Last year I had a fairy-tale-worthy sourcing trip with my parents – some made-for-TV shit chock-full of magic moments and warm fuzzies. What made the trip so special? That it even happened. Being an immigrant includes a host of challenges and for my family, being a family was the hardest problem we faced.

Like so many immigrants, my parents worked nonstop. They were relentless – saving every penny, working every second their bodies could endure. My parents felt beat up. They were overwhelmed. They didn’t understand how to navigate a new system of parenting that was so foreign – so totally opposite of their upbringing. I’m not sure what I felt, but I do know what I didn’t feel – connected. We turned against each other instead of turning towards each other. I wish I could tell my teenage self that one day, we’d figure out how to be a family.

My parents are now retired, but they’re still nonstop relentless. They’ve become a huge support system for RAD AND HUNGRY. When I’m not out there huntin’ down office supplies, we’re probably having dinner together.

I wanna keep creating epic memories with my parents, so I brought them along to Poland. We woke up to snow on our first morning in Kraków. It was magical despite the harsh wind. We broke for snow ‘cause watching my parents giggle while catchin’ snowflakes is way more important than office supplies. Can you believe it was the first time my mother caught snowflakes? Crazy, right?! But when you’ve been working nonstop since you were six years old it doesn’t leave much time for play.

It’s also the first time my mother spent more than two consecutive days doin’ nothing but chill. She rocked pj’s all day and played Pokémon Go from the sofa. She stayed up late watching Polish movies with no subtitles. I worried that she was bored. My mother smiled and replied that this is what vacation feels like. It’s corny but true – shared experiences make lasting memories.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Poland. How could I not? I was nonstop meetin’ super rad folks! Like the amazing wife/husband duo, Papierniczeni, their catalog of goods be dope as hell (more about Magda and Piotr in their upcoming Maker Profile!).

But it don’t stop there… the architecture, the design scene, the people, the M’THR F’IN unreal moments like seeing my last name tagged on walls! WHAT?! And it continued to amaze… A rainy day adventure looking for a recommended restaurant that was closed led us to a different spot. Thought I was dreaming when I heard the owner speakin’ Korean to my father. Turns out Tomek studied in Korea and spoke Korean like a champ!

I didn’t want to leave Poland. My parents didn’t want to leave Poland. There was so much more to do and see and people to hang with and drinks and grubbin’. Poland – you got that whip appeal.

oxxo, Hen

I’m not exactly a country girl, so I was as surprised as anyone that a pilgrimage to paradise meant trekking to rural Georgia. The chance to visit a Baptist preacher-turned-outsider artist’s kitschy studio? Too unique to pass up, so we set off for Summerville, GA.

I didn’t anticipate feeling so connected to Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden or so welcomed by some of the locals. That feeling of being shaken out of your comfort zone? It’s one of the best parts of travel, especially in your own country.

Whether you’re looking for art, grub, or inspiration, our guide to Summerville and the surrounding area has you covered. This trip is deep-fried, small town Americana with a side of funky fixin’s.

After arriving in town, we let the locals be our guide – even when they threw in a detour to Alabama! You’ll start at the roadside diner where locals line up at 5:30 a.m. and end on top of a waterfall. A set of wheels is a must for this classic Southern road trip.

oxxo, Jessica

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a RAD AND HUNGRY Mini-Adventure
Two Tickets to Paradise – Summerville, GA

sleep in an ARTIST COTTAGE at Paradise Garden

Start your journey in Atlanta and take I-75 N to GA-140 W. Then, take US-27 N to N. Lewis St. Plan on two hours but traffic and time of day may make for a longer journey.

Get the full-on Paradise Garden experience by spending the night in the Artist in Residence Cottage. It’s burstin’ with artwork and vintage touches. Who needs rock star parking when you’re steps away from the entrance to Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden! Reservations include unlimited access including after hours entry. Check out all the awesome by moonlight and let the magic wash over you. Availability is limited so book ahead.

eat BARBECUE at Henry’s BBQ

A pork plate for breakfast? Trust. The locals be up before dawn to start their day with Henry’s grubbin’ BBQ. Load up on Southern favorites like biscuits kissed with sunny dots of butter, grits, and the house-smoked sausage or bacon. The staff is the epitome of Southern hospitality. Tell Caitlan we sent you!

