Biodynamic Farming!

Do you know about biodynamic farming? While visiting the Ehlers Estate Organic Vineyard in Napa this week, Elijah and I learned all about this old-tried-and-true holistic and chemical-free farming method. It is fascinating and wonderful and cosmic! It originates from the work of Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolph Steiner, and is a hands-on approach where the land is treated as a complete living organism in order to achieve greater produce. Naturally healthier and happier, the land bears happier and healthier fruits and vegetables! The basic philosophy is this: leave the land in better shape then when you found it. It's such a grand yet simple idea. Here are some of it's strict criteria*:

-reading the language of nature through careful observation
-avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides (hello lady bugs!)
-taking into account cosmic rhythms when planning vineyard activity
-using biodynamic preparations as medicines for the Earth
-employing concepts from the self-sustaining farm model, i.e. composting, attracting beneficial fauna, etc.
-nourishing the soil as a living organism

I love this concept of taking care of what takes care of you. Doesn't it make perfect sense in general? When speaking with the staff they also mentioned burying cow horns in specific energy hot spots throughout the vineyards and using herbs such as nettle and lavender to make "compost teas" for the land! Isn't that just so wonderful? And following the lunar cycle when it comes to crop picking and never taking from the vines on a full moon. It was soooooo fascinating and inspiring to hear about. It takes organic farming to the next level. They had the best tasting wine too! We could feel the good vibes and energy flowing there. If you go to Napa, and I certainly hope that you do, go and visit the Ehlers Vineyard and see/feel for yourself!

Ehlers Estate Vineyard, we tip our hats to you! Thank you!

*Above pictures and facts taken from the Ehlers Estate Organic Vineyard website ;)

Napa Valley

Elijah and I just got back from Napa Valley.

(This is my first time posting up a video clip and I didn't put any sound to it. I'm really starting to love making small videos).

Honey of a Thousand Flowers

A friend of mine passed along Kinfolk my way (thank you Kelly!) and I immediately fell into a deep read. Have you heard of it? Tucked inside was a sweet story about Sarah Winward and her winsome flower studio in Salt Lake City called Honey of a Thousand Flowers. Her story of how she and her husband spent two months working day and night to turn an old plumbing office into the beautiful, airy studio that it is today is incredibly sweet and inspiring! Her work is simply beautiful and elegant and wild. I'm smitten by her whole story and studio and you must take a moment and check in with her blog, and then over to her website, and then get ready to spend some time with Kinfolk. Sarah has some great advise for throwing some flowers together and overall comes across as a fantastically smart and wonderful lady...Happy Saturday!

"I like flowers that feel fresh and wild, and are arranged in a way that still let them look like the natural beauties that they are." -Sarah

(aka, a girl after my own heart)!

What if...

we wore more flowers and plants in our hair?

had more plants and flowers in our bathrooms?

first photo: Chinatsu Nobe (she can do my hair anytime)!!
second photo: that kind of woman

Summer Daze

What have you been up to this summer? Elijah and I have stayed here in Los Angeles this summer, with a few escapes to the desert sprinkled here and there. I have to admit that with the weather being so nice, I haven't been working on my computer nearly as much. What I have been up to is baking cakes, picking & arranging wildflowers, dancing, long walks at dusk, time shared with friends, brothers, sipping on rosé, watching great documentaries late into the evening, farmer's market, fresh gazpacho with heirloom tomatoes, reading (finally finished my BIG book yesterday!), and figuring out my new camera and taking lots of photos. I've also slowly gotten back into watercoloring which has been a true enjoyment. I have to admit, it's nice taking the time to enjoy my city, you know? I really love the summertime. California around dusk with it's magical light hitting the nearby hills is pure inspiration. What about you? What have you been up to? I want to know!

*(The very first picture was taken on a little walk with V.V. The ribbon was tied to a branch and simply floating along peacefully in the wind, waiting to be admired by an unsuspecting passer-byer. I took about ten pictures and for some reason it just filled me with joy to look at. So cool that such little moments of pure poetry are around us, huh? To quote Patrick Bateman of American Psycho "Keep your eyes open").

Have you been to the New York Botanical Gardens?

(via Lula)

Preparing a meal is similar to creating art. You have to scout & gather your resources, mix them all together with tools, carefully cook/bake and let cool and then the part I enjoy most: the finishing touches. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It really is a beautiful process, even more so when it does turn out to taste as amazing as it looks. I give my full attention to chefs who really go the whole nine yards. The flower petals and herbs really polish off the tea sandwiches and water. So simple yet so elegant. I really want to try this! See for yourself here!

(Did you know that flowers are not only edible but good for you! You can try adding rose petals, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, magnolia buds, safflower, lemon blossoms, pansies, borage, lavender, violets and nasturtiums to name a few. Just make sure they are all organic or haven't been sprayed)*

Happy 4th of July!

I hope that you have a very fun and spectacular 4th of July! Happy Independence Day!

xo, lili