STYLE MUSE - STEFANY MOHEBBAN

I'm really excited to share today's L+R Style Muse, beautiful lady - Stefany Moheban.  She is a stylist and textile designer living in NYC.  I first found her via Instagram, and she is one of my favorite folks to follow.  Her style is an eclectic mix of thrifted, vintage, and designer... casual and glamorous.  Never too serious, and always a little unexpected.  I think her style is practically perfect in every way.  Stefany is definitely one of my style muses.  Her blog - Pretty In Thrift - is as personal and unique as her style (I really appreciated this honest post she just wrote).  

Thank you, Stefany, for being a L+R Style Muse!

[You can purchase Stefany's bag, borrowed from one of her favorite vintage sellers (Omnia Vintage), here]

L+R:  Who are your style muses?

S:  Elisa Nalin (she's an italian stylist), and of course Edie Sedgwick! 

L+R:  Have you always lived in New York?

S:  I was born in Milan, Italy and moved to NYC in 1994... I haven't lived anywhere else since.

L+R:  Tell us a little about your career, and journey to becoming a stylist.

S:  In my early 20's I knew I wanted to work in fashion but was not sure in what way.   I assisted fashion designers, costume designers and worked on my own art for a while before I realized that Textile Design was a great fit for me.  I studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.  While I was studying textile design I developed a love for styling, at first providing my services (that sounds weird haha) to friends and family. In the spring of 2011 I won a contest on Fascism (a cool fashion blog), which led to an amazing weekend where I learned from one of the best stylists: Stacy London, all the tricks of the trade.  I became a stylist for her network Style for Hire and have been doing both editorial and personal styling ever since.

L+R:  How would you describe your personal style?

S:  My personal style is a melting pot of urban, vintage, ethnic and European sensibilities which are a culmination of my exposure to both Milan and NYC.  I love the edge of a downtown girl, but also appreciate the beauty of vintage prints and silhouettes, while my love for high end fashion always keeps me striving for a polished finish.  My style philosophy is all about balance and that element of the unexpected.  I love juxtaposing unusual colors, textures and shapes to make a statement, and also find pleasure in imperfection.  I find that messing something up a little bit is fun because perfection can feel a little boring :)

L+R:  Where are your favorite places to shop in NYC?

S:  NYC is so full of amazing boutiques and shops that it's hard to have favorites.  I thrive on mixing high and low, vintage and new to create an interesting look.  I shop at flea markets, vintage shops (mostly in brooklyn or the lower east side), thrift stores and the occasional luxury department store (Saks, Barneys, Bloomingdales) to achieve unexpected combinations.  Some of my go-to vintage and thrift stores include: Amarcord Vintage, Beacon's Closet, Buffalo Exchange, Vice Versa.

L+R:  Are there pieces in your wardrobe you find yourself wearing constantly? 

S:  I've been wearing my Pamela Love x Nine West western booties with pretty much everything I own.  I also can't get enough of motorcycle leather jackets, and crew neck sweaters.  I picked up a bunch of vintage grandpa sweaters from various thrift stores at the beginning of the season and they have been my go to on chilly NYC days.

L+R:  Your favorite fashion "find"?

S:  Lately I haven't been able to stop wearing my thrifted Ralph Lauren Blanket Coat. It's the coziest and most over-sized piece I own, and I just adore the combination of warm colors and the southwest inspired pattern.

L+R:  Have you always had a love for vintage?

S:  Growing up my family didn't have much money, so I wore a lot of hand me downs from family, and ended up using my mom's closet to fill in a lot of the blanks. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because my mom's closet was a dream.  We lived in Italy for a long time, so her closet was filled with beautifully made and great quality European designer pieces.  This helped not only develop my love for styling, but also appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of vintage.  

L+R:  Ok, last one is just for fun.  Three beauty products you can't live without?

S:  Aveeno body lotion, NARS eyeshadows, Makeup Forever lipsticks (they live up to their name (last forever!), and are very high pigmented.

