Category: Lifestyle

The Unique Legacy of Iris Apfel

If you’ve never heard of Iris Apfel, she is certainly worth spending a few minutes to know. In a world often swayed by fleeting trends and cookie-cutter fashion, Iris Apfel definitely stood out. With her oversized black-rimmed glasses and her slender frame, she was a force of fashion. At the age of 102, the fashion iconoclast recently died in her Palm Beach home, leaving behind a legacy as colorful and layered as her signature chunky accessories.

Iris was an influential interior designer and so much more. From art exhibitions to magazine covers, a cosmetic line, a documentary, a modeling contract, and even a Barbie doll in her likeness, Iris did it all with the fervor of someone who lived for the thrill of the next creative conquest.

Born in Queens, New York, Iris started shopping at 11. As a married woman, Iris and Carl founded Old World Weavers, jet-setting across continents in pursuit of exquisite fabrics. Their client list boasted names like Estée Lauder, Greta Garbo, and a who’s who of US presidents. Even Jackie Kennedy couldn’t resist their flair, enlisting their expertise for the White House’s aesthetic overhaul.

As she sauntered into her 90s, Iris became the muse for Kate Spade, collaborated with MAC Cosmetics, and launched her own line of everything fabulous on the Home Shopping Network. Despite rubbing shoulders with the fashion elite, Iris remained grounded, equally at home scouring flea markets for unique finds as she was in high-end boutiques.

When asked to encapsulate her philosophy on life, Iris simply said, “Only one trip.” Then, with a twinkle in her eye, she’d add, “Might as well live it up.”

Iris Apfel was more than just a style icon; she was a rare bird who taught us that fashion is about more than clothes—it’s about expressing who you are with unapologetic bravado. Her legacy is a vibrant tapestry of bold choices, fearless living, and a reminder to embrace every moment with passion and panache.

Solo Traveling: The Easy Way

Here is an interesting idea. Some people are intimidated by the idea of doing things alone, but others find it liberating. One of the least intimidating ways to travel by yourself is to do so on a cruise. This allows you to see interesting places and to have a built-in way to meet other people along the way and to have guided tours. Recently, USA Today categorized the best cruises for solo travel, and it’s worth taking a look at the list is this is something that has ever been of interest. Here’s a list of the top 10 cruise lines for solo travelers, highlighting their unique offerings:

  • No. 10: Seabourn Cruise Line
    • Offers small-ship intimacy facilitating easy interactions among passengers.
    • Dinner tables hosted by officers to include solo travelers.
    • Single supplement starts at 10%.
  • No. 9: Cunard
    • Features staterooms designed for solo cruisers, with ocean-view and interior options.
    • Organized activities and dining options cater to solo travelers.
  • No. 8: Norwegian Cruise Line
    • Pioneered studio cabins for solo travelers.
    • Exclusive access to Studio Lounge for socializing.
  • No. 7: Princess Cruises
    • Variety of onboard experiences suitable for solo travelers.
    • Offers singles-only parties and other inclusive activities.
  • No. 6: Holland America Line
    • Provides inclusive programming and solo staterooms on some ships.
    • No single supplement required for certain accommodations.
  • No. 5: Azamara
    • Intimate atmosphere with single supplements as low as 25%.
    • Inclusive of alcohol, gratuities, and special events.
  • No. 4: Viking Cruises
    • Offers promotions on single supplements and reduced airfare.
    • No assigned seating at meals encourages mingling.
  • No. 3: Crystal Cruises
    • Single guest rooms with ocean views and inclusive fares.
    • Amenities include butler service and free Wi-Fi.
  • No. 2: Carnival Cruise Line
    • Waives single supplements on a promotional basis.
    • A plethora of entertainment options for solo travelers.
  • No. 1: Grand Circle Cruise Line
    • Leader in solo travel with small-group shore excursions.
    • Offers free or low-cost single supplements and a roommate matching program.

Each of these cruise lines provides unique benefits for solo travelers, from reduced single supplements to social gatherings and activities designed to create a welcoming atmosphere for individuals exploring the world on their own. This is certainly a great way to get your feet wet (see what we did there?) as a solo traveler and to see if you enjoy it!

Adaptive Intimates…It’s About Time

While there is certainly room to applaud Victoria’s Secret with this news, we can also say it’s about time. Victoria’s Secret is collaborating with Runway of Dreams for an adaptive intimates collection. This initiative, highlighted in the “2024 State of Accessible Marketing” (SOAM) Report by dozanü innovations, represents a pioneering move in making fashion more inclusive.

The launch of the adaptive fashion line in collaboration with Runway of Dreams underscores a transformative period in the fashion world, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. Rachel Burton, Director of Operations and Strategy at dozanü innovations, praised the initiative for its innovative approach and the positive impact it has on redefining industry norms. The campaign is celebrated for its inclusivity, featuring models with disabilities and employing clear, accessible communication, which promotes fashion as a form of self-expression for everyone.

