I have always been a huge fan of Fouta turkish towels and have a nice little collection from my trip to Turkey in 2012. Truth be told, I really only use my Foutas for the beach as they aren’t as absorbent as my go-to white terry bath towels. However, while flipping through the new Serena & Lily summer catalog I found (what I hope) are the perfect bath towels. The look of my Foutas with a terry back. A match made in heaven! Now, which color to get?
“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.”
My namesake month is here! I am overjoyed and oh so happy to say hello to May and again goodbye to winter, although the weather as of late has me wondering if spring really is here. I’m excited (and a bit sad) to share some exciting news with you. As you know, I returned back to island life nearly 24 months ago. I fondly called it “my time-out on life.” After many quiet days (and nights) and endless hours of soul searching, I have peace in my heart to let you know that I will be leaving my little island 30 miles out to sea. But please don’t worry, I won’t be leaving before summer. I mean, who leaves Nantucket before summer, right?
With this revelation, though, I have decided to return to managing an island catering company full-time. While I have loved nearly every minute of my time at Nantucket Looms and all the creative endeavors I have been a part of, I need to work my little tail off this summer to put away some hard-earned cash for this next chapter. Where will it be? I’m not sure just yet but as soon as I decide, I will let you know. And as Edwin Way Teale so beautifully reminds us in the quote above, anything is possible in May.
I have lots of fun plans to look forward to this month. Let’s see…
– I am off to Fryeburg, Maine and Hardy Farm this weekend to be celebrate the marriage of one of my nearest and dearest.
– Next Friday I will awake to my 35th year. More on that later.
– The weekend of May 15 is the 18th Annual Nantucket Wine Festival. A few Boston friends will be visiting so very much looking forward to yummy dinners and delicious wine, of course.
– The official start to summer is Memorial Day weekend (and the my last day at Nantucket Looms). I’m hoping to do a little weekend getaway for the thought of waiting in-line to dance at The Box with those Figawi sailors… no thank you!
– And I will end the month with a concert on the Boston waterfront with the one and only Ray Lamontagne (and two of the greatest friends a girl could as for). Can’t wait!
While scrolling through my Instagram feed yesterday, I saw this photo of Liya Kebede, founder of LemLem in a fantastic dress and thought to myself… there it is. My found item for the week. The color, simple lines and versatility… a great summer piece. I was quite pleased to find out, after a bit of research, that this dress was designed by LemLem for the exclusive Vogue + Born Free Collaboration, which includes fashion pieces from 22 top designers (including LemLem, Tory Burch, Prada, Carolina Herrera, and Isabel Marant) that are available for purchase on Shopbop. 100% of the profits from this collection will go toward Born Free’s mission to end mother-to-child HIV transmission at birth. Shopping for a cause always make me feel good. Take a look at the collection. Beautiful pieces indeed.
And can I just say, Liya and her company. Inspiring. A supermodel, actress and former World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Liya founded Lemlem in 2007 as a way to inspire economic independence in her native country of Ethiopia after learning that the craft of weaving was fading away. By designing beautiful woven tops, beach cover-ups and dresses, Liya is not only preserving the art of weaving but helping those in her native country to be financially independent and successful. Doing good by doing well. So good.
Let’s just be clear. The last thing I could possibly need in my life is another throw pillow. But this morning our ever so handsome sales rep from one of my favorite fabric lines stopped by the shop to introduce some of their offerings. To say I fell hard would certainly be an understatement. The Black Edition is a collaboration with contemporary British artist Jessica Zoob. What a talent!
The collection includes 6 paintings, from Jessica’s Passion series, that reflect the seasons of a relationship. Spring brings a sense of anticipation; Summer is full of energy and color; Autumn can bring tempestuous storms; and Winter feels crisp and still. ‘If you’re lucky’ says Jessica, ‘Spring will always come around again’. The finished fabrics were achieved by using state of the art digital printing, which brought the paintings to life on pure linen. Works of art.
It was hard to decide on just one. While turning each page and falling more in love, I stopped when I saw this one and thought this captures me completely. Two pillows are on their way to me. Happy early birthday, May!
Happy Friday! A week from today is Good Friday, which means you have exactly one week to get all the elements to create the perfect Easter basket. I don’t know about you, but I always love getting a bunch of little gifts no matter the holiday. Some practical, some funny, some delicious. My grandmother had a special talent for finding those little items that always came together and were so much fun to open. Inspired by her, I thought I would share my picks for an Easter basket that is sure to please those nearest and dearest to you.
First and foremost, you need a basket. I think this lunch box from the ever so talented Lulie Wallace will do the trick. And will certainly serve as a reminder to bring your lunch to the office and save a few extra bucks for your next getaway.
I am sure it comes as no surprise, but I have a sweet tooth. I’ve had to curb my addiction just a bit as I recently had my first cavity filled but I will allow myself to indulge for these holidays. My sweet picks include these candy bars from one of my new favorite sites Provisions, these sour gummy eggs and my all-time favorite mint candies that always remind me of my Nana.