(photos by Naomi of Omnia Vintage)

STYLE MUSE - JUSTINA BLAKENEY

I am beyond excited to share today's L+R Style Muse, Justina Blakeney.  I first found Justina when her beautiful wedding was published in Martha Stuart Weddings.  I was captivated by the bohemian style and DIY details.  Since then, I have followed Justina's fabulous blog - which was recently named one of the Best Home Decor Blogs by Refinery 29.  Justina affectionately calls her home (shared with her husband - Jason, and baby girl - Ida Sky) their Jungalow.  And you should most definitely take the time to click here  and here to check it out. 

Justina Blakeney is a creative force to be reckoned with.  She doesn't follow trends, and her uniqueness is refreshing.  She just does her thing, and does it oh-so well.  It's a quality I admire most in people, and I find her completely inspiring.  I love this recent post where she writes about clothing for curvy women (using photos from the shoot she did for L+R!).  

Thank you, Justina, for being a L+R Style Muse!  

xo

<<< Q+A below >>>

L+R:  Who are YOUR style muses?
J:  Peggy Moffitt, Iris Apfel, Frida Kahlo

L+R:  Where are your favorite places to shop in LA?
J:  Flea Markets, Squaresville, New High Mart, Tavin

L+R:  Your favorite  fashion find (s)?
J:  Oh gosh too many to name--have a look at my Get in my Closet Pinterest Board!
     http://pinterest.com/compai/justina-s-style-pinboard/

L+R:  You're a designer, consultant, interior stylist, and you've written 4 books!  
Tell us a little about your career path and journey.

J:  I began my career simply by doing the things that love. The more I designed--the better I got at it. I volunteered, interned, worked for trade and got involved with anything that sounded fun and/or interesting to learn as much as possible about art and design. As far as formal education, I got my Bachelor of Arts degree at UCLA in World Arts and Cultures and I minored in Italian. I then got a post graduate degree in fashion design from Polimoda on Florence, Italy, but ultimately I feel that travel, and collaborations with people that I admire have provided the best education.

L+R:  You lived in Italy for 7 years. What took you there, and what brought you back to California?
J:  I grew up in Berkeley, CA and moved down to LA to go to UCLA when I was 18. I fell in love with this city--so warm, so vast, and so many cultural enclaves throughout.  I made a ton of friends that are still my friends today. My junior year at UCLA I studied abroad in Florence, Italy. I studied communications and became enamoured with Italian language and culture. When I came back to the US after my junior year I decided to return to Italy after graduation. When I went back my sister Faith came with me and we did our post-graduate work at Polimoda. The following year we launched a boutique and a design collective.  I had the opportunity to work with some amazing Italian designers and learn so much from them. Something about being a foreigner and always being just a little bit outside of my comfort zone forced me to observe, observe and observe more-- so I learned a ton. I came back when I fell in love with my now husband, Jason--a California boy. 

L+R:  What does a typical day look like for you? and how has this changed since you've gotten married, and had Ida Sky?
J:  As a full-time consultant, each day is drastically different. My main job is a creative consultant. I help people and businesses with creative concepting and design. This can mean one day I'm doing home decor and interior styling and the next day I'm art-directing a photoshoot. My 'gigs' are kinda all over the map and I like it that way. Since I had Ida and got married, I work more from the computer and phone. I do less graphic design and more styling because styling projects have a set start and finish time where as graphic design projects can go on and on and that's hard with a baby. 

L+R:  How would you describe your personal style?  and how does that reflect on your interior design work?

J:  My personal style is Jungalow and Globoh (global/bohemian) -- that goes for everything in my life. My personal style does not change from fashion to home to food--or whatever--my tastes are pretty consistent. I like it wild. 

L+R:  What inspires you or influences you the most creatively? 

J:  TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL--and that could mean to another continent or to the corner store. Being outside of your comfort zone--hearing, feeling, tasting, seeing and smelling new things and people.  

L+R:  Ok, last one just for fun :) Three beauty products you can't live without?

J:  Josie Maran Argan oil, Mixed Chicks Leave-in-Conditioner, Funny Face Lipstick by Nars

(These fabulous photos were taken by Justina's husband, Jason Rosencrantz.)

