Brand of the Week

Tea Time

When a brand story starts with, “I woke up before the sun, packed a few sawhorses and a piece of plywood into a folding wagon, and rolled over to the Fort Greene Farmers Market,” you know it’s going to be a good one. I recently discovered Raazi Tea (at–you guessed it–the Fort Greene Farmers Market), and was immediately drawn in by the branding (the red lid on the cup was a standout touch) and the friendly smile on the founder behind the stand, Arjun. Without the “follow us on Instagram for half off” incentive, I probably would’ve walked away, finished my tea, tossed the cup, and then kicked myself moments later for not remembering what brand it was. That’s how much of an impression it left. Raazi is the kind of brand we’ve been hoping to see more of in tea. While the coffee world is overflowing with great branding, the tea industry hasn’t quite caught up, with most grocery store tea aisles looking medicinal and outdated. Raazi is changing that with display-worthy packaging and a warm, high-end look and feel. Read Arjun’s full story on Substack here, and follow along (the branding and photography are top-tier).

Stay of the Week

A Home Away From Home in Mexico’s Wine Country

A wine country getaway and a trip to Mexico aren’t usually one and the same, but we’ve had our eyes on Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico’s wine region) for some time now, and Casa Olivea (formerly formerly MYA Boutique Hotel) is giving us a reason to finally check it out. Based on the reviews we’ve read (which, for the record, are all five stars), it seems like the kind of place that will exceed all expectations. Tucked between olive trees, vineyard-lined roads, and padel courts, Casa Olivea is a perfect place to call home after a day of wine tasting. There’s a farm-to-table restaurant onsite, recently spotlighted by the Michelin Guide, and a courtyard pool shaded by olive branches. We also love that each of the 14 rooms is named after a flower or tree. A little romantic. A little rustic. Exactly the kind of place we’ve been meaning to escape to.

Read of the Week

Why PR More Important Than Ever

PR has always been a shape-shifting industry. If you’ve ever wondered if being a publicist is accurately represented by Samantha Jones in Sex and the City, it's not. But even as the landscape evolves, one thing stays the same: earned media matters. We loved this piece from Wolf Craft, which shows how AI platforms like ChatGPT are now relying on press mentions and editorial lists to provide product recommendations. It’s a good reminder that in an AI-driven world, “as seen in” is more valuable than ever.