Month: January 2016

Podcast: Kate Jennings, Na Nin

Posted on by Podcast Motor

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Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Have you ever wondered about the people who made your favorite mug, shirt or chair? In Why Do We Have Things?, Rita Mehta of The American Edit and Erin Husted of Hackwith Design House interview the independent designers, artists, small business owners and creatives behind our favorite things.

Today’s guest is Kate Jennings, founder of Na Nin. Kate talks to Erin about her transition from school teacher to shop owner, the songs and memories that inspire her fragrance brand, and about building a thoughtful, responsible business.

na-nin_podcast

Notes from the show:

“If you want to give advice to someone, hand it to them; don’t throw it at them.” – Kate Jennings, Na Nin Studio

Songs that influenced Na Nin Scents: “Up on Cripple Creek” by The Band, “Jolene” by Dolly Parton

Kate’s most recent purchase: Antwerp Coat by Atelier Delphine

Kate mentions wearing Young Frankk, a jewelry designer out of Richmond, VA

Book Kate is reading: The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

This American Life Episode where the host confronts her trolls: “If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say, SAY IT IN ALL CAPS”

Thank you for listening and please give us your feedback! We’d also really appreciate it if you would subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes. I really hate to ask for stuff like this, but here’s why it matters: the more reviews and subscriptions we get, the more likely people are to find the podcast, and then the more likely we are to be able to get rad interviewees, improve our sound, etc. So if you take the few minutes to subscribe and review, we can provide you with even better content throughout the year!

Our amazing sponsors are also on board to make reviewing and subscribing worth your while! Through the end of the month, we are giving away:
– $100 gift card from Hackwith Design House
– $100 gift card from Wilson & Willy’s
– a gift set from Appointed Co.

To enter the contest, subscribe and review on iTunes and then send a screenshot of your review to podcast@theamericanedit.com. Winners will be chosen randomly at the end of the month! THANK YOU!

The Introduction: ILĀ

Posted on by TheAmericanEdit

I have never posted food before on TAE but I’m so impressed with ILĀ’s methodology and transparent sourcing – and of course with their outrageously beautiful packaging – that I couldn’t not share. Cofounded by Sunday Suppers, ILĀ’s goal is to provide you with all of the essential ingredients for your kitchen and home. Not all of the products are American made, but many are, and all are carefully selected based on product integrity.

In my previous career, I discovered some scary things about the spice industry… trust me when I say you should never buy pre-filled spice racks! Since then I’ve focused on buying spices in bulk from reliable sources or on buying from reputable brands… and ILĀ is now added to my list. The products are clearly a luxury; while a pantry full of them would be beautiful, I’m certainly not advocating getting rid of everything you have and starting over, but there is a time and a place for everything, right?! I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t love receiving these gift sets in particular…

My only qualm is that, at this point, there’s no ability to refill these products when you’ve used them up. I’d love to see the company start a refill program, similar to that of Common Good… at least in New York, where Sunday Suppers is based.

Images via ILĀ

Graphics for The American Edit by REBECCAH ERICKSON

Podcast: Erin Boyle, Simple Matters & Reading My Tea Leaves

Posted on by Podcast Motor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Have you ever wondered about the people who made your favorite mug, shirt or chair? In Why Do We Have Things?, Rita Mehta of The American Edit and Erin Husted of Hackwith Design House interview the independent designers, artists, small business owners and creatives behind our favorite things.

Today’s guest is author and blogger Erin Boyle. Erin’s first book, Simple Matters, was released on January 12, 2016 and her blog Reading My Tea Leaves is an ode to simplicity and small-space living. Erin speaks with Erin & Rita about starting a blog, her focus on simplifying her life, her approach to shopping, and the process of writing a book as a new mom!

simple matters podcast

Notes from the show:

– Simple Matters (*Note from Rita – if you have already read Erin’s book, be sure to leave an Amazon review… like our iTunes request below, it’s something Erin would probably never ask for but helps the book out quite a bit!)
– How Madewell Bought & Sold My Family’s History
– Two minutes about my toothbrush by Aziz Ansari
– Erin’s post about Zero-Waste & Reusable Beeswax wrap (*Note from Rita – I also love these Ambatalia linen covers )
– Big Magic
– Courtney Adamo on RMTL and on Instagram

Thank you for listening and please give us your feedback! We’d also really appreciate it if you would subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes. I really hate to ask for stuff like this, but here’s why it matters: basically, the more reviews and subscriptions we get, the more likely people are to find the podcast, and then the more likely we are to be able to get rad interviewees, improve our sound, etc. So if you take the few minutes to subscribe and review, we can provide you with even better content throughout the year!

Our amazing sponsors are also on board to make reviewing and subscribing worth your while! Through the end of the month, we are giving away:
– $100 gift card from Hackwith Design House
– $100 gift card from Wilson & Willy’s
– a gift set from Appointed Co.

To enter the contest, subscribe and review on iTunes and then send a screenshot of your review to podcast@theamericanedit.com. Winners will be chosen randomly at the end of the month! THANK YOU!

Header Image via Erin Boyle | Simple Matters Image

Podcast: Lisa Hackwith, Hackwith Design House

Posted on by Podcast Motor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Have you ever wondered about the people who made your favorite mug, shirt or chair? In Why Do We Have Things?, Rita Mehta of The American Edit and Erin Husted of Hackwith Design House interview the independent designers, artists, small business owners and creatives behind our favorite things.

Today’s podcast guest is Lisa Hackwith, a fashion designer and the founder of Hackwith Design House. (Are you thinking, wait, what is this podcast? What happened to TAE? Read this… and rest assured, normal TAE posting will resume soon!)

Lisa, Erin (who also happens to be Lisa’s business partner) and Rita talk about Lisa’s education in fine art and her transition to fashion design, why she decided to reinvent the typical fashion calendar, how she found her following on social media, and producing her collection thoughtfully and responsibly in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Today’s post is a bit more of a conversation than an interview, as Erin & Lisa are business partners and the three of us are all good friends… let us know what you think of that and if you prefer one way or the other!

hackwith-design-house-bridal

Notes from the show:
– Hackwith Design House
– Books Lisa read as research:
Developing a Collection by Colin Renfrew and Elinor Renfrew
Fashion Marketing Communications by Gaynor Lea-Greenwood
Fashion Marketing edited by Mike Easey
– Score.org – organization where Lisa found experienced advisors
– H&M article
– Shop Mille – a favorite Minneapolis shop, where Erin bought the nose-ring she lost!
– The financial benefits of buying what you love
– Capital Eyewear – Erin & Rita’s favorite American made sunglasses
– The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
– Neal Jewelry – Lisa’s most recent purchase!

Thank you for listening and please give us your feedback! We’d also really appreciate it if you would subscribe and leave us a review in iTunes. I really hate to ask for stuff like this, but here’s why it matters: basically, the more reviews and subscriptions we get, the more likely people are to find the podcast, and then the more likely we are to be able to get rad interviewees, improve our sound, etc. So if you take the few minutes to subscribe and review, we can provide you with even better content throughout the year!

Our amazing sponsors are also on board to make reviewing and subscribing worth your while! Through the end of the month, we are giving away:
– $100 gift card from Hackwith Design House
– $100 gift card from Wilson & Willy’s
– a gift set from Appointed Co.

To enter the contest, subscribe and review on iTunes and then send a screenshot of your review to podcast@theamericanedit.com. Winners will be chosen randomly at the end of the month! THANK YOU!

Images via Hackwith Design House