Field Notes

In Praise of the Small and Intentional

On choosing niche over mass, handmade over hurried, and intentional over easy. This time of year always reminds me why small businesses matter so much. They shape our neighborhoods, anchor our com...

Find Your Calm

There is a moment when everything feels loud and all you want is quiet.Holi Water came from that feeling. A need for calm. A return to yourself. I built the fragrance from ingredients that bring me...

Why We Use Organic Sugarcane Alcohol (and Never Denatured Alcohol)

In the world of fragrance, not all ingredients are created equal. At Leland Francis, every choice—from our natural fragrance oils to the materials that hold them—is guided by a deep respect for you...

Why I Created the Roller Ball Trio

From a conversation in Santa Barbara to our very first gift set, how the Roller Ball Trio came to life through creativity, connection, and a love of fragrance.

Honoring Hispanic Heritage Through Family and Fragrance

Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a moment on the calendar. It is a reminder to look back, to honor the people and stories that shaped us, and to carry those lessons forward. For me, it brings m...

Why I Chose 100% Natural Fragrance

n 2017, I began searching for a perfumer who believed in creating fragrances that were 100% natural. For me, fragrance was more than beauty—it was about feeling safe and comfortable in my own skin....

The Story Behind El Santo

When I first set out to make home fragrance in 2017, El Santo was the second scent I created. At the time, it was simply called No. 79. Its inspiration came from the ritual of burning Palo Santo, a...

Ten Years of Leland Francis

Reflections on August 18, 2015, and everything that’s followed August 18 will always be etched in my memory. It’s my dear friend Jared’s birthday, and it’s also the day in 2015 I introduced the wor...

A Note from Dillon: Sustainability Isn’t a Trend, It’s a Standard

At Leland Francis, sustainability has never been a buzzword. It’s been a core value from day one. In my own home, I do my best to avoid plastic. I often pay more for glass bottles or aluminum conta...

From Idea to Bar: La Reina Arrives

Three Years, Three Vendors, and One Beautiful Bar Some products take time, and this one took its time. We started developing the La Reina Bathing Bar in June 2022. I had a vision for a rich, nouris...