How diplomatic is your shower?
Do you have minty unisex soaps? ย Do you have pleasant, not completely feminine smelling shampoo?
Do you hide the pumice stone in the bathroom cabinet? ย What’s going on with the face wash situation? ย Does it smell like… you know, soap?
I might have an issue. ย I’m rocking gardenia body wash, crazy flower town shampoo, an excessive variety of hair conditioners, lavender soap, and rose face wash. ย It’s a lady paradise. ย Truly.
… and I’ve noticed that not a drop of my lady products are used when a certain handsome-handed gentleman I know uses my shower.
I might need to get him some man soap. ย When do you buy a man mansoap ? Is that too forward? ย Oh gracious….
I suppose some people prefer to eat their lavender as opposed to bathing in it.
Wait. ย I’m certainly not complaining. ย I’ll keep the expensive lady’s paradise to myself… I’m just not sure about the timing of man soap.
I’ll totally share my lavender… in scone form.
**Update. ย Mansoap purchased. ย Mansoap in shower. ย No biggie. ย Done and done.
I think lavender is just pretty.
In food form, lavender is more fragrant that flavorful. ย It adds a delicate sophistication to the scones.
Soapy? ย Perfume? ย Yes… if you add too much.
1 tablespoon of lavender is the perfect amount. ย Oh! ย Toasted walnuts too! ย The toasted nuts really bring these scones back down to earth. ย I love what the crunch and toasty flavor add to the scones.
Ps. ย I’m pretty sure this kitten is not a kitten anymore.
Honey glaze… because we’re just trying to pretend like it’s tea time… and I like glaze on everything.
Look how pretty this is!
These scones are buttery and flaky. ย They won’t flatten and spread while baking. ย Great texture and a unique fragrant nature.
Make them for yourself. ย Feel fancy.
Lavender and Toasted Walnut Scones
makes 8 biscuits
For the Biscuits:
1 tablespoon dried lavender
1/2 cup walnut pieces
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoon granulated sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes
1 large egg
3/4 cup buttermilk, cold
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon milk
Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. ย Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. ย Set aside.
Using a spice grinder, a mortar and pestle, or a clean cutting board and the back of a knife, grind or press the dried lavender. ย We just want to break it up into slightly smaller pieces and bring out the essential oil and the fragrance.
Place walnut pieces on a baking sheet and place in the oven. ย Toast for about 5 minutes, until slightly browned and fragrant. ย Remove from the oven. ย Cool completely. ย Chop coarsely and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. ย Add lavender. ย Add cold butter and, using your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture. ย Work quickly to incorporate the butter into the flour. ย The butter bits will be the size of small pebbles and oat flakes.
Whisk together egg and buttermilk.
Toss the walnut into the dry ingredient mixture, and create a small well in the center of the flour and butter mixture. ย Pour in the buttermilk, all at once, and use a fork to incorporate the ingredients. ย Make sure that all of the flour bits are moistened by the egg and buttermilk.
Dump the shaggy dough onto a lightly floured work surface. ย Bring together, kneading lightly, until the dough forms a 1-inch thick rectangle. ย Use a knife to cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. ย Place on the baking sheet.
Brush biscuit tops with buttermilk and baker for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned on top and firm-ish in the center. ย Let cool until almost entirely cool before topping with glaze.
To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, honey, and milk. ย Whisk until smooth. ย Drizzle scones with glaze and sprinkle with a bit more lavender.
Scones are best served the day they’re made, thought they’re still delicious the second day. ย
211 Responses
Absolutely loved the scones, and so did my very manly husband. Excellent ****!!!!
Could these be frozen for about two weeks and then defrosted or toasted to use?
Definitely! Just make sure they’re covered really well so that they don’t get freezer burn!
Will definitely be making these at the weekend.fantastic recipe!!!!
Hi, Joy! I just made these scones this past weekend for my mom for Mother’s Day. They were exactly the texture and consistency I love a scone to be! Thank for the great recipe!
Hello from Mysore, India! First off, I love, love, love your website and spend way too much time poring over the recipe index. I’ve had spectacular success with a few of your recipes (apple pie, the mocha rum cake, orange zest and chocolate scones and more). But I tried the lavender and walnut scones today and it wasn’t what I expected. :( The lavender left a bitter taste and I don’t know… it just didn’t taste that nice. (I used less than 1 tbsp in fact) Was a bit disappointed as I was really looking forward to using lavender in baking. Any idea why this might have happened and how I can fix it the next time around? (I used dried lavender from a sachet that I’d bought in Greece two years ago).
Hi Joy! I want to let you know that I made your delicious scones and gave you a shout-out here:
https://missredphotos.blogspot.com/2012/03/lets-talk-scones.html
big hugs!
I literally just finished making these for a party I am having tomorrow night, and I dont think they will make it that long!
I was nervous about the lavender, but you dont even taste it! Its more like a wonderful fragrance for you mouth (sounds weird I know).
I cut mine into triangles and made 20 smaller scones.
AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!
I can finally make scones!! omg these are lush! Just made them this morning. We have plenty of lavender in stock for those looking! https://www.redonionspice.com/Lavender-Flower-Organic_p_219.html
just bought a jar of dried french lavendar this wknd. can’t wait to make these!
The scones are gorgeous but I love the cat photo more!! He’s all grown up!!
I just made jam earlier this weekend with lavender in it. I will have to add this to the list of things before the lavender loses its potency.
My neighbor here in France brought me walnuts the other day… then she brought me lavender. This was just meant to be. The dough itself was fantastic-ly aromatic (just a wee taste), and the scones will soon be glazed and enjoyed with a cuppa.
