrow which look beautiful in late summer but this year we are giving chickpeas a try too.

I pre-soaked them but I haven’t even planted them yet, so you are coming along right from the start. I am curious if they will grow.

Have you ever grown something unexpected just for your bouquets? Or, are you growing something new in your garden that you haven’t tried before? Drop it below! 👇

Wishing you a very merry Christmas. Thank you for supporting my small businesses this year and for being such an importa...
12/25/2025

Wishing you a very merry Christmas.

Thank you for supporting my small businesses this year and for being such an important part of this community.

I’m truly grateful you’re here.

With gratitude and warm wishes,
🤍Melissa

Connecting with friends and customers, and supporting and networking with other small businesses and local organizations...
11/04/2025

Connecting with friends and customers, and supporting and networking with other small businesses and local organizations at in-person events is one of my favorite parts of being a small business owner.

I hope to see you at one of these upcoming events!

It all kicks off this weekend with the Holiday Craft Fair and Holiday Home Market

I can’t wait to spread a little holiday cheer and shop small together! 🎄✨

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