KAYU

And the Colors of 2012 Go to...

2012-01-13T10:59:00.027-05:00

Tangerine Orange, Sunny Yellow, Beachy Turquoise & Pinks

Refreshing, seasonless and energizing. Although we all love black, brown and grey, bright colors such as orange, yellow, turquoise and pinks are no longer just for resort getaway travelers. Having just returned from the NYC Accessorie Circuit trade show, Kayu created quite the buzz with our splash of colorful clutches. Visitors couldn't wait to get their hands on the bags (and we don't blame them)

Here are my favorite brights from Kayu:

Ada Straw Clutch in Orange

Shireen Straw & Wood Clutch in Turquoise

Lauren Straw & Wood Clutch in Yellow

With lots of color & love,

Karen

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T11:47:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn Decker carries Kayu

2011-12-12T13:04:00.000-05:00

We've been in love with Brooklyn Decker ever since spotting her in the Victoria's Secret catalog and have followed her meteoric rise to fame ever since. She stole the show in the romantic comedy "Just Go With It" and recently released a new movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting".

It goes without saying that we were thrilled when she chose to carry our Katherine clutch to the 2011 Unicef Charity Ball in Beverly Hills.

Brooklyn paired the clutch with a gorgeous mint Tory Burch dress and bright Jimmy Choo shoes.

The clutch is from our latest collection and is available at www.kayudesign.com

Beauty From The Inside Out

2011-12-06T00:32:00.002-05:00

When I think of beauty products that are both good for you and come in a variety of colors and textures, there are only a few names I trust. My salon only works with Aveda products so I know my tresses and skin are always in great hands. While I was planning on writing this post about my beauty makeover, I couldn't think of a better place then my favorite salon.

On a sunny autumn day, I entered Blue Remedy Salon in Mahopac, New York and was welcomed as usual by their warm staff. Gina, one of the owners introduced me to their makeup artist, Fawn Monique. As I sat on a plush chair, I closed my eyes and let Fawn work her magic. She began with Fire Nature All Sensitive Cleanser& Moisturizer which felt so refreshing, followed by a mild exfoliant (Botanical Kinetic).

Afterwards, the makeup transformation took place starting with foundation and finishing with mascara. I loved the Golden Jasper eyeshadow trio which is made from oil of orchid, geranium, jasmine and mica. Having sensitive eyes, I am very selective with my eye makeup; the eyeshadow and Mascara (Iceland Moss in Black forest) are a must for any sensitive eye or contacts gal!

For the evening look, she deepened the color palettes to create a more intense look . Fawn created my signature ruby red color by combining 2 colors; Lip Vandanite and Cherry Blossom.

Fawn & I flaunting our red lips

Aveda was one of the first pioneers of mineral makeup (1987) and their mission to make you beautiful from the inside out without any harsh chemicals is still true today.

Blue Remedy Salon is located on 912 S Lake Blvd, Mahopac, NY 845-621-1022

www.blueremedy.com

Fawn Monique - http://www.fawnmonique.com/

KAYU's City Guide: Vancouver

2011-12-05T10:51:00.000-05:00

Most people don't know that in addition to running Kayu I've also been pursuing my Masters of Fine Arts with The University of British Columbia. I've been doing the degree part time and finally, after years of work, I graduated!

I hadn't been to Vancouver for over ten years and it was just as lovely as I remembered. Here are some of my favourites -

SLEEP

MODA HOTEL

900 Seymour St

We stayed in a charming hotel in the heart of downtown Vancouver called Moda. The hotel is housed in a heritage building conceived in 1899 and blends the original building structure with modern elements. Check out those fabulous 100 year old mosaic floors! The rooms are small but chic and the service incredibly attentive. It's also attached to a great wine bar (see below).

EAT

Uva Wine Bar

900 Seymour St

Uva was attached to the Moda Hotel and we found ourselves coming here each morning for breakfast. They have the most amazing coffee and croissants. It's also a great place for pre-dinner drinks.

JAPADOG

899 Burrad St

We first heard about Japadog through Anthony Bourdain's TV show "No Reservations", and we knew we had to try this strange phenomenon. Part-Japanese/part-American, Japadog fuses their hot-dogs with elements like seaweed, bonito flakes and soba noodles. The result is one of the most delicious hot-dogs I have ever tasted! Don't forget to try their incredible fries.

GUU GARDEN
888 Nelson St

Guu Izakaya is an institution in Vancouver and they have several locations throughout the city. We decided to go to Guu Garden which is on the rooftop of a building surrounded by a garden. This location is famous for their oden, a dish where ingredients are slowly simmered in a soy-sauce soup. I highly recommend the black cod and salty ice-cream.

ITALIAN KITCHEN
1037 Alberni St

My DH and I came here to celebrate my graduation and had a great time. It's a bustling place, with a sexy interior and lots of beautiful people. Excellent kobe meatballs and Italian donuts.They have an extensive wine list and were happy to change our bottle after opening it when my DH said he didn't like the taste. The epitome of great customer service.

SHOP

HOLT RENFREW
737 Dunsmir St

They have the most beautiful things in this store which is oft compared to Barney's here in the US. Keep your eyes peeled for luxurious Canadian brands like WANT Les Essential de la Vie, Wings + Horns, Smythe and Jeremy Laing.

SEE

THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

I have to give props to my alma mater whose campus is located 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and features a spectacular campus where snow capped mountains meet the ocean. A visit to the iconic Museum of Anthropology is a must.

GRANVILLE ISLAND

This island directly across from downtown Vancouver's peninsula is a great place to spend the day. There's a large public market, the Emily Carr University of Art and Design and lots of craft studios and boutiques. On a nice day I recommend taking a water taxi and stopping off at Yaletown or the West End.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

2011-11-28T13:29:00.002-05:00

One of our favorite things about Thanksgiving is all the leftovers! Here's a simple recipe we love that makes use of all that extra turkey you have (via Marthastewart.com) -

Turkey Banh Mi

INGREDIENTS
Chilled cooked turkey
Mayonnaise
Asian chile sauce (such as our favorite, Sriracha)
Thinly sliced peeled cucumber
Grated carrot
Generous handful of fresh cilantro
Whole wheat baguette
Jalapeno chiles if desired

DIRECTIONS
1. Chop chilled turkey, and mix with Mayonnaise spiked with Asian chile sauce.

2. Layer turkey with sliced cucumber, grated carrot and fresh cilantro inside a whole-wheat baguette. Add more heat with jalapeno chiles if desired.

Kayu's Resort 2012 Video

2011-11-18T13:43:00.000-05:00

Last month Kayu teamed up with bloggers Natalie of La Vagabond Dame and Jordana of Bohemian Mannequin to shoot our Resort 2012 Collection. We had so much fun spending the afternoon with these two ladies who are not only charming but talented beyond their years.

Natalie styled the shoot in a cool 70s vibe that really reflected the inspiration of the collection, and Jordana captured the day perfectly with her mad photography skills.

Thanks girls, we had a blast!

How to be Green (or Greener) in 10 Days

2011-11-13T11:17:00.042-05:00

Here at Kayu, we always strive to be green. Besides the obvious ones such as recycling, eco friendly cars and purchasing organic food, I wanted to share with you several ways how we incorporate green into our lifestyle.

For those who are already super green and even for those that are green curious, here are 10 days to a better you:

#1 Go paperless. Opt to go paperless for all your banking, retail credit cards, catalogs and other mail that fills up your mailbox. Who needs all that clutter on your kitchen counter when you can have all your records stored electronically.

#2 DYI natural home decor. Bring nature to your home by creating beautiful table center pieces. Colorful leaves foliage, small tree branches, acorns, chestnuts and apples placed in a clear vase is a quick and easy way to enhance any table in your home.

#3 Do you own a condo or home? Give your ceiling something to smile about by investing in an eco ceiling fan. They are great for both summer and winter because they keep the cold air circulating in the summer and in the winter warm air is kept inside your home. Just make sure the fan has a reversable function so you can use it all year round. Eco fans are not only a beautiful addition to your home their motor is up to 3x more efficient than typical fans and some have electricity use of less than 30 Watts, saving you energy and $

#4 Invest in a fabulous eco friendly accessory piece that will never go out of style.

#5 Purchase organic or natural based beauty products, Your face and body will thank you.

#6 Since most of you already purchase organic fruits, vegetables and other food necessities, if you have not done yet, try growing your own herbs- it's easy and can be done even in the tiniest city apartment. Give your kitchen a great aroma!

#7 In addition to purchasing energy star appliances, use green household cleaning products. There is a plethora of brands on your grocery market's shelf, just carefully read the label and its ingredients.

#8 Speaking of your home... are your walls screaming for new paint? Benjamin Moore (Natura) and California Paints (Elements) are serious about making sure our homes are toxic and odor free. For further info go to your nearest home improvement store or check out their websites (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/, http://www.californiapaints.com/)

#9 Plan an Eco getaway - for the real experience try an adventurous once-in-a-lifetime vacation either with your girls, other couples or just with your hubby. Francis Ford Coppola's Beliz resorts, Ecuador's Amazon region and Costa Rica's resorts in Arenal are among the many beautiful places that are a must see.

#10 Enjoy nature to the fullest. Have fun outside and be fit!

Although there are many more ways to be green, I just wanted to share with you some of mine. Stay tuned for more green tips in my upcoming blog posts!

Love yourself, love your family, love your friends & love the world,

Karen

Welcome Karen!

2011-11-03T11:56:00.001-04:00

We're so happy to introduce the newest addition to the KAYU team. Karen is a wife, mother and eco enthusiast who will be spearheading our marketing and media efforts in the North East Region. She'll also be contributing to this blog so look out for her posts in the future.

Welcome to the team Karen - we're so happy to have you on board!

KAYU's City Guide: Manila

2011-11-01T00:16:00.000-04:00

SLEEP

SOFITEL
CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

My favorite place to stay in Manila is the Sofitel. I like it because it's located far enough from the hustle and bustle so you feel relaxed, yet only a twenty minute cab ride away from Makati City. It has a fantastic buffet and unparalleled views of the Manila Bay. My fav thing is to watch the sunset over drinks by the pool. Don't forget to request a room on the Club Lounge.