STYLE MUSE - NIKKI PORTMAN

Nikki Portman is the creator and mastermind behind the Columbus Flea.  Before I even met Nikki I respected and admired her for starting the Flea... Nikki is one of those people that act on their great ideas, instead of just talking about it like a lot of us.  After I met her, I could add to that list of qualities I admire and like {not to mention she's just really cool... like, sings in a local band kind of cool}.  

What started as the "Summer Flea" has grown quickly to include a Spring and Fall Flea, thus the name change {and it's still growing}.  All three fleas feature a wide variety of handmade jewelry, original artwork, antiques, vintage clothing, unique crafts, and more!  The Fall Flea will take place this Sunday, October 7th from 11am - 5pm at the Seventh Son Brewing Company parking lot {1101 N. 4th St. in Italian Village}. Proceeds from the outdoor markets benefit Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Thank you, Nikki, for being a L+R Style Muse!  And for introducing me to my new favorite drink {at the Rossi}.  And for my fabulous Flea Bag {modeled by Nikki below}.  It has already made its way to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and my little hometown.  

L+R:  How would you describe your personal style?

NP:  It can be pretty random at times.  I like to mix modern and vintage and I like finding ways to carry my favorite pieces throughout the seasons, so you’ll often find me in dresses or shorts and tights with big sweaters. 

L+R:  Where are your favorite places to shop?

NP:  Ladybird, Madewell, Thrift Stores, and my seasonal flea market events

L+R:  Are there pieces in your wardrobe you find yourself wearing constantly?

NP:  Oh yes.  I have a crazy Navajo sweater that’s become sort of a signature for me.  Every time I see a picture of myself in it, I’m like “I swear I have other clothes,” but it’s my favorite-what can I say?  Also, my buffalo check flannel, and of course, my jean shorts…worn to death, they’re a part of me. 

L+R:  Your favorite fashion "find"?

NP:  I found a black Christian Dior chiffon skirt with accordion pleats at the thrift store for $4.99.  SCORE!

L+R:  Who is your favorite band?

NP:  Calling out a favorite is tough, but to name a few of my current loves: Ty Segall, Kurt Vile, and Beach House.  Oh, and Divine Fits (go get ‘em Sam Brown!).

L+R:  Tell Lovely + Rust readers a little about what lead you to start the Columbus Flea?

NP:  When I was little and we would visit my grandparents in Florida, my grandma would take us to the outdoor flea markets (you know the real classy ones with the airbrush tees and gold plated chain spools) and I LOVED that.  And now I go to New York somewhat frequently, whether it’s to visit my sister and brother-in -law, or my friends , or for work, and I spend time at the Brooklyn Flea or hitting up the various street vendors and the jewelry market in Nolita.  And it occurred to me on one or more of these visits how much I wished that we had a little of this going on in Columbus.  It wasn’t until I was in between jobs during the dead of Winter in 2009 that I found the time to brainstorm what a flea market in Columbus might look like.  I wanted to create an environment that combined the cool, well-curated Brooklyn Flea feel with a hint of the tacky (in the best possible way) Florida markets that I loved so much as a kid.  I like to call it my up-scale dirt mall, and it came to life it August of 2010 with the help of my buds Erica Anderson, Tony Collinger, and Aaron Beck J 

L+R:  What are your favorite spots in Columbus?

NP:  Ace of Cups for drinks and music. The El Camino Inn for chicken tacos (I’m newly addicted). The Rossi for my favorite pizza and cocktail menu in town.

L+R:  Three beauty products you can't live without?

NP:  - YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick (I have 5 shades)

        - Morrocan Oil for my hair and skin

        - Le Labo Cologne in Patchouli

STYLE MUSE - JAMIE LYN

I'm so {said with emphasis} excited to share L & R's next style muse - Jamie Lyn of Ax + Apple.  If you type "Ax + Apple" into the little search field in the right sidebar, you'll get an idea of just how big of a fan I truly am.  I talked about their latest line here, and recently added one of their new-ish cast bronze pieces to my collection.  Is it bad that I'm already planning my next purchase?

