Brazilian Marcia Kemp's passion for travel, craftsmanship, and global citizenship converge in the fashion accessories line Nannacay (the Aymara word for sisterhood), and we are the better and more colorful for it. The ethos behind the brand is to be a fashion social project wherein "creative hands transform lives." By serving as the bridge between the local artisans from underdeveloped regions who make each piece by hand (those in need of help) and the the Nannacay-wearer, who Kemp describes as "women who like beauty and admire the simplicity of life" (those who want to help), a bond of beautiful and fashion-forward sisterhood is formed. And I can always get behind a worthy sista-hood cause, especially when a little online retail is involved.
Inspired by True Events
We've all been there. It's that Sunday that is so scary that it's wiry tentacles pry into your Monday. These aren't your run of the mill Sundays after a big weekend - they're the kind where you find yourself in an airport, unable and unwilling to button your jeans, wishing you could sprout some appendages in order to carry the five different liquid elixirs you need so you can slowly engage in the following routine: take a sip of coffee, then gatorade, then water, back to water, consider whether Pedialyte is sold at duty free, consider whether hair of the dog is a good idea, then back to gatorade, repeat. This may or may not have been me yesterday.
My husband is one of those people who always, always looks put together at airports. He (rightly) always tells me: you never know who you're going to see or meet. Even still, after very little sleep and attending one of the most incredible weddings we've ever been to, yesterday he puts his dapper self into a suit to fly home. A suit. Fast forward a few hours, and I find myself in the middle seat of a delayed flight, with my husband on my right speaking all the oil and gas private equity jibber jabber to the man sitting on my left. Name games were played, business cards were exchanged, and we found ourselves in that "I would tell you 'I told you so' but I don't even have to" quiet mutual understanding zone we come back to time and time again. Hashtag marriage.
What is the point of this story? The point is that although all I wanted to do was put my earphones back in and continue watching Ace Ventura in peace, I felt a morsel of confidence in myself for not looking like how I felt on the inside. And all credit for that goes to Mi Golondrina, the Dallas-based line of hand-embroidered Mexican style clothing for women and children. Each item is hand-stitched with a fine attention to detail - from the materials used (high quality cottons and chambrays) to the beautifully distinct color combinations of the threads that make each piece truly one of a kind. And because Mi Golondrina already reigns supreme in Texas, it's always in airports that I find I get the most compliments and "where is that from?!"s - even on days like yesterday. Another plus? The tops hide unbuttoned jeans very well.
Shop Mi Golondrina here.
The Right Stuff: Neely & Chloe
Today I introduce you (or rather, talk about how I have introduced myself and reveal much to my dismay how late I can be to the game at times) to Neely & Chloe, a line of handbags that - in their own words - is redefining luxury. In my own words, Neely & Chloe offers all the right stuff for all the right reasons: weekend bag (check), beach bag (check), everyday tote (check), a carry-all clutch (check, check, check). Vogue's take on the line described it as "a leather collection of handbags and shoes designed for both the young working girl and the aspiring Instagram star who has an eye on both her bank and her follower accounts" - ahem, who you talkin' 'bout Willis? ME? (cue twilight zone music)
So now that you've heard it from the actual source (Neely & Chloe), the most credible of sources (Vogue), and the most questionable of sources (moi), I'll let you form your own take on them. But I'm quite sure you'll fall in lurve with their selection of top-quality materials offered at not top-dollar, affordable prices with tippity-top customization features (think monograms, pins, and all that personalization pizzazz). I know I'm feeling nothing short of the L-word for the Mini Lady bag.
Lola & Lina: For the Accessories-Loving Seรฑorita
If you're as into fun costume jewelry as little old me is, do yourself a favor and start following @shoplolaandlina - the Fort-Worth based online shopping account that makes accessorizing personal, easy (free local delivery!), and extra colorful. By providing you with handpicked access to some of the best big-earring-names in the game (Mignonne Gavigan, Mercedes Salazar, Ranjana Khan, etc.) all under one digital roof, sisters-in-law Lauren Perkins and Carolyn Osborne are doing their part to up your bauble-tassels-clip-on game (and that's a competitive game, indeed). My earlobes are twitching with excitement just thinking about it.
See something you likey? Send Lola & Lina an Instagram message and/or comment or shoot them an email (shop@lolaandlina.com) - first time customers get 10% off!
Friday, Freedom & Fan Earrings: Katerina Makriyianni
Us? Lovahs of big earrings? Noooo.
YES! And the shoulder-dusters taking center stage today are Katerina Makriyianni's fan earrings (linked below!). They are handcrafted woolly wonders with hammered gold-tone brass discs inspired by the designer's native Greece. Coincidentally, they also inspire me to be a little extra fun this Friday (as if I need to take it up a notch). Wear them with your white-on-white, wear them and prepare to be deluged with compliments, wear them and up your Summer 2k17 get up. Even Lady Liberty knows what's up!