Found

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I have always found finding a classic pair of sandals to be quite a challenge. That was until I discovered Matt Bernson. Since our introduction, I have indulged and purchased two pairs including his love sandal {how fitting a name} and this week’s found item. Your search for the perfect refined flip-flop is over!

Turns out, this is Matt’s first and favorite summer design. As you can see, he has updated the classic thong sandal with a distinctive cross band that adds incredible comfort. The craftsmanship is perfection and the leather I can tell will only get better with time.

A welcome addition to my summer wardrobe indeed. Enjoy this beautiful day {and weekend}, dear readers!

Found

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Have you all been involved in a Kickstarter campaign? To date, I’ve participated in two and think it is just the coolest concept. One that I missed the ball on {but wish I had been a part of} was the campaign for Appointed, created by DC-based creative designer Suann Song, who wanted to create beautiful tools to inspire beautiful work. As the owner of SimpleSong Design, Suann was always looking for the perfect notebook. After months of trying, she decided it was time to create her own. One that would elevate the work experience and foster creativity. For Suann “the notebook represents untapped potential + endless possibility.” I couldn’t agree more. The campaign launch in March and lucky for us, Suann reached her goal and launched her product line and website, Appointed earlier this month.

Since I am a tried-and-true paper lover, I treated myself to a few goodies. The notebooks have a beautiful water-resistant cloth bound cover and are available with either grid, lined or blank pages. Even better, they are American-made with recycled paper and utilizing renewable energy. And the desk accessories, beautiful. My next purchase will be the brass pencil cup.

Need a little something to help spark your next creative venture? These notebooks will do just the trick. I have one for my editorial calendar for this little blog and one for my *dream* business. More on that in due time, dear friends. Hope you have a lovely + relaxing weekend!

Found

ipad case

Last Friday night, K and I splurged on tickets to see comedian Aziz Ansari discuss his new book Modern Romance at Sanders Theatre at Harvard {one of my new favorite venues}. For all your Aziz fans out there, his talk didn’t disappoint and I highly recommend his book. An interesting take on dating in this modern age of technology.

One sociological theory discussed at length is this book is that of maximizer vs. satisfier. I for one am a maximizer. I love researching the best: whether it’s the best boutique hotel for a weekend getaway, the perfect cutting board or the most luxurious Turkish towels. And thus why I love this blog column, found. A place where I can share all my favorite found objects and pieces.

When K surprised me with an iPad mini a few months back, I knew I had to find the perfect case. One that was practical yet stylish. One that was durable yet sophisticated. And fortunately, I didn’t have to spend too much time searching. Cuyana {which means “to love” in Quechua} nailed it. This fantastic company, based in San Francisco, is built on a simple philosophy: fewer is better. “We believe in style over trends, in quality over quantity, in loving your closet. We believe that fewer, better things lead to a fuller, better life.” This little pebbled leather grey iPad sleeve with my name stamped in gold foil has certainly led to a better life. Looking for the perfect new addition to your closet, I suggest logging onto Cuyana. You won’t be disappointed.

*Note: For K’s birthday, I purchased their weekender bag. It too is perfection!

Found

Found
When it comes to kitchen essentials, I don’t have a very lengthy list: a great skillet, a dutch oven, Emile Henry baking dishes, and my kitchen aid. I still remember the Christmas I opened my pistachio mixer. My reaction was almost as good as when I got a Nintendo the Christmas I was 9. I literally freaked out and was on top of the world for days.

One item that I have been on the hunt for as of late is a great pairing knife. I purchased this chef’s knife last summer but it’s just a bit too big for julienning my produce. Last week while perusing the new arrivals over at Provisions at Food52, I came across this beauty. The wood will compliment my chef’s knife and has a lovely story too: the manufacturer uses reclaimed metal from the bandsaw blades of local Georgia lumber mills to forge the blade, and reclaimed walnut wood from Florida to shape the curved handle. Think I will use the tip money from my first catering gig to add this to my kitchen.

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Towels

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?

Found

Found
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.

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Pillow
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!

Jessica-Zoob

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!

Found

Found
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?

Inspired

Toms
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!

I Like It

emersonfry
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!
Emerson