Herbalism: Natures Secret: Knowledge & Guidance Through Healing Plants' by Jennifer Divyajyota Michelsen

Natures Secret: Knowledge & Guidance Through Healing Plants by Jennifer Divyajyota Michelsen

I first saw Jennifer Divyajyota Michelson's beautiful book and cards 'Natures Secret: Knowledge & Guidance Through Healing Plants' on one of my favourite Instagram pages @littletreesgrow aka Erin Ashleigh (see Erin's house tour on moon to moon here) and they instantly caught my eye. Over the last couple of years I have began reading about herbalism and taking a few classes so was really excited to see a new text I hadn't yet discovered. I also love the idea of the cards, making it easier to focus on learning about the benefits of one plant at a time. They are also great for teaching children!!

Eager to learn more about these beautiful cards and accompanying book, I caught up with Author Jennifer Divyajyota Michelsen.....

Hi Jennifer thank you for taking time to talk to moon to moon

Can you tell us a little bit about your self and background?

I'm a yoga teacher in the Satyananda tradition (Bihar School of Yoga, India) and a qualified teacher of Permaculture and Sustainable Community Design. I've worked as coordinator of large organic gardens, studied and completed courses in organics, medicinal plants, and herbal medicine.

Natures Secret: Knowledge & Guidance Through Healing Plants' photo by @littletreesgrow

What led you to creating the series?

I was introduced to the idea of working with Nature Intelligence during a six-week organics class in 1997. Since that time I have worked "co-creatively" with Nature Intelligence in my design and implementation work as coordinator of organic gardens. I connect with Nature Intelligence and establish a conscious, active personal partnership with Nature through kinesiology. Through this work, the idea of the book evolved. I connected directly to Nature to get all the Insights/Lessons for the book.

Natures Secret: Knowledge & Guidance Through Healing Plants by Jennifer Divyajyota Michelsen

Can you tell us a bit about the cards and book and how they are to be used?

The book can be used to learn about 40+ medicinal plants, their history, myth and, most importantly their healing properties. The medicinal qualities of the plants can be utilised through a variety of herbal preparations, tinctures, decoctions, flower essences, essential oils and herbal teas. 

Each card has also been designed to provide insight and to aid in recognising an issue and facilitating its release or simply in using a particular plant for personal support. You can choose a card daily or whenever you need guidance and support. 

Natures Secret: Knowledge & Guidance Through Healing Plants by Jennifer Divyajyota Michelsen

The cards feature diverse plants from TCM , Ayurveda and wise woman traditions how did you choose what 40 plants you would print?

The project was huge so I started with one plant at a time. I worked with Nature Intelligence and listened to my heart in my choices. Lavender was the first plant that came to me. Each selection was through the same process. It took 10 years to complete and a great deal of research. Many of the Insights in the book embrace spiritual practices for personal growth and balance. Yoga, meditation, fire ceremony and other modalities can be used to strengthen the plants' healing abilities and assist in transforming, aligning and bringing balance.

Natures Secret: Knowledge & Guidance Through Healing Plants Photo by @newearth.mama

The set is currently 40 cards do you have plans for a follow up series?

I have a list of 40-50 more herbs to research although writing another book seems like an overwhelming task at the moment.

I've started a children's book. I have ideas and I'm in the process of taking 12X of the basic plants in the book and adapting them to children. Each plant will have an interactive project to go with it. 

Thank you so much Jennifer for taking the time to speak to moon to moon.... if you are interested in buying or finding out more about the book and cards you can visit Jennifers site natures creation or visit her on instagram

To read more Interviews on Moon to Moon click here

xx Gabi

Kitchen Shelves: Earth Tone Ceramics

Alea Joy's stunning Earth Tone Ceramic collection

Earth Tone Ceramics in the most stunning home of Fashion Designer Gudrun (see the rest of the tour here)

Earth Tone Ceramic

Serena Mitnik-Miller

I have been saving pictures for this post for a long time.... maybe 2 years +, and I have finally got to a point where I have collected enough beautiful earth tone ceramic collections to make it a post.... woo hoo!!

