A pertinent reminder.
Category: Why
7.10.14
Sometimes you just need to take a week off from blogging and reading blogs in order to get excited and get back to it! I’ll be back with a few fantastic interviews and features next week but here are some must read articles to catch up on this weekend.
HDH Basics!
I’m so stoked for Lisa’s new collection – it has been so much fun to watch it come together over the last few months at The Comn. These everyday, always available pieces will be the perfect addition to any wardrobe… though mine is slowly becoming very HDH heavy.
Five Questions: Kate Arends
My amazing friend (and another studio-mate!) is a tastemaker in this month’s Martha Stewart magazine. Check out the article for some of her favorite items and for her thoughts on party planning, Minneapolis, social media, and American made.
Do Less = Do More. The Art of Being Creative + Productive.
Yesterday I deleted everything in my information/organization apps and am attempting to start over. I get so overwhelmed with tasks and information and the-need-to-save-everything-in-case-I-ever-want-slash-need-to-come-back-to-it that I’m struggling to feel like I ever actually accomplish anything. I think I may give this schedule a try next week… anyone want to join me?! Also- please share how you organize your life! I’ve got email down, but todoist, evernote, pocket, etc. are big opportunities for me…
What Are We Doing to Strengthen Our Circles?
Per usual, Erin’s take on the circles of people we surround ourselves with and the fact that we need to nurture the relationships that make up our foundation is spot on. I shared this last week but was reminded of it again this week while I sat down to dinner with an amazing group of friends and people that I trust and believe in. Build your circle (of women AND men, in my case) and be good to it (and to yourself).
Another Reason to Love Birkenstocks.
I have always been a fan of the jolie laide (ugly beautiful) and also of anything comfortable – so clearly I’m happily sporting my birks these days. I appreciated that they were made in Germany (a high wage country) but am even happier to wear mine after reading Ana’s article… what a great company.
Conscious Consumption.
Often, I don’t write things because I don’t know how to frame my thoughts nicely (I wish I filtered what came out of my mouth this way!). My amazing friend Heidi Merrick perfectly articulated my thoughts on the cost of consumption last week… we are all responsible.
and last… I’m working on some updates to this site (hard to believe it’s almost been a year since TAE launched!) and I would LOVE your feedback… What do you like? What can I change? (the font will get bigger, finally!) What can I do better? What do you want to see more or less of? I’d love any and all input and suggestions! feel free to comment below, via social media, or by email! THANK YOU!
Have an awesome weekend! xx
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Independence Day
Happy 4th of July, friends!
America happens to share a birthday with someone very important to me (and a birthday week with me!), so on this holiday I often feel extra thankful – for my family and my friends, for my health, and for the life I am free to live in this amazing country of opportunity. My parents moved here almost 40 years ago to pursue the American Dream and build a better life for their future family and despite the setbacks and hurdles, that is what they did.
Although I’ve always been proud to be an American, I never considered myself to be incredibly patriotic – it honestly just wasn’t something I thought about. I didn’t get into this business because of some deep-seated love, respect for, or obligation to America, but because of my belief in the amazing makers and entrepreneurs and creatives I’d met over the years. But the more I dive into this adventure, the more I realize that that is America – the enduring optimism and risk taking and creativity of our citizens. And I love that. And I believe in it. And I am proud to be a patriot. This week and all weeks, I am thankful to live somewhere that considers Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness to be my unalienable rights.
I was honored to work on American made product round ups for TWO of my favorite shops this week… please check them out!
Happy, Happy 4th! Be safe. Have fun. Eat some s’mores.
collage via artifact uprising. images from left to right: top row – @maxwanger @rachccouch bottom row – @littlecoal @leacicerarophoto
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#GirlBoss
I hate that equality is something we still have to talk about. Think of all the good we (women, the entire human population, etc.) could be doing if we didn’t have to fight for basic things like equal pay or the ability to go to school.
I’m thankful that this site introduces me to amazing, incredible women who kick ass professionally and personally each day.
In that vein… a fairly random mix of serious and fun reads (and a podcast!) this week. All by women.
But Why are They Only Taking Girls?
Stella Bugbee on telling her daughter about the Nigerian kidnappings… a conversation we should all be having.
The Coveteur : #GirlBoss – Career Advice that Actually Matters
Brilliant advice from some of my favorite women in fashion – Christene Barbarich, Laura Brown, Bobbi Brown…
I’m also reading the actual #GirlBoss book right now… and loving it. Nasty Gal in general isn’t typically my taste (but I do love that you can enter “Made in America” in the search box and get legitimate results!) but Sophia Amorusa has a pretty incredible story.
Sarah Silverman on being an Actual, Full Grown Woman
Don’t lack initiative. People tell me, “I want to be a writer.” OK, then write. There’s no trick. No one’s gonna knock on your door and ask you to write. Just write, dummy. Put your 10,000 hours in (see: Malcolm Gladwell), and be undeniable.
Design*Sponge After the Jump: The Cost of Independent Design
A fascinating conversation between Grace, Claire Mazur of Of a Kind, and Kathryn Fortunato of Lizzie Fortunato Jewels on the true costs of independent design, why Lizzie Fortunato is still made in the US, and how important it is to support small designers.
Also, be sure to read my interview with Claire and her co-founder, Erica Cerulo.
The Ann Friedman weekly.
I read a lot. This is the smartest thing I read each week. Subscribe, you won’t regret it.
[image via Tommy Ton]
This week I have a fun home feature on one of my favorite sites, some interviews I’m so excited to share, AND we are throwing a launch party for our new studio… follow along to see all of the fun:
