Join us for week 4 of our cleansing series with the inspiring folks of S-Life Mag, Sakara Life’s official online magazine!
A DIY Day in the Sakara Life
The Magic of Baking Soda
Let’s Change the Way We Think
Weekend Getaway: The Adirondacks
Summer is the perfect time to plan those weekend getaways, and our country is full of great escapes to explore. Last week I headed up north to camp in the Adirondack Mountains – a perfect getaway destination. The mountains, rivers, and lakes are immediately relaxing. We set up camp in Wilmington, NY right near Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid. It was the perfect spot to explore the village of Lake Placid and to get in good hiking and fishing. The town is full of cute shops, Olympics memorabilia, nice people, and even a pile of snow they keep year round. We shopped local specialties to picnic and grill (look out for this weekend’s recipe!) You can even bring your dog into most places, so bring the trusty friend along if you go. I had Abigail, and she had a blast getting down and dirty in the mountains. One day we hiked Whiteface, the tallest mountain in the region. She made it the whole way =). I highly recommend the challenge if you’re up to it. The view and sense of accomplishment are surreal and invigorating.
My beer, the Ubu Ale, was named after a local legendary dog =)
Abigail, always thinking she’s the star of the show…
Almost to the top!
“climbing mountains is hard work, give me food!”
It’s not often you get to enjoy nighttime in the middle of the woods – talk about a getaway…
Brimfield Photo Diary
Some of our buyers have just come back from Brimfield’s one of the world’s largest flea markets. It’s in Massachusetts and happens 3 times a year May 8-13, July 10-15, and September 4-9.
Here are some pictures they took and wanted to share with you!
It’s unbelievable the amount of great things you can find there with so much history and stories behind them.
Have any of you guys been?
guest blog post: brooklyn hawaii
brooke dombroski is a photographer and designer who lives in hawaii, on the island of oahu where our may catalog was shot. the second i saw her tumblr, brooklyn hawaii, i was completely enthralled with her laid-back surfer girl lifestyle – and brooke was kind enough to share some photos with the blog to give us a little peek into her life in hawaii! needless to say, i am beyond jealous…
Location: North Shore of O’ahu, Hawai’i
A 7-mile stretch of the best waves in the world!
What I love about living in Hawai’i:
We are the most isolated island chain.
Life is so simple. Nature can keep us entertained for a lifetime!
Surf + Sand + ROAM + Shells + Waterfalls + Crush Sunglasses + Bare feet + Hand-sewn Bikinis + Coconut water + Fresh fish + Mountains + Ocean + Sun + Friends + Ohana (Family) + ALOHA
be sure to check out her beautiful tumblr here: www.brooklynhawaii.com
guest blog post: the gold coast
australia’s gold coast is located in south east queensland, on the country’s eastern shore. with 35 miles of coastline that includes some of the most popular surf breaks in australia and the world, the area has been a huge draw for both tourists and surfers all over the world. it was also inspiration for a special shop launching today on our website that is our nod to surfer girls everywhere – denim shorts in bright colors, easy knits, bathing suits, summery shoes and pops of neon, its a collection that screams summer fun and adventure.
for her second guest post for us, mandy of the amazing blog oracle fox went down to the gold coast and took some beautiful photos to capture the atmosphere there. i am thinking a trip to australia is definitely in order!
all images by oracle fox – thank you so much mandy!
and here’s a little collection i made inspired by the gold coast. click on the image to go see more details, and check out our gold coast shop here.
Australia Guest Blogger: Lauren Brooks
My love letter to Cafe Bouquineste
I love this coffee shop so much so I get on my bike, Ida Flower, and cycle a 30 minute bike ride along the Brisbane river just so I can hide myself away in the hub of this beautiful cafe.
Coffee that comes out so pretty with love hearts in the milk, home made cup cakes and the most scrumptious eggs you could ever ask for. Borrow a book and settle in. Perfect place for people watching and making new friends.
People flock here why? Because Meridith the owner gives you a little taste of home, a place that is kooky and cosy and makes you want to keep popping back in for more.
My favorite place to just waste time and day dream the hours away x
Her blog Baumbach
Meet our Art Director
I caught up with this beautiful lady to find out what she’s inspired by right now as she moves into her new role of Art Director. She’s the lovely lady that works in our studio creating, along with the associate stylists, the beautiful looks on our web. She also comes up with some of the catalog concepts along with our creative director.
Her knowledge and vision, mixed with her exquisite taste are pretty inspiring.
What has been your most memorable fashion moment and why?
I think the most memorable moment related to FP and fashion has do to w/ a shoot we did in Morocco last year. We drove 13 hrs into the Sahara desert, about 3 km from the border of Algeria- and stayed with a Bedouin tribe in tents in the dunes. The first night was unbearably warm , so the team decided to pull our mattresses out of our tents and sleep under the stars for the remainder of the trip. Our Norwegian photographer and Swedish model sang us Scandinavian lullabies, and our hairstylist told us stories that made us laugh so hard we cried. We slept like starfish with our heads together and our feet pointed outward. All beneath the Saharan moonlight – the whole thing was pretty surreal and magical. Doing cannon balls off of sand dunes wasn’t so bad either.
When are you happiest?
I think there are so many different kinds of happiness – I am the happiest when I arrive in a new country or city I’ve never been to before- I find newness/ new experiences completely exhilarating.
I am happiest when I am filled with hope and anticipation about a new project – I’m a total Pisces, always dreaming about what’s to come.
I am happiest when I find a new book that I can’t put down.
I am happiest in Paris.
What is the one habit you just can’t break?
