“In my culture an intimate picture of the body is not something natural. My country of origin is a paternalist one. Women used to serve men and used to hide their body for very long. I always felt different from what the society was trying to impose on me. But exposing my body was always an issue. I felt curious about it but insecure doing so. In fact, I was simply not proud of my body.”

Endless rolling hills of bright orange poppies underneath a baby blue sky–that’s the promise of a super bloom at Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in Lancaster. And when it’s really on, it delivers California vibes of the highest order.

Here is a curation of sensory pleasures that make sophisticated and luxurious gifts for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, proposal, birthday or if you simply want to say “you are my one and only!” From a twist on the classic breakfast in bed, to a curated, themed perfume set, these gifts are sensual, novel, and intriguing.

“Being a late bloomer in practically every sense, I watched girls in high school and college develop into beautiful women with curves and legs for days, while I remained the same. Even though those years are long gone and I did eventually “bloom,” the insecurities still linger. I look in the mirror and I still struggle to see past who I was and what I looked like 10 years ago.”

On the West Coast the time for cherry blossoms has now come to an end. We were very happy to admire their beauty this year at Hakone Gardens and at Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This was also Evelyn’s first year of seeing and touching the delicate pink petals. We are looking forward to seeing them in all their beauty again next year.

A wedding dress hung into a window of soft, afternoon light. Fresh, cool air and the smell of Tuscan cypress and olive groves. Loose, brushed hair and lace culottes. A bride pausing behind a curtain of pale ivory heirloom lace, ready to dress for her wedding day.

No accessories, no props, no lingerie or clothes. Only crisp, white sheets carefully draped, the choice of her special scent—here classic Chanel No.5—and an artful flower design by Dandelion Ranch reflecting the rose and jasmine notes of the perfume, convey the special meaning and bond of a lady to her favorite and chosen scent.

“Pregnancy is like a garden. Even though the flowers look pristine, you can usually see blemishes if you get close enough. There’s a lot of work that goes into making things bloom. There’s a reason gardeners get soil under their fingernails,” says my friend Emma of Stories by Us. I remember walking these beautiful gardens with her […]

The inspiration for Elena’s portrait came from her love of walking outdoors and the beauty of the location we choose. In spring Land’s End’s wispy grasses have a delicate green hue which is the perfect dress shade for Elena. This minty green paired with the light yellows of sunset in spring and the caramel tones in her hair created a delicate, fresh but warm palette.

For Joyce’s feminine portrait I wanted to create something that is effortlessly elegant, daring, and sensuous–all qualities Joyce has. In addition it needed to reflect her confidence and adventurous but warm personality.