November Is For Navy

Because Blair just can’t control herself, today you’re all going to get another mini history lesson. You might remember having to sit through the background of chambray a while ago- haha, just kidding we don’t expect you to remember 2014!- but today we’re all about navy. It’s riveting stuff, the history of colors and textiles.

To cut to the chase, navy is an essential (if you ask us) tone of blue when it comes to anything and everything nautically inspired. We would argue that for anybody, brand, or product line, to call themselves truly nautically inspired they absolutely must incorporate this standby tone. The term “navy blue” first came to be in 1748 to name the color used for the British Royal Navy uniforms worn by officers, according to Wikipedia. Alright, alright, my research isn’t that in-depth, guys… we’ve got a business to run, too!

As it turns out, given the nature of naval uniforms and the fading that occurs, navy came to be almost ubiquitous with black, so you will notice our navy is a very deep, dark blue in keeping with this historical definition of the color. And, as such, our true navy Infinity Tote, with a guest appearance by a certain spotlight-hungry Buoy Block Clutch, deserved an equally authentic opportunity to shine… and where better to do that than the first lighthouse completed under the federal government’s ownership in the great USA? Thank you, Portland Headlight!

Shortly after this shoot, Blair announced that she had fallen so in love with her prop that she was adopting a new navy Infinity Tote for herself. If you’re a navy lover too, pop over to the shop (button on the right or here) to scoop one up for yourself!

Always koo-koo for navy, Blair + Hayley

p.s. Did you think we were going to say cocoa cocoa puffs? Also… 5 bonus points to those of you who can spot Hayley in one of the photos!

4.25.16

There’s Something In The Water

Hint: it’s magic.

Growing up by the ocean afforded us a basis for lessons in just about everything- especially the power and beauty of nature. Add in a couple television specials on Nova, Discovery and National Geographic and it doesn’t take much for me to imagine what unseen magic swims in the deepest crevices of the ocean or the shallowest tidal pools. Besides the scientifically undeniable flora and fauna, Hayley and I find ourselves drawn to the water for many reasons… business breaks, a deep breath and a moment of pause- a different kind of magic. It’s a free calibration, a salt-infused mental reset.

If you live here, or come to Maine, and spend time by the sea and you aren’t convinced of the magical qualities of water then I would suggest you head to New Zealand to clear up any hesitation to embrace this quote as fact. From the shores of the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea to rivers and waterfalls of glacial run off I had my breath taken away by the mind blowing colors, sounds, creatures, and frigid temperature(!!!) of the country’s waters. Glacial is no joke.

To the magic all around this watery world, Blair + Hayley

Tasman Sea, NZ (top) Hokitika Gorge, NZ (bottom). For the first time ever, photography by Blair!

4.20.16

What Does Eklund Mean?

If I’m being honest (it is the best policy!), I didn’t know the translation of Eklund until about 2 minutes before writing this post. I’ve always just explained that it’s a family name. More specifically, it is our Swedish paternal grandmother, Ruth’s, maiden name. She is the beauty pictured above. Now though, I can tell you that Eklund in Swedish breaks down into Ek and lund. Ek means oak and lund means grove. So, if that was all you were wondering- mission accomplished! Oak Grove! Thank goodness for the Swedish language though, because “Oak Grove Griffin” just doesn’t have the same ring to it. It feels more like the nickname for a very effective bouncer. I much prefer Eklund.

If you’re willing to spare a few extra moments, there is a bit more to it than that. The literal translation is the only tip of the emotive Eklund iceberg. Our great grandparents, Hannah and Wilhelm Eklund emigrated from Sweden and wound up in Cape Elizabeth, Maine many moons ago where Hannah ran the Ocean House inn for years and years.

From the get-go, Hannah was a hustler… and a damn good cook. She was a veritable one armed wall paper hanger. (And our great grandfather could actually hang wallpaper with one arm. He was a professional painter and had incredibly steady hands. I’d be surprised to learn if that man ever once taped off crown molding in his career- he was full of pride and bravado.) Anything Hannah put her mind to, it seemed like it was gonna happen. I mean, look at that woman (pictured below)- if she doesn’t look every bit the cool, confident and commanding lady of the house, I don’t know what does!

Ruth, on the other hand, was a passionate actress and educator. As a teacher she poured herself into her students every day. She also helped to create the first in-school library locally in South Portland and went on to establish 14 others in schools around Maine. This woman did it all, so here is a brief laundry list of her philanthropic persuits: serving as a member of the Trustees of the Thomas Memorial Library, volunteering her time and talent to read books onto tape for the Cape Elizabeth School Department, and being a literacy volunteer and participating on the Right-to-Read Task Force. Literacy and access to information was her jam. Right up to her last day she was full of vim and vigor.

Which brings me to the very last bit of this post. Following in the footsteps of the strong women, on both sides of the family, before us we are carrying the baton of hard work, passion, and a good dose of personality to make our mark on this world. Because as Dr. Howard Thurman says, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” And we’ve never felt more alive than working together- a sister team of two- making it happen under the family name. Eklund Griffin.