On your way back to Paradise Gardens, look out for Ye Olde Trade Grounds (US-27 and Smith Rd.). People flock from all over Chattooga County every Tuesday and Saturday for the Trade Day flea market at this parking lot. Browse everything from vintage jewelry to hunting knives, but the best deal is just gabbin’ with locals.

get INSPIRED at Paradise Garden

Paradise Garden was built by retired preacher Howard Finster when a vision told him to paint sacred art in 1976. He spent the rest of his life spreading his message by creating folk art and expanding his garden. The grounds are a wonderland of weird, featuring everyday bric-a-brac turned awesomeness. Watch your reflection multiply in the glittering Mirror House, try to count hubcaps amassed into a 20-foot-tall tower, and enjoy the gentle stream running through this outsider playground. If Finster’s work seems familiar you may have seen the album covers he created for R.E.M. and the Talking Heads. Protip – watch the short video shown in the visitor center for a glimpse of Finster serenading Johnny Carson by banjo.

shop the CRAFTS at Log Cabin Craft Village

Alabama? Hey, we go where the locals tell us. Drive NW for roughly 30 minutes from Summerville to Mentone on GA-48 W then AL-117 N.

This tiny mountain town is home to a surprisingly eclectic collection of artisans, craftspeople, and souvenir stores. Look for the group of log cabins that’s been converted to shops. The biggest surprise? A Dutch woman who moved from Seattle to Alabama and spends half the year sourcing goods for her shop in Ecuador and Peru!

go HIKING at Desoto Falls

A quick 10 minute drive and you’ll be lookin’ out at Alabama’s highest waterfall! Head west on AL-117 N and turn left onto Co Rd 613 until it dead ends at the DeSoto Falls Recreation Area.

An easy two-mile hike will take you through the lush Chattahoochee National Forest and back. Or just sit and admire the powerful 104-foot falls as they dive into the gorge below. Soak in the natural wonder before hitting the road back to Atlanta.

Atlanta is the New South. If Savannah be drippin’ in Spanish moss and New Orleans reppin’ colonial architecture and jazz heritage, Atlanta is a global glass tower on a hill.

The city is boomin’ and lookin’ ahead. Whether it be for the film industry or finance, attracting people from all over. We felt a little lost in all this newness – like when a billboard for Pencil Factory made our hearts race and turned out to be converted condos. Ponce City Market’s huge Art Deco sign is dope as hell, but the historic building turned out to be an overwhelming mall housin’ chain stores and a trendy cafeteria. No hatin’ – it’s just not our jam. No rare office supplies to unearth, no RAH–worthy goods to share.

We wanted a local grub spot and found it just a few blocks down the street. The rad street art mural out front was the first good sign.

Inside, 8ARM kept gettin’ more inviting. A bright orange and white cafe led into an open dining room dotted with plants, and then to an outdoor patio and bar housed in a container. Turns out the building was an old scooter garage!

8ARM felt like your cool kid friend was cooking for you. Sippin’ coffee, scopin’ out the designy vintage touches while a hip crowd trickled in. A snake and wolf mural with a Latin phrase dominated the sunny room – something from Aesop’s fables. Awesome!

The menu rocked some brunch classics, but didn’t play too safe. Lamb cheek for breakfast with lemongrass and carrots? HELLZ YES. Everyone said the biscuits were a MUST, but to our dismay – SOLD OUT. Cravin’ the pastries in the glass case was as close as we got.

