Los Angeles May 2017

S T Y LE ///B E AU T Y EDI T I ON

#63

LUKE ROCK HOLD

MY BIG FAT SOCAL WEDDING

TIPS, TRICKS AND INSPO TO MAKE YOUR SOCAL WEDDING PLANNING SEAMLESS

MEET ME IN MANHATTAN

FASHION BLOGGER SHALICE NOEL TAKES US TO HER FAVORITE HOT SPOTS IN MANHATTAN BEACH

FRESH SQUEEZED FUN

SPEND YOUR VEGAS VACAY AT THE DOWNTOWN GRAND HOTEL & CASINO

PAINT IT BLACK

LAURYN EVARTS’ BACHELOR PADINSPIRED HOME WITH A WOMAN’S TOUCH

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

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Contributor Call Out PHOTO BY:

RYAN HENSLEY ryanhensleyphotography.com @ryan_hensley_photography Setting the Table - Sicilian Style Happy Hour O+O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar 1705 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 DATE TAKEN: MARCH 7, 2017

LOCALE MAGAZINE 13

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THE TEAM ERIK HALE Publisher + Founder erik@localemagazine.com | @local_e ASHLEY SMITH COO/Co-Founder ashley@localemagazine.com | @ashleyelainexo REILLY KAVANAUGH Art Director reilly@localemagazine.com | @localereilly | @reillyek EDITORIAL JORDAN LIGONS Editor jordan@localemagazine.com | @justjayyL CHELSEA RAINERI Editor chelsea@localemagazine.com | @chelsearaineri CHARLOTTE FARRELL Editor charlotte@localemagazine.com | @charlottefarrell RANDI SLUSHER Photoshoot Coordinator randi@localemagazine.com | @randi.slusher SALES & MARKETING MIKE TODD SMITH Sr. Market Manager mts@localemagazine.com | @miketoddsmith JASON KOSKY Sr. Market Manager jason@localemagazine.com | @locale_jason BLAINE MULLIGAN Market Manager blaine@localemagazine.com | @localeblainemulligan JAMES ULRICH Market Manager james@localemagazine.com | @j_bubbs JOEL THOMPSON Market Manager joel@localemagazine.com | @joelclaythompson BRIANNA ROMANO Partnerships + Marketing Director brianna@localemagazine.com | @briannabanawna FINANCE VALERIE KERR Accountant accounting@localemagazine.com DISTRIBUTION RICK RAMIREZ & ROBERT JONES

THE CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS ASHLEE POLAREK inspirationfromexploration.wordpress.com | @thegreatbigwonder ASHLEY RUIZ thatlawriter.com | @ashleysitasays ELENA KHURY khuryskravings.wordpress.com | @khuryskravings ERICA JOHNSON onmogul.com/erica-johnson-85 | @ericabjohnson JODY MILLER jodymiller.journoportfolio.com KARLI KARANDOS karlirosetravel.wordpress.com | @karankar MIMI DANG | NICOLE HAKIM sultanvilebetrayer | @nikkicola24 RAE ANN VARONA raeannvarona.com | @raeannvarona REBECCA GRAZIER @rebeccagraz SHALICE NOEL shalicenoel.com | @shalicenoel TAMARA PHILIPS @candid.california TYLER HOLLAND @tyler_jal VERONICA AN veronicaan.com | @veronicaan21 VICTORIA RAMIREZ @victoriaramirez02 PHOTOGRAPHERS ALICIA CHO aliciacho.com | @aliciachofoto ANDREA DOMJAN andreadomjanphotography.com | @andrea_domjan_photography COREY WILSON @corey_wilson DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS nobleandrews.com | @nobleandrews DIANE LOMBARDI dianelombardi.com | @dianelombardi07 JANE CHOUTEAU janechouteau.com KRISTIN ANDERSON kristinandersonphotography.com | @kristinandersonstudios MATHEW MARTINEZ @2mb_imagery NATASHA LEE bynatasha.net | @talktonatasha RYAN HENSLEY ryanhensleyphotography.com | @ryan_hensley_photography TAE KWON taekwonphoto.com | @taekwonphoto TRAVIS MCCOY travismccoy.com | @travis_mccoy_photography WIL COHEN wilcohen.com | @wilcohen BEAUTY STYLISTS ALEX SEXTON HEATHER BALAAM hbmua.com | @hb.makeupartist LEXI KLEYLA leximakeupartist.com | @lexikleyla ROCHELLE RANDALL thepopularmovement.com | @rochellerandall *For full information on our contributors go to www.localemagazine.com/about LO CAL E MAG AZ INE 2755 Bristol St Ste 295, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.436.8910 • www.localemagazine.com @localemagazine • #localemagazine

®

All rights reserved © 2017, the entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any forms or by any means without express written prior permission of the copyright owner.

LOCALE MAGAZINE

ph: 949.436.8910 | fax: 949.682.4807 info@localemagazine.com Locale Magazine is printed by SOUTHWEST OFFSET PRINTING 13650 Gramercy Pl, Gardena, CA 90249 | 310.323.0112 | www.southwestoffset.com

COVER

Photographed By: Corey Wilson, @corey_wilson Model: Luke Rockhold, @lukerockhold Location: Gold Coast, Queensland

MAKING THE ISSUE These photos of our cover star and UFC fighter, Luke Rockhold, jump off the page. It almost feels as if you are about to absorb the punch he’s throwing underwater or physically get sand in your eye from his forceful high kick.

