I have two items in my wardrobe that, literally every time I wear them, people (strangers) ask me where I got them. They are my silver and gold wingtip brogues from Venice and my Warby Parker glasses. If you don’t already know Warby Parker, you most definitely should. They are a web-based prescription eyewear company with twelve showrooms and one mobile showroom in a retrofitted school bus currently traveling the U.S. If you can’t make it to one of these locations you can order up to five pairs of glasses, free of charge including shipping and return shipping, to try on at home. Its just so smart!
In their own words, “Warby Parker has updated and refreshed classic vintage eyewear styles.” They have. My particular pair, similar to what is pictured above, is the Huxley in Crystal — a limited-edition style/color combination no longer available. All of the glasses are just $95.00 or $125.00 for those of us needing high index lenses. You can even buy a monocle! But the best part of Warby Parker has to be that for every pair of glasses you buy, they give a pair to someone in need. Watch this great video about this great program.
www.warbyparker.com
We take our morning tea each day in these functional, delicate, perfectly simple Termisil glass mugs. Manufactured by Glass Works Wołomin in Poland since 1905, they are made of borosilicate glass — heat resistant glass first developed in Germany in the 1890s. We find all liquids taste and look better in these small mugs — including water, milk and even wine! What we love most about the design is that it feels evocative of the Bauhaus and drinking vessels in early 20th century cafés in Berlin and Vienna. Closer to home and present day think Café Sabarsky, one of our favorite spots in Manhattan.
as interviewed by Angie Nevarez, co-author of THE BATON:
YOU ARE AN AUTHOR, WRITER, RESEARCHER, MOTHER, SISTER, DAUGHTER, ALUMNA, DEDICATED COMMUNITY MEMBER AND SEEKER OF THINGS THAT DELIGHT — HOW DO YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF?
I love to introduce myself as Ella and Grace’s mother — it’s my favorite position in life and the one I find most inspiring.
HOW HAS YOUR FIRST MAJOR PUBLICATION, THE INVENTION OF CHIC: THÉRÈSE BONNEY AND PARIS MODERNE, INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE AND WORK?
In the most tangible sense, I discovered new subject matter while I was researching and writing this book. It pretty much set my course for the next several years and very much continues to do so. In a less tangible but certainly more profound sense, I met a lot of fascinating and generous people here and in Europe during the preparation of The Invention of Chic — many of whom I remain close friends with. I am still in awe of all of the doors that were opened to me during that process and all of the information very willingly exchanged. This generous and open spirit has definitely influenced my professional life resulting in a number of great collaborations and connections with other scholars and writers.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
Two books, two articles and this blog!
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
My family first and foremost. And second, travel — with my family, of course.
COMB OR BRUSH?
A large wooden paddle brush — it’s the only thing that can get through this head of hair.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
I do, although its a bit of a mouthful — Lisa Pilar Schlansker Kolosek. I especially enjoyed growing up with the middle name Pilar — its so beautiful and strong and I was named after a family friend in Spain which I find quite endearing. In fact, I think it’s such a good name that I passed it on to my daughter Grace as her middle name. She really likes it too.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: MY AGE IS…………….
something I hope makes me more interesting and something I know makes me more confident. I don’t worry about the small things like I used to and I know myself so much better now which is really quite liberating.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
Lovely organic blueberry pancakes. Its been a crazy day……….
KOBO Pure Soy Candles are among our favorite go-to gifts for the holidays. Responsibly made in the United States using domestically and sustainably grown soybeans, they are clean burning, long-lasting (80 hours!) and achieve a perfect fragrance balance in your home. The collection contains over 40 original, intoxicating scents and the packaging is so flawless that there is absolutely no need for gift wrap. Those we especially love include Opal Basil and Artemisian Lemongrass. On our wish list are Petitgrain Zesty Peel & Stem and Portuguese Olive Blossom! Stay tuned for our interview with the stylish and fascinating creators of KOBO — Junko Kobori and Louis Hotchkiss!
HAVE YOU ALWAYS LOVED JEWELRY OR IS IT A PASSION THAT HAS DEVELOPED OVER TIME?
