The DIY That Makes Wearing A Mask More Pleasant

PLUS: The easiest, most delectable cinnamon roll cake, 3 surprising uses for bananas, and more. PLUS: The easiest, most delectable cinnamon roll cake, 3 surprising uses for bananas, and more. February 5, 2022 [View Online]( Good morning! I find that I feel more in control of my life and my “destiny” when I look for ways to make the best of a bad situation. That’s how I felt when I came up with the mask spray I’m sharing in Today’s Good Thing—wearing a mask isn’t really something I enjoy, but I can at least make it a bit more pleasant. Also in today’s newsletter, I’m sharing the recipe for a truly delectable cinnamon roll cake. If you love cinnamon rolls but don’t want to commit to a multi-stage baking project, put this cake on your “to bake” list ASAP. Jillee TODAY'S GOOD THING The DIY That Makes Wearing A Mask More Pleasant [Photos of Jillee using her DIY mask spray.]( Wearing a mask isn't always the most comfortable experience, but this easy DIY can help. Without getting into the why of it—this is a judgment-free zone, after all—mask wearing remains a daily reality for plenty of people. But regardless of how frequently or infrequently you wear one, it isn’t always the most pleasant experience, and I’m all about minimizing unpleasantness with the tools I have at my disposal. One thing I’ve found helpful, especially when I’ll be wearing a mask for several hours, like on a flight or at a performance, is to spray my mask beforehand with a simple “mask spray” I made with distilled water and essential oils. It couldn’t be easier to make and it’s totally customizable too. You could choose an oil for its scent or for its benefits. For example, a mask spray with [Calm Mind]( could help you relax in a stressful setting, while [All Clear]( would be a good choice if your nose tends to get sniffly or stuffy when you wear a mask. Use whatever makes the most sense to you! Here’s how to make your own mask spray at home: Using a small funnel if you need the assistance, add 20 drops of your essential oil(s) of choice to a [small, dark-colored glass spray bottle](, then fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water. (I used about 4 ounces, since that’s how much my spray bottle holds.) Replace the spray top on the bottle, then shake vigorously to mix. (Remember to shake the bottle before each use too—with just essential oils and water in this recipe, it will separate over time.) How To Use It: Hold the spray bottle about 12 inches away from your clean mask, then apply a couple of light spritzes to both sides. Then don your mask as usual and go about your business. [See the full tutorial ➜]( Related • [5 Useful Face Mask Hacks That You Need To Know About]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • Spanning appetizers to desserts, these 13 recipes have one thing in common—you only need 3 ingredients to make them. [Read more ➜]( • This naturally antibacterial cream keeps minor wounds like scrapes and scratches clean and covered for speedier healing. [Read more ➜]( • Learn how to use your ice cube trays to save money by cutting back on food waste, making easy remedies, and much more. [Read more ➜]( COOKING Cinnamon Rolls, But As A Cake [A photo of a piece of cinnamon roll cake on a plate.]( It tastes just like a cinnamon roll, but takes a fraction of the time and effort to make. Can I make cinnamon rolls if I put my mind to it? Sure, but I’ve made peace with the idea that yeasted baked goods may never be "my thing." Yeast is too finicky and I’m too impatient. So when I’m craving something sweet and cinnamon-y, I make this cinnamon roll cake instead, and it never disappoints! Here’s how to make it: In your stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 1/2 cups of milk, 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup of melted butter. Mix just until well combined, then pour the batter into a greased 9x13″ baking dish. In the same bowl you just used (no point in dirtying another, right?), combine 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Mix until well combined, then drop the cinnamon mixture into the cake batter one spoonful at a time working your way around the pan. Use a butter knife or skewer to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the cake batter. (You want to distribute it throughout the batter without going so far that it disappears into the batter.) Bake the cake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze by whisking together 2 cups of powdered sugar, 5 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. When the cake is done, let it cool for 10 minutes or so before drizzling the glaze on top. (The cake will hold together better if you wait another 20 minutes before eating it, but that’s your call!) [See the full recipe ➜]( UNUSUAL USES 3 Useful Things You Can Do With A Banana [Photos of uses for bananas.]