All props to the talented photographer, Corey Wilson, for bringing this action to life. Wilson gets to travel across the globe capturing moments in time, like these, that simply make us jealous that we weren’t able to be there when the photo was snapped. Rockhold and Wilson packed their bags for Bali and Australia in mid-January to explore and, well, take cool pics while doing cool stuff—cliff jumping, waterfall chasing and underwater wrestling type stuff to be exact.

Rockhold is a prize fighter who has some unfinished business to take care of in the cage, but first, he made it a priority to take some time to get away and travel. “Life is about balance, definitely in the fight game,” Rockhold explains. “I’m an outdoorsman. I can only take so much time in the gym beating each other up.” He continues to say that this brutal game of MMA fighting wears and tears on your body, but also your mind. Time away allows Rockhold to analyze his strengths and his weaknesses, grow, and to gain a clearer vision, he says.

I think Bali is the perfect place to press the reset button, don’t you? This trip was a break in his day-to-day grind, but now the itch to get back on the mat is there and we, here at LOCALE, are thankful to be one stop during Rockhold’s quest for glory.

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A NOTE FROM OUR

PUBLISHER "Elegance is elimination."

—Cristóbal Balenciaga "Better to fight for something than live for nothing."

—George S. Patton I am constantly removing items from my wardrobe in an attempt to simplify. Eliminating the clutter and paring down.

The essence of style, to me, is in the simplicity of it. However, if I removed one more item I would likely be shirtless and that wouldn’t be a good look.

For our cover feature and MMA badass, Luke Rockhold, that is quite another story. When your chest is chiseled steel formed over years of hand to hand combat, shirtless is very fashionable. We were lucky enough to catch Rockhold in between fights, following him on several flights across a few continents for the feature you will find within these pages. His longtime friend and photographer, Corey Wilson, captured the images for this feature while traveling together across Bali and Australia—look closely and you might even catch a glimpse of their friend, Mick Fanning.

Our STYLE///BEAUTY issue is a packed and overflowing octagon of content. Fashion is nothing if

not trendy, but the real trick is to be on the forefront of a trend.

There is a swing in popularity toward brightly colored makeup that we cover in Poppin Pantones (p. 67), the fun of "kicking it" in one of our favorite beachside cities with fashion blogger Shalice Noel in Meet Me in Manhattan (p. 62) and a selection of rings in our Bridal Guide (p.

45)...our favorite is Beach Bride shhhhh. We also ask a bevy of local fashion influencers to "weigh-in" on what’s next in our Style/Beauty Experts (p. 39).

In case you are not into STYLE/// BEAUTY, we made sure not to leave you out. This issue is filled with a "one, two combination" of food and travel. We introduce you to seven amazing young people that are "fighting outside their weight class" (p.

103), where to find Southern California's best bloody mary's (p. 88) and "sit ringside" at one of our favorite local happy hours at O+O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar (p.

130). We also take you on two "knockout" summer vacations to Las Vegas (p. 134) and South Africa (p. 122).

P.S. It has been three years now since we released the first issue of LOCALE Los Angeles. We hope you get as much joy out of it as we put into it. We think it’s "pound for pound" one of the best magazines we’ve ever made.

ERIK HALE PUBLISHER + FOUNDER erik@localemagazine.com | @local_e

Photograph By: Jared Schlachet & Joe Magnani of JSquared Photography

LOCALE MAGAZINE

TA BL E CO NTEN T S of

M AY 2 0 1 7

THIS ISSUE: STYLE/BEAUTY

36

Coolest Places to Shop

45

SHOP HERE FOR THE #SWAG

MY BIG FAT SOCAL WEDDING

Bridal Guide

Some of the Coolest Places to Shop in Southern California

39

Style/Beauty Experts

TRENDY TENDENCIES

These Style and Beauty Experts are Passionate About Their Trade

18 LOCALE MAGAZINE

Tips, Tricks and Inspo to Make Your SoCal Wedding Planning Seamless

67

Fashion Spread

POPPIN’ PANTONES

Show Your True Colors With Sephora’s Color Poppin’ Products

62

That's What She Said

MEET ME IN MANHATTAN

Fashion Blogger Shalice Noel Takes Us to Her Favorite Hot Spots in Manhattan Beach

LOCALE MAGAZINE

TA BL E CO NTEN T S of

M AY 2 0 1 7

22

LOCALENDAR

GO/DO

20 Smokin’ Events

24

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

78

Where to be Monday-Sunday

Summer Michelada

EAT/DRINK

A METHOD TO MICHELADA MADNESS

92

Cover Story

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Peek Into the Mind of UFC’s Luke Rockhold as He’s Hungry for Another Championship Belt

130

Setting the Table

Celebrate Summer With a Modelo Michelada at Red O Taste of Mexico

SICILIAN STYLE HAPPY HOUR

O+O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar Brings Sicilian Style Fare to Santa Monica

