REVEAL: La Box Été (Summer Edition)
Et voilà ! All the boxes have been delivered and it is now my pleasure to reveal what’s inside La Box Été (Summer Edition)!
La Box included 5 products with scents and textures carefully handpicked to transport you to the South of France.
As many of you know, I grew up in the South of France and to me, summer always meant taking the time to slow down. Watch nature do its thing. Enjoy the views of lavender and sunflower fields. Soak up the sun or take a nap under a pine tree. Listen to the chants of cicadas.
For this first box, I wanted to celebrate the arrival of the new season and take you to a Summer in Provence.
Without further ado…
Natural Soap by Rose et Marius
Let’s start with the natural soap by Rose et Marius. A concentrate of Provençal excellence! The Rose et Marius soaps are made with poppy and olive oil from Provence. All the perfumes come from the "Haute Parfumerie" laboratories in Grasse.
The founder of Rose et Marius used to spend all her summers in her grandmother’s bastide in Provence, and tapped into her childhood memories to create each fragrance.
The Fig Tree natural soap.
It’s a memory of the siestes (naps) under the hundred-year old fig tree and that distinctive smell of the fig tree leaves (today, the fig leaf is the symbol of Rose et Marius). What does the smell trigger for you?
The Rosé Wine natural soap.
There is a custom in Provence, that as soon as we begin to feel the warmth of the sun, we share a glass of Provencal rosé wine with our friends. This enchanting fragrance is an invitation to share this convivial moment. Now, will you let your guests discover the soap or will you only keep it for yourself?! :)
La Tomette Callas by Marie-Sophie Maury
There are so many things I love about la tomette.
For those who don’t know, la tomette is originally a key floor tile used in the Provençal architecture. Marie-Sophie Maury gave it a twist and made it a precious home decor item that I’m personally in love with. You can put it on a wall, use it as a coaster or even as a gentle essential oil diffuser. The applications are endless, and I can’t wait to hear what you do with it!
Now let’s talk about the stamp: do you recognize it? Yes, it’s the famous cigale (cicada). The signature sound of every summer in Provence, an endless chant to lull you to your afternoon sieste! You get it, la cigale is a symbol of the South of France. It comes in June and sings through August. I couldn’t bring you a Summer Edition without a nod to la cigale. So here you have it — brought to you by artisan (and artist) Marie-Sophie Maury. I invite you to read her interview with BFF to know more about her artistic approach and creative journey.
Natural Nail Polish by Clever Beauty
In France, we like to do our manucure ourselves most often. So I couldn’t resist the opportunity to introduce you to the first natural and zero waste nail polish. It’s vegan, cruelty free and without endocrine disruptors. Plus its cap is innovative: with a single click, you can reach the bottom of the bottle and save up to 20% more product!
The brand name may not sound French, but this company is indeed 100% made in France, from the team to the ingredients! Founder Maeva Bentitallah and her team are committed to creating the healthiest formulas possible through natural ingredients of exceptional quality. The environment being at the heart of their concerns, they create products that are respectful and anti-waste through intelligent packaging or more practical textures.
I chose the #6 Spontanée: a thin ray of sunshine on your nails that reveals pretty golden highlights. Perfect for summer!
Handmade Linen Towel by Petits Points de Provence
One part of Provence is called the Massif du Luberon. It is a low mountain range famous for its outstanding natural beauty, with olive groves and forested valleys but above all for the numerous beautiful medieval hilltop villages. One of them is Ménerbes. You must visit it if you’re ever in Provence! But I digress…
In the center of the village, there is this little shop, filled with beautiful textiles and other Provencal treasures. It’s called Petits Points de Provence. There you will meet Sylviane, the owner and artisan behind all the shop’s creations. The towel you received is handmade by her. It is 100% linen and will be great in your kitchen or for your summer barbecues!
Face Care Travel Set by Panier des Sens
I had to include a travel set, because we are all so ready to travel again and what better way to celebrate your next vacation than with some high-quality facial delights from Provence. Your skin will thank you! The kit from Panier des Sens includes three face treatments for a moisturizing and radiance care ritual: make-up removal, cleansing and moisturizing. Made with peony extract grown and harvested in France. (For those who know me, you know my love for peonies… Don’t these products smell like heaven?)
Born in Marseille and nurtured from an early age in the gentle lifestyle of Provence, Jérôme Lambruschini launched Panier des Sens in 2001, taking the best that Provence has to offer to develop natural, simple and authentic products. The natural and vegan formulas are designed and conceived in the South of France, always encouraging short circuits and local partnerships.
Create your summer moment in Provence
La Box also includes the recipe for la tapenade, which is a staple of every apéritif in Provence. It will go really well with your glass of Provençal rosé.
When you ready, make sure to start the summer playlist we put together on Spotify, called Été en Provence.
Bon voyage !