Leigha Gardner
Boston-based | Obsessed with natural beauty
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Hello, I’m Leigha! Just outside my childhood home grew lots of lilacs and a blossoming pink cherry tree. The eponymous street where I grew up is a symbol to me of brightness and happiness, and this blog, named after my home, is intended to embody just that.
During my last semester at Northeastern University as an economics major, I found myself at a bit of a crossroads. I took a job working at a software company in the energy industry and having finished school a semester earlier than most of my friends, I desperately needed The Lilac Press. After a day at my 9-5, and while my friends were still studying for exams, I started dipping my toe into the blogging world bit by bit. I had no idea what I was doing! But, I was having fun and learning a lot, so I kept at it in my free time. The Lilac Press has become a place for me to cultivate my passions in fashion and beauty as well as to interact with so many of you who have similar interests!
I love fresh blooms, sweet treats and a good pair of shoes. My hope is that this can continue to be both a creative outlet for me and an enjoyable experience for you, while I explore what’s next on the roadmap!
Although I was sad to leave Boston, the Berkshires felt like the perfect refuge, and I didn’t even miss the city. We used to love Bar Boloud in Boston (and were devastated when it closed due to Covid), so when we heard Daniel Boloud was opening a summer popup at Blantyre in the Berkshires, we knew we had to give it a shot. I only ever saw one dress online that felt like “me,” and it was from Galia Lahav’s ready-to-wear collection with only two weeks to ship. I knew I wanted a long-sleeved dress, and a winter wedding seemed like just the right occasion.
A little extra flair, such as in a snakeskin printed colorway, is always a plus, and I especially love the M. Gemi Sacca Donna style in Pewter Printed Leather! My best tip: try contrasting a romantic sweater dress with a more masculine shoe, like a loafer. Bruh” girls like the contrast of oversized pieces against more fitted silhouettes – a little bit masculine but still sexy. Paired with a simple sweater dress and snakeskin loafers for an unexpected combo that totally works.
I make a smoothie almost every morning, and as a vegetarian, I’m always looking for ways to add extra protein to my diet. For me, Live Real Farms™ Dairy + Oat Original Milk Blend is a good option to get a little extra protein boost when I need it the most! With this blend, which is a proprietary blend of 50% real dairy, 50% oats, I get the protein power of real dairy and the flavor of oat milk that I love! I popped into my local Star Market to pick up this unique dairy & oat milk blend from Live Real Farms, as well as an amazing selection of healthy foods that I was able to choose from to round out these recipes.
Learning to pivot my business as a content creator during COVID-19 was challenging, especially as brands started to trim their budgets and paid opportunities became fewer and far between. Although we may be wearing masks and staying 6 feet apart from one another for the foreseeable future, the simple act of going out for an ice cream or sitting outside at a favorite restaurant feels like such a blessing. After months of being unable to go out to eat, get your hair done, go shopping, visit with friends and family, I found the creative process of creating new content to be entirely different. I’m very grateful that throughout the COVID-19, I have been able to work from home, and even more grateful that sometimes I can even set up outside to enjoy the fresh air.