Brit and Kara Smith, Founders of Elkin
21
Sisters BRIT & KARA SMITH are the spirited co-designers of the covetable L.A.-based label Elkin. The duo, who draw inspiration from music (they print playlists on their hangtags), literature (they regularly cite Jules Verne), and art (their grandfather, an artist, instilled a profound appreciation), sometimes just need a break from it all to clear their heads. When it's time, the Smith siblings and roadtrip buddies usually pack up the car and head to Santa Ynez, a respite just north of Santa Barbara near the Los Padres National Forest.
Here, the 21 things Brit and Kara Smith always pack for a weekend trip to the family ranch.
Brit Smith
- 1
Elkin Silk Gingham Eleanore Party Dress
I love this dress: I dress it down with cowboy boots and feel like a little innocent party girl.
- 2
The Elected's "Bury Me In My Rings"
Kara usually lets me take over when it comes to our travel music, and this record never gets old—such a great road trip record. We sing along to every song.
- 3
Lomography Diana F+ Camera
We always love a spontaneous photo and this camera is perfect to travel with—it's incredibly light, you never know what kind of cool photo will come out of it, and it's glow in the dark... so I always know where it is should I need it during the night.
- 4
Mara Hoffman Inca One-Piece Bathing Suit
I love her prints... so rad.
- 5
Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
I'm currently reading Jules Verne 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to get mentally prepared for Elkin's next collection.
- 6
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
A perfect, no-fuss lip treatment that gives you a subtle hint of color and contains SPF. I go through the rose version like crazy so we now have back-ups on-hand stuffed in our vanity at the Elkin cave.
- 7
Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil
The best face oil—it makes my skin so hydrated. I use this morning/night after my organic juice cleanser face wash. It has such a subtle scent.
- 8
Sunday Riley Juno Serum
This serum is so so so so good. It leaves my skin feeling super velvety.
- 9
Pendleton Blanket
We always bring our blankets for a picnic, a spontaneous beach stop, or a late nigth adventure... the Pendelton blankets remind us of our grandfathers Native American art.
- 10
High Top Converse
I'm a sucker for classic converse—white, high top (sometimes black, depending on my mood). I have travelled the world with a few pairs of these shoes, they are beaten up and really dirty, which make them
even better. - 11
Le Labo Scent Vanille 44
This scent is now only available in Paris, which sucks for when I run out, but I was lucky to have gotten it when it was available in LA. But it's a great excuse to take a trip to Paris soon!
Kara Smith
- 1
Dave Eggers' Zeitoun
I'm starting Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers. It should be an interesting read.
- 2
Pinot Noir
Brit and I love Pinot Noir. Our favorites, which are always stocked at the house are Siduri, Loring, and Foley.
- 3
Fujifilm Instax 210 Camera
My favorite things are the snapshots of us from all our trips. I love Brit so much, and our memories are unparalleled, so capturing them is very important to me.
- 4
Sparklers
I get mine from shady spots in China Town... they're hard to score. Sometimes they accuse me of being a sparkler narc and refuse to sell to me. These make every trip more magical, dancing around the fire
at night. - 5
Elkin Long Brothel Dress
AHHH my favorite dress, and so ideal for these trips. It's just as easy to wear around the house during the day, as it is to dress up when we go out at night—to Mavericks Cowboy Bar!
- 6
Zimmermann Devoted Frill Bikini
I adore Zimmermann suits. The CUTEST! And it goes really well with my hat and sunnies! Usually after a few glasses of wine we switch to skinny dipping.
- 7
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Spray
Santa Ynez is a makeup-free vacation, but this spray is crucial. It does something to your skin that is insane! It wakes it up and makes you glow. It smells so yummy, and feels so lovely and refreshing after
being outside. - 8
Karen Walker Deep Freeze Tortoise Sunglasses
I always wear sunnies! These frames are my new best friend, they really work on my face, and they make me feel like a bit of a badass for some reason. The sun is intense at the ranch, so these rarely come off of me.
- 9
Fresco Beach Towels
These are hands-down the best towels: They're huge, soft, have amazing prints, and for some reason they smell really good.
- 10
Stella McCartney Falabella Fold-Over Tote
A.K.A. the chic ranch bag. It's perfect, and is usually stuffed with little antique treasures we find on the way from LA to Santa Ynez, and back. The drive takes forever because we have to stop at so many stores.
