Each of us at terrain has our own favorite scent from MCMC Fragrances, so we had to ask founder Anne McClain more about her work. With each bottle hand-packaged in her studio in Brooklyn, NY, it's hard to deny the soul and passion behind this independent perfumery. In this interview, Anne tells us about her time studying aromatherapy in Southern France and her intricate process for creating new scents.  

terrain: Tell us about your time studying in Grasse, France.

Anne: I applied to the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in November of 2008 and was accepted as one of twelve students to attend the one-year intensive training program. After I was accepted, I had just six weeks to move - which meant leaving my job as a project manager, leaving my beloved apartment, and leaving a new boyfriend! But becoming a perfumer was a real dream of mine, and I knew there was no better place for me to study than the traditional center for perfume in southern France.

terrain: What was the highlight of your experience in Grasse? What did you find most inspiring?

Anne: In some ways, I think the highlight of my time there was all of the solo time. I was really able to concentrate on this new art that I was learning. In New York, life is very hectic and in Grasse, my life was very meditative. I attended school 8 hours a day, and spent the evenings and weekends brainstorming about what has since become MCMC Fragrances. I got a lot done and that was a certainly a highlight! As for most inspiring, I was blown away by the realization that my nose could be "trained." We spent the first three months intensively memorizing individual ingredients and during the course of that time, my nose actually became stronger, and I was able to recognize nuances within scents that I couldn't detect before.

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Linnea's Lights share with us their inspirations behind the wildly popular Fir Candle and what they're looking forward to in the New Year.

terrain: The Forest Fir candle is a definite winter favorite – what was your process for perfecting this scent?
Linnea's: We drew inspiration from our experiences of getting fresh trees for our homes - the crisp feeling in the air, the scent of the sap on your hands and the vibrance of the tree itself. All those items inspired the forest fir scent; it's meant to invoke the feeling of having a fresh cut tree along with the zest of winter in your home.

terrain: How does the Linnea’s Lights family celebrate the holidays?
Linnea's: We love to enjoy the holiday season with laughter and joy of being together. We put up a holiday tree and a menorah in the studio to celebrate all our religions. We trade names and play "Secret Santa" and listen to holiday music on Pandora while we make and prepare candles.

terrain: What do you love most about the holidays?
Linnea's: The first snow fall, preparing the Christmas tree as a family while sipping hot chocolate with candy canes, and Christmas Eve - it's so magical, elegant and loving when we are all together.

terrain: What are you looking forward to in the New Year?
Linnea's: We are looking forward to growing with our loyal partners and finding new ways to bring Linnea's Lights into people's homes. We are also really excited about doing more for those in need and creating a platform in which to "share the lights" and make a difference where it matters most. 

The Good Batch's Anna Gordon shares with terrain her highlights of the year plus her favorite Christmas memories - including the year she was lucky enough to have Santa read her a bedtime story!

terrain: Does your family have any holiday traditions?
Anna: I grew up with a fairly traditional holiday routine: wake up early Christmas morning, open presents, mosey around the house, then have a big family dinner. It was over before we knew it. I now spend Christmas with my fiancé's family, and they have this great tradition of celebrating the holiday on Christmas Eve. We eat fondue, drink wine, play silly games, and open presents. I have to admit, however, I really enjoy the entire month of December, just as much as the actual holiday. I love all the decorations, and I even play holiday music in the kitchen when my staff lets me!

terrain: What is your favorite holiday memory?
Anna: When I was a young kid, my parents had a huge holiday party at our house, and they hired a Santa Claus to mingle with the guests and hand out presents. I followed this man around the house the entire night- starry-eyed and bewildered that Santa Claus was in my house. When my parents tucked me in for the night, he read me the Polar Express. For months I couldn’t stop talking about Santa Claus being in my house and reading me a bedtime story!

terrain: What is a must-have at the Christmas dinner table?
Anna: A good bottle of wine and delicious cheese are my holiday must-haves. And a very long walk after dinner.

terrain: What was your favorite part of 2011?
Anna: This has really been an incredible year, both professionally and personally. With the company we added a couple new products to our line-up, and had an incredibly successful summer at the Brooklyn Flea with our ice cream sandwiches. On top of that, my brother had a baby boy and I got engaged. All good things.

terrain: What are you looking forward to in the new year?
Anna: More and more cookies!

