Real life Moonrise Kingdom: Camp Wandawega. Summer camp for adults.
i+w turkish towels
If I could take 3 things to a desert island, 2 of them would be Turkish Hammam towels. And the 3rd: a Turkish textile woven from wool and silk to be used as a cozy wrap around my body or neck.
Turkish towels are somewhat of a trend right now, but I was spoiled to learn of their traditional usage in their native origin: the Hammam baths in Istanbul.
There still might be a time and place for a big thick terry cloth towel. But the thin and tightly woven Hammam towel feels like a buffer or a squeegee on your body… the only difference: It is a gorgeous textile from an ancient civilization.
We use them after showers in the summer months and also keep one or two hung in the guest bathroom as a hand towel.
My other pick to take to the desert island: a very loosely woven wool and silk “wrap” made in the same land, Turkey.
I wrap up in it on the couch all year long, keep another one in my purse in case it’s chilly, and in the winter – I wrap it 4 times around my neck.
It is to me like my niece’s “Mia” (blanky) is to her… I throw a fit if I leave home without it.
Love,
Carrie
file under: the one show
-Matt
northern grade
Northern Grade is happening this weekend, and we are happy to be a part! The 100% USA made menswear pop-up market is making its way to town on Sunday, May 5th. Some local favorites—as well as many larger national brands—will be there and it’s sure to be a good time (see the full brand list here). Join us for some fine shopping, live music, local libations and hair cuts from our friends at Parlour & Juke!
r.i.p.
RIP George Jones… A sad loss.
file under: cy twombly
We’ve posted about him before, I’m sure we’ll post about him again.
His work is always inspiring. It seems that each time you come back to his paintings, the meanings have changed. As if they age along with you.
happy birthday jk
Happy happy birthday to our graphic / web master—and former cowboy cutie—Jonathan!
you never forget your first
There’s something special about your first.
First pair, that is. And in this case, the very first pair ever of Imogene. And of Willie.
Before we officially started this company, we spent a long time developing the patterns for our inaugural women’s fit, Imogene… and men’s fit, Willie. Nestor would sew one of each and Matt and I would try them on.
It wasn’t right.
Then he would adjust the pattern and make the next set. It still wasn’t there. And then again. Still a no-go. This went on for 5 months. And then there was that one magical day when we slid the prototypes on with critical eyes and defeated spirits… Finally, they were ready to go and right! We knew it.
So from that day forward forward, I wore the very first fit approved Imogene, and Matt – his Willie. Both, made from 100% cotton rigid fabric.
As years have now passed, Matt only has added 4 more Willies to his personal collection. (He starts a new pair at the beginning of each year. He sticks to Willie, because that is the best fit for him. Not for everyone.)
I, on the other hand, got on the bandwagon and started testing and wearing new fits as we have made them, and got away from rigid and into stretch.
I looked in our closet several months ago admiring Matt’s collection of 4. And then I looked over at my side of the closet. A shit ton of jeans on hooks. I was grossed out and a bit ashamed of my collection of… too many. So I decided at that very moment to go back home to that very first pair.
I love the fit. I love that it is second skin to my body. I love that those 2 pairs of pants pretty much chronicle our lives. But what I love the most: that first Imogene and that first Willie take us back to the beginning… to home. Where it all began.
There’s something special about your first. Where were you in your life when you got your first pair?
Love,
Carrie
street art
My whole life I’ve been attracted to street art. I always loved seeing graffiti on bridges and trains and in public spaces. Whether it says “Jesus Saves” or “I love you Cindy,” I’m somehow captivated by it.
Our new office space in Marathon Village comes with a beautiful view of a train passing by every hour or so. I find myself looking up from my desk to see what amazing artwork will pass by our window. I’m not saying that I promote unauthorized graffiti, but I do feel expression can’t be limited to canvases and fine art museums.
Over time however, I find myself getting upset when I see some wack ass tag thrown up on someone’s home or business. That exact same visual stimulation that I’ve enjoyed over a lifetime turns to anger when I see this same form of expression on the side of a mom and pop store in our neighborhood.
So I ask… what can be done about this? I never meant for this blog post to get political, but we as a society are cutting back on art and music programs in schools at an alarming rate, leaving our young artists without forms of expression. This needs to change! Where would we be if we didn’t have art? And I don’t mean canvas behind walls that some of us will never see!
our choice: pub5
On our first day in Nashville 4 years ago, Matt and I walked down to 12 South Taproom, our neighborhood beer joint, for a merchant association meeting.
We met a ton of folks on that first day, one of which was Alex Torres, a co-owner of the Taproom. And from that day on, Matt and Alex have been thick as thieves. Anytime we have ever needed a favor, Alex is most often first to show up ready to lend a helping hand.
Alex started to tell Matt a couple of years ago about Taproom’s dreams and plans to open a second location under a new name and different concept. Soon after, Alex and his partners chose and bought the oldest building in downtown Nashville for this new venture.
Alex would come grab Matt for lunch here and there. I didn’t really get it when Matt would tell me that they were going to sit on the rooftop of some old building to eat a sandwich. Come to find out, during those lunch breaks, Alex was mapping out to Matt what that old building would some day be: PUB5.
Now 2 years later, the dreams and blueprints and sweat and tears have come to reality. PUB5 is now housed in that old building and open for business. And also, I’m like a proud sister to say: it is nominated for The City Of Nashville’s Historic Project of the Year.
Matt took some customers to lunch at PUB5 a couple of weeks ago. He came back saying that I would not believe my eyes. I believed him that I wouldn’t, but still didn’t really understand what I would see when I saw it for myself.
So last week, we headed downtown for a meal at PUB5. Then it all clicked.
Not that I ever doubted Alex Torres, because I didn’t. But what Alex and his partners have pulled off will come to be known as one of the most treasured spots in this city.
Alex gleamed when he took us on a tour of the 3-story establishment, carefully pointing out every special nook and cranny that makes the project, in my book, a stellar renovation and a fantastic restaurant.
PUB5 was carefully and precisely thought out, but not overdone. In an otherwise loud and lively downtown, once you walk into this old building, you still feel the magic of the liveliness, but are in calm and comfortable company. The food is not trying to be something, it just IS something.
Matt and I both want to shout from their rooftop down to the crowd and out into the city, “GET UP HERE!”
Please do go check out this treasure and support yet another really good thing about Nashville, Tennessee… compliments of 3 talented and hardworking partners: our buddy Alex, Will Shuff and Jamy Borda.
And don’t leave the place until you eat the poutine.
You will see.
104 5th Ave S
Nashville, 37203
Love,
Carrie + Matt
