// ROMA

// 

In the studio, three coffees deep thanks to the jet lag, music blasting in my ears, and I've managed to answer two emails... I do my best work early in the morning - my body thinks it's 6:30 pm. My brain checked out before the day even started. So I figured I would edit the photos from Rome, and write to you. Rome was a short and glamorous stay- perfect way to end this thirty day adventure . Our beautiful hotel made me pull out my red dress I bought in Mykonos years ago and never wear. Rome felt larger than life. The history made everything feel grand and almost secret. My favourite was the Trevi Fountain. The tradition says you get three wishes by throwing three coins into the fountain right hand over over left shoulder. The first coin will bring you back to Rome, the second will give you true love, and the third is for a husband. I'll let you know how they go. 

I'm really happy to be home. Baddies Cafe was installed Monday - I went to the installation straight from the airport. It looks dope. Obviously ;) I'll have photos from the installations up here tomorrow. Ok, back to work for me. x -C

// FLORENCE

// 

Our first dinner in Florence was just a couple minutes from our hotel. It was 10 pm, we just arrived from Paris hungry and tired. We walked into a tiny restaurant, walls painted in the same mustard color that Florence covers their buildings in, white tablecloths, and hundreds of framed black and white photographs autographed by the famous people who have sat at our very table covered the walls. My mom and I came to the conclusion that our waitress was the daughter of the owner, whom we assumed was the older gentleman running the front [I come from a large Macedonian family who raised us in the restaurant industry. I was hostess by 14, serving by 18, and so were my sisters and cousins. My grandfather still works in his kitchen]. I can't drink wine [I know, it's terrible] so I ordered myself a Campari soda [I figured an old fashion was a bit of a stretch]. I was served a Campari and sprite [close enough], and my first plate of Italiano pasta. Tasted like heaven. Heaven can pretty much sum up the rest of my experience in Florence. The style, the people, the culture, the buildings, the beauty. My mom and I spent our days roaming around, researching all the non-tourist areas, popping in and out of shops. Since it's August most of the little boutique shops were closed when we got there. But as the days went on Florence looked different. More cafes opened their doors, little shops appeared out of nowhere, the Italians started to take over the streets. According to the locals the best time to visit Florence is in October/November. In August everyone leaves for holiday. I can just picture myself traveling here every October to my Villa just outside Florence. Shop for the fall, eat, relax, take in the scenery #TheLife.

I'm currently sitting in Rome as I write this. We fly home tomorrow. Damn, this month as been an incredible one. This unexpected time away from the grind has allowed me to put things into prospective that I couldn't see clearly before. I'm returning home ready to get back into the studio. Collection N 22 is coming, and the ideas flowing through my head are getting me really excited. See you in the studio. x -C

// PARIS

// 

The last time I was in Paris I was 24, alone, the weather was 6 degrees celsius, and cafes with wifi were cafes of gold. Four years later, 20 degrees warmer, and I'm in the best company of family. Paris was still as beautiful as I remembered it. Even more so with the weather. Flowers were out, cafe chairs covering the sidewalks. Our hotel was coincidently right in front of the famous Serge Gainsbourg's home on Rue Verneuil. A long and quiet street that was built in 1640. The wall is covering the French singer, songwriter, pianist, film composer, poet, painter, screenwriter, writer, actor and director's home who passed in 1991. The famous tags play tribute to his brilliance. I'm not a huge museum person, to be completely honest most of the paintings and sculptures I don't understand, but my mom and I decided to be cultural and bought two tickets to the Louvre. I walked directly to Napoleon III's apartments, and I instantly fell in love with someone who died in 1873. The detail was exquisite. The rest of our Paris adventures were spent roaming around - finding new boutiques and cafes comfortable enough to sit at for three-four hours at a time. My favourite thing to do when traveling is observing the style, however Paris in August = loads of tourist. So I didn't get to stare down all the cool Parisians roaming around. Those that I did see were dressed very bohemian. Not the men - same as always, jeans rolled up, T, beards, runners, all whilst holding a cigarette. Me likie :) Me likie Paris a lot. 

