Portraits by Karim Hamid

My husband is working on a few portrait projects at the moment and I asked him if I could include all of you in on the deal... hurrah! He is taking some time out in the next two months to immerse himself in portraits so it's a good time to get yourself a cherished portrait of you, your kids, your whole family, not to mention this makes an outstanding Holiday gift for anyone!

He does a few different portrait styles, he's found for kids that his straightforward style is the most desirable, but he can also do his other style - which is an 'interpretive' style - usually reserved for adult portraits.

There are 2 sizes he's offering for this project - all works done in oil on wood panel:

small size:  15x20cm / 6x8 inches

larger size:  23x30cm / 9x12 inches

email us if you are interested and he will go more in depth on the possibilities.

This makes the most treasured gift you could possibly imagine and will last more than your lifetime! I have a friend who is constantly adding to her wall of portraits. She has one for each family member, the grandparents and probably everyone's favorite - the dogs too! They are arranged on a wall in the living room and there is nothing more unique or dear to your heart.

Grad Gifts

I think the jewelry we offer makes incredible graduation gifts! My favorite, the Margaret Solow necklaces - they are perfect for girls AND boys... skeptical, look at boys today they are wearing necklaces and these pieces on a string with a stone are great for both! Choose a stone with a special message: the blue chalcedony in this photo promotes inner knowledge and encourages the mind to become more centered - which helps in making decisions (isn't that just the most difficult for kids of this age!).

use code: 'grad16' for 15% off all jewelry (until June 20)

some additional great ideas are:

margaret solow :: green tourmaline

I have a couple of tourmaline pieces and they are great for detoxing the mind and body, it's a great stone to balance chakras and emits negative ions.

mexican fire opal

This mexican fire opal is a great piece for a boy.. it invokes dynamic energy and intensity!

Check all of Margaret Solow's pieces out in my shop here

fathers day is on it's way!

We have to think ahead a bit for Fathers Day, each year my husband is in Switzerland with his gallery during Fathers Day for Art Basel (follow him on Instagram as he makes his way though the Art shows: @aureuscontemporary ) We like to shove a few things into his suitcase for a tiny surprise while he is away. So here are some of our favorite things right now for Fathers Day.

fathers day gift ideas from top left: APC handbag, Dram Apothecary bitters make all your drinks and cocktail making that much better!, Junya Wantanabe handbag,  HOPE sunglasses, U-NI-TY pocket square, Robert Geller bar bracelet, a nice handmade whiskey go to your local liquor store and get some tips, My FAVORITE mens products are by Ursa Major - this kit gives your Dad a chance to try it all (and don't miss trying them for yourself!)

The Soma Water Filter - I know this may not sound like a Fathers Day gift, but trust me it's a nice gift for the whole family and sometimes that's the best gift for Dads too! I found ours at Heath Ceramics but you can probably find them online from other folks.

I think the new Bon Appétit magazine is just great and I feel like it has sort of a Men's-attitude, could be the editor Adam Rapoport. This travel issue was one of my favorites! (I'll listen to anyone talk about food and travel!!)

Have a Happy Fathers Day and most of all spend it together (because we're not... :(

the NonchalantDad: Comparisons

Kaya's Bedroom (Age 4) - Tokyo, Japan

Like you perhaps, I used to hear a phrase that went something like this: 'Eat what's on your plate, there are starving children in Africa that would love to have it.' It was what I remember as my first lesson in comparisons between what was supposed to be the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. There was that phrase. And because my parents were immigrants to the 'new world', I'd often be reminded of another comparison between what they considered my relatively comfortable upbringing as compared to theirs. It was pretty effective in helping me respect what I had. But, in hindsight, it might have been more effective had my parents had a ready access to images to support their statements. Today, with my own children, I find myself sometimes admonishing them with the same statements - a variation on those I heard when I was a child. The comparisons still remain. I'd like them to understand that not everyone may live in the same world they live in. The lesson is twofold. For one thing, they might see what they have that others do not. But, behind that is an even more important message. They might actually see what others have that they do not. I don't think my parents actually considered that second message, as they assumed that what we might have - everyone else wanted too.