Excellence… I might have to share.
Hi Joy… longtime reader, new commenter! I have to tell you I made these scones this weekend and they were some of the best scones I’ve ever made. Tangy and light and floral and that glaze is to die for–I used lavender honey and it was sooo good. (I posted about them here: https://baking.we-wish.net/2011/08/lavender-walnut-scones/ if you’d like to read!) Thank you so much for sharing your baking and recipes. I love your blog!
These were earth-shatteringly delicious. My close friend and I made these last Sunday morning. Flaky, buttery, nutty tastiness all wrapped up in a fantastic little rectangular bundle. Thanks for the great recipes.
We have minty unisex soap. And spicy ginger unisex shampoo. But I have a separate super special lady’s Burt’s Bees stash that only I can use.
Made these. We’re so good. Notice the we’re… they didn’t last long. Thanks for the recipe!
Mmm scones!! My family and I made scones once and they became totally flat. These look gorgeous!!
I’ve been looking for good lavender recipes for a long time, we have tons of lavender plants in our garden, and they’re bursting out of beautiful flowers with those heavenly smell…
Oohh, I envy you!!! I have some skin issues and I will not use all those wonderful soaps for awhile…. sniff sniff… my body lives in a “scentless paradise”…the scones first, the soaps will come some day…
Kisses from Spain!!
Oh thank goodness- lavender recipes! The two tiny lavender plants planted as an afterthought turned into two GIANT lavender monsters thanks to an overabundance of water in L.A. this year. Now I can give people something other than satchels as gifts. Food gifts are the best.
Your scones are haaauge! Seriously. Mine never stay that big. I’ll try and take your word for it that these will not deflate.
Oh, Joy. I really need something for myself. Some glaze. Some lavender. A scone. Thanks. P. S. Love your kitten-not-a-kitten-anymore :-)
Two things:
First: If I used fresh lavender (have lots in my garden) would I increase the amount used?
Second: You’re going to need a bigger chair for your cat!
oh wow yum. will you marry me?
Oh Joy, this sounds delicious! I love scones and I loooooove lavender. Just bought a big batch of food-grade organic lavender, mostly because I like to make lavender simple syrup with it… for lavender martinis… but now I shall have to make lavender scones, too. Thank you! xoxo
lavender simple syrup for martinis sounds AMAZING!!!!! can i borrow that idea from you!? please and please and thank you!
That’s either a very small chair or one humongous cat.
Last week I was visiting new york city and had the opportunity to buy baking lavender from a street vendor. I didn’t, and ever since then, lavender recipes have been haunting me… seriously. Three lavender recipes in one week! Whyyyyy did I not buy it – I could have made these lovely looking scones! I haven’t seen baking lavender anywhere else…
LOVE the kitten :D
These look insanely, ridic good.
Lavender IN baked goods is just heaven-sent! I love lav and the way it smells and I used to drink lav tea all the time…mmm, good!
Man soap. Haha. I love it!! :)
The easiest way to find out would have been to take a shower with said man soap user! Haha.
I just made these and the turned out excellent, although I was afraid I overworked the dough, but they are flaky and buttery inside and the lavender scent is amazing ! The don’t smell like lavender perfume or lavender man soap ;) but really earthy and natural.
Really nice unusual recipe, I’ve always wanted to bake something with lavender.
congrats on the man soap. and the man. get him gurl!
Scones are always a favorite, and the walnuts sound delicious. I find the addition of lavendar something one would have to be very very careful with or it would overwhelm. But certainly an interesting idea.
handsome handed gentleman = mos def
*that would be totally awesome and i would be completely jealous if this equation is true. hehehe
Is there anything that you cannot bake Joy? :-)
This flavor combination sounds amazing! Is the lavender overpowering here though? That’s what I’m worried about and a tablespoon seems like a lot.
I love your blog! And those plates are lovely!! By the way, where did you get your measuring spoons and cups? I want to get one like that. I’m tired of my plastics… I think I’m growing up.. *sniff*
I’ve always loved lavender and I actually live in an area where it is grown yet I never knew you could actually eat it until this past month when I took my daughter to the Space Needle and we had lavender butter. wonderful! So I’m excited about trying this recipe! Tell me though…why do we need to “create a small well in the center of the flour and butter mixture”?
I love, love, love lavender. In food AND in soap. Poor men, they probably wish they could use all those fantastic smelling cosmetics without smelling like a girl for the rest of the day. Just buy him some Old Spice and call it a day. Oh, and beautiful scones! Beautiful cat too. I have a little orange kitten who’s growing bigger too quickly…why don’t they stat babies forever? (I sound like an annoying mother talking about her child. Haha!)
So pretty and fancy!
Love the lavender; it’s so creative! I’ve been feeling scones this past week, too. Truly, when in doubt (and in possession of buttermilk), make scones…It’s so simple.
Hmm… My (narrow, closet-like shower) has both: I have six different variations of pomegranate soaps, and he has a variety of intense-smelling mansoap. Sometimes it smells like pine trees, sometimes it smells like incense at Christmas.
But, I suppose, sharing your lavender scones is a good compromise. They look magnificent, especially with your glorious glaze. Walnuts are always a plus, too. Mmmm. Must get some lavender! Thank you :)
Bookmarked!! Will be trying these for sure!!
This is man soap: https://metaphororganic.com/?page_id=96
I bought some for my husband and he loves it. Secretly, I love it too.
looks delicious. Oh, and mansoap is a must!
How exoctic. I’ve been looking for something with new flavor combos to try, this just might be it!
