Summer awakening

This week I’ve been experimenting with new formulas inspired by spiritual scents like palo santo — traditionally used in cleansing rituals to clear negative energy, restore calm, and create a sense of sacred space. These blends will speak to those of you who used to purchase our palo santo sticks; capturing the same meditative essence in a more wearable form.

Arizona Muse recently shared avideoon something so simple: the importance of getting our hands and feet onto the Earth. Not metaphorically but literally. Skin to soil, barefoot on grass, palms in the dirt.This practice, often referred to as grounding or earthing, is rooted in both ancient wisdom and growing scientific interest. It speaks to something our bodies have always known: we are not separate from nature; we are of it. And yet, in our modern lives, we so often move through the world insulated from the very ground that sustains us.Arizona spoke about how this connection supports nervous system regulation, calming the body and bringing us back into a state of presence. The Earth’s surface holds a subtle electrical charge, and emerging research suggests that when we make direct contact — bare feet on soil, hands in sand or sea — we allow our bodies to absorb free electrons, which may help neutralise inflammation and oxidative stress.But beyond the science, there is the felt experience: how a few quiet minutes standing barefoot on the grass can restore a frayed mood. How digging your hands into soil while planting something — a herb, a flower, a tree — can quieten mental noise and awaken a sense of belonging. It’s a reconnection not just with the land, but with ourselves.In this season of warmer days, it's the perfect time to step outside. Take off your shoes. Press your palms against tree bark, or let your feet sink into sand. Feel the ground hold you. You don’t need a forest or a ritual. Just a moment. Just contact.As Arizona reminds us: healing often begins at ground level.

With the heat rising and days spent running around after three kids, my feet are often left aching, hot, and in need of serious relief. I’ve been using an organic aloe vera gel this week and its cooling, anti-inflammatory properties provided an instant refresh. It dries quickly and isn't sticky, so you can reapply as you need to keep feet cool.

Tip: If you suffer from scalp irritation, apply the gel overnight and let it deeply soothe while you sleep, before washing your hair in the morning.

I’ve been wearing the Oura Ring daily and it’s quietly transformed how I move through my days. It appeals to my (mildly!) competitive nature, keeping me accountable and nudging me towards better habits: more consistent exercise, earlier bedtimes and more conscious stress management. It’s also helped me recognise patterns in chronic fatigue, offering really helpful insight into what supports or drains me — which is often not at all what I'd have imagined without wearing the ring.

That said, I can completely understand how something so data-driven could tip into obsession. It’s easy to let a “bad score” affect your mood or decisions, especially on already stressful days. One tip I’ve found helpful: take it off when you need to. A break — whether for a day, a week, or just during high-stress periods — can help keep the relationship healthy, rather than all-consuming.

I've just finished reading James by Percival Everett: a bold and brilliant retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; this time from Jim's perspective. Jim speaks in two voices — one that conforms to what white people expect to hear, and another, sharp and self-aware, that reveals the depth of his thoughts, his wit and his strategic brilliance. This duality becomes a powerful commentary on the performative nature of survival under oppression, and a searing reflection on the enduring legacy of racial injustice in America. It felt like a timely and somewhat urgent read.