Our friends at Bellocq share details of a holiday gathering we'd love to attend.

terrain: What traditions do you all at Bellocq most look forward to at the holidays?

Bellocq: Our holiday season starts with foraging in the woods of Massachusetts. We bring back arm-loads of pine branches, laurel and bits of nature for decorating the shop. The rest goes home for more wreaths and garlands. And then there is the cookie baking which can go on for days! It's a tradition passed down from our grandmothers that has become one of the most anticipated parts of the season for all of the children in our lives.

terrain: Which teas are you drinking this time of year?

Bellocq: We have a few favorites… Bellocq Christmas of course! Also the White Wolf and Little Dickens too. On weekends we make a big pot of Afghani Chai that simmers all day long… The house and shop smell divine.

terrain: And what about your holidays feasts… What's inspiring them?

Bellocq: The sea and the sky. We'll start with ice cold oysters with a grapefruit mignonette… And iced vodka infused with White Nixon. Then onto roasted goose, served with potatoes roasted on a bed of smoky, juniper-Lapsang infused sea salt.

terrain: What do you think about when preparing your home for a houseful of friends?

Bellocq: We love to create very intimate environments. Who needs electricity anyway? Candles work just fine and make everyone feel and look more beautiful! We like a touch of formal with good tableware, antique silver flatware and linens, but otherwise the environment is always relaxed. And you can never be too prepared for those guests that linger on to nibble on leftovers, sip a night cap and throw citrus peels into the fire. A collection of Moroccan slippers is always a plus, a few cuddly throws and, just in case, a deck of cards.

terrain: When it comes to entertaining at the holidays, what do you think makes for an inviting celebration?

Bellocq: A relaxed host who has time to enjoy their guests. An enchanting environment… Candles… Sparkling glasses… Good, diverse playlists… Evocative scents… An element of the unexpected, and fun guests of course. People love to feel welcomed and indulged. Quiet corners to sneak off to for intimate conversation or spontaneous holiday snogging. Fire if you have it.

Lawren Askinosie tells terrain how her father, the founder of Askinosie, went from being a chocolate-loving lawyer to a chocolate-making entrepreneur - and how their single origin practices keep them closely linked to every chocolate bar.

terrain: How did Askinosie come to be?

Lawren: My dad was a high-profile criminal defense attorney for about twenty years, when he decided that he wanted to shift gears. He had several murder trials back-to-back and it took a toll. He began searching for and praying for a new passion- he found chocolate. Because he really knew nothing about chocolate, other than that he liked it, he began researching everything he could about cocoa. He spent hours and hours every night for weeks, months, studying, reading, and tasting. Then, he traveled to Ecuador where he took a several-week-long class in cacao agronomy, chemistry, etc. While there, he also apprenticed at a chocolate factory. Within months of returning home, he had bought a building, began acquiring equipment, and we made our first chocolate bar in May of 2006.

terrain: What inspires new recipes in the Askinosie kitchen?

My brother-in-law, Kyle, is our production manager. He's been with us since the very beginning and he and my dad are always trying new recipes and creating new products. We end up tasting some pretty weird combinations around here sometimes, but we try to never turn down an idea and we love being creative. We usually don't look to our competitors or try to keep up with chocolate "trends;" we just like to make things that we think are fun and taste good and we hope others will think the same thing.

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Each perfectly imperfect piece in our newest collection of handmade jewelry from Pippa Small tells a story in every rough-hewn stone. We asked Pippa to tell us what keeps her inspired and how her pieces make a difference across the globe. 

terrain: What inspired you to start making jewelry?

