Handmade and created in New York City, founder Kylie Nakao founded the West Village’s Tarin Thomas Jewelry in 2013.

Toronto native, Kylie always loved fashion and knew from a young age she wanted move to New York City and have her own business.  After studying at Parsons School of Design, Kylie worked as a buyer for a small but mighty multi-brand jewelry store in Nolita.  With her appreciation and knowledge of fine jewelry growing but her income holding steady, she wasn’t seeing anything she wanted to wear at prices she wanted to pay.  She also noticed that the market as a whole was intimidating for casual shoppers – with all the best and most expensive pieces in the window.  Even Kylie would walk by most jewelry stores instead of going in.

Through her work, Kylie gained contacts with family-run manufacturers and began to dream about a better, more fun, and inclusive jewelry shopping experience and with a brand name inspirited by her family, Tarin Thomas was born.  Tarin Thomas jewelry infuses masculine and feminine qualities while maintaining details inspired by the city that she calls home. Sophisticated and timeless, the brand is known for their semi-precious and precious gemstones and metal combinations for both men and women at affordable prices.  Kylie does a beautiful job of incorporating  lifestyle pieces to her jewelry shop like vintage clothing, eyewear, and jewelry along with perfumes, beauty, and other home goods, ensuring her windows are inviting and her store is a place where everyone can find something.

Plus, Tarin Thomas offers custom collaborations for those looking for a one-of-a-kind special design and story.  And stay tuned to Tarin Thomas as they approach their 10 year anniversary in March! Congrats Kylie and team!!

Here’s five faves that would make for great gifts:

/1/ Eye Just Blue-Light Blocking Screen Protector ($46 for iPhone)
/2/ Free People Polar Queen Faux-Fur Boot ($198)
/3/ Lily Silk 25-momme Terese Luxury Pillowcase w/ Hidden Zipper ($69)
/4/ House of Waris Night of Nights Herbal Tea ($28) /
5/ Garnet Hill Kids Boiled-Wool Slipper Boots ($49)
/6/ Comrad Unisex Socks ($32)
/7/ Vuori Men’s Meta Pant ($98)
/8/ Juggle Bali iPhone Case ($59)
/9/ Winning Solutions Mystery Date Retro-Bookshelf Edition Board Game ($40)
/10/ The Little Market Flat-Beaded Turquoise Bracelet ($22)
/11/ Sorel Men’s Caribou Moc Toe Waterproof Boots ($180)
/12/ Matia Lia Baroni Bespoke Ring ($85)

Did you know that a hair dryer uses anywhere between 800 to 2,000 watts of electricity and emits CO2s? Bummer I know. It’s all the heat.

I have fine hair and a lot of it, but I work for every strand.  This means I am super gentle when washing, drying, and when I occasionally style it.  One of the ways I do this is by letting my hair dry naturally.  I rarely use blow dryers because of the damage they can create to your hair (especially fine hair) and the environment – all those CO2s add up!

So after long ignoring AQUIS Hair Towels and Turbans around town, I was enlightened about the benefits by AQUIS Co-Founder Britta Cox while on a panel during Covid in November.  Eight months later I can officially say, I’m a huge fan.  AQUIS is a haircare system that focuses on hair when it’s at its weakest – when it’s wet – and works to make every hair strand as strong as it can possibly be. Their trademarked Aquitex fabric, wicks away moisture quickly and evenly, without rubbing your hair and without heat, while minimizing frizz, breakage, and split ends. 

Turns out avoiding friction and heat is imperative to keeping your hair smooth, strong, shiny, and hydrated.  Sorry to my teenage hair for all the rubbing and wringing!  Live and learn, because as AQUIS technology helps hair become more resilient over time – it becomes softer and shinier too.  I’ve even noticed less breakage with baby strands – especially important since hair texture changes with age.

While most love the hair-drying turbans, I prefer the hair towel for my longer, fine hair.  It doesn’t pull my hair (unlike the turban), and the towel offers more fabric so it can hold all of my hair.  In my opinion, the turban-style is better for shorter and medium-length hairstyles.  Aquis has two fabric styles: Lisse fabric, a flat, smooth-surface that’s ideal for curl definition and fine or delicate hair, and Waffle fabric, which is ideal for thicker hair because the raised pattern offers more surface area for absorption.  It’s a lot gentler than most products in the market and their fabric is less pollutive than traditional microfiber towels.  The towel is so durable that it can last up to three years and has been wonderful to travel with too.

