NATURALLY BEE-UTIFUL WITH BURT’S BEES
This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser Burt’s Bees. All opinions are my own alone.
There are cat people, there are dog people; there are coffee and tea people. Then there are indoor and outdoor people. Dog, tea….outdoors. That’s me. And I’m in good company…
Burt, co-founder of Burt’s Bees who sadly passed away this week, dedicated his life to connecting with nature, embracing wildlife and protecting that which he loved – including bees – whilst living simply and humbly in harmony with the natural world.
If it wasn’t for my immense and paralysing fear of the dark, bourne in childhood and perpetuated until the present day thanks to far too many Freddy Krueger films as a teenager, the meadow above would be where I would choose to spend my days, much like Burt [although I doubt he lived in a children’s tent]. Whimsical wildflowers, long, breeze-tangled grasses and white cotton clouds – a simple life, outside.
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea [or coffee]. Having squandered many a weekend roaming the meadows and woods of Hampshire with the huskies and our boys, we’re at home with the entire cast of the Ugly Bug Ball – and the Southern reptile population, too. We welcome them into our garden and try to cater to their needs as best we can – especially the bees.
Honey bees, bumble bees, queen bees and worker bees – call me sheltered [it’s nicer than ignorant] but it wasn’t until I became geography co-ordinator whilst teaching that I realised just how crucial bees are to our lives. Our boys had no fear of any kind of creature until Jensen began school and then I had to fight hard with every ounce of Mommy logic to keep him happy to be around the apparently deadly bees. He came home filled with horror stories of how bees had committed crimes against his friends and it actually saddened me to think that the very insects that were committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle for us humans were getting the worst press.
So we sat with our boys and watched the bees in our garden. We got up close to them. We looked at the combs on the bees’ legs and we watched their pollen baskets enlarge as they buzzed about their business in our patch. And the reason we don’t touch them is because they’re so busy – and if we did, they might drop their pollen and have to start again, which would make them very cross indeed. We looked at the stingers on dead bees we found at the end of Summer and we all agreed that if we thought we were going to be squished, we would fight with everything we’d got, too.
I’d heard tales from other parents about the ingredients in baby products and added “what to bathe my newborn in” to the list of things to worry about – until we found Burt’s Bees. Everything was going snuggly and honey scented at bathtime – until they discontinued the Buttermilk Baby Bath Soak [I’m still nostalgic over the sweet, soft, milk-and-honey scent five years on, I can’t seem to let go *cough* bring it back *cough*] Jensen was upset that his Mommy couldn’t get any more from the bees and came to the conclusion that bees were indeed needed.
Previously the range was limited to Mommy products with the addition of the adorable Baby Bee brand. But now there’s something for everyone – outdoor and male grooming products – and the new Burt’s Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm that arrived in our parcel this week is so fresh, fruity and very often missing from my pocket as the boys love the tangy, citrus scent.
Citrus sings Summer. Our favourite lemon body oil and new orange and citrus body wash are refreshing anecdotes to the heat of the afternoon. Bathed, fresh little bodies drift to dreamland draped in white cotton sheets, cooled and calmed by the light, tangy fragrances.
Bathtime is blissful.
As July begins in our garden, my own Summer daydreams drift in like afternoon lullabies and the holidays flutter closer – juicy navel orange slices begging to be squished into thirsty mouths by the smallest of little fingers, and luscious red berries dangling carefree in the breeze, singing songs of temptation to those who peek beneath the cool shade of their leaves.
Even though Burt is no longer with his bees on earth, we promise that our garden will always be a safe haven for our fuzzy little friends. They will be fished from morning paddling pools, rescued from the stickiest of spider webs and be welcomed into our backyard to work their magic.
Thank you, bees. Thank you, Burt Shavitz.
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Oh! I didn't know the Burt's Bees founder passed away this week 🙁
But I love your post and I love Burt's Bees – I wrote about their products this week too! Some lovely outdoor photography there!