EAT

Sentro 1771

2/L Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center. Makati City

Our Filipino friends took us to this wonderful restaurant located in the Greenbelt shopping mall. They serve Filipino cuisine but with a twist. I highly recommend their sizzling tofu and fried bananas!

SEASIDE MART
Along Roxas Boulevard in Parañaque

If you love fresh seafood and open markets you have to check out this place. A local cabbie tipped us off and it was definitely worth the trip. You're just four easy steps away from a great meal -
1) Navigate your way through rows and rows of fresh seafood. Select what you want to eat. Get your seafood weighed and priced.
2) Pick a restaurant from the many available.
3) Hand your fish/crabs/shrimp over to the chef who will suggest various ways to cook it.
4) EAT!

SHOP

If you've ever been to Manila you'll know that the whole city is made up of a bunch of mega malls filled with shops, restaurants, movie theatres, spas and anything you could possibly need or want. Here are some of the bigger and better ones -

GREENBELT
Ayala Center, Makati City

My favorite place in this whole mall is in Greenbelt 5 which features local designers like Arnel Papa, Lulu Tan Gan and Ricky Toldeo. Their artistry and vision will blow you away. The mall is centered around an outdoor courtyard which gets buzzing at night with restaurants and bars.

MALL OF ASIA
Roxas Boulevard, Pasay

This mall is the 3rd largest in Asia and can hold up to 8000 cars! An ice-skating rink, movie theaters, a supermarket and tons of restaurants and shops.

SEE

INTRAMUROS

My DH and I spent a day walking around Intramuros, the oldest district in Manila. Also known as "the walled city" Intramuros is surrounded on all sides by thick walls which were built during the Spanish Colonial period. Points of interest include Fort Santiago located at the mouth of the river, San Agustin Church, Rizal Museum and Park, and Plaza de Roma.

Kayu in Asia

2011-10-25T06:48:00.000-04:00

I just got back from Asia and had a fantastic time visiting the artisans that handcraft our bags. Here are some snapshots from my trip.

Visting a bamboo farm

With the artisans in our workshop.

Each Kayu handbag is intricately handcrafted using traditional techniques.

The view from our workshop. Paradise.

Enjoying a day off :)

Goodbye Asia. I miss you already.

Kayu's Favorite Jewelry Line

2011-09-13T13:36:00.001-04:00

Minz must-have rope bracelet

We are huge fans of Minz, a chic and totally wearable line of accessories created by the sister team of Adeline and Nicole. Minz's humble beginnings can be traced back to the days of Friendster when the sisters used to showcase their collection on photo albums. Now the line includes breathtaking earrings and necklaces incorporating pearls and turquoise, and delicate charms. Most recently Minz expanded into the online space with the launch of their store Minz Loves, a place where other emerging designers can showcase their work alongside Minz accessories.

Adeline Tan, one half of the Minz duo, recently sat down with Kayu to talk inspiration, sibling rivalry and her season's must-haves.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into fashion?

My background is in Banking & Finance and I enjoy crunching numbers just as much as I enjoy wiring beads and baubles together. I'm a completely self-taught jewellery designer. My dabble into jewellery design started out as a hobby as I looked to satiate my love for unique accessories which I couldn't find in stores. Minz is a reflection of our personal style and draws inspiration from the randomosity of fashion made for the young and restless at heart.

Minz is a family business – what’s it like working with your sister?

Working with Nicole is a joy although it's of course not without its ups and downs. We complement each other in different ways which is reflected in our design. Her style is understated with a feminine touch while mine is more edgy. It's great to work with someone who is always in sync with you and to be able to bounce ideas off each other.

Minz statement necklace

How would you define your personal style?

You're likely to catch me in a pair of tailored shorts and a blouse on most days. I tend to stick to basics in neutral shades and colour blocks which I like to play up with a statement necklace or bangle stacks. I would say that my style is casual chic with a feminine edge.

What are your three style must-haves?

A big tote, sunglasses and a LBD.

Who are your favorite designers and why?

I love how Miuccia Prada has married the essence of Prada and repurposed the designs. I also love Club Monaco. They have a great collection of basics which are not overly casual.

What can we expect to see from Minz in the coming months?

We will be bringing on more labels onto our website- more accessories, bags, shoes and ready to wear to complement the Minz collection. Expect real fashion. We aim to enhance the online shopper customer experience by bringing on things that are relevant to a daily lifestyle. Something that works from 9 to 5 and into the night.

To check out more of Minz go to http://minz.com.my/

Kayu Silk Cardholder: Free with every purchase for Fashion's Night Out

2011-09-08T17:31:00.000-04:00

KAYU's Labor Day Sale

2011-09-01T12:24:00.000-04:00

KAYU's City Guide: New York City

2011-08-31T13:20:00.004-04:00

Last month I traveled to NYC to show my 2012 Resort Collection at one of the biggest accessory shows in the world. I used to live in the city and had such a great time going back. NYC never ceases to inspire and excite me, and I thought I'd share some of my favorite places -

EAT

NYONYA
199 Grand St

Coming from Malaysia, it's not easy to impress me with Malaysian food but this restaurant has some of the most authentic food I've eaten out of the country. Don't forget to order the Char Kway Teow.

BARBOSSA
232 Elizabeth St.

I stumbled upon this teeny Brazilian cafe while shopping in Nolita and fell in love with it's unpretentious vibe and delicious caipirinhas. The cold tomato soup was perfect for a hot summer day and my DH loved his pressed sandwich.

BILLY'S BAKERY
268 Elizabeth St.

You know a place is good when you get there and almost everything has sold out. Luckily I managed to snag a vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing. The calories were definitely worth it!

LE BATEAU IVRE
230 E. 51st St., New York, NY 10022

It was raining and ten at night when my DH and I found this lovely french bistro. Extensive wine list, beautiful people, and delicious fries. It's open until 4am so is perfect if you have a midnight craving :)

SHOP

I've been so busy preparing for Kayu's Resort 2012 Collection that all the stores I find myself gravitating towards feature floaty caftans, ikat scarves and cotton sarongs.

ERICA TANOV
204 Elizabeth St

This breezy store sells adorable children's clothes, bed linens and floaty peasant tops perfect for a day at the beach.

CALYPSO ST-BARTH
280 Mott Street

I could meander through this shop all day and never tire of the colorful tunics, embellished handbags and one-of-a-kind jewelry.

RAG & BONE
119 Mercer Street

Hands-down this store wins the award for best customer service. The sales assistant was incredibly attentive and patient as my hubby picked out some items for Fall. Great denim, sharp shirts and cozy knits.

SEE

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
Alexander McQueen Exhibit. Enough said.

Our "BETTY" shell clutch is back!

2011-08-30T11:48:00.001-04:00

Kayu at Accessorie Circuit

2011-07-25T18:16:00.001-04:00

KAYU's Big Summer Blow Out Sale!!!

2011-07-20T10:48:00.005-04:00

Shop our big summer sale for up to 70% off! Everything must go!

Luxury Concierge with a Conscience

2011-07-07T15:54:00.003-04:00

With today's busy lifestyles it's hard enough organizing one's life, much less doing it in a way that's ethically and socially conscious. New lifestyle management agency Ethique helps individuals and businesses with everything from booking leisure services to conducting research and sourcing products, and all in a way that combines quality solutions with social and environmental values.

Kayu sat down with Ethique founder Pimme Pande-Jones to find out her views on sustainable luxury and what we as individuals can do to make more informed choices.

How did you become interested in sustainable luxury and what does that term mean to you?

I was working in Bombay in TV and Film, and I was surrounded by this unbelievable growing wealth, and yet there was this increasing disparity between rich and poor; also the effects of climate change were all around, from flooding to earthquakes, to toxic fumes from rudimentary roadside cookers. At first I used to wonder how people could comfortably drive past the abject poverty. And then I realised that for the most part, they just look past it, they don't know how to help; they are frustrated by it.

Over the course of 8 years and three poignant moments: an interview I did with The Dalai Lama, to a conversation with the Head of a renewable energy organization, to watching Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, I decided to look into how to motivate wealthier, more influential people towards ethical aims, to be able to influence the luxury market to become more accountable, and so Ethique was born. Sustainable luxury to me is a traditionally influenced form of luxury that covets artisanship and uniqueness, that values people and our planet; sustainable luxury is not about excess, it is the opposite, it is about slowing down the way we consume, and creating a connection between the object we purchase and it's origin, one where we can be proud to know both it's journey and it's legacy.

How do you go about picking the pieces that make it into Ethique?

I choose what really grabs my attention, what I feel not only stands out in the cluttered luxury market but also pushes boundaries in ethical design. And I have to feel convinced about the brand and it's ethical endeavours, I'm very clear about my objective and look for a similar ethos with other brands and designers. I stay away from an ethical claim if it seems wishy-washy.

What are some of your favorite ethical designers and why?

Mr. Larkin - not sure if they're still around - but I loved the clean lines, beautiful flattering feminine shapes and I love the vintage inspired designs and their progressive attitude towards sustainable fashion and ethics in general. I also love From Somewhere for their innovative, stylish re-invention of recycled, discarded fabrics and Olsen Haus for their edgy vegan footwear. And of course I love Kayu's whole approach to ethical fashion, but especially the gorgeous, retroesque clutches that are little works of art - I think even my husband wants one!

In your everyday life, what are some of the things you do to walk the talk?

I am quite conscious about energy conservation; I hate seeing appliances on 'standby' and go round the house switching off all the power points which annoys my husband! I use public transport and walk a lot! I recycle huge amounts of rubbish and compost all the food waste.

I'm actually not a big shopper, but I love Vintage, swishing, thrift stores. I also love mixing designer with high street. As long as I feel comfortable about the ethics behind the brand, then I will adopt it. I upcycle clothing where possible and though I don't eat meat, I stick to sustainably sourced fish. I have my favourite restaurants with ethical values where I know I don't have to ask about the origins of the fish or produce becasue they are transparent about those things.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to make more sustainable choices when it comes to their purchasing habits?

Don't buy so much! But when you do, be clever about it. If it's fashion, choose fabrics that are durable, well constructed and longer lasting. Look our for bamboo, milk fibre, and try to stick to organic cotton if possible. Read Ecouterre and Treehugger for more ideas. And if you need help, hire an ethical Stylist likeThink Style or talk to Ethique!

What can we expect to see from Ethique in the following months?

