Margins: May 2026
The summer of the milk curator.
After a month of tight edits, I thought I might introduce an additional post that collects the accessory ideas and enjoyments. Calling it Margins, a place where the rotating, extra notes might live. This is what’s been swirling around in my world this past month. Maybe some of it appeals to you too.
Milk and Cheese
I’ve been super inspired by a set of farmers and artists—some related, some unrelated—across rural France and basque regions. For starters, the work of Mahaia Studio, a cheesemonger and “milk curator” (a new favorite title) in France. Lots of nettle-wrapped soft cheeses and blocks of butter. She often works with Ferme du Bec Hellouin, a permaculture school and microfarm in northern France. I’ve also loved following the practices at Lo Pichon, a goat cheese farm in Les Cévennes, and while they’re on a break from producing, the workwear from Ségo Ségo. All this has inspired a kind of hyper-verdant approach to spring into summer: Plasticana clogs, hearty work pants, fromage frais, fresh peas, favas, lots of greens, fig leaf oil, whipped wild ramp butter, nettle infusions, and Bulgarian yogurt. The summer of the milk curator!
Glycerin Soap
These soaps kind of disintegrate on my sink over the month—because I refuse to use a soap dish for some reason—but I have on rotation the Glycerine Soap in Petitgrain from Toast. Bought in blocks of three. A real luxury when you’re buying that set of three, but they last, even without a soap dish, for ages. If you don’t already follow on Substack notes, I’m turning that into more of a stream of one-off product sourcing.
Green Botanical Serum
This month I made the exciting discovery that I might now be reckoning with an eczema spot—smack on my face of all places. I find time and again that all things bee-related continue to be the best salve for inflammation, so I’ve turned to the A.M.S Green Botanical Serum from Activist. It’s really in that space between potent and natural, and it truly is quenching in the increasingly dry season on the West Coast right now.
Pale Greens
From these Tekla Terry Towels (my towel edit here) to the latest Casey Casey Orsan pieces, I’m into all things green (can you tell by the majority of recommendations above?). The Orsan collection is made up of Gareth’s inspirations from his home at Prieuré d’Orsan, a former 12th-century priory in Berry, France. These compositions of greens, paired with a bun (my grown-out perpetual lob is nearly bun-length now), and slides, is a great complement to this Milk Curator in France concept I have going.
Color Palettes
I’ve been exploring color palettes this month. Primarily for design work, but also for other considerations such as paint colors for my child’s bedroom and color-coding spreadsheets for clients or for my own Google calendar (highly recommend this slight time suck).
Juliette of the Herbs
Slowly becoming an herbalist! Or returning to one from my days of bulk-bin-binging on medicinal herbs at the eco grocer in my twenties. Thanks to this documentary (you can find it through Kanopy or Alexander Street via your library card if you’re part of a US library) on Juliette de Bairacli Levy—herbalist, author, breeder of Afghan hounds. Beyond nettle and chamomile tea, growing and frequently using kitchen herbs, and my fixation with flower essences, that’s kind of the extent of herbal medicine in my life. But I think all this is changing. May this footage inspire you similarly.
Rothko Weather
Lastly, I’m prone to clever and slightly useless digital creations from time to time. This one, called Current Rothko, is one of them. You plug in your location, or any location, to see your local weather translated into one of Rothko’s works.
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