People often ask how I come up with ideas for the column each month, how I know about all these great products, brands, and must-haves. To be honest, a large chunk of my beauty knowledge is curated from the interesting people I meet and know who clue me in to what they’ve been using and loving.

First Blush is going to the community to spotlight creative, smart, talented people to pick their brains and find out their favorite favorites. We’re calling it First Blush Favorites or FB Faves. From artists and businesswomen, to students and teachers, I guarantee you’ll be hitting the stores to try out at least one of their excellent recommendations.

Holly Francis is an artist and teacher living and working in Richmond, Va.  She splits her time working and teaching at a local ceramics studio, instructing classes for children, as well as serving as the apprentice for a local potter. Taking her love of artisanal to the next level, Holly also spends her time creating a range of artwork from ceramics to silkscreen prints influenced by her love of nature, color, patterns, and travel.

You can find all of these goodies in her Etsy shop, Mint House (www.minthouse.etsy.com). If you’re ever in the Richmond area, you can often catch Holly participating in local craft shows as a way to share her work with the community, connect with other artists, and share her love of handmade.Holly Francis is an artist and teacher living and working in Richmond, Va.  She splits her time working and teaching at a local ceramics studio, instructing classes for children, as well as serving as the apprentice for a local potter. Taking her love of artisanal to the next level, Holly also spends her time creating a range of artwork from ceramics to silkscreen prints influenced by her love of nature, color, patterns, and travel.

There’s a lot to learn from the DMV’s movers, shakers, and taste-makers. Read on for a complete list of Holly’s favorite things…

Home & Lifestyle
Where do you live? Richmond, Va.
Favorite art: ceramics & printmaking
Pet: French bulldog, Norman
Favorite flower: Hydrangea
Favorite gadget:  iPhone
Favorite neighborhood restaurant:  Burger Bach
Favorite drink: Peach tea
Favorite dessert: Vanilla ice cream
Favorite snack: Annie’s Cheese Squares
Favorite cocktail: Whiskey Coke
Top three DVR shows: Orange Is the New Black, Downton Abbey, Girls
Music: Currently—Reptar, Eminem, Neil Young
I never leave home without: My sketchbook!

Inspirations
Favorite discovery: A hidden path and pond near my parents’ house
Who inspires you:  My friends and family
Necessary extravagance: Eating out
Favorite place in the world: Scotland
Favorite charity: Art 180
Favorite movies: Pulp Fiction, Wayne’s World, Fargo
Favorite hotel:  Can’t think of a specific one!
Favorite smell/scent: Fresh laundry
Favorite color: Kelly green
Do you tweet? No :-/
Fashion idol: Nicole Richie
Go-to website: Pinterest and Etsy
Favorite look/vibe to channel: Laid back minimal
Who are a few of your idols?  Lena Dunham, Lisa Congdon, Tasha McKelvey

Food
Favorite food discovery:  Bacon
Necessary indulgence: Flavored teas
Perfect meal: Chicken Tika Masala
Favorite ingredient: Cheese
Everything goes better with: Garlic
Favorite family recipe: Lasagna
Comfort food: Pizza
Favorite spice: Sesame seeds

Clothes
Three adjectives that describe your personal style: Minimal, relaxed, casual
Jeans: Adriano Goldschmied
Underwear: Marks & Spencer
Watch: iPhone
T-shirt: Alternative Apparel
Current handbag: Handmade by me
Glasses (sun or otherwise): Halogen
Favorite accessory: Long chunky beaded necklace
A piece of jewelry you wear everyday: Dogeared necklace
Favorite designer: Steven Alan
Shopping mecca: Need Supply Co.
Sneakers: Doc Martins
Most recent shoe purchase: Salt Water sandals

Beauty & Maintenance
Shampoo: Moroccan Oil
Face wash: Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile
Shower gadget: Foot pumice
Mascara: Dior Show
Lipstick: natural
Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer
Hair product: Biosilk Silk Therapy
Perfume: Lancome Miracle So Magic
Toothpaste: Nature’s Gate Mint
Soap: Mrs. Myer’s Basil
Nail polish color: Fire engine red
Where do you get your hair cut? Currently, nowhere!
Favorite form of exercise: Walking and kayaking

Written by: Genevieve LeFranc