WHAT DO YOU DO

My involvement in Preservation began as a model for Nicole back when the shoots were taking place in her dining room - before the studio existed! Good times. Since then, I’ve spent my time with Nicole as friend, Preservation shop girl, model, and blog content manager. Recently, I’ve fallen even more in love with our Week In Links blog series because I’ve gotten to reach out to babes that are just doin’ the damn thing, and filling my curiosity cup by hearing what their personal life-lately obsessions are in their neck of the woods. The shop and the community built around it has been a huge part of my identity in womanhood, style, and artistry, and I’m very grateful that I’ve had a home and influence in this personal #presbabe fashion and lifestyle industry.

Among other small businesses dear to me is Moglea, a letterpress studio focusing on artful stationary and paper goods, where I was hired on three months ago as a production assistant. Everything about the processes of our products is carried out by hand. Every day I feel like I'm in art class learning new techniques or painting modern designs that you’d find on our notebooks, cards, etc. I’ve never done so much artwork with my hands before - it’s challenging at times, but worth it and you’ll see why when you’re holding a card in your hands.  It’s why I loved Moglea products way before I ever thought I’d be working there.

When I’m not hustling in this little city of mine, I’m at home in my studio apartment in downtown, East Village. It’s been one of the best things I’ve ever had in my life, as well as the person who hangs out here with me the most, Nam. He brings the calm to my constant mind-racing.

BEAUTY

Here’s the dilemma: I have sensitive skin, but I love trying new things! (If I’ve researched it). I have my holy trinity of gentle products: Mario Badescu Cleansing Milk with Rice Oil, followed by Botnia’s Hydrating Serum and a slather of Weleda Skin Food all over my face.

Makeup and colors are kept pretty natural, and applied with my fingertips. Most days of the week I’m happy with moisturized skin, eyebrow gel, under-eye concealer, and a light wash of bronzer on my cheekbones. I’m obsessed with all hair products available at Oliver & James Salon which I use every day. Oribe’s Apres Beach and R&Co’s shampoo and conditioners are my current tried and trues.

All of this goes to waste if I don’t get a decent amount of sleep - so important - and so are short nails.

HOME

Every year, for the last four to five years, I have moved from one lease to another. I didn’t have the urge to create a home in any of the apartments or houses I lived in. I’ve carried around hand-me-down furniture, kitchenware, towels, you name it. That temporary mentality has started to change during this past year after I moved into my current studio apartment. I found that I actually love this one big room, with my bed and blankets and candles. It’s instant escape and coziness when I come home. I still have my familiar hand me downs, but I’ve also invested in the smallest sprinkling of new items. I’m a huge believer in not rushing your home decor (maybe too much so). Someday, I want to step back in my home and see all the great works of art I collected after years of thoughtful curation.   

CLOSET

I feel just as myself in oversized outfits as I do in a bold, slinky vintage dress, and I definitely have a handful of all of those. I don’t have as much patience thrifting like I used to, but a unique, stand out, vintage dress is always worth the time to me - and what a pretty souvenir if I find that while I'm in a different city. Most of my closet is honestly, Preservation. The vintage is there, and so are the smaller batch modern brands that create such quality I can’t help but support and take home with me. You’ll find plenty of pattern in my closet, but most likely catch me in vintage denim and worn out black or white tee. I’m more of a shoe person than I ever have been, but I’m still a novice deciding only between red boots, silver mules, or plain white sneakers. If I could reach into my underwear and sock drawers fully satisfied with anything I pull out of there: that would be fucking amazing. As for accessories, i’m all earrings.

- As told to Preservation

Torri Myers photographed at her home in Des Moines, Iowa by Nicole Lorenson