Ax + Apple is the bees knees.  And Jamie Lyn is just too cool for school.  She's like that girl in high school you felt cool for being friends with.  And if you're wondering if that means I feel cool... why yes, yes I do.

Thank you, Jamie, for being a Style Muse... AND for answering all of the questions inquiring minds want to know {see interview below}!  You must check out the website, follow Jamie Lyn on twitter + instagram {under "axandapple"}, and like the Ax + Apple facebook page!

L&R:  Who are your style muses or icons?

J:  There isn't any one person I pay attention to more than another.  I pay attention to everything.  I try to draw inspiration from the places I live, and the style attached to those places.  I read magazines, and I am pretty immersed in pop culture. Instagram and Tumblr are great sources for fashion news.  I follow bloggers like Natalie Suarez (@natalieoffduty) and Julie Sarinana (@sincerelyjules).  The rest is random, and wide spanning.  I think that helps to keep it fresh.  I take in as much information as I can, process it, and hope it comes out in a way that is genuinely "me".  


L&R:  How would you describe your personal style?

J:  Laid Back.  Comfortable.  Heavily accessorized!  I am big into juxtaposition... edgy and soft.  Thrifted and designer.  Neon and neutral.  Torn and tailored.  I think taking two extremes and butting them up against each other is the easiest trick to creating an stimulating look.  It's the basis for a lot of my designs.


L&R:  Where are your favorite places to shop?

J:  Any thrift or antique store, USA. There is something about the rush of finding a thrift store gem that is like a drug to me.  For new duds, I love Zara.


L&R:  Are there pieces in your wardrobe you find yourself wearing constantly?

J:  Jeans and cut-up tees are pretty much my day to day uniform.  That or a long cotton maxi dress.  


L&R:  Since I've known you (been a fan of your jewelry) since you were getting started, I would say you have stayed true to your roots, but always stayed fresh.  How would you say Ax + Apple has evolved since you started? and how do you constantly think of new designs?

J:  In the beginning, Ax+Apple was all one of a kinds.  It all started with repurposed findings and chain.  As the demand grew, I realized I was going to have to come up with designs that I could recreate.  So, I took a basic soldering workshop and started banging on some metal to see what would happen.  The earliest designs were all very basic.  Hammered wire and such.  Every season I tried to inject a new material or technique.  Beading, casting natural material, and most recently wax carving (that is then casted in bronze).  The wax has really brought things to a new level for me as a designer, because for the first time I am able to actually get ideas that are all my own out into the metal.  Before it was more about curating.  Now, it is truly about creating something that did not exist before.


L&R:  How would you describe an Ax + Apple girl?

J: Magical.  Adventurous.  True. 


L&R:  Have you always liked jewelry? How did you start designing it?

J:  I have always been a jewelry girl.  I remember when I was in high school, I wore a silver ring on every finger and at one point my mother told me I would be grounded if I got any more holes in my ears.  I pierced my belly button with a safety pin when I was 15.  I just wanted to wear as much jewelry as I could possibly attach to my body.   

I started designing jewelry at a pretty early age too.  I always had a tackle box full of beads and shells and thread.  I didn't start officially designing jewelry until years later, but it was always there in the background, no matter what job I had at the time.


L&R:  How do you like to spend your time when you're not working?

J:  That's a funny question, because I feel like I am always working even when I'm not working.  If I'm not in the studio I am out in the world trying to find inspiration or source new material.  That could mean scouring an antique store or a river bed or getting together with other artist pals and talking about what we should work on next.  Work is a concept that doesn't mean much to me.  I have been blessed to find my passion and make a living doing it.  Ax+Apple isn't just a job to me.  It is a lifestyle.  Work is life.  Life is art.  It is who I am.


L&R:  You've already done SO well... "made it" so to speak. What are some of your wishes and dreams for Ax + Apple or yourself?

