Flower girl
Kate McLeod, calla lilies, and pink mesh ballet flats
Happy Wednesday! Popping in midweek for no other reason than this 10/10 day has me in an absolutely fabulous mood.
This morning, I took the F train down to Flower Girl. Walking west on 23rd, deep in thought about how much Chelsea reminds me of Times Square these days, I almost missed my destination: an unassuming flower shop with no bouquets out front to hint at the magic behind its glass door. Inside, it was spring. Gauzy, ruffled blouses. Calla lilies floating casually in tin buckets. On a wooden table sat a small plate of pink-glazed Madeleines, suggesting tea.
I didn’t have tea. But I did have a lovely chat with Kate McLeod — the former pastry chef who now makes, among other things, round, palm-sized stone moisturizers.
I’ve been intrigued by Kate for years, since I heard the infamous NYC lore about how she wound up with her husband, Hinge founder Justin McLeod. (There’s a Modern Love episode about it.) In person, she wears a pink-and-white long-sleeved slip dress, an emerald on her finger, and her brown-red hair looks like it holds secrets. Go to Mark Ryan Salon and ask for Corey, Kate tells me.
She walks me through her new scented body stones, Lavender Lemonade and Vanilla Rose Teacake. Instead of using wax for stabilization, Kate uses chocolate molds to temper the solid moisturizers so they keep their shape and melt into your skin on contact (a pastry trick repurposed). Then she introduces me to “the only skincare she uses on her face:” The Face Balm. It has “all the good oils” plus bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative that’s not photosensitive, meaning it can be worn during the day (under physical sunscreen).
Tonight, I’ve been instructed to test out a body stone: dry brush (this is the one I use), shower, towel off, rub my body with a stone head to toe, and slip into pajamas immediately. Kate told me to report back. I plan to.
A few more things I’ve saved this week:
On the train, I read this essay about how to deal with “pick me” bosses and coworkers. I don’t have a boss or traditional coworkers anymore, but I used to, and I see a few of them (and myself) in this.
Pinterest is encouraging kids to log off during school hours. I wish all social media companies were doing this. Good karma, Pinterest!
Another recent Subway read: This NYT essay is powerful. It’s about why we do things that hurt, like running marathons or writing books.
Found myself on éliou’s new arrivals page shopping for jewelry and found this great tube top.
My Flower Girl bouquet - “vase” is actually a diffuser
Now I want to get back outside and find some froyo. Enjoy the rest of the day!
Love,
Megan