RACHAEL BURROW RUMMEL
Style & Market Director

Hello, friends! I'm coming off a few weeks of travel for some amazing VERANDA events (I was in New York City for the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Dinner and in Santa Barbara and Montecito for our Design Society California Treasure Hunt), and I'm focusing on some self-care before travel kicks back up again in a few weeks. I feel very grateful that I spend most of my days surrounded by beauty, whether taking in textiles, reveling in studio visits, styling shoots for the magazine, or admiring the latest in fine jewelry. A friend recently reminded me of Elsie de Wolfe's famous musing: "I am going to make everything around me beautiful—that will be my life." If that isn't a wise guidepost for self-care, I don't know what is!

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Rachael

4 Ways I Get Back to Basics at Home

I GET MY MORNING SIPS & STEPS IN NATURE
I start my morning each day with hot water, pink sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon. And I try to avoid caffeine until I am walking out of the door to head to the office. I also love adding clean-ingredient electrolytes (I drink the berry flavor) to my water. (Side note: I'm also on a mission to replace anything plastic in our kitchen with glass containers. The large Weck containers for granola and other pantry staples are my go-to). My other morning must-have: A walk in my neighborhood with our dog Hamp starts my day off with natural light, fresh air, and a quiet moment in nature. We watch and listen to the birds (I'm thinking about adding another feeder to our front yard), walk to the park a few blocks away, and check on anything that needs watering in the garden when we get home.

I FIND TIME FOR GARDENS…ALWAYS
Speaking of the garden, one of the most relaxing things for me after a busy few weeks is to spend time in my yard—and lucky for me, spring is already springing in Birmingham. I'm anxiously awaiting some blooms, but in the meantime, I'm planning a trellis and rose-planting project in my backyard for this weekend. I've been eyeing this structure, and my friends who are more of rosarians than I am (first-timer, here!) have advised me on Peggy Martin climbing roses. I'm also studying up on how to cultivate them once planted and taking in tips from the head gardener Troy Scott Smith at Sissinghurst Castle. I'm lucky to see many inspiring gardens when I travel (like at San Ysidro Ranch last week in California), and I'm always taking away ideas. If you're a garden enthusiast like myself, you won't want to miss our next Design Society event in Virginia where we'll pay a visit to Bunny Mellon's famed Oak Spring estate—tickets go on sale March 19.

I FIND COOKING TO BE A PRIMO FORM OF THERAPY
I really love to cook—not just because it's healthier than eating out and a fun way for my husband and I to chat about our days as he hangs out in the kitchen, but also because it's such a nice way to wind down. Last night, we made pasta (I love making homemade, but that's more of a weekend activity!) with my favorite tomatoes and roasted vegetables. Next time, I'm going to try this olive oil with the pasta. I also love setting the table; it's an easy way to bring beauty into your everyday routine, and doesn't have to be fancy to be beautiful. Plus, sitting down to dinner and taking time to enjoy it is so much better than eating in a hurry or with screens around. Printed napkins, colorful placemats, glassware, and handmade dinner plates are all you need. (For a weekend dinner and a more elaborate table setting, I'd suggest looking at L'Objet's new Grand Tour dinnerware—it is beautiful.)

I WIND DOWN WITH RED LIGHT AND READING
Another way I relax is really focusing on taking it easy each evening before bed. I take time to do my red light mask every night while I read (I'm starting Lily King's Heart the Lover this weekend and can't wait to dive in), and really enjoy my skincare routine before bed (I'm currently using the My Neighbor's Blue Moon tallow face balm and Santa Maria Novella's Acqua di Rose serum). Recently I've been trying a few of C.O. Bigelow's products and am really into the Sakura Rose salve, which you can use on your hands, lips, and body. Back to red light: I also love visiting my local wellness studio where you can do a full red light bed for fighting inflammation after traveling; if you don't have access to a bed where you live, a red light panel would give you the same benefits. Lastly, I'm really focusing on limiting screen time before bed and am eyeing the Hatch alarm clock to help with that.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AURORE MARECHAL/GETTY IMAGES

P.S. If you're anything like me, I'm sure you've been taking in all the incredible fashion shows the last few weeks with the presentations! Last week, Chloé's take on 1970's folk was a favorite for me–think Joni Mitchell meets Western flair with the classic Chloé feminine touches.