J:  BLUSH!!!!  Well, I don't know if I feel that way but I am flattered you would phrase it that way.  I am moving operations to LA in the Fall, and I hope to start a whole new chapter of wonderful-ness out there.  It has been calling to me for some time.  I hope to take things to the next level there.  Tees and totes have been a rolling thought for a few seasons now, just waiting for the right time to incorporate it in.  I think ultimately I want Ax+Apple to be a lifestyle brand, offering everything from jewels and duds to a thoughtfully curated selection of housewares.  Eventually, I imagine brick and mortar as well.  So much work to do!!  

STYLE MUSE - JESSICA KLEOPPEL

I am thrilled to share today's style muse, pretty lady - Jessica Kleoppel. Her blog - something concerning everything occurring - is one of my absolute favorites; I am very happy to have discovered it.  Jessica's blog is always thoughtful, inspired, and beautifully written. She truly reminds me to notice the little things, and seeing life through her eyes is a lovely thing. 

Jessica currently lives in Chicago, and her blog posts often make me miss that city I called home. I think if I still lived there we would be fast friends. {And I don't mean that in a weirdo stalker sort of way.}

Thank you, Jessica, for being a L&R style muse!

{Photos taken by Jessica's boyfriend - Sam. Wonderful job, Sam!}

L&R: Who are your style muses?

J: Katharine Hepburn and Diane Keaton always, and Sofia Coppola, Alexa Chung, Chloe Sevigny, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Bosworth, my boss, and people on the street.

L&R: How would you describe your personal style?

J: Bag lady meets teenage prep school boy? Bohemian Amish? (This will make sense to my friends, I'm sure.)

L&R: Are there pieces in your closet you find yourself wearing constantly?

J: White button downs of any sleeve variety, breton striped shirts, tapered trousers, midi dresses cinched with a belt, and a massive shawl to throw off all the structure—a walking contradiction.

L&R: Your favorite "find"?

J: Although not quite a find, my 98-year-old great-grandmother's slave bracelet is probably the piece that means most. She would travel from Missouri to Brownsville, Texas every winter, where she'd spend the season teaching painting classes and giving organ lessons to the other "Winter Texans" out of her motor home. The bracelet is Navajo, and I imagine was purchased during a detour west.

L&R: What was your last purchase?

J: I made a resolution to go the year without buying "new" clothes—shoes aside, though, since I always seem to wear through the soles. So, I just purchased a new pair of Bensimons to last me through summer bike rides and evening walks. They're the perfect amount of rugged and pretty, able to make the transition from hiking trail to casual dinner, which they did often on my recent trip to Portland.

L&R: What is the outfit you feel the best in? that feels the most "you"?

J: At the moment: white linen tank, high-waisted cotton trousers, loafers, and bright lipstick. I'm all about comfort anymore. I want to be able to run after a bus if I have to; to sit cross-legged in the park if I get to.

L&R: You are a graphic designer, but you also take wonderful photographs and write beautifully. What else do you enjoy doing?

J: What a wonderful thing to say, Molly. Thank you. To answer your question: if I could travel for a living, I probably would. Also: reading (another of my aforementioned resolutions is to read 50 books this year), tending to my plants, cycling, listening to music, cooking, dining, having drinks with friends. I love being surrounded by beautiful things, so I'm always collecting, always improving my place—I find great joy in this.

L&R: Tell us a little about yourself, and the path that led you to where you are now?

J: Well, I grew up on a farm in a small town in Missouri, moved to Chicago six years ago for school, and have been here since. I thought I would study biology, or French maybe, but ended up with an art degree. I suppose it was a natural progression, looking back on it—my mom's a talented florist and owns a shop in our little town, and my dad can build and/or fix anything. I suppose I was surrounded by more creativity than I realized. 

Now I have a great job as a designer at a local art museum, where I've worked for the past five years. And, I live with my boyfriend Sam in an apartment in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, close to the brewery where he works. (He took these photos a couple minutes from our apartment, at a secret spot on the river he found and surprised me with last month.)

L&R: What are your favorite spots in Chicago?
J: Oh! Let's see: Lula Cafe for brunch at the bar, The Fountainhead for great beer and food, The ReBuilding Exchange is a new favorite with amazing recycled building materials, Music Box theatre for weekend classic matinees, Half Acre Beer Company for a tasting and the cool people, and a cafe in our neighborhood called The Grind with a secret back patio and the sweetest barista with horn-rimmed glasses. In fact, I could spend all afternoon going between said cafe, the record store next door, and the used book store across the street. That's my kind of day.

