Take an inspired break - Ecuador.

I’ve been in Ecuador a week now and it’s been full days of meetings, choosing colors and designs, creative development and meeting new friends.

There are times when I walk along these streets, schlepping samples and fabrics etc. en route to my hostel, where my mind is so far in the future that I simply forget to appreciate where I am. It’s easy to do because of how quickly I tend to adapt to my surroundings. As soon as I have my navigation down my thoughts start going back to their own world, not the world I’m actually in.  I’ve learnt that the only place you are in the world, despite your physical presence, is wherever your mind is.

So, when my mind is scheming and organizing and mapping out too much in the future I stress and worry because I can’t actually experience the future. All of this while I’m walking the streets of this sweet rural town in Ecuador. I’m less than an hour away from the center of the world, with 3 mammoth volcanoes framing me.

My yoga practice has taught me to check in with my ‘self’ at various times during the day, much like a parent would a child (the mind is very much a child). I check in with the quality of my breathing, the sensations in my body and the quality of my thoughts. On one of these little ‘scans’ I realized where I was, and where I wasn’t and then I stopped, took a deep breath.

And then I realized that I hadn't stopped working since I'd landed. So, I decided to scrap working for the rest of the day and explore where I was.

I think good design comes from interpreting the world around us. The colors and shapes and dimension.  I say this a lot; but I am truly influenced by my environment. Which is why travel is is so integral to our design process. 

I  might have been working hard this trip but I can't wait to show you what has come out of it all; chunky knit wool scarves, cozy ponchos with tassels,  hand woven wool blankets with a modern look and a traditional south american twist. Infinity scarves that can also been worn as a hood. And so much more...but for now, enjoy the views.

Graffiti is common in South America, it's a form of communication and expression for teens in love and artists in angst.

The views of this Volcano in Otavalo never get old. It stands over this village like a patriarchal protector.

A dreamer? Oh, yes I am.

Half way up the mountain. This is her playground. The volcano stands in the background.

La Cosecha is a coffee shop owned by an American couple. It is perfectly situated by the market

There's a possibility she was coming back from the market having just bought this pig. Her walk back up the hill is not for the feint of heart.

These mannequins stand against walls all over this little town. It's a little creepy but something interesting about it to me.

Selling oranges

Otavalo market on a Saturday