You’re also supporting a greater cause since Aquis partners with Simply The Basics, a San Francisco-based nonprofit hygiene bank (and the first large-scale national hygiene bank) that provides fundamental hygienic basics like toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, and body lotion to those experiencing houselessness and/or with limited incomes.

PS. After exclusively using The WET Brush for years, I have found this VERB hair brush to be superior, ironically called the Blow Dry Brush, $18.

Linen is one of my absolute favorite things about summer.  It’s soft, breathable (anti-bacterial too for those who break a quick sweat), and I love the relaxed, un-fussy nature of the fabric.  I recently learned that it’s one of the most sustainable fabrics too – even more than organic cotton – since it uses less water than cotton during production and is made from flax, a regenerative crop.  Linen is also naturally moth-resistant, making any pieces you add to your wardrobe an investment for many summers to come.

WOMEN

/ 1 /  L’Agence Danica Linen Pant $255
/ 2 /  Lulu’s Double Digits Linen Halter Crop Top $21 (Limited sizes, so this Everlane Linen Picnic Top $50 is a great alternative.)
/ 3 /  Missoma Mini Tunnel Hoop Earrings $110
/ 4 /  Mansur Gavriel Limited-Edition Pascucci Tote $395
/ 5 /  Naturalizer Vera Sandal $110

MEN

/ 1 /  Bonobos Solid Linen Henley Sweater $98
/ 2 /  Huckberry Flint and Tinder Cotton Linen Short $68
/ 3 /  Ray-Ban 62mm Gradient Lens Aviator Sunglasses $198
/ 4 /  Tissot Carson Premium Chronograph Leather Strap Watch $525
/ 5 /  Vince Dowell Slide Sandal $125

Shop additional linen options on my website.

I tip my hat to… all summer hats because I’ve never met one I didn’t like and they are the easiest sun protection!

/ 1 / Van Palma Solveig $251
/ 2 / Helen Kaminski Siena $380
/ 3 / Hat Attack Canvas Packable Hat $70
/ 4 / Teressa Foglia Big Rock $300
/ 5 / Yestadt Millinery Seed Multi $285
/ 6 / Gigi Burris Pat Visor $385
/ 7 / Janessa Leone Meadow $237
/ 8 / Worth & Worth by Orlando Palacios Katla $950
/ 9 / Freya Gardenia Fedora $220
/ 10 / Lack of Color The Jacinto $99

Have you missed small European goods and towns? The food? The culture? Me too! Though travel restrictions to Europe have eased, navigating the constant changes is tricky, so if you prefer to stay safe and shop local you can still get your fix of sumptuous Italian goodies. One of my favorite stores in the West Village is a small Florentine company that specializes in vacchetta leather goods. They’re timeless, classic, and effortlessly elegant since the leather gets richer, softer, and more supple with wear.

Il Bisonte was founded in 1970 by Wanny Di Filippo, a dreamer with an eclectic style and an out-of-the-box approach to business and life. He started his own brand when a company rejected his initial ideas due to his overt forward-thinking nature. He’s truly an inspiration, embodying the idea of choosing the life you want and building it freely. The brand’s name translates to “the bison” in Italian. The bison logo is emblazoned on its products and it’s been Wanny Di Fillippo’s favorite animal since the 1960s because, as he affectionately describes, “bison represent both peace and strength.”

Sustainability and exclusivity are at the heart of the brand. All the leather used in making Il Bisonte accessories and bags comes from animals raised for food and would otherwise be disposed. Il Bisonte truly stands behind their products; everything is carefully made to last a lifetime. There’s even a lifetime maintenance and repair service in the boutique.

With something for everyone and often more than one – it’s an experience worth indulging in and cheaper (and less hassle) than a trip to Italy!

Here are four products that caught my eye:
/ 1 / Giglio – this lightweight, scratch resistant, and elegant leather bag can be carried in hand or worn on the shoulder by adjusting the sliding brass gold chain. Super chic for a day-to-night transition. $450
/ 2 / Consuelo – this bag can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder with its adjustable shoulder strap and brass studs to adjust the length. $750
/ 3 / Bi-Fold Wallet in Cowhide Double Leather – The man in your life likely needs a new wallet and this one features a clean, minimal design. $190
/ 4 / Santo Spirito – A classic unisex travel bag in vintage cowhide leather with handles and adjustable shoulder strap. $1,335