kai conversations... with sorrelli jewelry mother-and-daughter management duo, lisa and lily oswald
as part of our tribute to "national rose month" this june and the celebration of all things rose (and rose gold!), we are delighted to share this wonderful kai conversation with the amazing mother-and-daughter duo behind the gorgeous ever-so-sparkly jewelry brand, sorrelli. this family-owned jewelry design company founded in 1983, is based in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and graces the jewelry boxes of celebrities, career women and jewelry lovers of every background. their beautiful handcrafted collection is made from the finest genuine semi-precious stones and high-quality Austrian crystals, and the pieces are designed to be heirlooms passed on from one generation to the next. we couldn't be more excited to share sorrelli's newest product range launching in rose gold that is the perfect match with our kai*rose! the company's founder/co-owner, lisa oswald and her daughter, lily, are both long-time devotees of kai and have very thoughtfully shared their beauty routine, favorite things and more below. please enjoy and happy rose month to all!
xo,
gaye.
how are you taking care of yourself and your loved ones during this time? are there certain things that are proving to be sources of motivation/ inspiration? if so, please feel free to share.
we are doing lots of landscaping and home care lately, COVID-19 has kept us home-bound. i just moved into a new apartment in Brooklyn and my mom is celebrating 30 years on her and my dad's gentleman's farm in Pennsylvania. since we've been quarantining here in PA with my brother, sister, and significant others, we've spent a lot of time working on my parent's garden, getting ready for summer, doing woodworking projects for our new Brooklyn Apartment, framing art, and all the while making lots of lunches and dinners together. my mom is so happy to have everyone "home" with her, and i think the shared projects and lots of time outdoors keep us unified and inspired.
how do you embody kai's "breath*life*flow" lifestyle?
it feels like this quarantine has been a forced pause on life, everything moves slower, the weekends are spent outdoors reflecting, noticing the birds on our backyard feeder, planting new plants and tending to old ones, smelling the gorgeous irises, peonies, honeysuckle, hyacinths, and lilies that have erupted in a symphony of scents. we've always been avid gardeners and felt connected to the land, our interpretation of breath*life*flow is connecting to the earth, meditating on all it brings us, and using our time here to figure out how we give back sustainably. our business has always been anti-fast-fashion, we launched almost 40 years ago with a lifetime promise to repair and reuse all Sorrelli products, and we've kept that promise ever since.
kai obsession?
lily: i love the roller ball fragrance, it's so easy to carry everywhere and makes me feel so clean and glam.
lisa: lily got me the kai bubble bath that makes my morning bath routine extra luxe.
morning person or night owl?
we are both morning people! bring on the sunrise!
what book are you reading currently?
lily: "How to be an Anti- Racist" by Ibram X Kendi. i also just finished a book on raising a puppy by Ian Dunbar, since we adopted a little black lab mix in April!
lisa: a homesteading book called "The Good Life" by Helen & Scott Nearing.
what's the most adventurous thing you've done?
lily: after business school i participated in the Mongol Rally with 4 friends, we drove from Oslo, Norway to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. it was eye-opening and amazing, we camped in a tent along the way, including along the Black Sea Coast in Turkey, on the pavement while we waited in Baku to cross the Caspian Sea, and many more far-off places. it was epic!
lisa: driven to Nova Scotia & stayed by myself with my 2 doggies.
ideal way to relax/ unwind?
lily: i've been taking virtual piano lessons during quarantine and find that playing is a total relaxation, feels productive and calming all at once.
lisa: taking long walks on the beach is my ultimate way to relax.
ultimate getaway?
lily: i vacationed once in a small b&b in the south of France, visiting nearby Monaco & Nice, the proprietor (Judith) was the sweetest German woman, the food and wine impeccable, and the pool was heaven on earth overlooking this ancient town. still my ultimate getaway.
lisa: can't decide between an African safari or visiting the South Pacific.
what's your beauty secret? or must-have beauty product?
lily: i often throw on my spf moisturizer and red lip, no other makeup whatsoever and i feel totally put together. Nars Heat Waves is my forever favorite red.
lisa: i try to keep my eyebrows looking kept. i use an eyebrow pencil daily, a small amount of black oil Chanel eyeliner, cover up around the eyes & blush.
how would you describe your personal style?
lily: my friend once described me as "disheveled chic", i'm not one to be completely buttoned up, there's usually a hair out of place, a bit of shirt untucked. i love to feel glam but i also bike in my heels all around NYC, walk a ton, get on my hands and knees with my 5 month old puppy, i like to LIVE life and my style doesn't get in the way.
lisa: sporty boho chic.
what's the best advice you've ever received?
lily: my mom told me in kindergarten that i should never be afraid to ask questions. she said if i had a question, someone else was probably wondering the same thing, and i should not be afraid to ask. i take it really seriously that if i don't understand something, i'm allowed to ask questions until i get it, and i'm not afraid to look stupid for not knowing something.
lisa: never quit & don't be afraid to fail. you'll always learn something even if you fail.
what do you love most about where you live? any secret spots you love to go to?
lily: i split my time between Kutztown, PA and Brooklyn NY, in Brooklyn i love that i can go to the beach at Jacob Riis Park on a Saturday morning, head to an amazing dinner in the Lower East side, and see a ballet at night uptown at Lincoln Center. It feels so incredible, unlike any other city. one of my favorite spots, probably not so secret, is Cafe Dante in Greenwich Village. they have the best negronis in town.
