What if beauty wasn’t something you had to chase — but something God already placed within you? 🌸 Welcome to Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, a podcast for women over 40 who want to nurture their natural beauty, grow in faith, and rediscover confidence that lasts. In this week’s episode, “Aging Gracefully Starts Here: Seeing Yourself the Way God Does,” we’re beginning The Confidence in Your Skin series — a gentle journey that helps you release comparison, deepen your peace, and reconnect with the beauty God designed in you. You’ll learn how to: 💛 Shift your mindset from self-criticism to God-centered confidence 💧 Create a calming skincare + soul care ritual you can do daily 📖 Use Scripture to reframe your beliefs about beauty and worth 🌿 Build self-compassion and gratitude for your reflection Scripture focus: Psalm 139:14 – “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Each episode blends natural skincare, self-care, and faith — helping you slow down, simplify, and see your radiance the way God does.

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In the latest episode of the podcast, Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy, the host discusses the beauty of imperfections through a personal journey of creating a zine, 'Moments of Light.'

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In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I share how embracing simplicity in skincare, self-care, and faith can bring calm and radiance. 🌿 Inspired by Ecclesiastes 4:6, we’ll explore how small rituals—like deep breathing, gratitude, and gentle skincare—help us find peace in the present. I’ll also invite you to simplify one area of your life and join me in Oil & Light for mindful, faith-filled routines.

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We spend so much time trying to look “perfect” — chasing flawless skin, smooth routines, and an impossible idea of beauty. But what if real radiance comes from embracing imperfection instead? 🌿 In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I explore the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi — the art of finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence. You’ll learn how to see your skin, your age, and your rituals as reflections of grace, not things to fix. 💧 This episode will help you: Let go of perfectionism in your skincare and self-care Discover peace in your natural, aging beauty Find joy in simple, faith-filled rituals that nourish your soul Understand why vulnerability makes you glow ✨ Scripture: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 🎧 Listen now and be reminded: You don’t have to be perfect to be radiant. You just have to be real. 🌿 Want more gentle beauty and faith-centered self-care? Join my newsletter and membership, The Guided Radiant Renewal Program, for weekly reflections, herbal skincare recipes, and spiritual self-care practices that nurture your skin and your spirit. 🕊️ Slow down. Glow naturally. Rest in God’s rhythm.

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Faith, Scripture & the Gift of Time | Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy We live in a world that tells us to resist time—but Scripture invites us to see it as sacred. ✨ In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I explore what the Bible says about aging, wisdom, and beauty—the kind that deepens with every season. Through verses, stories, and quiet reflections, we’ll rediscover how time reveals God’s design for our lives, and how prayer and presence can make us radiant from the inside out. 💫 Whether you’re navigating midlife or learning to embrace change with grace, this episode reminds you: time is not your enemy—it’s God’s invitation to grow in wisdom and light.

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In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I’m sharing an introspective look at the art of coziness—how warmth and connection go far beyond soft blankets and glowing candles. True coziness, I’ve learned, lives in the quiet moments of peace, presence, and gratitude where we feel God most near.

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In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I share how Ayurveda helps us understand the natural process of aging with more grace and ease. We’ll talk about the doshas—especially Vata—and how their shifts affect our skin, sleep, and energy as we grow older. I’ll guide you through simple daily rituals for balance, from grounding practices and nourishing meals to evening routines and skincare rituals that soothe and restore. My hope is to encourage you to see aging not as a battle, but as a journey toward balance—one where self-nurture and steady rhythms can help you feel radiant inside and out.

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In this podcast episode, host Carrie Scharf discusses the often-ignored power of plants and herbs in maintaining both our physical and mental health. The podcast revolves around the soothing effects of chamomile and its beneficial use in daily life, from drinking chamomile tea to using it in skincare rituals. She further explores the benefits of herbal skincare and the nuances of creating your own herbal infusions at home using herbs like calendula, lavender, and chamomile. Steering the conversation towards minimalist skincare, Carrie highlights the beauty of paring your routine down to fewer, more effective, natural products. Drawing parallels between tending to plants and oneself, she emphasizes the importance of self-care and spiritual growth. She ends by inviting listeners to try herbal oil infusions and reflect on which herb they feel represented by.

