Storytelling: Making Meals & Memories (& a GIVEAWAY!!)

If there is one thing, a single language, that unites all of us, from every corner of the world, in huts and houses, shanty towns and skyscrapers, it's food. Food is often synonymous with emotion- love, grief, joy, fear- but perhaps most of all, comfort. Food, or more specifically, preparing it, is truly a feast for all of our senses- smell, taste, sound, sight, and feel. It is also closely linked to our memory and can instantly transport us back in time, whether to our grandmother's kitchen or a tiny cafe around the world. 

These days, with so many options at our fingertips, we may spend more time scanning restaurant reviews than recipes, and we rarely put much forethought into what goes on the dinner table. This is why cookbooks are such a great opportunity to not only learn something new, but create new memories with and for our loved ones. But without context, a cookbook can feel stagnant or overwhelming, which is why we love cookbooks that tell a deeper, personal story- of the recipes they share and the people who have passed them along to us.

In Her Kitchen is a wonderful collection of stories and portraits of grandmothers around the world, a glimpse inside their kitchen, and the secrets behind their signature recipes. There is something so raw and pure about the women in this book, it is savory from cover to cover. While many of the recipes are from places most of us may not be able to find on a map, with a few surprising ingredients (um, caterpillars?), each of these grandmothers welcomes readers into her kitchen, tells you to pull up a chair, and without bothering to ask if you're hungry, serves you up seconds and thirds of her special dish. 

The Plantiful Table is a colorful, globally-inspired treat that focuses on sustainably sourced and local plant-based ingredients. The author, Andrea Duclos, is a lifestyle blogger based in West Palm Beach Florida where avocados and jackfruit grow bigger than our heads. She writes about simple living, sustainability, travel, family, and of course- food! Drea has been vegan for several years, and when she had her daughter, Marlowe, it was only natural for her to raise her on a vegan diet at well. "What Marlowe Eats" is a super-popular segment on her blog and the inspiration behind this family-friendly cookbook. Her husband, Alex, is a chef as well, and they share a passion for food from all around the world so expect some super colorful, plant-based dishes like pad thai, tamales, and even paella!

C O O K B O O K   G I V E A W A Y!

** Since we love both of these books so much, and since Drea happens to be our friend, so we decided to host a fun cookbook giveaway over on Instagram! We are giving away a copy of In Her Kitchen AND The Plantiful Table to ONE lucky winner! Just follow Habitation Co. on Instagram, and leave a comment on the giveaway post with your favorite meal that reminds you most of home! **

Visit Habitation Co. on Instagram! Winner will be selected Thursday, May 26th!

Click here to see our other cookbooks and here to visit Drea's other favorite picks!

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How to Create An Eco-Friendly Spa Experience at Home

By now, most of us realize that what we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in them, and if we are making a conscious effort to consume more holistic and high-quality ingredients, our skincare regimen should follow suit. But as demand for natural beauty products increases, so do our options, and finding a routine that works for us can often feel like a science experiment. To help you out with the overwhelm, here are a few simple tips for creating an eco-friendly spa experience at home:

1. Get natural... Ditch those drugstore purchases with ingredient lists you can't pronounce, especially since most of the chemicals listed are preservatives designed to give mass-produced products a longer shelf-life. Instead, look for  all-natural products made of pure, minimally-processed, and organic ingredients that pass on their naturally-powerful qualities to you. 

2. Deep clean... Start fresh by giving your space and your skin a good scrub by using simple, natural exfoliating products such as lemon juice and baking soda- a strong enough combo to take on the grime in your tub, yet gentle enough to use on your face for a refreshing, tingly-clean. 

3. Go green... Add leafy greens to your diet (at least two meals a day!) and bring a little bit of life indoors with a plant or two. Low-maintenance options like tillandsia (air-plants) and pothos do well with low light, or go faux if you don't want to worry about giving them light and water. Just like plants help filter and purify the air, while giving us the main thing we need to survive (oxygen!), they also help to cleanse and energize us from the inside, so don't be shy about spinach, kale, or heaping on leafy herbs like parsley and basil at your next meal. 

4. Just add water... Drinking more water throughout the day will help keep you refreshed and hydrated from the inside out. If plain ol' H2O doesn't do it for you, infuse a pitcher with fresh fruit (cucumber, citrus, and berries are always good bets) or herbs like mint or lavender to mix it up. 

5. Lighten up... Try swapping out your old, heavy towels for light-weight Turkish towels that are elegant and energy-efficient. These super-soft and quick-drying alternatives mean you'll never have to reach for a damp or dingy towel after your shower again. 

6. Wind down... Turn off harsh lights or even swap out bulbs for a softer effect, to make you feel less like you're in a laboratory and more like a serene spa. Plus, without bright lights amplifying every pore and blemish, you'll be less-tempted to pick and pluck at every "imperfection". 

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shop the style: bohemian textiles and patterned pillows

From fringe to vintage embroidery, when it comes to beautiful Bohemian-inspired decor, the secret lies in blending eclectic textiles and layers of colorful pillows. When mixing patterns and colors, there are a few tricks to keep in mind so that the space doesn't become cluttered and chaotic, or look like a Moroccan flea market exploded in your home... unless, of course, that's what you're going for. Below are a few great examples of modern Bohemian spaces that are full of personality without everything in the room competing for attention. 

images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 //

get the look:

Here are a few tricks to keep in mind when recreating a modern bohemian look at home:

1. Keep large pieces neutral - walls, large pieces of furniture, etc. should serve as your blank canvas for layering on color, texture, and pattern

2. add a touch of metallic sparkle with a mirror, side table, sculpture, or decorative piece

3. use sustainable and reclaimed natural materials like wood, leather, and woven baskets as much as possible

4. add a houseplant, or two, or 10... if you keep them happy and healthy, your plants will return the favor.

5. implement mulit-level seating so friends can recline as comfortably on a shag rug or floor pouffe, as they can on the couch. Can you smell the Moroccan mint tea??

shop the style:

1. bone mosaic frame // 2. embroidered pillows // 3. bell chime // 4. leather pouffe // 5. throw

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