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Slow Down This Summer: An Herbal Evening Ritual
Summer is made for being outdoors: gardens, woodland trails, long golden evenings. But all that sun, wind, and soil can leave your skin ready for a little TLC by the end of the day.
My favorite way to wind down is with an herbal salve, massaging something rich in botanical oils and nourishing ingredients into my tired hands and skin while the day quietly fades. Simple, intentional, and completely handcrafted.
This season I've been reaching for two favorites from my shop. Honeyed Veil Salve, made with propolis and Manuka honey, is deeply nourishing and protective. Perfect for hardworking summer skin. And Nettle & Lavender Salve, crafted with calendula, plantain, purple dead nettle, and lavender, is a soothing botanical blend that's especially lovely as part of an evening wind-down.
Handmade with care, the way it should be.
💋 Why Your Lip Balm Melts in the Heat — And How to Bring It Back
Customers ask us why natural lip balm melts so much faster than a drugstore one. It comes down to ingredients. Plant-based oils and butters; coconut oil, shea butter, the things that make natural balms good for your lips, start softening near body temperature, about 98°F. A car parked in the sun can climb past 130°F, so it doesn't take long. Beeswax is the more heat stable piece of the formula, holding its shape to around 145°F, which is part of why we lean on it.
A few habits help: keep your tube stored upright, resting on the twist-knob, so if it does soften it resolidifies in the tube rather than leaking into the cap. Skip the car console, cupholder, or a bag left in direct sun. If a balm does turn soft or runny, an upright stint in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes solidifies it again with no change to quality. On the go, an insulated pouch or even keeping it tucked in a bag rather than a hot dashboard makes a real difference.
Rooted in Autumn: Equinox Comforts for the Shifting Season
Last week, the sun crossed the celestial equator and we welcomed the Autumn Equinox, a fleeting pause where day and night hung in near-perfect balance. Nature gently nudged us to slow down. The vibrant, chaotic energy of summer blooming is fading into the earth, drawing life down into roots, seeds, and quiet soil.
In the wildcrafting calendar, this is a beautiful time of transition, trading the season's delicate flowers and tender leaves for sturdier roots, seeds, and hardier plants built to withstand the cold. Just as nature thickens its bark and seals its seeds to prepare for winter, it's worth thinking about how we protect and nourish our own skin through the same shift.
From Forest to Formulation
Crisp autumn air brings dry winds, and skin starts craving a little more protection and comfort. It's a good season to lean on the things we already make with exactly that in mind: our salves and lip balms, built with beeswax and rich plant butters to help guard against that first bite of cold air. Our grounding roll-on perfumes, with warm, resinous notes of sandalwood, patchouli, and frankincense, make a nice sensory anchor as the days grow shorter. And our restorative bath bombs are always a good way to turn a bath into a real moment of transition, washing away summer fatigue and welcoming cozy, indoor evenings.
A Simple Equinox Ritual
If you missed marking the equinox itself, it's never too late to sit with the season for a moment. A few small things can help: light a candle, brew a warm cup of tea, and sit quietly for a few minutes, no phone, no to-do list, just a little space for peace, clarity, and groundedness.
Spiced Apple Harvest Blend
• 2 tsp black tea (Assam or Ceylon work well)
• 1 tsp dried apple pieces
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon chips
• A pinch of clove or nutmeg (optional)
Put your water, apple slices, and spices in a pot and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat down and let it gently simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. Turn off or lower the heat, drop in your black tea bags, and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and strain out the fruit and spices before drinking. Add honey if you like to sweeten.
However, you're honoring the shift this week, a quiet walk to spot the changing leaves, a cup of spiced tea, or a moment of stillness, take a little time to breathe in the crisp air and embrace the beauty of letting go.
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