I have know Shirin for years, dating back to when she worked for Tom Ford during his time at Yves Saint Laurent and we recently reconnected when she launched the artisanal non-toxic beauty company, Bastide, with her husband Frederic Fekkai. (Bastide makes beautifully scented lotions and home products if you need a boost, or Mother’s Day gift idea; you can read Shirin’s TFI profiled here.) I love following Shirin on Instagram now (link at bottom), because she is navigating the pandemic with humor, all while keeping it real (watch/read her broom post). Here, she shares her Quarantine Questionnaire answers. And yes, she never suffers from a bad hair day. Slightly jealous.
What are you wearing often? Sweatshirts from Anine Bing and Ragdoll LA.
What are you wearing too often? Every morning I pull on my Alo Yoga leggings with the intention of doing AT LEAST 15 minutes of yoga but it almost never happens and so I am basically wearing Alo yoga leggings in various colors all day every day.
Your go-to video conference outfit: Isabel Marant sweatshirt, Monica Vinader gold link chain necklace, Raphaele Canot mini gold hoop earrings, jeans or leggings.
Favorite place at home to sit and work: Kitchen table.
Latest read: I re-read my ancient copy of The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Nancy Drew with my 11-year-old daughter.
Online rabbit hole: Pinterest.
New Insta discovery: @jdemsey–he has been a friend of mine for a long time, but particularly now his Instagram is so spot-on and makes me laugh out loud. I have definitely re-shared at least 50 of his posts. Also love Douglas Friedman’s new IG account called @thebestlittlehenhouseintexas. He is renovating this amazing chicken coup in Marfa and I have always been a sucker for a good renovation project. Am also feeling very inspired by @eyeswoon. Just love her aesthetic and she is motivating me to reorganize my whole house!
Daily ritual you practice: A long walk with the dogs and every night is movie night with the kids.
Daily ritual you’ve abandoned: Running.
New skill you’ve mastered: Baking (well, maybe not “mastered” but enjoying it).
Old skill you’ve put back in use: Sweeping, mopping.
Favorite new recipe: “Hefezopf” a German sweet yeast bread.
Mood booster: Coffee and anything chocolate.
Favorite hour of the day: 6pm when we eat guacamole with tortilla chips and drink Corona beer.
Favorite COVID-related cause: @citymeals.
How are you looking at your business differently? It’s a very tough time for small businesses like ours. Most of our vendors and even our original store in Aix-en-Provence have been closed for many weeks so for sure we are looking to optimize the online experience to drive our DTC as much as possible. A “Bastide” is quite literally a French country home filled with laughter, music, communal meals, fresh flowers, and beautiful scents and our products are inspired by this way of life. Every scent that we created can be traced back to the plants in our garden. Our Bastide philosophy rings more now than ever before: to enjoy living more slowly with an emphasis on beautifully crafted, natural products that make your home and your daily rituals more meaningful and magical.
What do you miss most? Coffee dates with girlfriends, yoga with Hannah Casey @hannahlooksandwonders and work-outs with @danflores_fitlink.
Where will you go on your first post-pandemic trip? Aix en Provence.
What do you hope the new normal brings? I hope everyone slows down just a bit. I realize that we are all running so fast and this time has made me wonder where we are all running to? Our frenetic activity is harming the planet and we are spending less and less time with the people we love most. I recently saw this post that basically says Covid is the earth’s way of “sending us all to our rooms to think about what we have done.” I hope this is a wake-up call or everyone to be a more conscious consumer, to heal the planet and to enjoy the present moment rather than rushing at breakneck speed towards some uncertain future.
Really enjoyed this post! Love Shirin’s sense of style.
I remember the sheer excitement I felt upon discovering my aunt’s stash of Nancy Drew books from the 1940’s in my grandmother’s farmhouse attic. I read them that whole summer and I still delight in a good mystery.
Love Shirin and love Bastide. Just ordered my first candle/