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Author Archives: Melissa
What They’re Into…with Erica Chan Coffman
You know Erica as one half of the dynamic duo behind the uber-popular blog Honestly WTF. I know her as a former client {we worked with her on two past design ventures} and as a result, a dear friend. I couldn’t be happier for her with the runaway success of the site, and am thrilled to include her in our ongoing series, “What They’re Into”.
Today is also a big day for Erica, as her newest venture, Honestly YUM, launches! As Erica explains, she hopes the new site will “inspires readers to try out our seasonal food recipes, delightful libations, exciting culinary adventures, and festive DIYs.” Speaking for Ruby Press {an office of food-obsessed women!}, we couldn’t be happier.
Thanks Erica, for being a part of our blog and congrats on the new site! We love you! xx
What is the last thing you bought that you shouldn’t have?
I probably shouldn’t have bought that umpteenth crystal statement necklace from J.Crew. They’ve been absolutely killing it in the jewelry department and thus, feeding my already problematic jewelry addiction. However, jewelry is absolutely timeless so it’s all worth it!! At least that’s what I tell myself . . .
What are your favorite places to shop, online and off?
Catbird in Brooklyn is hands down the ultimate destination for jewelry and gifts. Shopbop, J.Crew and Zara are my go-tos when it comes to wardrobe staples. I love L-atitude and Calypso for worldly wears. And when I’m not shopping online, Mercy and Minds Eye Vintage are my favorite local vintage haunts.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
Wow – that’s a hard one! I’d have to say “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette. It’s a classic and one of the few songs where I know all the lyrics to – probably because I relate to it so much. I mean, ten thousand spoons when all you need is knife?! That happened to me yesterday.
What is your favorite room in your home and why?
I’m currently in the process of renovating my home, so I’d have to say my favorite room at the moment is my office. Equipped a closet full of crafting supplies, a massive wall of inspiration photos and an oversized working table, it’s where I find creative refuge. I love inviting friends over for mini-crafting parties!
What is your favorite scent?
Nothing quite beats the smell of homemade cookies baking in the oven. As far as fragrances go, Bond No. 9 Nuits de Noho has been my scent for as long as I can remember.
What inspires you?
Pretty much everything we feature on HonestlyWTF has influenced me in some way. But what inspires me the most is creativity and confidence. I feel so lucky to have met so many incredible artists, designers, visionaries, and makers in the past few years. Their conviction in their artistry and dedication to their work is so motivational and stimulating.
What’s one luxury you can’t live without?
Travel. It’s so important to treat yourself to an escape once in awhile and explore the millions of incredible places in this world – even if it means just an overnight or weekend getaway. Inspiration is everywhere!
Sheridan French
Have you seen our dear Sheridan on the cover of the March issue of Matchbook? So lovely and what a home!!
The new Ruby Press office
We’re moving to our new office in downtown Oakland today, and while we’ll miss our old office, we’re super excited to be in our gorgeous new space. Now for the unpacking…
Cake decorating heaven!
Have you seen the Elle Fanning story in the spring 2013 fashion issue of New York magazine?? {Watch the video here.} Will Cotton shot her in key fashion looks with accessories created from icing and candy at Duff’s Cakemix in LA. Always a sucker {no pun intended!} for sweets and cake decorating, I can guarantee my next trip to LA will include a stop here. Heaven, no??
Chat with Lee
A friend just alerted me to this- Sophia Coppola interviews the eternally chic, 79 year old Lee Radziwill for T magazine- and I cannot wait until I have the time tonight to sit down, read through, and finish watching the filmed interview. {When asked if she found Mick Jagger sexy back in the day, Lee says, “I can see how people found him sexy but I found him a little repulsive.” Ha! } Just had to share with you, friends!
Natural Fragrances
I love natural fragrance {who wants to soak up chemicals through their skin?}, but I find it hard to find scents that really resonate with me. Here are a few that I love, love, love:
I just ordered a sample of Osmia Organics‘ Juniper Fire and WOW! They describe it as “stepping outside our house on a breathlessly cold, blue-sky, colorado day with a fire burning in the fireplace” which I think is spot-on. Rustic, sexy, invigorating. I love almost all of the Lurk perfumes- especially TBP V1, a floral with black pepper. MCMC‘s Maine is a combination of rose, clary sage, seaweed, salt and pine and my husband wears their Dude No. 1 beard oil. And of course I can’t forget to mention Olo‘s Cedar and Rose, which Kate and I both wear on a regular basis. It’s bohemian and earthy without “hippy”. NOTE: Olo also makes a hair tonic {oil} with the same scent, which we pick up at Atomic Garden, which we borderline worship. Three drops added to the ends of our long hair make it smell divine, moisturize, and give it a lived-in look.
{photo by Dave Cameron}
Oakland, here we come!
We have exciting news- Ruby Press will be packing up and moving our office to downtown Oakland and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Yes, it will be a shorter commute for us all {I have lived in Oakland for the past ten years}, and we’ll have insanely delicious options for food {we’ll be just a few blocks from both Uptown and Old Oakland}, and will get to work in the beautifully restored Historic Central Building,…but I think I’m most excited about recreating our office in our top floor space. We move at the beginning of March and we’ll keep you up to date! Have a great weekend, friends! xx
Mr. Selfridge
Oh, I am counting the days until this new British import hits the states {on March 31st}. The show is called Mr. Selfridge and Jeremy Piven plays the title character, Gordon “Harry” Selfridge, who revolutionized the shopping experience through his creation of the famous British department store, Selfridges. Credited with the sayings “Only XX shopping days until Christmas” and “The customer is always right!”, and the first to introduce a ‘beauty hall’ and soda fountain within a store, he was a true retail pioneer.
If you’re like me, and you love learning about the history of retailing, do a little reading up here…and learn about his loves and tragic end. Other suggested reading: this book, this book, this book and this book that inspired the series.
{Selfridges window display from the twenties from here}
Louis Chairs
We are finally ready to part with our pale blue Louis chairs here in the Ruby Press office. Ever since Cassandra featured our office almost 4 years ago, we have had so many inquiries about them. {I bought them from- get this!!- Pottery Barn Teen- a million years ago!} I will sell them locally on craigslist this week- but if you want them and live nearby, let me know! {Blog readers get first dibs!}
