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OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS. 34 L ast year, the developers behind WestBend — the new mixed-use retail and dining project in the University District — made a jaunt to Oklahoma City. One of the stops on their travel itinerary was Commonplace Books, a popular independent bookstore in the city's bustling Midtown district. It wasn't long before inquiries were made as to whether Commonplace co-owner Ben Nockels would consider a second location for his bookish boutique. A few trips to Fort Worth and several phone calls later, and a year-long pop-up was born. Commonplace Books at WestBend occupies a stylish 1,000-square-foot space between Bluemercury and Bartaco with a contemporary-retro vibe. Sleek shelves are stocked with covetable new fiction and nonfiction titles, as well as children's books and reading-related accessories, from tony American-made Appointed notebooks to mugs and tableware, and a Commonplace Books custom candle. An oversized, curvaceous green-velvet sofa is the perfect reading nook, making the store feel like an intimate hangout. "Books are a powerful medium to connect people to one another and spread ideas that matter," says Nockels, who has programmed the store as a place for community engagement by way of poetry readings, and story time for kids. "Our unofficial motto is borrowed from C.S. Lewis: 'We read to know we're not alone.'" Commonplace Books, 1701 River Run. Christina Geyer U n l i k e a n y s t o r y you've ever heard before, this love affair began with a deodorant. While on the hunt for an effective, organic, nontoxic deodorant, I was advised by a friend to try one made by Milk + Honey, the Austin– based organic bath and body brand and spa, founded in 2006, that led the clean-beauty movement. I quickly fell for Milk + Honey Cream Deodorant No. 20, which comes in a jar as opposed to the typical stick and is the perfect light vanilla scent. Years later, the deodorant is a mainstay in my life, as are several of Milk + Honey's other products, from the lavender eucalyptus Bath Soak No. 08 to the cardamom vanilla Lip Butter No. 40. No surprise, then, I was thrilled when Milk + Honey opened its first Fort Worth location at The Shops at Clearfork. The 7,800-square-foot location is as zen as they come, with light-wood interiors, a decidedly residential vibe, and nature-inspired decor throughout. In addition to a boutique, which offers the full line of Milk + Honey products (skincare, body and bath essentials, candles, and more), the Clearfork location boasts 14 spa-treatment rooms, eight salon chairs, and four stations for manis and pedis. In short: While restocking my deodorant, I will now be booking a facial, mani, pedi — and likely purchasing a number of new clean-beauty products to add to my arsenal. Milk + Honey, 5160 Marathon Ave., The Shops at Clearfork, milkandhoneyspa.com. Christina Geyer READ ALL ABOUT IT CLEAN AS A WHISTLE Commonplace Books