I love introducing friends to new products or lines that I adore. A few that I know would be well received and fit the occasion perfectly include: a market pad from my all-time favorite stationary company, an egg-shaped soap from the one and only Fresh, my new favorite spring scent, and a travel book for one of my favorite cities.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and I look forward to seeing you back here next week!
I woke up this morning with the sun streaming into my bedroom and it made me happy. Happy because the days are getting longer. Happy because I might finally be able to put away my winter boots, my down jacket and my mittens. And happy because I can soon switch over the closet to my spring/summer wears. I tend to keep things basic during these seasons but add a punch with an accessory be it a statement necklace, scarf or a great clutch. This week’s Found item is this Clare Vivier number. It was certainly love at first sight. I envision wearing it with my go-to white jeans, a black tank (note to self: get on that plank challenge and buff up your arms) and my Millie’s for a night out at The Box. How many days till summer?
Happy Friday, friends and welcome to a new weekly column: found. My thinking behind this is quite simple, showcase one item I’ve recently fallen in-love with. Up first, let me introduce you to Millie. Isn’t she just the perfect sandal? We made acquaintances earlier this week and I’m thinking I need to add her sister to my closet too. I know I am going to wear these sandals all summer long… from a day look with my boyfriend jeans and a white v-neck to dinner out in my favorite sundress. If you are in the market for a new sandal, I highly recommend these.
As you know, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what’s next for me. This discernment process has been fun. Am I a city girl? Am I an island girl? Do I miss a “desk” job? Can my passions really be my vocation? What motivates me to get up in the morning? You know, all those important life questions. While my path is slowly revealing itself to me, I have realized one very important thing. I want my work to impact the lives of others. Corporate Social Responsibility is something I am passionate about as I do believe you can do well (from a financial perspective) by doing good.
A company I’m constantly inspired by is TOMS. I received their Spring 2014 Vagabond Journal in the mail earlier this week and thought, now there’s a company I want to be a part of. After visiting a village in Argentina in 2006, Blake Mycoskie was struck by the fact that children around the world were without shoes. So, he created a simple but life changing business model: for every pair of shoes purchased, a pair would be donated to a child in need. One for One.® Realizing that his approach could serve other global needs, Blake launched TOMS Eyewear in 2011 to help restore sight to persons in need with every purchase of sunglasses and optical frames. And just this year, Blake launched TOMS Roasting Co. with the mission to provide clean water to developing communities with the purchase of premium coffee. Are you inspired yet? I am!
In addition, last year he launched an online marketplace accessible from his site to highlight global commerce. In his words “We believe commerce can be about more than just profits. But it takes more than a belief to make this a reality. So we’ve created a platform on our site to help other social entrepreneurs succeed and build momentum for this way of doing business. Welcome to The Marketplace. This is bigger than us.” Just look at some of the offerings: these earrings, this bracelet, and just look at this hammock. This may just be my new go-to site for all things gifts.
And let’s be honest. I am obsessed with my classic TOMS. I think I have gone through 3 pairs in the last 2 years alone. Jonathan Adler recently teamed up with TOMS to launch a terrific and eye-catching spring line. Check them out here.
Blake reminds me of a very important lesson “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Have a great weekend, sweet friends!
Friends. Please don’t worry. I am safe and sound in my island home but let me tell you the winds on this little island of mine are insane. 76 mph wind gusts and rising. I was, however, blown away by the voice of Sam Smith and his rendition of “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston featured in last week’s Grey’s Anatomy (snow days are a perfect excuse to stay in bed and catch up on some TV). Truth be told, I’ve always loved the music on Grey’s and admit that a few of their soundtracks (I won’t admit how many) are in my music library. Quick sidebar… how do I get the job of picking songs to accompany my favorite TV shows and movies. I know I would just excel at it!
Ok. Back to Sam. The more I read about this London-born singer/songwriter, the more I realized why I am drawn to his lyrics. “I’ve never been in a relationship before. When I was writing this album, I really delved into that fact. I delved into how I fell in love with someone who didn’t love me back last year. I really went inside myself and I wanted to write an album for lonely people, because I don’t think there’s been enough music out there that talks about unrequited love.” Oh Sam… we certainly share quite a bit in common.
Lucky for us, Sam is the musical guest this weekend on Saturday Night Live. My DVR is all set. And his first album “In the Lonely Hour” is releasing May 26.
Take a listen and let me know what you think!
I am always inspired by women who have a dream and follow it. Emerson Bethany Fry is one such inspiration. An artist by training, she left the hustle and bustle of New York City, purchased an old farm with her husband in New Hampshire (how cute – they have known each other since childhood) and set-out to build her lifestyle brand, Emerson Fry. Initially, her product line was simple. Beautiful flower pins and clutches (I still have mine that I purchased in 2010). Her business has grown gradually as she introduced beautiful silk tops and skirts in 2011 and today her line includes stunning leather goods, killer shoes and accessories and the kaftan, featured above, that I am lusting for. With a focus on simple lines, luxurious fabrics and the modern woman, there isn’t a single look that I wouldn’t want to add to my closet. Just take a look.
And if you need just a little more to love this woman for, take a look at her home. Her pantry is an inspiration!
A Day with May 