C+C Lifestyles by Design Interview

I find that some things cannot be taught in school. Inspiration, being one of them. You can learn different skills/tools and the history that have inspired others – but your own inspiration is usually mesh between your reality and fantasy with a healthy dose of experience.

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with Chrissy, a Vancouver Interior designer and Cory (and their cute poodle Buttons) from C+C Lifestyles by Design to understand their inspiration behind their beautiful timepiece collection.

1) Why did you launch a luxury timepiece collection?

It all began while watch shopping; Cory and I were in the market for a new timepiece. I was sick of seeing everyone sporting the same Michael Kors watch that I had and I didn’t want another mainstream piece. I wanted something that was higher quality and stylish with a vintage appeal. Everything that I fell in love with was well past the 5K mark and I didn’t want to buy something just for name brand sake. Our date night conversations turned into watch design conversations and so we decided to take the budget that we planned on spending on a watch and put it towards designing our very own line.

2) What was your inspiration for the C+C logo?

Cory and I wanted to create a brand that really resonated with our values. We love the finer things, not the pretentious things; we wanted beautiful design, high quality with equally high ethics. C+C seemed fitting as it represents our love story in both romance and business. The name C+C was named after us… Chrissy and Cory. We wanted to create something that was meaningful, elegant, sophisticated and slightly whimsical. The crown represents a dream to build our own legacy and the two birds represent our love story. Our first collection, the Meraki series truly embodies our brand, as Meraki by definition is to create something with creativity and love, to put the essence of yourself into your work. That’s where Lifestyle By Design comes in.

3) Dream collaborations in the future?

For us, our collaborative ambitions are geared towards concepts rather than individuals. I think it’s so important to align oneself with others who share the same values. We are all about building something of integrity and beauty. To us Luxury is measured by time, taste and ethics and so we are looking to see C+C in circles where people echo the same values. There are a lot of amazing artists and designers out there that we would love to one day have the opportunity to work along side with but for now we are having fun just dreaming up and developing our next beautiful design.

To purchase your own timepiece, visit C+C Lifestyles by Design. A % of proceeds from each watch sold goes to the Paws for Hope Animal Foundation.

Be sure to follow C+C Lifestyles by Design on Instagram: @CCLifestyles as well as Chrissy’s design adventures, also on Instagram: @ChrissyCoDesign

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Heck Yeah Party Shop

What does 200 felt hearts from Etsy have to do with The Love List?  You’ll soon find out in Dec! For now, check out this interview I did with Lynsey, the owner of the fabulous Heck Yeah Party Shop where you can get everything from cake toppers to balloons. I really love Etsy for bringing artisans together; it’s like visiting a craft fair whenever you want.

Here is 5 minutes/5 questions with the friendly, crafty and sweet Lynsey Stewart:

1) How long have you lived in Toronto?

I was born and raised in Toronto, leaving only for short periods to attend University in Halifax and then a little later in life when I moved just outside of Whistler in BC. I loved both locations but, for me, Toronto is home. And where my family and friends are!

2) When did you decide to start up your Etsy party shop?

I’ve always been a creative and independent person. I began a career as an Event Coordinator to fulfill my creative side but found it was missing something. I started curating and creating my own products, inspired by items I felt were missing from the market place. Etsy was the perfect location to start my online shop as fees for sellers are minimal and the marketplace concept makes it incredibly easy for customers to find the items they are looking for.

3) What has been your most unique custom order/ custom request?

I was recently asked to assist a fellow Event Coordinator in New York State. She was planning a big Halloween bash for children whose parent(s) were incarcerated. In the past I have felt conflicted over my career path, often thinking what I do is frivolous, but having the opportunity to donate items that may have brought a little joy to children who truly deserve it, was an amazing opportunity.

4) What is your advice for new artists on how to make a successful online shop?

Diversify the products you offer but don’t loose track of your overall goal. It’s natural to adjust from your initial business plan or grow your business with new and different products but it’s really easy to get caught up in it. Ending up with items that may not make sense in the same store can affect your business and confuse your shoppers, especially in an Etsy shop where all of your items are listed together in a basic store layout.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)?

The top three things I look for in a mate are sense of humor and adventure, a caring nature, and patience.

ELENA:)

Old Joy Gift Box Review

I travel a fair bit and when I meet someone new they always ask me, “What’s Vancouver like anyway?” I never struggle in saying it’s calm and clean. I mention the trees, the mountains, the ocean and the rain. All things environmental.  Now, thanks to Old Joy Gift Boxes – I have an answer that captures both the atmosphere and the flavor of Vancouver.

Melissa Mills has taken the best of the best of Vancouver artisans (Woodlot, Vancouver Olive Oil Company, Lissu Linen and Minimocs to name just a few!) and thoughtfully curated her gift boxes with an accent of an old joy – a vintage item that ties whole box together. She painstakingly handpicks her products to align with the interest of the recipient (like a cool vintage camera for my friends at Flytographer).

Melissa has a keen eye for aesthetic and design and don’t even get me started on the ribbon she uses! I lust after this classic black and white grosgrain ribbon that I feel Coco Chanel would use in the early days making her hats (Note to Melissa: Find more of that ribbon!).

The boxes themselves are made out of reclaimed wood and lined with an OLFCO flower arrangement (dried flowers in shipped boxes) which make the boxes very west coast.

After ordering a number of boxes, I began to realize that the real secret behind the boxes – is actually Melissa herself.  Mother of a beautiful girl, she is always with a smile and a sunny disposition. Melissa is the true definition of joy and the passion she has for her craft radiates like the sun in every box she delivers – much like a glorious day in city of Vancouver.

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Max Schiano

Instagram is great for discovering talents. Max Schiano is no exception. I’ve been following his IG feed (NewYorkCityVibe) for a while and so it was only a matter of time that I actually got to work with him in NYC. Can’t wait to share what’s in store with everyone. Here is 5 minutes/5 questions with director/editor extraordinaire Max Schiano:

1) How long have you lived in New York?

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I’ve lived in Manhattan for 7 years now.

2) Where is your favorite location to shoot in NY?

My favorite location to shoot in NYC is probably the east village/lower east side area. So many characters and interesting nooks and crannies. Also, it’s still feels like classic New York there with so many different walks of life.

3) If your life was a movie, what would it be and why?

If life was a movie it would definitely be a comedy, the most things that we remember in life is when we’re smiling or laughing!

4) What is your advice for new directors on how to make connections in the industry?

My advice for new directors in the industry is to open to all kinds of work. Most of the time you are so set on what you want to do but you never know that things outside that circle might be more enriching to your career and your happiness. Also, learning to say no and be selective as you begin to get more success- it’s always important to understand how much of an asset you are!

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)?

My top 3 characteristics in my love list are pretty simple. Number 1 has to have strong family values. I’m very close with my family and this is very important to me. Number 2 I look for someone who will essentially also be my best friend. It’s so important to have a lot of fun hanging out and have that bond beyond love/sex. Number 3 is a voice. I look for someone that has a strong personality and speaks up about what they believe. I think a women that is tough and independent while also appreciating a shared life is very attractive and my perfect mental partner. I like to share and it’s a turn off to be in a relationship where one of the people is always first, especially myself.

Don’t forget to follow Max on Instagram and Twitter with the handle NewYorkCityVibe!

ELENA:)

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