When I find myself in that position again with my children, now I'll at least have a photo reference at my fingertips to share with them. And, as we all know, there's not much that is stronger than a good image. Photographer James Mollison has taken a series of photos (and by doing so, collected stories) from a variety of children around the world he has encountered in his journeys and created a wonderful book showing us these comparisons titled 'Where Children Sleep'. East, West, North, and South, you might just be surprised to find that there isn't a simple line between what we have and what we don't.

Dong's Bedroom (Age 9) - Yunnan, China

Alex's 'Bedroom' (Age 9) - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Seeing this book also reminded me of a similar project that takes into account not just a child's perspective, but extends the story to a family perspective. In an interesting book titled 'Material World: A Global Family', by Peter Menzel, we get to see a collection of images that take into account the meaning of possessions. We are offered the same insights from around the world, free to make our own comparisons.

These are interesting books to share with our children, as we have in our household. The lesson of comparison and gratitude all the more easier to convey because of them. We live in worlds that seemingly get smaller and smaller at times and our understanding of the world more narrow because of it perhaps. Books, and images, like these help us remember how expansive things really might be. And, at root, the things we might share as humans.

the Costa Family with all their possessions - Havana, Cuba

the NonchalantDad: Mummenschanz

It appears long before the Blue Man Group - there was Mummenschanz. Founded in Paris in 1972 and consisting of a small group of performers, they used their collective talents as performers and artists to create some very fascinating and timeless routines, as is demonstrated in the video above. Sparing but totally imaginative, they almost easily resemble what many conceptual performers wish they might achieve in the contemporary art world. Unpretentious and often thoughtful, many of their performances unfold with a quiet disjunctive sensibility. I think the best way to describe them is just plain weird - which, of course, I mean as a compliment. Back in the 70's, when I was a child, weirdness was considered an appropriate thing - you might remember that much of what we saw was based on it! Mummenschanz, you might be surprised to know, were quite successful in their earliest days - traveling lots without a doubt, but landing big 'gigs' such as the Muppet Show and eventually a spot on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. To this day, though without their original line up, they still perform and conduct workshops - quietly going about their weird business while the Blue Man Group takes on Las Vegas and the likes! For more info, and possibly to give yourself a totally surrealistic and nostalgic jolt.

here is the group's website - cllick here

the NonchalantDad: 'My Kid Could've Done That!'

by visiting blogger NonchalandDad

I'm sure you've heard it. Or, you've said it at some time yourself while visiting a museum or gallery. I know I've heard it a few times over the years. Usually, it's whispered - but at times it can be said in disbelief. And, occasionally you wouldn't be wrong. In all my years in this art business, I think I've even agreed with it here and there. In our home, with our modest collection of art on the walls, we have even put that notion into practice by having some of our children's art works hanging alongside accomplished artists. As far as I know, to date, nobody has yet commented on our children's art works as they move around our house by saying: 'My kid could've done that!' So far, so good then!

I've often thought about it. In fact, when I've curated a show of art in the past I thought I might even mischievously insert one of my kid's paintings into it. I thought I could just easily explain it away to anyone who might enquire that it was some obscure German artist from the 1930's or something. But, I never carried that plan out. Now, while having a look around on the internet, someone else seems to have come up with the same idea to an extent. They have shared images of the famous of art history alongside images created by toddlers. The test is to see if you can actually tell the difference between something a child has created (the amateur) and something a famous figure from art history (the professional) has produced. I thought it would be an easy test for me, since I spend a good deal of time looking at art and I'm a bit of a history junkie. Nonetheless, I was caught out a few times not being able to tell the difference ... and maybe that's the point. After all, wasn't it Picasso who said: "As a child, I drew like Raphael. But, it has taken me a lifetime to draw like a child."

