This issue features vintage Ralph Lauren sheets, Isabella Ducrot’s textile art, a lampshade DIY in progress, and my homemade Limoncello recipe.

Gustave Baumann Art Prints

I love hunting for art on eBay, especially high quality prints from fine artists. They’re usually printed on beautiful paper with rich color and detail, and they look great framed. I almost always thrift my frames too, which makes it feel extra satisfying (and affordable). There’s something really special about owning a small piece of work from an artist you love. Here are a few I’m eyeing right now.

Pelican Rookery | Pines Grand Canyon | Superstition Mountain

Gustave Bauman

I first discovered Gustave Baumann in art school, and his work has stuck with me since. He was a fine artist and influential block printer of the early 1900s. Born in Germany, but found his home in the American Southwest, his works often depict western landscapes and everyday scenes with a timeless touch. Prints are full of color, texture, and a lil nostalgia.

Desert Rose Oil

This week I made a batch of body oil, inspired by the idea of blending the two places that mean the most to me - Joshua Tree and Oceanside. They have contrasting energies, but both feel like home. I wanted to create something that captured the contrast and connection using plants from both our properties.I paired roses came from our garden in Oceanside with creosote leaves I gathered in Joshua Tree. Creosote is such a defining scent of the desert, it’s the smell that comes after rain, earthy and ancient.I combined the petals and leaves in a carrier oil and let it sit in the sun for a solar infusion. This process allows the plants to release their properties gently, and the sun adds its own warmth and energy.Rose is known for its calming, hydrating, and heart-opening qualities. Creosote brings antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits, and has been used in traditional medicine for generations.The result is a grounding, subtly floral oil that holds both landscapes at once. I am super happy with it and made little labels with my Cricut to complete the project.
It smells like the desert meeting the sea.