Good with Style

Words with Friends

Words have new powers in the digital age, and we're only beginning to understand the unexplored possibilities. Tweets are transforming journalism. The lost art of copy writing has temporarily been submerged by the communication tsunami--how can brands communicate and distinguish themselves in an overcrowded landscape?  

In our time of mass (-ive amounts of) communication, it seems only appropriate that London store Selfridges and cultural connoisseurs It's Nice That should host an event series to explore the power of words. 

The first event featured Artist, coder, writer, and publisher James Bridle, brand strategists We All Need Words, and The Guardian journalist Paul Lewis. The final event will take place this week on February 23rd. Click for details...

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chairs

Source: unhappyhipsters.com via Emily on Pinterest

 

Chairs for kids. Chairs for kids who live in apartments. Chairs for kids the grown-ups can sit in without breaking. All of these things make the Stokke perfect for my kids. Sturdy, convertible and nice looking. Yep, pretty much perfect.

My Phil + Ted's Excellent Adventure

 
Have you ever experienced the emotional claustrophobia caused by having too much stuff? I feel this may be one of the most undiagnosed conditions of modern times. If you can come up with the antidote, you'll make a mint. Then you can buy even more stuff. Just kidding. You probably already know that the most effective defense is practicing self-control--being mindful of how much you acquire in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, after all. I know this can be a challenge, especially when it comes to having kids. It's a fact--children grow out of things--quickly. The planned obsolescence trap seems unavoidable with something as simple as a stroller--a standard purchase upon the arrival of your first child. If you decide to have a second child, you need another stroller--unless your older one is able to walk everywhere, and in the city, kids pretty much reach adolescence before they get out of the stroller. My almost five year old still begs to sit. Hey, don't judge. We do a lot of walking every day. I walk four miles (20 New York City Avenue blocks--round trip) just to pick her up from school every day. I bet some of you would want to sit in the stroller too.

So, how did I find a stroller that can adapt with a changing family? When my daughter was born nearly five years ago, after doing a lot of research, we purchased a Phil and Ted's stroller. Phil and Ted's sells single strollers that can turn into a double stroller (note: you do have to buy a "doubles kit"). You can see our Phil and Ted's in action here. Yes, these are expensive strollers. But, they last and they don't become obsolete if you decide to have a second child. I'm still looking for a good option for three children. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Bonus: The company has great customer service--they will replace pretty much any part free of charge. Because of the durability, these strollers really last--which means you can get a great deal if you decide to buy one second hand.  

Contact: Phil + Teds

Stroller Image Credit: Daddysswag.com

Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers...

...The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them--because they change things. They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do.

"Think Different" ad campaign by Chiat/Day which was inspired by this:

"When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money.

That’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is - everything around you that you call life, was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.

The minute that you understand that you can poke life and actually something will, you know if you push in, something will pop out the other side, that you can change it, you can mold it. That’s maybe the most important thing. It’s to shake off this erroneous notion that life is there and you’re just gonna live in it, versus embrace it, change it, improve it, make your mark upon it.

I think that’s very important and however you learn that, once you learn it, you’ll want to change life and make it better, cause it’s kind of messed up, in a lot of ways. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again."

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

*Print by: happydeliveries on Etsy

All This Happened, More or Less

Source: anneevamargriet.blogspot.com via Sara Kate on Pinterest

 

 

Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from the things she found in gift shops. (Slaughterhouse-Five)

Happy Birthday, Mr. Vonnegut.

Pin It

Queen for a Few Days: BRIZO + Jason Wu

Source: tumblr.com via Stéphanie on Pinterest

 

Last week, I had the pleasure of being a part of the BRIZO Fashion Week program which takes place twice a year here in NYC. There are so many wonderful things I want to share with you about the experience. I was treated to a wonderful stay at the Eventi Hotel, catered to with delicious food, and basically treated like royalty. I met 18 of the most talented, dedicated, passionate interior designers and stylists who inspired and taught me so much about the design industry. I got to know the amazing BRIZO team, marketing, branding, design, pr--all of whom are so talented and professional. And, I got to go to the Jason Wu Spring 2012 Fashion Show. Which was spectacular. But would you be surprised to learn that the highlight of my week was hanging out with my new blogger pals and the BRIZO team? And meeting Jason Wu, of course. I loved hearing about the BRIZO brand, and the design and production process of the kitchen and bath fixtures. I am always captivated by the process of things, each of the intricate steps that lead up to great design is what interests me the most. Whether it's fashion or faucets, or both, I like to know how things happen, and I am so thrilled I got a little glimpse into the world of BRIZO. And I can't wait to share more with you from my experience.

