l'essence & The Language of Nature

Autumn light from our garden.  No filters, no post editing.

It's Autumn, the time of year I enjoy most, when the afternoon sun filters the last of warm rays through the trees, spilling out across the garden and enveloping everything in its path with a big embrace.  The light and shadow dance among the greenery, and small butterflies that were hidden in the undergrowth, appear as if from nowhere and perform a frantic choreograph as our chickens walk amongst it all.  Here deciduous trees need the much cooler temperatures, which'll avoid us for a little while longer yet, before they even consider turning the various red and gold colourings so typically associated with Autumn.

I must confess that I tend to find inspiration and beauty in all seasons and they often inform my work, as I hurriedly "scribble" down new ideas and recipes, the thinking occurring faster than my ability to write it all down in the l'essence book of alchemy.  Then it's concocting it all, pulling down select amber bottles of intoxicating scents and adding a dash of this and a little bit of that (all sensibly measured of course), not sparing on the exotic body butters and handfuls of soothing herbals (some of which are collected from our own garden), all to come up with a l'essence creation.  It takes some trial and error but often there is getting it right the first time after careful thought and consideration, be it with a little tweaking.

l'essence Soap, using 100% Ingredients from Nature.

Just like the seasons, nature in general creates inspiration in what I do.  I don't want to cheat, I could just buy Autumn in a bottle, or the beach for that matter with synthetic fragrance.  But I find more authenticity and provenance in choosing from natural ingredients.  When I begin with an ingredient, I think of it a bit like a musical instrument, and as I place it beside another musical instrument, my orchestra grows and we create symphonies.  Just like an individual instrument has its own sound, so does an essential oil have it's own unique scent and properties.  And when you create a blend you may be able to identify some of these individual essential oils, but it is the careful combination of all that creates a unique fragrance to savour and enjoy.

It's very rare I will create a single note soap, but lavender is my undoing.  When we choose an essential oil, we look for the highest quality and our lavender which is of French origin, is certainly one of the very best available.  It's subtler than some of our stronger scents, but it tends to be more sophisticated than other lavenders, while remaining soothing to the senses.  It often transports me to the many rows of lavender, in purple hazed fields, my hand gently skimming across the tops, releasing an aroma that is sweet, floral and herbaceous.  And to me, this is why lavender should stand bravely on its own.

Herbs & Minerals, some found in our own garden.

Our knowledge base grows daily, and I love to be able to identify new ingredients I think you dear l'essence lovers, will also enjoy.  I am also excited from the many observations in my own garden, that I have come to realise that these plant based ingredients are more than just that, and there is a relationship occurring, not only between the plants but between the plants and ourselves.  I think this is why nature was once so revered and celebrated.  For now I will continue to look out over the garden with its Autumn dappled light as I work away, but I truly look forward to writing more on the power of plants and the beneficial properties of a range of natural ingredients that we use here at l'essence.

Does nature speak to you?  Be it a dip in the ocean, enjoying cut flowers, meditation outdoors, or fresh herbs for the culinarist?  

Louisa Jane…
The Alchemist's Daughter