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n this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I explore the world of cozy scents—those fragrances that bring warmth, comfort, and ease into my home (and can do the same for yours!). I share how certain scents can spark cherished memories and help create a soothing sanctuary in any space. I walk you through a variety of ways I like to incorporate cozy scents into my home: essential oil reed diffusers, scented candles, simmering potpourri, scented sachets, DIY linen sprays, aromatic plants and flowers, and even the comforting aromas of baking and cooking. I also dive into my favorite cozy essential oils, what moods they inspire, and some of my personal blends that fill a home with warmth and calm. These simple little rituals of comfort are a wonderful way to shift the energy of your space and connect with moments that make you feel safe, cared for, and at home.

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In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy, I share why I see wrinkles not as flaws, but as markers of experience and the journey of a life well lived. Together, we’ll explore wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and honors the natural flow of time. I’ll also bring in a faith-based perspective, reflecting on how scripture reminds us that wrinkles are signs of wisdom and grace. I’ll guide you through a gentle herbal skincare ritual—one that isn’t about erasing or correcting, but about caring for your skin as it is. And finally, I’ll invite you to reflect on your own lines and marks as personal stories—narratives that reveal your unique beauty and identity.

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In the episode of the podcast "Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy" hosted by Carrie Scharf, the concept of anti-aging is critically examined and reframed as pro-aging. Exploring societal attitudes to aging, Carrie illustrates how these messages encouraging us to prevent or erase signs of aging are pervasive in our culture. She advocates for a pro-aging philosophy, likening the aging process to the growth of a tree, with wisdom, radiance, and authenticity accruing through our life experiences. The podcast episode also discusses the beauty of natural aging and the liberation in embracing it, with tie-ins to scripture. Concluding with a self-reflective exercise for listeners, this episode ultimately encourages a celebration of aging as an experienced, enriching journey.

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Tired of dull, tired-looking skin? 🍁 Discover how pumpkin enzymes + vitamins help restore a radiant glow naturally. Easy, affordable, and effective!

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Hey there, friends! In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I’m so excited to share how journaling can add a little extra sparkle to your skincare and self-care routines. I’ll show you how jotting down a quick thought or word can boost mindfulness, melt away stress, help you figure out which natural skincare goodies (like that chamomile mask!) work best, and celebrate your self-care moments. I’m dishing out three super-easy journaling methods perfect for non-writers: the One-Sentence Skincare Snapshot to capture how your skin feels, the Word Garden to collect cozy words-union words like “glow” or “calm” after your self-care, and the Gratitude List for Your Glow to reflect on what makes you thankful. Plus, I’ll share a simple trick to make journaling a natural part of your routine, like pairing it with your rosehip oil moment. I’m also thrilled to introduce my new guide, The Ultimate Guide to Words That Bloom: Journaling with Ease for Non-Writers, and I’d love for you to join my newsletter which has weekly garden prompts and self-care tips. Let’s make your self-care bloom together!

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In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I’m sharing how you can turn your skincare into a deeper self-care ritual. For me, it’s not just about taking care of my skin—it’s about slowing down, being present, and nourishing both body and spirit. We’ll talk about the power of baths for releasing stress and how herbs and essential oils can bring a layer of calm and comfort. I’ll also share why I love using body oils after a bath or shower, and how gentle, intentional touch can help you reconnect with yourself. This episode is all about creating moments of peace and presence in your everyday routine. My hope is that you’ll come away inspired to listen to your skin, make small ritual-like changes, and let your self-care feel more like a sanctuary.

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In this episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, I’m diving into the importance of exfoliation as we shift from summer to fall. Seasonal transitions are the perfect time to give our skin a little extra love, and exfoliation helps us release what no longer serves us—both physically and symbolically. I’ll be sharing my favorite gentle exfoliants: honey for its antibacterial and hydrating properties, clays like Kaolin and French green for their purifying and soft buffing qualities, and ground herbs such as chamomile, oats, and rose petals for their calming, soothing, and toning benefits. These natural ingredients not only support your skin, but they also add a touch of ritual and intention to your routine. To me, exfoliation isn’t just skincare—it’s a self-care practice, a way to honor the changing season and welcome fresh energy into our lives. And if you’d love more guidance, recipes, and resources for creating your own natural skincare rituals, I’d love to invite you to explore The Course Library—a beautiful collection designed to support you in crafting skincare and self-care routines that feel nourishing and empowering.

