february in the shop + studio
A month for little creature comforts. I saw the planets all in a line on a clear night above the East Village. I looked after the doves of a neighbor, observed the beginning of ramadan with friends. The lunar new year arrived, the year of the snake. As of this month, you’ve all helped me to send nearly $2k in soap sales to Gaza Mutual Aid Solidarity. So grateful for your support.
-
reading:
Rowen's lovely newsletter as I begin to think about the gardening season ahead,
and from the library, a book of essays on the paintings of Remedios Varo.
“Enchantment is just the measure of the quality of our attention.”
Louise Glück’s Snowdrops
-
looking:
at the lovely still-life paintings of Isabel Quintanilla, I especially love her white carnation in a water glass. You might want to try our Grand Street perfume if you love this flower as much as I do!
at the work of Etel Adnan in person this week, celebrating the centenary of her birth, and the orchid show at NYBG. both gorgeous moments of saturated color to lift the spirit!
-
listening:
to a lot of Tom Jobim, as it was his birthday in late January
discovering this beautiful album by Luedji Luna while exploring lots of Brazilian music
and Nina Simone in honor of her birthday on February 21st
-
above from top left:
{ little winter bits from the garden }
{ my favorite winter bathing treat, our cardamom & coconut milk bath }
{ pouring lots of our lovely beeswax kiss candles }
{thinking toward the season ahead with a new perfume sampler set }
A little ode to some of the beautiful raw materials that have arrived in the studio this month. Our gorgeous beeswax comes from a small family farm in Lancaster, PA. The sweetest organic milky oats arrived from Free Verse Farm in Vermont. Fresh and vibrant organic chamomile again from Lancaster County. And from a little further afield, a magical little jar of fragrant tuberose wax.
I’ve also been updating our vintage collection with more treasures, including this little tea strainer and more, and waiting for my second round of paperwhites to bloom. More enfleurage to come!
A visit to the orchid show was a much-needed salve toward the end of the month, when the dreariness outside tends to reach its peak. Grateful for a day spent amidst this soul-warming burst of color and scent.
Stay cozy,
more winter notes
One of the truest winters we’ve had for a while. This month brought deep cold and plenty of snow. In the morning when I arrive at the studio, it’s only about 40 degrees fahrenheit indoors, our building has so little insulation. I reassemble my thoughts after the holiday rush…