Making It Myself
Beeswax Lip Balm That Actually Holds Up
A simple three-ingredient lip balm, the ratio that finally stopped it from going soft in a warm pocket, and what I changed after the first batch melted.
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Author · Thea Lindqvist
I make most of what is written about here in a small kitchen with ordinary equipment, and a fair amount of it does not work the first time. When something fails I write that down too, because knowing where a thing goes wrong is most of knowing how to do it. Nothing here is medical advice.
The Case for a Shorter Shelf
A look at what happens when you stop adding new products to your routine and start asking what you can take away…
Slowing the House Down for Winter
Winter asks a house to work differently than summer does. A few unhurried changes, made before the cold really sets in, make…
Reading the Words on a Natural Label
Words like pure, clean, and detox sound reassuring, but they are often doing more marketing than describing. A slow look at what…
What I Actually Reach for in the Evening
A quiet look at the herbal blends that have become part of winding down, and why the ritual matters as much as…
Rethinking What Comes in the Front Door
A slow shift in paying attention to what actually enters the house, rather than only worrying about what leaves it.
A Loose Leaf Guide to Not Wasting Tea
The small habits that keep loose leaf tea from going stale in the cabinet, and how to tell when a batch has…
Starting Herbs from Cuttings Instead of Seed
Why a cutting from an existing plant often takes root faster and more reliably than a packet of seed, and how I…
Lavender Sachets for Drawers and Closets
Sewing small muslin sachets filled with dried lavender, how much to use per bag, and how long the scent actually lasts before…
Cold Brewing Tea the Slow Way
Why letting tea steep overnight in cold water changes the flavor entirely, and a simple way to try it with whatever you…