OOO #7: Outfits, Ohio, and Other Things I Like
A suspicious necklace, some of my favorite art, and a dry oil.
Outfits
Ohio
This past weekend, I visited the Franklin Park Conservatory for the first time in twelve years. I generally like visiting botanical gardens and arboretums (I really loved DC’s arboretum), and a day indoors with plants from warmer climates sounded like a solid way to spend a January afternoon.
My favorite thing about the Franklin Park Conservatory isn’t its plants, but its collection of glass pieces by Dale Chihuly. My first visit in 2003 was to see a temporary exhibition—Chihuly at the Conservatory—featuring Chihuly pillars, orbs, persians, chandeliers, and other artworks installed throughout the various biomes and exhibits in the conservatory. The exhibition was so successful and beloved that a private group raised funds to buy most of the pieces to keep them at the conservatory, which I think was a very smart move.
I adore Chihuly pieces, and I enjoyed not only seeing plants from all over the world (including a gorgeous collection of orchids), but spending time with some of the most cheerful art on the planet.
The conservatory is smaller than I remembered—it took about an hour to venture around, albeit I was not stopping to investigate what each plant was. It seems like it would be worth going to in warmer times to see outside exhibitions, and it would be a gorgeous place to attend a special event.
Other Things I Like
Regardless of weather or climate, my skin has decided that it prefers oils over lotions and creams. After trying a whole bunch of oils with varying viscosities, my favorite is Huile Prodigieuse® Multi-Purpose Dry Oil. A friend asked me to bring some back for her when I visited Paris in 2019; I also bought some for myself and was immediately besotted. Despite being an oil, it lives up to its name and goes onto your skin almost dry. It does not ruin clothing if you let it settle into your skin for about 3-5 minutes (which in the grand scheme of getting ready, is not that long).
The dry oil comes in an “original” scent and a florale; I like them both. I do not have the right vocabulary for describing scents/perfumes/candles, but they both smell like something a chic Parisienne would wear, if that’s helpful (probably not).
I use the oil all summer, spring, and fall (sometimes on my face too, in a pinch), and during the winter, I alternate between the dry oil and a thicker cream or lotion, depending on how dry the air is.
I mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating: I make no money off of any of my recommendations. I’m not savvy or, frankly, interested enough to figure out how to do that. I simply like sharing good things.
That’s it! Have a great rest of your week.