Mothers. They raise us, challenge us, comfort us. Their influence on the future of the world is paramount. How they manage to do it all amidst the changing times is nothing short of a miracle. Here we have Anna Laero, creative director for Gather the Village Magazine (@gatherthevillage), writer, and mother of two. She runs…

For Women’s History Month this year I interviewed inspirational women, each with tremendous depth and a unique story to tell. With me today is avid traveler and entrepreneur Ariana Frangos, founder of Adelphi Development and sustainable woman-owned company, Baio-Bar, launching later this month. She talks about risk-taking, upholding a positive mindset towards money, and remembering…

  Set in the Tokushima Prefecture of rural Shikoku, Awagami Factory creates some of the most stunning indigo washi seen in Japan. Eight generations of the Fujimori family have helped to preserve this beautiful Japanese traditional craft. Last Autumn I had the honor of meeting the overseers of Awagami, master paper-maker Mr. Yoichi Fujimori and…

My second trip to Kyoto was a whirlwind of art, design, and tradition: I didn’t stop moving for the few days I was there for, taking in everything I could within that short expanse. One moment I was walking through the Nishijin district and in another I was zipping through narrow streets, viewing the city…

 There were no words to describe what I felt when the first real view of the peaks surrounding Koyasan were visible beyond the cedars rushing past the train. It was if I had just breathed fresh air into my soul. I was captivated by the incredible beauty surrounding me: the brilliantly lush spectrum of green…