Hope & Lavender

01/08/2026

I've made a very difficult decision and I wanted to take a moment to explain why I've made the decision to "close the doors" on Hope & Lavender.

I have enjoyed serving the local communities (and my digital communities!) so very much. But last year some of you know that I began my journey as a pre-med student. I took a break from H&L classes for the fall so I could focus on my studies. I don't know if you know this, but going back to college in your 40s is no joke! Haha. The academics are not hard, but juggling allllll the things, including motherhood, has proven to be very difficult. I knew something was going to have to be laid down for a while so I could focus on my studies, I just didn't realize it would end up being the business I have loved for years. :(

But I am going to take all the heart and passion I have had for helping you all take your wellness into your own hands and I'm going to put that into becoming the very best doctor I can be! I truly believe Hope & Lavender is going to come back around one day--I just don't know when that "one day" will be. It could be later this year, it could be years from now. It might be never. I'm not sure. I do know that the dream is still very much in my heart, it's just shifting a little bit for right now. :)

I'll still be in the community, working alongside my husband on our music lessons business, Frequency & Sound (https://www.facebook.com/frequencyandsound), and we will be adapting the "shop shelf" at the studio for the lessons space. (Musical instruments, strings, books, pics, things folks will need for their musical journey.)

Thank you. Thank you for years of dreams coming true. Thank you for laughter and tears and happiness and for allowing me to come alongside you on your wellness journeys. It has been an honor.

Meanwhile, I'll be busy with my neurodivergence advocacy and sharing about my personal life on my website, www.nikkibaltusis.com, and on all my personal social media (I'm on most everything) as I pursue my medical degree. Join me for this new adventure! 💕

11/24/2025

Looking for the perfect gift? Surprise! In honor of Black Friday/Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, I’m putting both the Tea Bundle and the Aroma bundles on sale for $15! (Originally $25!) This deal will be good while supplies last. Here’s what’s included in each:

Tea Bundle:
-One stunning glass teapot with 2 blooming tea flowers
-Decorative tea spoon, beehive honey stiring stick, honey stick, tea infuser, 4 holiday teas

Aroma Bundle:
-1 high quality essential oil diffuser (I have two kids owl diffuser bundles available in addition to the few drop!)
-1 seasonal essential oil roller (perfect for respiratory support this season!)
-4 “Aroma Pops”—single use diffuser blends to support the respiratory system, energy, sleep, and to support your immune system.

These are all packaged and ready for you! I can meet you at my shop in South Hero or meet in Milton/Burlington area when I’m in town! Message me to purchase and arrange pickup. 🙂 Happy shopping!

11/11/2025

I made a few requested custom EO blends today with dropper tops for quick and easy use! A fresh and supported scalp (that is free of intruders if ya know what I mean 😉) is always a blessing! Don’t be shy—you can always message or email me and ask for what you need! I’m here to help!

11/10/2025

It's about that time for this seasonal reminder! If you don't have one of these handheld nebulizers in your wellness toolkit, now's the time! A steaming hot shower can help too. Just turn the shower on as hot as it will go and let the steam fill the room and your kiddo (or you!) can just sit in it for a few minutes and let the steam do it's work! Be well!

It’s about that time for the respiratory crud to go around. If you have littles (or even if you don’t!), I highly recommend having a mini nebulizer on hand. Just some clean water and a few minutes with this on and you’ll be feeling better!

Here’s why this helps (and find my recommendation link at the bottom!):

Using a nebulizer with cool mist is beneficial for the respiratory system when a child has a cold because it delivers moisture directly to the airways in a concentrated and controlled way. Here’s why it helps:

1. Direct Hydration of Airways

The cool mist produced by a nebulizer hydrates the nasal passages, throat, and lungs, helping to relieve dryness and irritation.

2. Loosens Mucus

Nebulized mist thins mucus in the respiratory tract, making it easier for the child to cough it up or clear their nose, which helps relieve congestion.

3. Soothes Inflammation

Cool mist can reduce swelling and irritation in the airways, improving airflow and easing breathing.

4. Non-Irritating Temperature

Unlike warm mist, cool mist is gentle and doesn’t carry the risk of burns, making it a safer option for children, especially younger ones.

