waves : lettering play on retreat

fog : lettering play on retreat

coffee : lettering play on retreat

social media cleanse : lettering play on retreat

retreat : re-entry

I’m just now back from two weeks on a work retreat in Martha’s Vineyard thanks to a grant from the Turkey Land Cove Foundation. It was a hugely productive (more on that later!) and personally enriching time — we’re talkin’ complete solitude for two weeks, whoa! So needless to say, shifting back to the hustle bustle of normal life is a tricky transition.

So in any harried moments of my week ahead I will be dipping into the peaceful places I visited these past two weeks and using the blog to share them with you. Above, the stark and beautiful dancing trees at Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary.

bryn listens : lauryn hill at amateur night

Wow. Sweet little Lauryn Hill, age 13, singing at the Apollo’s Amateur Night. Doesn’t she look just the same! She had a lot going on for a little girl, but still a bit shakey on the vocals. So cool to see her unique sound and style at that age.

And now that I’ve spent forever in a YouTube spiral, here’s one beautiful song from her MTV Unplugged performance in 2002 to see her older, wiser self on stage.

surfers underwater : lucia griggi

Lucia Griggi started out as a surf instructor and then developed an interest in photography — this is the result, photographs of fellow surfers, shot from underwater, within the waves.

“It is really quite simple once you know how and are comfortable in the water and with the seas movements. It takes time and experience. It is about being connected with the waves and moving alongside the surfer under the water…Sometimes you must swim down deep in order not to get inside the spinning action of the wave and get washed into a dangerous position if the waves are big. It is such a fantastic place to be…”

luciagriggi.com

(*via Huh Magazine)

handcrafted jewelry : bario neal

I love the latest work from Bario Neal, the Philly-based jewelry design studio. All of their pieces are made from reclaimed precious metals and ethically sourced stones.

They have an online shop full of beautiful wedding bands, engagement rings, earrings, bracelets and pendants. They are also available for custom work.

Above, enamel bracelet in yellow gold, $315.

Below, sapphire slice earrings, $500. Senna round ring with rough diamond, $740. Narrow band with diamond, $390. Herringbone pendant, $64. Boma hoops, $104.

(*via Unruly Things)

alaya’s : herbal water

I’m so rarely into flavored water but Alaya’s Herbal Water flavors are so good! — just like a refreshing herbal tea, but with more clarity and lightness. And it’s the first certified organic flavored wate. I just tried the Lavender mint with ingredients of filtered mineral water, and organic extracts of lavender, spearmint, lemon grass and thyme leaves.

Shop online or look for a local place to buy. Still and bubbly varieties available.

DIY sky : romantic star projector

The Romantic Star Projector is special. It’s available from Infmetry (which means “information symmetry, the condition in which all relevant information is known to all parties involved”) and they describe the projector best:

This star projector projects a map of the heavens onto your ceiling and walls with thousands of stars in random order.

Featuring a rotating base with compass-point alignments, it is possible to set up your AstroStar by aligning it according to your location and the time of the year, so it can project a map of the clear night sky all around you. You can also change it to the accurately track movement of the heavens as the year progresses.

The AstroStar projector not only gives your child an education of astronomical science, but also gives you the couple to create a romantic surprise! Ideal for astronomy or astrology fans, romantics, kids who appreciate a nightlight with a difference or anyone who wants to bring some starlight into their home.

$22 in blue, white or yellow LED from Infmetry.

(*via Apartment Therapy)