Victoria’s Secret’s venture into adaptive fashion, as documented in the 2024 SOAM Report, marks the beginning of what will, hopefully, be far more recognition of the many ways that women (and men) can be sexy. For decades Victoria’s Secret has only shown one type of women on the runway, and it is exciting to watch and to see if this new initiative opens up the runway for many more expressions of beauty.

Getting Ready for the Superbowl….Bathroom Breaks

As people around the country get ready for the upcoming Superbowl, they are speculating about who will win, about how much the tickets will go for, and about whether Taylor Swift will make it from Japan on time; not many people, however, are probably speculating about the….bathrooms.

But you can bet the venue has spent a lot of time and money thinking about, worrying about, and testing the bathrooms. With 65,000 fans coming to Allegiant Stadium, there are certainly a lot of worries about the facilities. Before the facility opened in 2020, they actually conducted what they call a “Super Flush”, where they flushed all 1430 toilets and urinals at the same time to make sure that the plumbing would work and hold.

If you think about it, while time is money, bathroom breaks are a lack of money. When you’re waiting in line to go to the bathroom, you are not buying food at the concessions and t-shirts at the various stalls – and the arena certainly wants you to spend your time on these activities. Bathrooms have become an art, and one that involves architects, arena managers and others. The more bathrooms there are, the closer they are to the users’ location, and the more clear they are about which are occupied and which are free, the faster people will be in and out.

As Julie Amacker, the director for CAA icon said in relations to the Super Flush they conducted years ago, “We don’t ever want there to be 60,000 or 70,000 people in the building and have the system fail. This is one of the last boxes to check that says we’re ready.”

Aiding Kids in Nairobi, Kenya One Bunk Bed at a Time


If you were a designer offered the opportunity to create furniture for a school in one of the poorest slums in the world, what would you design? It would need to be long-lasting, hearty and simple. Italian designer Giacomo Moor’s recent project in Nairobi, Kenya, illustrates his real-world answer to that question. Tasked with creating furniture for the Why Not Academy, a school in Mathare, one of Nairobi’s oldest slums, Moor collaborated with the Italian NGO LiveInSlums.

Moor’s design philosophy centered on “simplification.” The resulting modular bunk beds, benches, and tables are a testament to this approach. Constructed on-site from locally sourced wood, the furniture requires minimal tools — a chisel, a carpenter’s square, and a pencil. One of the best features of the design is that it includes interlocking joints, eliminating the need for metal fasteners and making the assembly process intuitive and accessible to the local community.

The project, named “Design for Communities,” involved locals in the furniture-making process, ensuring that changes were made on their terms. Kevin Ochieng, a local tile maker, was among those who helped build the prototypes.

While Moor’s designs were very practical, they are also quite lovely to enjoy. They feature clean lines and a padlock system for the joints, contributing to their visual appeal. His approach also considered the availability of materials like eucalyptus wood, ensuring sustainability and adaptability of the furniture for future needs.

After Moor’s return to Italy, Ochieng and others continued the work, maintaining communication with Moor via social media to ensure accuracy. This collaboration highlights the empowerment of local communities through inclusive design practices.

And the success of the program didn’t end with the school. Moor now sells both assembled and disassembled versions of this furniture in Europe, and a percentage of the profits are supporting the Nairobi school. His next venture with LiveInSlums will involve redesigning the school’s kitchen, following the same principle of simplicity and community involvement.

Sustainable and Beautiful Furniture of the Future

Most of us are more concerned with finding furniture that we enjoy (and finding the money to buy it!) than we are with finding sustainable furniture. But these efforts shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. One company, Krill Design, a forward-thinking Milan-based company, is proving that it’s possible to have it all. Founded in 2018 by three architects, Krill Design envisions a world where furniture doesn’t meet its end but rather undergoes a perpetual cycle of reuse and recycling and they have a groundbreaking biomaterial, Rekrill, to serve this vision.

The secret behind their eco-friendly furniture lies in the utilization of discarded fruit peel, orange seeds, and coffee ground waste – materials often relegated to landfills. This innovative approach not only minimizes waste but also produces a patented plastic-like biomaterial that Krill calls Rekrill.

The manufacturing process involves drying and crushing the food waste into a fine powder, which is then combined with a biodegradable plastic alternative known as polyhydroxybutyrat (PHB). The result is a versatile filament that, when fed into a 3D printer, offers an amazing range of stylish and functional products such as bookends, stools, clocks, bowls and more.

Krill Design’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the crafting of furniture. Through collaborations with renowned brands like Sanpellegrino and Four Seasons, and participation in initiatives like Co.ffee Era in Milan, Krill has demonstrated the versatility of Rekrill in creating wine coolers, trays, drink holders, and organizers.

Of course, at the moment, the major downside to Rekrill is its cost as compared to conventional plastics; obviously, the environmental benefits are undeniable, and the model for other companies and for Rekrill’s own designs, outstanding. For every kilogram of Rekrill utilized, one kilogram of carbon dioxide is offset, making it a compelling choice for those who prioritize eco-conscious living.

It will be interesting to see how the world opens up and changes as Rekrill continues to use environmental concerns, 3d printing and other options for furniture design. And to watch others follow suit.