IC: From Peppermint to Caviar Limes, take a zesty shower
Not long ago amidst my nightly insta vortex, my thumb momentary paused while I scanned an average picture with a shower [routine]-changing caption.
“🌬👂 how it feels to clean your ears with Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint”
As an easily influenced consumer,1 at my next pass through Duane Reade I purchased the travel size peppermint scent of the hundred-uses-in-one soap. I was initially skeptical (re: travel size) of integrating a product that evokes “🌬” into my existing bathing routine, which consisted of calming Lavender Dr B’s, but from my first shower with the cool scent I emerged a peppermint queen.
What exactly does 🌬 feel like?
🌬 is a zingy reset for all of your nooks and crannies.
🌬 is a minty breeze that wakes up and tightens your skin
🌬 is the no-residue antidote to dried sweat (from desert tennis) and sticky fingers (from lime iced tea)
After my peppermint awakening in Brooklyn, I was pleased to re-discover my Cambridge bathroom, an oasis of full-sized products2, and even more delighted at my past self for already being attune to the benefits of sensation-driven bathing products: before my trip I purchased a lime-infused facial exfoliant. If Peppermint Dr. Bronners is “🌬👂” than Mukti’s Resurfacing Exfoliant with lime is “🌬😎✨”
The tangy, juicy and soothing sensation of this gentle exfoliant is owed to the trifecta of lime varieties: the Caviar Lime, Desert Lime, and Rainforest Lime, listed as three of the top five ingredients. Limes, like Peppermint, had yet to find their way out of the kitchen and into my bathroom cabinet, although I have found myself dreaming up a cocktail with Mukti’s product–it smells and looks damn good.
It’s odd, unsexy, yet so fun to think that the zesty lime and cooling peppermint of my bathroom products pack a punch big enough to influence my summer 2021 aspirations. Perhaps I’ll learn how to make Key Lime Pie.3 As I prep for an upcoming backpacking trip I’ll consider buying the lime Tevas.4 Tomorrow I’ll even batch up a mojito (save the rum, add tequila), shaking juice from Tahiti limes5 with fresh spearmint and peppermint.
SF: There has never been a better time to bathe.
One of my earliest memories of bathing was when my grandmother made me wash off the temporary tiger tattoo that my after-school teacher had drawn on my arm. I was hysterically crying in the tub as the orange ink dripped down my bicep. After that, I’ve never really been one for baths... 6 I’ve always found them a little too hot, a little too dirty, my mind wandering a little too often, but I fantasize often about a grand clawfoot tub to read for hours in.
Despite my apathy towards baths, and waffling relationship with showers, I have an affinity for7 bath and bathing products, and let me tell you, there has never been a better time to bathe. So, welcome to my fantasy bathroom.
It all started when I first moved to New York and was adamant that my first “grown-up” apartment needed Aesop hand soap.8 This sentiment has spread into every apartment after. I just recently ran out of said soap though and have my eyes on this variety that has the option for refill— good for my hands and the planet! Speaking of refills, for my birthday last year, my beautiful and ever knowing co-circle back author Ilana bought me the most delicious body wash. It smells like taking an outdoor shower in the woods with a beer on a warm summer night before firing up the grill. A large container now lives under my kitchen sink for refills.
I’ve never been a bar soap kind of girl, but this bar has been circling my instagram and caught my attention. If I was going to give someone a housewarming gift right now though, I’d probably go with this classy (but sold out) bottle from F. Miller.9 Nothing says “adult” like hand wash in a glass container... or really nice hand towels, which, would you believe it, I feel passionate about too! I have my eye on these Tekla ones for a danish hygge vibe, but I also wouldn’t be mad if I found these organic towels miraculously hanging in my powder room.10 If you’re going crazy with the fabrics, get a custom bath mat shaped like a cloudy-pretzel.
I’ll spare you the rest of my bathroom details,11 but no discussion of bathing or the bathroom would be complete without my plug for the post-poo drops from Aesop and this tiny candle I found at Coming Soon. Both are strong enough to give confidence to any guest… not that I encourage that behavior in my bathroom.
There are obvious reason why “bathing culture” and self care have been on the rise in an otherwise shitty year,12 but the fact of the matter is at a certain point, you have to put a little care into what you use for self care.13
FINALLY14 circle back’s favorite way of bathing, the outdoor shower15, is just around the corner. The outdoor shower needs no fancy products or scrubs, but requires a good show-bev16 like this Ghia Spritz (for a little non-alcoholic option) or a local brew of your choice.17
Find a patch of grass in the sun and let you mind spin on…
Something SILLY- there’s literally nothing silly about ramp season!
Something SERIOUS- do you ever wonder why your relationships just don’t work out… 18
Something MANIC - 20 different types of limes (can you name them all?): A Field Guide
Something FUN - a new app for when we travel again
Something JUICY - delicious sips per IC’s recommendation
Something SMART - buy this book. That’s it. That’s the whole tweet.
You too? Great! If you haven’t already, give Dr. B’s Peppermint a try #not #sponsored!
an underrated joy after traveling for 3 weeks
I’ll use this recipe and garnish it with mint leaves and maraschino cherries (for a nod to the trending Seventies)
I wont, but in this spirit of (s)lime I’ll opt for this more subtle lime nalgene
The most common variety, the ones you find in the grocery store
but I do love showers!
*sometimes overpriced*
my then roommate and dear friend hastily supported this claim
I mean look at that typography
note: When I can afford a powder room I will be able to afford these towels
I could go on for hours about my love of the squatty potty, we even bought a travel one for our LA trip
no pun intended!
I believe there is no greater horror than going into someone’s bathroom and not knowing which towel you can safely dry your hands on, or washing your hands with that terrible soap they have at the doctor’s office...call me a snob…
I apologize that this somehow divulged into a love story to the toilet-room, but I hope you’re into it?!
more on this type of bathing TK
“shower beverage”
we’re chill, we drink beer…no really we do, especially in the shower.
Sylvie helps research and produce for this little podcast— give it a listen and let us know what you thinks!
From the long distance desk of Ilana C. and Sylvie F., Tschussie!