We have a small collection of totes featuring fruit and we are really starting to dig fruit on our bags. Each bag (usually) has a little story to go with it. For instance, the apple bag was a wedding gift & represented the fall apple-themed wedding. We know that maritinis are not a fruit, but this one has an olive - Cheers!
We often are asked why we believe in doing business in Maine. The reasons are many. Besides being one of the greatest places ever to live, we love that this is a place where we know our neighbors. We can collaborate and help and be helped. So when Tourism shared that Maine was sponsoring a fashion show during NY Fashion Week we were eager to participate!
The designer, Indashio produced a line inspired by Maine. How forward thinking our State is to take part in this. So for us, to be a gift bag was fun. And there started a domino effect. Soon we were speaking with Thos. Moser to bring their scrap leather from their amazing furniture into our bags. We heard Cold River Vodka was participating and loved to bring in the Maine Summers Cookbook -- bookmarked to a great fresh berry martini recipe of course! Tourism added the blueberries and then Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. and chocolate to the mix.
The result looked like a fun night and the benefits much further than NY.
It is quite a sight. A couple uniquely styled recycled sails will be hanging from our Freeport store in July. The Dacron surface provided the perfect surface to celebrate the connectivity between Maine’s vibrant art scene and seafaring history.
Sea Bags donated these sails for renowned graffiti artist Tim Clorius to personalize during the recent dedication festivities of the Institute for Doctoral Studies in Visual Arts in Portland.
Tim, who creates legal aerosol art in Portland and cities all over the country, offered to share his art by tagging on these recycled boat sails with the stipulation that when the sails are made into bags the proceeds go to IDSVA and the students.
If you would like the opportunity to participate in the online auction just leave us your email address and we will let you know when the auction begins.
Most would not know this about me, but the 4th of July is my all-time favorite time of year. Just the thought of it brings back vivid childhood memories of watching fireworks light up the Maine summer night sky. And, this time of year, in particular, has always been the vision of All-American Style to me. 
American Style is not just the obvious stars, stripes, red, white and blue. It’s history, knowledge and an understanding of the resilient spirit of America. Working class folks, farmers, cowboys and pioneer women, inspire this style. Traditional navy blue blazers, lots of denim, cotton prairie style, white eyelet & floral fabrics, basic tee, button downs shirts, chunky hand-knits, plaids, picnic plaids and much more. Denim is the staple and it is an iconic Americana fabric. Originally developed in the States, jeans have been around for longer then most care to remember. They echo a look that is uncomplicated, practical, and versatile. It is one of the most universally loved fabrics around the world.
Whatever your plans are for July 4th be sure to make your own fireworks by celebrating where you live and take some fashion inspiration from your country as well!
While most people typically surf channels or the Internet within the controlled environment of their own homes, there is ever increasing number of adventure-seeking, water-loving people who are Hanging Ten (lingo translation: riding a surfboard with the toes of both feet hooked over the front) right here in Maine.
A little Internet surfing revealed that real surfing is the fastest growing water sport in the world. Recently two such themed Sea Bags showed up in our Freeport store it was clear that surfing is also one of the few sports or arts that creates its own culture. Totally cool. Radical.
As a non-surfer, I wonder about surfing’s origins in two parts: “When were the first surfboards ridden?” and “Who were the first surfers?” However, I am told that a seasoned surfer thinks more in terms of: “When was the first stoke?” Yes, there is definitely a separate language and mindset around surfing. In Hawaiian, the term hopupu means to be high on life, especially riding waves.
No need to go to Hawaii for “wave sliding” known as he`e nalu in old Hawaiian. When the tides are high and the winds are gusting, we have a strong surfing community along the coast of Maine. Granted wetsuits may be needed longer here than in the Aloha state, but this sporting trend is growing in popularity in southern region of our state. For example, Friday June 17th, Grain Surfboards shop in York will host the New England Premiere of Mikey DeTemple’s new surfing film Sight|Sound. The film captures beautiful footage from some pretty exotic locations including some fun scenes from right here.
Did you know that there are surf camps in Maine? Actually there are several of them being offered starting at age 5 with the basics and water safety. Teenagers and adults can learn surfing, boogie boarding, skimboarding, stand up paddling, and body surfing. It promises a great work out as it’s like doing Yoga on water and really works the core.
Not soon to sign up for surfing camp, I do appreciate the Surf and the Surfboard Sea Bags even more after a brief glimpse into the surfing scene in our Pine Tree State. I remain among the many people who view storm waves as too choppy, difficult and as an adversary of nature. Whereas, our surfer friends see the potential for fun to figuratively go full-tilt on a risky course. Hang Ten. Do you know anyone who surfs Maine?
