About Town…Book Signings, Champagne and Pop-Ups!
In February I attended one of the most inspiring design related events here in Naples on Third Street South with a book signing by the famous lifestyle, fashion and interior design photographer Nick Mele.
Nick and I, he’s always in role!
Upon arrival ,Jane’s Café on 3rd displayed centrepieces of bright pops of orange and green shadowed by the red umbrellas and pink stucco background as a fitting and yet casually relaxed atmosphere as only Jane’s can exude There’s a feeling under those red umbrellas that conjures up the anticipation of wonderful food and drink and in this case beautiful people, books, products and photography. Or rather all of the above!
Beautiful centrepieces at Jane’s Cafe on 3rd.
Under the red umbrellas.
Nick’s work featured at La Bonne Vie pop-up shop located between Jane’s Cafe and A Mano.
It was interesting to see Nick’s personality translate to real life, where he seems like he’s playing a role with his quirky yet elevated persona that manifests through his work. I felt like the photographer and the photographed were one and the same. It was interesting to speak to Nick about his challenge with finding his way to purpose through photography. Nick hails from privilege and access has availed him to many exceptional homes and spaces that he is able to be part of through his artful whimsical captures. I was eager to ask about what this was like for him and during the panel chat, he expanded on the role his grandmother played in influencing his path. We also talked about the old adage of “dare to be different” which ended up being his personal message to me. I felt inspired to confide in him the differences I faced growing up, the push and pull of my creative side and my drive to experience the world through beautiful spaces. Daring to be different was the message and a key takeaway for me that day. Not knowing anyone in Naples but meeting so many wonderful personalities full of the same passion and excitement for design connected me to so many new faces that day! My heart was bursting with the possibilities and the seed for Exquisitely Bored was taking root.
Nick’s personal and encouraging message!
The chat panel with Digital Party and Ala Von Auersperg Artist and Designer was equally inspiring. Graceful living and glamour were seeping through every piece of the conversation and the backdrop of wonderful photos and clothing was further evoking feelings of old-world glamour and modern irreverence that Nick is so famous for. Daisy Prince was fabulous as the moderator and I went home and learned a great deal more about her and her interesting background. I love and appreciate this connection to both sides of Florida we seem to have here in Naples, where Palm Beach and Naples check in on each other and support with a similar design aesthetic but from a distance. It’s like a best friend that lives in the next town over!
Nick Mele left, Daisy Prince from Digital Party as moderator seated in the middle and Ala Von Auersperg Artist and Designer far right, all equally inspiring to hear and meet!
Also, in attendance I enjoyed hearing about Women Lifting Women, a fundraising project of the Women’s Foundation of Collier County that finds and assists senior women who fall into homelessness. These women are then matched with support and aid through Neapolitan Enterprises on behalf of Third Street South. I love the collaboration and partnership that sees 10% of sales going to support such an important initiative.
Another extension of the event was learning how Well Made Home supported the day by supplying creative products for the pop-up space as well as design input and special furnishings. This partnership allowed attendees to learn about their fabric, wallpaper and décor services.
With A Mano’s doors thrown open and the ability to flow effortlessly throughout the pop-up venue as well as the store, the entire day had an air of casual elegance best defined as slow shopping. The ability to browse in depth and to notice each beautifully curated product was so fulfilling. I felt like I was in the hippest spot in town and chatting with everyone around was effortless. There was a casual yet elegant ambiance accompanied by an energetic buzz in the air. A Mano has such an avant-garde array of fashionable home products and clothing. The table settings and accessories are second to none, and there is an incredible wall of china and coloured vases. Various coffee table books exude design and a luxurious feel along with the prettiest rattan bags, candles and bedding.
A Mano: an elegant stop for all things home and fashion located in Naples on Third Street South.
A Mano glassware reflected in the window casting pretty pastel shadows throughout the store.
A Mano wall of beautiful collectibles for any table setting. This view is so inspiring and will have you returning home to inventory your current tableware situation! You will surely find yourself out shopping the next day!
When it came to the actual book signing I was further emboldened by Nick’s words for what I have planned for Exquisitely Bored. I’m almost ready to launch and I have covered so much ground since that day. Hours of manually copying content into my blog template from previous articles I’ve authored, logo ideation and development, updating social media handles, copywriting new articles, photo editing and learning the blog platform Squarespace from scratch. But I harnessed the energy that propelled me once I left the event, albeit bolstered by the champagne. I suddenly had a real sense of direction and by the time I attended the Patina Collection book signing the next week I could have clearly bet on the future of Exquisitely Bored! Exquisitely Bored is already pairing beautiful words with beautiful spaces! I can’t imagine coming back some day for my own book signing for Exquisitely Bored but never say never…you can never have too many coffee table books right?!
A wrap on a wonderful day with a highly coveted souvenir!