I have always loved jewelry and all things that sparkle! My grandmother had a tradition with her granddaughters that when we turned 13 we could pick out what we wanted from a special jewelry box designated for just this. I loved everything I chose, mostly because of the sentimentality. It was then that I learned about Regard Rings, a type of ring whose gemstones spell the word “regard”. I would later come to discover that acrostic jewelry originated in the Georgian period. Certainly my passion for jewelry has developed with time and continues to develop on a daily basis!
WE STUDIED ART HISTORY TOGETHER IN GRADUATE SCHOOL. HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND AND SCHOLARSHIP IN ART INSPIRED AND INFORMED LARKSPUR & HAWK? ARE YOU STILL DEALING IN ANTIQUE JEWELRY OR ARE YOU FOCUSING SOLELY ON YOUR NEW COLLECTION NOW?
My studies and work in the history of decorative arts and material culture have played a huge role in my professional life. While I never formally studied jewelry and jewelry design, my exposure to and education in antiques taught me how to approach, evaluate and research objects. My foray into jewelry was as an antique jewelry dealer which came very naturally to me because each piece I sold had a story to tell and I loved teaching and revealing each tale! Just as the antiques reveal the past, my new designs also do so in a special way. The entire modern collection employs an 18th Century jewelry making technique of foiling gemstones, a labor-intensive art that plays with color and light. Sharing and, as such, reviving this very special craftsmanship with my clients continues to connect me to antique jewelry. As a result, the modern collection has superseded my longing to sell antique jewelry.
THE JEWELRY YOU DESIGN FOR LARKSPUR & HAWK IS TRULY BREATHTAKING. I AM ESPECIALLY INTRIGUED BY THE PIECES THAT ARE FOIL-BACKED — A VERY OLD PROCESS YOU HAVE REVIVED — BECAUSE OF THE EXQUISITE COLORS YOU ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE. WHY IS THIS PROCESS SO APPEALING TO YOU AND ARE YOU STILL SURPRISED BY THE RESULTS WITH EACH NEW PIECE?
For me, it was love at first sight, long ago, with Georgian foiled jewelry. I adored the duplicity that colored foils offered a gemstone. There is a unique and specific play of color and light that comes with placing faceted gemstones over metallic foils and I had the urge to experiment with this myself. Each piece of jewelry is literally transformed by its foil and it is endlessly fun and rewarding to see which colors look best with certain pieces. I never tire of foiled jewelry!!
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
My husband, boys and cats!
COMB OR BRUSH?
Fingers.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
I love my name and always have. My middle name is Jane and I feel that I truly am an Emily Jane.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE. MY AGE IS…………….
A woman never tells!
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
China Spice… “smile and dial” as they say!
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Rococo Chocolates is one of our favorite shops in London. Their handmade chocolate is absolutely exquisite, some of which is organic and fair trade originating from their own cocoa farm in Grenada — Grococo. Rococo’s confections range from truffles to drinking chocolate, Italian nougat to crystalized flower petals, and on and on. Our personal weaknesses, however, are the artisan bars and bee bars — in such flavors as Basil and Persian Lime Dark Chocolate, Orange and Geranium Dark Chocolate and seasonal offerings like Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh Dark Chocolate. Almost too lovely to imagine. And then there is the packaging! Rococo’s owner, Chantal Coady, studied and trained in textile design. The motifs on her packaging come from antique chocolate mold catalogs and are artfully combined with gorgeous calligraphy and printed on beautiful, heavy paper. Her shops are just as delightful. Rococo Chocolates does not ship outside the UK but take a look at their website for a taste of this old world yet distinctly modern vibe and for planning a visit on your next trip to London.
Rococo Chocolates www.rococochocolates.com
Always on the hunt for the perfect gift we were thrilled when the search was ended by one of our favorite brides this past October. Each of her lucky bridesmaids received this beautiful Clare Vivier clutch with their monograms. We agree completely that this designer has managed to marry French glamour with minimalist LA cool to produce a line of handbags that are as chic as they are utilitarian. www.clarevivier.com
