I’m super excited about backing this project on Kickstarter.  The design duo CW&T have created what they are calling the Pen Type-A inspired by their favorite pen, Hi-Tec-C.  The Hi-Tec-C is  made by Pilot and only available in Japan.  Coveted by many for its fine lines and smooth flow, this is known as THE pen in the design world.   CW&T set out to replace the Hi-Tec-C’s cheap plastic housing and created the Pen Type-A with a stainless steel case that takes every aspect into consideration–doubles as a ruler, internal lip that protects the tip from getting pushed in too far, raw steel finish that won’t scratch, replaceable ink cartridges, etc….

The pens will sell for $99 but if you fund their project on Kickstarter, you be rewarded with a 50% discount.  With a $50 donation, this beauty can be yours.

You can read more about the Hi-Tec-C here.

I remember waking up on beach vacations as a child and being able tell my mom had returned from her routine early morning beach walk.  There would be an accumulation of treasures on the deck – sea glass, rocks, drift wood.  As my sister and I got older, we would join my mom on these walks.  The three of us spread along the coast looking for our own meaning of beauty.  I’ve continued this tradition of beach combing on nearly all of our travels.  I’ve found pieces of porcelain on the shores in Japan, sea urchins on Martha’s Vineyard, sand dollars on the Oregon coasts and shells of varying shapes on shapes in Mexico, Thailand, Brazil, Indonesia, India and Guatemala.  The collections are always subtle reminders of our various trips and travels past.  So when I came across photographer Jennifer Booher‘s store on Etsy, I was in my own little bit of beachcombing heaven.  I love way the way that she has documents her findings in these simple graphic images. Spend some time on her site and check out her other photographs!

Kinfolk Magazine just launched last week and it is GORGEOUS.  Their mission is to be “a guide for small gatherings.”  Given my love for uniting friends around dinner tables, most recently up at Lake Copake with a pan of seafood paella and bottles of Rosé, the concept of the magazine got me from the start.  Add in the photography and it was a done deal…this is my new favorite magazine.  I’ll let you discover and enjoy it for yourselves but in the mean time, I’ll leave you with their manifesto.

A few weeks ago, my friend Maia and I decided to meet for lunch at one of our favorite spots, Torrisi.  After devouring our turkey sandwiches, we strolled through Nolita and she took me to the shop of Erica Weiner. Inspired by a collection of curiosities from various treasure hunts, Erica creates this amazing vintage-inspired jewelry.  I picked up the Kyanite Spike Necklace.  I love the blue Kyanite with the single metal spike.  You can see more of her work here or visit her studio and store front at 173 Elizabeth Street, NYC.

It’s a rare day that I find myself anywhere above 20th street in NYC and an even rarer day that I find myself in midtown.  However, last week I was walking around 50th and Lex when I came across the restaurant, The National.  Based in the ground floor of The Benjamin Hotel, I was drawn in by the memory of Sam Sifton’s article in the NYTimes where he recalled that the hotel was the subject of a painting by Georgia O’Keeffe called “New York — Night.”  While I haven’t had the chance to eat there yet, I will say that their branding is spot on.  Created by the agency Love and War, the identity mixes a modern typeface with quirky playful images.  After a quick glance at the menu, I’m pretty sure I’ll find myself in Midtown again, right about dinner time.

A few days ago we decided that the best thing to do on a glorious 85 degree day would be to hop on our bikes and head to the beach.  15 miles out and we found ourselves in Fort Tilden and Rockaway Beach.  The day was filled with fish tacos, Pineapple Mint juice, swimming in the Atlantic (first dip of the season), cruising the boardwalk and the general feeling of pure enjoyment that often takes place when one is at the beach.

*Big thanks to Chrysanthe Tenentes and her article on Jauntsetter for inspiring the mid-week escape!