More diverse ethical fashion and lifestyle brands on the boutique. More events. Our Asian inspired concierge services are launching later in the year. And meanwhile, our new Private Networking Group, Circle, for forward thinking people and brands has just started and it's free to join: http://www.ethique-concierge.co.uk/static/Member_Services

The Great American Cookout

2011-06-29T12:30:00.001-04:00

If there's a day to fire up the grill, it's the 4th of July. One of my favorite things to barbecue is vegetables, and there's nothing quite like the taste of fresh, sweet corn.

Image via simplyrecipes.com

Here's an utterly simple and fuss-free recipe which calls for grilling the corn directly in the husk. Delicious!

Ingredients

4 ears fresh corn in husks
Butter

Method

Prepare your grill to 550F
Place the corn husks on the grill. Cover. Turn the corn occasionally, until the husks are charred on all sides. About 20 mins.
Remove corn for grill and let sit for 5 mins.
Serve hot with butter.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-17T22:00:00.000-04:00

Here's an old photo of my father as a student traveling through Vienna -

I love how dapper he looks. He was never seen without a sharp suit and perfectly pomaded hair. Happy Father's Day dad - you might be all the way in Kuala Lumpur but you are always in my heart :)

Resort Collection 2012

2011-06-15T14:34:00.001-04:00

We just got the samples in of our new Resort Collection and are ecstatic. Like our previous collection this one features clutches made of natural materials like shell, straw and wood, but in new and unexpected combinations. I can't wait to rock these babies when I go to Thailand for vaca!

Here's a sneak peak - stay tuned for more updates :)

La Vagabond Dame Hearts her Kayu Sunglasses - Part 2

2011-06-13T15:02:00.000-04:00

Summer Days

2011-06-09T16:08:00.000-04:00

Photo by La Vagabond Dame

La Vagabond Dame rocks her KAYU sunglasses

2011-06-08T14:07:00.000-04:00

The gorgeous Natalie Liao of La Vagabond Dame rocks her KAYU Rawa sunglasses!

SPOTLIGHT on Darjeeling Cotton

2011-06-06T17:57:00.001-04:00

In May 2011, my good friend Denise started a line of 100% cotton bedding called Darjeeling Cotton. KAYU asked her about her background, inspiration and how each quilt sold from her collection directly benefits children in Asia.

What inspired you to start Darjeeling Cotton?

While traveling in India I came across traditional hand block textiles that were so unique and beautiful. I fell in love with the colors and patterns and was awed that these textiles were made by hand by village craftsmen. I realized that the textile traditions of Asia are so rich and diverse and it made me want to share it with the rest of the world.

How do you choose the colors and patterns for your collection?

We take classic and traditional Asian textile patterns and update them with vibrant colors and contemporary detailing, turning them into fresh, fun and modern designs.

Where is your bedding made?

Darjeeling Cotton products are made in India. We hope to expand our future collections to showcase textiles from other parts of Asia.

Each quilt sold educates a child. Can you tell us a bit about why this is important and how the donations are made?

A sound education, especially at the primary level, is the single most important gift that a child can receive, beyond the basics of food, water and shelter. Education equals opportunity which is what children need to enable them to rise out of their impoverished surroundings. For every quilt sold Darjeeling Cotton donates USD12 to provide one year of education to a child. The donations are made to the Central Asia Institute, an NGO that promotes rural education and literacy in remote regions where there are few or no education opportunities.

How do you stay inspired?

I love traveling to different countries and discovering textiles indigenous to those areas. Every country has its own unique and beautiful textile traditions which I find fascinating!

What can we expect to see from Darjeeling Cotton in the following months?

Hand block prints are extremely striking and suitable for other products aside from bedding such as tote bags, cosmetic pouches and other home accessories which we plan to offer in the coming months.

For more information and to purchase Darjeeling Cotton products go to www.darjeelingcotton.com

KAYU's City Guide: Phnom Penh

2011-06-02T14:59:00.003-04:00

SLEEP

BLUE LIME
www.bluelime.asia
#42 Street 19
Phnom Penh
012 322 2260

Tucked on a side street behind the Royal Palace this four-storey bungalow boasts a lush garden and bar, concrete walls and private pools.

EAT

FRIENDS THE RESTAURANT
www.mithsamlanh.org
#215 Street 13
Phnom Penh
012 802 072

This delightful restaurant is run by street kids with all profits going towards housing, education and vocational training. An interesting mix of Khmer and Western tapas.

THE BEST ICED COFFEE IN PHNOM PENH
Somewhere in the Russian Market food court

Mr. Bounnarith has been making coffee in the Russian Market for the last thirty years. And yes, he makes the best iced coffee in Phnom Penh.

FCC
www.fcccambodia.com
363 Sisowath Quay
Phnom Penh
855 23 724 013

It might be cliched but there's something haplessly romantic about happy hour at the FCC bar with spectacular views of the Mekong.

SEE

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

Street 13 Preah Ang Eng

Sangkat Chey

Phnom Penh

This museum houses one of the largest collections of Khmer art including the legendary statue of the Leper King. Beautiful lush gardens and ponds offer respite from the heat.

TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM

An awful uncomfortable place that everyone should visit.

SHOP

RUSSIAN MARKET
South of Mao Tse Tuong Boulevard
Phnom Penh

Popular among locals and tourists alike, this market sells everything from Cambodian silk to candles, baskets and jewelry.

What's inside my bag

2011-05-31T20:21:00.006-04:00

I'm loving my new MEL tote this season. As much as I like clutches, sometimes I just need a little more room to lug my essentials around. It's even big enough to fit my laptop which makes it perfect for work and play.

What's in your bag today?

Dream Weavers

2011-05-26T11:09:00.007-04:00

Growing up in Malaysia and Hong Kong, I was exposed to many beautiful artisan crafts. My mother has a gorgeous hand-painted porcelain bowl from China that is over two hundred years old. It has developed a unique patina because of its age and you can still see the delicate craftsmanship that went into its making. She also has a set of rattan chairs that were hand-weaved and, unlike today's synthetic rattan, has achieved a gorgeous wabi sabi. The unfortunate thing about the majority of items produced today is that they are made incredibly quickly and cheaply using synthetic materials. There is no uniqueness to a factory-stamped item, nor do they last that long.

When creating my new collection of handbags, I really wanted to get back to the art of the handcrafted. I'd heard of the T'boli tribe who weave a beautiful material called Tinalak, but it was the story of how they weaved the material that really captured me. The T'boli live in the Southern Philippines where they are known for their elaborate costumes, crafts and music.

The women of the tribe weave a material out of abaca fiber that is directly inspired by their dreams. The stripping of the abaca is done by the men -

The women then hand dye the abaca strips using natural dye from the surrounding trees and plants. Each strip is then weaved on a loom into a pattern of the weavers desire.

The weaving of the material, Tinalak, is a sacred tradition that is passed down through the generations. The women dream of the patterns in their sleep and then translate this to the loom. The result is a material that takes many months to weave and provides the weaver with a connection to the inner-self and her ancestors.

In our new collection I have paired this special material with vegetable-tanned leather. The result are simple shapes that showcase the beauty and uniqueness of the Tinalak.

KAYU in Cambodia - Part 2

2011-05-25T11:40:00.007-04:00

I thought I'd share some photos of the time we had in Cambodia and the people we met there. On the day we traveled to the village to distribute the backpacks, Cambodia experienced some of the worst flooding in its history. The thing that amazed me was the level of patience the drivers on the road exercised. If this happened in America there would be record levels of road rage!

The province we traveled to, Kompong Speu, is one of the poorest provinces in the country. It is also a place of spectacular beauty.

The school we visited was deep in the village surrounded by rice fields. Recently toilets were installed on the premises which helped greatly with the retention of female students.

We gave out backpacks filled with school supplies like pencils, pens, rulers and erasers. The students had never used glue before so there was also a little session explaining what it was.

Despite not having much the children were like children all over the world - riding their bicycles, jostling to look at photos on our cameras, laughing and playing.

We gave out sixty backpacks that day but there are more than a thousand students. Our mission? To one day return with backpacks for every child.

KAYU in Cambodia

2011-05-24T10:50:00.007-04:00

I launched our new line of handbags in July 2010 and since then it's been a whirlwind of activity. One of the most significant events that took place since our launch was Kayu's visit to Cambodia. From the get-go I knew I wanted to give back to an organization that's been doing great work in Cambodia for the past twenty years. Awareness Cambodia not only runs an orphanage in one of the poorest provinces in the country, but they also have a fantastic program which donates backpacks to children in desperate need of the basics. In a country where for every thousand students who begin primary school, only twenty-seven graduate secondary school, simple school supplies can be the difference between whether a child goes to school or stays at home.

For every Kayu handbag purchased, we donate $15 to Awareness Cambodia to buy one backpack and school supplies for a Cambodian child, and in October 2010 I was lucky to travel to Cambodia in our first backpack drop. A team of us traveled to a school in Kompong Speu where we gave out over 60 backpacks and school supplies. It's hard to put into words just how humbling and life-transforming the experience was so I've made a video which captures our time there. I think even with the shaky camera work you can see how beautiful the people and the country are.

For more information about Awareness Cambodia and their backpack program go to www.awarecam.org.au

Kayu Designer Jamie Lim on Her Eco-Friendly Accessories

2011-05-09T10:19:00.003-04:00

The Feast interviews me about my collection of sunglasses and accessories.

View more videos at: http://www.thefeast.com.

BANANAS!

2011-04-05T04:02:00.003-04:00

Kayu bamboo sunglasses are super stylist Rachel Zoe's fashionably-conscious pick!

We Die!

Crazy over Ikat

2011-03-24T20:08:00.004-04:00

This week's obsession? Julian Louie for Aldo's fabulous ikat wedges! Perfect for Spring, get them from Aldo at $125 a pop.

Our Weekly Obsessions

2011-03-17T12:57:00.004-04:00

1. Bed, breakfast and art in the middle of the Marais at Studio22
2. Bling headband from one of our favorite blogs P.S. I Made This
3.Hello Mellow all natural body products
4. Telepopmusik's 'Love Can Damage Your Health" video
5. Old Mac Daddy vintage airstream trailer hotel
6. Our BETTY shell clutch

Bright clutches are Spring's "IT" bag!

