it's personal: strange plants publisher
zio baritaux on what's more interesting than the weather
welcome back to “it’s personal” — where we’ll get personal with some of my favorite people to hear what they’re talking about that isn’t the weather.
it’s personal with the publisher of the strange plants book series and substack (and the just-launched substack too): zio baritaux…
things zio is listening to:
i often play mort garson’s plantasia while i write—it’s warm, groovy earth music made for plants and the people who love them. imagine 70s synths that feel like sunlight, perfect for vibing with your monstera.
other albums i’m into: hiroshi yoshimura’s green feels like nature set to music. green-house’s six songs for invisible gardens is soft and meditative. and joel fajerman’s la aventura de las plantas—trippy, electric 80s magic.
i need one of those plantwave devices so i can listen to passionflowers make music all day.
sable yong’s smell ya later podcast, which i found through naia kadri’s perfumeverse nyc, has become my go-to for unique scents—like future society’s use of extinct plant dna to create otherworldly perfumes, and universal flowering’s venus in tuberose—think raspberry gelato, hibiscus, lime pulp, cream soda and grass.
things zio is reading:
carlos magdalena is out here risking it all for the world’s rarest plants, like a botanical indiana jones wading through croc-infested waters to watch a water lily bloom.
craig p. burrows' photos show the world through bees’ eyes—an ultraviolet dreamscape.
i recently found atmos through amani hope’s cherry bomb. some standout pieces: a botanical ballet in my abuelita’s garden, the indigenous youth defending the amazon rainforest and control, alt replete, which explores how drones are being used to re-seed forests.
the light eaters by zoë schlanger has me rethinking plant intelligence.
i recently finished reading mona awad’s Rouge, a world of red roses, cracked mirrors and beauty’s darker side.
things in zio’s cart:
the tortas top by lulia heuer serves a bold pansy print with rich burgundy and fiery orange on a soft lilac backdrop. It’s also available in yellow.
the floro midi by bago studios, a non-binary brand from mexico city, brings floral drama in bright red.
this necklace by yona kohen has the cutest bow details, with tiny orange flowers adding a garden-inspired pop of color.
sung hwa kim’s silkscreen print of a glowing flower nestled in the grass feels like stepping into a dreamy, pastel moment.
this merino wool throw is just right for cozying up in the woods on crisp fall days.
morel map by clue perfumery has me obsessed with its clue-inspired bottle and sphere-shaped lid. the scent? all forest floor vibes—birch leaves, earthy mushrooms and oakmoss.
this mini flower incense holder is sleek and perfect for burning incense when you need a moment of calm.
loving the mix of mustard, lavender and olive brushstrokes on this vase by amanda lucia côté.
the mini table by e&ko—flower-shaped birch plywood that’s functional art.
the fumé glass vase by los objetos decorativos has a double-bulb shape and soft, smoky tint that would make it a striking vessel for tall, sculptural flowers.
this chef + gardener scrub is a post-cooking and -planting must.
with fall here, i’m swapping sandals for these italian garden clogs—ideal for cool-weather gardening and strolls through the leaves.
things zio is making:
matcha shaved ice with star-shaped blossoms for a fresh, floral feel.
pistachio frangipane tart topped with figs, blackberries, sage leaves and vibrant blue borage flowers.
mezcal jelly with tiny chamomile blooms suspended like little garden relics.
things zio is *swooning* over:
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follow along socially on @stratabites; have a pitch? email stratabites@substack.com
just saw this, thank you for the shout out! <3
omg HI, thank you listening to Smell Ya Later 🥹