The A-List Archives - Page 4 of 4

Elizabeth Dehn, or, as you may know her, Beauty Bets, has been my beauty savior in Minneapolis. If she recommends it, I try it, and she hasn’t had a miss yet. So when she partnered with One Love Organics to launch Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics, I knew the line would be amazing… However, I didn’t realize quite how special each product would be until I tried them. I’m the ultimate skincare snob, and these are some of the most luxurious and impactful beauty products I’ve used – it’s hard to believe that they are truly all-natural. After reading her blog for the better part of a decade, it was so fun to sit down with her and learn more about her and the line.

What are your style essentials?

A men’s vintage watch – always. Statement jewelry. A great pair of jeans. Any shirt where I can pop the collar. Nerdy glasses. Lashes. (n.b. – Elizabeth’s lashes are what dreams are made of.)

What have you learned?

You have to be yourself and you have to trust your instincts no matter what. There will always be people doing what you want to do – you have to follow your own path.

What gets you through the day/through the week?

People. The brilliant, kind, real, big-hearted women I work with.

What drives you?

The desire for freedom. To travel. I work so much now so that I won’t have to later.

How do you escape?

The spa, as often as possible, for regular facials and massages. I believe everyone deserves some form of that – even if it is just 15 minutes of meditation or washing your face at night. It’s the only time of the week where I don’t have to be on.

Why do you support Made in America and independent brands?

I know how much work and heart and creativity went into getting that product into my hands. I respect the craft from start to finish immensely. Creating a product, taking it to market and being successful is on of the hardest things to do and the biggest risk a person can take.

Who inspires you?

My business partner Suzanne from One Love Organics. I’ve never met a harder working person in my life. She is also eternally optimistic in a realistic way – which is probably one of the greatest traits an entrepreneur can have.

After meeting Elizabeth, I’m an even bigger fan of Beauty Bets and OLO than I was before… Meeting someone you admire can be tricky – what if they don’t live up to your expectations? But Elizabeth is as kind, funny, and inspiring as she comes across on her blog and in this interview. Her mission to empower women through beauty? That’s legit – that’s just who she is. The only thing that surprised me after meeting her? Her skin seriously glows in real life. I didn’t know it was possible to have skin like that… Must be that face mist!

I’m so excited for more and more people to discover the amazingness that is ED for OLO! Because OLO gets us, they sell sample packs for $5.95!

PS – even Garance loves ED for OLO!

[images courtesy of Elizabeth Dehn]

One Love Organics is a TAE A-list brand.

It’s always exciting to watch someone you admire follow his/her dreams – even if you don’t know that person in real life! I’ve followed Sarah Sherman Samuel’s blog (have you seen her amazing cabin renovations?!) for a long time and was thrilled when she launched her product line, A Sunny Afternoon. The patterned textiles are gorgeous and add the perfect pop of color to any table, and the wood pieces that she makes with her dad in northern Michigan (one of my favorite spots!) are gorgeous and unique… I’m currently using my serving board as a display piece – always love a good multi-purpose item.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I am inspired by so many things it is hard to summarize but here’s a list of a few things that currently give my creativity a healthy boost: being outdoors, photography, storied objects, unexpected color relationships, creative collaborations, fashion, beautiful light, traveling, pattern play, and the beauty in natural imperfections.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

My background and formal education is in Graphic Design. My professional career started as a designer at an Ad Agency but I quickly realized that was not right for me, so I pursued more creative opportunities before eventually landing at a company that was looking to manufacture their own line of fashion paper products. It was a new start-up company and at the beginning it was just me and the two owners working to build the line. It was there that I found my niche in designing products and patterns and then marrying the two. Through the 5 years I was there I served as creative director and helped build it up to a successful company that still has a large presence in Target and other retailers. I eventually reached a point when the line was established, that I knew I was ready to break away and start working on my own dream.

I love applying the graphic design principles into the roles of maker, stylist, and creative director and A Sunny Afternoon has become a wonderful outlet for each one of those. From developing each product, styling and art directing photoshoots, as well as designing the brand identity and website, every aspect has my personal stamp on it.

WHAT MAKES YOUR DAY?

I absolutely love it when one of my pieces brings a little joy into someone else’s life. Every item I make has a lot of thought and love built into it so when someone else gets that, it’s like a big high five. 🙂

WHERE DO YOU MAKE A SUNNY AFTERNOON?

I split my time between my Los Angeles studio and my father’s workshop in Michigan.

WHERE DO YOU ESCAPE?

We have a small cabin in Michigan that is the perfect escape. Whenever I have a creative slump or life just gets too busy, a trip there always sets things back in order.

WHY DO YOU MAKE YOUR COLLECTION?

A Sunny Afternoon was born out of my desire to create beautiful things. I wanted to build a line that marries my style with my love of the outdoors, gathering for a meal, and the handmade. The idea of making picnic-ware and home goods that are useful, beautiful, and long lasting is what has driven me further to create the first collection.

A Sunny Afternoon is nominated for a Martha Stewart American Made Award! Make sure to vote!

A Sunny Afternoon is a TAE A-LIST brand.

Images by Jessie Webster for A Sunny Afternoon.