The Intro : Storq, Hunters Alley & TRNK New York

The beauty of the internet is that everything has a place… literally anyone can create something and find a home for it online. We’re all inundated with launches and updates through all of our social media channels and too often, it seems like it’s all just noise. But every once in a while something comes along that feels different – maybe it’s entirely novel, or maybe just a little bit better or a little bit more fun – but these are the things that make me happy to be a part of this digital world.

My internet karma must be high, because yesterday THREE incredible sites launched that I’m excited about… I think you will be, too!

storq-made-in-america

New Body. New Rules. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe, just the basics.

Storq solves this an issue I’ve seen the pregnant women in my life face – what do you wear? What can you use on your skin? What makes you feel good but also is good for the baby? Storq has done the research for you, and sells American-made wardrobe staples (sold individually or in a package) and beauty products that are safe and comfortable for use during and after pregnancy. I’ll be interviewing founder Courtney Klein for an upcoming TAE feature and can’t wait to learn more about her inspirations behind the line!

hunters-alleyA new kind of marketplace created just for design lovers, Hunters Alley connects shoppers and sellers, and makes it fun to track down the kinds of pieces that start conversations.

Hunters Alley is brought to us by founders of One Kings Lane, my personal favorite online marketplace/dream-store. The highly curated marketplace will allow you to buy and sell your favorite vintage, antique, or handcrafted pieces – and from what I’ve seen around the web, it looks like some of my favorite American makers will be starting to sell their products here soon!
I’ve been searching the site and saving my favorites… there are still a few glitches, but it’s fun to look at all of the different products, sellers, and shoppers – follow me because I’d love to see your favorites as well!  

trnk-nyc

We celebrate evolved notions of male domesticity, and offer a curated destination for masculine design – redefining how men think about and shop for the home.

TRNK-NYC is technically for men… but I tend to believe that great style is genderless. And I live with a dude who has much, much better taste and style than me (which is equally awesome and annoying) but who has far less patience to scour the interwebs for home decor. It looks like TRNK may be just what we needed… and like-minded, judging by the factory tours and American-made items I’ve seen throughout the site!

In terms of the internet, this was basically Christmas…. check ’em out and let me know what you think!

[images via respective sites]

The Edit: American Made Travel Essentials

If you follow along on Instagram, you know that I’ve spent the weekend in San Francisco, gallivanting throughout the city with friends and family and soaking up the sunshine. Today I’m in work mode, running around to meetings and interviews and working on some great projects and brand features.

I’m a little bit crazy about sticking to a carry-on when I travel – whether for work or for play, these are the items that always make the cut.

Clare V messenger –> I actually currently use this duffel, which holds all of the above and then some, but am ready to add the messenger to my collection for a little extra space!

Clare V pouch – perfect for extra chargers, jewelry, business cards… these pouches save me from having to empty my bag every time I need something.

Baggu Wedge Pouch – the perfect size for extra memory cards.

Fotostrap Camera Strap… because I’m not interested in being a walking Nikon advertisement. These straps also have a charitable component, which I love. 

Shinola notebooks – my current favorite notebook…

Rodin Lip Balm & Earth Tu Face Skin Stick my skin gets so dry when I travel but I picked these up at Mille recently and have had no issues this trip. The lip balm feels like a treat throughout the day and the skin stick is obviously portable and perfect for all over use.

What do you always bring with you?

NYT + Christopher Payne : Fruits of the Loom

I think I have looked at these images every day this week – I’m in awe. The color, the format, the incredible detail.

I’ve always loved understanding the process behind things – and even though I know how exactly how much work it takes to take an item from concept to reality, it still feels sort of magical to me when I see a finished product. Christopher Payne’s incredible photography makes that process seem even more magical

From The New York Times Magazine:

“Christopher Payne has spent much of the past few years photographing more than 20 of the mills that make up what’s left of America’s textile industry…

He uses a large-format view camera — just a lens, a bellows and a ground focusing glass — that exposes individual sheets of 4-by-5-inch film; the setup for his long-exposure shots often takes hours. He describes his work as an attempt “to convey the significance of places and processes, once marvels of their time, that have now fallen into obsolescence” and yet remain vital to the few people left who employ these methods and purchase these goods.”

NYT Magazine | Christopher Payne Photography