Lucy Fairweather is the owner and gift curator for Fair Ivy surprises, which provides unique monthly subscriptions for women. A graduate of UC Berkeley, she created the surprise gift company in 2008 after realizing that opening the mailbox had become a joyless occasion for many people. With a subscription to Fair Ivy, a new handmade, hand-wrapped, vegan-friendly, USA-made luxury gift is mailed out to you every month. All surprise items are created by women, for women, and inside each package you’ll find details about their inspiration and craft. Currently experiencing high demand, subscriptions are available via waitlist only. Follow Fair Ivy on Twitter and Instagram.
March 23, 2015
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R&S
Your biggest fashion faux pas, or a regrettable style phase:
Lucy
I have a bad habit of biting my nails, even at age 28. Early in Fair Ivy’s history I was the model for all the product shots, even the hand jewelry. I spent a large amount of time wearing fake nails!
R&S
What do you love most about your work?
Lucy
I absolutely love working with small businesses. There’s no better place for discovering wonderful creativity and unique, friendly people.
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R&S
One piece of advice you would give your 18 year old self:
Lucy
Don’t stress so much about little mistakes. I can now look back and laugh at how much I overreacted to silly things, thinking they were going to ruin my life. None of them did, and most of them didn’t even make a dent in my path. You’ll end up where you’re supposed to be, regardless.
R&S
Your last great read and why you enjoyed it:
Lucy
I’m currently helping edit my boyfriend’s first novel, called Run Project Five. It’s about enhanced child soldiers training to save the world from…well, I can’t quite reveal that yet. But I’m really excited about it—I think it’s going to be a hit (plus, there is a character in there named after me).
R&S
The pair of jeans you will never grow tired of:
Lucy
I have a pair of sturdy denim Topshop jeans that never get old – they serve equally well for gardening and for a night out.
R&S
A charity you support:
Lucy
Ministry of Stories was inspired by 826 valencia in San Francisco. They are free themed writing schools for kids, run entirely by volunteers. The school in London is hidden behind a real operating shop called ‘monster supplies’, which sells things like jars of snot and blood lollipops, and the writing school is behind a trap door. It’s amazing.
R&S
Where does your credit card get the most use?
Lucy
I adore using Airbnb when I travel. It’s not so much about the savings, but it’s great for meeting locals and getting a proper feel for what it’s like to live in the place I’m visiting.
R&S
Your motto in life:
Lucy
If not now, when?
R&S
A secret talent we should know about:
Lucy
I am pretty good at taking nothing and turning it into something. I craft a lot and most of the things that I make use simple items from around the house, or upcycled furniture – I’m most proud of my outdoor dinner table, that I made out of palettes! My personal blog is called The Surpriseaholic, where you can see some of my upcycled crafts.
R&S
The trend you hope never goes out of style:
Lucy
I hope jeans never become unfashionable. I don’t care if I have to change the fit, color, or brand, but jeans in general better stay forever. I honestly don’t know what I’d wear otherwise.
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