And your photos are once again, excellent!!! Thanks for posting!
That photo of scones calmed me. And I have to say, my handsome-handed man (not nearly as tan as yours, might I add) brought his own mansoap after a period of about 4 showers! Boys can be fussy that way, and apparantly I only like smelling like pina coladas? Don’t judge :) I’m glad you took matters into your own hands, though!
Oh those look very yummy. And your little kitten … Not so much kitten any more… Is so cute. Always a fun post with great ideas.
Question…doesn’t your handsome-handed man read your blog? Although I suppose if he’s showering at your place, he already knows you’re quirky and doesn’t mind that you worried about man soap and sought advice from your blog readers. :P Funnily enough, I am in the same situation – might have to go out and buy some man soap today!
I just knew I liked the look of those manhands when I saw the photo – and I though ‘hmmmm, I wonder?’ – just didn’t like to say………..
And he saw you… I think you can buy man soap openly.
the scones sound delicious & you cat-cushion looks very cute :)
I am sure he’ll very much appreciate the gesture… and the scones too!!!!!
Joy. I am in LOVE with you for this post. Done and done.
Excellent recipe! Note that you don’t want to over-toast the walnuts — 5 minutes in the oven, and half of my walnuts were burnt. I would try only toasting them 3 minutes, if at all. Also, since I’m at 8000 ft. elevation, I reduced the baking powder to only 3 teaspoons.
you are a GROWN woman. with mansoap in her shower. heck YES.
i’m not jealous, nope, big whoop wanna fight about it?
(get it gurl.) : )
You inspire me to get some lavender and bake with it. I love lavender. Your kitty is still so cute. He’s like a big ball of fur
Ooh this is so fancy. My fancy friends will love these scones, totally gonna try this recipe. I made some cherry chocolate walnut scones awhile back that were amazing. Cheers-Gwen
That kitten is not a kitten anymore… it’s a throw pillow. A clawed one, too, if it still has them.
Your kitten is a pillow pet.
Love the lavender! We have oodles of it growing, and I harvest it every year. Hubby makes organic lavender-honey ice cream, which is fab with everything. I like to add a sprinkle wherever I think I can get away with it :)
And my favorite man-smell is the barbeque. If they could put that in a bottle, I’d be utterly defenseless!
I was gifted a body wash that smells exactly like fresh baked vanilla cake with vanilla frosting (i know, overly specific, but if you smell it that’s what you would say!). It makes me hungry when I shower. It’s a bit of a problem, actually, because it gets my sweet tooth going first thing in the morning!
The scones look absolutely wonderful. I love the sprinkle of lavender flowers in the glaze!
OK, I read the first comment about the bacon soap and didn’t get past that. My husband would have proposed immediately on the spot if I’d had bacon soap in my apartment. You know the surest way to a man’s heart is to slide in on some bacon grease. Seriously, just buy some manly soap and leave it in the bathroom, you don’t have to say anything. If you do want to say something, just say “I thought you’d rather smell more like a guy than a flower, so I do have some guy soap.” He’ll just think you are very considerate.
Here! here! I agree. Just put the mansoap in the shower and forget about it. Don’t over think it. P.S. I’d buy a mansoap that I that gave me a reason to cuddle closer too. Just saying.
mansoap purchased. mansoap in shower.
Now that’s what I’m talking about!! Gotta not only have sweet smelling things in your kitchen…you gotta have em in your bed too!! ;)
Great recipe! Fluffy kitty-kitty!!!!
Just buy a bottle of gender-neutral body wash, like Ivory, and keep it in your shower. It’s subtle and not too forward because it could be just another one of yours!
i am a fan of handsome handed man. a fan of scones. walnuts. & lavender in sweet things.
also, i hope one of your conditioners smell like honey & coconut, because mine does, and it rules.
also, i recommend mint & cypress smelling things for the handsome handed men of this world. i just do.
By the time he’s using your shower occasionally (or regularly), it’s ok to stock with man soap. My gentleman and I both love Yardley’s Oatmeal soap. It’s awesome. And it has oatmeal, which makes it kinda baking-esque… Yes?
My husband is a simple Irish Springs guy – we buy it in bulk at Costco. We’ve always had separate shampoo, conditioners and body wash/soap. Love the lavender in baked goods.
Man soap. Love it.
I have to say that when Erik moved in I had never had so many products in my bathroom. This man was a product whore…totally funny. Cocoa butter body lotion, carrot shampoo and conditioner, herb hair pomade…face cream…face wash…you name it.
However, he always used ‘man’ body wash…and I could never get enough of the smell of it…when he showered, post shower, and throughout the day – it stuck to him….and I loved it. And the guy always has the softest skin.
He’s gotta be doing something right I thought.
Now, I have to admit something embarrassing…
I started using it, using his man soap…so I could keep that wonderful smell of my man with me – in the shower, and throughout MY day.
It’s kind of like wearing his shirt to bed. That sort of thing.
Now, perhaps shamefully (as a woman) – it’s all I use in the shower. And I love it.
Don’t judge.
I’ve yet to try lavender in food form…seems like it might be time. And I love anything with a sweet, runny glaze…
I think a bar of man soup with a little ribbon around it is a funny/cute not-overly-forward gift to give a gentleman friend who’s using your shower. Particularly if either of you have already made a crack about the overabundance of lady fragrances. Particularly particularly if you leave it in the shower where he’s sure to find it.
You have a handsome-handed man using your shower; the tough bit is done. The soap will find it’s way there on it’s own, I’m sure. These things are magical like that.
Love this comment! So true :)
True that. Nice comment, Alex@fightcancerwithfood.
