Why I've Partnered With This Non-Profit

When I decided to start my own company, designing innovative, creative and sometimes quirky products, I knew I wanted a percentage of my profits to go to a non-profit. I have long believed in giving back, whether it’s volunteering during a tragic event (like Hurricane Sandy) or teaching English as a second language. (In fact, I volunteered as an hospital aide all through high school.) Whatever organization I chose, it would have to be in keeping with my sensibilities. And then I stumbled upon She’s The First and immediately knew that this was the non-profit I wanted to partner up with. I’m a former educator, having taught biology on all grade levels, from fifth grade to graduate school. And I’m also all about working with women, including mentoring seniors at Barnard College, where I graduated. All of this made She’s the First perfect because tey sponsor girls’ education (on the primary and secondary school level) in 11 low-income countries all around the world, including Nepal, Guatemala and Sierra Leone. But the girls are not simply given a stipend and sent on their way. Instead, they are supported and mentored the entire way so that they can become leaders within their communities. After all, it’s well known that having girls and women that are well educated not only positively impacts the economy of the country but it slows the spread of disease, reduces maternal mortality rates, results in women delaying marriage and childbirth, allows women to better resist domestic violence, and overall breaks the cycle of poverty. Yes, an educated female populace means a world transformed for the better. Are these enough reasons to understand why I partnered with She’s The First? Yes!

Ten percent of yearly net profits from the sale of my innovative micro travel bag, multi-pocket vest, quirky plush Angry JCreature dolly, and all my other products goes to She’s The First. It’s hard to find a more worthy cause. And check out some of the enthusiastic scholars below. 

She's the First Scholars Mariama Y. K. and Afisatu pose near their homes in Sierra Leone.
(photo by Kate Lord)

She's the First Scholar Ramatulai poses at her mother's home in Sierra Leone.
(photo by Kate Lord)

She's the First Scholars Haja B., Theressa, Hawanatu, and Mafereh play on the beach in Sierra Leone. (photo by Kate Lord)

She's the First Scholar Jelikatu C. poses in her classroom in Sierra Leone.
(photo by Kate Lord)

She's the First Scholar Haja C. participates in a girls' group meeting.
(photo by Kate Lord)

Yeanoh, a She's the First Scholar in Sierra Leone, walks home from school
. (photo by Kate Lord)

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Charm + Authenticity in Saint Lucia

A trip to Saint Lucia in the Caribbean seems almost synonymous with a stay at an all-inclusive (one of the all-too-many Sandals, for example) or one of several luxe resorts (such as Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet) that get over written about. I instead chose to take a budget-minded, authentic trip to the island looking for, what else, but hidden treasures.

Just beyond downtown Castries in the north, past the regional airport (George F.L. Charles), and up a steep hill, the Heritage House is a bed and breakfast radiating charm aplenty. A few of the rooms provide stellar harbor views from its hilltop perch. (These are the ones I highly recommend.) Befitting the property’s name, myriad traditional items pepper the interior of the reception area: a coal pot (stove) made of clay, a calabash bowl, a cup made from coconut shells, a clay smoking pipe.

The six rooms (though one is a double guest room suite) are named for local districts: I stayed in the petite Micoud room, a village on the east coast where Mamiku Gardens and Latille Falls are both located. Sure, it was small but it had two windows overlooking a bit of greenery, and I found it perfectly comfortable. It was decorated with more local cultural ephemera: framed photos of a fisherman repairing nets, and a woman dressed in traditional garb; a shelf holding a tiny replica of a handmade chair and the ubiquitous clay coal pot.

Yes, the inn is literally adjacent to the runway. And the airport is noisy during daylight hours, with helicopters and jets taxing, taking off and landing all day long. But I wasn’t disturbed by this, finding it just part of the island’s idiosyncrasies. Plus, the rooms are a bargain on an island where bargains are few. And the owner and staff were helpful and kind in every way, offering me plenty of restaurant tips, finding reliable taxi drivers, and providing other island suggestions which were invaluable.