See if you can tell the difference - the answers are at the bottom ... as if you needed to be told. And remember after all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

(** numbers one, six, eight, and ten, in that order, are all created by toddlers)

So, how did YOU do?

NonchalantDAD recipe :: fish spaghetti

This recipe will sound familiar to those of you who make the same traditional Southern Italian dish with Sardines (I can't remember what it's called but it's delicious!) I would say that my husbands version is more kid-friendly. Our kids gobble it up and we love it too! You can serve it with fresh garlic bread (always a treat) or sometimes we put some olive oil on bread, with a bit of salt, and flip it in a cast iron pan which makes a delicious toast.

Fish Spaghetti

Tilapia (or any mild white fish) (we used 4 small pieces)
fresh sage - chopped
kale - chopped (I like to steam it a bit in the pasta water)
onion - chopped
garlic - chopped
salt/pepper

topping: one piece toast, parsley, salt, pepper, pepper flakes to taste - buzz in food processor

cook pasta al dente (it's important that it's not overcooked)
start with onion, then add garlic and saute in olive oil or sesame oil (in a large enough pan so you can put pasta in at the end) until onion is translucent. Then add Tilapia and break up, add kale, sage, salt and pepper. When pasta is done add to the fish and add a bit of pasta water and toss together for about 3 minutes - turn off flame and drizzle a bit of good quality olive oil and taste to see if salt is needed.

spoon into bowls, and serve with toast or garlic bread and the bread crumb topping.

YUM!

Guest Blogger: Florence Rolando's Portugal

Portugal is a country that is dear to my heart and when I heard that Florence was going to be living there I knew I was going to learn more about this beautifully fascinating place. I am a friend on Instagram, which you should do too! and so we keep up... I love her posts because no one takes better photos than Florence! Today she is going to share her corner of Portugal... listen UP and lean-IN! And thank you for sharing your story with us Florence!

Up until very recently, we lived in big cities : Paris, Milan, London, New York. We are an urban-centered family, used to being surrounded by people of various colours and citizenship, used to finding foods from all over the world, to spending weekends around museums, busy streets, shopping, cinema. 

When the occasion to change lifestyle came up, at the beginning of this year, we jumped on it. 

I think some of our friends or acquaintances didn't really get it. Porto? Why?! A small city, and in a country facing economic difficulties? After New York and London, the only logical next step is a move to Hong Kong or Singapore, they seemed to imply. We don't regret our decision for a moment, however, and here are a few reasons why.

Space 

Those who have done the jump know that already: for what you get in a metropole, in a smaller town you can double or triple your living space, plus a garden and a garage. The simple fact of living in a house is so new and so great for our kids, who love climbing the tree in our garden.

Time / Southern Feel

Everything is a lot slower here, and in some parts of town, Porto seems delightfully stuck in the 50's with its old shop signs, mom & pop shops, the many old people, relatively few advertisements. We love that old world aesthetic, like something of a time capsule. Houses with laundry hanging out of the windows, late evenings, fiesta in the streets, family gatherings…

Porto sometimes reminds us of Madrid, Tangier, Naples all together.

New culture 

We love the immersion in a totally new culture and learning Portuguese is great. Very difficult for us adults, so easy for the kids. Portuguese is spoken in Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and it has also got co-official language status in Macau (China) and in East Timor (Southeast Asia). Might be useful abroad one day! For now, it's proving handy every day. 

Beach Within Reach 

That's such a bonus: imagine working all day and, rather than a quick pint at the pub, taking in a chilled white port aperitif on the beach, maybe even for less than an hour, just to watch the sun go down. OK, it's not Rio, but Porto has small charming urban beaches, with cute bars and a beach scene. And you never know what to expect: a flat ocean like a mirror, or crazy big waves that break with huge splashes against the piers. Endlessly fascinating. Not to mention the surf, a real paradise for the boys.

