Blogger's Favorites -- Jennifer of Ermie

images via Ermie

By far, one of the best aspects of this blogging world is watching other bloggers you follow and admire enter new "chapters" in their lives. Experiencing them shift gears in their careers or take-on new opportunities (often as a result of their blog) is really rewarding and inspiring, as you get to witness another women succeed and flourish. (Always a good thing!)

The subject of this week's "blogger's favorites" is one such woman. When I first started reading Jennifer's thoughtful, lovely blog Ermie, she was working as a nurse in L.A. (albeit an highly ceative and artful nurse). I followed along as she left nursing to focus full-time on her creative pursuits, eventually designing a truly beautiful line of fabrics that she used to create a stellar line of dresses, shirts and skirts (also called Ermie). Even though I was reading as a stranger from across the country, it was somehow really exciting for me to see this come to fruition for her. A sort of blogger's pride if you will.

Her commitment to creativity and soulful living is hugely inspiring, so I'm so pleased that Jennifer has agreed to share her favorites her with us this week.

Without further ado, Jennifer's list. Enjoy and have a splendid weekend friends!

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As I was preparing to write this post, I read through many of the past favorites of the various guest bloggers. Like everyone else, I have some constant favorites : my husband, my garden, creating & collecting - (textiles in particular), and traveling (Joshua Tree National Park is a favorite destination). I also have a roster of rotating favorites. These are people, places, things that I come across in my daily life that I find inspiring & little things that just make life more enjoyable.

Here are a few of these current favorites- I hope you enjoy them too.

Design: IKO IKO, Waka Waka, & Rowena Sartin.
I feel so happy every time I visit Kristin Dickson's store IKO IKO. I pretty much want everything in the shop. The well- curated wares include books, ceramics, jewelry, furniture by Dickson's husband Shin Okuda (the minimal yet playful line Waka Waka), and Dickson's own beautiful clothing line Rowena Sartin (I'm currently obsessed with the Skirted Shorts and Paper Cut Dress). Did I also mention that Kristin is really, really nice? Always a big plus in my book.



Read: Sonomama Sonomama
I was actually turned onto this book by Kristin Dickson (see above).
Published 1987, this is a collection of photographs featuring ordinary Japanese people- farmers, fishermen, & shop keepers- wearing high fashion from Japan’s top designers as captured by Taishi Hirokawa. As you would expect the clothing is beautiful, but what really shines through is the radiance of the people wearing the clothes. Highly recommended.



Look: Ori Gersht
Ori Gersht is a busy man right now! He has simultaneous shows at Angles Gallery in Los Angeles, CRG Gallery in NYC, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. His latest body of work captures sakura season in Japan. Composed of delicate colors and textures, these photographs are sublime. If you are near either coast- try to catch one of Gersht’s shows.



Watch: At Home with Venetia in Kyoto
One of the few television programs that I watch. My husband and I came across this show recently on public television. It’s produced by NHK in Japan and features Venetia Stanley-Smith, an Englishwoman who has been residing in Japan since the ‘70’s.

You watch Venetia engage in her eco-friendly, slow lifestyle: tending to her garden, cooking & making remedies with herbs that she grows herself. In the last episode she made fresh chive cream cheese. She also visits friends who are artists and craftspeople, who produce many of the items that she uses in her household.

I think the world would be a much better place if there were more TV programs like Venetia.



Listen: Lauryn Hill
No one has a voice quite like Lauryn Hill: smoky, sultry & badass. She’s been playing some gigs lately (Coachella, Jimmy Fallon) and I think she's amazing. I’ve been revisiting the Fugees and her solo work. I also love that she’s been decked out in Jil Sander & Missoni from the current season. The woman has a killer voice & killer style. I hope she records another album soon!



Eat: Bap Story
I have really been enjoying cooking from Jeana Sohn’s & Bo Carney’s new Korean food blog Bap Story. So far I’ve made the Green Onion Pancakes, Spicy Cucumber Salad, Kimchee Fried Rice and Soy Seasoned Tofu. The Soy Seasoned Tofu is especially addictive. The recipes are quick, healthy, easy to prepare, and most importantly- delicious.



Wear: Friends of Similar Size Bite-Mark Bracelet
My friend artist Melanie Nakaue recently started a new project, Friends of Similar Size, that features her handmade jewelry. I have her Bite Mark Bracelet and I’ve been wearing it nonstop. I love the oval shape and the texture (cast from Melanie’s actual bite-marks). It provides a subtle bit of visual interest to any outfit.



Groom: Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate
Ultra-hydrating, made with shea butter and rice wax- I used this on my model Katie for the ERMIE S/S look book shoot. It gives your lips a nice pop of color that brightens the face. Perfect for summer days.