Looking out to the runway (and the calm waters beyond) is a small pool looks with the two best rooms positioned beside it, each with a rocking chair set on a private patio. My favorite was the sunny Vieux-Fort with a soaring ceiling in the lounge/kitchen/dining space and a spacious bedroom.

A central public patio that’s partly covered is perfect for reading a book during the day and enjoying breakfast in the morning. Bamboo wind chimes painted with palms, and decorative wind sculptures (parrots and other birds carved from wood or coconut shells) dangle overhead. Other whimsical elements include brightly painted metal lizards and butterflies hung on the wall. In keeping with the cultural heritage theme, postcards depicting scenes of vintage Saint Lucia (the village of Soufriere in the south, downtown Castries, and Soufriere town) are on display on the patio.

Early in the morning, before 7am, the tranquility is palpable. Sailboats ply the turquoise waters as do a few motor boats. An immense cruise ship pulls into the dock in Castries, the buzzing capital.  Late in the day, across from the water, dark clouds sweep above La Morne, bringing lightning and thunder most nights.

Breakfast is a tasty affair with everything freshly made, including the most scrumptious homemade jams (ginger, pepper, tamarind and more). In fact, the ginger and pepper might very well be the most flavorful jams I’ve ever tasted. (And, after all, ginger jam isn’t all that common. I could do with some right now.) The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating across the board, including at breakfast where they easily adapted to dietary needs, for example, skipping anything fried and serving me egg white omelettes with fresh-squeeze passion fruit juice.

Another favorite morning hangout on the wee property is the swinging sofa surrounded by brightly bougainvillea and other colorful blooming flowers frequented by hummingbirds, and a view out to the harbor.

At the base of the property’s hill are the old military barracks converted to embassies and a lovely art gallery, Savory Made Art, selling local contemporary paintings. A five-minute walk down the road brought me to Vigie Beach where the turbulent surf tumbled and myriad local families were picnicking on a leisurely Sunday.

Every day I ran into a couple that loved jogging the length of the runway -- it’s a little over a mile -- continuing on to parallel Vigie Beach, stopping for a cold drink at the snack bar. Another route makes a big loop to the Vigie lighthouse and back.

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Less-Visited Treasures on the Island of Saint Lucia

Most who visit Saint Lucia end up in the southern part of this Caribbean island, visiting all the usual signature sights: mud baths, drive-in volcano, and the Pitons. Instead, I chose to stay in the north and the less visited eastern side of the island where there were a host of more under-the-radar treasures: quaint fishing villages with brightly painted facades and fishing nets draped beside the pier; low-key hiking trails that snaked through the rain forest; and stretches of beaches where mostly locals hung out with their families on weekends. This short YouTube video offers a window into my week on this sprawling, mountainous island.

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Video: Innovative Stylish + Savvy Vest for Women Travelers

I often travel the world alone, whether to far-flung lands or domestic destinations. Either way, I avoid being a target. I dress modestly, I don’t wear bling jewelry or anything gaudy and, most importantly, I don’t ever carry my vitals --  aka credit cards, passport, driver’s license, cash, cell phone, and so forth -- in a splashy designer bag. Nor do I opt for a fanny bag or other bag or pouch that labels me as a tourist. The idea is that I want something that has a minimalist silhouette and allows me to go from the boardroom to the wine bar.

That’s why I designed the Pocket Change Vest. It’s a stylish vest (it’s lined in satin) for the savvy woman. The 10 pockets -- 6 on the outside, 4 inside -- are so hidden, you’ll be the only one who knows where they are. This is a vest that’s both fashionable and practical, which is what I’m all about. No one will label you a geek when wearing the Pocket Change Vest. If you’re a financial analysis who has meetings all day in Madrid and then you want to get together with friends at night at a tapas bar, you can wear the Pocket Change Vest from day to night, whether with business attire or jeans.

In this three-minute YouTube video, awesome actor and writer India Choquette demonstrates how she uses the vest while waiting to meet a friend.

