Lilify + Life

January offers retreat and a celebration of calm. The holidays are joyful, abundant and ultimately a lot to absorb. The new year, the chilly weather and the California rain gratefully provide an ambience that allows a reset back to routine. 

In my garden, the moisture and heavy precipitation keep the plants both satiated and saturated. Dark mornings and darker evenings make for a few moonlit moments where I notice secret little signs of spring. The lily of the valley are already in bloom, the hellebores are thriving and I am starting to see shoots of narcissus and freesia; always the first to announce the tandem of brisk weather and the changing of the seasons.

In our shop, the beginning of a year is also a time of growth. Our team refocuses and begins the process of creating designs to welcome later in the year. Product development is detailed and gradual. It is always exciting to see our ideas and inspirations slowly unfold.

I wish you all the most beautiful bits of winter – a time of year that is a little slower and a little more serene. 

HL

Turmeric + Lemongrass

Collaborating with lovely soap maker Connie Mardon, we intended to create a soap that was uplifting with a touch of spice. Our Turmeric + Lemongrass is anti-inflammatory and gingery, is enlivened by botanical grassiness and is handmade in Monterey.

Redwood + Juniper

Working with talented local candle maker Emmaline Molloy, we sought to create a candle that was earthy, with a touch of sap, and had the vibrancy characteristic of California woods after the rain. Our Redwood + Juniper has a bright, forest base balanced with a cedar calm and is made of all natural soy wax.

TT

There is parity to what I am listening to and the season; when in harmony the music and the mood will be enhanced. January is always a welcome time of stillness and the albums I choose are reflective of that aura.

Born as the side project of several groups, Drug Cabin is a six-piece band out of Los Angeles. They wrote and recorded 22 songs simultaneously released on two albums, Yard Work and Wiggle Room, in 2015. Recorded to analog 8-track, the album feels warm while the vocals and pedal steel cut through at a higher register to create a sense of calm.

For me, the album highlights are the tracks “Baywatch” and “California” which capture that mellow melody best.

Sit back and enjoy these chill tunes during this chilly time of year.

JS

Jewelry is so special - it not only adds sparkle, it truly tells a story.

The stunning jewelry that we feature at Lilify is all handmade by talented independent designers and emphasizes an organic refinement informed by the restraint of clean lines and the understated elegance of folk culture.

We love when our jewelry is gifted to a special someone to add that perfect sparkle, or purchased as an act of self love, and being a part of your story.

HL

With a wet welcome to December, we invite you to join us as we GATHER to escape the rain and gale and celebrate the holidays!

This Saturday, we welcome Pastry Chef Yulanda Santos of Aubergine, Katie Blandin of Pearl Hour and the Ben Herod Jazz Trio.

Pastry Chef Yulanda Santos of the Michelin award winning Aubergine restaurant, will showcase and sell her most beloved holiday treats AND…

Katie Blandin of our neighboring cocktail bar, Pearl Hour, will pour handcrafted seasonal libations AND…

The Ben Herod Jazz Trio will perform!!!

We hope you can join us for a cozy, charming afternoon filled with local talent and seasonal delight! 

Saturday, December 7th, 1 - 3.  

HL

We are thrilled, honored, humbled and extremely grateful to be a small business.

On November 30^th we invite you to join us for Small Business Saturday as we welcome local designer Shanti Rackley of Tejido.

Shanti will join us in the shop, from 12-4, with her full selection of textiles hand knit, hand woven and hand embroidered by artisans in Peru and Mexico. 

We are also beyond delighted to announce the launch of Lilify x Tejido. Handmade with fine fibers, our knit collection introduces a trio of pieces that are simultaneously luxurious and cozy.

We hope that you can join us, meet Shanti, and celebrate the small businesses that keep our community inspired, relevant and unique.

Saturday, November 30th, 12 - 4.

HL

We are beyond delighted to announce, in collaboration with local designer Shanti Rackley, the launch of Lilify x Tejido. Handmade with fine fibers, our knit collection introduces a trio of pieces that are simultaneously luxurious and cozy.