lisa: i love my backyard! it's an absolute oasis, and i sit outside to drink my coffee from April - September. it's where my dogs are happiest, where all of our friends come over to roast marshmallows and drink wine, where i host my kids for dinner almost every weeknight. it is my little slice of heaven. my secret local spots are the antique furniture shops in Adamstown, PA.
thank you, lily and lisa!
xo,
gaye.
how are you taking care of yourself and your loved ones during this time? are there certain things that are proving to be sources of motivation/ inspiration? if so, please feel free to share.
we are doing lots of landscaping and home care lately, COVID-19 has kept us home-bound. i just moved into a new apartment in Brooklyn and my mom is celebrating 30 years on her and my dad's gentleman's farm in Pennsylvania. since we've been quarantining here in PA with my brother, sister, and significant others, we've spent a lot of time working on my parent's garden, getting ready for summer, doing woodworking projects for our new Brooklyn Apartment, framing art, and all the while making lots of lunches and dinners together. my mom is so happy to have everyone "home" with her, and i think the shared projects and lots of time outdoors keep us unified and inspired.
how do you embody kai's "breath*life*flow" lifestyle?
it feels like this quarantine has been a forced pause on life, everything moves slower, the weekends are spent outdoors reflecting, noticing the birds on our backyard feeder, planting new plants and tending to old ones, smelling the gorgeous irises, peonies, honeysuckle, hyacinths, and lilies that have erupted in a symphony of scents. we've always been avid gardeners and felt connected to the land, our interpretation of breath*life*flow is connecting to the earth, meditating on all it brings us, and using our time here to figure out how we give back sustainably. our business has always been anti-fast-fashion, we launched almost 40 years ago with a lifetime promise to repair and reuse all Sorrelli products, and we've kept that promise ever since.
kai obsession?
lily: i love the roller ball fragrance, it's so easy to carry everywhere and makes me feel so clean and glam.
lisa: lily got me the kai bubble bath that makes my morning bath routine extra luxe.
morning person or night owl?
we are both morning people! bring on the sunrise!
what book are you reading currently?
lily: "How to be an Anti- Racist" by Ibram X Kendi. i also just finished a book on raising a puppy by Ian Dunbar, since we adopted a little black lab mix in April!
lisa: a homesteading book called "The Good Life" by Helen & Scott Nearing.
what's the most adventurous thing you've done?
lily: after business school i participated in the Mongol Rally with 4 friends, we drove from Oslo, Norway to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. it was eye-opening and amazing, we camped in a tent along the way, including along the Black Sea Coast in Turkey, on the pavement while we waited in Baku to cross the Caspian Sea, and many more far-off places. it was epic!
lisa: driven to Nova Scotia & stayed by myself with my 2 doggies.
ideal way to relax/ unwind?
lily: i've been taking virtual piano lessons during quarantine and find that playing is a total relaxation, feels productive and calming all at once.
lisa: taking long walks on the beach is my ultimate way to relax.
ultimate getaway?
lily: i vacationed once in a small b&b in the south of France, visiting nearby Monaco & Nice, the proprietor (Judith) was the sweetest German woman, the food and wine impeccable, and the pool was heaven on earth overlooking this ancient town. still my ultimate getaway.
lisa: can't decide between an African safari or visiting the South Pacific.
what's your beauty secret? or must-have beauty product?
lily: i often throw on my spf moisturizer and red lip, no other makeup whatsoever and i feel totally put together. Nars Heat Waves is my forever favorite red.
lisa: i try to keep my eyebrows looking kept. i use an eyebrow pencil daily, a small amount of black oil Chanel eyeliner, cover up around the eyes & blush.
how would you describe your personal style?
lily: my friend once described me as "disheveled chic", i'm not one to be completely buttoned up, there's usually a hair out of place, a bit of shirt untucked. i love to feel glam but i also bike in my heels all around NYC, walk a ton, get on my hands and knees with my 5 month old puppy, i like to LIVE life and my style doesn't get in the way.
lisa: sporty boho chic.
what's the best advice you've ever received?
lily: my mom told me in kindergarten that i should never be afraid to ask questions. she said if i had a question, someone else was probably wondering the same thing, and i should not be afraid to ask. i take it really seriously that if i don't understand something, i'm allowed to ask questions until i get it, and i'm not afraid to look stupid for not knowing something.
lisa: never quit & don't be afraid to fail. you'll always learn something even if you fail.
what do you love most about where you live? any secret spots you love to go to?
lily: i split my time between Kutztown, PA and Brooklyn NY, in Brooklyn i love that i can go to the beach at Jacob Riis Park on a Saturday morning, head to an amazing dinner in the Lower East side, and see a ballet at night uptown at Lincoln Center. It feels so incredible, unlike any other city. one of my favorite spots, probably not so secret, is Cafe Dante in Greenwich Village. they have the best negronis in town.
lisa: i love my backyard! it's an absolute oasis, and i sit outside to drink my coffee from April - September. it's where my dogs are happiest, where all of our friends come over to roast marshmallows and drink wine, where i host my kids for dinner almost every weeknight. it is my little slice of heaven. my secret local spots are the antique furniture shops in Adamstown, PA.
thank you, lily and lisa!
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