XO

Emily

Frankly Mr. Shankley

Jessica Kagan Cushman bracelet (see more gold jewelry)

I don't care. No me interesa. Is there ever a time when this is an appropriate thing to say? Probably not, but sometimes I really would like to. I hope you are having a wonderful week!!

xo

Emily

Me and My Lands' End Bathing Suit

  Yup. That is a picture of me at the beach in my new Lands' End bathing suit. On my blog. Which is on the Internet. Very daring of me, don't you think? Granted, it's not quite what you'd refer too as an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini...for reasons which I will leave to you to determine. This year, I realized that the suits I had were either too small, or too large. It's an annoying in-between zone. I could open a clothing store with the multiple sizes that are sitting in my closet. I purchased two bathing suit bottoms and three bathing suit tops, which means I can mix and match, which I love. I also love this particular suit--the pattern is really cute, the material comfortable, and it's great for swimming. It may not be itsy-bitsy--but it is polka dot, and pretty chic at that. Do you ever wonder why all of the bathing suits made for women in my market are so hideous? The prints on the average tankini are just bad. You know what I'm talking about. The only thing I'm not so crazy about with this suit is the ruching in the front of the skirt--it's a little too much. Overall, I am completely happy with my suits. I wish more brands would figure out that when a woman wants a little more fabric, that doesn't mean she wants any less style. Good job, Land's End.

XO

Emily

More about Lands' End:

*Lands' End began as a Sailboat equiptment company in 1963 by Pan American Games gold medalist sailors Robert Halperin and Richard Stearns

*The apostrophe was a typo--should have been Land's end--which the owners couldn't afford to change. Back in the days before digital, when type was set, it was set...

*Sears Holding purchased the company in 2002 for $2 billion in cash

*The company is now based in Dodgeville, Wisconsin

* Dodgeville has one of the country's largest state parks

*Dodgeville is a part of the "National Mainstreet Program"

*You can read more about Sears Eco and Ethical Business Policies here

How I Learned to Love the Recession

Source: sweetdecor.tumblr.com via Dorothy on Pinterest

 

Big news---we've decided NOT to buy a house. Or even leave the city. We are moving, though, to a deluxe apartment in the sky. Okay, it's not really deluxe, nor is it in the sky. It is a few hundred square feet bigger, has an extra bathroom, and, wait for it....it has a dishwasher. Yes, I have been living without a dishwasher for more than 10 years. I didn't mind until the children came along, and then I became more concerned about bacteria and mold congregating in the impossible to clean kiddie drinkware. But this story isn't about the dishwasher, or even the apartment. It's about something much, much more important. It's about my marriage. Now that we're at the end of it, I feel like I can share the ordeal we went through in the process of house-hunting. There are so many things wrong with the Real Estate industry that I can't even begin to tackle them. What I will say is that if you think planning a wedding is a test of your relationship, get ready for the next step in the process--buying a home. And what is at the root of this discussion, of course, is money. How much, or how little you have to spend becomes the topic du jour when house-hunting, for obvious reasons. The industry wants you to spend as much as you possibly can, to really stretch yourself. Hence, the housing crisis. But isn't it incredible that very little has changed in the approach, even with the legions of houses that have depressed value? Now, I am one of those people who feels really guilty leaving a store without buying something. I have even been known to overspend from time to time. But my husband is the exact opposite. Thankfully. We are a perfect balance--I am the sky, and he is the sturdy ground below. The downside is that I am often trying to get him to jump off the ground a little higher, and he's trying to keep me from floating away. This is essentially what happened during this latest house-hunting extravaganza. And boy oh boy, did we go at it. But at the end, when all the dust settled, we found ourselves sitting on the seesaw, perfectly balanced. For my part, I really saw the whole picture--if we bought the best house on the best street in the best town we could afford, there was going to be a compromise. It was only a matter of what to compromise on and what to hold firm on. We did the smart thing, and did the math for the "easy fixes" we would need, and added that to the purchase price. When the seller wasn't willing to negotiate, we walked. But first we got comfortable with the fact that we live in a really great neighborhood (Hudson (Washington) Heights, NYC) where you really know the people you pass on the street. It is the most affordable, nicest part of Manhattan (in my opinion), filled with diversity and spirit and energy. We found a new apartment in a great building, in which several of our friends already live. Our daughter is going to the same school as last year--which we love. Our son is going to be in another little kids program two days a week. We have again found the balance, and fortified our marriage with understanding, flexibility, and faith. I hope my experience can help you a little bit in these trying times. Just remember--we're all in this together :)

XO

Emily

What I Wore: Sunday At The Beach

 

Hat: San Diego Hat Co. Eco-Friendly Raffia, Made In China

Sun Glasses: Persol, I've had them for at least ten years, Handmade in the original factory in Lauriano, (Turin) Italy.

