We’re here! As a small business owner, I’m jumping for joy…can’t believe I’m finally in my own shop…
Vagabond Botanical
Creating With Designers
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla lacinia maximus molestie. Phasellus sed diam ac dolor maximus gravida facilisis in massa. Quisque finibus at metus nec pharetra. Aenean faucibus malesuada lectus, ac laoreet tellus hendrerit at. Cras blandit sapien vel tellus tristique lacinia. Phasellus imperdiet finibus enim, semper laoreet eros pellentesque vitae. Mauris vestibulum, nibh ac ultrices efficitur, nisl magna luctus odio, eu semper sapien odio eu enim. Proin et ultrices orci. Donec ultricies tortor eget nunc pulvinar imperdiet.
Two Of My Favorite Things
Outdoors exploration…
A Healthy Well-Being Made Possible by Houseplants
In the wake of what’s happening with the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t help but take comfort in my collection of plants. They make for a nice distraction amongst the 24-7 media reels of anxiety-infusing news. I’m not at all trying to downplay the seriousness of what’s currently taking place. But, I can assure you that if your mental health is starting to spiral a bit, plants can help put it back on the upswing. Science has proven that plants can improve your physical health as well. So as we are hunkered down in our homes for the next several weeks, consider adding some houseplants for your overall well-being. And remember, Vagabond Botanical is happy to deliver locally- right to your front porch. So, without further ado, here are some recommendations for the science-backed, proven benefits of having plants in your home.
Snake Plant- These eye catching, easy to care for houseplants have a wonderful ability to clean the air within your home- more so than most because of their proficiency in absorbing excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. We are talking about the absorption of cancer-causing toxins! So go ahead and eliminate the likes of benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from your home, especially if you’re allergy prone.
Monstera Plant- This plant possesses iconic leaves…they’re prominently featured in works of art and design as of late. But beyond their prettiness, they are known warriors of fighting off everything from arthritis to coughs, fevers and infections, at least according to ancient traditions. But their real strength lies in their ability to clean indoor air, especially when it comes to humidifying air-conditioned interiors.
Money Tree- They say money doesn’t grow on trees…but I interpret this differently than most. You certainly get your money’s worth when it comes to beauty and air purification qualities. It is especially effective at filtering harmful pollutants from everyday household cleaners…you know, the very same cleaners that are currently flying off store shelves. And its twisted trunk that’s believed to trap fortunes within its folds? I’m sold on the money tree!
Staghorn Fern- Does your bathroom need some greenery? If so, this is one to consider. Known as a shower plant, not only can it help create a focal point in a room that’s often overlooked when it comes to plant styling, but it also comes with some health perks. This particular plant can improve air quality, bolster energy and help aid mental health. Allergists often recommend this plant to help clean the air of everyday indoor pollutants.
Fiddle Fig- Yes, if you know me, you know about my obsession with this tree. I just can’t say enough good things about it. Absolutely swoon-worthy…with health benefits galore. This tree helps control humidity and is incredibly efficient at air purification. If you are looking for a houseplant plant to help lift your spirits, this my friends, is one you’re going to want to invest in.
Really, houseplants can be of great benefit to us all. As we prepare for social distancing and possibly further isolation techniques in the coming weeks, I cannot recommend enough all the goodness these plants can provide for you and your families. Indoor plants offer more than just air purification…they spark joy and promote a healthy well-being.
I’m so excited to be sharing tips and tricks on how to care for your houseplants in upcoming posts…like the magic of a can of LaCroix. Stay tuned!
My Own Little Shop of Horrors, Part 1
As a small business owner, I can’t help but have visions of a shop to call my own. I dream of a studio, office and retail shop for everyone to enjoy. Matte black accent walls, lush greenery, brilliant lighting, hardwood floors, and dried flowers arranged so magnificently that many would believe them to be an art installation. But as a small business owner, I have to start small. And so I am. With a newly re-designed studio, office and retail display (albeit petite)…one floor beneath my living space. We all need a foundation on which to build and grow, so for now, the basement it is.
I am fortunate to have a workable space, but it’s not pretty to look at. Yet it has served a purpose as my creative work area. A few tiny windows, a lovely combination of cement and tile flooring, cinder block walls and partitions covered with paneling. Throw in some fluorescent lighting, dingy drop ceiling panels, and I have the typical basement of an older home. Wonderful for storing and stashing things, laundry, and a space for my kids to play. But I came to realize that my boys really never played down there, and who could blame them? Furthermore, why not try and make this vision a reality…even if it is my basement?