2011-03-15T13:40:00.005-04:00

via facehunter
via facehunter
via streetTONIC
via streetTONIC

KAYU LILIAN Ikat tote
KAYU MEL Ikat tote

WE HAVE MOVED!

2011-03-09T21:35:00.004-05:00

Finally after much resistance I have decided to phase out our KAYU group page. We have updated from a group to a page and would love it if you'd join us there. Click here to "LIKE" us and receive exclusive discounts, updates and more:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KAYU/116014771809816

See you there!

Livia Firth wears KAYU

2011-02-28T13:53:00.004-05:00

Livia Firth (wife of Colin Firth) carries our DENISE clutch to the opening of Tom Ford's LA boutique. Big love to Livia for being an eco-fashion champion and to Colin for his big win at the Oscar's!

The Sustainable Fashion Show @ LFW

2010-12-29T21:25:00.007-05:00

Some (long overdue) pics and a video of our glasses and clutches at London Fashion Week SS10. It was a gorgeous show in the gardens of Clarence House and I was thrilled to see my stuff grace the runway together with designers like Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood.

Supermodel Jacquetta Wheeler with our JEN clutch (above) and DENISE clutch (below)

Our RACHEL clutch (below)

Customized RAWA bamboo sunglasses engraved by industrial designer David Batho (below)

Here's a short clip of the whole show -

Holiday Wishes from KAYU!

2010-12-24T13:37:00.000-05:00

The Earth Awards

2010-12-21T20:02:00.012-05:00

I can't believe that I haven't written since August! The truth is that things have been hectic hectic hectic. The biggest news since my last post is that Kayu won The Earth Award in fashion. The Earth Awards is a prize that celebrates designers from the worlds of architecture innovation, product design, process efficiency, fashion and social justice. I'd applied for the fashion category back in May on a whim and was really surprised when I'd found out in September that I'd won! This meant making a last-minute trip to London for the prize ceremony where I had a chance to meet some of my design and environmental heroes like Yves Behar, David de Rothschild, Sir Terence Conran and Bollywood star Aamir Khan (who is doing wonderful relief work in Ladakh). The best part was meeting the other winners who are creating awe-inspiring innovations like a foam that can convert carbon to sugar, bricks made from recycled plastic bottles and bamboo houses for orphans on the Burmese border.

Click play below to see what went down at the awards ceremony in Marlborough House -

Kayu + FashionmeGreen

2010-08-12T17:51:00.008-04:00

Recently Kayu was asked to participate in a fabulous project with FashionmeGreen. FmG was started by Greta Eagan and its mission is to travel to fashion focused cities and give selected fashion influencers a sustainable makeover.

Greta blazed through San Francisco where she styled Jennine Jacob - the founder of Independent Fashion Bloggers and a woman with amazing style. I was thrilled to meet Greta who pulled some of our sunglasses and clutches for the shoot.

Jennine and our JEN straw clutch -

And looking glam with our BETTY shell -

Mad love to Greta, Jennine, photographer Alessandra Cave , Makeup artist Kate Watson of Juice Beauty and Eco-Citizen Boutique!

Kayu @ the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences

2010-07-16T16:09:00.007-04:00

I'm in love with the new W Hollywood Hotel. Not only is it the first LEED certified property in LA it also boosts an uber cool eco-sanctuary 'Green+Vine'. This eco-residence features reclaimed wood-furnishing, LED light fixtures and a walk-in closet filled with eco threads including our own KAYU sunglasses and clutches :)

Several weeks ago Kayu was invited to be part of an exclusive event held at Green+Vine. The event featured the Spring/Summer collection by organic pioneers Stewart+Brown and a personal style consultation by designer Karen Stewart-Brown herself!

Karen giving a style consultation

The closet filled with eco-goodies. Including our bamboo sunglasses!

A guest trying on our RAWA style -

Intelligent Nutrients (founded by Aveda creator Horst Rechelbacher) were also there giving out facials. I am in love with their line of hair and skin products which are made entirely of organic foodstuffs - good and safe enough to eat!

And the lovely Frances Fisher also made an appearance -

Mad love to W Hollywood Hotels & eConnect group for organizing such a spectacular event!

Clutches with a Cause

2010-07-01T11:21:00.011-04:00

After many months of hard work I am finally ready to unveil Kayu's new line of clutches! Like our bamboo sunglasses we have kept ethics and ecology at the forefront of our design. All our clutches are handcrafted by women's cooperatives in Asia using techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. They are made of natural materials like shell and straw and I'm sure you'll agree that the handiwork on these beauties are exquisite!

The best part about the bags? For every bag purchased we donate one backpack and school supplies to a child in Cambodia. I'm lucky to be teaming up with a wonderful non-profit called Awareness Cambodia. My good friend Mel volunteered with them several years ago and since then I've been following their work. Not only do they run an AIDS orphanage, they've also started a program donating much needed school supplies to children in rural areas of Cambodia.

It only takes US$15 to buy one backpack + school supplies but this will give each child the much needed tools to learn and grow.

Our clutches are currently on sale at www.kayudesign.com and you read more about Awareness Cambodia at http://www.awarecam.org.au/

Peace & Love,

Jamie.

Kayu photo shoot

2010-06-03T12:00:00.006-04:00

Last week on a beautiful sunny day we shot Kayu's latest lookbook. Although I'd just moved to San Francisco I was lucky to find a great photographer (Zdenek Mlika) and beautiful model (Aria Crawford) for the shoot.

We shot at a studio (Dimension7) and outside around the glistening buildings of the Embarcadero.

Here are some behind-the-scenes shots (excuse my crappy photography!) -

The best part of the shoot was hanging out and collaborating with Zdenek and Aria who are not only completely professional but genuinely fun people too. Big love to both of them for making it happen!

The pics should be out in the next couple of weeks so don't forget to check back at www.kayudesign.com :)

Kayu @ DnA Storefront

2010-05-28T11:41:00.003-04:00

We are going to be at DnA's Storefront Sat 5/29 from 12-1. Come over to 644 Laguna St for some free cupcakes & lots of cool designer threads!

I left my heart in San Francisco

2010-05-27T12:13:00.004-04:00

So sorry for the long break folks, the truth is things have been very hectic because we've moved to San Francisco! Eric and I have always dreamed about moving to California. While we love Boston, we both grew up in tropical climates and those bitter New England winters just never agreed with us. Thus, when an opportunity for Eric arose in San Francisco we jumped at it!

We've been here for a month and so far we are loving it. We've discovered we adore sixty-degree weather, Golden Gate Park, the Ferry Plaza farmer's market and good Mexican food. I found a great yoga studio near our apartment (Satori Yoga) and have already met so many wonderful peeps in the fashion industry. The thing thats surprised me the most is just how open and friendly people are here - the woman at the convenience store has already shown me photos of her grandkids, the man at the drycleaners knows me by name and within the first week a wonderful indie store (The Mission Statement) started selling our sunglasses.

I wish I had more pics to share, but I've been too busy immersing myself in this great city to take any photos :) So instead I've borrowed this photo (from Country Living Magazine) of one of my fav bakeries -

Tartine Bakery on 600 Guerrero St.....Happy Eating!

Latest press

2010-04-22T19:29:00.003-04:00

Kayu in Egg Magazine!

And a glimpse of me in Tatler :)

Nyonyo & Yayra

2010-03-24T12:50:00.009-04:00

Pamela and I

Sometimes you meet somebody and you instantly click. This was the case when I met Pamela Atekpe, the talented designer of Nyonyo and Yayra ("Goodness and Blessing") . Pamela graduated from Central St Martins in 2002, and has since worked behind the scenes at Hussein Chalayan's shows and with menswear label AKA . She launched her own label in 2007, instantly earning a fan in The Daily Telegraph who were "most taken" with the "beauty of her pieces". Since then, Nyonyo and Yayra has presented two collections a year. Each collection draws on Pamela's African heritage through printed wax fabric and weavings, and explores the notion of androgyny with pieces that are equally alluring on a man or a woman.

What I love about Nyonyo and Yayra is the way Pamela uses traditional techniques to form modern pieces that transition easily into one's wardrobe. An example of this is the use of "Kente", a fabric composed of narrow strips that is traditionally worn by royalty. I also love her playful silhouettes and charming use of color. How adorable is this jacket?

It was so great to meet you in London Pamela! And if you're ever in the area we have to go grab that coffee that we never got to get during hectic fashion week :P

For more information about Nyonyo and Yayra check out their website - http://www.nyonyoandyayra.com/

MIKA Organic

2010-03-19T08:53:00.005-04:00

Over the past few weeks I've seen a plethora of eco-designs and fallen in love over and over. One line that I'm particularly enamored with is MIKA Organic. The brainchild of Japanese designer Mika Machida, MIKA uses only the finest organic and sustainably made materials including organic cotton, linen and hemp. Just check out the gorgeous nature-inspired prints and you'll see why I'm head over heels for MIKA -

Mika's delicate creations are available online and at Ekovaruhuset stores in New York & Stockholm.

Echo Park Independent Coop

2010-03-15T15:55:00.007-04:00

We are thrilled that our glasses are being stocked at hot new store Echo Park Independent Coop, the creation of visionaries Tristan Scott and Rhianon Jones.

The store, which launched last Friday, features poured concrete, exposed brick and one of a kind designs.

Here are some snaps from the launch -

Photo by http://www.expensivedeathstyle.com

And if you're in the area you can check them out at - 1712 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles

Samantha of StyleSofia

2010-03-11T11:56:00.008-05:00

A couple of months ago I was introduced to the gorgeous Samantha Choong, super stylist and photographer. Sam was responsible for the images in Kayu's Autumn/Winter 2010 lookbook which I'm sure you'll agree turned out beautifully.
What you may not know is that Sam also owns trendy webstore StyleSofia which, despite being less than a year old, is already making waves in the online fashion world. Recently Sam took some moments out of her busy schedule to talk to us about StyleSofia and what her views are on sustainable fashion.

When and why did you start StyleSofia?

Stylesofia was founded in November 2009. My aim was to make fashion more accessible for everyone around the globe with chic, classic pieces you'd keep and wear over and over.

How would you describe the StyleSofia girl?