The Pocket Change Vest is Made in America. It sells for $175, and 10% of annual net profits go toward supporting the efforts of She's The First, a nonprofit that sponsors girls’ education in 11 low-income countries (including Nepal, Guatemala and Sierra Leone) with the goal of creating first-generation graduates and the next generation of global leaders. (After all, I’m a first-generation graduate of Barnard College, and a former educator.)

To find out how to get one of the few of the first-run of this limited edition Pocket Change Vest, contact me here. 

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The Hidden Side of Curacao

Curacao is a many-sided beauty. As I roamed about this island that's part of the Dutch Antilles, I found that the only way to make this discovery was to traverse Curacao's historic, creative and arid spaces.

Sure, most people flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the colonial town of Willemstad. But, instead of concentrating on Punda, the neatly laid-back historic neighborhood, I opted to take an architectural walking tour of Otrobanda, a pastel-hued, less affluent historic neighborhood.

My guide pointed out the lone black roof tiles among a sea of terracotta. Then I found out that it all dates to a 19th century governor who imported the more durable black, glazed tiles -- they carried a status cache -- from Holland for his mansion. Trying to emulate him, some citizens added black roof tiles to their homes, not glazing them, however, because of the added cost. The result: they're not as durable and they absorb even more heat.

Find out more about activities that will satisfy gourmands, art and architecture aficionados and nature buffs in my National Geographic Traveler - Intelligent Travel article.

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Innovative Stylish + Savvy Travel Vest for Women

As a veteran travel writer, I have long been a fan of hands-free touring, with no bag whatsoever. What that usually means is wearing a multi-pocket vest that makes me feel like a fly fishermen, or a geeky tourist. Either way, I hardly feel ready for the runway.

That’s why I designed the Pocket Change Vest, a stylish, practical and handy garment that can take you from day to night, from the boardroom to the wine bar. With 10 hidden pockets -- 6 outside and 4 inside -- you don’t need to worry about toting along a bag of any sort, and you’ll look great too.

My inspiration for the Pocket Change Vest (and another product of mine, the atta-Bag) came from being robbed of my valuables in broad daylight in a capital city a few years ago. The thieves were able to unzip my tiny backpack, removing my credit cards, passport, cash, plane ticket and much more, leave the non-vitals behind, and re-zip it without me noticing anything.

The Pocket Change Vest fits in with my minimalism design aesthetic. It’s for the woman who wants to be safe and savvy when she’s traveling -- whether at home or in far flung lands -- without having to sacrifice stylishness.

The Pocket Change Vest is Made in America.
It sells for $175, and 10% of annual net profits go toward supporting the efforts of She's The First, a non-profit that sponsors girls’ education in 11 low-income countries (including Nepal, Guatemala and Sierra Leone) with the goal of creating first-generation graduates and the next generation of global leaders. (After all, I’m a first-generation graduate of Barnard College, and a former educator.) I couldn't be happier to partner with this inspiring organization that has made it their mission to increase the number of female graduates around the world.

This is a sneak peak of the vest. (That's awesome actor and writer India Choquette.) If you'd like to be one of the first to order the Pocket Change Vest or you'd like to find out how to get your hands on one of the few of this limited supply item, contact me here. 

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Stylish Cold Weather Jacket

I own at least a dozen fleece vests and jackets and they hardly make a fashion statement. In frigid weather, I ordinarily wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing any of ‘em to a networking meeting in New York City. But in Manhattan, where the temperatures have plummeted,  I’ve been wearing a stylish plum-hued fleece jacket when attending a variety of networking events in the film and entertainment industry. I paired my Sweetwater Fleece Jacket manufactured by Stio -- a Jackson Hole, Wyoming company that I’ve blogged about recently  -- with a variety of different Merino wool sweater dresses. Not only was I toasty warm when I stepped outside, but once I was inside, numerous women approached me to comment on my jacket: they loved the vibrant color and the feminine silhouette. As we chatted about indie films, female protagonists and directors, and getting comedy scripts produced, at least half a dozen people wanted to know who produced this stylish but functional piece of clothing. And, once I told them it was Made in America, they seriously intended to check out Stio’s website. 