88 Bomb Bloodies

80

Eat Expert

SWEET TOOTH

Sugarfina Sweethearts Let Us in Their Sugar Coated World

ABSOBLOODYLUTELY

Bacon, Burgers and Celery Topped Goodness

103 Do Expert

A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM

Meet Seven Young Influencers Who Have Made Their Passions a Reality

HOME/AWAY

134

Away Feature

FRESH SQUEEZED FUN

Spend Your Vegas Vacay at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino

100 Music Spotlight

LOCAL SOUND: STRANGERS YOU KNOW The Evolving Sound of This Local Musical Duo

84

122

HOOKED ON LINGUINI

Meals Deconstructed

Old Venice’s Instagram-Worthy Seafood Linguini Has Us Wanting Seconds

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120

Escape: South Africa

140

Su Casa

INTO THE WILD

PAINT IT BLACK

DO AS THE KING SAYS

Experience a Luxurious Adventure to South Africa

Lauryn Evarts’ Bachelor Pad-Inspired Home With a Woman’s Touch

Said the King

Show Off Your Sassy Soul With Said the King

LOCALENDAR 20 Smokin’ Events WRITTEN BY: MIMI DANG

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“OKLAHOMA!” AT REDONDO BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER June 16 - 25

3 EEEEEATS CON AT THE BARKER HANGAR May 20

¢ Attention foodies: The day will be dedicated to food, with restaurants native to LA and beyond. Influential people in the food world, like “Chef’s Table” Nancy Silverton will be there to speak and it’s hosted

by KCRW’s Evan Kleiman.

Dubbed the “food festival for the new generation,” this event is a must go! The event will take place from 12 to 9 p.m. www.theinfatuation.com/ EEEEEATSCON

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4TH ANNUAL ROSE FESTIVAL May 20 - 21 ¢ As the most popular flower in the US, it’s no wonder Descanso Gardens has an entire festival dedicated to the rose. The event will have displays, art activities, guided walks, live music, food and more (all rose inspired of course)! The event will go from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.descansogardens.org

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www.3dtheatricals.org/ productions/oklahoma

¢ “The Book of Mormon,” a nine-time Tony Awardwinning Best Musical, comes to the Pantages Theater!

Hailed as “the best musical of the century” and an “evening that restores your faith in musicals,” you shouldn’t wait any longer to purchase your ticket! “The Book of Mormon” follows the misadventures of an unlikely pair of missionaries, sent to Africa to spread the Good Word.

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¢ Hailed as the “Sundance for the Facebook crowd,” the New Media Film Festival is where technology and entertainment intersect.

Come and watch movies shot on drones, or a CG short, as well as digital comics and 3D storytelling. Attend panels with entrepreneurs and industry leaders and hear how new media is changing the cinematic experience.

¢ A sprinkle pool? Free ice cream? Sign us up! The famed Museum of Ice Cream has made its way to Los Angeles, and tickets sell out fast, so make sure to keep checking the website for release dates!

And arrive early to take advantage of your assigned time slot. Oh, the things we do for ice cream!

www.newmediafilmfestival.com

¢ LA got their own Comic Con and it's free! Taking place at El Gallo Plaza, this Comic Con celebrates the neighborhood and the people of East LA and their passion for comic books. The event will go from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., so there will be plenty of time to check out all the comics, collectibles and cosplay!

¢ You had me at merlot.

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or not, if you love those fermented grapes, make a day of it at LA Wine Fest. There will be plenty of wineries, breweries and food vendors, live music and games to check out! The event will take place at The Row in Downtown LA.

www.eastlacomiccon.com

www.lawinefest.com

LA PRIDE June 10 - 11

INTERNATIONAL GEM & JEWELRY SHOW June 30 - July 2

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¢ LA Pride is Southern California’s biggest LGBTQ celebration that honors milestones and accomplishments of the LGBTQ community, as well as being one of the biggest parties in West Hollywood!

There will be food and drink vendors, dance stages, live music, DJ sets, guest speakers, unique exhibits, and of course a parade!

www.hollywoodpantages.com

NEW MEDIA FILM FESTIVAL June 6 - 8

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MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM May

www.museumoficecream.com

www.lapride.org

LA WINE FEST June 17 - 18

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¢ This is America’s longest business-to-consumer gem and jewelry show! With the largest selection and super low prices of diamonds, antique jewelry, stones and gems, there’s something for everyone. This three-day event will take place at The Pasadena Convention Center. www.intergem.com

Photos - EEEEEATS CON at the Barker Hangar: Holly Liss

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GO SEE THE “BOOK OF MORMON” May 30 - July 9

¢ See the Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical classic that all families will love, “Oklahoma!” at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. A love story arises amid the rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys. You can purchase tickets online.

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EAST LA COMIC CON May 20

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LA DESIGN FEST June 8-11 ¢ Pinterest-lovers, unite!