With less of a neighborhood-y sort of experience in mind, any good vantage point (the River, Montrose Harbor, Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, the Brown Line) for Chicago architecture is—not to sound cliché—breathtaking, no matter how long you've lived here. And there's more incredible food here than you'll ever know what to do with. I'll round this out with a few things that really make me feelalive, which is why I imagine many people choose to live urban lives: walking around The Loop , an evening at the Civic Opera House, morning and evening bike rides on the Lakefront Path, and summer concerts in Millennium Park. Yes.

L&R: Three products you can't live without?

J: My beauty regimen is pretty low key, but lately I've been enjoying a few things in particular: NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose (as pictured), Olay Total Effects moisturizer with SPF, and Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo Powder (helpful when I arrive at the office sweaty each morning after an 8-mile bike ride—yikes).

Jessica has sealed my fate - I will own a pair of Bensimons soon. I mean, it's the cool french girl converse. Or so they say. And when you can't go to France -  buy their shoes. Or something like that.


Happy weekend, friends! It's supposed to be 101 / 103 here... Ugh. Drink water + use sunscreen!


Last, but certainly not least... a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderfully cool father-in-law, Bill! We'll see you soon, and love you very much!

STYLE MUSE - MAREN ROTH

Maren Roth / Owner of Rowe - a contemporary boutique in the Short North / Columbus, Ohio

I met Maren Roth shortly after I moved to Columbus. I had never been to Rowe, so I stopped in to check it out - and met Maren. She was really friendly {she always is} and we ended up finding out that we had moved back to Ohio within a few months of each other {she from NYC and I from Chicago}, and that we were the same age. I remember this well because at the time I knew very few people in Columbus, and it was nice to talk to someone else my age that had just left a big city to come back to Ohio. 

You know those girls who are just so effortlessly stylish you want to dislike them? You know - the girls you love to hate. Maren is one of those... but - you can't do anything but love her. She is beautiful, successful, and Columbus' own fashion darling. 

Maren is one of those people that takes full advantage of the city she calls home... making Columbus her own little NYC. She's involved and active in the community in many ways, but the closest to her heart? The Jack Roth Rock N Run - an annual 5K race she organizes in honor of her late father. The race has grown each year since its inception. Not surprising because Maren just makes things happen. 

Thank you, Maren, for being a L&R Style Muse! 

L&R: Who are your style muses? 
M: Stevie Nicks,  Kate Moss,  Diane Kruger, Olivia Polermo, Rosie Huntington Whitley, Rachel Bilson, Lauren Hutton, Julianne Moore... is that too many?  I am constantly inspired by beautiful women in the arts! 

L&R: How would you describe your personal style? 

M: Bohemian with a classic american twist.  I am a hippy at heart, long flowy dresses, big sleeves, fringe, maxi's, etc.,  but also I love beautifully tailored pieces, especially blazers, well fitted pants and a classic button down. 

L&R: What is your first fashion memory...the moment you fell in love with clothes? 

M: I have a terrible memory in general, but this, I remember.  My aunt gave me a white rabbit fur coat at about age four and I exclaimed "Ahhh, my furrst (emphasis on the u and not properly pronounced first), fuurr", I think my mom knew she was in trouble! 

L&R: Tell us a little about your career path, and what led to opening your own store.