There you have it! Blair + Hayley

12.7.15

Six Weeks In…

Well folks, the time has come! As you read this, I’m headed for the Land of the Long White Cloud with my beloved. New Zealand must be one of the coolest places on earth, and I’m more than a little dumbstruck that I’m going to have six marvelous weeks to explore all the regions of the two-island nation. The home of the Kiwi (bird, fruit, and people!) promises some amazing adventures and vistas. We’re planning a lot of trekking, flyfishing, camping, and stargazing. Armed with an empty iPhone, a camera and two lenses, a tripod, a GoPro, and journals, this is a trip we don’t plan to soon forget. I’m going to turn 26 abroad, celebrate Christmas, and ring in the New Year at a friend’s wedding- all very far from home. I’m fairly certain Maine and New Zealand are as far apart as you can get on the globe.

On the list of excursions is the Moeraki Boulders at Koekohe Beach, Muriwai Black Sand Beach, the Heaphy Track (and a couple others) and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. You can count on a blog recap sometime next year! While I’m away the blog is going to take a vacation too, so there won’t be any posts published until the end of January. It’s a busy time of year and where I’m going I hope there won’t be internet.

Until then, happiest of holidays to you and yours! Blair

Top 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9.30.15

Interview… Maggie Sutherland of Seacoast Lately

Thanks to the remarkable world wide web, Blair and I had the pleasure of connecting and meeting up with Maggie Sutherland, the creator and curator of Seacoast Lately, a blog (and killer Instagram account! @seacoastlately) dedicated to spotlighting the amazing brands, shops, eateries, destinations, and more around New Hampshire, Maine and New England. Talk about a kindred creative/entrepreneurial spirit! Maggie is a voracious wanderer and has a gift for unearthing gems wherever she goes. To see the world through Maggie’s eyes is to be privileged with, as she puts it perfectly, “the inside skinny on the best of the seacoast!” This amazing lady has expanded our awareness of our own stomping grounds and awakened the wanderlust in both of us. Her appreciation for all the seacoast and New England has to offer is inspiring – we’re betting Maggie is never bored. Even after sailing around Casco Bay for a couple of hours with Maggie we still had all kinds of questions for her. Luckily she agreed to be interviewed for SS+C and we are thrilled to share her perspectives on starting her own venture, travel, finding inspiration, style, and more.

Read on! Hayley… SEE MORE

8.24.15

Surfing + Swimming In Style

Here in Maine, summer is holding on. We’ve got some 80-degree weather headed this way after a bout of fog and rain and we’re ready to make the most of it! Both Blair and I enjoy paddling around Casco Bay – I’m partial to kayaking and Blair is a fan of SUPing- so we’re going to squeeze in at least a few more days in the waves in newfound style.

As you know, we have been crushing on 3×1’s denim for a while now. And guess what? They’ve got an awesome collaboration with Token featuring some pretty sweet custom denim inlay surfboards for 3×1’s South Hampton, NY location. As superfans of all things chambray, denim and stripped, it’s nearly impossible for us to pick a favorite board that we’d want to shred. That is, assuming we could surf… which we can’t. But we have aspirations to learn and Blair’s sailor/surfer boyfriend said he would teach us! What do you think? Which board would you ride in the waves?

Surfing prowess – or lack thereof- aside, anybody can rock one of the fabulous designs by the West Coast sister duo, MIKOH. And we plan to do just that! Oleema and Kalani Miller have crafted a swimwear and clothing line inspired by their lives growing up in the small beach community of San Clementine on California’s coast. As models and surfers, the Miller gals know a thing or two about swimwear and they’ve combined their knowledge of fashion and function resulting in some kickass modern and feminine surf and swimsuits. So, whether you’re paddling out or laying out, MIKOH can get you suited up for the beach days ahead!

Happy sea adventuring, Hayley… SEE MORE

8.5.15

Resume Update: I’m A Sailor Now!

We are really putting our money where our mouths are these days. Hayley quit her job. And so did I!!!

Commence a summer of serious hustle and bustle and amazing leaps and bounds for Eklund Griffin.

So far I have taken up fine dining serving, sailing, and all kinds of sitting. I sit on houses, children and dogs. It’s all so. much. fun! Hayley has realized her dreams of freelancing as a graphic and fashion designer and she holds down the Eklund Griffin home office when I’m out sailing around Casco Bay and such. Our lives have gotten pretty wild and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Everywhere we go we are afflicted with inspiration overload. It’s a wondrous thing. Full days spent on the water and at the tannery learning about leather- a truly amazing natural material- new collaborations and connection on the horizons, and three more products in the works in addition to the tote you’ve already gotten a peek of.

More to come! Blair

6.26.15

Interview… Kylie Watts of Watts In Maine

We’ve taken an extended break from the blog (because exciting things are happening… but that’s another post) and we are super duper excited to jump back in and share this interview with you from Kylie Watts of Watts in Maine.

We featured Kylie and her husband Dave’s gorgeous Perfect Catch Cuff on the blog back in March. Their brass cuff is the ultimate statement piece, conversation starter, and it transitions effortlessly from the office to casual drinks with friends to a schmancy dinner out on the town. I wear the cuff that Hayley bought me all. the. time. No joke. After you finish reading this interview you should pop into one of their several retailers (all around the country… just check their website for stockists) and pick one up- it’s the “perfect” compliment to every summer ensemble!

Here is the inside scoop on how they got their start, what inspires their creative flow, and the highlights of their journey with Watts in Maine so far.

Happy summer! Blair