Before we start, I want to share a fun event happening in NYC on 11/20.

Stylist and Entrepreneur Jessie Freschl is hosting her Non-profit Repurpose’s inaugural fundraiser, The reGALA. A community of visionaries and culture
shapers is gathering to support The RENEW Program, which provides job training, mentorship, and sustainability education for NYC youth. It’s going to be an amazing dance party for a good cause, so get your tickets HERE or sponsor the event HERE.

Also, today 11/6 at 6pm we are hosting the first of our MINT Salon Series - click HERE for more info and HERE to get tickets! Address will be provided upon RSVP. A huge thank you to our sponsors Barnes International Realty, and our Partners Hampton Gifts & Events, Channing Daughters Winery and PLAIN-T.

OK onwards with our regular programming!

I got divorced from my first marriage a long time ago, and though the process wasn’t complicated, it was all-consuming. To cope (and to make matters worse), I threw myself at work, so Thanksgiving was the last thing on my mind. But as the date approached, I suddenly realized that I would be alone for the first time in twelve years.

Though I’ve never had a problem being alone, the thought of spending my favorite holiday by myself made me deeply sad. I’m not one to ask for help—or invite myself to other people’s homes—so I quietly accepted that I’d be on my own that year.

Then my phone rang.
It was my dear friend Ernesto, calling from California. He and his husband Richard insisted I fly out to Los Angeles and spend Thanksgiving with them and their friends.

That year a difficult year, but it became one of my most memorable Thanksgivings. Their love and generosity reached me at a moment when I needed it most. And as luck would have it, they’re both exceptional hosts and chefs, so I was not only emotionally nourished, but also fed very well and welcomed in a beautifully appointed guest room. What a treat. 😊

This year, Ernesto and Richard are coming to Sag Harbor to spend Thanksgiving with us, and I hope this holiday feel just as memorable for them as theirs once was for me. Inspired by their gorgeous guest room in Los Angeles, I put together my favorite (fun and easy) 18 items to spruce up a guest room (they are good for any room, honestly). Scroll down to shop for them, and feel free to share your favorites too by replying to this email or commenting on this post.

As we enter this season of gratitude, I wanted to share this story to honor my dear friendsI hope you can find people like Ernesto and Richard in your life, and to be that person to a friend that may need you now.

PS: Fast forward to my second marriage and kids, our friendship grew even stronger and Ernesto is now my son’s godfather. ❤️

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HATCH Alarm clock

The book BREATH: The New Science of a Lost Art

The Carry

Westman Atelier Je Rêve Lipstick

Here is the Full Episode VIDEO:

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Magical Mystery Store Revealed

Every January, I used to head to Germany to pick out the most beautiful Christmas ornaments and decorations for ABC Carpet and Home, where I worked as a buyer for many years (I went to Christmasworld to buy them, leading trade show in Frankfurt). It was always a little exhausting—buying Christmas items right after the holiday season—but seeing the spectacular results each year made it totally worth it. Since then, I’ve paid much closer attention to Christmas décor from all over the world as I know how much love and care goes into creating these installations. And once I had kids, that magic only grew. Seeing the holiday season through their eyes has been an absolute joy.

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My parents grew up in the countryside, and when I was I child they would identify the tree specimens we passed by, name the birds chirping above us, and pointed to flowers I’d never seen before while we walked the bustling streets of São Paulo. I’d laugh and call them "country folk”. As I grew up, life in the city felt limitless and exhilarating. Nature was in the background, but college, career, and a vibrant social life was all I thought about. Food was just something I ate, never pausing to consider its journey to my parent’s kitchen. Then I moved to the US, and my twenties were a blur of Diet Coke and the good ol’ corporate desk meals, with after-work drinks dedicated to venting about our bosses. Come to think about it, my thirties weren’t much different. Living in a small apartment in NYC wasn't condusive to cooking. My fridge was still empty, but I had at least upgraded the diet sodas to champagne. 😅

Fast forward to today: with two kids to feed and a body less forgiving of my youthful indiscretions, I’ve finally come to appreciate the importance of connecting with nature and understanding where our food comes from. I’ve recently visited the beloved Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett, and had a chat with their Co-Founder Katie Baldwin. Katie is a gem — kind, sharp, knowledgeable, and my inspiration to write about food this week.