The annual LA Design festival celebrates all things interiors and design. The event spans the whole city, so you can attend in some way no matter how bad the traffic may be. There will be tours, exhibitions panels and parties, so be sure to check out the website for the definitive schedule! www.ladesignfestival.org

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HARRY POTTER LIVE IN CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL July 6 - 8 ¢ Come and reminisce about

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, on screen in high definition, with a live accompaniment orchestra playing John Williams’ music live-to-picture! Wear your favorite house colors and partake in this unique way to watch this classic. This special performance begins at 8 p.m. www.hollywoodbowl.com

CHRIS BROWN AT THE FORUM May 23

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SEE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES AT CINÉPOLIS May 26 ¢ Johnny Depp returns in the

fifth installment of Pirates as the iconic Jack Sparrow. The film opens with Jack Sparrow already testing the winds of his ill-fortune when he runs into a band of deadly ghost sailors, led by Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), who have escaped from the Devil’s Triangle, and hell-bent on killing every pirate at sea, especially Jack Sparrow. At Cinépolis you can see how the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow gets out of trouble, while being pampered! www.cinepolisusa.com

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EAT|SEE|HEAR OUTDOOR MOVIE: PULP FICTION May 27

¢ “Let’s get gory, like a Tarantino movie” with your friends and family at the grassy lawn of the Autry Museum in Griffith Park.

There will be a bar serving beer, wine and cocktails, appropriately themed for Pulp Fiction. Remember to bring pillows and blankets, or perhaps your furry friend— this is a dog-friendly event.

Doors open 5:30 p.m., Music at 7 p.m., and film starts at 8:30 p.m. www.eatseehear.com

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PXL THIS 26 AT ECHO PARK FILM CENTER May 18

weekend event will have activities and shows that enrich us with information about conservation and sustainability. www.zoolabrate50.org

¢ Chris Brown is ready to show you that R&B is not dead! The Party Tour featuring guests 50 Cent, O.T. Genasis, Fabolous and Kap G will be a night to remember.

Don’t miss this Grammy Award-winning performer! fabulousforum.com

¢ The 26th Annual Toy

Camera Film Festival is the second oldest film festival in LA, providing a platform for experimental filmmaking, invoking Marcel Duchamp’s principle that “poor tools require better skills.” This festival celebrates the nuance and visual arts of low-tech films, and the magic that can come from the Fisher-Price PXL 2000 toy camcorder. www.expcinema.org

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¢ Glendale and Atwater

Village will host the country’s largest open streets event! Streets will be closed to cars and open for cyclists, pedestrians, runners and skaters to use as a recreational space. It is not a race! Enjoy from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. www.ciclavia.org

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WILD FOR THE PLANET AT THE LA ZOO April 22 - May 19 ¢ This year’s event series will

be more festive than ever, as the zoo celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Running from Earth Day to Endangered Species Day, this five

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SALUTE TO THE TROOPS AT POLLIWOG PARK July 2 ¢ Pack a picnic, blanket and beach chairs and join Manhattan Beach City Council and Parks & Rec honor veterans, current members of the military and their families who have served our country.

Picnic and concert starts at 4 p.m. and goes to 7 p.m. www.citymb.info

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JOHN LEGEND AT THE GREEK THEATER May 28 - 29 ¢ This multi-platinum,

Oscar-winning, and 10-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter is coming to the Greek Theater! With a legion of fans and hit songs, and fresh off the success of La La Land, Legend continues to dazzle us in his ability to shine.

Doors open 5:30 p.m., and performance begins at 7 p.m. www.lagreektheatre.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 23

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO BE MONDAY-SUNDAY

COOL BEANS

Brian Cooley Prescribes South Bay Hot-Spots to Remedy Your Workweek Blues

EXPERT: Brian Cooley CREDENTIALS: Co-Founder of Beach & Beverly and Wicked+

“I’ll catch up on emails with a work sesh at The Boy & The Bear coffee shop in Redondo and then spend as much time as possible outdoors.”

BEACH & BEVERLY 135 Pier Ave Hermosa Beach, CA 90245 310.379.9630 www.beachandbeverly.com

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LOCALE MAGAZINE

MONDAY ¢ Coffee begins every day and the SOURCE CAFE on Pier Avenue in Hermosa is my go-to spot. Featuring Bar Nine roasted beans, they pour a great cup. thesourcecafehb.com

Lori Ford. Everything on the menu is great. Try the Indian Chicken Curry or one of their Aussie pies. Grab a triple shot flat white to go. gumtreela.com FRIDAY

¢ Every Friday for the past eight years,

TUESDAY ¢ Tuesdays take me to Two Guns Espresso in Manhattan Beach for lunch. A must have is The Stan-wich, a pretzel bun with house-made pesto, tomato, arugula, fried egg, with cheese and bacon added. After work hours I host a Wicked+ Run Club where we head down the nearby chip trail into Manhattan Beach and then return to Hermosa via The Strand.

you can find me at the Hermosa Beach Farmers Market enjoying the best $2 tacos ever and an ice cold horchata to cool down the spicy jalapeños.

WEDNESDAY ¢ If in the need of a mid-week shave, I head across the street to Talbot’s Barbershop located in the back of Curious on Pier Avenue, a novelty shop owned by Bryce and Andrew.

