Over Spring Break, I always make sure to take the kiddos to visit people and places that will educate and inspire them (in addition to beach, park and play dates).
I had been to Hedley & Bennett before, for the Shake Shack shindig, and I have followed Ellen for quite some time on Instagram, but I really wanted to take a tour, get to know her story on a more personal level, and bring the kids along to get inspired by this amazing lady’s entrepreneurial spirit and spunk (plus Parker had developed quite a crush and wanted to meet her again).
Within the first ten minutes of arrival, Parker hit the slide (slide and a zip line and a swing, OH MY!), and Avery tripped and busted her lip open (which is why you won’t see any pictures of the little one)…
… thank goodness for ice, McConnell’s ice cream, and the sweetest staff on the planet!
There’s an inspiration wall filled with photos of Ellen, her friends, and her clients… and it’s obvious that they have all become her extended family.
I think everyone wants to be a part of her family… she is warmth and joy personified (and I might be developing my own girl crush too)!
Ellen started this company because she was bored with the standard issue aprons being served up at American Restaurants… so she decided to design her own.
They now outfit such celebrated chefs as Nobu Matsuhisa, Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and more. Expansion of the line now includes artists, and sculptors and even tattoo artists!
Testing the fabric for stains (I could just leave Parker and Avery to help out with that 😉 ).
I mean… If I could ever give him an example of a dream work space… this would be it!
Thank you Hedley & Bennett for a rocking good time (and a full, pouty lip… I had to include one pic!).
I am headed back to the headquarters this Thursday for one of Darling Magazine’s Darling Dinner’s (and I hear there are a few tickets left… meet me there!).
I’m looking forward to sharing, and eating, and getting inspired, because I’ve got an idea up my sleeve that would look REAL nice wrapped up in one of Ellen’s aprons!
I’ll keep you posted!