I don’t want to alarm you, but… your cat has turned into a cushion.
I was totally thinking the same thing! I though maybe she had purchased a ginger rug.
I just came her to post that: that the kitten appears to have been transformed into a cushion. A very attractive cushion that suits that chair very well.
you should just switch over to Dr. Bonner’s liquid soap cause it’s awesome, can be unisex and has 18 different uses! https://www.drugstore.com/dr-bronners-18-in-1-hemp-pure-castile-soap-peppermint/qxp40925?fromsrch=bronner! Peppermint is my favorite. They also have organic rose and lavender, but that kind of defeats the purpose.
Thanks for the scone recipe, they look delicious and i want to have an English Tea party now.
Love that stuff!
Joy, try the bait and switch technique. I found bacon soap at papersource.com which can be the bait. Then when you give it to him*after he finishes laughing at your wit* you pull the man soap out and say something to the effect of, “Just in case smelling like bacon makes you want to gnaw on your arm, I got you some soap that a little less destructive.”
Then, you’ve passed the purchase off as a gift, while you assist in defrilling the shower situation.
Double the benefits!
OMG. Now you’re definitely going to have to tell us what you decided to do!
Here’s how you know what to do:
Does he leave a toothbrush there? If so, he needs his own soap, or you need to use a soap he likes. whatevs.
but if there’s not a toothbrush there, what different does it make if he smells good if his break is rank?! seriously.
also, love the scones. i made some blueberry ones last night and my husband made the “glaze” for me, and let’s just say that it wasn’t really glaze and was instead essentially OJ all over the scones. still tasted good ;).
ha! i thought your cat was a pillow at first … haha… strikingly similar with all that fuzzy wuzziness :D
I say just buy an androgynous type soap, say….umm….Dove? Ivory? Oh-Zest! Do they still make Zest? Anyway, use it a few times your self so it’s not brand new when he uses your shower and don’t make it a big deal.
P.S. I want to put my face in your cats belly…in a totally unweird way. So furry!!
Wow they look amazing! I’ve never “eaten” lavender, that could be some kind of experience!
I want to cuddle with your cat. The scones would just be a bonus. :-)
I think that if Mr. Handsome-hands is taking showers in your shower, then it is perfectly acceptable to buy hime some man soap. And if he isn’t using your lady scented lovelies, what is he using?
I had just bought some lavender, not really knowing what to do with it, but this is perfect!
Thanks Joy for the inspiration
There is lavender all over my neighbors gardens here in Switzerland. I’ve gotta pick some and try this!
I think after he says “I can see you” while you are in a rustic bathroom situation, it’s ok to buy the man soap.
you are not wrong.
You cat is SO adorable. I have an orange fluffy cat too that could be your cat’s twin.
I have been dating my boyfriend for over 2 years…we only shack up on the weekends, and I still have not purchased him man products for my shower. Does this make me a terrible girlfriend? He shaves his head, so buying man shampoo seems a tad excessive. Ever since those Isaiah Mustafa Old Spice commercials came out however I’ve wanted to buy him Old Spice body wash, but keep forgetting!
Man, there is just no stickier situation than a man in a lady’s shower. First and foremost, take a deep breath, because you got a man in your shower. Which means all of that lovely, feminine nonsense we so lovingly use – specifically you in this case – has wooooorked! So that’s big. That means when he’s in your shower he’s thinking, “Goodness… that Joy. Always smelling so fresh and lady-like. What a woman. Her lady-ness is making my manliness just shine on through. How’d I get so lucky to be amongst her most private, Joy approved products. Mmmmm. And damn, that girl’s fine…” That’s totally what’s being thought in your shower. BUT to answer your question. Just throw some natural bar soap on in there, that’s all they want. That’s all they need. Because really, it’s still YOUR shower. Maintain it. Own it. And keep your eyes to yourself when he goes in there, young lady! : )
What a great recipe! I’ve been wanting to use my lavender for something other than attracting bees. And who doesn’t love a good scone. Like a biscuit in sheep’s clothing. My sweet cheeks is a closet soap fiend often using some pretty girly smelling soap so I have no advice for you on that front. Really enjoy the podcasts when I have time to listen!
1. scones look yummy
2. cat is way too cute
3. you should date my brother- handsome, portuguese, and loves to cook. let’s set this up!
4. i’m just kidding. sorta.
your cat has quite a lot in common with the scones (colour and shape) but looks like a pillow the same time.. wow!
I must confess that I’m a little bit terrified of putting lavender in food. It look pretty, smells pretty, …and tastes like soap….
But because it’s you–the all-knowing goddess of all things butter and scones–I will forgive lavender for its previous crimes and try these.
If the man-soap fails, just make him carry around a scone all day. Voila, instant deodorant :)
A bar of oatmeal soap is a nice bridge to Irish Spring. It’s unisex and blends well with a myriad of lady scents. By the by, those scones are marked for Sunday’s brunch with my boys.
I love lavender in my tea and in my baked goods :D It’s yum.
We totally used to eat dinner hunched over my coffee table, too, because when I lived alone I ate at my desk and didn’t have a dinner table! For the soap thing…buy some new soap. You could be at the store together, and just mention that you need to change it up, get new soap…ask him what kind he prefers? Since you know, he uses it too. If he protests, well, tell him smelly boys aren’t allowed. So pick out some soap, damnit.
I am a big lavender fan – there sound delicious! I’ll have to try making them with spelt flour and coconut oil.
Man I love some lavender. Just a little though.