Designed in Monterey and hand knit by artisans in the Peruvian Highlands, this collection is part of a special fair trade cooperative employing mothers in rural villages.  These women are able to work from home so they don’t have to leave their village and can watch their children as they work. 

We invite you explore our exquisite, heirloom pieces.

HL

With the cooling temperatures and a chill in the air, we are delighted to release our WOOL collection. These silhouettes are our most popular layering pieces and they are ever so elevated by the elegance of the material.

The lightweight wool, unlined, offers a drape to the garments that is both cozy and classic. These pieces, like all of our signature apparel, are designed in house and hand sewn in Monterey.

We are beyond thrilled to introduce our Lilify line in lightweight wool.

HL

I recently heard someone say that getting dressed is putting on your costume for the day. I couldn’t have agreed more. And, my absolute go-to costume is my apron.

Our Etta, crossover, open size, linen apron is created using a universally beloved pattern. Apron addicts love this piece, as it has no ties or buttons and big pockets.

Etta lovers in the shop continually requested a version that could also suit a man. So, we extended the straps, lowered the pockets, made the garment longer and added a waist tie. The Elliott is a unisex, utilitarian apron perfect for those desiring more coverage.

We also received many inquiries about whether our apron was suitable to wear out. Hence, we created a duster version with all the most beloved bits! Our Willa features large pockets and similar symmetry to the Etta. It is a stunning layering piece, and we have found that it is favored by teachers and makers.

The Etta, Elliott and Willa are all hand sewn in Monterey.

I hope you get the opportunity to add one of these practical yet very pretty pieces to your personal costume collection.

HL

Black Tea + Eucalyptus

As we worked with dedicated local body products maker Connie Mardon on our signature soaps, we immediately were infatuated with the combination of Black Tea & Eucalyptus. This was a pairing that was rustic and dynamic - the tannins of the tea suited the brightness of the eucalyptus. This soap is one of our most beloved housewarming gifts.

Ho Wood + Ginger

When we concocted, with lovely local body products maker Connie Mardon, on our all natural Ho Wood & Ginger lotion, we were striving for a balance and depth that simultaneously elicited warmth and tranquility. The herbaceous, slightly peppery ginger married the beautifully fragrant wood oil with a finish that is at once rich and calming.

Grapefruit + Rosemary

Collaborating with enthusiastic local candle maker Emmaline Molloy, we were very inspired to produce a candle that was both tart and grounded. As we explored blends, we were delighted when we came upon Grapefruit + Rosemary. 
The fresh citrus was perfectly augmented by the herbaceous rosemary. This candle always reminds me of my autumn nuptials, as citrus was in abundance and my bouquet included fresh rosemary.

TT

As summer gives way to fall and the air begins to chill, we start the process of hunkering down for the season. The days get shorter, the pace of life seems to slow and so does the music I listen to.

Twenty-five years into a legendary career Neil Young released the underrated masterpiece “Silver & Gold” seemingly out of nowhere. In a departure from the harder rock that he is often partial to, it’s a return to form from his early years showcasing the beautiful melancholy that his voice is best suited to.

I prefer this album first thing in the morning while I sip my pour over - or to unwind at the end of the day with my evening libation.

Hope you get to spend some quality time with Neil.

JS

Autumn arrives gently. At first I notice the changing leaves and feel the changing temperature. The transition to fall brings a chill that is cozy and calm. It is the season of scarves and cardigans, blackberries, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and a rhythm that is slower and more subdued.

In my garden, I have cut back and am planting seeds to greet next spring. My lemon tree is abundant and my figs are ample.  Rotund dahlias exalt the afternoon sun and graceful roses are growing in their delicate, refined manner. I am constantly cutting thyme, sage and chives for soup and in the evenings often brew a pot of freshly gathered mint tea.

My morning walks in autumn are more serene, a combination of the brisk sea breeze and the darkness lingering longer into the day. There can be a melancholy to the bay that is meditative and musing.

I wish you a welcome to all that is fall– to a time of year that is simultaneously bountiful, crisp and snug. 

HL