Fashion aside, this jacket performed perfectly when I went cross country skiing, keeping me warm without overheating. And the high collar kept out brisk winds when I zipped downhill. 

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New Poké Restaurant in New York City

Standing on the corner of Third Avenue and 38th street -- a part of New York City I could call my virtual home -- I stared at a curb sign declaring “Sons of Thunder” with an arrow pointing east on 38th. It was barely 9 am and I hesitated following the arrow, wondering if this was some after hours club that forgot to take down their sign. (I hadn’t bothered to read the rest of the sign: poké.)

For those not in the know, poké is the ubiquitous Hawaiian thickly sliced, raw fish side dish that’s typically served atop rice with a soy-based or other sauces. It can be found anywhere and everywhere on the Hawaiian islands, from convenience stores to gas station markets.

That morning, I ended up circling the neighborhood, doing errands, and, intrigued by the curb sign, made my way back to 38th Street where I met John and his brother James, the delightful owners of Sons of Thunder, a name referring to a childhood nickname for the brothers.

James told me, “The idea for the restaurant was for it to be like a Hawaiian beach shack serving burgers, and chili dogs; poké would be a special." (The Hawaiian theme is a result of their grandparents emigrateing from South Korea to the U.S. via Honolulu; much later the family moved to San Diego.) But because of an unforeseen problem with the gas lines, Con Ed couldn’t turn on the gas for awhile. That meant no grilled chicken, burgers or fries. So it became poké all the way. “It was a blessing. If we had had the gas, we would never have explore it,” said James.

Yes, the menu is limited for now, but it’s a yummy one. (You can choose from among salmon, ahi tuna, steamed octopus or tofu.) My favorite dish is the salmon tostada made with chopped sashimi grade fish, baby greens, avocado and chili dust served on a warm corn tostada  that’s drizzled with baja salsa. Another dish -- it’s not on the menu -- is a bowl of brown rice and house-made beef chili paired with edamame, diced tomatoes, warm cheddar cheese sauce, onions and avocado slices. (If you're really hungry or if you stop by with a friend, order both.)

The brothers are very much attracted to a green ethic. Their ice cream is organic and locally sourced. The salmon is shipped in from the Faroe Islands -- yes, you heard right, all the way from the pristine Faroe Islands [you gotta love these guys] -- where the fish is farmed sustainably in its natural habitat using no chemicals. They have one white and one red wine on tap -- I prefer the bright, red berry notes of the red -- from the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Meat eaters clamor for the chili cheese dog -- you can ask for fresh jalapeno for an added kick; or the banh mi dog served with mayonnaise, cilantro and jalapeno.

I prefer eating in since light streams into this sparsely furnished, informal space, thanks to an immense skylight in the rear dining room.

If you’re in Midtown East -- or even if you’re not -- this is a restaurant worth checking out. Even without the grilled items, you’ll delight in the fresh food, the creative preparation and the hospitality of the staff.

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A Unique New York City Souvenir

How ordinary: a simple wooden cube.  At least that’s how it appears at first. But pull it apart into two pieces, lay these side by side and you’ll be facing the New York City skyline, complete with four of the city’s iconic buildings: Empire State, Chrysler, Flatiron and the newest, the Freedom Tower aka Tower One World Trade Center. And, when it’s back in its cube form, rotate it to view the two empty slots, representing the missing footprints of the Twin Towers.

Referred to as the New York Cube, this hand crafted work of art is the brainchild of Aid Rifatbegovic, an artist in Bosnia who’s noted for his sculpted wood objects. The cube is constructed of different types of recycled hardwoods and softwoods, such as oak, cherry, ash and various conifers. The woods vary from cube to cube; each piece is unique. And this medley of woods beautifully reflects the diversity of New York City. This New York City souvenir is so unique, even native New Yorkers -- like me -- find them appealing.

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