the florapothecarie journal

Inspiration, tips, and tutorials for living in harmony with nature and our bodies.

the florapothecarie journal

Fighting Colds Naturally with Mint & Rosemary + a DIY Vapor Rub Tutorial

Fighting Colds Naturally with Mint & Rosemary + a DIY Vapor Rub Tutorial

on Nov 20 2017
Well friends, there's no way around it. Cold season is here. But I'm going to help you power through it with our pals Peppermint and Rosemary. Both of these herbs and their essential oils are good to have around when coughing and congestion set in. Plus, I'll show you how to make your own three-ingredient vapor rub!
Shop florapothecarie in-person at these upcoming events!

Shop florapothecarie in-person at these upcoming events!

on Nov 13 2017
We're all over Connecticut the next few weeks! Come test out products, say hello to Sami, and shop in-person at one of these local events.
Ingredient Love: Witch Hazel

Ingredient Love: Witch Hazel

on Oct 25 2017
Witch hazel is one of the few untainted herbal medicines still widely available today. While its primary use is for healing minor wounds and bug bites, witch hazel is prized in the beauty industry for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredient Love: Activated Charcoal

Ingredient Love: Activated Charcoal

on Oct 02 2017
Because of its ability to attract over 200x its weight in impurities, activated charcoal is having a serious moment right now in natural beauty. Let's talk about why, and dispel a few charcoal myths.
Why Make Everything By Hand? Because I Care

Why Make Everything By Hand? Because I Care

on Sep 26 2017
Hey there, it's me, Sami Jo, founder of florapothecarie. Did you know I make all products by hand? Yep. Nothing is produced in a factory ~ every product you purchase from florapothecarie is made with love by little ol' me.
Six Recommended Reads for Natural Beauties

Six Recommended Reads for Natural Beauties

on Sep 05 2017
In honor of the literary holidays this week (#ReadABookDay is 9/6 and #LiteracyDay is 9/8), here are my top six go-to resources for natural beauty.
IBE NY 17 Process: Building DIY A-Frame Ladder Shelves

IBE NY 17 Process: Building DIY A-Frame Ladder Shelves

on Aug 09 2017
Last week, I announced Dave & I are going to Indie Beauty Expo NY in a few weeks and I promised to share a few behind-the-scenes peeks at how we're preparing for our first trade show. Here's a look at how we (okay, mostly my Dad) built the ladder shelves we'll be using in our booth!
florapothecarie is going to Indie Beauty Expo NY!

florapothecarie is going to Indie Beauty Expo NY!

on Aug 02 2017
We're exhibiting at our first-ever trade show, Indie Beauty Expo in NYC August 22-24!! Find us in booth B304!
Bathe Like a Goddess with our New Bath Collection!

Bathe Like a Goddess with our New Bath Collection!

on Jun 20 2017
Say hello to new + improved flower-filled bath salt soaks, herbal bath teas, and a Cleopatra-inspired Rose + Coconut Milk Bath — a bath collection fit for a goddess.
Flora: The Lady in the Logo

Flora: The Lady in the Logo

on Apr 28 2017
Today is Floralia, the festival day of the Roman goddess Flora, mother of flowers, vegetation, and fertility. I created my logo and business in her honor, and so I thought I'd share how florapothecarie came to be...
My Natural Skincare Routine

My Natural Skincare Routine

on Apr 25 2017
As a maker of natural + vegan beauty products, I’m frequently asked about my skincare routine. After years of research, ditching toxic products, and experimenting with ingredients and recipes, I’ve finally reached a place where everything I use in my skincare routine is 100% natural and—even better—handmade by me! I love this feeling, and I love knowing exactly what’s going on (and into) my skin. Click through to read my daily/weekly self care routine.
April Happenings @florapothecarie

April Happenings @florapothecarie

on Apr 13 2017
Shop my new products for the first time in person at these upcoming events: This Saturday, April 15, 12:30-4pm: Starr Yoga Open House Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30, 10am-4pm: Obsessed: A Market
Announcing Five New Products!

Announcing Five New Products!

on Apr 12 2017
After two months of testing, I'm happy to announce five additions to the florapothecarie line: Rose + Willow Facial Cleanser, Create Body Oil, Love Body Oil, Acne Spot Treatment, and Dry Shampoo. Shop all new products here!
Have You Heard? Florapothecarie is on the Being Boss Podcast!

Have You Heard? Florapothecarie is on the Being Boss Podcast!

on Mar 28 2017
I can't even explain how excited I am to be a guest on the Being Boss podcast!In Being Boss episode #117, I dish about being a maker, running a side business, the importance of knowing what you want, and the myth of balance. Tune in here or download the episode on iTunes.
Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine: A Product Swap-Out Guide

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine: A Product Swap-Out Guide

on Mar 21 2017
Happy Spring! Like the autumnal equinox, the spring equinox is about restoring balance to our lives, which is why you'll probably get an itching to clean this week — get rid of excess things, negative energy (I've got a simple ritual for that here), not-so-great people (have you read my Being Boss blog post about ditching toxic people?), etc. So I have a fun exercise for you to do this week: you're going to spring clean your beauty routine!
What's a Toner & Why Should I Use One?

What's a Toner & Why Should I Use One?

on Mar 06 2017
One question I'm asked frequently is: What's a toner? Every day, we use some type of cleanser, then follow up with a moisturizer or cream or facial oil (learn the differences here), but many of us forget a crucial middle step: the toner.
Ingredient Love: Shea Butter

Ingredient Love: Shea Butter

on Jan 05 2017
Shea butter is well-known as a moisturizer for even the driest skin, which is why it's a key ingredient in my Whipped Body Butter. But it's good for more than moisture, too! Here are 6 reasons to love Shea Butter.
Creams, Facial Oils, Moisturizers, and Serums: What Are They? And What Do I Really Need?

Creams, Facial Oils, Moisturizers, and Serums: What Are They? And What Do I Really Need?

on Nov 15 2016
The beauty industry is intentionally confusing. Big cosmetic companies toss around words like "serum," "facial oil," "cream," and "moisturizer" as if they're four completely different products with completely different functions, and so of course as confused consumers, we feel like we need them all! (We don't.) Let's define what each of these face-fixers are, and figure out what we really need.
With Love + Light

With Love + Light

on Nov 10 2016
Dear beautiful soul, Many of us are still hurting today. I admit, I am still a little frightened by the unexpected turn in American politics. I spent the last few days slowing down, grieving, and thinking both inward and outward about how this presidency will affect me, my loved ones, my country, and those on the fringes. We are all unsure of what the future will bring. But after two days of grieving, crying, and being afraid, I came to a resolution: I will continue to stand for love, equality, and peace.
November Happenings @florapothecarie

November Happenings @florapothecarie

on Nov 03 2016
This month in florapothecarie land: I'm popping up at West Elm in Blueback Square, West Hartford on November 5th. I'll be at the 4th Annual Artisans Market in the Waterbury Town Hall on November 19th. On Wednesday, November 23rd (the night before Thanksgiving), I'll be hanging out at VASU Tribe in Hartford for yoga, meditation, and self-care with my natural + vegan skincare line. On Sunday, November 27th, I'll be at the Love Local Market at Get Baked in Windsor.