The rumors are true! We've got a new lovely lady in the shop. Take a moment and get to know our newest member to the team: Meridith Kula. I promise, she's as kula as a cucumber! (Sorry, I had to...) 
Where do you hail from? Honolulu, HI via Brooklyn, NY
Hobbies/Interests Sewing; sourcing and fixing up vintage clothing; making jewelry; attempting to garden / keep plants alive; occasionally cooking elaborate meals. And yoga, when I'm being a good girl. 
Some adorable snap shots form Meridith's Instagram.
Favorite bar in PDX I still have lots of exploring to do, but so far Victory Bar is my favorite low-key place while the Expatriate is great for a more upscale cocktail experience.
Guilty pleasure 'Window shopping' on Etsy for vintage dress patterns and homewares. Oh god, and Candy Crush (cringe).
What would your doppelgänger's name be? My boyfriend suggests Meridifferent. 
Favorite TV show or author. I'm currently enmeshed in Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Girls, and West Wing. Oh wait, maybe Six Feet Under is my favorite TV show. Such a good show. Yes. I recently read my first Alice Munro book of short stories and loved it. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Three things you can’t leave your house without
- Lip balm, preferably tinted.
- Some sort of hair accoutrement (like a comb or clip) in case I'm feeling fickle and want to change the hair situation whilst out.
- Depending on my destination, I like to have a bottle of water and / or a jacket. And shoes I can walk at least a mile in. Basically I like to feel as prepared as possible for unexpected events that may arise.
Your favorite DIY project: Making clothes! Taking something that's been discarded or that's imperfect and identifying what's special about it and accentuating that. Making it fit a human body in just the way I imagine. Making something unique that's not everyone's style but is someONE's perfect exact style. *Editors note: Check out Meridith's website. She makes some seriously beautiful pieces*
Some repurpose/upcycled/freshly-made designs by the lady herself.
What makes you laugh the most? - Jokes? Hahah. This video is special.
Top 3 favorite b&i pieces The Pathway necklace - it's simple and cool with a little bit of color. Dalia bangle - I can't decide on a color scheme, though! The Girding Element necklace - it reminds me of a Mayan temple dressed up for a party.
Favorite breakfast spot: Home! My boyfriend, Nick, has mastered buttermilk pancakes with fruit with bacon on the side. 
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and why? Probably Greece. I watched the movie Before Midnight recently (set in Greece) and everything was so sparkly clear blue and white and sun and food. Being from Hawaii, I definitely get ocean withdrawal and I'm aching for a swim in clear deep water.
Best fashion tips and/or mantras to live by Wear what you feel good in, but occasionally push yourself to try something that you're drawn to but that you're maybe a little scared of. To make a great outfit, pick one strong piece that really suits your mood. Then pull out other pieces and accessories that 'go' with it (that can mean a lot of different things) and put it all on even if it looks kind of crazy. Then, like the Italians say, remove one or two or three of the things. Look in the mirror and adjust and then WALK OUT THE DOOR! You'll look awesome. Woosh! Every time I do one of these interviews I feel like I went to a speed-dating social. I give Meridith a 10/10! Especially for that fashion advice & doppelgänger name. If you're in the area I hope you can stop by and say hello to Meridith (and the rest of us)! Newhugs, Barrie
***Song of the moment: Keep Me In Mind by Little Joy***