Tell you what ….buy a brand that sells both men and women shampoo. Pick one of each, tape them together and keep it in the cabinet. If he ever asks tell him it was an offer and you didn’t realize it was two different shampoos.
This is lame? Oh may be. I tired to hard.
I have some leftover culinary lavender from when I visited a lavender farm. I’m always on the lookout for what to use it in. These scones sound lovely and a perfect use of my leftover lavender!
Oh, how about a new project…soap recipes…with a couple of different smells…you’d need a non-girly guinea-pig, right?
whole food has great minty/herby smelling soaps that don’t smell too manly and that my husband likes…then again he uses my conditioner. all bets are off.
We pretty much go for citrus or herb scented shower stuff, it’s pretty neutral. However… I’ve been making my man the Lavender & Rosemary Softening Hair Rinse (Crunchy Betty) for the past year and he LOVES it. The piney scent of the rosemary really grounds the lavender.
Those scones look awesome! I’m picking lavender tomorrow for drying. Can’t wait to try these scones.
(…and he will always be a kitten.)
Cannot wait to try this recipe Joy! Man soap: my boy and I were at a local music/ solar festival recently. There was an organic soap booth and we stopped by to check out the goods. The boy was sold on the lemongrass bar of soap and bought one for each of us! At some point we will need to have a shampoo discussion…stout shampoo resides in his shower. I am still deciding how I feel about this. And…I must re-name that fabulous Single Lady Pancake as well…
Holy amazing looking scones. My husband wouldn’t eat these scones (crazy), but he will use flowery soap. I have found some soap that you could sneak in there that wouldn’t be to forward, but still he might prefer.
https://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=clove+and+mint+goats+milk+soap&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&biw=1709&bih=1035&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17881902509663832544&sa=X&ei=DSc8TrSTNKHL0QGMvuDpAw&ved=0CFkQ8wIwAw
I love this smell, crave this smell. It’s earthy so I think it can go to the more masculine side without being manish.
On the less shee shee side, both my son and husband love Dove soap for men. That would have a stronger statement resting in the shower, but maybe that’s ok.
I say just buy a gender neutral or men’s body wash, place it in the shower by your stuff, and just let it be. No big deal. Just so he has the option.
Since sometimes I have to encourage my fiance to shower I would be happy with whatever soap he wanted to use- including my fancy lavender soap. However since he is boat-builder and probably would get teased at work, I had to resort to Kiss-my-face all natural no scent bar soap. It’s dark green and looks manly but smells good.
If he’s comfortable enough to shower at your place, then getting him soaps and shampoo shouldn’t be weird… My boyfriend went out and bought me a loofah and my girly soaps way back when we first reached the “it’s still new but I’m comfortable enough to take a shower here” stage. I liked it so much, I returned the favour and got him a manly (green) loofah, shaving kit and body wash from the body shop in return (it’s environmentally friendly and doesn’t have that over powering man smell… and it has the old fashioned bristly brush for shaving cream… love it…). And we’ve been together for 6 1/2 years now…
Soap? Fuggadehboudit… I just clicked the link back to the hands! OOOOhhh.
My husband has never complained about the soaps or shampoo. I guess we’re doing alright! I love these scones – they are beautiful. Hey I’m still waiting on my personal letter written with crayon. Did you ever send them out? Just wondering. Haven’t gotten a hand written letter in the mail in a long long time! Have a terrific weekend.
One time when I was shopping with my significant other (who had just recently moved in with me), he said as we were walking in the front door of the grocery, “Hey, do you think we could get some man soap?”
Hmmm…it had never occurred to me that there were absolutely no suitable washing lotions for him among my hundreds of potions and bars….
lol..
Check out Funky Chunks soap, (funkychunks.net), I just discover them and they have delicious, not too girly soaps (check out the midnight swell) that both of us can agree on. My own handsome hands loves tea tree soap! I get it for him when I get my hair cut, it’s from Paul Mitchell – I think it’s a little fancy pants, but he loves it. He’s a mechanic and greasy all day, so I find it hilarious he loves this!
I agree with telling HH to chill if he gets a little freaked… He won’t have to smell like paradise :)
I live with my boyfriend and we get Trader Joe’s body wash and shampoo because it’s cheap and smells good (and neither of us are super picky). They have 2 scents, Refresh (citrus) and Tea Tree Tingle (minty) – both come in shampoo and body wash, and are fairly neutral. You could also go the Dr. Bronner’s route (assuming you’re not already using it – it can be used for everything, and comes in a few different scents) and tell him you’re trying to be more environmentally friendly (cause it’s biodegradable)….
WHOA! Joy, you’ve done it again :)
Lemon Verbena is a nice compromising soap flavor between the sexes.
i think you’re funny……:-)
1. I have never eaten lavender, I’m not sure I would like it, but the scones are pretty and perhaps the toasty walnuts balance out the floweriness?! I may have to try!
2. LOFF mr. fluffypants kitty. That picture makes me want to smooch his big floofy belly.
3. Future hubs and I have separate bathrooms. That’s how we solve that problem! Though the other night he called me and asked if I had any non-fruity-smelling soap in my shower, since he had run out of man-soap. My shower is a tropicalfruitygirly paradise, so the answer was no. I think he used hand soap, heaven forbid he smell like passion fruit! But I would just buy some gender-neutral bar/bottle of something and stick it in there. If he’s routinely showering at your place, it’s probably an ok time to get him his own soap. ;)
Those look so lovely! I really want to try that honey glaze, too
i LOVE your “kitten”…. he’s adorable! It makes me want to get another one or two :-) As for the shower products, go subtle. Peek in his shower and see what he uses and buy that brand. Nothing needs to be said. i think he’ll appreciate the “gift”. P.S. welcome back from vacay — i hope you had a great time!
