// LA

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CKD runs my life. It’s sad, but it’s true. Going into year three I feel like I’ve been running this never ending marathon of hard work and lessons. I feel like I’m constantly introducing myself, pitching what I do, what I stand for, what I want to become. This marathon also comes with learning how to navigate extreme lows with extreme highs. It’s constant and feels like it’s never ending. The need to build endurance is important to keep going. I’ve learned that the magic only happens when you keep going. However sometimes there are moments I get to rest and let go and be myself. This past year I feel like I didn’t do enough of the being myself part that I forgot what it felt like to just be me without CKD. I used to talk about independence and freedom being the goal. I used to think once I make enough money to have more independence I would get some freedom from my marathon. My recent trip to LA changed this narrative and opened my eyes to a new perceptive. My freedom and independence comes from when I follow my heart and concentrate on what I want to say to this world. I realize I’m still running a marathon, but it becomes a little more bearable when I can choose my own path.

// PAPI STEAK

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Papi steak opens in Miami! We did a bespoke piece for the main dining, faux marble finish on the ceiling in the bar area, and a second design in the private dining space. Love this project! We have much more coming soon to Miami! Stay tuned!

// NICE, FRANCE

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I felllllll innnn loveeeeee with Nice. The Mediterranean Paris. Whenever I travel I like to do what the locals do. Local markets, hidden restaurants, boutiques that are hard to find. We ate at Comptour du Marche in Vieux Nice. It was the last night of the most beautiful holiday. We were seated outside, there were locals everywhere laughing and speaking their beautiful fluent Parisian french. The image above is me waiting for our table drinking the most delicious white wine. Take me back.

// SAINT-TROPEZ

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I had no idea what to expect driving from Aix-en-Provence. I knew there would be water and larger than life yachts. I had an idea of the style. I pictured glam but done the way the French do things best - effortless. When we pulled up to our hotel my mouth dropped. The class and attention to detail Saint-Tropez has! What a beautiful place. Saint-Tropez has this this low-key swagger to it that floats through the air. I’ve fallen more in love with Orchids and will be adding seashells, fish and clamps inspired by Club 55’s plates in the new collection. We ate on the beach and drank more wine that came from the wineries we would spot in our Uber. k that’s all. More tomorrow! xxx

// CHATEAU LIFE

// Chateau de Fonscolombe

Only in my dreams did a place like this exist. In the middle of nowhere in Aix-en-Provence drinking wine from the Chateau’s winery. Perfect temperature every time. It was so quiet. I am a country girl at heart. I loved everything about this experience. The textile on the walls and in the rooms blew me away. The French like to layer their prints with texture and put fabric on the walls instead of paper!! I wish I had more photos from these three days but I was trying my hardest to turn off as much as I could and relax.

I am back in the studio all day today catching up on emails, sending in new artwork to be printed and starting the new collection inspired by this trip to France. Saint-Tropez was our next stop. More tomorrow! Happy September. x C

// LATELY

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I started reading a book by Ryan Holiday called The Obstacle Is The Way. I am only a couple pages deep, but the book couldn’t have come at a better time. The obstacle is the path is what Ryan Holiday speaks about. When I took this photo I was about to throw in the towel and call it quits. “The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.” I’m not sure why it took me until now to figure out that the obstacles in the way are part of the path. They are our opportunities for growth. A simple change in perspective. That was all it took for me to finish this job, and to be honest create something that I didn’t know I could do.