You do not soon forget a product or company that has a positive effect on you. I love celebrating and sharing the word about companies that get it not just right, but nearly—or actually—perfect.
I enjoy and find it essential to compliment those, especially in the service industry, who do it well. There is power in praise, and I believe the blooms of well-executed service should be well-nurtured. I’ve gone as far as calling What-A-Burger to compliment a well-seasoned burger or delicious fajita taco.
My essentials this month are two that thoroughly excel. Creative, luxurious and committed to authenticity and quality—my compliments to the two companies behind these crème de la crème essentials that take my breath away each time I experience them.
THE ESSENTIALS
Ffern Organic Seasonal Perfume
Ffern, located in Somerset, England, is an exclusive small-batch organic perfume subscription service. Every year, four perfumes are produced and released one at a time at the turn of the season, never to be reproduced again.
Each perfume is blended exclusively for the names on the production ledger. At the start of 2025, the brand reported half a million names on the waiting list, with 20,000 new names added every week. I was chosen from the waiting list in April of this year, and when I placed my first order, my expectations were, admittedly, fairly insignificant. However, Ffern delivered, and if you’re picking up what I’m putting down … I was highly impressed.
You are not just receiving a perfume bottle: Each season is thoughtfully curated with complimentary gifts such as a diffusion stone; and items dedicated to the season including a short film, a Spotify playlist, an art print from a featured artist and a little satchel of a consumable treat, such as candied violets in the spring or a floral tea (that I’m contentedly sipping as I write) developed for summer.
The fragrances—95% natural and made with an Italian-grain vodka base—are developed to evolve throughout the day. I find myself lifting my wrist to my nose quite often to experience the different notes as they change. The producers have mastered the art of layering high-quality and globally sourced ingredients that cultivate depth and complexity. I cherish my Summer Solstice bottle and the joy it elicits with lustrous scents of spiced and fruity ingredients. However, even in the summer, the Spring Equinox bottle with its fresh aroma is just as satisfying.
Scent and memory are often paired together; I can recall the smell of my mother’s apple pie when I reminisce about the many times she would bake it in my childhood. I look forward to these seasonal fragrances and how they will bestow a bookmark for memories throughout the year.
Bien Mérité Matcha | 1336 S. Staples St. Corpus Christi, TX
J’adore le matcha. Truly, I do. What is not to love when considering the benefits of incredibly high antioxidants (more than green tea, actually), calming focus from L-Theanine and less caffeine than coffee?
Although I do enjoy making it myself at home, my favorite place to get the best matcha is undeniably Bien Mérité. Each time I step into the local French bakery and restaurant, I feel transported in both place and time. It is impossibly chic, and a matcha in hand complements the je ne sais quoi appeal as I find my pinky rising a little higher on my cup and my back straightening against my chair while dining in.
My girlish antics aside, what makes this ceremonial grade matcha truly exceptional is that it is Matcha Konomi, a high-quality, small-batch ground and produced matcha founded by Bien Mérité owner Michelle Fraedrick Alafghani. Alafghani has a keen understanding of how to offer customers an unparalleled experience with both of her brands.
While I usually take my matcha in the form of a hot latté with almond milk and raw honey (as does Alafghani, apart from preferring oat milk), the relatively new Dubai Matcha on the menu cannot be missed. It is a delectable delight to the tastebuds with a blend of pistachio, salted caramel, toffee nut and matcha cold foam.