Having an unlimited budget is not necessarily a blessing when it comes to getting dressed; money can zap creativity. The Stylesofia girl is someone who is style savvy and experimental; mixing luxury with thrift, and new with vintage. She is someone who can make the best out of her monthly budget while looking completely effortless and stylish.

What are the trends and your picks for Spring 2010?

I'm glad you asked! This Spring/Summer brings about a fresh take on many of my favorite FW pieces.I love how gold is transitioning to a more grubby tone, making it less in-your-face. I also love that nude is back with an edge. Think about pairing your studded accessories with neutral pieces instead of black to give yourself a more subtle look. This is also the season of finely tailored cuts so its important to pick pieces that are structured, yet effortless looking.

Cream padded blazer ($27), StyleSofia

Metal scoop jersey dress ($30), StyleSofia

How do you go about picking the pieces that make it into StyleSofia?

I believe that everything I pick is an extension of me. I don't buy things because i think someone else will love them, I buy them because i love them. Quality is very important and I ensure that all our pieces are of good workmanship & fabric.

Where is your favorite place to go to buy pieces?

Anywhere and everywhere! I don't specifically lock myself down to one single location; I can do a buy even when I'm on holiday somewhere exotic.

What in your wardrobe can you not live without?

I'm truly in love with classic and versatile pieces. Things I could not live without include my vintage Bally slingbacks, Topshop dead skinny matte pants and thrifted Bretton sailing top.

What is your view on sustainable and ethical design?

We can all help by ensuring the the materials we use are low impact and recyclable, and that we prevent production wastage through proper management and planning. We all have to be conscious about the way we do things to ensure we don't further contribute to the earth's degradation.

Any fashion tips?

Work on establishing your own personal style. I know this line is very overused - but finding your own signature style takes years and years of trial and experimentation. I'm still in the process of experimenting and collecting the pieces that truly represent me. Experiment and make mistakes.

What's coming next for StyleSofia?

We will keep on bringing you exciting, must-have pieces while planning for interesting collaborations and features on our site. Watch our space!

To learn more about StyleSofia and Sam check out www.stylesofia.com

My Oscar Picks

2010-03-08T11:23:00.005-05:00

I stayed up much too late waiting for best actor/actress/director/movie, cried my eyes out at Sandra Bullock's speech and was ecstatic when Kathryn Bigelow won for Hurt Locker. However, the funnest part of the whole circus were the pre-shows, where the actors preened before the voracious cameras.

My favourites of the night were Kathryn Bigelow and Meryl Streep, because there's nothing more beautiful than a confident and intelligent woman on top of her game.

Kathryn wears Yves Saint Laurent -

And Meryl stuns in Chris March (yes the Chris March from Project Runway!) -

Props also have to go to Livia Firth and Suzy Amis for wearing ethical designs on the red carpet. Suzy wears a dress made from ahimsa, or "peace silk" — a material spun from cocoons without killing the worms inside.

Livia wears a gorgeous upcycled gown by Orsola de Castro and a bag from Roger Vivier created from cut-offs.
Just goes to show that ethical designs can be beautiful, elegant and worthy of Oscar night!

I'm bleary eyed from watching six hours of pre/during/post Oscar coverage so am off now to get my third cup of coffee.....

2010-03-03T14:47:00.002-05:00

One of the highlights of LFW? Getting interviewed by the indomitable Livia Firth (Colin Firth's wife) who is on the search for the perfect green-carpet dress for the Oscars.

I tweeted about a Linda Loudermilk suit Livia wore several months ago, and since then she's continued to showcase ethical designers by wearing a gorgeous Leila Hafzi dress to the Baftas (Go Colin!). Livia has been blogging about her green-carpet challenge at Vogue and her and her friend Lucy, paid the Estethica designers a visit one rainy London morning. Click here to go to Livia's blog - we are in the second video and appear about 2/3 of the way through.

Thanks for your support Livia and hope you enjoy the sunnies and bag in LA!

Scenes from Fashion Week

2010-03-02T15:00:00.006-05:00

Am busy busy busy following up with all the leads from fashion week so don't have much time to write. Here's a sneak "photo" peek of what went down -

The historic Somerset House in the heart of the Strand -

Some of the fashions on display -

We miss you Alexander McQueen -

London Coming

2010-02-11T11:32:00.008-05:00

I have some very exciting news to share - Kayu has been invited to show at London Fashion Week! I applied last year and heard back in December that we'd been accepted to show in Feb. I think it goes without saying that this is a dream come true. Who would've thought that one year after starting my little company we'd actually be at fashion week! Since then I've been rushing around making sure we have enough stock, that our look and press books are in order, and sending out a multitude of press-releases and invitations. I would have surely lost it if not for all the peeps who helped me get everything in order. In particular my darling husband Eric, my friend Lucie, Keith & Patrick the wonderful guys at Rizco Design and all the folks at the British Fashion Council.

The show will be on from the 19th to 23rd February at the historic Somerset House in London. During that time we will also be having an event to raise funds for the non-profit Unite For Sight. We will be inviting guests to try on "cataract" glasses to experience what it feels like to be visually impaired, and for every experience we will donate US$2 towards a sight-restoring surgery. This would not have been possible without all the donations made by family and friends, so a big shout-out has to go to all the generous donors as well.

If you are in London we would love to meet you. You can check out our profile at the London Fashion Week website and if you fancy pop over to booth 54 in Somerset House. I am flying off to London this weekend so will be out of commission for a while, but when I get back I promise a play-by-play of what went down.

Wish me luck!

Peace and Love,

Jamie.

Our write up in Vision Care Products News

2010-01-27T08:37:00.002-05:00

Thanks for the great write-up Vision Care!

Musing of the Day

2010-01-26T09:21:00.004-05:00

Came across a wonderful piece today by Oon Yeoh (Malaysian writer) -

One of the most basic teachings of Buddhism is that clinging or attachment leads to suffering. If you think about it, we are all susceptible to attachment. We all like to cling on to things that feel good, that we enjoy, that are beautiful. At the same time, we also cling onto negative things like bitterness, hatred, jealousy. We are creatures of attachment.When we lose the things we like, we suffer. When we are not able to let go of the things that make us feel bad, we also suffer. See how attachment leads to suffering?The solution is no detachment but non-attachment, which is to view things for what they are and to not put more weight on them than they deserve (be they positive or negative things).Don’t base your happiness on being able to get what you want or being able to get rid of what you don’t like. If you do that, you will forever suffer. Learn to let go.

Ajahn Chan once advised -
If you let go a little, you will have a little peace
If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace
If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

Crazy for Filippa

2010-01-22T12:45:00.005-05:00

I just bought a Filippa K coat and am in love with the way they've designed their stores.

If I ever have a store I'd love it to look like this.

Zoe

2010-01-15T17:26:00.002-05:00

My friend Zoe....

...I am particularly enamored with the giant eyeball in the potted plant...

Dreaming of Thailand

2010-01-13T12:37:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite places in the world to get some r&r is Phuket. It's below freezing in Boston right now but my head is filled with thoughts of beautiful sunsets, gentle massages and fresh tropical fruits....

Here's a peek into my suitcase -

Clockwise from top left: Kayu sunglasses, Vix bikini, JCrew tote, Balenciaga sandals, John Hardy cuff and Antik Batik Tunic.

New Year, New Goals

2010-01-12T14:45:00.009-05:00

Sorry I haven't written for so long. Eric and I were in Asia for the holidays and spent 3 blissful weeks in Malaysia and Hong Kong visiting friends and family -

One of my favorite things about Malaysia? The food!

Hong Kong skyline

Dinner with D one of my oldest friends

It's not easy being back in snowy Boston after all that sunshine, but that said am looking forward to 2010. I also spent a large part of the holidays getting Kayu's 2010 look-book done and was really lucky to find a wonderful photographer and stylist from stylesofia.com who pulled everything together in just two weeks -

Thanks Samantha for all the great work (and thanks D for introducing us)! You can check out more of the new images on our website.

Kayu has some really exciting things planned for 2010 including a new line of accessories and our debut at London Fashion Week. We've been invited to show in February which means I only have a month to get everything in order. So please excuse me if I don't write that often - it just means I'm running around like a mad woman trying to get ready for London!

My goals this year? Continue to grow the business but remain committed to being ethical and ecological. Focus on the positive. Stop eating meat (I failed miserably in Asia and ate more pork than I care to admit). And most importantly make more time for friends and family.

Peace and Love,

Jamie.

Moleskine Addict

2009-12-11T10:54:00.006-05:00

I think I have a problem....I'm officially addicted to Moleskines. I used to jot things down on random pieces of paper - receipts, namecards, anything I could get my hands on - but I was always losing them. Then I bought my first Moleskine and haven't looked back. For those of you who have yet to discover them, they are nameless black notebooks that have been used by artists and thinkers for over the past two centuries, among them Van Gogh, Picasso and Hemingway.

I carry a small one around with me everywhere I go and jot down my various thoughts and inspirations in it. I also have a larger one where I sketch and insert clippings from magazines and books that inspire me.
Here's a sneak at my latest page -

And here is my mounting pile of Moleskines -
I first conceptualized Kayu in a moleskine and as I continue to build ideas in my latest moleskine, I see a new line of accessories forming. There are lots of exciting things happening for Kayu in 2010, so be sure to check back here as things unfold.

Peace and love,
Jamie.

Black Friday Sale Extended!

2009-12-01T18:52:00.002-05:00

We have extended our sale until Friday Dec 4th. Until then enjoy 50% off all items at www.kayudesign.com. Our glasses are now only $90! As always for every purchase one person in the developing world receives a sight-restoring surgery.

Bamboo bicycles

2009-11-30T11:53:00.005-05:00

I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting bamboo products so was psyched to learn of the unique bikes handcrafted by the Masuelli brothers. The bikes take two to three weeks to construct and are built using locally sourced materials. The gorgeous bamboo frames make for a sustainable and eye-catching ride.

My hubby is attached by the hip to his Gary Fisher, perhaps it's time to introduce him to the Masuelli brothers and their one-of-a-kind creations?

From the Rainforest to the Runway

2009-11-23T09:39:00.006-05:00

One of the greatest things about owning my own business is all the wonderful people I've met along the way. One particularly inspiring person is Beth Doane the founder and designer of Rain Tees. Beth grew up surrounded by nature and wildlife on a small farm in rural Ohio and created Rain Tees to show how rain forest deforestation affects our planet.