We coulda been grubbin’ at 8ARM all day, moving from morning cafe to cocktails on the patio. Instead, we walked off our grits at nearby Paris on Ponce (antique market) and the BeltLine (rail line converted to a pedestrian path). Next time we’re in Atlanta though, those biscuits are top of the list.

oxxo, Jessica

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photos Hen Chung, Jessica Mlinaric

Souvenir specialist I be. I land in a city, and within minutes I’m buyin’ up a storm. Office supplies, textiles, art, books… anything and everything that inspires me. My RAH Tote Bag gettin’ heavier by the second from nonstop collectin’ every matchbook, sugar packet, and flyer that caught my eye. I’m steady snappin’ photos of everything that excites me – signage I pass, sewer covers I step over, people I meet, food that I eat.

I love putterin’ way outside of the city center chock full of tourist traps to discover dope hidden spots to get my shop on. But sometimes tourist shops are where it’s at. Magnets. Check. Postcards. Check. Socks rockin’ the city skyline. Check.

It’s more than the draw of the standard souvenirs. Sometimes I run out of time. Sometimes I don’t wanna run around comparing prices, searchin’ for the one. And sometimes after I’ve secured all the goods for the STMT Kit I’m totally spent. No amount of caffeine is gonna make me wanna walk another block. Sometimes I just wanna discover a touristy-but-not-touristy shop and fall in love with everything. Lucky for me, I discovered just the spot in Puebla – Galería La Catrina!

Don’t expect cheap tchotchkes at Galería La Catrina. Instead, be prepared for a choice selection of goods reppin’ the local culture made by local artist. The perfect balance of enough – not too much that’ll leave you overwhelmed but plenty of variety to find the perfect souvenir! You’ll see familiar stuff – Day of the Dead figurines, all things Frida, colorful skulls – but also not-so-common treasures. Their most popular pieces? Gorgeous handcrafted birdcages.

I walked out with non-touristy magnets, Day of the Dead figurines, and a beautiful handmade clay statue overflowing with flowers. I also scored tips for visiting Puebla from the owner, Blanca. Her suggestions? Visit Puebla Cathedral. Stunning. Eat mole. Grubbin’. Eat Chiles en Nogada. Didn’t happen ‘cause we ran out of time but it’s gonna. Food recommendations from locals? Mark my return!

oxxo, Hen

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I’ve traveled far (South Africa) to hunt down office supplies. I’ve traveled to remote places (Atacama Desert, Chile) and random places (Paraguay) but I’ve never explored the American South. The time felt right for a mission trip to Paradise Garden – an Outsider Art mecca located in small-town Americana that’s been callin’ my name.

Summerville, Georgia be unlike any other place I’ve been. We arrived at dusk, slowly creepin’ into town. We passed estates sitting on acres of perfectly manicured lawns. I wondered out loud if Crayola named their grass green crayon after their lawns. Then we drove through some real-life True Detective swampland shit that gave me chills.

It’s no secret that we M’THR F’IN love to grub. It’s a big part of sourcing trips, sometimes more than huntin’ down office supplies! Our first taste of Summerville – peel ‘n eat Gulf shrimp, fresh oysters, chicken wings with a side of tortilla chips (??), and deep-fried dill pickles – at the only restaurant crackin’ on a Friday night. But the real winner of dinner? The heavy dose of locals. That syrupy-sweet drawl? Bonafide real. And the only other non-white person kickin’ back drunk with his feet up on a stool had me all sorts of confused.

We hit up the corner gas station. Another slice of small-town Americana, another spot where we commanded silence the moment we walked through the doors. Townies wonderin’ what we wanted, we wonderin’ why there was only one cider option but two different Four Loko flavors? WTF? Purple Hooter and Pink Scorpion probably woulda turnt up the night but we were deep in the south. We didn’t need the night to go south.

We grubbed on grits and barbecue for breakfast at Henry’s BBQ, the spot that locals get their mornin’ grub on. They line up at 5:45 am, 15 minutes before they open. We rolled in at 1:45 pm, 15 minutes before they closed.

One of the waitresses, Caitlan, took our order. What she really wanted? To get our story. She pegged us as outsiders and wanted to connect. Turns out Caitlan was feelin’ like an outsider herself – lookin’ for a sign from afar. We left loaded with leads, exchanged phone numbers, and promised to keep in touch. Later, we hit up one of Caitlan’s tips – hello, Mentone, AL!