Praia da Luz

Food and Drink

Fish, vegetables, creative "pesticos" (tapas), cheese, Portuguese food is healthy and most of the time very genuine, home cooked. There is so much more to eat than the rightly famous Bacalhau. And so much more to drink than port wine. The vineyards of the Duoro valley and the Alentejo are consistently pleasing. 

People

Locals are very nice, always happy to welcome foreigners, to exchange kind words, to share their favourite places. Portuguese people reside on the shores of the Atlantic, but are Mediterranean at heart with a British facade. Quite reserved outside, warm inside. There's a melancholy side, but with great warmth. 

Old Foz

 So much to explore 

We've seen only a bit and we were amazed by the beauty of places in Alentejo and North Portugal. Lisboa, Braga, Sintra, Algarve… much for us to discover in Portugal.  Not to mention neighbouring Spain: Santiago de Compostela (only 1.5hrs away), Asturias, Andalusia.

We can even ski in winter, in Sierra Nevada or in Les Pyrenees, about 6-7 hours away by car.

 

Factories 

This is a bonus for me. I love factories, manufacturing, contact with materials. Arriving here I was able to start a little line of home products with a talented local designer. You will see more of our products soon... Carina has promised me to keep you up-to-date!!

Thank you Florence for sharing your part of Portugal with us!

Visit Florence's Blog 'Pirouette' here

see our visit to Portugal here from 2007

vitamin B-12 boost - have you tried it yet?

actually I got it in my butt... but you should know it's a needle!

The header reads "Feeling run down and tired?" - "YES" I answer. I think I have felt run down since 2001, and I have tried many things to get over this tired feeling. I'm not saying it's like a overwhelming chronic type thing, it's more of something about energy. When I run and exercise I see my levels rise, but you know when you get out of the habit, you expect those levels to still be there but they aren't...

So far, my favorite relief or boost has been from Moxi-bustion/acupuncture (I'm saying the non-exercise version). The only problem is you need to continue the sessions - at least until your energy hits a level that it will maintain on it's own. I did it for a few months and felt great and I wish I could have continued. Then, on a recent trip to California I was talking to a friend who suggested a B-12 shot, and that in fact, they do them at the grocery store near her house that Saturday. Well how could I say no to that! My only reference to a B-12 shot was an episode in Mad Men when all the guys took one and went bonkers... let's just say they are not the same, in the 60's a B-12 shot was filled with hallucinogens, etc... now, it's just plain B-12.

So there I was Saturday at Lazy Acres in Long Beach, CA (it's only one Saturday a month) and this wonderful woman, Dr. Bridget Anderson will give you a B-12 shot (for $30!), you can add-on various things, I added a B-complex which is good for Immune support, adrenal support, muscle repair, heart health and decreased inflammation -- all of which I was having trouble with at the time. I don't know what it is about travel but I am convinced it wreaks havoc on your immune system.

A vitamin B-12 boost should help you with fatigue, memory loss, numbness & tingling, stubborn weight loss and low mood... yes! I want something to fix all that! - I have to say that I think it was a huge help for me, I was so depleted of ALL OF THE ABOVE that I am convinced it helped. And at the very least gave me the attitude to just move on and not even think that I couldn't do it... ALL (you know what I mean when you travel with family, kids, husband... etc..). The effects last approx. two weeks on average, so it is an ongoing thing. My friend is pretty sure that it helps with her sleep, a more restful and deep sleep.

And hey, whatever... it's all the rage says Vanity Fair Magazine and I do everything they say!...

If you are in the Southern California area visit Lazy Acres Grocery Store and the delightful Dr. Bridget Anderson (only in California can you do this in a grocery store! LOVE it!) and give it a go...