SUNDAY ¢ A perfect end to a day at the beach and the week is dinner at Día de Campo along Hermosa Avenue. This modern day surf lodge is great food in a relaxing atmosphere. If you’re with a group of people, the dish to get is the Big Ass Carnitas. Six-pounds of pork shoulder perfectly cooked and prepared with all the dressings to make your own tableside carnitas tacos. diadecampohb.com

THURSDAY ¢ Keeping it local, we head up Pier Avenue for lunch at Gum Tree Cafe. It’s an Aussie-inspired cafe and gift shop owned by husband/wife team Will and

SATURDAY ¢ I’ll catch up on emails with a work sesh at The Boy & The Bear coffee shop in Redondo and then spend as much time as possible outdoors. theboyandthebear.com

Photographed By: Travis McCoy

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO BE MONDAY-SUNDAY

SOUK UP THE SUN This Fashion-Forward Shop Owner Tells Us How She ‘Wines’ Down

“Sunday equals family day! We love to stroll the beautiful strands of Manhattan Beach with our two girls.”

EXPERT: Lenora Marouani CREDENTIALS: Owner of The Souk and Barsha Wine and Spirits

MONDAY ¢ Monday is typically our day off, so I like to escape for a bit and start off my week with a little pamper at Montage Boutique Spa in Manhattan Beach. The best facials and massage...a great way to start off the week, chill, and relaxed. montagemb.com

FRIDAY ¢ Love & Salt is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan Beach! Fantastic chef-driven restaurant with Italian inspired dishes mixed with Californian cuisine.

Their Roasted Glazed Pig Head and bone marrow pasta are to die for! loveandsaltla.com

TUESDAY ¢ Tuesday is the start of my work week, so my fave spot for my caffeine fix is Two Guns Espresso in Manhattan Beach. Great flat whites and espresso. Their breakfast sandwiches are delish as well! twogunsespresso.com

SATURDAY ¢ Saturday night is Barsha night! Barsha is our wine bar in Manhattan Beach. I love to chill out in the lounge with old friends over wine and Barsha nom nom. We have a great selection of small production wine and cheese, charcuterie, and farm fresh small bites. My favorite place to ‘wine’ down. barshawines.com

WEDNESDAY ¢ After a long and productive day at The Souk, I like to explore downtown Manhattan Beach and support locally.

One of my fave shops is Blvd.

Fab clothing selection and the cutest kid’s clothes for my girlies. blvdmb.com THURSDAY ¢ SunLife Organics is my regular superfood fix.

They have great juices, smoothies, and superfood bowls like their Brazilian Bowl with acai puree, hemp seeds, and coconut! sunlifeorganics.myshopify.com

THE SOUK 1201 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.545.1016 www.thesoukmb.com

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SUNDAY ¢ Sunday equals family day!

We love to stroll the beautiful strands of Manhattan Beach with our two girls. Our path usually leads us to {pages} a bookstore in Manhattan Beach. They have the best book selection and a great space for our kiddos! pagesabookstore.com

Photographed By: Wil Cohen

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO BE MONDAY-SUNDAY

THE SPA ON RODEO 421 N Rodeo Dr Beverly Hills, CA 90210 424.284.8040 www.thespaonrodeo.com

WEEKLY RX Dr. Bobby Pourziaee Gives the Perfect Dose of Monday to Sunday Fun

EXPERT: Dr. Bobby Pourziaee CREDENTIALS: Owner of The Spa on Rodeo

MONDAY ¢ Prior to hitting the road to my practice in Palm Springs, I take a class at LIT Method because I believe starting the week with fitness sets the tone for a successful week.

Once in Palm Springs, I don’t leave without grabbing a bite to eat at Trio; make sure you get the Soy Ceviche! litmethod.com triopalmsprings.com TUESDAY ¢ Tuesday is an intense surgery day in Beverly Hills beginning at 4 a.m. as I prepare for a full day of foot and ankle surgeries. I’m usually wiped out by the end of the day, but every other week I make sure to get a cupping massage at my spa, The Spa On Rodeo, to release the tension in my back from standing. I like to follow my massage with a date night with my husband at one of my favorite restaurants, like Raffi’s Place in Glendale. raffisplace.com WEDNESDAY ¢ I start Wednesday off with an hour of lifting weights with my trainer, Kenny Johnson. I then proceed for a full morning of business and PR meetings for The High Heel Doc and The Spa On Rodeo. I always get lunch at my favorite Beverly Hills establishment, The Grill on the Alley. thegrill.com THURSDAY ¢ Thursday morning starts off with Angela’s spin

“Prior to hitting the road to my practice in Palm Springs, I take a class at LIT Method because I believe starting the week with fitness sets the tone for a successful week.”

class at SoulCycle West Hollywood. This cannot be missed! After a full day at the office, my husband and I usually drop by to support a charity function. One of my favorite charities is Vanderpump Dogs. soul-cycle.com vanderpumpdogs.org FRIDAY

¢ The morning starts with

a quick yoga session and then I see patients until mid-day. From there, I drive to help my nephews with batting practice and spend quality time with my family.

