Where are you from?
My parents were hippies and we moved all of the time. Growing up I lived in Cambridge, MA., Washington DC, Key West, FL., Todos Santos, Mexico and the Bahamas.
What do you do?
I'm a journalist (New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler), an author (Gypset book series, The Boho Manifesto), entrepreneur, adventurer and a leisure scientist.
Where do you live now?
I'm based in Brooklyn. but spend a lot of time in Mexico and Montauk.
"Be the sun, not a planet."
Lifegoals?
To keep being surprised.
Favorite hobbies/pastimes?
I love surfing and developing absurd business concepts with my 9-year old daughter.
What inspires you?
I love the way light filters through leaves, foreign accents, eyes, boredom and excitement.
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"Practice conceptual absurdity."
What do you like most about your work?
I get to constantly explore things to a degree of decadence. For example, when I was working on my latest book, The Boho Manifesto (shoppable below), I would spend days trying to figure out what might be in the kitchen of a fermentation goddess, or what the terrain in Iquitos, Peru looks like, what is the symbolism of the Condor, how the Mayan calendar differs from the Aztec calendar, and what kind of music an academic farmer might listen to.
What spurred your latest book The Boho Manifesto?
I felt like the Boho movement was growing and growing and I wanted to document its full spectrum, a snap shot of this moment in culture. To acknowledge and canonize it in a way that had not yet been done.
What’s up next for you?
I've only ever been able to plan my life about 3 months in advance. I'm still not sure if that’s good or bad. But I always try and stay challenged and that has always led me to the next thing.
"Leave space for spontaneity."
What are your favorite places that you have travelled to and where do you want to go next?
I like surfing in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica in the winter. Panarea, Italy and Patmos, Greece in the summer. I'd like to check out Ghana, Iceland, and Corsica.
What is your favorite hotel/resort to stay in?
Hotel Raya in Panarea and Esalen in Big Sur.
Biggest luxury?
Baths, surfing, and breathing.
What is your favorite music and latest bands?
Sza, Solange. Khalid, Diplo, Tyler the Creator, The Grateful Dead, Ebo Taylor, and Karen Dalton.
Seen any great exhibits lately?
I went to the Venice Biennale last May and was very into the work by Arthur Jafa, Jannis Kounellis, and El Anatsui.
"Goals and meandering are not at odds."
Please tell me about your daughter Tuesday.
My 9 year old daughter Tuesday is the best travel companion. She makes everything more fun and writes books and cartoons. We pretty much spend the whole time laughing.
What would surprise people to know about you?
I like 80's freestyle club music.
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Do you unplug from devices?
Yes! as much as possible. But it's increasingly less possible.
How do you take good care of yourself?
I try and get 8 hours of sleep a night. and to laugh a lot. I take a fish oil supplement, practice yoga, surfing, jogging. and a lot of running around.
When do you feel your best?
When I am hugging someone.
Beauty routine?
I recently discovered Vitamin C serum for my face which I love!
What is your style credo?
Start with a concept. For example; "Galactic 80's Little Bo-Peep" or "Disco Island Castaway," or the one I did a lot last winter with my white Gucci loafers and glitter socks was "Psychedelic Grandma."
Who is your style icon, and why?
I like Prince. He dressed sort of like a bad ass Edwardian and with such unexpected combinations!
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Bold or delicate jewelry?
Always bold.
What was your first KC piece?
The Valenciana V leather bracelet.
What KC accessories do you like to wear at night?
My Spiral Ring III!
Photos by Kendall Conrad using an iPhone X
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