Hi cuties—coming to you live from Sardinia (more on that below)! Before “August slips away like a moment in time” (because…it really does feel like it’s flying by, no?) I wanted to be sure I took a moment to share my monthly Five Faves with you!
I really love being able to take the opportunity monthly to get a little more personal with you all and just share what’s been bringing me joy and prompting new ideas, reflection, and inspiration. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I do sharing…and now…back to savoring these final weeks of summer. Cheers to you all doing the same, wherever you are in the world right now!
Kathy’s August Favorite #1: Sardinia
As I mentioned above, I am blessed to be spending some time in Sardinia right now for a little end-of-summer getaway with my children and some of our close family friends. Traveling with my kiddos is one of my very favorite things—regardless of where we go, it’s such a joy to see the world through their eyes and witness their minds expanding as they learn about new places and cultures.
But back to Sardinia itself: So far, it’s been so serene and restorative, and as a designer, it’s a wealth of inspiration. I’m sure I’ll share more later on when I’ve had a moment to sort through all of my photos and thoughts. An Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is known for its gorgeous beach (the shades of turquoise are unreal…my designer’s brain is on overdrive!), slower pace of life, and mysterious ancient rock formations in the shape of beehives.
Shop Sardinia-Inspired Must-Haves
Kathy’s August Favorite #2: Brunello Cucinelli
Speaking of drawing inspiration from Italian culture…anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with the Italian luxury brand Brunello Cucinelli. It’s not just about the beauty of the clothes—though, don’t get me wrong, that’s certainly part of the appeal—but what I really am in awe of with this brand is the commitment to making pieces that are truly special and made with a superior commitment to craftsmanship and a singular focus on quality, beuaty, and specialness.
This quote from Brunello Cucinelli really sums up why I admire his philosophy: ‘I’ve always believed that to do something special you have to focus on a single project that is your lifelong dream.'”
As a designer and businessperson, I find it so important to draw inspiration from many creative sectors—not just home and interiors—and the fashion world is a place where there are so many luminaries with much to teach us all about craft and artistry. Plus, you know I love a perfect cashmere dress for fall or a smart blazer. See below for a few pieces I have my eye on for this fall!
Shop Kathy’s Brunello Cucinelli Favorites for Fall
Kathy’s August Favorite #3: Fall Decor from Kathy Kuo Home
I can’t believe that fall really is around the corner (summer…don’t go!) but the silver lining is that making the switch to fall decor in my home (and on our KKH website) is honestly one of my favorite seasonal project year after year. Perhaps it’s because I’m a Scorpio but I have always felt very aligned with the energy of autumn.
Now, when I say that I love autumnal decor, please know (and maybe you already do know if you’ve been a Kuotes reader for a while) that I do not mean pumpkins everywhere! My kids make fun of me, but I am not-so-secretly pumpkin-averse, haha! So when I say I’m dreaming of fall decor, what I mean is chunky knit throw blankets, artfully fringed decorative pillows, spooky candleholders, and plenty of warm brown, slate grey, and ecru tones.
“See below for a few pieces from our KKH Fall Decor assortment that I’m loving and looking forward to adding to my own home this coming season!”
Shop Fall Decor Essentials from KKH
Kathy’s August Favorite #4: Le Labo Fragrances
I;ve said it many times here on the Kuotes, but I really do feel like investing in high-quality fragrance products—be they personal care products or home scent—is such a difference-maker when it comes to cultivating an atmosphere and aura of calm and contentment. There are so many artificial fragrance ingredients out there (and it’s a fairly under-regulated industry in general) so it’s important to do your research and choose scented products that are made with quality ingredients—which brings me to Le Labo!
Le Labo is a New York City-based perfumery lab that brings such a level of craft, devotion, and soul to their fragrances, In fact one of their core missions is around crafting “soulful fragrances.” I love their commitment to artistry and innovation in the fragrance space, and I really can’t get of their Santal and Rose scents.
Shop Kathy’s Le Labo Favorites
Kathy’s August Favorite #5: Bargaining for Advantage by G. Richard Shell
Finally, you know that I always like to end my Monthly Favorites list with a book recommendation! This month, it’s Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiating Strategies for Reasonable People by G. Richard Shell! Shell is the director Wharton Executive Negotiation Workshop and this book is his guide to the fine art of negotiation.
We all need to negotiate in life—be it in the boardroom at work, or with our kids when it’s bedtime and they want to stay up for another hour. This book has tangible strategies for improving your Negotiation I.Q. and is also full of fascinating stories of how different negotiating strategies have played out throughout history. Highly recommend!