Bathing Suit: Land's End, Made in Cambodia

Shoes: Jack Rogers, $10, Housing Works NYC

Dress: Three Dots, Made in USA

Water Bottle: Klean Kanteen, Responsibly Made In China

Watch: Michael Kors Chronograph Waterproof Watch, Made in China

Sash/Wrap: Street Vendor, NYC

Bag: Vintage, My Mom

Love List

 

Emily Style Five Fave Things: July 2011 by goodwithstyle

1. Travelling light

2. Vogue goes Green

3. Eco-Beauty

4. Summer Dresses

5. Red White and Blue

Do you have "Five Fave Things" you'd like to share with me? Show + Tell me!

XO

Emily

Paul Smith Designed Evian Bottle

Source: designboom.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 

 

This bottle makes it so much easier to buy glass instead of plastic. Refreshing.

Who Made Your Shoes?

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

 

Here's to knowing more about where our stuff comes from and how it's made.

Three Strikes and Your House

 
If you've been keeping up with my Twitter feed, you may know that I have been consumed by "Operation: Buy A House." I am truly beginning to understand why people prefer to rent their homes rather than go through the gauntlet that comes with the home buying experience. Never before have I been so emotionally exhausted, even planning a wedding and giving birth to my children seems like a piece of cake compared to this. We happen to live in a highly competitive marketplace, where even now there is a bidding war for almost every decent house we've encountered. But maybe this is just how it's done and it's only novel to me because I've never bought a house before. Or maybe it's just because there are a lot more people in my area who are house-hunting. Or maybe it's just dumb luck. Whatever the reason, it is what it is. Which is when I need to remind myself that it's just a house...not a life. It isn't more important than the well-being of my family, or my relationship with my husband, or my own feelings of self-worth. Nonetheless, I can't help but feel that the entire system itself is flawed. But, like I said, it is what it is.

XO

Emily

P.S. I'd LOVE to hear your house buying stories, and maybe even share them here with other readers. Please submit your stories to me at: GoodWithStyle (at) gmail (dot) com. Subjectline: "House Hunting". Deadline for submissions is Monday, June 27th. I can't wait to hear from you!

Here are a few helpful links:

CNN Money 101 Lesson: Buying A Home

Real Simple: Do You Need  A Lawyer To Buy Or Sell A Home?

 

Blog Lovin' + Sarah Richardson Inspiration

I've been blogging for a number of years now. I first started as a way to launch my freelance writing career, then promote my first book, second book, most recent book. All the while I have been evolving as a writer and as a person. This is what I love about blogs, the malleable and transformative nature of the medium. You can change when and however you wish to change. I am at a Sea Change moment in my life, having just closed a big chapter by way of finally getting my grandmother's house (and my childhood oasis) ready to be sold. I've also been looking for a house with my dear husband, which is not the most empowering experience when you are operating within a very specific budget. So losing and finding a home is a big part of my story right now. We've lot out on three houses because we were outbid. But something happened over the last couple of weeks. First, instead of being disappointed with what I do not have, I re-immersed myself in what I do have. This included spending more time with my children--taking them to buy the groceries, involving them in the meal preparation, sitting down together. It has occurred to me that what sustains us is not what we have from a material perspective, but really it's the shared experiences we have. The rituals of everyday life, whether it's cleaning the house, cooking the food, or doing the laundry--are accessible to all of us. You can live in the smallest house, but when you clean and organize it just so, it can rival the largest mansion. Because what a castle is doesn't depend on what it is, but rather how it is. 

XO

Emily

Photograph: Sarah Richardson Designed Room

 

getting ready for lift-off: say goodbye to the past

PHOTO: THE TORTOISE & THE HARE

I am feeling a little overwhelmed, but that seems to be my general state of being so I've decided to just start going with it and do my best. What else can anyone expect? After spending a mad week at my Grandmother's in Rock Island, Illinois cleaning out the house, all of the items I decided to keep arrived this past weekend here in New York. I had hoped to have a house by the time we got the stuff, but that's still pending. So, into storage everything went. What I wanted to share with you is the incredible relief mingled with sadness and grief I felt after the trip ended. Going through the house was like peeling back layers of an onion, and I most certainly could have spent many more days, weeks, even years sorting and sifting. In a way, it was a blessing that I only had five days to complete the task. Here are a few of the items I decided to keep:

1. The canopy bed that was my mother's and then mine, and now will be my daughter's.

2. A complete set of Royal Copenhagen vintage china.

3. Paul Revere cookware which I know is really old school, but I like to use it because it's what I learned to cook with.