I'm currently writing this while sitting in my hotel room in Florence! The CKD travels continue. x -C

// SCOTLAND

// Location: Edinburgh 

We arrived to Edinburgh, Scotland accidentally right in the middle of the largest arts festival in the world, Fringe. I say accidentally because we had no idea it existed until last week. It’s an arts festival filled with comedy, theatre, dance, circus, music, galleries. Pretty much a festival that has put any of the festivals I’ve been to to shame. We were greeted with a schedule textbook thick of shows available. 30,000 performances, 2,000 shows. I didn’t count those myself, just looked it up on Google. Daunted by that number I then also googled “10 best comedy to see at Fringe” and purchased two tickets to see our first Fringe comedy with Nazeem Hussain. Hilarious Australian comedian. We found our second show from a midday beer and wine stop on Royal Mile [after a trip to the Edinburgh Castle]. The ladies sitting next to us were Fringe experts and told us to go see Hyprov. Colin Mochrie, the OG of Who’s Line Is It Anyway teamed with with hypnotists Asad Mecci and put on a show like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Watching people become hypnotized in front of my eyes was super eerie. Once the audience volunteers were in full hypnotic state [or however you would call it], Colin Mochrie stepped in and did full improvisation with them. So different, and so funny. 

Other than that, Edinburgh was freezing, rainy, and beautiful. These photos don't do the cute streets and alleyways justice. I appreciated the stairs. My body is in need of a solid workout. Oh, and for those who love a good Old Fashion as much as I do - you need to try Devils Advocate. Nothing better than a candlelit dinner and good cocktails. Follow along snap: ckayedesign to see our next stop! x -C

// COLLECTION N 22

// Location: Morocco

I find I'm most creative when I'm planted in an unknown surrounding, totally disconnected. My trip to Morocco with Ashley last week was just that and Collection N 22 is officially in the works. Here's a sneak peek of our camel riding, dripping sweat, Moroccan adventure. Full video coming soon. 

// LONDON

// 

When traveling the only dates I keep track of are the ones my next flight land on. Time in between that is muffled and just sort of flows from day to day. This is the first time I've traveled with paints and my sketch book since I have deadlines to be made for CKD. CKD has two wallpaper installations on the go, and one custom wallpaper mural that is due in a couple days. Even though my week in London was filled with hours spent at the Soho House's working, not being able to physically be there to make sure everything runs smoothly has completely taken me out of my comfort zone. Yesterday I found myself walking through Hampstead Heath park with a friend from New York [who I pleasantly discovered was in London through Insta], with views of beautiful London and was reminded that somewhere between working hard, goals, blah blah, there's this thing called life. And I reckon [did you like my English slang there] that if I choose life everything else will just fall into place. Right? 

// ALICE TEMPERLEY

// 27 Bruton Street, London

I skipped a day at the museum, only because I was two days late for the Yayoi Kusama's exhibition, and did my own kind of museum. Shopping at my favourite British designer's flagship store. Alice Temperley's detail is stunning. Even more so in real life. I walked around touching the clothes most likely creepily smiling. Don't care, I was in heaven. 

// MOROCCO

// 

Ash and I arrived at the Marrakech airport jet lagged [on my end] and hungry. Then we stepped outside to find our driver and were instantly sweating. 41 degrees - a whole new level of heat. I can confidently say I know what it feels like to walk around with wet clothes. You probably didn't need to know to that. There are loads of rumours about Marrakesh, most of them about the aggressive men. Maybe it's because we were covered, but we were treated like Queens. We spent the first two days roaming around, sweating, shopping. Somewhere between the Souks and making ourselves at home on the floors of the shops while we picked out bowls and mugs, we found paradise at Hotel Mamounia. The detail in the hotel took my breath away so was the feeling of falling into the pool. Water has never felt so good against my skin. We spent the last two days in the desert riding on camels, and sleeping in the desert [in tents that were way too hot to sleep in, so Ash and I slept outside alongside mountain wolves #truestory]. I woke up Friday at 5 am to coffee and a sunset [last photo]. One of those cheesy moments in life when you stand there motionless and reflect on your life. The view definitely put things into prospective. God damn our world is beautiful was the thought that went through my head. I felt fortunate be standing there. Life's a gift. I'm back in London now, working from here all week. Perhaps a new location will spark some new inspiration. Collection N 22 is coming! x -C  

// TRENDY

// Location: Burdock, Toronto

The power of textile surface design. Pattern is coming back, people are starting to catch on, and it's making me very excited. Now it's my job to keep pushing boundaries and produce product the textile design world as never seen [insert musical theatre song and dance].

Last night my supplier and I were on location at Baddies, and then to the new Food Dudes Pantry location to get some last minute measurements done! Wallpaper will be up in the next couple weeks! ok, I've been sitting at my computer procastinating. Loads to get done today. Enjoy the day x-C