Friday evenings are spent trying out one of the many amazing restaurants in town; my current favorite is Gracias Madre. graciasmadreweho.com SATURDAY

¢ I try to sleep in on

Saturday mornings and then make my way to the beach for a bike ride from Santa Monica to Venice. And then grab brunch at my favorite Marina Del Rey spot, L.A. Gastronomy. Saturday evenings are standing date night with my husband, we usually like to do a comedy show or concert. lagastronomy.com SUNDAY ¢ Sundays we like to head to the farmers market on Larchmont and then meal prep for the week. We close out the week with a cheat night of Thai food and catching up on our favorite Sunday night shows.

Photographed By: Tae Kwon

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NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// WHERE TO BE MONDAY-SUNDAY

MINIMALIST

CHARM

Chari’s Life Doesn’t Require Much to Keep Her Happy Aside From a Good Drink and a Killer Workout

“The rooftop pool at the Petit Ermitage is the chicest way to beat the heat during the summer.”

EXPERT: Chari Cuthbert CREDENTIALS: Owner and Designer of BYCHARI

MONDAY ¢ Usually still tired and not motivated, I enlist Cycle House to kick my ass into gear. Great music and a great way to start the week off. cyclehousela.com TUESDAY ¢ I work in downtown on Tuesdays, and my go-to lunch place is RiceBar for the Chicken Tinola. ricebarla.com WEDNESDAY ¢ Our favorite date stop is Crossroads on Melrose. The two corner seats at the bar have always been our spot. crossroadskitchen.com THURSDAY ¢ I have a new Thursday ritual: I start my day with a pilates class at Harmony Studios with Amanda, followed by a fresh mani at Olive & June. harmonystudiosla.com olivejune.com

class. The best 30-minute workout you’ll ever get.

Once a month I love going to Osteria La Buca. Their House Made Ricotta with caramelized agave is an absolute must have. rise-nation.com osterialabuca.com SATURDAY ¢ The rooftop pool at the Petit Ermitage is the chicest way to beat the heat during the summer. My favorite neighborhood bar hands down is The Roger Room.

They have the best playlist, and there's nothing sexier than a dirty gin martini in a little, red leather booth. petitermitage.com therogerroom.com SUNDAY ¢ Sundays are for the ladies!

Love Yoga followed by brunch at Gjelina and always have to see what my favorite store, Heist, has in. loveyogaspace.com gjelina.com

FRIDAY ¢ I love ending my Friday at the 5:30 p.m. Rise Nation

“The rooftop pool at the Petit Ermitage is the chicest way to beat the heat during the summer.”

BYCHARI @bychari www.bychari.com Photoshoot Location: HOLLYWOOD, CA

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Photographed By: Wil Cohen

PHOTO BY: Diane Lombardi

STYLE

///BEAUTY MAY 2017

36

COOLEST PLACES TO SHOP Make Sure to Shop at One of These Top SoCal Destinations

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62

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID Meet Me in Manhattan

Fashion Blogger Shalice Noel Takes Us to Her Favorite Hot Spots in Manhattan Beach

STYLE/BEAUTY EXPERTS Seven Influential Style and Beauty Experts Talk Trends

45

BRIDAL GUIDE Your Complete SoCal Bridal Guide

62

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID Kick Your Insta Style Up a Notch in Manhattan Beach

67

FASHION SPREAD 42 Sephora Products to Add Some Color Into Your Makeup Routine

www.shalicenoel.com @shalicenoel Photoshoot Location: MANHATTAN BEACH, CA

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LOCALE MAGAZINE

STYLE/BEAUTY

SHOP HERE FOR THE #SWAG Some of the Coolest Places to Shop in Southern California

Los Angeles GUM TREE SHOP

WRITTEN BY: TAMARA PHILIPS Shopping is more than a hobby or a weekend activity to pass the time— it’s an experience. Whether you’re browsing through racks or on a mission for one specific item, you’re sure to stop and take in all of the details of a store if it’s decorated seamlessly or has an impeccable display. Here are some of the coolest places to shop in Southern California to really gain that blissful shopping experience.

Los Angeles SELF EDGE

Los Angeles FLOWERBOY PROJECT

238 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310.376.8733 | www.gumtreela.com

144 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.933.9000

824 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA, 90291 310.452.3900 | www.flowerboyproject.com

San Diego

San Diego

Orange County

RANDOMS BOUTIQUE

GOLD LEAF

ON QUE STYLE

2225 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 619.738.8120 | www.goldleafsouthpark.com

2900 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 949.717.7795 | www.onquestyle.com

Orange County

Greater Palm Springs

Greater Palm Springs

SEPHORA

3333 Bristol St, Ste 1001, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.429.9130 | www.sephora.com

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LOCALE MAGAZINE

GRAYSE

73130 El Paseo, Ste H, Palm Desert, CA 92260 760.773.3303 | www.mkgrayse.com

TRINA TURK

891 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.2856 | www.trinaturk.com

PHOTOS - GRAYSE: GREGG FELSEN

1114 N Coast Hwy 101, Ste 1, Encinitas, CA 92024 760.419.9217 | www.randomsboutique.bigcartel.com

THE STUDIO O 5580 E 2nd St, Ste 103, Long Beach, CA 90803 | 562.438.9694 | www.thestudioo.com