Pippa: I was very fortunate to travel with my family when I was young and was very influenced by places and people in remote parts of Africa, and Asia. I was very interested in how they create symbols and meanings around the jewelry they wore. I have always loved stones and started to make jewelry as a child by wrapping pebbles and shells around my wrist and neck as a means of gathering and collecting memories of places and people.

terrain: How has your background in anthropology helped you as an artisan?

Pippa: I worked in Asia for small Human Rights organizations and found it so inspiring and humbling. I have been inspired by the people I met and now continue to work with communities in Asia, Africa and South America in order to generate incomes and revive traditional skills.

terrain: Tell us more about your charity efforts overseas.

Pippa: I work with a charity in Afghanistan called Turquoise Mountain where we train and employ men and women in traditional craft work - this has been a moving and wonderful project. I also work with a group in Kibera (a slum in Nairobi) called Made, where we train and employ disadvantaged communities in working with recycled materials.

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From her farm on the Pennsylvania countryside, artist Alexa Barbiche tells us how daily nature walks with her son inspire her holiday decorating.

terrain: Can you tell us a bit about how you’re readying your home for the holidays this year?

Alexa: There is not much of a division between "work" and "life" in my world. That said, I tried to place the advent garland on a fireplace mantle but Leeland just kept looking at it and saying "Momma's work!" So, needless to say – that did not last long (as if I need ANOTHER reminder to get to work!). So, we have lots of great big pinecones, candles, wooden bead garlands and bits of nature scattered about. There is most always a fire burning (we heat our home by wood) so the mood is peaceful and quite festive.

terrain: Does nature play a role in your decorating?

Alexa: Decorating is all a matter of perspective, I suppose. For some a framed print, for us a vine that curls perfectly so, a branch with the loveliest red berries, shed deer antlers or a rock that is just smooth enough to write a merry sentiment. We are fortunate enough to live, love, work and breathe on 80 acres on land. Daily walks always seem to end in something inspiring that MUST find its way into our world.

terrain: As an artist and mother, what traditions do you most look forward to at the holidays?

Alexa: Leeland (my 2 1/2 year old son) not only dictates but also inspires everything in my world. As I challenge and open myself to see the world through his big and beautiful eyes; I am truly looking forward to what he finds particularly special this time of year and the holiday traditions that we will create together!

terrain: What do you think about when setting the table for a houseful of friends?

Alexa: I always think about who the guests will be and what suits their personality as far as texture, color, menu, serving style, etc. Let's face it — not everyone is into pealing shrimp on a table covered in newspaper! But I must admit, it most usually revolves around some new idea or concept I have sitting in the wings of my mind and need to see "come to life!"

 

Her batik table linens are setting the tone for our feasts this season, so we asked artist Margot Myers to tell us more about her own traditions around the holiday table.

terrain: When it comes to entertaining at the holidays, what are your favorite elements for a lively celebration?

Margot: I like to plan a meal that everyone can participate in making together. I really enjoy that the time spent dicing, peeling, saucing and checking the oven together in the kitchen that gives everyone's hands something to do while we catch up with all the news and stories. It seems like the meal tastes better if everyone has been involved in making it, too.

terrain: What is inspiring your holiday table this year?

Margot: I would say the central inspiration will be making a traditional meal using only seasonal or home preserved foods. The past few years have been a time for me to learn more about what we eat. We've been trying to consume only locally produced foods, including a wider and wider range of foods that my husband and I grow in our home garden. So, this year we will try to incorporate as many foods we can that we cultivated, stored or preserved ourselves.

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During this season of traditions, we've invited terrain friends and partners around the country to share favorite stories, memorable meals, and entertaining tidbits from their own holiday tables.

terrain: What traditions define a Brooklyn Slate gathering of friends and family?

