Friday Favorite's White Marble Everything

I blame this countdown on Paige. I blame her for taking me to all the perfect marble covered coffee shops of New York. I blame her for covering her phone in marble and making it look so good. This countdown is for you. 

1) WHITE MARBLE PILLOW COVER: I want a room full of these. Marble floors. Marble walls. Marble pillows. Thank you. 

2) SWELL STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE: It just looks refreshing. 

3) BOUND PERSONAL JOURNAL: Lord God this is so much lighter than carrying around a marble tablet....but way cuter. 

4) MARBLE + ROSE EARBUDS: Let me repeat...marble and rose gold... in one product. 

5) MARBLE BEDDING: Okay, but this is a bit over the top. I'm not sure I can stand behind this one. 

6) MARBLE PHONE CASE: I have been wanting one of these for months. I don't know why I haven't gotten one yet. 

7) MARBLE KEY BOARD STICKERS: You 100% do not need these...but they look so damn good. Go ahead and get you some. 

8) MARBLE MORTAR AND PESTLE: I am not here to question what you're going to use this for...but I can assure you that you will never look trendier. 

9) MARBLE CONTACT PAPER: I remember being so excited when my 2nd grade teacher covered our desks in this contact paper. We were so beyond cool. 

10) MARBLE TABLECLOTH: This one is so simple and so perfect. 

Thursday Favorite's: Pretty Aesthetic Part One

Good morning! We're starting something new today. The goal is to share a few of my favorite items a few days a week. Today I am really obsessed with... pretty things!

I honestly don't have a theme for this one....likely cause its the first. I do reckon that all of these would look delightful near white marble. 

1) A NEW WAY TO COOK: The best place to start baking is with a good recipe. Thankfully the team over at Martha Stewart has you covered. These recipes look delicious, easy, and perfect for the modern millennial. 

A New Way to Bake: Classic Recipes Updated with Better-for-You Ingredients from the Modern Pantry

2) KITCHENAID STAND MIXER IN BAY LEAF: I am officially obsessed with this mixer. The color has me screaming for spring. My KitchenAid is sadly a very boring white. You and I both need this color! 

3) ENAMELED CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN IN TEAL: Okay I realize this is just turning into a list of things I find pretty. I am totally okay with that. I hope you'll grab them all!

4) PEG + AWL: THE BAKERS DOZEN: Basically everything by Peg + Awl is perfect and visually perfect. We've known them for years and love everything we see. If you're especially looking to splurge buy yourself one of their swings!

5) PENTAX Q-S1 MIRRORLESS CAMERA: Okay, I'll be the first to admit I don't know a lot about this camera...but its mirrorless and its gold...and I love both. 

6) COTTON MUSLIN BAGS: I have dozens of these little bags. They are perfect for wrapping gifts, packing toiletries, organizing drawers, or really whatever. They're crazy cheap too!

7) PADDYWAX SEASALT CANDLE: This is clearly my color. Thats all!

8) WOOLKRAFTS MERINO WOOL BLANKET: I'd love to think the warm months will soon be here, but it seems we can't shake this cold! I love these fresh designs on classic wool blankets. 

9) BODUM COPPER FRENCH PRESS: It is rare that I make coffee, but when I do I only want this copper french press around. The aesthetic is en pointe AF. 

10) MARBLE THROW PILLOW COVER: Yes, I found the marble. Yes you need it. Yes buy it now. Yes a future list will be totally marble things! 

A Late Summer Gentleman Farmer Photo Shoot

Jennie Love, of Love 'n Fresh Flowers, fills us in on this richly-hued, earthy wedding inspiration shoot:

As someone who works the land every day, I feel deeply connected to the seasons and to the heritage of farming.  When I started brainstorming with the talented ladies at Love Me Do Photography on a photo shoot, we were all immediately drawn to the idea of celebrating the richness of a full harvest in an intimate setting ripe with agrarian history.  We wanted to highlight the natural beauty of the late summer season's flowers, fruits, and vegetables.  Everything in the shoot was locally sourced, including the flowers grown at our own flower farm, just a few miles away.   Wyck, the venue, was the absolute perfect fit for our vision, and it inspired so much of this shoot.  

Located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Wyck is the ancestral home of the Wistar-Haines family, colonists who helped build Philadelphia when they settled here in 1690.  The home and property remained in the same family until 1973 when it went into a trust and became a National Historical Landmark.  Today, it's beautiful garden, house, and small urban farm are open to the public for exploring, including the original glass greenhouse that was likely one of the very first to ever be built in colonial America and the oldest rose garden in America still growing in its original foot-print.  Wyck is a truly remarkable place.  When it was first built, it was in wide-open rolling hills, the country estate for its Quaker owners who traveled to and from the city of Philadelphia by horse and carriage.  Today, swallowed up by Philadelphia as it expanded over the centuries, Wyck is now a petite 2.5 acre green oasis in a tattered urban neighborhood.  Step inside its gates and one immediately escapes the dull roar of buses to hear bees from the farm's hives buzzing around instead.  

