09/03/2026
I’ve been looking at the martinis from this collection and I couldn’t help but notice something familiar.
I was 22 and interning for a design job in New York and my dad came to visit. He took me to Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel, and we sat and had a glass of w**e.
I remember him telling me the story of the artist who painted the walls. Ludwig Bemelmans, the artist and author behind Madeline. He created the murals that still surround the bar today. The story goes that rather than being traditionally paid for the work, Bemelmans and his family were given accommodations at The Carlyle while he painted them.
I don’t know why that story stuck with me so much, but it did. I loved the idea of an artist living there and covering the walls with these loose, whimsical little scenes. I loved the imperfect lines and playful figures.
And I loved that night with my dad.
And I see a connection in my release of the Martinis. The loose lines and playfulness. That feeling of not needing something to be perfect for it to be beautiful.
Maybe that’s how inspiration works.
We collect things without realizing we’re collecting them. Places we’ve been. Art we’ve seen. Stories someone told us. Moments with people we love.
A handful of these little martinis from Martinis + Mushrooms are still available through Well + Wonder. 🍸 Shop link in bio.
