January | books & blends
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Where are my book lovers at?! i’ve got fun news! This year we are kicking off our Books & Blends with Ally Lauren club! I’m sure this club will morph & take shape over time but for now my vision is to connect people with three of my favorite things - books, essential oil diffuser blends, & wines. Each month I will share a book (or maybe a few) on various topics & genres. Each book will be paired with a wine that goes along with the book (maybe its location of the vineyard, the season, the name, etc.) and a diffuser blend to create a whole experience while we read the book!
I would love for you to join me on this journey by reading the book of the month, grabbing the wine blend, & diffusing the essential oil blend! if you’re joining me, shoot me a message on instagram (@ally.lauren.m) so we can swap book thoughts!! I will also be hosting a discussion post on my Facebook page so you can review the book there & connect with other book lovers!
ready to dive in! This month’s picks are:
Book: island in the east by Jenny Ashcroft
Two great loves. One shattering betrayal.
A war that changes everything.
Singapore, 1897
Harriet and Mae Grafton are twenty-year-old identical twins born from a scandalous affair. They grew up in India slighted by gossip and ostracised from polite society. They had each other and that was enough. But when their wealthy benefactor sends them to Singapore, they meet the mysterious Alex Blake and their relationship fractures with devastating consequences.
1941
Ivy Harcourt is posted to wartime Singapore amid the looming threat of Japanese invasion. Ivy knows the island will be a far cry from war-torn London, but she is totally unprepared for what awaits her: strangers from her grandmother Mae's past, an unstoppable love affair and a shattering secret that's been waiting to be uncovered . . .
Vivid, authentic and utterly beautiful - with a sizzling love affair playing out against sisterly rivalry and epic family drama - Island in the East is romantic historical fiction at its very best.
Wine Blend: gnarly head old vine zinfandel
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel is made using grapes sourced from gnarled 35-80 year old head trained vines. As some of the oldest vines in California, the fruit produced is exceptional, intense and full-flavored. This intrepid Old Vine Zinfandel has a gnarly core of rich, jammy blackberries and mocha flavors with layers of spice and vanilla balanced by complex French and American oak toast. Try pairing this bold wine with braised short ribs, chicken enchiladas or dark chocolate.
click here to purchase wine online.
Diffuser Blend:
4 drops of valor
Valor® essential oil features Frankincense, Black Spruce, Blue Tansy, Camphor Wood, and Geranium and was formulated based on historical writings about Roman soldiers who were said to apply plant extracts and botanticals to instill feelings of courage and confidence before going into battle.
2 drops of elemi
Elemi essential oil comes from the same botanical family as Frankincense and Myrrh and has similar properties and benefits—from skin care to aromatic use during prayer or meditation. made in: Happy Pili Tree Farm and Distillery | BICOL REGION, PHILIPPINES
I would love to know what book & blend recommendations you have! Send them to ally@allylauren.com! I would also LOVE the see your Books & Blends in action so snap a picture & post it to instagram (make sure you tag me @ally.lauren.m) so I can see!
Happy reading, drinking, & sniffing!
Xo,
Al
