Take Note with Rachel Schwartzmann
Rachel Schwartzmann likes to move slowly, but that wasn’t always the case. After experiencing career burnout, Schwartzmann recalibrated her relationship with pace and launched Slow Stories—a podcast that explores slowing down in our digital world.
Take Note with Jessica Manning
For this installment, of Sundays With we’re joined by Ana Jaren. Her images delight our senses, and make us smile upon first glance. We immediately got lost in all of the fun details when we first saw her work, and knew it would make a beautiful puzzle. Read on to see how Ana spends her Sundays.
For our next installment of our Sunday series, we’re joined by Carla Llanos, the artist behind our 500 piece puzzle, Hanging Out. We were drawn to this scene of friendship as soon as we saw it, with its calming colors and cozy vibes. Read on to see how she spends her Sundays resetting for the week.
When we first stumbled upon The Qi, we couldn’t help but wonder what these beautiful flowers would taste like when made into tea. We were delighted by their delicacy, and they quickly became something we made for ourselves in order to slow down and enjoy as an afternoon treat – a perfect companion to puzzle time. This fruity recipe using their tea is perfect now that the summer months are upon us.
Habits at Home and Abroad: In Conversation with Francesca Giacco, Author of Six Days in Rome
Francesca Giacco's debut novel, Six Days in Rome, chronicles a woman at a crossroads. The book follows an artist named Emilia, whose arrival in Rome ultimately leads her on a journey far beyond the confines of the city. As she navigates heartbreak (new and old), readers join Emilia during ordinary moments that often serve as a backdrop to private ruminations about art, family, memory, love, and identity. This is particularly resonant in Emilia's encounters with John, an American expat she meets one day near Trastevere.
Ordinary Interiors: Puzzles for Your Place
What details make a space your home? Is it the familiar texture of fresh linen on your bed? How about the array of magnets, family recipes, and old photos pinned on your refrigerator? Perhaps it's the feeling of calm after lighting your favorite candle? At Ordinary Habit, we believe design can be a vehicle to help you reset and reconnect with the people and places that matter most. Since day one, our team has championed products that inspire everyday play—and are always ready for display.
Echo and Ali met a lifetime ago when they were living in London, and from there their friendship blossomed. Fast forward to ten years later – Ali Schmidt, and her co-founder Greta Caruso, have started Zuzu – an incredible sparkling cocktail brand that is so good you won’t be able to keep them stocked in your fridge. They’re fresh, they’re delicious, and they won’t leave you with a hangover. Read on for one of their favorite spring snacks.
Family Bonds and Habits: In Conversation with Fanny Singer, Author of Always Home
Haunts and Habits: Reflections on I Came All This Way To Meet You by Jami Attenberg
When we first discovered Asahi’s work, we were immediately filled with a sense of childlike curiosity, tracing the patterns and seeing the pictures come together piece by piece. Almost like puzzles themselves, we knew her artwork would be the perfect fit for Ordinary Habit, and Himawari has quickly become a favorite. We caught up with Asahi to see how she spends her Sundays.
The Extraordinary Women of Ordinary Habit
With the arrival of Women's History Month, we can't help but think about the individuals who've brought our vision for everyday play to life, namely our artist partners. "It's been one of the most rewarding parts of starting this business," Echo reflected. "Getting to know the people behind the artwork and learning more about their processes has been amazing."
In honor of International Women's Day, we're celebrating a handful of extraordinary women who've left an indelible mark on our brand—and sharing more about the women who inspire their creative practice. Read on for anecdotes, memories, and musings from our global artist community.
In(habit)ing the World: In Conversation with Cara Blue Adams
In You Never Get It Back, Cara Blue Adams crafts a captivating portrait of life in motion. Across thirteen linked stories, readers get to know Kate Bishop while she grapples with early adulthood. From earthen landscapes to seaside towns, Adams renders vivid backdrops as Kate navigates more complicated, emotional terrains: family tumult, career changes, relationships with partners, friends—herself.
Getting To Know Artist Ojima Abalaka
Puzzles We Love—for the People You Love
Here are a few things we love: A light dusting of snow on the window pane. The hiss of the radiator alerting us of a change in season. The faint itch that comes after wearing our favorite wool sweaters for too long. The first sip of hot coffee in the morning. The rhythmic beating of our hearts in our chests. The way it intensifies when we care for our others—when we care for ourselves.
Rest, Remembrance, and Rereading: Reflections on Wintering by Katherine May
We’re huge fans of shrubs at Ordinary Habit, so when we came across Purely we knew we’d be hooked. Purely makes infused apple cider vinegar in a variety of flavors – the perfect thing as we gently reset our diets in the new year.
Human Habits and Possibilities: Reflections on Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
A Holiday Cookie Recipe from Echo + Tre
Baking is big in our household, and this time of year the cookie making never seems to stop. We wanted to share one of our favorite recipes with you – one that Echo’s been making since she was a teenager. We hope you find these as delicious as we do!
We first stumbled upon Lida’s work in Magnolia Journal, and immediately fell in love. There was whimsy within the work, but in a quiet way. With muted tones, and luscious scenes, we thought it would be the perfect fit for a puzzle. Based in Orvieto, Italy we caught up with Lida to see how she spends her Sundays.
Game Night with Ordinary Habit
Do you hear that? It's the faint sound of children laughing, the chime of champagne flutes mid-toast, the rustle of wrapping paper coming undone. It's easy to let these ordinary moments pass us by. But if we slow down and listen closely, they can ignite the senses—and inspire a feeling of nostalgia—especially during the holidays.
There’s a million reasons to love following along with Natasha Feldman – she’s hilarious for starters, but more importantly her...
A Thanksgiving Cocktail from our friends at Esme
If there was an Ordinary Habit restaurant headquarters, it would be Esme, in Brooklyn. Dear friends, and ever supplying our french fry and cocktail cravings, they’ve fueled many brainstorm sessions ever since we started. We hope you enjoy this cocktail as much as we do, and if you’re ever in Brooklyn, make sure to stop by!
On the menu since day one, the Zelda Fitzgerald is a riff on a classic cocktail that combines rosemary honey and citrus with the botanicals of your favorite gin into a holiday (and year round) classic.