midsummer in the studio + in the garden
The heart of the year, the longest days.
I’ve stayed busy in the studio preparing the summer collection, which I look forward to offering each year. A nourishing body oil scented with jasmine and pink pepper, a refreshing facial mist with my favorite combination of small-batch hydrosols, and a magical floral cold-brew tea blend that you’ll go through by the pitcher.
above, clockwise from top left:
It’s calendula season! I grew two huge pots from seed at the garden and they are now in full bloom. we even harvested a few to put on top of the green pea pesto pizzas we made for our recent kids cooking workshop. Email me to join our kids program mailing list at the garden, we put on many free events throughout the year!
Our summer cold-brew tea blend in progress. Truly one of my very favorite formulas. The loveliest bao zhong oolong mingles with roses, tulsi, lemon balm and bergamot for the most refreshing possible sip.
Can’t get enough calendula this time of year! A fresh batch of our calendula + rosehip facial tonic has arrived in the shop, just in time to soothe skin after a long day in the summer sun. Combine with a little swipe of our nourishing facial balm or a few drops of nourishing serum for a restorative night-time treatment and keep a bottle of the tonic in the fridge and spritz on generously throughout the day.
The dreamy galaxy of our jasmine green tea masque. French green clay, freshly ground organic jasmine green tea, organic ceremonial grade matcha, Maine seaweed and Hawaiian spirulina, with a gentle marine jasmine scent. Summer’s heat and humidity tend to lead to some complexion congestion, but this gentle masque can help bring relief. Be sure to follow it with a spritz of your favorite hydrosol facial tonic + a few drops of balancing serum to soothe and recalibrate.
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I recently discovered this lovely project, NYC Microseasons. It’s right up my alley, maybe yours, too?
On repeat in the studio: our recently updated summer playlist
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below, clockwise from top left:
Dusky magic looking past my own plot and into the kids garden at 6&B. That burlap coffee bag is hosting two very enthusiastic potato plants, can’t wait to see if they produce enough to make potato salad with the kids later this summer!
The summer solstice was a rainy day here in the city, but the garden was as glorious as ever, with the St. John/Joan’s Wort just beginning to come into its own. Bigger than ever this year, it is one of the most popular plants with our local native pollinators, aside from the milkweeds and goldenrods.
One of my very favorites, the white swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), glowing in the twilight.
Another favorite milkweed, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) finally thriving this year after looking a little less than happy last season. You know what they say: sleep, creep and LEAP!
more summertimes
Just a few of the many roses in the neighborhood, in a collection of photos from over the years, to celebrate the season. All this beauty somehow clambering over fences and thriving in once-vacant lots.