Chatting About How I Got Here

I was on 2 podcasts, the snack of the summer, dreamy food photography, travel essentials, and 0.0% abv bitters

May 28, 2025

Happy Wednesday! I’m here a day late as I get back into the swing of things after an extra long weekend. I spent time with family in Richmond and barely checked my email. It was lovely.

I worked on a ceviche recipe last week which was so much fun. It’s one of my favorite foods and photographs so beautifully. You’ll see it eventually, there’s a few sneak peeks on my IG. Luckily though, this week I can share with you the kettle chip caviar recipe I worked on a few weeks ago! Video here if you’re curious <3

I chatted with Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip, which was a dream conversation of mine. I’ve been a fan of the brand and his larger portfolio of work for a long time. We chat all about the non-alc world, how he innovated a new product category, and the continued creativity he strives for in his existing + new projects.

After not being on someone’s podcast besides my own for quite awhile, I was on 2 last week. Thank you Anna and Kelly for inviting me on. Details below!

Soaring Stories — chatting about the connection between my background in fashion to my current work in CPG, popular design trends, typical week in my life, & what it’s really like to be self employed
Emerging Brands — chatting about my personal journey that brought me to start Citrus Diaries Studio, my approach to creating eye catching visuals, & advice for creatives looking to venture off on their own

Enjoy this week’s newsletter & let me know what you’d like to see in the future!

Ben Branson of Seedlip

Ben Branson is a British entrepreneur best known for founding Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, and later Pollen Projects, a studio focused on reimagining moderation.

Inspired by his 300-year farming heritage and a 17th-century book on herbal remedies, Branson began experimenting with distilling botanicals in his kitchen. Seedlip launched in 2015 and quickly gained acclaim for offering a sophisticated, alcohol-free alternative.

In 2023, Branson launched Pollen Projects to drive the next wave of non-alcoholic innovation. The studio’s creations include seasn, a 0.0% ABV bitters range, and Sylva, the world’s first aged non-alcoholic spirit made from wood. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity, Branson also hosts The Hidden 20% podcast, shining a light on the experiences of neurodivergent individuals.

seedlip_ben | seedlipdrinks | seasnyourdrinks | sylva.labs | hidden20podcast

Listen to the episode:

Spotify | Apple Music | Substack

Get Cookin’

Kettle Chip Caviar

Lauren Hodgen

May 28

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A reallllly fun recipe for you this week! Churn asked me to make basically a walking taco but with kettle chips and gilda-esque toppings. It was incredible. 100% the snack of the summer. I mean how can you say no to Cape Cod chips drizzled with parmesan pepper butter.

I normally share a second recipe with you but since it’s a short week, I thought I’d share some recipes I’m dying to make instead:

Palmitos Aguachile Verde — I have been on a hearts of palm kick again and this recipe looks so refreshing + easy to make for a delish dinner on the patio
Raspberry Pistachio Bagels — I mean that photo really grabbed my attention and proceeded to not leave my brain. Incredible.
Matcha Fudge — I’ve never strayed from the classic chocolate fudge (with & w/o pecans) but I might have to now.
For dinner this week I’m eyeing Japanese Sweet Potato Creme Brûlée & creamy tomato-y lentils

Weekly Favorites

what I've been loving online & at the grocery <3

I’ve been looking for a pair of white 100% cotton pants for summer and they’ve been harder to track down than I thought. Then while I was out shopping this past week, I found this barrel parachute pant and I’m obsessed. Lowkey might get them in the purple too.

I love Madewell and I love a boxy tee. Another fab 100% cotton find. I’m going to the lake with a few friends for the 4th and this red stripe tee + the pants above will be in the outfit mix for sure.

I fear I need a pair of Solomons like yesterday but I’m waiting for the right pair to find me (maybe these?). I see so many cute color ways on Pinterest and then they are never to be found on the internet again. I’ll keep you posted on this journey lol.

After traveling this past week I feel I may need to invest in the cloud bag once and for all. I love being able to perfectly organize everything and this bag seems to be my perfect sidekick waiting to be picked up. With a color way named green juice, how could I not.

A fun tie in to this week’s podcast guest is my love for the brand seasn. They make 0.0% ABV bitters in non-traditional flavors. My favorite is seasn light —

seasn LIGHT is green & zesty with strong top notes of fresh cut grass, lime & grapefruit peel, clean bitterness from king of bitters & a moreish salinity from kombu & sea salt.