This is the route I would take (because I’m sneaky like this…):
Next time you’re at the farmer’s market (or somewhere they have soap-selling stands) — with or without handsome-hands — purchase a new bar of soap from a stand in a unisex scent. Then you can make up some story about how you just wanted to try it, and if he gets weird about it, you can be all like, ‘dude, chill. it’s not all about you. i just wanted this soap, ok?’
done and done.
oh my goodness. i love you. ‘dude, chill.’
Here’s the question: does he have a toothbrush he leaves in said bathroom? If so, I think next time you are in a grocery store/convenience store with him, you ask him to pick out soap of his choice for your shower. It’s nice to feel invited into someone’s living space—overt can sometimes be good. My now-husband bought me a small dresser for my clothes from IKEA a few months after we had started dating (post-toothbrush leaving) so I could leave some clothes there. That was huge! And so sweet!
These scones sound lovely. Definitely making these as new apartment celebration.
As for the boy situation, don’t change what you use just for him. You can totally buy a bottle of man body wash (my boyfriend likes Dove Men+Care because it feels nice and works as a face wash as well) and man shampoo and keep it in a cabinet. When you’re comfy with it, tell him that if he doesn’t want to use your stuff, you bought a couple things he could use.
dude stuff in the cabinet. like.
Your cat is HUGE! love it! As for the soap situation, I say go with something non scented for him. Plain old ivory soap or something. That way you don’t have to worry about picking the right man smell and he will just smell nice and clean!
When my husband and I moved in together, he was using some super-harsh Old Spice man body wash. I totally brought him over to the dark side though, because now he loves his moisturizing oatmeal wash. I don’t even buy it for him. HE buys it. Seriously.
amazing. seriously.
You need to buy your gentleman friend some “Yves Rocher” shower gel. Check it out online. Very French…..and very sexy!
Keep the lavender for a girls weekend and try their “Evidence” scent. I have purchased their products for years and let’s just say I have been married for 34 years….OH YA!
:)
FRENCH!? i’m in.
These look delicious! I ended up getting my bf a bar of dove soap when we dealt with this a few years back. It’s a mild scent that isn’t harsh on my skin and he said it worked for his hair, too. Hopefully you can figure out something that’s not too awkward!
These scones look fabulous! I love the idea of adding lavender but what does it taste like exactly? I’m curious! :)
So pretty! I keep walking past the lavender booth at our farmers market. I want to get some but never know how to use it. I think I’ll get some this weekend because it is just too pretty to pass up.
My boyfriend steals my girly-smelling conditioner and coconut body wash, all the time (he just thinks I don’t notice)
I think just find out what soap he uses and then get some for your place… or let him use the girly stuff, he probably doesn’t care too much
I love lavender but definitely am always a bit weary of getting that soapy taste when I cook with it. These look divine though, maybe I’ll have to try cooking with it again soon!
I hated the smell of my boyfriends shampoo and told him after he showered once with it. After I moved in with him he started using my shampoo but always prefers his bar soup. I threw his shampoo away! Ha… I guess that was kinda mean. I’d just get a natural bar soap and put it in there and if he asks say it was on sale.
hahahaaa…. it was on sale.
Those scones look lovely, I think I will give them a try! For me, lavender always sounds good in food but when I actually eat it I find it soapy and not so nice. :( But I will keep trying.
As far as the shower situation goes, you can either take a peek next time you are at his casa to see what he uses then stock it at your place. OR you could buy him a nice man soap from Origins. Looks like they have some nice manly soap.
You baked with lavender?! Oh my word, I knew I loved you. Lavender hot cocoa is my all time favorite winter drink!! MMMM!!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while but have yet to say hello…until now! Hello! I love your sense of humor and our yummy recipes. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures. :)
these looks fab! I had a lavender/vanilla cupcake the other day that was completely disappointing. I’m willing to give the flavor (scent?) another try though with these, I have a feeling they might taste a bit better ;)
My boyfriend totally used my flowery “bath and body works I never use that stuff” shower gel over my much less feminine oil of olay. When I asked him if he used it, he said yes, he thought it smelled nice. But my boyfriend is rather weird. On the other hand, sometimes I like to use his manly stuff when I’m at his house. It smells…manly and nice.
All that to say, you could just ask him.
wait… ask him with words? oh…. yea. totally.
As always, your kitten is precious, and he will always be a kitten if you choose to call him such! I also agree with an earlier comment. He’s turning into a cushion!
I keep a plain, non-scented Dial soap in the bathroom for my hubby, and he uses whatever shampoo’s available, which usually isn’t very flowery because I have allergies, and enjoy a clean smell rather than flowery. I leave the flowery to my perfume (Forever Sunshine from Bath & Body Works if you’re interested!).
I think it depends on your guy though. Some guys like something with a strong scent (like all those Axe washes, which I detest), and some just want something that cleans their dirty boy-ness well for their lady friends. Maybe you could slyly pull him into a conversation about his favorite scents? And you can talk about soaps? Ya know, sneak it out of him. ;) Good luck!
I think you should buy him some oatmeal soap, preferably with some cinnamon. Definitely masculine, but also appropriate for a baker. Even better, I bet you’d have fun getting yourself a block of soap base, and mixing in ingredients like lavender or oatmeal or vanilla.
oatmeal cinnamon soap!? i should make this!
I absolutely love this! I have always wanted to bake with lavender but have been too afraid too. I now have the inspiration to give it a try. Thank you!