I just love your photos – Burt's Bees products are lovely, I always use their lip balms.
I love the affection with which you speak about bees. My brood have must had their first stings- a wasp & a bumblebee – this week. We've been working hard to help them not be afraid, but respect these essential insects.I've never heard of Burt's Bees products but you've certainly made me curious and wanting to try them
Great photos. Burt Bees products are lovely, so natural and effective too.
Love the pictures just stunning! Nice to see the range in lots of stores now.
I didn't realise he had died. I love Burt's Bees peppermint lip balm, such a treat but essential too. I always love your photos. They are so dreamy and relaxing. You have a real talent.
I do love Burts Bees products. We love bees too – they have often be rescued from spiders in our garden. We have some bee friendly plants too and they seem to love our flower border.
Your photos are simply gorgeous! They look like they've come straight from the pages of a glossy mag! I've not heard of Burt's Bees before (well, actually, I read a post a few hours ago about it!) but it's a product I'm going to have to check out! x
We love Burts Bees products and I too was sad to hear of Burts death. I love the lip balm as do the kids. I adore your images as always.
Burts Bees are a brand that I always think you can rely on and they really seem to care about the people who use them. x
I didn't know that there was an actual Burt in Burt's Bees. He's left a great legacy, his products are fab. Your photos are wonderful.
How sad about Mr Burts Bees – I think I shall go and try some of these products after this post.
It was very sad that Burt's Bees co-founder passed away recently! I love Burt's Bee's products, especially the extra, added protective coating it gives my lips! I have always used some of the products that have worked well in the garden!
I had no idea that Burt's Bees passed away-that is so sad. But his memory will love on in the marvelous products he created. I actually remember when they first were being sold!
I love Burts Bees products and it's so sad to hear that one of the co founders passed away. We love their lip balms.
first of all your pictures are beautiful love all of the pictures! Second I love Burt Bees products its a great and i love love love!!!
I've only really tried one Burt's Bees product but it's been a staple in my collection for a long time. I need to check out some of their other products.
I love Burt's Bees lip balm but haven't tried any of the other products yet. They definitely make me think of nature and the outdoors when I use them.
I was sad to hear that Burt died. Burt's Bees products are great. I know so many people who swear by them.
I really love Burt's Bees products. We haven't tried a lot of their other products besides lip balm though. I'll need to try them out!
Love Bert's Bees products especially the new lip crayons. Love how you talked about the bees. The decrease in their numbers is alarming!
Omg I just love burts bees! I try to use as many all natural products as I can so I frequently buy all sorts of burts bees products
Great pics!! I LOVE these products…I think I've bought every one of their products!
RIP to Burts, I am not familiar with any of their products but definitely want to check them out. Lovely pictures of your son
I love Burts Bees products. RIP Burt and I hope your legacy continues
I guess bees have a really special place in your household. The burt's Bees product looks like a good line for skincare needs.
Beautiful products and such lovely pictures, fitting tributes to the hardworking bees and Burt's Bees products!xx
Burt's Bees products looks really awesome. By the way you describe it, it seems like you will be forever loyal to their creations.
This is an awesome post and a different way of thinking about the bees. I have not yet used the Burts Bees products but my sister has and totally loves them. I am going to have to try them for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Love Burt's Bees products and was sad about his passing. Your photos are beautiful and a cute model helps.
What beautiful words and pictures, I am taken away to a lovely flower meadow now. Sad that the founder has passed away, he sounded like a lovely man. I've done lots of projects with bees in my previous ecology jobs, I did a lot of identifying them and monitoring populations, also educating the public on them.
Oh I am sad to hear of his passing, one of my favourite companies for lovely beauty/bath products.
Such a shame the founder has died, I love Burts Bees – such fabulous products. Great post and glorious photos too, lovely 🙂
this brand always seems to have a huge impact on those who try it and its not surprising when its so beautifully natural