On Being

This may sound familiar to you... it's a radio show on NPR... it doesn't broadcast in my area, but I caught it on a recent drive to NYC, and I was mesmerized. I happened to catch a particular show called "Reading the Rocks" which is flood stories and deep time, a conversation with David Montgomery. First of all Krista Tippett, who hosts On Being - besides having this voice you could listen to all day long, has a knowledge that enhances her guests and brings out a fascinating conversation. But back to the story I listened to that day, I wanted to get home and listen to it with my son. It was a very interesting cross-story between religion, noah's flood and geology, I tell you it was a rich conversation. Filled with knowledge of the past and trying to explain our way to today, how we got to the place we are now.

I love this kind of conversation, it will enrich your life and if you can get your kids to sit down and listen, BOY you've got something there!

visit the On Being website here
listen to the Reading the Rocks podcast here

Happy Birthday Nonchalant MOM! 8 years old!

It's hard to believe that 8 delightful years have already gone by, but we wanted to CELEBRATE! We will have some giveaways and fun things going on this week so stay tuned! To start things off and as a THANK YOU to all of our wonderful customers and FRIENDS we are offering 20% off the ENTIRE STORE -- now through November 8th!! It's time to get those things you have been looking for and get 20% off... use code: 'birthday' at checkout and you will see your discount.

A trip down memory lane...

very first photo shoot on our beach 2004! (paulina quintana t-shirts... remember those!?)

the original homepage image! created by Wayne Kogan

very first Makié product shot... not so bad...

We started that first season in 2004 with: Makié, Lucky Fish (I just sold her leftover samples!), Erica Tanov (more of her collection below), Marimekko and Lucky Wang... and we grew from there! I would wait for all the product to come in and then we would do one big photo shoot! We also made a fantastic fold out catalog (we would rush to get it out on time... but then we hardly even had a mailing list!)

Erica Tanov kids - 2005 (or 06?!)

Erica Tanov again... wasn't it just the cutest clothes!

for awhile we photographed product on the mannequin, but then we weren't in love with that headless look!

For our second catalog I had hired Rose Kauffman to work with me, she is a graphic designer and also helped by packing boxes with me. We packed boxes out of our guest house and worked on the website at our kitchen table... those were the days!! (UPS hated our driveway!) Then a few years later Rose and I opened a store together in our town, it was great to share a store space together with a friend like that, she even lived upstairs from the store.

makié FW 06

makié FW06

my Swedish Aunt made these pillows for me to sell in the store - she wove the textile herself! (I have two of these left - click here)

this amazing toy collection was from Amsterdam, now defunct, they are still BEAUTIFUL!

Rose made this homepage for me in 2008 (franny!)

We always had the 'tips and information' on the website but in 2007 we started the Nonchalant Mom blog... this became a much easier way to be in touch with our audience, share new ideas and inspiration with everyone. I do my best to blog 4-5 days a week and for a time there in 2007-08 my husband had a popular 'Nonchalant Dad' following! He certainly had a 'different' viewpoint and it was fun to have that on the blog (click on nonchalantdad in the labels section to see his blogs). To-date one of our most favored blogs was about what to eat during breastfeeding - I still stand by that list and it's super helpful for any new breastfeeding mom - click here to view.

styled photos that were super popular!

these were cut-out dolls I made... LOVE their look!

Two years ago we made these dress-up dolls that were very popular, we have decided to do something like this again each week in the blog... I love to do these, it just get's the creativity pumping and shows you how to mix and match the collections together... I always try to make them work so that you do not have to wear them all together (although I KNOW there are a few Makié devotees out there).

one clean day in the store (2009?)

my inspiration wall... it rarely looks this clean, but this photo shows you I CAN do it! (but too many post-its!) - that small black and white photo at the center of two boys has been with me for more than 15 years... it's always inspired me!

And now we are so happy and thankful that we are still going strong (stronger than ever!) - thanks for taking this trip with us down memory lane... I can't believe it's been 8 years... but I can't wait for what's ahead.... surprise!

shop nonchalant mom between now and Novemeber 8th 20011 and get 20% off if you use code: 'BIRTHDAY'!! 

Thank you all for a wonderful 8 years!