While I don’t have any flesh-eating plants in my basement, I’ve dubbed it My Own Little Shop of Horrors (minus the comedic genius of both Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, though Nicole and Clare are giving them a run for their money). Remember that film about the introverted wannabe botanist Seymour Krelborn who fiddles his nights away in the basement of Mushnik’s Flower Shop, trying to create a plant that will help save his job and the shop? And in the meantime, he hopes to win the heart of floral designer Audrey? But then a man-eating plant shows up and of course, trouble ensues in this good vs. evil story. I often see myself as Seymour, down in my basement, late in the evening, fiddling around with plants.
The process of bringing life to my basement has only just begun. But I’ll admit, just like most things, it’s been a bigger undertaking than what I had imagined it would be. I figured some organizing, some cleaning, some decorating. Only the organizing led me to realize just how much stuff I have…Marie Kondo, where are you? Please, help me spark some joy! And the cleaning. Oh the cleaning! I ultimately had to enlist the help of a commercial cleaning company because it was beyond the realm of what we could do. A dust mop, vacuum and a bucket of bleach weren’t going to cut it. The house in which I live was built in 1953, and within the cracks and crevices of a basement, 67 years of life have unfolded one floor beneath my living space. 67 years. So the work continues, but progress is being made.
An area for personal belongings has been established; ceiling panels have been removed and after a thorough professional cleaning, I have what feels like, a fresh start. The walls and ceiling have been painted a bright white, and a work flow has been determined. Yet there’s still so much more to be done. Purchasing items, assembling shelves and storage, organizing plants and dried flowers, installing light fixtures, and finding/hiring a carpenter that can help bring my vision to life.
You know that feeling that comes along at the end of February, when it’s cold and dark and messy outside from winter’s rain and snow, but you can just sense that we’re almost through the thick of it? The anxiousness we feel when spring is nearing…but nature still has a lot of work to do? I can’t help but notice the parallels between this feeling and what I feel as My Little Shop of Horrors transitions into something more than a dreary and gloomy basement. So in the meantime, as I dream of my own studio, office and retail space above ground level, I’ll remember the words of Seymour to his love Audrey: “We’re gonna get that little house and everything’s gonna be alright, you’ll see.”
I’ll continue to keep everyone posted on the trials and tribulations of My Own Little Shop of Horrors…stay tuned!
A Plant Stylist’s Affair with CBD
I make a living as a plant stylist; my home and studio are meccas of botanical findings. No matter which way you turn, you’re going to run into moss, dried flowers, dirt, and of course, my collection of succulents. So it certainly isn’t surprising that my wellness regime is heavily plant based- how could it not be? And while there are numerous brands and products containing all sorts of botanicals, there is one plant extract that has made quite a name for itself over the last couple of years: CBD.
As long as you haven’t been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with cannabidiol, or CBD, as it’s commonly referred to. It’s one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids, which can be extracted from cannabis plants. The two most well-known of these cannabinoids are CBD, which does not have any psychoactive effects, and THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, which does. In simple terms, the use of CBD products will not give us the intoxicating high that’s associated with cannabis use. Why then, all the fuss over CBD products, you might ask? As such, I had to find out for myself.
Fortunately, my friend Julie Dwyer (and fellow Western Springs resident) was kind enough to help me out. As part of the Fleur Marché team, Julie works to promote their mission to remove the stigma of cannabis and rebrand it as wellness. Founded by two former directors of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, Fleur Marché has created an upscale marketplace entirely dedicated to this chic cannabis compound. She assured me that CBD products would not cause me to experience a marijuana high…but she also assured me that when I sampled one of their CBD products, I would experience an overall sense of calm. Immediately, I was intrigued. So, Julie let me start with the Kana Lavender Sleeping Mask…because sleep often alludes me.
Touted as a Korean beauty essential with anti-inflammatory properties, this lavender scented, CBD infused, overnight mask is nothing short of perfection. I’m beholden to trying out many a product in hopes of a small miracle. And while I’ve come across some wonderful potions, I don’t know that anything has ever fully lived up to its hype. Kana Lavender Sleep Mask, for me, might just be the first. Soothing- check. Relaxing- double check. Is my skin glowing after spending a few nights with this sleeping beauty? Triple check. My skin feels as though it’s been on its own wellness retreat; pure luxury in a jar. This is a keeper in my small, but soon-to-be growing collection of CBD products.
For anyone with concerns regarding products containing CBD’s, Fleur Marché is adamant about transparency. Their products are put through a vetting process like no other, and their website is an abundance of information in regards to CBD and cannabis. As with any new trend, it’s been easy for companies to jump on the CBD bandwagon, but I certainly had peace of mind in knowing where ingredients are sourced from, along with expert recommendations and guidance for everyone from novice, like myself, to experienced CBD customers.
Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming Vagabond Botanical + CBD events!