It’s not a habit, but every time I travel the contents of my toiletries bag spill all over the place. I am a total klutz- an unbreakable habit. No matter how tight I close the lids of my makeup, shampoo, etc – they will find a way to open. I am undeniably prone to spills and stains.
Who are your style influences and why?
I think my personal style is very different than the style I am attracted to… Anita Pallenberg, Mick Jagger, Zelda Fitzgerald, Brigitte Bardot, Ingrid Bergman, Marianne Faithful, Bob Dylan, Lauren Hutton, Kate Moss, Katherine Hepburn are all people whose style I am so inspired by – but don’t necessarily try to adapt for myself. I also love the instant gratification of street style blogs – I’ve had many mornings when I’ve had a difficult time getting dressed, checked out some blogs, and completely reinterpreted (knocked off) someone else’s awesome outfit. Like instructions on a lazy day.
What are you currently obsessed with?
I am taking French lessons through Skype – no excuses to not show up for lessons!
The Hunger Games trilogy, a young adult series recommended by a friend this weekend. Kind of a speed reading nerd, I read two of the series in one day.
Photography by a friend, David Bellemere. His work is rich, architectural, sexy and totally inspiring- Hoping FP will be working with him soon!
The last movie I watched was…
Last weekend I went to my friends new apt in Brooklyn and watched a film called Micmacs by Jean Pierre Jeunet. We ate gummy bears and peanut butter m&ms at 10 am and watched the movie. It was kooky and fantastical.
My favorite food is…
I think the ritual I am most in love with is a coffee first thing in the morning, though not necessarily any food in particular.
My biggest indulgence in life is…
Facials! I love them.
My wardrobe consists of…
My style is simple but romantic- high-waisted trousers, lots of silk and chiffon, menswear, vintage, and some core pieces I wear all the time. I am definitely a proponent of investing in items you think you will wear forever. I am curvy, and I definitely tailor my style to what works for my body shape- I think that’s a huge part of feeling confident in your style… Knowing what works, what doesn’t, and embracing that! ( Easier said than done, I know, especially when you fall in love with a style or silhouette that isn’t the best for your shape.)
australia guest blogger: daydream lily
our third aussie guest blog post comes from another favorite of ours, the lovely liss of daydream lily!
~*~
One of my favourite things about life in Australia is summer road trips!
Open roads, windows down, making a mix for the trip, road stops in little country towns for coffee and muffins, stopping off to explore, documenting the trip….
bliss!
Liss from Daydreamlily (http://www.daydreamlily.com)
Liss’ new online shop Stylemilk (http://www.stylemilkshop.com)
cream spinach soup & cornbread
today’s recipe comes from our new intern naomi! i haven’t had a chance to “formally” introduce you guys to her yet but i will soon :)
These random days of gorgeous spring weather we’ve been experiencing, have me thinking one thing – SUMMER. My friends and I have already jumped the gun and pulled out the vinyl records and grill for summer-like evenings outside. My mind is on warm weather and night time meals, so I wanted to share a simple soup recipe paired with some delicious cornbread. I especially love this cornbread recipe because it is made with yogurt instead of butter. The meal is simple, light, and perfect to eat at the picnic table in the backyard with friends!
Both recipes come from my Moosewood (an organic and vegetarian restaurant based in Ithaca NY) cookbook which has proven to be a favorite of mine.
Cream Spinach Soup
Ingredients:
1 Large Onion
2 Medium Potatoes, peeled & chopped
3 Cups of Water
2 Tsp Salt
1lb. Spinach, cleaned & stemmed
5 Med Garlic Cloves, peeled only
1.5 Cups Milk (can be low fat, I like 2%)
White Pepper and Nutmeg to taste
Instructions:
- Place onions, potatoes, and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer until potatoes are fully cooked.
- Remove from heat, add spinach and garlic, cover and set aside.
- Heat up milk in a large skillet.
- Puree spinach and potato mixture.
- Once pureed, stir in heated milk, white pepper, and nutmeg.
Squash Cornbread:
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
2 Egg Whites
¾ Cup Greek Yogurt (can be nonfat)
1 Cup Cornmeal
1 Cup Unbleached White Flour
½ Tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350˚F
- Grease an 8”
- In a large bowl, beat together the brown sugar, yogurt, and eggs until frothy.
- In a smaller bowl, mix together cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just mixed together.
- Pour batter into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Enjoy!
Australia Guest Blogger: Lauren Brooks
My friend Lauren has lived in Australia for a couple of years now. She is British and has settled into the low key lifestyle Australia has to offer perfectly. She has an adorable blog that she uses as an online visual diary – sharing her thoughs and inpiration with the world. She let’s us take a peek into her lifestyle there. Below she shares her thoughts on Yamba one of her favourite beaches.
Here’s her Blog Baumbach
The Yamba Story.
I live in the land of sun and sky, beaches and beauty. I moved to Australia from the UK just over two and half years ago and have based myself in Brisbane.
Just over three hours drive from home and I can be in Yamba. One of Australia’s best-kept secrets, same beauty and wonder as Byron Bay but imagine it before the travelers took over.
One pub perched on the cliffs overlooks the beach and a perfect place to sip beer and soak up the views. The home of Billabongs creator and a pro surfer attraction with the famous Angourie surf break just down the road.
Yamba calms me, it has a presence and a serenity that I search for and haven’t found anywhere else yet. Beautiful coastline, perfect for learner surfers like myself to practice my surf skills and to get tossed around by the waves.
Pitching a tent and spending a few days is all you need to unwind and escape from the city.
Yamba I love you with all my heart, one day when I have made my mark I will buy a plot near the beach and call you home.