Our Story
Welcome to our little slice of heaven.....
Six years ago, two empty nesters left the hustle and bustle of city life to embrace the peace and simplicity of the countryside. We stumbled upon an unconventional, bright blue pole barn home nestled on six acres and were instantly smitten. This unique place, with its charm and promise, became the canvas for a new chapter in our lives.
As we settled in, I began uncovering the treasures of our land: wild rose bushes whose blooms faded into vibrant rose hips each summer, delicate Queen Anne’s Lace with its signature red-centered flowers, sprawling blackberry brambles, radiant goldenrod fields that glow yellow as autumn arrives, and the abundance of dandelions. All around us, bees, butterflies, and birds brought the landscape to life. These discoveries sparked my curiosity, leading me down a path of research and wonder—I realized we were surrounded by an incredible herbal resource.
I began experimenting, harvesting wild rose hips and growing calendula and chamomile. My first creation was an infused face oil using this trio of flowers. To my amazement, my perimenopausal breakouts eased, my pores appeared smaller, and my skin felt smoother. Encouraged, I crafted a calendula-infused salve, which quickly proved its worth soothing mosquito bites and calming a friend’s eczema. From that moment on, I was captivated by the transformative power of plants. This spark of wonder became the foundation of The Blue Barnstead.
My passion for natural skincare began long before this journey. As a child, I loved creating homemade remedies for my skin and hair using recipes from library books and my mom’s beauty magazines. But my commitment to natural skincare deepened after my mom passed away from breast cancer at just 49 years old. Her loss heightened my awareness of the importance of what we put in and on our bodies, igniting a lifelong curiosity about the healing power of nature.
The serendipity of finding this barnstead and discovering its botanical treasures inspired me to dive deeply into herbal studies. Over the past six years, I’ve immersed myself in learning. I’ve completed an in-depth diploma program in natural skincare formulation, as well as courses through The Herbal Academy, including their Botanical Skincare Course, Natural Perfumery Course, and Natural Emulsifiers & Preservatives in Botanical Skincare Workshop. My focus has been on integrating herbs both topically and internally for a holistic approach to skincare and health.
Today, I’m thrilled to share the results of this journey with you. Every product I create is carefully handcrafted, filled with love from our gardens, and infused with a touch of nature’s magic. Each jar and bottle carries not just skincare but a connection to the earth, a moment of care, and a reminder of the beauty in simplicity.
If you’ve read this far, thank you for sharing in this journey. Here’s to chasing dreams and celebrating the magic of plants.
With gratitude,
Stephanie