Our models for the shoot are a real-life couple deeply in love, and it was a pleasure to watch them giggle and blush together throughout the summer afternoon. We had them "marry" under the 250 year old Concord grape arbor beside the house, which was heady with the fragrance of ripening grapes.  The foodie-inspired bridal bouquet was quirky and fun with a mix of dahlias, zinnias, air plants, blackberries, raspberries, mint, sage, and garlic.  Yes, garlic!  The boutonniere included succulents, blackberries, gomphrena and celosia.  The celebratory farm feast that followed was set-up in the rose garden.  The handmade rustic farm table and antique chairs were provided by Maggpie Vintage Rentals.

Birchtree Catering designed a scrumptious rustic late summer menu that was inspired by the colors and tastes of heirloom tomatoes.  The table was decked out with a lush sprawling centerpiece of zinnias, dahlias, kale, sage, hydrangea, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes.  More heirloom tomatoes were placed down the center of the table and each place setting got its own garnish of either an adorable baby eggplant or string of green baby tomatoes.

We made one of my favorites, a Blackberry Shrub, for cocktails.  A shrub is a tart drinking vinegar that was popular in Wyck’s heyday as a way to preserve fruit for consumption throughout the year.  Today shrubs are an excellent mixer for cocktails and super easy to make. We served a "cheese cake", literally a stack of locally-sourced cheese rounds in lieu of traditional cake and a great idea for less traditional couples who love savory more than sweet.   

All in all, this shoot felt so natural and joyous, especially when we all sat down at the end to enjoy a delicious meal together in the late summer twilight.  A last hurrah for summer! And the perfect inspiration for an intimate farm or backyard wedding.  

Wyck is available to rent for weddings and other special events.  

Vendor Credits: photography: Love Me Do Photography //venue: Wyck House in Philadelphia, Pa //  florals & styling: Love 'n Fresh Flowers //  food: Birchtree Catering // dress: Free People // bow tie: Forage// rentals: Maggpie Vintage//  paper goods: Loveleigh Invitations //  hairpiece:  Lovely Bridal 

SpiritHoods X FOLK — Banff Nat'l Park series

When we decided to conquer the Great White North and explore Banff National Park we realized we might not be completely equipped for our adventure. Knowing this, we decided to partner with brands that we love to capture the beauty of their products in the beauty of the Canadian landscape. One of the brands we immediately fell for was SpiritHoods, owned and operated out of Los Angeles, they produce amazing faux fur coats and hoods with spirit animal inspiration. We sat down with owners Markey and Latif to talk about how they came up with SpiritHoods, read their interview and see our shots with them below.
 

• How did you get started creating SH?
 
Over a bottle of tequila. The way all good things start.
 
• Did you know you would start your own brand, if not what spurred it?
 

We've always been surrounded by creativity, and branding a company had always interested both of us. hen the opportunity came along it seemed like life was handing us something we were meant to be doing. So the answer is yes, but life met us halfway.
 
It's still pretty hilarious to have old friends ask you what you do and to respond with, "I make furry animal hats".

 
• How do you get ideas for new products & photo shoots?
 
We love to travel and draw a lot inspiration from the cultures of the world, past and present. You can find inspiration everywhere, in the littlest details.  There are so many creative people showcasing their art and it’s always exciting to see how one idea leads into the next.
 

• What are your inspirations?

The natural world and the animal kingdom they are the heroes here. They are where we pull all our inspiration from. When I grow up I want to be a Lion and my brother would like to be a wolf.
 
• How do your hobbies influence what you make?
 
My brother and I have both been playing music together since we were young. This affinity for music has had a big impact on us, and musicians and festival culture were the early adopters for SpiritHoods. Ultimately our hobbies are centered around getting back to our roots and you can see that message in the brand.
 

 
• What has been your biggest challenge?  
 
Partnership...It's like a marriage, you have to work at it constantly and it takes communication and compromising to find your stride. We always say that if you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.
 
 

• What's been your best advice you've been given?
 
earn to communicate and speak to people in a way they can understand. Everybody defines even the simplest words based on they're history and relationship with that particular word and it may have a different meaning to you than it does someone else.

Also, we’d both be remiss if we didn’t mention one of our favorite books here, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. The advice we both received from the book is pure gold!

 

• What's your favorite thing about sharing your art with others?
 
The sense of community and the inspiring stories created through this product are something we never could have expected and that amazes us still to this day.  

Maker Made Valentines Favorites

I'll be the first to admit that I do not like Valentine's Day...but I realize many of y'all love it. So this list if for you. All of the items are American made and all but the notebook are handmade. Each of these ladies are the most delightful artisans and I do hope you will support them all year long. 

Life in a Chicago Winter

Sometimes you need something bright, colorful, and cheery. Today is one of those days. I went into my archives and found photos I shot at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory in Chicago. I shot these in February of 2015. 

Did You Know...

The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in North America

It was founded in 1868.