Amber Waves is a woman-owned, ocean-side farm that offers educational opportunities in agriculture for future farmers, cooks, and curious eaters of all ages. Their children's programs are particularly enchanting, from baby socials to cooking classes and farming crafts, hopefully igniting a lifelong passion for food, cooking, and health early on. They are a non-profit, and their annual Hoedown fundraiser will be on August 16th, please go see Katie and support her amazing farm (I will be there too). Great food is not only nourishment, health and sensory exploration, but also community, family, love, and connection to nature. Let's keep gathering around the table, learning about what we put in our bodies, how our food sources affect our planet, and the people who inhabit it. 💚

Scroll down for some favorite products for cooking and savoring a delicious, healthy meal. Katie showed us her favorite things from the market, see it on Instagram here. I took her basket home, roasted those huge garlic, and ate it with the Il Bucco crusty bread made with Amber Waves whole wheat that she selected, and wow – that was a treat. And her flowers are still thriving in my living room.

MATRIARK UPCOMING EVENTS

SATURDAY JULY 13th FROM 1 to 5PM:

Pop-Up on the Porch: LEAFY COUTURE will bring their unique hand-made pieces to our porch. Come meet Leafy's Founder Silvia and try her beautiful collection.

SATURDAY, JULY 20th:

Save the Date for a Philanthropic Shopping Day benefiting the Hamtpons Community Outreach.

See you next week for more good stuff (and see you at the shop!).

Love,

Patricia

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Summer’s here, bringing fun, sun, and the inevitable parade of house guests. We love to have guests, but it can feel overwhelming, so this week I wanted to share ideas and products to make things easy (and beautiful) for you. Fingers crossed that your guests will be polite, thoughtful and generous, so you can focus on having fun and enjoying their company.

ALSO: 8 days from today on Friday June 21st and Saturday 22nd , Lisa Salzer, Founder of Lulu Frost, and Sasha Iglehart, Founder of A Shirt Story, will be Popping-up on our Porch from 1pm to 5pm. Come by to shop and meet them in person, you’ll love their products and most importantly, you will love Lisa and Sasha!

See you next week for more good stuff (and come see us at the shop!).

Love,

Patricia

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Exciting News + My Summer House Wishlist

This week's update is brief but chock-ful of great news!

First off, our Summer Pop-Up façade's design is complete (check our quick Instagram video here), and I hope you love it as much as we do. We've adorned our exterior with vintage buoys, brought to life by the talented artist Beata Pankiewicz, who graces Matriark with her creative touch every year. The soft greens and touches of pink were inspired by the ornamental pink muhly grass (when I first ever saw this plant, I thought it was fake, who knew grass could be pink!).

Inside, we're in full prep mode, and our doors will swing open on Monday, May 20th. Come by to experience our fresh new layout—our shop has a whole new vibe this year. The clothing, accessories, and jewelry are simply stunning, and we can't wait for you to see them.

And very soon we will be celebrating, so mark your calendars! Join us and Hamptons Magazine on Friday, May 24th, from 5 to 7 pm for rosé and delicious bites, and meet the brilliant Camille Zarsky from The Seven, Vanessa Barboni Hallik from Another Tomorrow, Barrie Glabman from Marfa Stance, and Devyani Ramani from Rebecca Taylor. Plus, you’ll get to explore the beautiful collections from Veronique Gabai, Le Nine, Sestini, and Lulu Frost, all showcased in our store starting next week. ❤️

We are just getting started and, to help you warm up for summer, scroll down to check out two mood boards with pieces that I love and want to have for my home this season.

Hope this is fun. Thank you, as always, and see you next week for more good stuff. Email me at info@matriark.com for questions or comments, talk soon, xx

Patricia

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Life in Trancoso with Serge Cajfinger

As summer approaches, let me take you away to a place close to my heart that exudes tranquility and a ton of charm. Soft ocean breezes, sun-soaked beaches, the infectious, laid-back vibe of a coastal Brazilian village, and a spectacular home to be creative and enjoy your friends… This isn't a daydream—this is the lif…

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