M: I knew I definitely wanted to be in fashion after spending the summer of my junior year in New York working for a fashion trade pub called DNR.  It was the men's equivalent to women's wear daily.  After my internship, I was offered a fashion assistant job with my editor at his new job as fashion director at Men's Health; however, I had one semester of school left to finish in order to graduate, so I decided to pass it up.  He understood and was still  extremely helpful in finding me a position, once I moved to New York. But unfortunately, or fortunately - it would turn out, I landed a job at a fashion PR firm instead of at a magazine.  Long story short, I ended my career in New York working for a wholesale showroom, where I got to see the wholesale world. Although I was the PR director for the lines we represented at the showroom, I helped out at trade shows and got to help buyers and really see the ins and outs of the wholesale/boutique business.  After leaving New York and spending a few weeks in LA, I had an epiphany as I was helping some buyers at a trade show I was freelancing at, "I don't want to be selling the clothes to these buyers, i want to be buying them and selling them to the consumers!'  So I packed up my car and drove back to Ohio, where I wrote a business plan and worked my tail off to get the business of the ground.  After a lot of "No's", I decided to take matters into my own hands and start the store anyway.  I ran up a credit card and maxed it out buying small size runs, and got some designer friends of mine in New York to send me merchandise on consignment. A dear friend in Columbus, Rebecca Ibel, lent me her gallery space for a long weekend and I opened the very first Rowe pop up show/trunk show.  After that weekend, I saw it was viable and something people loved and wanted. I kept doing the moveable boutique thing until 11 months later when I opened the the doors of Rowe's permanent home. Two years after that, I expanded the store to the space next to Rowe... knocked a hole through the wall to combine them, re-designed the space and doubled the store!

L&R: Are there pieces in your closet you find yourself wearing constantly?  

M: For a short amount of time.  There are things I like to wear and then put away so they feel like new later on, however, once I wear something once, it looses a little of its luster, so I tend to shop more because I like that very first wear!  

L&R: Your favorite "find"? 

M: It's crazy hard to narrow that down to one item. My best friend, Val, actually finds me the most interesting vintage pieces. She's always sending me beautiful treasures, so I have too many to pick from on the jewelry and accessory side from her. As for clothes, I have this Iro jacket that my friend Rahav gave me at the Iro showroom in New York.  He lets me come and sort through boxes of old merchandise when I come to town to see if I want to buy anything for personal use.  Last summer there was this really cool jacket that I found and he said "you can have that" and I about fell over!  It's a thin cotton but has the most ridiculous chain and turquoise detail all along the arms and a tiny strip of leather with a hook & eye closure along the opening of the jacket.  It's one of those really special pieces you feel amazing in and just about everyone and their grandmother compliments you on!  

L&R: When you aren't wearing pieces from Rowe, where are they from? Other places you shop? 

M: Zara, Madewell, thrift stores and other boutique's I frequent when I travel, like my friend's store - Penelope T. in Tampa. 

L&R: What would your dream job be, if you didn't own your own shop? 

M: Rockstar

L&R: Who is your favorite band? 

M: Again, really hard to narrow down, so I'll give you top 5  right now: 

Fleetwood Mac, Black Crowes, Rolling Stones,Ray LaMontagne & Mumford & Sons

L&R: What are your favorite spots in Columbus? 

M: Rowe, Basi Patio, The LC for a great outdoor show, My aunt & uncle's pool in Bexley, The Wexner Center, Jr.'s Taco Truck in it's parking lot location

L&R: You live & work in the short north, are there any destinations that draw you out of the neighborhood? 

M: Harvest Patio/Curio Bar, I swear I am there like twice a week! 

L&R: Three beauty products you can't live without? 

1. Laura Mercier silk creme foundation

2. Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Beauty Burnt Brown Sugar & Karite ButterBody Wash  

3. Bumble & Bumble Straight Blowdry

L&R: Inquiring minds {like me} want to know, what is your favorite nail polish and lipstick at this moment? 

M: I am terrible at painting my nails because I bite the heck out of them, which is a horrific habit I wish I could break myself of and if anyone has a secret to it I will take it!  So, I will give you 2 of my favorite lipsticks instead.  One of my best gal pal's, Brooke, turned me onto Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for lips & cheeks, it works double duty and always keeps my cheeks looking perfectly dewy while adding just the right amount of gloss to my lips at the same time.  My other tried & true is cover girl lip perfection in flame, it stays on even when you want it gone!

{All photographs taken by me...  I wish Rowe was my closet.}

ps. Maren's shoes were so cute, and I should have made her show them off for a photo. I let you down, lovely readers!