Norse Projects is just another in a long line of reasons to love the fashion scene in Denmark. With a passion for functionality and quality, the classics and the modern, Norse specialize in blending traditional work and outdoor pieces with the avant-garde, Japanese specialty products and technical outerwear. Under the creative direction of Tobia Sloth, and based in Copenhagen (my favorite city!), the company designs and develops seasonal collections of mens and womenswear.
Must Go... Faviken
Remotely situated in the north of Sweden, Faviken is a world class restaurant and six room inn about 500 miles from Stockholm. Located in the Are Municipality it is housed on the 19th century Fäviken, Egendom estate boasting the most exquisite untouched countryside and locally sourced Nordic cuisine. Close to the Are ski resort, the restaurant has just 24 seats expertly tended by head chef and visionary Magnus Nilsson, along with two additional chefs, seven staff and a gardener. If travel during northern cold winters gives you pause, there is plenty of warmth (via sun and fireplace) six months of the year.
Loving...Hawkins New York
This perfect light weight throw is made from the softest Belgian linen reflecting the city meets country style vibe at the heart of Hawkins New York. Founders and designers Nick Blaine and Paul Denoly, recognizing a lack of range in small-scale home goods production, founded HNY the to incorporate the concept of artisanal production with a modern sensibility in design. Their linen sheets are to die for - both affordable and in the most amazing colors!
Crushing on.... Cetaphil
This morning as I sat to write the blog post for this week, I was thinking about my basic, tried and true, life long beauty staples. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour for my lips in the winter, Nivea Creme in the beautiful small blue tin for my travels, and Cetaphil bar soap, delicate in every way, at every sink, shower and tub in my house. I usually write of new product lines that I love, trends in beauty, etc., but today, I thought I would give a shout out to the best tried and true product that has protected my skin for decades. It is perfect for any and all skin types and conditions, gentle and effective, super affordable and the choice of dermatologists the world over. I buy mine by the case.
What I have been reading... Jaron Lanier
While sounding radical as a concept, Lanier makes an excellent argument and helps us to understand just how utopia went wrong. Watch his TED talk on the subject here.
Must Have... Toit Volant
Alnea Farahbella, the designer of Toit Volant, is a dressmaker, a fashion designer, a pattern-maker, a sewer and a woman in love with fashion. Founded in 2013, Toit Volant is dedicated to being personal and intimate craft of dress making without the luxury price tag. They pride themselves on engaging with the makers along with the woman wearing their perfectly minimal and sensual designs. I would love this label for that alone, but love them more because they share my sensibility about investing moderately in product consumption made of high quality materials designed to last a very very long time.