( Bananas are good for more than just making banana bread—here are 3 ways to put them to work. 1. Make A Hair Mask. Bananas contain vitamins and natural oils that can aid hair growth and elasticity. Blend together one banana, 2 tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1/2 cup of coconut milk until smooth, then apply to your hair for 30 minutes before rinsing and washing as usual. 2. Replace An Egg. Did you know you can use a medium-sized banana to replace one egg in most baking recipes? Thanks to their abundance of natural starches and sugars, bananas make a great binding agent. To use a banana as an egg replacement, just peel it, mash it up, and add it when you’d normally add the egg. 3. Make Banana Tea. Use a banana and some cinnamon to make a tea that can help you fall asleep more easily. Bananas contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports the nervous system, and magnesium, which helps relax your muscles. Learn how to make [sleep-supporting banana tea here](. JILLEE'S PICK The Books (And Instagram Account) Of Mel Robbins [An image of smartphone screens displaying Mel Robbins's Instagram account.]( At one of our team meetings a few weeks ago, our colleague Chris gave us all a copy of The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins, a book about the power in recognizing your own effort and believing in yourself. I hadn't heard of the author before then, so I looked up her Instagram account and followed her. In addition to the book I just mentioned, Mel Robbins ([@melrobbins]() also authored an international bestseller called The 5 Second Rule, and is a respected authority on behavioral change and personal growth. Although I followed her on Instagram fairly recently, her posts have already been a positive presence in my feed. I especially enjoyed [these 3 tips for shutting down self-judgment](, which she aptly terms “the bully in your head.” If you are regularly your own harshest critic (and there are a lot of us who are), I have no doubt you’ll benefit from adding her wisdom to your feed too! REMEMBER WHEN You Loved These Jeans? Ditto [A vintage ad for Dittos jeans.]( When I was a teenager, Dittos were the must-have "designer" label jeans, known for the signature saddleback stitching on the rear. They came in a wide array of colors and styles, and it seemed like everyone was wearing them back then, at least in Southern California. The brand had all sorts of suggestive slogans in their ads, like "Dittos: Feel The Fit" and the classic "Dittos: The Line Forms To The Rear". They were the first of many "it" brands for jeans—Chemin de Fer, Jordache, Calvin Klein, and others followed close behind. I remember buying Dittos in several different colors at Miller's Outpost when I was 16 or so. One night, my friends and I went to see Star Wars at the theater in South Coast Plaza, so I wore my brand new white Dittos. Everyone loved how these jeans flattered their rear, and I was no exception! I was feeling like a million bucks while we hurried over to the theater… right up until I tripped and fell. My knee took the brunt of the fall, and to my horror, I noticed that the scrape had left a bloody hole in my brand new white jeans. I couldn't help but cry—not because my knee hurt, but because my Dittos were ruined! Do you remember Dittos as the “it” jeans, or were you into a different brand? Hit “reply” and let me know! A FEW MORE THINGS... Nutella Lovers, Rejoice: It’s [World Nutella Day](, established in 2007 by US blogger (and Nutella enthusiast) Sara Rosso. Make one of [these Nutella recipes]( today to celebrate, whip up some [homemade Nutella]( of your own, or share your passion for chocolate and hazelnuts together on social media with #WorldNutellaDay. On This Day: In 1869, prospectors John Deason and Richard Oates discovered the largest ever “alluvial” gold nugget (meaning found in a silty deposit) in Moliagul, Victoria, Australia. The massive nugget, which came to be known as “[Welcome Stranger](,” was around 12 inches long and 24 inches wide, and weighed over 200 pounds. What did you think of today's email? [Not good]( | [Just okay]( | [Loved it!]( 🏠[Visit the By Jillee Shop]( 🤗 [Join OGT Free]( Let's connect! [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [youtube]( If you have thoughts, comments, questions or a tip or trick you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you! 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