To create Rain Tees school supplies were donated to children in endangered rain forests across Central and South America, and they were asked to draw what they see. Each Rain Tee features the children's thoughts, illustrations and names.

In addition, for every Rain Tee sold, a child involved in Kids Saving the Rain Forest, Costa Rica will receive a tree they can plant to replace one that has been destroyed.

Each Rain Tee is made from 100% certified organic cotton using only eco-friendly inks and dyes. I think they make for a wonderful feel-good Christmas gift don't you?

To find out more about Beth and Rain Tees check out http://raintees.com/.

Goodbye Tim & Lauren

2009-10-28T10:38:00.004-04:00

Our good friends Tim and Lauren left this past weekend for greener (and sunnier) pastures. They're off to the Turks and Caicos - a beautiful island in the Caribbean just one hour flight from Miami. While I'm sad to see them go I'm also super excited for them. I'm going to miss the crazy parties at their place and all the dinners and heart-to-hearts. The only good thing about their departure? Caribbean vacation baby :)

New York New York

2009-10-26T08:42:00.004-04:00

New York is one of my favorite cities in the world. I lived there in 2000, and since then have visited numerous times. Last week I popped down briefly and as usual had a fabulous time exploring the city.

Lunch in a sun-lit courtyard.

I'm a material girl....

Rooftop garden on 5th Avenue -

The backstreets of Tribeca -I heart New York.

Project Have Hope

2009-10-21T08:15:00.006-04:00

Last Sunday was a rainy one and a perfect excuse to hole up in a pub for brunch. I met up with my friend Lauren and we got talking about socially-responsible business. Lauren was recently in India with Dishtree helping women set up a network of health clinics (Yes she is THAT amazing) and has a wonderful network of friends who are in the non-profit arena.

Lauren told me of her friend Karen who started a non-profit called "Project Have Hope". While on vacation in Uganda, Karen noticed the gorgeous jewelry that the Acholi women were making out of discarded paper. She brought some back to the US and they were such a big hit that she soon returned to Uganda to buy some more. Since then Karen has sold numerous bracelets and necklaces through Project Have Hope, and in the process raised hundreds of dollars for the education of women and children in Uganda.

The jewelry is fun, colorful and affordable and can be purchased on-line at Project Have Hope.

KAYU in US Vogue!

2009-10-15T23:11:00.005-04:00

KAYU is in the November issue of US Vogue!!!! It goes without saying that I am thrilled - what girl hasn't dreamt of their designs one day making it on to the pages of Vogue? We appear in the spread with a gorgeous HP Mini 110 designed by Studio Tord Boontje, jewelry by Lulu Frost and a scarf by Lemlem.

Thank-you Vogue!!!

Environmentally Conscious Architecture

2009-10-12T12:14:00.014-04:00

I was browsing in a bookstore over the weekend when I came across a feature on my friend Cuan & Lee Coulter's house in Boston Magazine. Cuan & Lee engaged the services of local architecture firm Single Speed Design to renovate their home and the results are breath-taking. When I visited their place, I was struck by how they'd managed to integrate nature with the architecture and blur the lines between "inside" and "outside".

One of the most interesting things about the house is how passive solar techniques are used to heat and cool the house in an energy efficient manner. A roof overhang blocks the high summer sun while allowing the low winter sun to keep the thermally massive floor cool in the summer and hot in the winter.

The double height space stack ventilates the house, bringing cool air from below and releasing hot air through upper level windows eliminating the need for air-conditioning.

And a strategic cut in the ceiling brings natural light and ventilation in -

My favorite feature of the house? The bamboo courtyard of course!

KAYU sunglasses @ Visionary

2009-10-09T09:26:00.012-04:00

Visionary Boutique was the very first place to stock KAYU sunglasses, and I will always be grateful to Visionary's owner Magda Rod for giving my small company a chance! Visionary has two shops in LA and a cool airstream mobile that brings eco-goodies all over the country.

Magda & Visionary Mobile

The greatest thing about Visionary besides all the organic and eco-friendly products they carry is that for every item sold in the store, Magda plants 1 tree through a partnership with Trees for The Future. Now that's what I call visionary!

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Sorry about the bad video embed! You'll need to scroll down to see the picture or you can also access the video at http://www.zenevolution.tv/visionary.htm

Recently Zen Evolution TV did a wonderful piece showcasing Magda's boutique and all the eco-friendly and sustainable products they carry. Included in the piece were our very own KAYU glasses (about 1/3 way through) which I'm sure you'll agree the model was ROCKING! Thank-you Magda and Visionary for supporting KAYU, and for those of you in the area be sure to check out Visionary at-

Visionary Boutique

5285 West Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA

310.659.1177

Visionary at SEED People's Market

2937 Bristol St

#C11 Costa Mesa, CA

714.798.227

www.visionaryboutique.com

Peace and Love,

Jamie.

Happy World Sight Day

2009-10-08T10:24:00.009-04:00

Happy World Sight Day! I can't believe a year has already passed, it seems like only yesterday I launched KAYU on this exact day last year. The feedback has been tremendous since we launched and KAYU has been featured nationally and internationally in numerous publications including ELLE, InStyle, The South China Morning Post, and The Star. Most recently KAYU exhibited at the Koldinghus Museum in Copenhagen as part of their "Fabric for Thought" series together with Stella McCartney, Versace and other eco-friendly designers, and was one of the "Organic Top 20" products chose by Ode Magazine. Most importantly are all the donations we have made, and continue to make, to restore sight in the developing world.

I am also happy to unveil our Winter 2009/Spring 2010 Collection which features four new designs, including the GEMIA style which is our first foray into spectacles.

The past year has been fabulous but I can't forget that I started the business with a social mission in mind - to build awareness on the issue of avoidable blindness and visual impairment. Curable and preventable blindness continues to be an urgent problem in the developing world, and one which has a profound impact on the quality of life for a blind person and his or her community. The theme for this year's World Sight Day is Gender and Eye Health, and it may surprise you to discover that two-thirds of blind people in the world are women and girls. Unfortunately women just don't have the same access to eye-care as men do. With this in mind, KAYU continues to fund one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world for every pair of glasses purchased.

Do check out our newly revamped website at www.kayudesign.com and join our facebook group if you haven't already done so. If you'd like to do your part to help reduce blindness in developing countries you can do so at the following organizations -

Unite For Sight

Vision2020

Cure Blindness

Peace & Love,

Jamie.

New KAYU designs coming soon!

2009-10-04T09:59:00.008-04:00

I was busy over the weekend preparing for our Fall/Winter 2009 KAYU launch. We have a bunch of new designs which will go live on World Sight Day on October 8th, including our first foray into spectacles! The photo shoot went great and I'm super thrilled at the results -

Here's hubby Eric and I trying out the new range -

Be sure to check out www.kayudesign.com over the next few days to see our new collection!

Peace and Love,
Jamie.

My Year of No Meats continues...

2009-09-28T16:55:00.003-04:00

As this is primarily a place for me to chronicle KAYU's journey and my inspiration behind the brand, I've moved my musings on vegetarianism and my year of giving up meat to http://myyearofnomeats.blogspot.com/

I hope you'll follow my journey towards vegetarianism there!

Peace and Love,
Jamie.

Silence of the Pork

2009-09-25T08:32:00.017-04:00

In Nicaragua about to feast on a big plate of fried pork fat

I had a dream recently that I'm sure Freud would've had a field day with. It was about chickens, and it was after I'd just consumed a large plate of fried chicken for dinner. For those of you imagining a peaceful pastoral scene, think again. This was no dream suitable to be shown on Animal Planet. The dream involved me, chickens and some sort of post-modern abattoir. Yes, that's right there is a worse job out there than my former job as an IT Consultant. In this dream I had to grab the chickens by the neck (two or three at a time), and place them in a plexiglass box. I then had to watch as they were systematically electrocuted. You know those horror movies where they go for an extreme close-up of the victims face just before she gets killed? This was one of those movies, and I was the deranged serial killer who zapped the chickens to death. Let me just say that chickens have faces that convey pain very well. I can still hear them screaming.

Like the good Freudian student that I am, I knew this dream must be linked to my childhood. Everything is linked to some childhood pain isn't it? I didn't have to plumb far through the depths of my mind to discover the long-repressed memory - year: 1989, place: grandmother's porch, incident: chicken slaughter. My grandmother used to keep a small coop of chickens on her porch in Malaysia. I remember gazing at them through their wire cage, watching as they pecked at grain and wrinkling my nose at their stinky poop. I knew my grandmother kept these chickens to eat, but I'd never actually witnessed her killing one. All I knew was that one day there would be one less chicken in the coop, and a big fat bird on the table for dinner. The slaughtering process was a secret one that occurred between grandma and the chicken. That is until the fateful morning I saw grandma kill a chicken. If I recall correctly, I was playing some inane chasing game with my cousin and ended up running on to the porch. There I saw grandma, one hand around the chicken's neck and the other hand firmly grasping a cleaver. Before I had time to scream/run back inside/beg her to stop, she'd brought the blade to the chicken's neck and in one swift flick of her wrist sliced off it's head. I remember blood, matted feathers, and inexplicably that my grandma was wearing brown flowered pajamas.

The incident with my grandmother occurred twenty years ago, so why is it that I am now only having these dreams? I blame Ruth Ozeki and Lester Brown for triggering my subconscious. Ruth Ozeki is famous for her book "My Year of Meats" which Newsweek describes as "a sexy and funny cross-cultural tale of two seemingly disparate women that... leaves you hungry for whatever Ozeki cooks up next." I'd be the first to admit that I love books about food - My Life in France by Julia Child? Check. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes? Check. French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew by Peter Mayle? Check, Check, Check. I bought Ozeki's book expecting a romantic tale involving eating in Japan and perhaps falling in love with a handsome Japanese man along the way. Boy was I wrong! Ms. Ozeki is one cunning, sizzling, bloody writer (and I say that in the most tender of ways). In one scene from the book we follow the protoganist through a slaughterhouse, watch a cow get knifed through the throat, and learn that the still-pumping heart muscle causes the blood to gush out in rhythmic spurts. McDonalds anyone? Lester Brown may not employ such sizzling visuals but his book is equally as disturbing. In "Eco-Economy" Brown lays out some scary statistics about how the consumption and production of protein has led to overgrazing of rangelands, overfishing, extinction of plant and animal species, dust storms, water deficit, deforestation, the list goes on and on. Childhood trauma + Ozeki's lusty visuals + Brown's irrefutable statistics = one big case for vegetarianism.