Brooklyn Slate: Amazing food. We are incredibly fortunate to have so many friends and family who are chefs, farmers, pickle makers, bakers, chutney makers etc. We really love to set up a huge table and have a feast with all of our friends. Since moving to our new studio in Red Hook we have had a few large gatherings on our loading dock that overlooks the Red Hook Community Garden. I think we may have found the quietest and most peaceful block to be on in Brooklyn!

terrain: When it comes to entertaining at the holidays, what are your favorite elements for a lively evening?

Brooklyn Slate: Good friends, good food and amazing music.

terrain: After the tastes you offered us at Brooklyn Day earlier this year we’d love to know… What’s on your Thanksgiving cheese plate this year?

Brooklyn Slate: We will definitely have Bayley Hazen Blue and Cabot Clothbound. I am also thinking Vermont Butter and Cheese Company Chèvre and Old Kentucky Tomme from Capriole Farms.
 

*Fall Wellness with Farmaesthetics, Saturday 11/12. To book your appointment for a relaxing hand treatment and consultation with Brenda, call us at 610-459-2400 or click here.  

In anticipation of Saturday's afternoon of wellness, a few thoughts from Farmaesthetics founder Brenda Brock describe our shared outlook on organic skincare.

terrain: What do you think is the greatest benefit of using organic skincare products?

Brenda: They actually feed your skin, your body, the entire you; creating healthy, vital tissue that is equipped to ward off signs of aging and environmental damage. Cosmetics are best known for making the skin “appear” healthier, prettier, younger, and brighter; and that has its place. But for those of us who want our skin to actually BE healthier, prettier, younger, and brighter ; we need to feed, nourish and protect it without compromising chemicals. And that is exactly what you get when you use natural products like Farmaesthetics

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Sacha Dunn, one half of the Common Good team, shares the how and why behind their pure cleaning products.

terrain: Can you tell us a bit about the team behind Common Good?

Sacha: I started Common Good with my husband, Edmund Levine.  We're New Yorkers by way of Sydney, Australia.  We don't come from a long line of soap makers but our former lives as prop stylists proved to be useful in developing Common Good.

terrain: How did the idea for Common Good come about? Was it a flash bulb moment, or an ongoing feeling that you couldn’t find comparable products elsewhere?

Sacha: Actually, there was a moment when we were doing laundry and realized that in Australia, people refill their bottles.  We wondered why no one was doing that here in the US?  Our small family was creating so much plastic waste and it was making us crazy so we started thinking of ways to reduce.

Once we thought about smarter ways to package cleaning products, we decided we had to create the very best packaging we could.  Not only did we want a whole new aesthetic- clean simple and modern- we also wanted to make every product attractive enough that people would think twice about it.  You know, maybe they'll refill it, maybe they'll repurpose it, and hopefully, when they are done with it, they will recycle it.

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We've long loved Rae Dunn's soft watercolors and nature-inspired illustrations, so we recently asked her to capture on paper some of our favorites from this year's fall flora.

Hopefully her sketches have inspired you this week like they've inspired us.

We've long loved Rae Dunn's soft watercolors and nature-inspired illustrations, so we recently asked her to capture on paper some of our favorites from this year's fall flora.

With the hope that they inspire you like they've inspired us, we'll be sharing one of Rae's sketches each day this week.

We've long loved Rae Dunn's soft watercolors and nature-inspired illustrations, so we recently asked her to capture on paper some of our favorites from this year's fall flora.

With the hope that they inspire you like they've inspired us, we'll be sharing one of Rae's sketches each day this week.

We've long loved Rae Dunn's soft watercolors and nature-inspired illustrations, so we recently asked her to capture on paper some of our favorites from this year's fall flora.

With the hope that they inspire you like they've inspired us, we'll be sharing one of Rae's sketches each day this week.

We've long loved Rae Dunn's soft watercolors and nature-inspired illustrations, so we recently asked her to capture on paper some of our favorites from this year's fall flora. Above, her eupatorium stem. Isn't it sweet?

With the hope that they inspire you like they've inspired us, we'll be sharing one of Rae's sketches each day this week.