Blake Lively launched her own lifestyle/shopping site Preserve yesterday. It’s moving pretty slow right now because of everyone checking it out. Presumably. It’s either that or their servers are being powered by tiny hamsters.
Whatever the case, you can check it out here. You’ll find expensive to sort of inexpensive stuff in the store. Mostly “artisanal” items from jewelry to food. Read: I made this in my backyard and packaged it as if it was from the 50’s because people eat this s**t up. This is like the hipster version of Etsy. Lively even put up an editor’s letter.
Sitting down to write this editor’s letter has been the hardest thing I’ve done yet on my Preserve journey. I’m more intimidated than I should probably admit. I’m no editor, no artisan, no expert. And certainly no arbiter of what you should buy, wear, or eat.
I am hungry, though… not just for enchiladas.
I’m hungry for experience.
Wow. Dad jokes. This feels promising.
I’m comfortable with the knowledge that I’m not a teacher, but rather, a student. I don’t do any one thing perfectly. I do a lot of things though. Some well, some not-so-well.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel. I’ve been all over the world and all over this country. There’s so much life teeming out of every pocket of this nation. There are people creating magic with their bare hands. Creating things which land at that amazing intersection between art and function.
Important question: Can we buy hand-churned butter here?
I’ve found that when approached with a curious spirit, people are kind, they’re generous, they answer, if asked. They’ll often open their doors and hearts and let you in. Because people with wisdom have stories to tell, and want them heard.
Everyone has a story to tell.
This idea is the cornerstone of Preserve.
So here at Preserve there are people, stories, essays, videos and goods which hopefully inspire your home, your style and your tongue. There’s expensive stuff. Inexpensive stuff. And everything in between. But their value, is up to you. We may romanticize it, calling it treasure. What we’re really saying is, we see worth on every level.
I’m sold. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
The function of Preserve is part magazine, part e-commerce hub, part philanthropic endeavor and above all, a place to showcase the power of imagination, ingenuity, quality, and above all, people.
Preserve is a creative space. A space which honors both tradition and innovation — a space which honors the future, while having a love affair with the past…
As for how we operate, we haven’t looked at Preserve as a new website, but rather as a new street. A sort of greatest hits of “Main Street, USA”. While the whole world races to keep up with technology, we tighten our laces, join the race, but our end goal is to preserve what’s already there.
So Etsy with a blog and even more of a markup? Because that’s fantastic. I’ve been searching everywhere for a $92 chip & dip platter and $40 hipster salt.