PHOTO BY: WIL COHEN

STYLE/BEAUTY EXPERTS

TRENDY TENDENCIES THESE STYLE AND BEAUTY EXPERTS ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR TRADE WRITTEN BY: JODY MILLER PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DIANE LOMBARDI, RANDI SLUSHER, RYAN HENSLEY, TAE KWON & WIL COHEN

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WE HAVE UNCOMPROMISING ADVICE FROM THE BEST IN BEAUTY, HAIR AND FASHION. WE’VE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY FOR SPRING AND TOUGHED OUT MORE MONTHS OF RAIN AND COLD WEATHER THAN US SOCAL RESIDENTS ARE ACCUSTOMED. OUR REWARD? TREATING OURSELVES TO SKIN AND BODY TREATMENTS THAT SHOW OFF THAT BEAUTIFUL PHYSIQUE ON OUR GLORIOUS BEACHES. HIT THE COOLEST BOUTIQUES FOR THE HOTTEST IN FLOWY DRESSES, STRAPPY SANDALS AND THAT PERFECT SWIMSUIT. IF YOU’RE NOT ALREADY IN TIPTOP SHAPE, WE’VE QUIZZED STYLE AND BEAUTY EXPERTS FROM THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER SPAS, SALONS AND BOUTIQUES TO GIVE US INSIDE INFORMATION ON THE LATEST TRENDS AND HOW TO LOOK FABULOUS. HERE ARE YOUR STYLE AND BEAUTY EXPERTS OF LOS ANGELES.

“We believe that the foundation of a solid relationship with our guests begins first and foremost with a thorough conversation about hair goals.”—Oscar Vasquez

Oscar Vasquez OWNER AND STYLIST, THE STUDIO O

THE STUDIO O 5580 E 2nd St, Ste 103 Long Beach, CA 90803 562.438.9694 www.thestudioo.com

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Q: How has The Studio O changed the culture and expectations of hair salons in the Long Beach area?

Oscar Vasquez: I think The Studio O has raised the bar on the strength of a stellar consultation. We believe that the foundation of a solid relationship with our guests begins first and foremost with a thorough conversation about hair goals.

and I try to give them what they are intently asking for. I always reserve the right to walk away from the job as to not have something I am not proud of walking out the door.

Q: How do you handle clients whose expectations or desires are either not realistic or not their best option?

OV: Our job is to be honest. It’s important for me to tell someone if a certain silhouette will adversely affect their overall look and face shape while not negatively criticizing them. In most cases, guests respect my professional opinions but there are always certain exceptions. In these cases, I remember that all of these guests are my bosses

Q: Men’s grooming services have become increasingly popular. What trends for men are gaining popularity at your salon?

OV: Men’s highlighting services (‘guylights’) are always popular in the summer as well as gray blending. We have been seeing a trend lately with men opting for express keratin treatments (Brazilian Blowouts) to smooth certain sections of hair.

Q: What color trends should we expect to see this spring and summer?

OV: Soft beiges will be huge this summer as well as the continuation of the trend of extreme ash tones...grays, silvers, platinum, etc.

Photos -The Studio O: Wil Cohen | Cienega Med Spa: Ryan Hensley | Diana Ralys Skin Health: Randi Slusher

“While teenagers are hurrying to grow up, adults are looking to look younger, and we can provide that with our many great treatments.”

—Dr. Edward Glenning Stokes

Diana Ralys FOUNDER AND OWNER, DIANA RALYS SKIN HEALTH

Dr. Edward Glenning Stokes OWNER AND ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, CIENEGA MED SPA Q: Med spas are popping up everywhere it seems. What makes Cienega Med Spa stand out?

Edward Glenning Stokes: Our locations are stunning places, but more importantly we are firstly patient centered, meaning we focus only on what is truly best for the patient's concerns and goals, and talk our patients out of treating if we feel it’s ultimately best for them.

Q: What are some of the latest non-invasive treatments that are an effective alternative to botox and fillers?

EGS: Our vitamin drips are a great addition to staying healthy and feeling great. As well, our nurses are fully versed in all kinds of facial injections to help reduce the signs of aging.

Photoshoot Location: CIENEGA MED SPA 375 N La Cienega Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90048 310.928.1300

Q: Tell us about your services specifically designed for athletes.

EGS: Numerous studies have shown the benefits of vitamin therapy infusions. For those with sports injuries, chronic or acute pain, our wonderful acupuncturist Dr. Gorman can truly heal.

Q: What does the future hold for the medspa industry?

EGS: While teenagers are hurrying to grow up, adults are looking to look younger, and we can provide that with our many great treatments. As for the future of medspa medicine, well you'll never have to be insecure about your looks ever again as there is something for nearly every concern.

902 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.341.2741 www.cienegaspa.com

Q: How are wellness centers different from a spa?

Diana Ralys: Wellness centers provide more than just pampering services. Spas are known to offer facials, massages and occasionally nail services. Wellness centers give clients a full spectrum, holistic approach to their body health. For example, we are a wellness center; we specialize in facials, have amazing massage services but we extend our menu to services like Reiki, Infrared Body Sauna Booths, health and nutritional advice, as well as facial acupuncture and Akashic Records Readings.

