Product Spotlight: Marble & Milkweed

I’m stepping away from recipes today to share some of my very favorite products with you! I first read about Briar and her company Marble & Milkweed in an article published in the now-out-of-print Whole Living Magazine. Though it was an article on hosting a tea party and creating your own tea blends at home, I became more intrigued by the products she created and sold from her studio in New York. I came across these products at a time when I was running a small business and quickly realizing the importance of supporting others like myself. It was also a time when I was becoming very picky about what went into and onto my body. Not only do I have fair, sensitive skin, I also have a family history of many types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. I appreciated that all of the products had ingredients I loved and recognized. And, I was smitten by the prominent use of cardamom and rose.

Upon receiving my first order (the simple cardamom lip balm & modern chai no. 1), I was hooked. You can taste, smell, and feel the love and attention that goes into every detail of the products. All of the ingredients are meticulously sourced so as to be organic and fair trade, and much attention goes into the sustainability of the packaging. And, it goes without saying that there are never any synthetic additives, preservatives, or artificial scents. I was actually lucky enough back in October to be able to meet Briar and see her light-filled studio where all of the botanical magic happens.

Though her tea blends are probably my favorite thing, every product I’ve had the pleasure of trying is truly amazing. And, it doesn’t hurt that I’ve found someone else that loves and uses cardamom as much as I do. So, without further ado, I’ll leave you with a list and brief description of all the products I’ve tried thus far. My absolute favorites are noted in bold. And just in case you’re wondering, no, this isn’t sponsored, I just really love the company and the products 🙂

t e a   b l e n d s

Modern Chai No. 1 – I can say without a doubt that this is my favorite tea on the planet. I’ve been a chai lover for a while but this one is the best loose leaf blend I’ve ever had. What makes it so amazing? The addition of rose petals and South Indian vanilla beans to the single-origin Ceylon tea and whole chai spices. Also, it’s as beautiful to look at as it is to brew and sip.

Modern Chai No. 3 – An amazingly fragrant green chai blend, this is the one I turn to when I need a little warmth, inspiration, or change of pace. The base is a green jasmine tea and jasmine pearls that are warmly spiced through with cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and nutmeg. Tulsi provides nice herbal notes while vanilla adds the slightest touch of sweetness.

Deeply Rooted Chai – Just like the name suggests, this blend anchors, grounds, and nurtures thanks to ginger, turmeric, ashwagandha, and wild chaga mushroom. The base of this chai blend is an heirloom pu-erh (fermented) tea. Cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, and black pepper add in spice and warmth while vanilla lends a hint of sweetness.

Cold Brew Green Tea with Roses, Lemon Balm, & Tulsi – This tea blend got me through the hottest parts of last summer! The combination of rose, lemon balm, and tulsi is refreshing and unique. One of my favorite things about brewing it is watching the petals and leaves unfurl and dance in the water as it steeps.

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Simple Cardamom Lipbalm – Along with the modern chai no. 1, this lipbalm was one of the first marble & milkweed products I tried. Obviously I was sold on it being scented with cardamom essential oils, but I soon fell in love with the softness and moisture the coconut and sesame oils imparted on my lips. Another great thing about this lipbalm? The packaging tube is made of compostable paper.

Cardamom Butter – Though the scent is intoxicating and almost addictive, I like to savor this luxurious body butter and only use it in small amounts. I’ll apply it to my hands and feet right before I crawl into bed (and try not to eat it because the smell is so delicious). If cardamom isn’t your thing, there’s a rose & chamomile version.

Nourishing Body Oil – Though there is an original nourishing body oil with scents of sandalwood and cardamom, there are also seasonal variations that evoke the feeling of the current season. I’ve mostly tried the body oils in small sample sizes but they have lasted me several applications since you only need a small amount to provide nourishing moisture to the skin. I save them for days when I want to indulge in a little extra self care.

The Rains Botanical Perfume – I’ve never been much of a perfume person. It assaults my senses and gives me a headache. It wasn’t until I visited the studio and smelled this essential oil based blend in person that I immediately fell in love. It is subtle, nourishing, and not over-powering. It is named “the rains” because the blend of essential oils evokes that very specific scent of earth after rainfall. The perfume is made of a blend of cardamom, mitti attar, and fossilized amber in a jojoba oil base.

Rose, Cardamom, & Sandalwood Botanical Perfume – Are you sensing a trend here with my love for cardamom? Cardamom and rose are one of my favorite scent and flavor pairings, so of course I fell in love with this botanical perfume. The sandalwood adds a little earthiness and rounds out the overall trio of scents.

Rose & Tulsi Facial Tonic – Around 2 years ago I realized the reason I was still getting acne is because the multiple face washes I’d been using were stripping my skin of its natural oils. It was trying to keep up and began overproducing oils, ergo, acne. Since then I’ve been cleansing with an oil blend and using either a witch hazel or apple cider vinegar toner. I decided to treat myself to this rose and tulsi one post surgery and it is marvelous to say the least. Not only do I use it in my face cleansing routine, I like to spritz a bit on my face throughout the day to refresh and cool my skin.

Rose & Chamomile Honey Clay Cleanser – The other gift to myself post-surgery was this honey clay cleanser. Used in combination with the rose and tulsi tonic, it creates a lovely evening self care ritual. I use this cleanser in place of the bentonite clay masks I was doing every week but am quickly considering making it my primary face cleanser. Word of warning: it smells so heavenly you will be tempted to eat it.