So I've talked about the pros of becoming vegetarian, what about the cons? I only have one word to say - pork belly (ok that was more like two words). Have you seen those reality cooking shows where they ask contestants to cook their "last supper"? ie. the one thing they would like to eat before they die? I know exactly what I'd want to eat - pork belly. My mother spends hours in the kitchen cooking this traditional Hakka dish, and the result is thick slabs of pork fat that explode in your mouth in deliciousness. This dish is more tasty than Pierre Herme's macarons, more mouth-watering than Thomas Keller's bone marrow and don't even compare it to Joel Robuchon's pork belly! In my mind it is the king of all dishes, the Oscar of porks, the Grammy of pork cuts. A friend once said that eating pork is like having sex - once you go there, you never go back. If so, my mother's pork belly is one great lay.

Yet, the faces of those chickens come back to me. Their small beady eyes implore me to set them free and try as I might I cannot get those screams out of my head. Can I, pork-loving enthusiast, become a bona fide vegetarian? Does this mean I'll have to become all crunchy granola, grow dreadlocks, not shower and have bad breath? "All myths," my friend Louie told me as he bit into his spinach burrito. I could not help but notice that Louie was dressed in what looked suspiciously like hemp and had hair in desperate need of a combthrough. "When you give up meat you feel much more attuned to nature," he said. "When I swim in the ocean and the fishes swim next to me, it's like we're communing with each other." Yes he really said that, and yes he does sound like a crazy hippie. Fortunately his wife interrupted him and offered a more desirable view of vegetarianism. "It was our neighbor who convinced us," she said. "He doesn't eat any meat and grows his own vegetables. He's been doing this for years, the man is 82 and he can out-jog me." Eighty-two and still jogging? That sounded like a pretty good proposition. "And get this," she continued. "He uses his own shit as compost."

Human shit as compost aside, I've realized that the only way to assuage my guilt and keep those nightmares at bay is to give vegetarianism a try. At least for a year, if not more. My thorough research (ok more like google) has shown that the easiest way is to start with red meat, then move on to pork (*sigh*), chicken and then seafood. So it is with great trepidation, some hope, and a naive notion that this may somehow improve my health and happiness, that I begin my year of no meats.

I am a Tree Killer

2009-09-24T18:15:00.009-04:00

I'd be the first to admit that I kill trees. A lot of them. I am a tree killer. The awful truth is that I love to read and I am a book hoarder. By this I mean I like to own my books. No libraries where I have to return the book after a month for me. No, I like to have my books with me so that I can refer to them, re-read them and stare lovingly at them in my bookshelf. Each book for me contains a memory - Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" brings back the time I spent scouring the streets of Prague for bohemian crystal, Ruth Ozeki's "The Year of Meats" made be attempt vegetarianism and Kazuo Ishiguro's "The Remains of the Day" entranced me for days during our honeymoon. What's a eco-conscious gal to do then when the cold hard facts are that books use paper, and that paper kills trees?

Enter the Kindle, Amazon's wireless reader that allows one to "buy a book and have it auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute". I have to admit I am skeptical. They say the sharp, high-resolution screen looks and reads like real paper, but does it smell like paper? And what happens when you spill something on it? Like the time on our honeymoon I accidentally knocked my pina colada onto The Remains of the Day ? Skepticism aside the kindle is incredibly light and holds over 200 titles. It's even endorsed by Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison! That's like having a DVD player endorsed by Meryl Streep.

The best thing about it? It uses no paper. Nada. No trees were felled to create this baby. I might have to get a Kindle after all. I'll just have to remember not to drink pina coladas while reading it.

Peace and Love,
Jamie.

When you're thrown a curve ball....

2009-09-24T10:32:00.009-04:00

A couple of days ago I talked about inspiration and the people who inspire me. I mentioned Lemuel and his unique path to happiness. Today I wanted to share with you somebody who's been a constant source of inspiration in my life - my father. When I was younger I regarded my father with a sense of awe. Everyone I met spoke of his brilliance - how he scored a scholarship to university in London, how he was always top of his class, his unquestionable ethics, and his dedication to his family. My father was, and is, a brilliant man and in my eyes he was infallible.

Several years ago my father went to the doctor for a routine checkup and came back with results of a low white cell count. The day he went to the hospital for a biopsy is still ingrained in my mind. That day as we waited outside in the hallway while the doctor extracted part of my father's bone marrow, I realized that my father despite his brilliance, was just like everyone else. He, like all of us, could not cheat death. He, like me, sometimes felt frightened and vulnerable. I felt connected to my father in a way I had never felt connected before, through our shared mortality and our fear of the unknown.

My father was later diagnosed with leukemia. I remember asking God what my father had done to deserve this, and blaming God for bringing this disease into our family. I had so much bitterness inside of me that it took me a long time to realize that my father had none. Instead my father continued to be a husband, a father, a businessman and a member of his church. And he continued to give and to love, and to participate in life as he had always done. In fact, if it was even possible, he had more love than he'd had before.

I've learned a lot from my father - how to ride a bike, how to be a good spouse, and the meaning of ethics and compassion. But the greatest lesson I've learned from him is that when life throws you a curve ball you don't give up and look for someone to blame. No, instead you look within yourself, into that special place where there is forgiveness and peace. And it's here, when you surrender yourself completely, that you'll be set free.

Peace and love,
Jamie.

Feature in Star Magazine!

2009-09-21T10:05:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago Sandra Low interviewed me for a feature in Malaysia's Star Magazine. I was delighted to see the interview in the September issue, especially since Sandra did such a great job of covering the inspiration and thought-process that went behind creating the brand.
Thanks for your support Sandra and Star Magazine, and a big shout-out to all the peeps in Malaysia!

Peace & Love,

Jamie.

KAYU in ELLE Sweden!

2009-09-18T18:45:00.004-04:00

I was so happy to find a copy of Elle Interior Sweden in my mail today. Especially since KAYU is featured in their "P.S." page -

Thanks ELLE!

The road to happiness

2009-09-18T12:30:00.007-04:00

One of the things I love most about traveling is the wonderful people one meets along the way. They can be old friends or just strangers that you bump into on the street, yet each one manages to inspire you. I recently had the opportunity to spend ten blissful days in San Francisco. Eric had a training there and asked me if I'd like to tag along, and who am I to refuse a trip to sunny California?

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting up with an old friend who I've known since my college days at UT Austin. We spent one wonderful day just walking through Golden Gate Park all the way to the ocean and talking about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. This "pursuit of happiness" thing was particularly pertinent as my friend Lemuel has made it his mission in life to make other people happy. He is a happiness coach and gives people the tools they need to make their lives more meaningful. Lemuel made me realize that we all have the ability to create more love and gratitude, and engage fully in the here and now. On a personal note, I've decided to be more mindful of my thoughts and responses, and turn off the negativity within me. Thanks Lemuel for starting me on the road to a happier, more positive me!

For those of you interested in happiness coaching, you can contact Lemuel at lemuel@happinesscoachsf.com

Peace & Love,

Jamie.

How I got to where I am

2009-07-02T08:56:00.006-04:00

A newspaper recently interviewed me, and one of the questions asked was how I made the leap from my corporate job to what I'm doing now. Not too long ago I was an IT consultant. I'm not really sure how I became an IT consultant (or what that even really means). When I was younger I never aspired to be an IT consultant, I didn't study IT in university, nor was I particularly interested in IT. Yet, after graduating from college I somehow found myself in the IT field - first working for a dotcom, then for a Big 4 consulting firm and then for an investment management company. Stay with me here. For those nine years I was completely out of my depth - I felt like a fraud, the work was utterly boring and in my spare time I didn't read ComputerWorld or Forbes like my colleagues but instead had a hidden stash of InStyle and Vogue in my desk drawer. Why may you ask, did I stick it out for so long? The truth is, I was lured by the money and hemmed in by tradition. I grew up in a traditional Chinese household where everyone I knew was an engineer, doctor or lawyer. I never thought being something like a designer was a career option.

Then one day something inside of me just snapped. Ok, it wasn't exactly one day, it was more like many years of doing a job without passion. I decided on that fateful day that I was sick of pushing paper around and just going through the motions, and to hell with it, I was going to pursue this crazy idea of starting my own accessories company! Since then, I haven't looked back. I used to dread waking up in the morning and sitting in my cube, I remember sometimes I would go through the whole day and never see the sun. Now each day brings the promise of something new and exciting. It could be a photoshoot for our new lookbook or responding to a magazine about an article they want to write. Best of all its the feeling that no matter how small what we're doing is, at least we are doing something to make a difference in this world.

Oh and the best part about my new gig? I get to see the sun every single day :)

Peace and Love,

Jamie.

Inspiring Quote of the Day

2009-06-30T10:42:00.004-04:00

"We have to choose between a global market driven only by calculation of short-term profit, and one which has a human face. Between a world which condemns a quarter of the human race to starvation and squalor and one which offers everyone at least a chance of prosperity, in a healthy environment. Between a selfish free-for-all in which we ignore the fate of the losers, and a future in which the strong and successful accept responsibilities, showing vision and leadership." (Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General 1997-2007).

KAYU exhibits at Koldinghus Museum, Denmark

2009-06-10T09:56:00.006-04:00

Fabric for Thought

Sustainable fashion at Koldinghus
Exhibition to be held from 7 May 2009 to 6 September 2009

KAYU is thrilled to be one of the designers on display at the "Fabric for Thought" exhibition at the Koldinghus Museum in Denmark. The exhibition, held in conjunction with the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, will showcase the latest trends in sustainable clothing and accessories, and features such designers as Versace, Stella McCartney and Donna Karan.

The exhibition challenges us to think about where and how our clothes are made - do they damage the environment? Are they made by underpaid workers or children? Every garment we purchase has the ability to help or damage the earth - its stopping to think about our decisions and making the right ones that will impact the earth in a positive way.

You can find out more about the exhibit and the Koldinghus Museum here.

