MODERN ROMANTIC

08/26/2026

Hey, look at this! 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Our new life chapter on the mountain starts now. 🌖
Follow us Mountain Kinfolk to learn more about what “we’re up to” (at 8000’!)

08/11/2026

Voila! Here she is … our new Mt Lemmon digs! The Mountain is actually named after Sarah Lemmon (2 m’s) who was an ethnobotanist! 🌲🌲
We will definitely need to choose a good name for her … our last cabin was pre-named “the lay low chateau” 😂 (see prior post).
Buried in the pines, the house is actually three levels so that the main (top) level hangs in the tree tops - not for the faint of heart at 8,000 feet altitude.
We keep having to remind ourselves about Dan Buettner + the blue zones + the idea about all of those centenarians who climb those many stairs daily! Oof! There’s actually a parking spot above the house with a stairway down to the house, see pics 2 + 9 so not too bad, really.
Please lmk if you can think of a good name for her? Winner gets a weekend stay with lots of great food + good company. Cheers! 🥂 🌲

08/06/2026

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! FULL CIRCLE MOMENT: here’s an old photo of me + my amazing sons at our willow canyon #20 mt lemmon cabin in tucson (sans running water + had an outhouse, no tv - talk about a reset!
We are now heading back to a larger version of a mt lemmon cabin, currently in the process of purchasing. Ours on 8/31 if all goes well! Very bittersweet as we are pulling out of California altogether + we will alternate btw the cabin (8000 feet) and Tucson where many of our rapidly expanding family resides.
Our cutest house in Rancho Santa Ynez Estates in Solvang will go onto the market shortly, we are readying it now. We have done a massive overhaul at this Sierra Vista place which i think is a major first for ourcommunity? Plaster walls, stone fireplace, updated kitchen with luxe appliances… we thought we would be here a while… oof! Stay tuned to our big move + our life changes.

07/30/2026

06/20/2026

SUMMER SOLSTICE SALE
“GATHERED TREASURES”
ARIZONA AVENUE
@ 14th Street to 15th Street
Multi family sale! See you there!

06/19/2026

MODERN ROMANTIC ARCHIVES 3
THE FORTUNY ESPADRILLE
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
What would happen if you took one of the most coveted and expensive fabrics in the world + then turned them into one of the most oldest + most classic designs of footwear?
VOILA! The Fortuny Espadrille (aka Fortuny Alpargata)

This design project/whim involved bringing vintage Fortuny fabric to the Basque country (where the south of France meets the north of Spain). But mind you ! Be very careful to not call anyone there French or you may be rightly scolded:
“No, Madame! we are not French - we are Basque!” 😂

06/18/2026

MODERN ROMANTIC ARCHIVES 2
THE INDIGO TOTE
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Hand block printed fabric in natural indigo dyes crafted in Southern India then hand delivered to central India for the fabrication of this tote which included
hand embroidered edges and base + handmade rope handles, lined.
Unfortunately, the leather for the tabs that was used was a very thin paper goat skin - not like my original sample prototype - so yours truly added a much better quality Spanish Leather for the tabs. Not rocket science, but it was my first go at working with leather; necessity can indeed be the mother of invention.

06/17/2026

MODERN ROMANTIC ARCHIVES:
GREEN ON GREEN
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One of a kind : a lovely sheer silk/cotton with lots of hand embroidery done by Northern Indian artisans. Note MODERN ROMANTIC embroidered on the side. 💚

06/15/2026

“GATHERED TREASURES” SALE
Come find something on ARIZONA AVENUE that’s special + unique. New, gently loved, antique. Furniture, accessories, clothing, shoes (espadrilles!). Be there or be square.

Multi locations :
On ARIZONA AVENUE (between 14th + 15th streets)

117 E 14th Street, just East of 6th Avenue

04/19/2026

We’ve officially gone “BERZERKELY”!

Drove up North on Hwy 101 yesterday to Berkeley where we started our 4 day “junket” splitting our time in half btw berkeley + napa.
After settling into our airbnb, we got on our walking shoes.
👞 👞
First stop:
This is sooo very special, natural perfumer extraordinaire Mandy Aftel, her husband Turner and their son Devon have created the most amazing scent museum - a must see + experience for any perfume lovers +/or makers.
Our timing was so perfect as all of her beautiful roses (i think there’s 100?) were all “popping”.
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
Next stop: bar for a very light supper. Tip: get there at least 15-30 minutes early as there’s a huge queue by 5 PM when they open no rezzies!
Alice Waters never disappoints, the viniagrette on the little gems with the tiniest of radishes were so lovely.
🥬 🥬 🥬 🥬 🥬
Walked the streets + poked into a few shops along Shadduck, a main street…def got in our steps!
Last stop: with an amazing blues trio called . Guitarist/vocalist/harmonica player JoshHowell has a great delivery with great phrasing + clear vocal tones + stellar blues guitar playing. Backed up with a great stand up bass player Joe who kept the rhythm going and newcomer Jay on the drums delivered. Owner Sam Rudin played some very impromptu but impressive keyboards on a couple tunes. Super entertaining. ❤️
Onward to find some fresh juice at organic greens (no IG) this fine Sunday, another perfect walking day.
There’s a rose garden to visit, an organic vegan lunch , some more music back at Sam’s place at 3 with young players called CRYUNCLE ….then later tonight some Irish music on the patio
Cheers to this beautiful Spring day. Enjoy!