Chic Living Through a Cultivated Closet
Stuff We’re Digging is a Garden Collage Magazine feature wherein a member of our staff spotlights a collection of intriguing new products from the world of plants, wellness, mindfulness, and/or beauty. Some of these items can be found in the GC Shop, while others are simply beautiful discoveries worth coveting. This week, GC’s Head of Strategic Planning Leyla Mattison curates a selection of elegant projects for chic, productive living. Shop the story, below.
When it comes to chic green living, there are a number of beautiful products available across the globe, but there are a few vessel collections that stand out above the rest. I have every piece of Verreum’s Reverso collection, from glasses to vases, which were created by one of my dearest friends, designer and Head of Creation at Christian Lacroix, Sacha Walckhoff. My favorite item, if I had to choose one, is the large vase. A total show stopper, it makes a statement in any interior, be it minimalist or maximalist. I just love the subtle color combination of transparent pink and silvered blue, which perfectly balances so many flower styles – from the shabbiest country chic to the softest monochromes.
This time of year, my daughters and I love to use the Arminho Herb Press, as this is where we archive the “winner” leaves from our Autumn forest excursion. It makes for a really fun weekend workshop, and stays as beautiful keepsake you can collect over the years.
When I’m feeling in need of a little pampering, I look to Charme d’Orient’s Hammam treatment, which consists of cleansing with black soap, ghassoul and following up with the incomparable argan body butter. Hammam rituals are very popular in Paris, it’s a great way to give your body and mind some quality time as it takes a full hour to complete, so it’s mostly a weekend treat I look forward to!
When it comes to mornings, I have a routine which involves three very simple yet essential steps for me : meditation. hot shower. coffee. And when it comes to coffee, after trying many, from the trendiest chemex to turkish coffee, I have settled with the traditional Bialetti coffee maker. It also happens to be one of the most affordable ones, which leaves room to get the most amazing organic and sustainable coffee beans on a daily basis.
Food wise, whether for a quick weekday fix or a sunday three course lunch, I’m a total fan of Yotam Ottolenghi’s amazing cookbook, Plenty. As a “flexitarian” with an addiction to veggies, herbs, and spices, I always find my perfect dose of fragrant and tasty in this book. I really enjoy cooking, and introducing my kids to the beauty of creating simple dishes from scratch is actually a fundamental part of their education. This involves everything from choosing the best produces at our local market, to peeling, chopping, and cleaning up too! My daughters are 4 and 7, and although it might not always come out even, pitch-perfect or same-sized, they’ll chop anything from the eggplant to the tomatoes just to enjoy the fragrant moussaka that comes next.
When it comes to home essentials, I am candle obsessed. I enjoy many brands but have a few favorites always lit at home. The historic Parisian Buly house is one of those brands.Their candles are exclusively formulated from plant-based ingredients, having the most gorgeous smell and burning clean for weeks. My favorite scent is Campagne d’Italie, which has hints of leather, pine needles and summer-roasted leaves. It comes in white or green marble containers complete with glass dome that you can keep as uber-stylish pots around the house after the candle has burned out.
Kerzon is another candle brand I love. The entire range is named in reference to Paris’s gorgeous parks. My top pick is Parc des Buttes Chaumont as it reminds me of my green haven in the city. I usually use it in my apartment’s entry, as it has the freshest and most welcoming scent.
For my bathroom, I have been in love with Aesop hand wash since it was launched years ago. I literally can’t live without its beautiful packaging and divine smell. Additionally, it is entirely plant-based, doesn’t irritate the skin, and the scent persists for hours on your hands after every time you wash them.
For chic-style on the go, my one-stop shop for perfect heels, flats, boots and bags is my dear friend Gordana Dimitrijevic’s brand. Her style is a statement in itself, and you’re literally empowering yourself the moment you choose to slide your feet in one of her creations. She is Paris fashion PR’s and bloggers best kept secret– but now you know! This winter, I’m rocking the Diva thigh-high boots in olive green with pretty much everything from denim to evening dresses. All year round, I switch between my Fly crystal embellished loafers to my Yves ankle-high trainers and the Sissi or Dalida stunners for a night out— because each model is really that amazing and that comfortable.
Finally, I’d be remiss not to talk about De Mamiel’s “Altitude” oil. I travel often and I have always hated the heady and drowsy feeling that airplanes can leave me with. De Mamiel’s “Altitude” oil is a real life saver, filled with heavenly-scented essential oils. I rub it on my wrist and inhale it whenever I need to feel energized while traveling… but it also works wonders when it come to shaking off that after lunch drowsiness, too!
