Issue No. 1
Welcome to the The Flairhunter Edit, where I share all the flair on my radar each month. If you love what you see, share the flair with a friend!
Hello!
Welcome to the first edition of The Flairhunter Edit, my monthly newsletter featuring all kinds of Feel Good Flair.
Yes, I'm a designer, but just like everyone, I'm also much more. I’m curious and passionate about SO many things - fashion, cooking, traveling, cocktail making, reading...so this is where I'll be sharing all the things that make my heart sing. A treasured city, a design hack, a cocktail recipe, or a wellness trend I'm currently exploring. A song being listened to on repeat or a podcast episode I can’t stop referencing. Favorite fashion finds, and current design directions will also make an appearance.
The longer I live, the more I’m called to throw out what I should like, do, believe, or wear. And instead, lean into the things that truly bring me joy. In the months ahead, I will cast a wide net to help inspire everyone to cultivate their own personal flair factor. To help discover and embrace the drum you beat to that makes you uniquely, unapologetically YOU. My goal is to foster a community here on Substack that listens to what others think and also encourages sharing what excites them.
Thanks for following along, and if you have any content suggestions, I would love to hear them. But, before I let you move on to read the issue, I have one question. What's one thing you would do if you chose to let go of the fear of being judged and decided to move out of your safe, expected lane? To make it easier for you, I’ll give my answer first. I would start a Substack Newsletter. ;)
Now, let's go find some flair!
Steph
Design Tip of the Month
Looking for a way to create more light or ambiance in a space when there’s no outlet nearby? Here is a super easy design hack - this cordless battery-operated lightbulb! This solution is available on Amazon for $30, but the effortless aesthetic is priceless.
Design Product of the Month
Still on the subject of lighting...light up your life and add flair to your space with pendants. I’m fixated on the aesthetic of one great big light-colored orb floating above a furniture arrangement or dining table. It checks all the boxes for me - statement-making, clean, fun, and interesting!
Docos - Akari A Series Pendant Lamp
An iconic Noguchi Japanese design made of paper and wire brings a unique combo of contemporary handcraft and mid-century modernist flair to a space. And, this style is available at so many price points!
Cuff Studio - Rope Wrapped Single Globe Pendant
This pendant light is inspired by Noguchi’s paper lanterns but is entirely rope-wrapped by hand. Outstanding craftsmanship that can be used in multiples.
Travel: Flair in the Air
PARIS, FRANCE
Where I stayed
Back in January, I headed to Paris for my annual Design Week Trip. We stayed in the most amazing apartment on Boulevard Du Montparnasse in the 6th arrondissement via Paris For Rent. Centrally located for all of our design-related events, views of Paris city life from the living room window, and all within walking distance to cafes, boutiques, and the hair salon…Unparalleled!
If you prefer the full service of a hotel, I’ve got you covered there, too. See my list of top recs below and click on the links for more info.
Hotel Montalembert- this quiet, chic boutique hotel is in a great location on the Left Bank. It stands out for its discreet luxury, intimate atmosphere, and contemporary design. It’s also just a stone's throw from the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.
Saint James Paris- part chateau, part family estate, this historic hotel is in the heart of Paris’ exclusive 16th district. Its serene and luxurious ambiance is fancy and delightful!
Plaza Athenee- this iconic hotel is worth putting on your bucket list! It’s like entering a beautiful home, offering the very best of Paris to guests. Chic, vibrant, and on a beautiful tree-lined boulevard that’s home to some of the world’s most luxurious fashion brands.
La Réserve- less known, but incredibly special, this hotel is described as extremely intimate and private, an “insider's address" tucked away but hiding in plain sight, close to the famed Champs-Elysées. Their signature restaurant is run by a two-Michelin-starred chef, Jérôme Banctel.
Where I Ate
Pink Mamma is like an authentic five o’clock tea with an Italian twist. It’s a big, lively, upbeat trattoria and one of the prettiest Instagram-worthy restaurants; an eclectic wonderland of whimsical, flair-filled decor!
Petit Victor Hugo - many go here for the incredible seafood, but really, for me, it’s about the fearless use of colorful tile, furniture profiles, and lighting. It’s a deliciously visual feast (literally and figuratively) of fun and flair! And, it’s near-walking distance from Place Trocadero, aka the best photo spot in the entire city for a selfie with the Eiffel Tower.
What I Did
Photo by Dewang Gupta on Unsplash
Merci is the cutest shop in the Marais, the 4th arrondissement. THIS. SHOP. IS. SO. MUCH. FUN! They have everything from vintage clothing and jewelry, gifts, pop art, homewares, clever merchandising, and brands you won't see everywhere. The best part for me is that it's slightly tucked back off the street, with a tiny, red vintage Fiat (or maybe it’s a Citroen…) parked out front that beckons like it’s a cherry Jelly Belly.
Paris Flea Markets- have my heart, and I explore as many as I can each time I visit. I’ve found so many beautiful antiques, vintage furniture, accessories, and lighting over the years for clients and personal purchases. Paul Bert Serpette is one of my favorites and not to be missed. Also, on my must visit list is Marché Dauphine.
Moynat Founded by Pauline Moynat, like Louis Vuitton and Goyard, Moynat started as a 19th-century French trunk maker. And, fun fact, she is the first and only woman to bring feminine flair to the male-dominated world of luxury trunk making. Moynat may be a lesser-known design house, but it is currently having a moment and is worth a visit!
Currently Wearing
Since I spend so much time in the sky, I need to have a travel uniform I can wear on repeat. Stylish pieces that keep me comfortable in flight and also make it easy to head straight to meetings as soon as I hit the ground.
Check out my favorite fashion essentials for travel. I like to add a scarf to complete my look since I’m always cold on a plane, and it’s perfect to swap out and wear as a wrap once I’m on the ground. Click the links below to shop the look!
Flair for Wellness
What I’m loving this month…
Sakara Beauty Water Drops - these give me even more of a reason to drink my water! They add a subtle flair to my plain, ordinary H2O and boost my cellular hydration with trace minerals.
Culture & Media
What I’m Listening To
I took a lot away from this Huberman AMA episode on task switching and brain fog. Andrew has so much fantastic knowledge to share, but I don’t always have a long block of time available to listen. That’s why I love his AMAs because they are typically shorter. This one is around 34 minutes versus his long forms, which can sometimes be 2-3 hours. He’s got some great tips in this episode, and I’m hoping practice makes perfect!
Five O’Clock Flair
Grab your shaker! Watermelon cocktails are easy to make and so refreshing as the spring temperatures start warming up. The original recipe calls for vodka, but I have also made this with gin and tequila. Or, if a mocktail is more up your alley, remove the alcohol and substitute some sparkling water.
Watermelon
Mint
Clear Spirit
Cointreau
Lime juice
Simple Syrup(optional)
½ cup chopped watermelon (or ¼ cup watermelon juice)
2 large mint leaves
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka
½ ounce (1 tablespoon) Cointreau
½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lime juice
1 teaspoon simple syrup
Garnish with a mint leaf or watermelon wedge
Chop the watermelon and add it to a cocktail shaker with the mint. Muddle together or just muddle the mint if you are using watermelon juice. Add a clear alcohol of choice, Cointreau, lime juice, and optional simple syrup to the shaker. Add ice. Shake, strain, and serve straight up or on the rocks.
Cheers!
So excited! Eagerly waiting to hear about all your flair finds!
Love this, Steph! Well done. Substack is the place to be. Can’t wait for second issue ❤️