As far as the shower goes…I just buy the man soap and put it in the shower as if it were mine. It eventually gets discovered and used, yet never talked about. Good luck!
Gorgeous scones! I love how thick and hearty they look. I love the taste of lavender too.
As for the shower situation, maybe you could get some more neutral, “clean” smelling soaps for your man friend. Well, not obviously for him, since you could use them too, but it might make him feel safer than the lady paradise… :)
I love fancy scones! If you want something that smells amazing but not overly girlie, Kiss My Face has great body washes that would totally work for boys. I have noticed that my husband has started to steal mine. Also, all natural, so again if he asks, you’ve just decided to switch to products that are better for your skin.
These look beautiful – I love the colors. As for shower products, I share everything with my boyfriend, so I guess the products are de facto unisex.
there’s a bunch of lavender that grows on the path i walk along every day that is just BUSY with the bees. it’s made me fear lavender!
Trader Joe’s has shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that’s super citrusy but not distinctly girly. It’s fresh, cheap, and works really well. The best part it is smells girly on me and just clean on my husband. Or try something with a faint vanilla scent. Hope that helps!
The scones look lovely. I’m definitely trying them. As far as the soap situation, Irish spring is a good soap to use. Or old spice. Or just sniff his neck and try to come as close as possible of what you think he smells like. Have fun.
Yum! By the way, you totally just made me 10x more humgry (hungrier?) by just looking at these scones, and I really want one, but I have no lavender. Maybe if I make it without the lavender…Hmmm.
By the way, sorry about your shower situation, but I cannot help you. Maybe just buy a nice bar of soap and stick it in your shower?
Can fresh lavender be used?
I could bath in the lavenders, eat the lavenders, go to second base with the lavenders.
what? you would too.
As far as the shower situation, at least your mom didn’t buy you a pine nut mess from Bath and Body works. I mean, really?
He will always be your kitten.
I totally have a solution for you. Fancy handmade good for your skin soaps, they come in all kinds of scentless, ambiguously scented, and mannishly scented nature-y varieties, they look rugged and manly with chunks of stuff in them and are usually not available in girly colors. BUT, and this is key, they are fancy so if it becomes an awkward situation where handsome hands accuses you of buying him soap for some freakish motive of your own then you can totally brush it off and say hey that is fancy skin softening handmade soap to pamper my delicate lady skin, obviously.
i like where your head is at!
I have never considered baking with lavender, does have a certain sophistication about it hey. The scones look lovely, especially with the added honey drizzle. I have a soft spot for dips, sauces and glazes alike :)
Not sure how my man would react, he had homemade icecream with rose water in it recently and thought it tasted with perfume, haha. Goodluck with the man soap decision. I’d just throw one in there and if he asks be like “Oh that thing? Just trying something new.” :)
I’ve got the opposite problem. Somehow my shower has become a total man shower. Not a girly flowery scent in sight. My shampoo and conditioner make my hair feel stringy. Totes even have the minty body wash that stings. What has the world come to? I must go get myself some gardenia ASAP.
P.S. Lavender = yum.
Clearly it was a mistake to have made scones for breakfast before getting todays post. I can’t wait to try these! I love lavender in food. I love scones. Walnuts aren’t exactly popular in my house, so I’m going to give these a try with toasted almonds.
sounds delicious!
I’m going to second the Dr. Bronner’s suggestion. My boyfriend uses it for soap and shampoo (and to wash his dishes but that’s a whole other story…). Plus it’s good to have around if you go camping or something since it’s safe to use in lakes and such. Trader Joe’s has some nice unisex bath gels and shampoo as well- tea tree, mint, or citrus.
Good luck! Oh… and your cat is adorable. Orange cats are the best!
The bathroom I share with my husband is definitely my domain. He has one shelf and one small corner of the shower. I have girly perfumes, moisturizers, body washes, body scrubs, face stuff, you name it – EVERYWHERE.
We don’t even have room for towels.
How important is the egg in scones? I’ve made a few scones without egg and they seem to come out fine. Does it drastically effect the taste? or keep the scone more moist? a better consistency? I don’t have anything against egg, I’m just wondering. :)
Yes, buy something you want to smell on him! My bf rocked this amazing black soap from Whole Foods, lightly scented with pachouli. It smelled awesome. Avoid anything Axe-like. :)
I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t do lavender in food. However, I have some advice for making your shower man friendly. You need to stock some PH neutral stylee shower gel. Something that smells of nothing. That way you don’t look like you have a different gentleman caller every week and he gets to go to work not smelling of flowers. Everyone is happy. Amen.
Go for some Dr. Bronners or something along those lines โย it doesn’t scream MANLY and you could definitely use it too. It also sort of works for shampoo!
YES to the Dr. Bronner’s! My hubby and I both use peppermint “DBrons” as body wash (he likes it as face wash too, and sometimes shampoo)…very refreshing, great for summer, says “I’m earthy and cute and a little bit different”, and is totally unisex. We put it in a small pump bottle in the shower (read: Method hand soap bottle) and refill as needed. Hope that helps! ps. it also comes in lavender…hehe :)
i like your stylings.
I ate a lavender cupcake once. It was good-my friend said it tasted like a flower..Duh.
Also, I have no idea when the correct time to buy man soap..but maybe Dove is good for both of you? and you could be like “Oh, Just had an extra bar of Dove lying around..would you like it?” Seems like a grand plan to me.