Collage of recent moments

2009-05-06T10:12:00.003-04:00

"Think Social, Drink Local" fundraiser & fashion show

2009-05-01T17:09:00.009-04:00

Last month, the NYU Stern School of Business had a fabulous event to promote socially and environmentally responsible enterprise. This year's "Think Social, Drink Local" event was a fundraiser and fashion show held at the chic West Side Loft in New York City. The party was a wonderful way to become informed about green initiatives that local organizations have undertaken, while at the same time getting down to some great music and enjoying organic wines and spirits. KAYU was honored to be one of the eco-friendly designers featured in the fashion show, and donated several pairs of sunglasses to be raffled off for charity.

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T09:44:00.007-04:00

Today April 22, is Earth Day, a day created to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. At KAYU, we celebrate Earth Day every day by making our sunglasses out of eco-friendly bamboo. We are not only committed to sustainability, but have also incorporated social responsibility into the fabric of our business. That's why for every pair of glasses sold we donate $50 to fund one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world.

This Earth Day, use the code EARTHDAY45 to receive 45% off all purchases at www.kayudesign.com

KAYU has been very lucky to receive a lot of support and attention for the work we are doing. The past couple of months we've been featured in such publications as Los Angeles magazine and InStyle, as well as in numerous blogs.

We are also pleased to announce that one of our merchant partners, Visionary Boutique, has launched their very own mobile store.

This beautiful baby has already made appearances at Topanga Earth Day, and the Universal Eco Fair, and will be bringing KAYU sunglasses and other eco-goodies directly to you!

We'll leave you with a pic of this gorg Eco-Goddess wearing our sunglasses -

Inspiration

2009-04-09T09:07:00.008-04:00

Inspiration is a lot like love - it comes when you least expect it and in surprising forms. It can be something as simple as rain running down a window, or as spectacular as a sunset across the Andaman Sea. It is the stillness in the novels of Yasunari Kawabata, or the fiery exuberance in a Gioconda Belli poem. Most of all it is in the people who color your life - the gentle footsteps of your child, the smile of an aging parent, the smell at the nape of your lover's neck.

To see a world in a grain of sand

And a heaven in a wild flower

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour

- William Blake

Ecofont: Less is more

2009-01-26T08:46:00.005-05:00

When we stumbled upon Ecofont, we wondered why hadn't anybody thought of this before? Ecofont, a company based in the Netherlands, have developed a print that uses less ink than regular prints. The idea was to see how much of a letter could be removed, while maintaining readability. After much testing, the result was a font which is comprised of small circles, and uses up to 20% less ink. "After Dutch holey cheese, there now is a Dutch font with holes as well."

You can download the font for free at Ecofont.

NAU

2008-12-09T13:02:00.005-05:00

A couple of months back, I bought a jacket from the company NAU. The jacket is beautifully constructed with stitchless seams, and made out of a waterproof, breathable fabric. The most interesting thing about the garment though isn't how stylish it is, but the recycled polyester that its made out of. The fabric weaves stretch fabric from post-consumer and post-industrial polyester waste, and at the end of its life can be recycled once again into polyester fibers for reuse.

Another great thing about NAU? For every purchase made during the week of 8 December to 15 December, 10% of all sales will be donated to select non-government organisations (NGOs). In the same time frame, you can also buy Nau garments at 30% off retail. Just use the promotion code “GIVE” on their online order page.

This holiday if you have to buy a gift, why not make it one that also gives back to a worthy cause?

Timberland & Sustainability

2008-11-02T09:55:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I attended the EMPOWER leadership conference sponsored by the Boston University MBA Association, and had the good fortune to hear about the efforts the Timberland Corporation are making in sustainability. Most of us will know Timberland from their ubiquitous camel hiking boot, and although that shoe is still available it has come a long way. Check out their EarthKeeper's line - a range of shoes centered around recycled, organic and renewable materials -
The 6-inch boots above are made with a recycled lining and outsole, while the canvas uppers are waterproofed organic canvas. Timberland's new footwear packaging also uses minimal inks that are all soy-based and is made from 100% post-consumer recycled content cardboard.

It's heartening to know that large corporations are making the effort to balance their bottom line against their ecological footprint.

Obama vs. McCain on the Environment

2008-10-19T08:48:00.003-04:00

America has been struck with election fever. From the SNL parodies to CNN's incessant coverage, it seems everybody has an opinion on who they want elected to office. Its not easy digging through the media onslaught though, especially when it comes to environmental issues which we all know gets sidelined. So how do Obama and McCain weigh up when it comes to the environment?

Surprisingly both candidates have broadly similar platforms. Both agree that reductions in emissions should be pursued through cap-and-trade systems, under which the government would set a limit on the total amount of greenhouse gases businesses could emit, and bigger polluters would have to buy emissions allowances from cleaner companies. Obama's proposal requires that the United States cut carbon dioxide emissions 80 percent from the 1990 levels by 2050; while McCain would require only a 60 percent reduction, and distribute some of the allowances to polluters for free.

In the case of alternative, cleaner technologies, Obama backs incentives and tax breaks for wind and solar power, as well as for biofuels, including corn-based ethanol. In a recent speech, he proposed spending $150 billion to develop alternative energies. McCain speaks favorably of wind and solar power, and is a strong proponent of nuclear energy, which receives about $4 billion a year in federal support. He recently called for the construction of 45 nuclear reactors by 2030, perhaps as many as 100.

What about their environmental records? Well, though McCain has in the past tried to protect the Vistas in the Grand Canyon, the League of Conservation Voters, a group that monitors Congress’ environmental records only gave him a score of 0 percent in 2007, and a 24 percent life time. In contrast, Obama scored 67% in 2007 and 86% lifetime. The average score for Members of Congress in 2007 was 53%.

Right now my vote's with Obama. However, whoever you vote for has gotta be an improvement on the current administration who has the worst environmental record in the entire history of the United States.

Ashley Watson bags

2008-10-17T18:18:00.005-04:00

How beautiful is this bag?Not only does it have that hard-to-find worn leather look, it's big enough to store all your books and pens for school or work. Ashley Watson was inspired by the soft and gently worn jackets she used to find in thrift stores, and her line of bags are all handcrafted out of recycled leather. This one is is fully lined in hemp/cotton twill and features an adjustable strap and handle.

You can purchase Ashley's bags at Visionary Boutique.

KAYU in the press!

2008-10-11T14:13:00.007-04:00

Lucille Chi, a reporter at Green Options did a wonderful piece on KAYU yesterday.

You can check out the whole article here. Thanks Lucille!

KAYU Launches in conjunction with World Sight Day

2008-10-09T01:44:00.003-04:00

After almost a year of gestation, I am so happy to finally launch KAYU. It has been a whirl-wind ride of manufacturers, design specs, cost benefit analysis, and sleepless nights. However, it has all been worth it and www.kayudesign.com is now up and running and accepting orders worldwide.

More importantly though is World Sight Day, an annual day of awareness held today, to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. The issue of avoidable blindness is an urgent one and one that must be addressed by the global community. Approximately 314 million people suffer serious vision impairment, yet 80% of blindness is curable or preventable. 90% of vision impaired people live in developing countries where they do not have the funds to access quality eye care.

Visual disability has far-reaching implications that touch on all aspects of human development - social, economical and quality of life. However, restorations of sight, and blindness prevention strategies are among the most cost-effective interventions in health care.

So what can you do to help? Contact these member organizations to offer voluntary service, donations or other support. On our part, we've built into our business model a pledge that, for every pair of glasses purchased, we'll donate all the funds needed for one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world.

TOMS Shoes

2008-09-25T14:50:00.007-04:00

I am totally digging TOMS Shoes right now. You'll remember I blogged about TOMS Shoes a couple of posts back - the company that gives away a pair of shoes for every pair purchased. Well after posting about them, Caitlin from TOMS Shoes contacted me to tell me how happy she was I found them inspirational.

And get this...she even sent me a copy of their DVD 'For Tomorrow: The TOMS Shoes Story'. How cool is that?

Recycled Water

2008-09-23T05:16:00.004-04:00

Sewage water into drinking water? You better believe it. Was in Singapore recently, and was excited to see the progress their NEWater campaign has taken. NEWater is sewage water that has been treated using dual membrane and ultraviolet technologies, as well as conventional water treatment processes. NEWater can be used for both potable and non-potable purposes, but currently the majority of the water is being used for non-potable, or indirect potable uses. As you can imagine, there is still a psychological barrier to cross with regards to consuming sewage!

On a side note, one of the companies designated with building and operating one of the first NEWater plants is Hyflux, a Singaporean company headed by Olivia Lum. I had the pleasure of meeting Olivia a few years ago, and remember being impressed by her integrity and modesty. An orphan, Olivia has an inspiring rags-to-riches story. From her humble beginnings living in a leaky shack to selling her condo to finance her fledging company, Forbes now ranks her the 39th richest person in Asia. She is also a member of Singapore Green Plan 2012, a government blueprint for environment sustainability in Singapore. Olivia is a testament to the power of hardwork and determination, and an inspiration to women everywhere.

KAYU Photoshoot

2008-09-21T01:55:00.009-04:00

Pics from our recent photoshoot -
Big thanks to our model Denise, and photographer John.

Our website isn't up yet, but in the mean time you can purchase our sunglasses at ETSY.

Electric Bike

2008-08-29T11:44:00.003-04:00

Have been seeing a lot of these guys around Boston lately. They look like regular bicycles, but have little battery-powered motors attached to them. They work like hybrid cars, and use a combination of pedaling and a battery boost when going up hills or accelerating. Because they don't go faster than 20mph, they are classified as bicycles and don't require additional licenses or registration. Prices run from $300 - $2500.

Its a great way to green your commute, get some exercise and save on gas.

I am not a paper cup

2008-08-28T11:57:00.004-04:00

When one thinks of 'green' or sustainable products, images of burlap sacks and granola-type designs come to mind. The truth is 'green' products are evolving quickly and with it comes a whole slew of innovative, and dare I say it, modern and beautiful design. There is certainly nothing burlap about the 'I am not a paper cup' -

This looks like an ordinary to-go cup, but is actually made of white porcelain with a silicone lid. The great thing about it? It has a no-plastic silicone lid and can be used over and over. I would use it as my commuter mug, but its a bit small at 6" tall. I normally need more coffee than that to get me going in the morning :)

Available at Decor Craft for $20.00.