So here it is..... what a bunch of beauties


I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to you guys. I put my email address at the top of this page a couple of weeks ago and since, I have had about 7 or 8 really kind emails that have all been so motivating. Ranging from dropping me a line to say they like Moon to Moon, asking where they can get certain items or just wanting to subscribe (I haven't a clue how to set up that option). It really has made my day each time I have received one, and if I can I am happy to help (although it may take me a while to answer....sorry)

New Moon: Sweet Elm dolls

Sweet Elm, Waldorf Inspired Dolls

Sweet Elm dolls

It has been a long time since I did a post for children but these little dolls from Sweet Elm are so very beautiful that I just had to share. They are available either pre-made or in kit form... I for one am totally smitten with the little 'summer' mum and baby in a sling (below), it reminds me of those very special times carrying my son in my sling :)

Sweet Elm is an Australian based, family run business. We’re long-term wanderers from opposite sides of the world, currently exploring Australia's east coast. We're nature lovers and adventure-seekers with a passion for making.



Back in 2010, our little ones were growing into toddlers and watching them made us strong believers in the magic of open-ended play. We watched in awe as they tapped into deep wells of imagination and freedom. As parents we wanted to provide our kids with quality handmade toys. Toys that reflected our values and could be treasured in our family for many years. We envisioned magical wee folk who could join our children in their play. 

We first started making these dolls because we couldn’t find the toys we were after in shops. We were seeking simple, yet beautiful toys that let our children’s imaginations lead the way. What we never anticipated was how these wee dolls could bring so much joy purely in the process of making them. In learning how to make them we gained skills that flowed into other creations for our home. But the greatest joy of all came from the slow stitching, which was eagerly watched by our darlings as they waited for their new friend.

I hope I have packaged all of that into these humble kits. The pure pleasure that comes from taking a moment to quietly stitch for someone you love. The excitement the children feel as they watch their dolls come to life. And the new skills and confidence to make other handmade treasures that will last for years to come. I hope with all my heart, to pass on the gifts that these wee dolls have given to me.

To view more of these beautiful dolls and buy yourself a kit visit Sweet Elm or head on over to follow them on instagram @sweet.elm

Poppet kit dolls from Sweet Elm

The home of.... Abigael Whittaker, Creative Director of Tree of Life

I am so happy to share with you the home of Abigael Whittaker. She is a lovey soul I met on Instagram and I have been admiring her home and work from a distance for a long while so I was very pleased when she agreed to do a little interview. As well as running a super stylish home, Abi is the creative director for Australian brand Tree of Life, has recently become a mother and is also a very talented artist...... super woman!!!

Hi Abi thank you for taking th time out to talk to us today, can you start by telling us a little bit about where you are currently living?

I live in Brisbane, a smallish city, But dream of the seas! We are so excited to be moving to a treehouse by the sea in the next few months!! 

2) What attracted you to your current home ? 
Being up high we get to look out to the tree tops and enjoy their breeze, and try to forget the hustle and bustle around us.

3) What is your favorite room in the house? 
Our big living room which is full of natural light and positively heaving with all my treasures! 


4) What is your most treasured item? 
Hmmmm. So hard! My mum is a jewellery maker so I have loads of precious creations and heirlooms from her. My most treasured treasures probably change a bit as per my mood but currently I guess it would have to be my mums vintage floor length garnet red velvet coat... with gold trims! She bought it in Morocco in the 70s and it is truly as divine as it sounds.

5). What does 'home ' mean to you? 
Home had always been where my treasures live. They form so many of my memories from travel, loved ones and times of my life. I remember I heard someone once say "Home is where you lay your head" and I think that's such a nice sentiment too. It's just that my home tends to be the amazing textiles upon which I lay my head! 

 6) your job takes you in many adventures what items do you take to help you feel at home wherever you go? 
Fabulous jewellery and a big comfy scarf that can double as a blanket or bedspread! Whatever i'm wearing and wherever I'm  going jewellery and accessories always make me feel myself.

