Lavender has always been one of my favourite flowers and herbs - my second favourite, in fact. She’s not for everyone (I know some people find her a little “soapy”), but to me she’s the picture of calm. There’s something about her soothing energy that makes me instantly breathe a little deeper, even if it’s just from brushing past a bush on my way through the garden.
I use lavender in all sorts of ways, from garden to kitchen. One of my favourite little indulgences is a lavender and honey latte, which feels like a hug in a mug - soft, floral, and just sweet enough.
Lavender & Honey Latte
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 shot of espresso (or ½ cup strong brewed coffee)
1 cup milk of your choice
1 tablespoon lavender syrup (recipe below)
1 teaspoon honey
Method:
1. Brew your coffee and set aside.
2. Warm your milk on the stovetop or with a frother until hot and frothy.
3. Stir the lavender syrup and honey into the coffee.
4. Top with milk, give it a gentle stir, and sprinkle with a few dried lavender buds if you like.
Homemade Lavender Syrup
This keeps beautifully in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender buds
Method:
1. Add the water and sugar to a saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Add the lavender buds and bring to a gentle simmer.
3. Let simmer for 5–7 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to steep for another 10 minutes.
4. Strain out the lavender and store the syrup in a clean glass bottle or jar.
A Little History & Spirit
Lavender has been treasured for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used it in perfumes and embalming rituals. Romans bathed in lavender scented water, which is actually where the name comes from - the Latin lavare means “to wash.” In medieval times, it was strewn on floors to freshen homes and ward off illness, and in folklore, tucked under pillows to encourage dreams and rest.
Spiritually, lavender is thought to bring calm, peace, and purification. It’s often used in rituals for clarity and healing, and I honestly think that’s exactly what she does in everyday life too - she softens the edges. There’s a reason so many people burn lavender oil in their diffusers at night; she’s like a balm for busy minds.
In the Garden
If you’ve been following along with my garden adventures, you’ll know I have a slight lavender obsession - 29 different varieties and counting! I grow them not just because I adore the scent and colour, but because they’re wonderful for pollinators. Bees and butterflies can’t resist them, and I love knowing my garden is a little sanctuary for them.
My absolute favourite is a variety called Fairy Wings. She’s the softest baby pink, and from my kitchen window she really does look like tiny fairy wings frolicking in the garden. It makes even the busiest of days feel a little more magical.
One of my favourite things to do in summer is cut a big armful of lavender and hang it upside down to dry. By winter, I have bundles tucked into cupboards, ready to be used in soaps, sachets, or tied with ribbon as little gifts. Nothing quite compares to the smell of opening a linen drawer and catching a faint whiff of last summer’s lavender - it feels like the sunshine has been saved and bottled.
Lavender in Daily Life
I also find lavender a grounding plant for motherhood and the general chaos of life. When days feel overwhelming, I’ll step outside with a cup of tea and run my hands along the lavender bushes, letting the oils cling to my fingers. It’s almost like a reset button. Sometimes I’ll even scatter a handful of dried buds into the bath - it makes me feel like I’m soaking in a little meadow of calm.
Lavender Vale
With all this love I have for lavender, it was only natural that she would find her way into my candle line. My new candle line features a beautiful candle named Lavender Vale, is an ode to the endless varieties I grow and the quiet magic this herb brings into my home. It blends lavender with soft, grounding notes of vetiver, fresh clay, and a touch of linen - like walking through a lavender field on a breezy summer afternoon, then coming inside to fresh sheets and stillness.
For me, Lavender Vale isn’t just about fragrance - it’s about capturing that same sense of peace I feel when I catch sight of Fairy Wings dancing outside my window, or when I brush my hands through the rows of purple-blue blooms and come away carrying their scent with me.
Lavender might not be everyone’s cup of tea (or latte, in this case), but she’s a flower and herb that grounds me, comforts me, and fills both my garden and my home with peace.
Wishing you a wonderful week, honeys.
With love and wildflowers,
Kels x