The After Christmas Calm

In my effort to channel all things French this morning, I spritzed a bit of Chanel No. 5 on, watched Barefoot Contessa while she walked through Paris talking of flower arrangements, fromage, omelets and profiteroles, all the while walking away the holiday calories on the treadmill. I then cleaned up and headed out shopping listening to Madeline Peyroux's Careless Love album, hoping to find some diamonds in the rough in the small, yet quaint town of Joseph, Oregon.

The day after Christmas finds shops with sale signs hanging in every window it seems, and it was no different in this small town. Whenever I am visiting my family for the holidays, I always frequent a locally owned boutique, BeeCrowBee , that specializes in making sumptuous smelling soaps, candles, lotions, bath scrubs and oils, as well as herbal teas. The clean, spa-like aesthetic is a rare treat compared to cluttered shops that display so many items your eyes are bombarded and aren't sure where to look. Today, as I was browsing, the owner, Will Roundy, was working away on a huge block of soap, slicing it into sellable sizes. There is just something about watching somebody at work on their craft.

Over the years I have purchased scrubs, washcloths and towels (made out of bamboo and oh, so soft, even more so after each washing), and I regularly sip his teas in the evening after a long day at work. My favorite blend is the lavender scented black tea - calming and aromatic, all rolled up in one. Today, I left with a bottle of lavender bath oil, giving myself just another reason to pamper myself a bit more.

Au revoir!