7) Where do you source your home furnishings 
Tree of Life of course! But also on my travels I tend to hoard textiles of all kinds to layer on beds, couches and floors... any surface I can find! 

8) what has inspired your style? My mum for sure, who has such an incredible style of her own as an artist and designer herself and someone who has lived and traveled through the 60s and 70s!! Amazing! And also my job and the immense opportunities I have been given to travel. I'm so inspired by the textures of other lands, the colours, the prints, the fabrics!!! 

9)Where would your dream home be? By the sea! I would just love love love to be able to walk to the beach from my wooden home that is filled with plants and colour and all the pattern and prints! 

10) What was the last item you brought? Probably nappies! But the last exciting item I brought was a gorgeous clay pink Serape from Tree of Life. Perfect for winter breastfeeding, as a blanket and as a throw. 

11) if you could teleport : time travel where would you go to grab some home furnishings? Morocco! And then a quick stop off to Mexico. Oh my goodness and I would LOVE to go to Afghanistan and load up their incredible jewellery. I imagine Afghanistan in the seventies and my heart bursts! 

12) You style for tree of life, how did you get into styling? 
My adventure with Tree of Life has been quite organic so that I've just easily swapped from styling to visual merchandising to buying. They all inform each other so that has worked out nicely. I studied Fashion Design at university which helped too.  I think when the style of a company or project is so close to your personal style it makes sense for you to be able to really invest yourself in to it. 
Tree of Life and I are a bit like an intricate tapestry these days! 

13) any tips for budding home stylists?
 Gather what you love! If you feel like you've got some gaps you need to fill gather inspiration from people and places you love and seek out those really key pieces. 

All images found via Abi's instagram @abrac_dabra

5 minutes with.... Semra From Mama Moon Candles

Moon Ritual: Mama Moon Candles

Today on Moon to Moon we are lucky enough to have Semra from Mama Moon candles telling us about her journey from Stylist to candle maker!! I first discovered her beautiful candles a year or so ago via Instagram and have been intrigued to know a little more of what goes on behind the scenes for a while....so...

1)   Hi Semra, Can you tell us a little bit about yourself  and what led you to making candles?

Hey, yes sure… I am a very sensitive and loyal scorpio! I like to practice feel good magic.. I love the whole psycho- spiritual aspect of it.  I guess I would consider myself an eclectic witch who uses a little of this and a little of that! 

My journey to making candles has been varied, I was a fashion stylist for about 11 years, I wasn’t enjoying it for multiple reasons.  I decided to quit and go to University to study psychology, I loved learning all the theories, but the whole rats and stats of it all was something that I couldn’t cope with.. I’m way too spiritual! … So I quit and my best friend and I decided to do something courageous and bonkers and set up a kickstarter and raised money to buy a motor-home and perform our comedy show in the back of! It was a total passion project and was so much fun, stressful at times, but wouldn’t change that experience for anything..

While I have had my various jobs on the go I have always been in to healing, rituals and mixing oil blends and herbs… all this is very natural to me and has really helped and empowered me through some of life's rocky times,  I wanted to create something that would make people feel good and was an accessible way to create a mini ritual at home.

2) What is different about Mama Moon soy based candles to the mass produced ones available in big shops?

Big machines aren’t mixing them up, I am! I’m in my kitchen,  I’m heating the wax and mixing in the oils that have been infused with crystals, and I'm  pouring them in to the jars all myself… Each one is individually made by me, with love, care and magic!..  I create a protective circle and put a lot of positive intention in to them.  It’s a very personal experience and I love that my customers really feel that connection with them…

3) You have mixed together two of my personal favorite scents oud and rose in your 'Love Manifestation' candle. What was the inspiration behind the scent and what led you to this combination ?

The first time I ever smelt oud was on the glamorous Arab ladies in the cosmetics department in Selfridges! The smell is so powerful and potent, a total heady aphrodisiac, which is why it goes so well with rose which is the  universal go to smell that has signified love for centuries… Together they can be quite  hypnotic!!

