“I could really use more siestas, they feel like such an indulgence”

My name is Aba. I am an aromatherapist, skin care formulator and botanical perfumer living in Long Island City where I run my business, Aba Love Apothecary. 

I my started my brand in June of 2016, with the concept of perfume, but built on a foundation of healing. I wanted products that were aromatic, pure & functional for the skin so I ran with the idea of “healing aromatics”. It’s all from the healing perspective of an aromatherapist combined with the artistry of botanical perfume, therefore – everything must smell divine!

WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP?

I’m up around 8am. I really really wish I was an early bird. A friend once told me based on my dosha, that I should be going to bed between 9 and 10pm to rise by 5am. I tried it a few times and it was amazing, but once a late night catches me it turns into a vicious cycle of staying up late and hitting snooze for an hour the next morning.

HOW DOES YOUR ALARM SOUND?

Chirping birds! I love them and they help me feel waaay less grumpy in the early morning.

THINGS YOU DO IN THE MORNING?

It really depends on how much time I have, and what my day looks like. I like to take a lot of time. The best mornings are when I get up early enough to meditate (without falling back asleep) and doing a quick 30 minute workout on my mat before hopping in the shower. If I’m really ambitious, I will prep a little cup of coconut oil for oil pulling in the shower or after I get out to do while moisturizing. Then I will sip a cup warm water with lemon & apple cider vinegar before breakfast. In all honestly, this production happens one week out of the entire month. At the least, it’s lemon & apple cider vinegar along with brushing my teeth and a shower!

BREAKFAST?

I LOVE breakfast! It’s never a great day if I go without it. Breakfast is typically oatmeal with almond milk, flax seed, cardamom with raw honey, homemade blueberry compote or poached pears. I will have that with coffee or a chicory latte depending on how awake and hydrated I (think) I am.

WHAT TIME ARE YOU MOST CREATIVE?

My most creative times come in bursts. During the day, I’m at my best between 10am and 2pm and then between 3:00 and 5pm. Then 7pm when I should be having dinner and winding down, I get another burst, ironically! I really wish I could be more steady, but is anyone, really?

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?

I think I do get enough sleep, but I could really use more siestas, they feel like such an indulgence.

WHERE DO YOU SLEEP BEST?

I sleep best in my bed or on the beach. I have a few favorite sleeping positions actually – I like to have at least one extra pillow for a full body snuggle. Sometimes, I like sleep with my legs in the butterfly position with one arm spread out. Other times it’s a version of Savasana while my arms folded across my ribs. I probably go through all of these positions in a night.

ANY RITUALS BEFORE GOING TO BED?

Other than flossing and brushing, I do my nightly ritual of cleansing, misting with Petal Facial Mist and massaging my favorite face oil, Flower Crown Facial Serum. I usually like to have a cup of herbal tea or 'Calm' magnesium supplement before bed and rub a blend of essential oils into my shoulders before bed – it feels amazing! 

CALM IS A "ANTI-STRESS" DRINK RESTORES NATURAL MAGNESIUM LEVELS. I LOVE IT FOR RELAXING MY MUSCLES AND GIVING ME A DEEP SLEEP.

Also, I love love loooove the combination of Lavender & Japanese Mint essential oils. The lavender puts my mind at ease and the mint is fabulous if you want to ditch a headache or sore shoulders when nothing else will do. I’ve also been working on a new blend for resetting sleep cycles & adrenal support that would be amazing for jet lag or when you just pulled an all nighter. Though there is no substitute for sleep obviously, essential oils when formulated thoughtfully – can be a real game changer.

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR DREAMS?

I do remember my dreams, too vivid and extensive to share though, I’d be writing pages!

ARE YOUR DREAMS INSPIRING YOU TO REAL LIFE PROJECTS?

My dreams speak to me in symbols or visions that I have to try hard to translate. So, it’s more like uncovering clues or feelings that eventually lead me to some answers. Often just before I wake up I have very strong visions, that’s my cue that they (my guides, subconscious, if you will) really want me to think about upon waking. If it’s really fantastical, I’ll journal about it so I can come back to it later to think on it some more. If it’s a really upsetting dream and I have time, I will close my eyes and visualize changing the outcome – it works! I don’t know what the actual term for that is called, but it really works to change the energetics of your dreams and how it affects you throughout the day. A bad dream can leave you feeling really heavy and ungrounded. I first learned about it from my first reiki practitioner, Csilla Toth.

DO YOU CARE WHAT YOU WEAR FOR SLEEPING?

Absolutely! What I wear has be breathable, temperature neutral and feel nice on the skin. Sometimes it’s my favorite heather grey cotton romper. Right now I’m really into my satin cami and sleep shorts. There’s always a robe or vintage kimono around to cover up, I have three that I love and make me feel like a lady of leisure! I also think sleep accessories are so so important, such as silk sleep masks and pillows, that’s how the real beauty sleep happens.

YOUR BED IN THREE WORDS.

Feels like home.

WEIRDEST OR MOST SPECIAL SPOT YOU EVER SLEPT IN?

The most special place I’ve fallen asleep was 3 years ago in my childhood best friend’s tree house in Costa Rica. I still have a recording of the rustling trees, hums, whistles and hoots from our nights there, sooooo dreamy.

WHAT HAPPENS WHILE WE SLEEP?

Our bodies heal, and we connect with our subconscious and maybe some dreamwork.. though one has to be very intentional with it. My friend Erica Recto taught me about how to use dreamwork for manifesting in combination with tarot and it’s really beautiful way to eventually create what you want in waking life.

HOW MANY SHEEP DO YOU COUNT?

None. I’m more likely to envision sleep-hugging fluffy giant angel wings or having a staring contest with a llama until I fall asleep smiling.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DREAM ABOUT TONIGHT?

I would dream about playing in my fantastical open air studio somewhere warm, walking distance to garden filled with the most beautiful flowers!