Bright Lights, Sexy Flowers
One summer, long ago, I walked through the streets of Seoul, Korea. I remember the vivid colors, the bright lights, the culture, and of course, the orchids. There is something about an orchid. The way it makes me feel delicate and ladylike and romanced. As I created this simple, yet sexy arrangement, I imagine a courtship, a flirtation, the beginning of a wonderful affair.
a slice of southern korea
Mokpo in South Jeolla province is our educator and hostess’ first home. When Ho Shim Shaw picks up her knife to accomplish the tour de force of preparing a Korean feast, she thinks only of cutting “perfectly” for her guests. The varicolored and multi-textured meal and her stories open eyes (and mouths) to the some of the tastes, sounds and sites of a distant land that is somehow much more familiar than imagined.
Heaven’s Homestead
Words by Andrea Goto Photography by Chia Chong Ho Shim is worried that I’m hungry. Even after I tell her I had a sandwich not 20 minutes earlier, she frowns and […]
Inspired by Korean Food
Photography by Chia Chong Recognizing you are experiencing a special moment in your life is the second gift.
Simmer Down: Pouring Over A Pour Over
This week on Simmer Down, the South’s own coffee roasting revolutionary, Philip Brown, sits down with Brenda and Libbie. Listen along as the ladies learn what goes into the perfect cup of coffee and interesting facts like how many people (from farmer to barista…nothing creepy) touch your beans before you drink them. This podcast is a little longer than most, but it was super interesting and we had a hard time getting Philip to take a breath! Enjoy a pour over with us.
Coffee Break
Coffee inspires me daily I am afraid to admit just how much. What could be better than a drinkable driving force that lights a fire under me and makes me think I can do anything! No sugar or cream for me, please, the stronger and blacker, the better. The theme of coffee intrigues me, as do all the things artful that are drawn from its inspiration– artists who throw actual coffee on mixed media paintings, dye photographs to look old and right down to a charming tea towel appliquéd with a coffee cup.
A Roasting Revolutionary
So there’s this guy in Athens, Georgia, making a living washing dishes and playing in a band. He could marry his long-term girlfriend and settle down, but that would be too conventional. And when you’re an early twenties dishwashing drummer with an unarticulated dream, you expect more from life.
A lot of stories begin like this and most end shortly thereafter with a bloated and lonely middle-aged man eating Slim Jims and playing World of Warcraft on his mom’s calico sofa. That is, unless you’re Philip Brown.
Inspired by Coffee
Food is our trigger to all design. Its color may inform our fashion. It’s texture may inform our artwork. Its shape may inform our interiors and its flavor will always inform our table. This week our inspiration is coffee. Bright, baggy, buttery, bready, bitter and baked. Cool beans roasted by cool people. Enjoy a cup or two or twelve with us. We’ll see you in the unisex bathroom line.