But the prize of the STMT x USA sourcing trip? Paradise Garden – Howard Finster’s twisted-fairy-tale-turned-real haven (more about this magical spot later this month!). The preacher-turned-artist called himself a “visitor from another planet,” and walkin’ the grounds was like entering another world. Everyday items transformed into art – merging real with fantasy. My head was spinnin’ from all the rad… It’s bizarre, a bit creepy, and a whole lot of awesome. Even the insects were otherworldly – ginormous bees and massive dragonflies hovering all around us, nature proving its strength in Paradise.

Nonstop surreal and out there moments. Outsiders hangin’ with outsiders. We all out here. Who’s left inside?

oxxo, Hen

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It was all a dream… hawkin’ office supplies from around the world.

Releasing three STMT Kits was guaranteed, six was being hopeful, and 12 be my pipe dream come true. When we neared our 50th release, it blew my mind. Nonstop travelin’ for five years, huntin’ down lo-fi office supplies and sharin’ them with RAHstrs all over the world? MAJOR BOOTYCLAPPIN’!

To celebrate the 50ths STMT Kit I designed the “Every Day We’re Traveling” illustration featurin’ some of my fave icons from some of our most popular kits… whales reppin’ Ukraine, a boombox reppin’ Finland, snails reppin’ Croatia… We plastered it on T-shirts, custom drawing boards, our RAH Passports, stamped it on pencils, and more.

This month we drop our 70th Kit (HELLZ YEAH!), and totally ready to celebrate! Seven years in and my love for pencils still beats strong. The force behind RAD AND HUNGRY, my all-time fave office supply – PENCILS ARE THE SHIT. How we gonna celebrate? To start – custom pencils proclaiming my love of pencils!

The pencils I ordered were waiting for me after my return from last month’s sourcing trip. My whole flight home I was excited thinkin’ about surprising RAHstrs with ‘em. Back at the office, I tore into the package. And you know what? The pencils aren’t the shit; they totally look like shit. The body paint is streaky, the text cracking – the pressure of stamping the text was too much causin’ the letters to crack through the uneven paint job. Noooooo!

After all my bummed out feelings washed away, my next thought was… OMG, I don’t wanna deal with the vendor! Will they offer to redo them? Will they offer a refund? Are we stuck with shitty pencils that clearly aren’t the shit? What do I do when I don’t wanna make that call or send that email? ‘Cause sometimes I don’t wanna be boss. Sometimes I wish I could snap my fingers and all the not-so-rad tasks and headaches of running a small biz would resolve themselves. But that’s not reality.

Sometimes I let things ride, let issues slide. Accept half-assed because it’s easier, because I don’t wanna stir shit up. But that’s never a good thing. I gotta remind myself to be boss. Day in, day out. Dealin’ with all the good and bad of owning it. Owning my pipe dream. Owning a small biz. Owning every day whether ridin’ high or sinkin’ in shit. I gotta have the emotional strength to deal with any bullshit slung my way, big or small.

I’m gonna make the situation right, I’m gonna make that phone call. I’m gonna M’THR F’IN be boss ‘cause PENCILS ARE THE SHIT, and one not-so-hot experience isn’t gonna stop me from spreadin’ the pencil love!

oxxo, Hen

Hit the pavement, feet to the fire – reunion to reunion. That fire that ignites? Temperature’s risin’. Burn, baby burn. Out of the ashes, we come hard – slangin’ lo-fi office supplies and handin’ out hi-fives. It’s STMT x Mexico!

Our 69th limited-edition STMT Kit features old-school awesomeness! One vintage Scripto Thinline mechanical pencil, one phat notebook, one vintage paper stencil, and a Yearly Subscriber BONUS! One vintage rub-on transfer sheet.

Shop the STMT x Mexico Kit and read the Low Down to learn about the fire-and-desire sourcing trip.