4. All of the vintage clothes I could get my mitts on.

5. Every photo, letter, and family document I could find.

6. My mother's interior design folders--with her ideas, clippings, etc.

7. Several other family heirlooms that have more sentimental value than their material worth.

I would recommend this experience to anyone who has a chance to help unravel a loved one's physical presence after they are gone. I gained insight, had a few laughs, and most of all closed the book on a big chapter in my life. Having grown up around death for my entire life (my grandparent's were Funeral Directors)...I think I've always had a highly-developed sense of how important it is to live life to the fullest. But even when we are aware, the weight of our past can keep us from really soaring. But now I'm ready to fly--I even have my cape on--so let's go!

elle decor concept house & restoration hardware

I've spent a week with a wonderful group of editors, designers, bloggers and design industry influentials via the one-of-a-kind Kravet Blogfest2011. There will be much for me to share, but I am still processing all the amazing events, photos, encounters. 

One of my favorite parts of the three-day conference in New York City was a visit to the ELLE DECOR Concept House. The house will be open to the public beginning tomorrow, and is well-worth a visit if you happen to be in-town. One of my very favorite items were the absolutely fabulous 18th Century Teak Wingback Chairs from Restoration Hardware. I also briefly met designer Todd Nickey, who's outdoor terrace design featured these chairs. He was is charming as he is talented. I hope you are having a lovely week, and I will be back soon with more fun details of the week.

XO

Emily

kangaroo plus 5 cargo bike

 I really want a new bike. If only I lived in Amsterdam, where Recycled Bicycle is located, which I learned from Green Goody. We walk everywhere, so at least I don't use a car too often. But riding your bike around town is an especially Earth Day idea, because it's better for everyone, including you.

 So then I got to thinking about bikes, and looking around the web for different models, when I came upon this incredibly great idea from Danish-based Kangaroo Bike.

 I'm not sure how my husband would feel about this, but I am definitely putting this on the list. How about you--do you have--or want--a bike? 

XO

Emily

touch wood video brings ryuichi sakamoto + rube goldberg together

It happens so rarely that I am on the cutting-edge. It's just too much pressure to always try to be ahead of the curve, don't you think? But I thought I'd share this...since it's been getting so much traffic here on the GWS blog...the Rube Goldberg inspired instrument I wrote about last week, featuring a silent forest filled with man-made music.

The video is actually an ad for the NTT DOCOMO limited edition Touch Wood mobile phone.

The project is a collaboration between Sharp Corporation, Olympus Corporation and "more trees," a reforestation project founded by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and others. Sakamoto recently gave a benefit concert here in New York City to benefit Relief for Japan. Here is a quote from him:

NTT DOCOMO says, "The TOUCH WOOD is made from the surplus wood of trees culled during forest-thinning operations. This new commercial use for thinned wood, which traditionally has only limited applications, helps to preserve other wood resources while strengthening the health of overgrown forests."

If you visit the NTT DOCOMO site, and I suggest you do, you will see the Disaster Message Board which the company has created to assist victims and families impacted by the recent Japanese natural disasters.

Go here to read more about the Touch Wood project.

XO

Emily

 

organic cotton's dirty little secret

Unfortunately, at this stage, even the label won't necessarily tell you everything you should know about the item. A label may say "MADE WITH 100% Organic Cotton" vs. "100% Organic Cotton Clothing" which is a distinction nobody probably even pays attention to...Because I have experience writing copy for product and I think this difference makes a difference--for legal reasons, a company may want to be sure they say "contains" because then they can include whatever they want and still keep the Organic Label.

This is why the GOTS--Global Organic Textile Association--label is so important, it does regulate the environmental and ethical standards at every stage of the entire manufacturing process. I only know about GOTS because of my client, BOA Style. All of their Organic items have this label.

If you'd like to see all of the chemicals used after the Organic Cotton is grown, harvested, and turned into fiber then fabric, go straight to the source Textile Manufacturers, Exporters & Suppliers website. Here are a few links for more information and resources about Organic Cotton:

Organic Trade Association

Patagonia: About Organic Cotton

About Organic Cotton

Sustainable Cotton Project

Behind the Label (the very best, most comprehensive source for all things ethical business related.)

I'm also a adding few brands to my recommended list:

NAU

HessNatur

Winter Water Factory*

*I just purchased a few items from this store for my little girl and we love the organic cotton designs! I'll share photos and more next week.

Does all of this information make sense to you? Please let me know if you have any questions or information. Remember, I am learning too!

XO

Emily