All I know is I like to use my handsome-handed gendleman’s shower gels but It can’t work the other way round (not with you at least! with me it can ’cause I like the men’s department in shower gel perfumes etc!). He went and bought me a Dove, pomegranate pink shower gel to have all for myself in his bathroom and it made me feel very special. So yes, go and buy him something to shower. And a tooth brush too!
(I can imagine the taste of those scones by looking at the pictures!)
your cat is the cutest! I love anything smothered in glaze, especially lavender scones. These would be delicious with earl grey tea.
Ah, it’s hilarious how real that is. I always wonder how clean my boyfriend could really be when I notice that no floral smells are coming from the shower. Whatevs, it’s better we don’t smell alike. Awesome napkins, by the way. I’m always very inspired by them :)
Your kitten is so cute and fluffy. I hugs.
About the man soap, I would recommend having a soap bar that he can use as shampoo, too. Two birds. Ya heard.
Maybe you should buy a couple bars of man soap and just casually leave one in there. Men don’t require a lot! :-)
ah so excited about these scones! I recently had some lavender biscuits that WERE TO DIE FOR and I’ve been wanting lavender since.
i noticed those handsome hands in the earlier post! maybe some sandalwood soap? it would complement your lavender and not seem like you bought it just for him…
I love your BIG “Kitten”!!! He’s amazing!!
if by ‘amazing’ you mean ‘monsterous’… then yes!
I love you and your scones! Seriously. And lavender on a scone, oh my. Life has been made!
Everything lavender-flavored I’ve tried has been too perfumy and reminded me of my gramma. As much as I love my gramma, I don’t want to eat her hand lotion. No thanks.
BUT. Maybe there has just been a lavender overload in what I’ve tried. Maybe I need to make these for myself and see if I like it.
Also, I feel like lavender should be spelled “lavendAr.” I don’t know why.
Lavender is on my to bake with list. Unfortunately my sister is allergic to walnuts, sigh. Good luck with your shower issues!
I like the taste of lavender in cooking both savory and sweet but dessert recipes wth lavender are hard to come by. Thanks for sharing this one. I’ll add it to my list of recipes to try .
I say wait until he mentions it. 1. if he smells girly, it lets other women know that he’s obviously taken, 2. you know it’s a smell that you like. We didn’t have any problems with soap, but I didn’t wait until my husband said something about not wanting to smell girly to switch my lovely lavendar and flowery laundry detergent. I miss my lavendar laundry detergent some days.
I like the thought of letting others know he’s taken… gardenia body wash, staking my territory!
I’m with you on the shower situation. I went through that line of thought myself a few years back. Now, hubby makes his requests known. But then? I subtly changed my wonderful coconut shampoo to a mint one in a non-girlie bottle, and he started using it… I also told him subtly early on in the night that I was trying a new mint shampoo and wanted to see what he thought about it. (aka – use it, please!)
I’d go for something unisex first. You mention minty soap, and that is my favorite. A few years back I found spearmint shampoo by the healing garden and have been in love with mint lotions and body washes ever since. Maybe you could first try something like that, that is less girly, and if he’s into it you can go for some of the manly things that you would never touch. Also, head and shoulders… I hear men use that, and the commercials have women on them, so he’ll totally think you could use it too (but he may get the impression that you have a dandruff issue). Oh the complications of love.
I think men secretly like to use womens shower products, as they are more pretty and nicer smelling than mens stuff! These scones look amazing, very ladylike!
You know, I was just looking for a delicious new scone recipe to try, and I think you’ve hit the nail on the head for me, Joy! :) Thank you for that.
As for the soap, you can’t go wrong with Axe! My hubby swears by it, and they have some that’s actually body wash/shampoo/conditioner ALL IN ONE! Crazy, I know.
Well, my shower is used by me and my wife, soooo…. ;)
Buy cheap, efficient, unisex body wash. Something by Dial. Then buy equally unisex clarifying shampoo. You should use clarifying shampoo ever once in awhile anyway. Done. Blam.
My guy was too nice to say anything about the girly soaps at the start when in fact he’s super particular! Next time you’re at his place you should see if he has a particular kind of soap in his shower… (Or what’d he take to hawaii??) You can make it’s presence known in the most schmaltzy or utilitarian way you like.
The way to go is to introduce a totally vegan, organic, fragrance free, etc. shower gel and if he gives you a quizzical look you can always say you’ve recently become very environment conscious. Accompanied by a big smile, of course.
And we are (ahem, I am) dying of curiosity.
I think your cat is turning into a cushion. About the shower situation, my dad loves “lavandery toiletry stuff” but I think he’s one of a kind. If you are not sure if it’s too early for proper man soap get something neutral, I don’t know what you’ve got in the States, you will have to find something that doesn’t scream “Girlie!” neither “I bought this for you!”
methinks the cushion-shaped cat may have gotten a hold of some baked goods! yum! My cats are so VERY spoiled…does he climb up on you and paw at your cereal bowl yet and spill the milk on your lap? k, just sayin’…
These look so so good!!
As for the shower situation, if it helps him smell pretty (erm. I mean…macho..) and he’s okay with that, then it’s a non-issue! :)
So elegant and delicate – what a cool idea to bake with lavender. ( I too am obsessed, I have lavender scenting things in all my drawers.) Thank you! Hope you had a nice vacation xoxo
I just love the sound of lavender anything, it sounds like it should instantly make you feel calm ha. These look delish!
I’m going to plant a lavender tomorrow so that I can make these… also some of the lavender and white chocolate cookies and lavender punch I used to make in a previous life. Thanks for reminding me of them!
As for the shower situation, my husband just uses whats there (essential oils, but not overly floral). He lives with 5 girls though, so I guess home is not the place to assert his masculinity.