Nothing really new about the fact that you can customize L.L. Bean's iconic canvas tote bags in any way you want, but I still get a kick out of it. So many opportunities for humor not taking monograms so seriously. Here are a few I'm mulling over before spring. Very important things to think about over the weekend.
We don't usually single out one single item when it comes to apothecary goods or beauty items because we're all so different and products effect people differently, and I never thought I'd have such a positive feeling toward a body lotion, but after discovering Boulder, CO.-based Mountain Ocean Coconut Moisturizer ($15) at Individual Medley, I decided this is my lotion for the rest of my days. Done. I'm half way through my first bottle and about to order another one because I don't want to be without my beloved Skin Trip ever (this may be an unhealthy attachment, but I don't care). It's light and not greasy, smells great but isn't perfume-y, and is ideal after sun, ski, surf, shower, shave, you name it. Check out more about the 41-year-old Colorado company here.
Our good friends at Westerlind have officially opened up their second location. Last year they landed in Nolita (31 Spring Street, NYC) and now they're in one of their natural habitats, the snow covered mountains of Utah. With an edited mix of vintage ski apparel and lesser-known international labels they are known to champion, the Westerlind mountain shop at Powder Mountain is making me want to book a ticket to SLC immediately. That's tomboy hero Alyssa Larson above (and below) modeling some of the Westerlind wares, most of which are available online as well, in case you won't be hitting the Rockies for some spring skiing anytime soon. 
Meet the Tombag. No this is not a collaboration, and it has nothing to do with the word tomboy whatsoever. The Tombag ($115-$208) is a British-made, military-inspired, all-purpose bag designed by Stephen Caine who went by the nickname of Tom during his time serving his country. Inspired by an old military kitbag belonging to his grandfather, Caine got to work refining the design and creating something for everyday use, but still making sure the bags (which come in three sizes) were stylish, heavy-duty, and functional. The smallest size is a great day bag or handbag, the medium works for overnights or as a gym bag, and the largest size is designed to IATA (International Air Transport Association) specifications for carry-on luggage. I love all the different materials and colors, from the waterproof waxed canvas to dressy tweeds, to the Liberty of London prints and that old-school T-bar closure on every bag. Tombags are made in the U.K., check them all out here. [Thank you, Kerstin]
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A few summers ago when we Q&A'd pro-surfer and total tomboy-mermaid Kassia Meador she told me a few ideas she had to create her own wetsuit line. Cut to today—Kassia just put out her first collection (pre-orders for April 1st shipping available) of her own label based solely around the idea of superior quality and style when it comes to women's wetsuits.While most of us still may be months out from surf season, I think these tie-dyed beauties are an inspiration to get in the water as soon as possible. Check it out all out: Kassia + Surf. 
Since their launch in December of 2012, Portland, OR.-based Kiriko became an instant favorite. Helmed by Dawn Yanagihara, a fifth generation Japanese-American, Kiriko quickly made a name for itself by importing Japanese textiles, most notably their vintage (up to 100 years old) boro fabric, and creating accessories that melt tradition with modernity. Just recently they launched a new Japanese denim line for men and women. Like all their scarves, ties, pocket squares, pillows, belts and other accessories, Kiriko denim is all about quality and craftsmanship. The denim is 100% cotton 13-ounce selvedge made in Fukuyama City, Japan and Dawn believes it will truly last a lifetime. What I love is how the denim is cuffed with Japanese textiles (two options of patterns) for a great rolled look. Kiriko Denim ($185) is unisex, check their measurement guidelines for sizing and more info. I love it. 
Hey guys, there were a few kinks launching the Big Cartel site for the Tomboy Style x FairEnds hats ($48). It's all up and running now—gears are turning and orders are coming in. Due to the inconvenience, we're offering free shipping, please enter code BLOGFRIEND to get the discount! More info on the hats from yesterday's post in case you missed it. Have a great weekend! 
As we gear up for the spring launch of The Reed Shop (Instagram: @the_reed_shop), here's one last old-fashioned blog collab! FairEnds has created a rainbow of TOM and BOY hats, with letters applied by hand to their famous hats in the mountains of Montana. I love how fun and funny these hats are. I have a very limited supply available for purchase right here ($48). Each color-way is named after a county in the state of Montana and all FairEnds hats are made in the USA. The big question is TOM or BOY? Check them all out here! 
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As we all write less and less with pen and paper every day, counterintuitively it seems there is an abundance of independent stationers creating fantastic letterpress and paper goods. Some favorites include Terrapin out of New York, N'East Paper out of Burlington, Vermont, and my latest discovery, Brown Ink out of Minneapolis. Perhaps it's the lack of ink on paper in our modern lives that makes us crave the power of handwriting and receiving a piece of mail in the post, but there's not much that beats a mailed letter or post card. Brown Ink uses vintage print blocks for typesetting and has a nice line up of classic designs. They retail several designers, but here are a few of my favorites from their collection below. 
We're all looking forward to Spring, and nothing makes me more daydreamy about blooms and the sugary sweet scent in the air than a chic straw hat. New York City's Brookes Boswell just totally nailed it with their Spring & Summer 2015 collection for men and women. Panama straw...come to me. Check out the entire collection here. 
There are few iconic women that I can think of that were seemingly as passionate, artful, stylish, visionary, and bold as perhaps Josephine Baker was. The more I look in to her biography, the more it boggles the mind how much she accomplished and how steadfast she was about her values. Born into poverty in St. Louis, Baker became a child performer and eventually a domestic servant by age eight. After suffering abuse by her employer, including her hands being burnt after she put too much soap in the laundry, Baker lived on the streets in the slums of St. Louis until her street-corner dancing was discovered and she was recruited to be part of a local vaudeville act. Her talent took her to New York be a cabaret dancer where her star continued to rise. In 1934 she was recognized as the first black woman to star in a major film, Zou-Zou. Ernest Hemingway called her, "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw." Here she is dancing the Charleston in 1925 to get an idea.
During World War II, Baker was recruited by French Military Intelligence and worked as a honorable correspondent who collected information she could about German troop locations from officials she met at parties that she would be write in invisible ink on her sheet music! She was adamant about not performing in countries that didn't support Free France or remained neutral, even if it meant giving up major billings.
There are plenty of photos of Jopsephine Baker in full glamour and gowns, draped in furs and diamonds, so when I discovered these images of her tomboy side—riding horses, showing sports cars, attending Concours d'Elegance, or spying on Nazis during World War II, I was bowled over. There's just so much more to Baker, so much more than I have the capacity to relay here, but she more than squarely fits in the hall of the Tomboy Style icons. 
Thank you, Ellie.
Photos of Fairfield County residents by Nina Leen for LIFE, 1949.
