You'll Need No Castles in Spain
Plus... this weather! Oh, Autumn. Oh, home.
Chula Lane
Thank you, resident of Chula Lane, for letting me use your font door and geraniums as a backdrop (you weren't home, so I'm assuming this was ok). Featured here are some of the most-loved pieces in my wardrobe, hailing from the good ol' USA and around the world:
Merino wool sweater from Pendleton's Portland Collection. Pendleton, the Oregon-based company with origins dating back to 1863, is bringing production back to the U.S. with its Portland Collection, a line of women's and men's apparel, accessories, and blankets designed and manufactured in its namesake city. And this sweater is simply magical; every time I put in on I swear I catch a whiff of wood burning stoves and hear echos of the Decemberists.
Krochet Kids alpaca scarf. Made in Peru by Fiorella Pereda, this Krochet Kids scarf kept me warm all through California's cold snap. Now, if we could just get some rain...
TOMS Kitty sunglasses in tortoise. So as to solidify my love of TOMS and its new business model, I finally bucked up and bought my first pair of fancy sunglasses. They're big, well crafted, and cooler than cool.
Cuff bracelet by Gorjana. My parents gave me this very special piece of jewelry for Christmas. It's the first piece I've owned by Gorjana, a socially conscious jewelry and accessories brand headquartered in Laguna Beach.
Adriano Goldschmeid jeans. Made in LA; I've had these jeans for over four years and they still look fantastic.
American Apparel red wool beret. Made in LA; one of my all-time favorite accessories.
Photos by Jonathan Meyer (husband, works for free).
Made in Maui: Love from the Islands
After the horror of hurricane Sandy and the dreary drizzle here in the Bay Area (I know, tiny violin), I thought it would be fitting to revive this long-hibernating blog with a little tropical escapism.
My now-official-partner-in-crime and I spent our honeymoon on the island of Maui enjoying spectacular sunsets, remote winding highways, tranquil beaches, and boutique-perusing (ok, the last one might have been more of a solo activity). Here's a quick look at some of the gems the island had to offer:
Shopping in Paia, Maui
In this laid-back little beach town I found Biasa Rose, a boutique with a great selection of eco- and socially-conscious brands and handmade goods (there's also a second-hand section hiding in the back). After finally breaking down and deciding to buy a pair of TOMS, I picked up this lovely hand-printed clutch by Palapala Designs:
And in spite being completely unnecessary in Maui's balmy climate, this soft and cozy cream-colored scarf knit by Fiorella of Krochet Kids International caught my eye.
I love the modelbehind the company, which provides women in northern Uganda and Peru with employment, training, and education to offer a pathway out of poverty. The website includes a "meet the ladies" section with a profile of each artist, and encourages you to write a thank-you note to the woman who created your hat or scarf. It may seem simple, but enabling that personal connection to a product is pretty powerful, making each accessory so much more meaningful than something generated en masse. I know I'll be thinking about Fiorella (and the presumably adorable alpaca who provided the wool) when donning my scarf on those chilly San Francisco mornings.
Around Town: Snapshots
