Darling High Fives / No. 1

Introducing! A new series we are really, really excited about.

We get so many wonderful emails, tips and leads about the incredible businesses sprouting up all over the globe, and we wish we could fly out to meet every single one and give all the go-getters and dream-chasers we learn about a four page spread in the magazine. Alas, resources are numbered and for the sake of our carbon footprint, jetting to and fro just isn’t the most practical. Wink. So, we’ve decided to start rounding up our latest finds in this series as a, “Hi. We see you. We think you’re pretty great and we want everyone to know about you, too!”

Welcome to the first collection of #DarlingHighFives.

In no particular order:

LUNCH LADY

Lunch Lady is a blog, a shop, and a print magazine entered around food and family that celebrates everyday pleasures, features articles on a wide variety of topics and people, and has a doodle-meets-pop art visual presentation. It values family, doesn’t take itself too seriously, but has seriously delicious recipes a-plenty. In a world where mums seems to be feeling the constant pressure to produce perfection, this is one voice telling us all to let that go and have more fun on the way.

REFORM FIBERS

This is a shop owned by Elsie Goodwin in southern California producing some of the loveliest textile art we’ve seen. Effortless but intricate, there is something so calming about her pieces. They’d make a great addition to any spot that needs a little peace and center! SHOP HERE. 

CLARA POLITO

Ok, what were you doing at age 19? Probably not debuting your first published cookbook. Vegan baker Clara Polito starting baking when she was 12, selling her creations at local music and art shows. She now hosts pop-up brunches and dinners across the country and is set to release her first book, Clara Cakes: Delicious and Simple Vegan Desserts for Everyone!, next week. We’re particularly eyeing her Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake with homemade, cashew-based ricotta. Yes, yes please.

ALAFFIA

“Our success is measured by empowerment.” How can we not stand behind that? Sales of these fair trade body care products (like this coconut-chamomile baby shampoo or some coconut reishi face serum) go towards funding Togolese community projects, specifically women’s health care services, education and reforestation projects. To date, they’ve delivered over 4,000 births, built 10 schools and have planted more than 57,000 trees! LEARN MORE HERE.

THE CRAFTER’S BOX

Because getting back to basics has never been more popular, we’re loving this subscription service that combines artisan know-how with practical application to feed the creative soul. Sign up for Morgan Spenla’s The Crafter’s Box and once a month you’ll get a kit delivered straight to your door with all the supplies necessary to learn a new hobby — digital workshop taught by the maker included! If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to weave, dye, paint, embroider (you get it…), then JOIN HERE.

Have a #DarlingHighFives you want us to know about? Use the hashtag on Instagram and keep us in the know, please!

Image via Sarah Kehoe for Darling Issue No. 15