It is one of the only FREE zoos in the world.

The zoo is home to over 1000 animals in 200 different species.

The zoo started with a pair of swans. A gift from the Central Park Zoo.

The Final Day of January

Yesterday's weather was unusually nice for January around here...so my friend Keegan and I went out with some tees by The Direction (shopthedirection.com) to shoot around. Here are a few photos from our day in Lexington. 

All shirts by The Direction (www.shopthedirection.com)

Wolfe Co.

Heath sat down with Wolfe Co. after photographing some pieces of theirs in the mountains of Colorado. We were curious to learn about their business, the products, and their reasons for being makers. 

How did you get started creating apparel?

Wolfe Co. began more out of frustration and national pride than a desire to create apparel.  As a proud Canadian, I have been consistently disappointed by the willingness for companies to outsource and produce abroad; there is so much talent and potential in our own country that I think should be valued and put to good use!  Just out of curiosity, I began to research the manufacturing process within Canada and thought to myself, “You know what? You could actually pull this off.” And Wolfe Co. just sort of happened from there.  

Who taught you how to create apparel/design fashion merchandise, or were you self-taught?

I am almost entirely self-taught.  My mother owns a clothing store, which helped me massively in terms of merchandising and the logistics of owning a store.  But the actual designing of apparel is entirely new to me.  Luckily, I have come across lots of experts in the industry who took me under their wing and showed me the ropes.

Did you know you would start your own brand, if not what spurred it?

No, not at all.  I have always known that I wanted to start my own business – I’m definitely an entrepreneur – but fashion never really crossed my mind as a valid option.  There are so many designers starting out and so many competitors who have a really good business going, so the prospects of being a successful clothing brand weren’t particularly appealing to me.  That said, Wolfe Co. has found a gap in the market where there is relatively little competition: entirely Canadian-made clothing that supports Canadian workers and artisans.  Unlike large fashion brands, Wolfe Co. refuses to sacrifice quality and it’s ‘proudly Canadian’ roots to make a profit.  There are so many clothing brands out there already, and I never imagined that this would be the direction my journey would take.  But the brand is about far more than just the clothing; Wolfe Co.   We do not mass produce; we rely heavily on small family businesses across Canada who are invested in the idea of a truly Canadian brand.  We do not sell for a profit; we sell Wolfe Co. to spread an idea and to spread the love for our country.  It is an ideal, a lifestyle, and an homage to Canada.

How do you get ideas for new products & photo shoots?

Inspiration comes from anything that is iconically Canadian.  Wolfe Co. strives to cater to both urban and rural aesthetics; our clothing is suitable for a weekend in Algonquin Park or a night out in Toronto.  Keeping that in mind, a look-book might include winter shots skating on the famous Rideau Canal, a night around the campfire, or stills of a college road-trip from coast to coast.

What are your inspirations?

Natural beauty is at the heart of the Wolfe Co. mission.  What I mean by that is that our brand is not looking to cater to high fashion trends.  Wolfe Co. encourages the kind of lifestyle that is raw and pure.  The world around us is full of amazing things to discover and many of the colours in the Wolfe Co. palette have been inspired by the richest of colours found in nature.  
It’s that get-up-and-go mentality, the free spiritedness of taking life’s potential into your own hands, that inspires us.  It’s a way of living that’s not unique to Canada alone, but a way of living that the ruggedness of Canada inherently promotes. 

How do your hobbies influence what you make?

Animal welfare and the environment have consistently appeared throughout my life as areas of importance that I feel obligated to support in whatever way I can.  The world has become a place of convenience and self-promotion…I think it’s so important to stop, look around, and give back to the world that we live in.  It’s not always just about us.

That said, a large part of Wolfe Co. is about giving back.  Our campaign called Northern Strong - #NorthernStrong – is a series of t-shirts, hoodies, and other Wolfe Co. products from which 10% of each purchase is donated to the humane society in my local community.  

In addition, 100% of the profits from Wolfe Co.’s WILD Iron-on Patch is donated to the Woodland Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario, Canada.  

What has been your biggest challenge?  

One of the biggest challenges for me has been to articulate to consumers what Wolfe Co. is all about.  It’s not simply a piece of clothing that looks pretty, or trendy, or “cool”; Wolfe Co. apparel and goods are sold with the intention of starting a movement for national pride.  Our country is overflowing with talented craftsmen and dedicated workers who should be recognized.  Every sale makes a statement in support of these craftsmen.  We need to support our own people by becoming economically and environmentally conscious producers and consumers.  

Look up at the stars tonight and let yourself be overwhelmed by the vastness of the universe.  You are a small cog within an enormous system, but like all systems, every piece plays a crucial role.  Wolfe Co. encourages you to realize this part you play in the world, socially, economically, physically, and emotionally.

What's been your best advice you've been given?

Best advice I’ve received so far: you need to be open to criticism – you won’t get everything right on the first try.  But, do not alter the vision you have for your brand just to make an extra buck or two.