4) What candle do you light when you have had a stressful day? 

Oh my its so hard to decide! Moon Ritual is my number one  its so warming and comforting... If I'm  having a bath it would have to be Healing and Meditation ( thats my cats favourite one too!)

5) Other than light a candle , what other ways do you like to relax at home?

I love cooking… now its cold, I’ll be cooking stews or soups – getting cosy in my pijamas, chill with my cat and watch some netflix!

Mama Moon Candles

6) you left a successful career in styling to start Mama Moon . what advice would you give to readers thinking about starting a small business?

If you have an idea GO FOR IT!  Remember that you don’t have to start with a big professional product launch you can start small and that way it is really easy to learn from mistakes and see what works and what doesn’t. Don’t sabotage yourself with perfectionism, as it is a form of procrastination in disguise! Share your ideas with friends and family, don’t be shy about it! If you are feeling a little un-confident book in a few sessions with a life coach. I had a really amazing life coach at the beginning of Mama Moon and she definitely taught me some really useful tips that I still tap in to now… I would also recommend entrepreneurial podcasts.. Its very reassuring to know that everyone started somewhere and its also a good motivator to know that hard work does pay off! 

7) What has been your proudest moment/ what do you appreciate the most about/of  Mama Moon?

I love that my candles have become part of peoples sacred spaces and that they are part of peoples intention setting rituals. That really is an honour. I am always so touched when my customers send me photos and tell me how happy my candles make them … That connection is a real honour makes me truly buzz!

I see that you have recently organised a foraging and smudge making workshop have you any other plans for mama moon's growth or new products in the near future?

 
Yes… I've got some really cool stuff cooking in the kitchen ( and other places ) All will be revealed very soon!!!! I have also really enjoyed sharing my moon rituals this year.. So definitely more of them too!

A massive thank you to Semra for taking the time to talk to Moon to Moon xx

To try Semra's Mama Moon Candles visit her webshop here, she can also be found on Instagram

Semra at her pop up shop in London Last year

The swoonworthy home of ...... Nicolette Johnson

I featured an image of Nicolette's beautiful dining room a few posts back. Sadly had no idea where the original had come from, thanks to the new tool on Pinterest I managed to find other pictures of the same room which eventually led me to the talented Nicolette Johnsons webpage, and her faboulous home tour.

Such a beautiful, tranquil space, filled with natural wood, organic materials and stategically placed house plants.... bliss! 

Please head over to Nicolettes website and Instagram to see more of her home and ceramic work 

To View more 'earthy homes' from here on moon to moon click here

Store: General Store, California

General Store :Hanging Planter - TW workshop

General Store: Simple linen napkin

General Store: Hanging Sun Basket

Carved Salad Bowl

Olo Fragrances

Getting Clear book

Sunray Arch

I have a bit of an obsession with General Store and I haven't even visited their 'Bricks n Mortar' stores in California. They always have a beautiful inspiring array of handmade and found objects from Californian Artists (and a few from further afield) which can be found via their webpage General Store.

In their Words....

General Store is an arbiter of beautifully well-imagined works from the creative minds of many inspiring craftsmen, bringing thoughtful, functional design to our local community and abroad. 

With encouragement from friends and neighbors in the Outer Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco, our first store was founded in 2009 as a collaboration between Serena Mitnik-Miller and Mason St. Peter. In 2012, we opened our second location in Los Angeles with our friends Hannah Henderson and John Moore, as a natural step in growing our family and adding to our offering of visionaries and creatives. 

In keeping with the community and landscape, our San Francisco store features a warm and welcoming garden gathering space. Our Venice location's ample interior volume will hold a place in your imagination long after you’ve left us....

I urge you to check out the General store here and if you wish Hannah and Johns Home tour here

Happy New Year

My Best 9 From Instagram 2017

Wishing you all a very happy new year, hope your 2018 is a chilled one.

xx Gabi xx