Just Checking In — with Nicole
a series of catching up with friends, near and far
ft . nicole purdy
your name @/.com?
how do you take your coffee/tea?
With a little honey
describe your style in 3 words:
effortless
natural
vintage
your go-to stay-home outfit?
Barefoot in Linen. (specifically The Relaxed Trouser and The Tube Top from my collection)
a song/album you have on repeat:
Oooo I definitely have a few on the go … I can’t get enough of Kurt Vile right now - every song / every album, Harvest Moon by Neil Young will forever be my rainy day album and Fishing for Fishies by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard is the album that gets me grooving while I’m sewing.
what keeps you grounded?
Writing. I write in my journal every morning while I sip my first cup of coffee. Sometimes all I’ll feel inspired to write is a simple list of things I am grateful for and other times I will fill pages. Either way, just having that moment where I am alone with my notebook makes me feel like me.
Being in nature is another. Going on hikes in the mountains or strolling the beach with my pup, Bowser, is my absolute favourite thing to do.
fav meal to make at home?
Baked pasta and garlic bread. Give me allllll of the carbs, please and thank you!
what/who inspires you?
I am such a sucker for any entrepreneurial success story. If I’m not listening to music while I am working I’m usually tuned into podcasts like How I Built This or Girlboss Radio. I always have my notebook in the room so I can stop what I am doing and write down quotes that I can reread/motivate myself with later. I think my favourite episode to date is How I Built this with Yvon Chouinard who started Patagonia. I just love the way he views business, life, sustainability – everything.
Sunshine is also a big inspiration for me. Everything I design/create is based off of the feeling you have after a day in the sun. You know the feeling? Whether you were swimming, hiking, surfing or lounging and you come home, have a cold shower and feel super relaxed and peaceful. Your skin is tan and glowing, you don’t feel the need to wear makeup and you let your hair air dry. The clothing I design is inspired by that very moment. Natural. Carefree. Sun Fuelled.
Everything I design/create is based off of the feeling you have after a day in the sun.
a hobby you do, and one you’ve always wanted to try:
I feel like I have quite a few but I would say hiking is probably my biggest. My pup definitely ensures that!
Although I tried it many moons ago, I would really love to learn to play the piano again. I had lessons when I was young but didn’t take them seriously and kick myself for it now. I would just love to be able to sit down and instantly create magic but, for now, I’m stuck with the Mission Impossible theme song.
what makes a home?
For a long time I thought “home” was simply the place I grew up or the house my parents resided in. But after I moved to BC [from Ontario], my definition started to change and I realized that even when my friends/family were visiting it was their presence that felt like home. Then, as time went on, I started to create my own living space with my own special memories and that started to feel like home too.
So I would say, to me, a home is a place where you can feel safe and entirely yourself. It can be created in a physical space or in a person.
1 little moment that brightened your day recently?
Oh goodness, I gush (and often cry) over every little thing but the first that comes to mind is from the other day when I was trudging along the beach, in the pouring rain, with Bowser and out of no where the rain stopped, the clouds parted and right in front of me was the most incredible sunset, the tide was out out so the sand was glistening and then I turned around to see a vivid double rainbow over the city. It didn’t feel real. Even as I write this I’m still questioning if it was. Mother Earth is so special!
what are you reading/listening to/watching?
I am currently making my way through The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho. I’ve read most of his work now and am completely captivated every time. All of his novels evoke some sort of reflection within me and I always walk away feeling inspired and changed. I think I’ve read the Alchemist 4 times now.
I kind of touched on what I am listening to earlier but Girlboss Radio and How I Built this are definitely my go-tos.
I try not to watch a lot of tv but I totally caved after a few weeks of Ozark season 3 being out. I’m half way through the season now and it is taking everything in me to not binge watch it. Jason Bateman is too good.
fav vintage item you own?
When I was in Paris a few years ago, my girlfriend and I found the cutest little thrift shop while we were wandering about one day. It had bins spread throughout with prices marked above each – 1 euro, 2 euro, 3 euro, etc. There were thrifters everywhere pushing, digging and throwing pieces around and I remember the first bin I went to, I literally just pulled out the most incredible high-rise workwear trousers. Gold in colour, pockets all down the side and they fit me like a freaking glove. My memory might be playing tricks on me but I’m pretty sure Hallelujah started playing when I held them up. Anyways, long story short, they’re still my favourite vintage pants of all time.