vivier
Claire Vivier. Great bags, clutches, ipad cases… I’ve always wanted the Tropezienne.
Xocoa
Kat is back from her European adventure and brought us each these lovely chocolates from Xocoa in Lisbon. Mmmm…
Escape Down Under
It’s been a crazy month or so here in the studio: in the midst of deadlines, new projects, new classes and all sorts of exciting New York chaos, we’ve each been zipping off to exotic destinations for some much needed respite. I have just returned from a glorious trip to Byron Bay: hippy destination of Australia. Here are a few little peeks into my time there (you get the idea… food… beach… coffee… more food… more beach… it was rough).
no more plastic
Use Less Plastic from TakePart on Vimeo.
Just love this. Makes me want to dance and not use plastic.
Kripalu
I recently visited the retreat center, Kripalu, in the Berkshires and am already itching to return! Kripalu is invested in the WHOLE person: body, mind and spirit, and teaches skills for optimal living and wellness.
One of the great things about Kripalu, is that the people who chose to visit are committed to creating fulfilling, conscious lives. People who are interested in personal growth, wellness, exploring, spirituality, renewing – how amazing to surround yourself with people who are so passionate about life and growth!
Courses range from classes in wellness, Ayurveda, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, relationships, meditation, spiritual practice, professional training, yoga and more.
Another highlight is the dining hall. Organic, mainly vegetarian, a million items to choose from- all healthy and delicious. Check out some of their recipes here. And if you go, don’t miss the healing arts center for an Ayurvedic massage. Also, try to stay in the Annex. It’s the green building that was recently added on. Minimalistic and clean, simple and modern- nothing too fancy, but just right.
april showers by polder
We visited the Polder store when we were in Paris and fell in love with their necklaces with little pom poms. So delicate, so sweet. We were also drawn to the subtle touches of silver and gold that they spread throughout. Such a simple and elegant little store! See the April Showers by Polder collection here.
Easter Feast
Wow. That week zoomed by! We’ve been so busy of late (lots of gorgeous new designs are launching as a result) and it was so nice to have a weekend of relaxation, good food, family and friends. My Italian in-laws put on quite a show, and I wanted to share some of the highlights… there’s nothing quite like a sunset stroll down the Hudson with a belly full of pasta, pinot and pastiera.
Worries
Monday morning is usually a time reserved for anxiety and too much caffeine… let F. Scott Fitzgerald put you in the right frame of mind with this gorgeous letter penned to his 11 year-old daughter Scottie in 1933. Way to hit the nail on the head…
Found via listsofnote.com
life painting
Erin has been so diligent at posting about her amazing watercolour class, so I thought it was about time I did a post on my class too. I am learning about the wonderful art of oil painting, it’s so much fun. It’s so nice to try a new medium after painting in watercolour for such a long time – I feel like I have learnt so much in such a short amount of time…
omega nyc
I am so excited about the Omega NY conference weekend coming up in NYC. The Omega Center in Rhinebeck is a place of healing, wellness and growth. Their mission is to awaken the best in the human spirit through innovative education. I have signed up for Kris Carr‘s lectures for the weekend and can’t wait to soak up all of her juicy knowledge!
RIO, baby
I took a little trip to Rio last week- what fun I had! The beaches were wonderful and sitting by the pool overlooking the water was divine. The food, especially the fish, was delicious and fresh. One restaurant I liked in particular was Satyricon. They had an amazing selection of fish, great service and an elegant atmosphere. Supposedly, this is where Madonna frequents when she is there… I also have to mention the restaurant and pool at The Fasano. Out of this world!
Unexpected beauty
I think my favourite part of learning watercolour are these small ‘practice’ sheets that sit beside me as I paint… I love the random beauty and unexpected forms. This one came about while I was sitting outside painting tulips on the weekend (I’m not showing you the tulips… not my finest hour… but practice makes perfect!)
Eastern Travel Adventure
Hi All, it’s Julie here. I recently returned from a trip that took me on a flight literally over the top of the globe all the way to the Eastern world. The trip began in Phuket, Thailand and ended in Hong Kong, China. The traveling might of left me just slightly defeated, but in the end it was worth every airport lounge and plane ride. It was a truly amazing cultural experience full of inspirational ideas of which I snapped many pictures. The views were stunning, and there was LOTS of adventure. Everything from Thai cooking classes with my husband to high tea at the famed Peninsula Hotel in HK. Not to mention tranditional Thai yoga, scuba diving through coral reefs, elephant rides, lots of fresh mango and the most amazing views of the Andaman Sea right from our villa.
Are you looking to add a slightly exotic twist to your next vacation? Without a doubt in my mind I’d say try one of the stunning beaches and resort towns of Thailand. The people are over the top friendly, prices are squeal-worthy and the fresh produce is out of this world! “Sawatdee Kaa”.
Fu Baoshi
Landscapes of the Four Seasons
Last week in my watercolour class we went to The Met to take inspiration from the masters… we visited Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Rousseau and Cezanne (aaaah delightful…) but then went on to the Chinese wing. It was staggering, to say the least. Fu Baoshi left me in this strange, dreamlike daze… I’ve included a few of my favourite pieces and if you’re interested, the NY times wrote a great article about his exhibit.
Summer hues
Aren’t these super sweet? Kat gave them to me because I’m alllll about afternoon naps… speaking of which… I can feel one coming on…. (happy weekend everybody!)
Bonpoint does it again…
Okay, are you ready? Because this needs your full attention. Silence your phone, turn off Pandora and prepare yourself for the smallest and sweetest of fashionistas…
Spring refresh
Here in NYC, Spring has well and truly come early! Apart from the obvious pro’s (gelato, open-toed shoes, fun spring florals, fetes, festivals and picnic lunches) it’s also a great excuse to make positive changes in your everyday routine. If you need a little kick-start, check out our latest monthly feature which highlights a bunch of our favourite healthy/organic/fab spots around the city.
















