Alena Botanica

10/20/2026

Curation Station ••• I have come to appreciate the color orange over the last year. I don't know why I was so adverse to it. A snapshot of my IG feed from a year ago reminds me of many things but mostly how much I love this time of year. I started studying moths about a year ago, hops season is still magical, and orange has a place. I am curating some November and holiday gift boxes and I am reminded how much I love color, design and staging. And, orange might make an appearance. 🤯

When I was in my early teens, I made collages and curated collections of things in my room. Fun to re-connect with our authentic selves more and more as we grow older.

10/18/2026

10/17/2026

On this week's episode of we discuss taking wallpaper photos while going to the bathroom. Will you be tuning in?

10/13/2026

Okay, hard to part with these one of a kind beauties, making my heart flutter over here. I can create custom zero proof drink kit or think about parting with them. Ack! Soooo cute. 🦋🩵

10/12/2026

Yo! Couple friendly reminders! Today is Indigenous People's Day. Tomorrow is last day to register to vote in Oregon. Just cause you don't smile doesn't mean you aren't content. (Telling women to smile more is so 1970's.)

Oh, and I left bougie Los Gatos with an $8 thrifted concert tee and $6 necklace which makes me very happy. Spendy little part of the world with 9% sales tax.

Back at it this week with some exciting plans for holiday gift boxes and big consulting project for PROJECT & PLACE | Consulting & Creative. In the meantime, if you or a friend needs some general sobriety support - my and mocktail drink kits are 15% off with code: SOBEROCTOBER15 through Thurs 10/15.

Linky winky pinky in bio. 💋✌️

10/11/2026

California is a vibe and I might need a bit more of it in my life. A bougie weekend getaway in Los Gatos has my designer brain exploding after soaking in lots of sun, shops and succulents.
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It had been 20 years since my last trip to the Bay area and before social media took over. Art inspiration happened differently before then. I recall visiting Flora Grubb Gardens, SF Botanical Gardens and Ruth Bancroft Garden - was in awe of the majesty of plants I could only OWI (over winter indoors) in Vermont. Big Jades, Tibouchina, Passionflower. A horticulturist's dream.
That trip really inspired a big part of Alena Botanica's early days - bringing living art and container garden ideas back to Vermont.
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I need to find a plant ID book to learn more about the trees in the Santa Cruz mountains. I was stunned by the unique landscape. Lush and dry. Time for Italy next, I guess.

I am watching East of Eden on Netflix and working on a new brand refresh both which paired nicely with "Going Back to Cali."

10/08/2026

New Newsletter! And, some gift boxes and drink kits.

Happy October! Hoptober. Rocktober. Sober October. Spooky October. Whatever it means to you, I hope you are falling into autumn well. Oh, how I have missed writing this newsletter and I cannot believe summer breezed by without an update. No news is good news, right? In my case, that is mostly true.....

10/06/2026

https://alenabotanica.com/products/hoptober-sober-october-gift-box

Looking for a fresh new way to celebrate at happy hour or at a fall brunch with your bestie? AleNA's fresh hoptober gift box adds style, taste and refreshing Northwest hoppy flavors to your next bar experience. Alena pairs beautiful amber Zwiesel Fortessa drinkware, inspired by Parisian flea markets...

10/06/2026

Italian Pink Elephant Tonic? ••• Yes, please. New AleNA Bar gift box available featuring vintage Federal style collins glasses with pink elephants, music and chartreuse monkeys! It is all about the color and vibe for me. Paired with a Casamara Club italian non-alc apertivo and add some delicious grapefruit tonic with fizzy water. Take yourself on your own personal autumnal or sober October retreat.

I only have two of these. The gift boxes are $66 each (includes 2 glasses, 1 can apertivo, 1 grapefruit tonic mixer). If you want the set of 4 glasses with/without beverages, I can do that too. DM to buy!