Musings no. 1 - balance & renewal, my first blog ever 🍁

Hello dear one,

This Saturday is no ordinary equinox!

For the first time in over a decade, the fall equinox and a partial solar eclipse will fall on the same day. shadow and light crossing paths… balance at its most exact.

A rare alignment in the heavens that calls forth a rare alignment within.

The equinox already reminds us of the turning of the wheel—the balance between day and night, growth and release… and with the eclipse overlaying this moment, it feels like an invitation to pause even more deeply, to reflect on the ways we, too, move through cycles of shadow and light, endings and beginnings.

I’ve been a designer for 25 years, and so many people have told me to connect more personally with the people we adorn via email. so i am listening, and i’m saying why not? this is my very first blog, a note from my heart to yours…

as the seasons shift and the air cools, here are five little rituals bringing me joy right now.

1. evening walks at dusk

there is something sacred about evening walks this time of year… where we live, barn owls often sweep overhead at dusk, and looking out for them has become a nightly ritual—a reminder to slow down and notice the beauty around us.

2. cozy layers 

fall has always been my favorite season for fashion. i love pulling out sweaters, boots, and scarves… layering textures and colors the way i layer our jewelry. cozy nights in front of the fire just feel better with a little extra softness and warmth.

3. nourishment in the simple things

this is soup season. i love making big pots of homemade soup—simple, comforting, and full of care. having recently become an empty nester, i find myself especially nostalgic in the kitchen. one of my favorite rituals is re-creating the waldorf school soup recipe my daughter’s preschool used to make with the children—my daughter, who is now 25. stirring that pot brings back tender memories of those early years, and feels like a way of holding her close even across time.

4. elderberry syrup for winter wellness

a medicine womyn friend passed down her elderberry syrup recipe to me, and i love preparing a fresh batch for the colder months ahead. these small acts of care—gathering, preparing, and sharing traditions—feel like medicine in themselves. (sharing her recipe below 💜)

5. adorning with talismans that carry the energy of fall

just as we layer clothes in fall, i love layering jewelry that feels protective and grounding. pieces like our topanga leaf cuff, leaf double wrap, long leaves ring, acorn and pine cone necklace all carry the essence of this season—reminders of harvest, transformation, and connection to the natural world. they become wearable talismans, infusing each day with a little bit of magic.💫

Thank you for being here with me… it means so much to share these moments and inspirations with you. i’ll try to send more notes like this with stories, inspirations, and treasures from our collection.

If you’d like to connect in person (my favorite way!), i’ve been spending less and less time on my phone, and i rarely do personal social media(ash is the one behind our alkemie socials)… i love sharing energy face-to-face!you can come visit us at the shoppe in topanga on saturdays, sundays, and mondays from  12-ish to 4-ish, or by appointment…

for now, may your fall—and this rare equinox/eclipse portal—be filled with warmth, ritual, and beauty.

Sending all my love and equinox blessings,

xx, Dara