(Poor Ryan went to Annecy, France for work.)
Ryan traveled for work this week while I held down the fort. It’s definitely hard while he’s gone, but it’s also getting easier each time, too. I’m adding his most recent destination to my list of places I’d love to visit when the boys are older. In the meantime, here are some things that caught my eye this week.
Leah’s well argued response to last week’s Huffington Post Highline article on “The Myth of the Ethical Shopper.”
Alden’s in-depth interview with Sana Rezwin Sait, founder of ethical online store Indelust.
Melissa McCarthy’s new clothing line.
Why Victoria Beckham never smiles.
Texas lawmakers hold a legislative hearing to investigate the death of Sandra Bland as her family looks for answers.
Bletchley Park remembers codebreakers from World War I.
And a new film explores the beauty of people with “genetic, physical, and behavioral differences.”
Have a wonderful weekend.
Draper James, the new clothing line by actor Reese Witherspoon, has been on my radar for a few months now. The pieces are pretty and classic, with a nod to the southern charm and style inspired by Witherspoon’s grandparents, whom the store is named after. But best of all, Draper James currently manufactures seventy percent of their pieces in the United States, and their ultimate goal is to move all production to the U.S. eventually.
Currently, Draper James’ denim is made in a factory in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and Witherspoon hopes to utilize the southern states’ textile industry as her line expands. This reminds me of Alabama Chanin’s return to her hometown, which helped to revitalize the organic cotton and garment industries in Alabama on a more personal level.
I haven’t purchased anything from Draper James yet, but their dresses, skirts, and denim shirts are well-priced and seem practical for regular wear. The significance of choosing their clothing manufacturers and bringing potential jobs to the United States cannot be overlooked, and Draper James is a great alternative to other collections, including Lilly Pulitzer and the new BB Dakota collaboration with Cupcakes and Cashmere, both of which are produced questionably overseas.
(The Blue Cocoon and The Jasmine Garden from May Lindstrom.)
Last month, I wrote about beginning an evening ritual as a way to relax and prepare for sleep after a long day. As I’ve learned more about the importance of self care, I found May Lindstrom’s name mentioned often. Her line of natural skincare products is designed around the concept of the ritual, and each item in the collection fills a specific role and purpose. May Lindstrom has a background as a chef, as well as a model and makeup artist, and her products are truly decadent.
For my birthday, I tried two pieces from the collection, The Blue Cocoon, a beauty balm, and The Jasmine Garden, a refreshing botanical mist. Since May Lindstrom is a luxury skincare brand, I first ordered samples to try. This is a great way to test out products and colors to see if they work well with your skin, and most natural skincare stores offer small samples for reasonable prices. Eco Diva, one of my favorite sites, provides a five-product sample set for $10, and the samples are quite generous.
The Blue Cocoon is my favorite piece from the May Lindstrom collection and it is truly a luxurious balm that can be used anywhere you need a bit of moisture, including your face, under your eyes, your lips, and even your elbows. Since I have oily skin, I use it sparingly on dry spots and rub a generous amount onto my neck and wrists each night before bed. This balm contains blue tansy, which possesses calming qualities similar to lavender, and gives The Blue Cocoon its lovely color. I find the scent very soothing and relaxing, and I’ve come to associate it with falling asleep at night. The balm is firm in the jar but melts as it touches your skin, so a little goes a long way. Plus, May Lindstrom’s products are natural and made without preservatives, and once opened, the jar will last for an entire year. That’s plenty of time to use this beautiful balm, and it has become a staple in my evening routine.
The Jasmine Garden, a refreshing facial mist, was my introduction to the May Lindstrom line. I enjoy facial sprays, especially in the warmer months, and I reach for one regularly throughout the day to set my makeup and refresh it as the temperature rises. This spray is scented with florals, and at first, I found the ylang-ylang a little overpowering. It soon grew on me, though, and I used the bottle every day, perhaps a little too often, since it didn’t last the entire month. It’s a lovely scent, but I find the price a little steep for a simple facial spray, which is the hot new product among many natural skincare lines right now. I haven’t reordered this spray, and I probably won’t, since I have tried other brands that are more affordable and work just as well. But, if you’re interested in trying May Lindstrom’s line, The Jasmine Mist is one of her most affordable products.
May Lindstrom’s line is lovely and luxurious, and I can recommend it as a natural beauty splurge. Aside from the facial mist, you won’t find products like hers elsewhere, and the experience of using them each day is definitely a sensual one.