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In this week’s episode of Plants, Flowers, Oils & Whimsy, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics—reducing skin inflammation naturally, using three gentle powerhouses: calendula, comfrey, and oats. We’ll talk about what really causes inflammation—everything from too much summer sun to stress—and how our skin uses it as a built-in protection mechanism. But sometimes, that protective response needs a little extra love to get back into balance. I’ll share why calendula is my go-to “Sunshine Healer,” with its soothing, antimicrobial magic, how comfrey earns its nickname “The Restorer” for repairing and renewing skin, and why oats are like wrapping your face in the softest, calming blanket. You’ll learn easy, beautiful ways to work these herbs into your skincare rituals—plus, I’ve got a simple DIY face mask recipe you can make at home to calm redness, hydrate, and comfort your skin. It’s a gentle reminder that caring for your skin doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes the simplest, most natural remedies are the ones that work best.

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In this episode of the podcast, Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy, the topic of rejuvenating and nourishing skin after the harsh summer sun is discussed in detail. The host provides valuable tips for skin recovery, emphasizing the importance of hydration, gentle exfoliation, and natural skin repair remedies to counter the negative effects of UV rays, heat, and pollution on the skin. The episode explores the benefits of gentle exfoliants, such as sugar, oats, clay, and ground herbs, and the use of herbal-infused oils like calendula, chamomile, lavender, and plantain for their soothing and repairing properties on sun-exposed skin. A weekly summer skin repair ritual is offered, promoting mindfulness and self-care, along with a plea for a slower and more sensory skincare regime deeply connected to nature. Besides this, the audience is encouraged to subscribe to the newsletter for more exclusive content.

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In the recent episode of the podcast "Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy," host Carrie Scharf discusses the benefits and uses of calendula in skincare. The podcast starts with an overview of calendula's remarkable properties like soothing irritation, promoting healing, fighting bacteria, providing hydration, and combating aging, affirming its suitability for all skin types. Various uses of calendula in skincare, including calendula-infused oil, face masks, tea rinse, salve or balm, and bath soak, are then elaborated upon. The episode also emphasized the importance of a patch test, quality assurance when choosing calendula products, and proper storage for maintaining their potency. The episode concludes with an invitation to listeners to share their tips or recipes involving calendula.

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In this episode of the podcast "Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy," host Carrie Scharf discusses the importance of the nighttime for skin repair, particularly during summer months when excessive exposure to the sun can lead to skin dehydration and sunburn. She emphasizes the significance of a nightly skincare routine, suggesting the use of herbal oils and balms. Carrie mentions some key herbs for skin repair such as Calendula, Chamomile, Lavender, Rose, and Comfrey, all of which can be infused into oils and used in homemade balms. She then demonstrates how to make a homemade herbal night oil and a herbal night balm while sharing the benefits of each ingredient. By incorporating these herbal products into a nightly ritual of self-care, Carrie illustrates how you can cultivate a peaceful environment for skin repair and restful sleep.

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In this episode of the Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy podcast, Carrie Scharf guides listeners through achieving a summer glow using do-it-yourself face masks. She explains how summer factors such as sweat, sunscreens and environmental damage can affect skin, causing congestion and dullness. On the other hand, she highlights the benefits of herbal or clay-based masks, like absorbing excess oil and soothing irritation. Carrie shares three DIY recipes catering to different skin concerns: the cooling and calming Cucumber and Aloe Soothing Mask, the antibacterial and exfoliating Honey and Chamomile Brightening Mask, and the purifying Clay and Rose Mask. She emphasizes the necessity of a patch test before trying new masks, and offers a few tips on how to get the most out of these DIY masks. She also invites listeners to share their experiences and subscribe to her newsletter for more skincare advice, and ends by reminding everyone to not just stay hydrated, but also stay whimsical.

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