How to Use a Nebulizer Safely:
• Ensure the nebulizer is clean to avoid introducing bacteria or mold into the respiratory system.
• Supervise the child during treatments to ensure proper inhalation.

This thing has been such a dream! Here’s an upgraded version I recommend:

https://amzn.to/40fGHqP

11/10/2025

The Shop Shelf got a little holiday makeover! 🎄We now have holiday bundles ready for you, as well as new essential oil rollers (energy, sleep, immune system, seasonal and pain support). Here’s what comes in the bundles (both bundles are $25 each):

Tea Bundle (perfect for the tea lover in your life!):
1 glass teapot
2 blooming flower teas
1 honey stick
1 honey stirrer
1 infuser
1 decorative spoon

Aroma Bundle:
1 diffuser (we have a few kids diffusers too!)
1 of our popular seasonal support rollers
4 “Aroma Pops”—our signature mini one time use diffuser blends. These 4 support sleep, energy, the immune system and the respiratory system.

We also carry Humble Brand natural deodorants and we have a few of their soaps too. (These deodorants were super popular at the craft fair we set up at this weekend!)

Shop is located at 564 US 2, #6 in South Hero, VT and shopping hours will be announced/posted weekly on this FB page from now until the holidays. If you can’t make it to shop in person, we are also offering delivery/meet up options and possible shipping, so feel free to message and inquire about that!

Get ready, because in the new year all our seasonal and monthly wellness workshops will be kicking off! 🎉 Join the email list to be notified about all the goodness coming your way! 🙂

https://hopeandlavender.com/join-the-weekly-dose-of-hope-e-mail-list/

11/08/2025

Come see me at New Life Christian Church in Milton, VT today from 9-4 PM! I have holiday bundles ready for purchase! I have a tea bundle and an aroma bundle. I have some essential oil rollers, gua sha dry brush kits, Humble brand soaps and deodorants, diffusers, glass tea pots, and I’m even doing custom EO rollers. Come say hi! 👋🏻

10/13/2025

Wanna come shop today? The shop shelf will be available today, Mon 10/13, from 9 AM-12 PM. Fall all-purpose cleaners are now available as well as immunity/energy/seasonal support essential oil rollers, magnesium spray, foot soaks, glass tea pots and Humble Brand deodorants and soaps! Come see me! :)

10/06/2025

Shop hours tomorrow: 10/7 from 9 AM-1:30 PM! More to come soon! 🎉

564 US 2, #6, South Hero, VT (We are the second to the last door in the strip of offices.)

10/06/2025

I have started adding some goodies to the shop shelf! Today I added some essential oil rollers for seasonal support, as well as immunity and energy support. There’s also a tummy roller there with an oil that I use myself and wouldn’t be caught without! I also have a few gua sha/dry brush kits available in addition to the magnesium sprays, foot soaks, glass tea pots, diffusers, Humble Brand deodorants. And there is so much more to come. 🙂 (Like fun fall diffuser blends and a fall all-purpose cleaner!) What are you most excited about? What time of day are you most likely to stop and shop? I want to build my shop hours around YOU! 🎉

**Located in South Hero but I’m often in Milton and the Burlington area so I’m happy to meet up if there’s something you want! :)

09/09/2025

I’ve been hard at work today reimagining my office and getting it ready for YOU to sit in this chair! 😍 (But not to share my lunch. 😂😂) I’ve been really quiet here this summer because I was dreaming and zeroing in on what I want this space and this business to be. I asked myself hard questions and was delighted to discover new answers and I’m now more ready than ever to (softly) relaunch Hope & Lavender! Many of the elements you’ve grown to love about what I offer will still be there, but things will be more uniform, consistent, and you’ll have a better idea of what to expect from me every month! The shop shelf will be expanding to add more items that YOU are excited about! The website is getting a facelift too… stay tuned for all the fall fun coming your way! 🎉🍂

04/21/2025

We had the best time at the Art of Tea class!!! :) Thanks to Ingrid Hedbor, Realtor at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty for this beautiful reel!

04/13/2025

Forgot to take pictures of tonight’s guests (again 😬) but we had the BEST time tonight. You all bring me so much joy and I thank you for giving me the honor and privilege of enjoying your company and telling you all about loose leaf tea tonight! 💕 See you soon!