natural beauty

  • make your own: calendula salve.

    For all of its loveliness, January is a month in New York that requires some amount of defending against. To fend off the cold we need extra layers of wool. To combat the blues…

    January 8, 2018 44 Comments
  • natural beauty: bar soap, part two.

    That I enjoy lathering up with bar soap is hardly news. I could receive bars of freshly cut handmade soap for every birthday from now until the day I die and I’d be happy. Nothing quite…

    September 11, 2017 50 Comments
  • healthy nails | reading my tea leaves

    healthy natural nails with hortūs nailworks.

    I mentioned in this weekend’s newsletter that I’d spent a little quality pampering time in the Lower East Side gem of a nail salon, Hortūs Nailworks. The salon carries a whole range of five-free polishes,…

    April 6, 2016 29 Comments
  • glowing winter skin with jessa blades.

    It’s the time of year for looking in the mirror and hoping my salty tears might provide enough moisture to put a little glow back into my dry cheeks. (Sad February-ers, unite. It’s almost…

    February 29, 2016 21 Comments
  • diy essentials from s.w. basics

    This post is sponsored by S.W. Basics, a skincare company that believes “simplicity is the essence of awesome.”In my book, I’ve written a bit about the idea that in the quest for simplicity, it’s…

    December 8, 2015 6 Comments
  • cleansing oil | reading my tea leaves

    natural beauty: cleansing oils.

    If you’ve been reading for awhile, you might remember that I don’t wash my face. Or rather, that I do, but with a brush and infrequently and without the help of any suds. In college I first noticed the…

    November 12, 2015 31 Comments
  • facial oils natural beauty reading my tea leaves

    natural beauty: facial oils

    Face oils. Serums. Secret Potions. Not to get too witchy on you, but it is the season and we could all use a little extra dose of magic.Face oils are all the rage, thank goodness. I…

    October 21, 2015 46 Comments
  • body oil natural beauty reading my tea leaves

    natural beauty: body oils.

    The heat turned on in our apartment over the weekend. We heard the familiar click clank of the radiator first. Then the steam began to whistle out of the vent on the side. We’ve…

    October 7, 2015 32 Comments
  • natural beauty: deodorant.

    Judging from the questions that I’m still getting about deodorant, I thought I’d include a definitive deodorant post in this series. And considering we’re just back from a trip where showering required quarters and…

    August 20, 2015 63 Comments
  • natural beauty: camp essentials.

    It goes without saying, when it comes to beauty basics and camping the emphasis is on the natural. As in au natural. As in, nada. As in, just the fresh air and morning dew…

    August 4, 2015 2 Comments