PUBLISHER’S TAKE SPRING IS THE SEASON I WAIT FOR ALL YEAR. AS
the ice thaws, the rain falls, making good on the promise of trees budding with fresh neon green leaves. Suddenly everything comes back to life. I live for those perfect spring days with sweet lilac- and crab apple blossom– scented air. Sure it’s fleeting, but spring brings so much hope. Somewhere around mid-February as winter really begins to drag, the thought of spring just around the corner is enough to kick the winter blues. It’s a brief burst of energy when everything wakes up and starts again. The first few days above 60 degrees feel like 80, and you can finally shed the layers winter has required, both physically and mentally. Here’s a look at what’s inspiring me this season. After not traveling for two years, it was an absolute treat to spend time at Esmé Miami Beach, a modern yet classic interpretation of Spanish-Mediterranean Revival brought to life by Jessica Schuster Design. Frederic Malle En Passant is one of my favorite perfumes of all time and the best take on lilac ever to be bottled. A blend of Sicily’s finest olive varieties, Baroncini Import & Co. Olive Oil is meant to be displayed in the kitchen and paired with farmers’ market vegetables. Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick — it’s Gucci lipstick, need I say more? — gives me that sheer wash of color before a Zoom call, plus I love the floral pattern on my desk. Agua by Agua Bendita is a beautiful Colombian label founded by mom friends Catalina Alvarez and Mariana Hinestroza. Their artisan-crafted clothing blends beautiful floral patterns, stunning embroidery and an ongoing commitment to sustainability.
My very best,
Emma Cutler Velez
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Artful Living
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY ESMÉ MIAMI BEACH, FREDERIC MALLE, BARONCINI IMPORT & CO., GUCCI, AND AGUA BY AGUA BENDITA
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