In my early 20s, I lived for a time in Copenhagen, Denmark, a land of my ancestors and a country known for fabulously long summer days filled with blue skies, beaches, beer-drinking down by the harbor and lingering candlelit dinners with friends outside, sitting cozily tucked into wool blankets against the midnight chill. But those of us who have endured the winter know there is a time when the sun first tentatively appears mid-morning and by mid-afternoon has already set, when the sky is one long sheet of gray from November until March, and the minimalism of the Danish modern look feels like part of a conspiracy to deprive one of any warmth or luxury.
One such winter, my mother arrived for a visit after a stay in India. When she'd asked if I would like anything from India, I'd responded 'color! can you bring some color back with you…it's so… cold here!' And so she arrived bringing several gorgeous silk brocade pillow cases in golden bronzes, deep wines, and earthy oranges with fabulous gold and silver threading on the detailing. I so clearly recall a deep sense of relief — into this cold barren landscape, a colorful burst of exotic warmth and abundance had arrived bringing reminders of a far off land, spice-laden cuisine and aromatic incense swirling through the dusty air upwards to the heavens.
When I first tried the Hammam Body Treatment products from Red Flower, I had a similar experience…
Balance Massage and Bath Oil is my favorite product from Essence of Vali, a small, New York-based company created by trained aromatherapist Valerie Bennis. Bennis has been offering her botanical formulas since 2000, and her thoughtfully focused product line includes various concentrations of a blend called Sleep, for a “Bedtime Ritual,” and a citrusy, uplifting Eau de Parfum simply named E.O.V., as well as a range of nine Massage and Bath Oils. These multi-use oils, composed of various plant essences, are intended to evoke different moods and responses, including Calm, Detox, and Passion.