Well [Inspired]

This quote is a powerful reminder. 

Whenever I feel stuck, lost, unhappy - I’ve found time and again that the antidote is ACTION. 

It’s really that simple. And it’s so powerful. 

Take a step, any step, no matter how small - and observe how you feel. The power is in your hands. It’s always been in your hands. 

Want to become a better photographer? Sign up for a class. Want to feel better in your body? Do a 5 minute workout video.

A personal mantra of mine is “baby steps.” It seems like the small action today isn’t much, but like many things in life - it compounds. A baby step every day can lead to extraordinary results. 

When looking a goal in the face, it can seem overwhelming. How can I get from here to there, when the distance between them seems so vast? Let that big goals be your compass and guide, but don’t overthink it.

Well [Designed]

I didn’t realize that one could be passionate about a kitchen brand, but here we are, and well…I am. That company for me is DeVOL Kitchens. This British company that’s all about quality and craftsmanship has turned what I think about kitchens on its head. I discovered the brand first and then their TV show: For the Love of Kitchens. 

Say hello to my latest design obsession.

They romanticize kitchens of yore, natural materials, beautiful imperfections. Their first collection was based on a classic English kitchen and pantry. 

What was brand new for me is the concept of “kitchen furniture.” Instead of the kitchen islands we’re so accustomed to in the U.S, they also design kitchens with “prep tables.” Turns out, kitchen cabinets used to be more like furniture. As people moved from place to place, they took their kitchens with them. As the cost of goods went down with advancements in manufacturing, kitchens began being permanently installed. The more you know!

The founders believe that the kitchen is the most important room in the house, and therefore should be placed in the best room of the house (best view, best light). This is the heart of the home, where family, friends, roommates all congregate. 

Additionally, If you watch the show, you’ll get to see them design, create, and make these pieces of furniture, knobs, faucets, pendant lights by hand.

Over the holidays, I watched this series and read their book cover to cover. This has become the standard for me for kitchens now, and everytime I see a picture of theirs it just makes me happy. 

What do you think?

Well [Explored] 

My current local obsession: ACRE. 

I didn’t step foot in this place for the first year or two of living in Greenpoint - the exterior always seemed a bit mysterious. And you don’t know what a wonderful place you’re in until you’ve stepped inside. This place is QUALITY. 

What it is: ACRE is a Japanese cafe and food spot in what I’ve learned to be Greenpoint’s “Little Tokyo.” You order at a counter and are given a buzzer to wait for your food. This place has it all: ambiance and delicious food. The entire experience is like a breath of fresh air every time I step in. The first part of the store is part coffee shop, part artisanal store. You then step through a curtain into the dining area - industrial, clean, chic. Outdoor seating is the cherry on top in warmer weather. 

What to get: My go-to orders include a variety of the miso soup (so gingery, and so good), brussels sprouts, the salmon bento box, and a hojicha latte (a roasted tea). 

It’s become my Saturday morning post-yoga ritual. 

If you live in or are visiting Greenpoint, come check out this absolute gem. 

Well [Read]  

My reading spree has continued, a product of my experiment with earlier mornings (which I am loving by the way!). 

This month’s pick is: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness. 

If you’ve never heard of Naval before you’re not alone, I first came across this post a few months ago. Since then, I’ve been seeing his quotes referenced everywhere. Naval is an Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor, and philosopher. 

This is not a book written by Naval - it is a collection of tweets, articles, and interviews that have been compiled and organized by the writer, Eric Jorgeson. This compilation was created as a public service and a digital copy can be downloaded free of charge. 

The wealth of knowledge and a-ha moments in here are worth its weight in gold for me. It’s a book I have already been going back to, and can see myself referencing again and again. 

Naval is unapologetic, thoughtful, and made me think of things differently. This is my current top read. 

Additionally, Naval is an avid reader, and I am using his reading list as a guidepost. These are books I never would have picked up on my own but I know will expand my thinking. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can check out his recommended reading list HERE. 

Well [Cherished]

I am really loving black & white imagery at the moment — oh, the intimacy, the drama, the feeling of timelessness and nostalgia.

I captured this series in a boot store during my visit in Houston earlier this month.

Hope you enjoy! 📷

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Unless otherwise credited, all photography is original