During special events, we also invite yoga, pilates and meditation instructors to further push our bodies to WHOLE-istic health.

Q: For those who have not experienced Reiki, can you explain what a typical session is like?

DR: Reiki is an energetic process where universal life force energy is drawn to unlock stuck energy in the body.

Clients report very different experiences after Reiki sessions.

Some people feel extra energy, some feel very relaxed.

Q: Which facial do you recommend for antiaging? What can clients do between sessions to keep their skin glowing?

DR: Best age defying facial I would say is the Ultimate Hydra Renewal Treatment, which includes Microcurrent.

We use hydrating, moisturizing products packed with antioxidants and a high concentration of firming peptides to help keep skin glowing. Also, the right type of exfoliation is excellent.

Q: How did you get your start in this industry?

DR: A passion for beauty and love of working with people— that was how I started, and that is why I keep going in the beauty industry.

Q: What perceptions of the beauty industry did you have before you were part of it?

DR: I was under the impression that all beauty can be achieved topically.

That was how I was taught at aesthetics school as well. Now I know that there is no true beauty without whole body health. It takes more than just applying great products. The state of mind and nutrition plays a big role in this.

DIANA RALYS SKIN HEALTH 1207 4th St Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.264.2228 www.drskinhealth.com LOCALE MAGAZINE

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“For me, anytime I think of Old Hollywood I think of how it makes me feel.”—Jeni Castro

Riawna Capri CO-OWNER OF NINE ZERO ONE SALON

Jeni Castro FOUNDER AND OWNER, BRONZED BUNNY Q: Your spa is all about the girly-glam Hollywood vibe. Why do you think that style resonates with people so well?

Jeni Castro: For me, anytime I think of Old Hollywood I think of how it makes me feel. Every single detail in our build out and in our experience is to make our client feel glamorous and feel elegant.

I think that Old Hollywood glamour gives you a different play on your typical salon experience, especially when it comes to spray tanning.

Q: Do you offer any body contouring or slimming treatments?

JC: Yes. A spray tan is the fastest way to lose 10 pounds. It literally and completely changes the way you look and feel. Our newest service is called Pure Sculpt. It’s a combination of ice and wood therapy and originated in South America where wood therapy and sculpting is one of the most popular services. It’s almost like the CoolSculpting that is very popular, but for a fraction of the cost with instant results. Pure Sculpt is instant and permanent and it is amazing!

BRONZED BUNNY 12315 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604 818.416.8770 www.bronzedbunny.com 42 LOCALE MAGAZINE

Q: Tell us about the Velvet Rabbit.

JC: The Velvet is new to the menu. It is also known as the ‘vajacial.’ If you are going to spend all this time and money on your face, why not do the same thing on your lady parts? We have a lot of women that come from other salons where they do waxing and they come to us because they are left with so many ingrowns and their skin is really sensitive and inflamed ‘down there.’ When you do sugaring you don’t have to worry about that, but if we get somebody that comes in from waxing, they absolutely need Velvet Rabbit just to tame the area.

Q: How popular is male body hair removal?

JC: In our LA market, very popular. Because you have men who are doing it out of necessity. They are either modeling or acting and they can’t have ‘stuff’ down there. LA guys are also a little different in general on their maintenance. Orange County is a lot different. They are either coaxed in by a wife or girlfriend. But it’s growing every year. We try to take new male clients on a referral basis.

Q: What is a customer getting at Nine Zero One Salon that they cannot get elsewhere?

Riawna Capri: When a client books an appointment with a Nine Zero One artist, they get an appointment with that artist and not with their assistant the entire time. We take pride in our attention to detail and fun environment with great music and good energy.

Q: Bridal parties are a big part of your business. What are some of the bridal hair and makeup trends we will see this wedding season?

RC: With formal styling and updos, we will see more plays on texture. Instead of braids or curls, we'll see knots and twists.

Q: What was it like working on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show?

RC: The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is so fun.

Everyone anticipates that show all year, so when the time comes to get those girls NINE ZERO ONE SALON 8469 Melrose Pl West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.855.9099 www.ninezeroonesalon.com

ready, it's fast paced and full of positive energy!

Q: You maintain an onsite academy. What standards are expected of a newly hired stylist?

RC: Our on-site academy is a training space for stylists/ assistants within the Nine Zero One team, along with stylists from all over the world, that are welcomed in to learn and experience the Nine Zero One way. We share our cutting/coloring/ styling techniques along with information on our favorite products and tools.

Q: What color or style trend do you wish would disappear for good?

RC: Stripey highlights!

Especially with darker clients.

Brunettes need to embrace their natural color! If they want to see brighter pieces, there needs to be a transition or melt from dark to light in order for it to look natural! No more bright pieces coming straight from the root!

Photos - Bronzed Bunny: Provided by Bronzed Bunny | Nine Zero One Salon & The Diamond Face Institute: Tae Kwon | Korner Kloset: Diane Lombardi

“I have developed some unbreakable bonds and gained lifelong friends while owning Korner Kloset.”

—Ashley Vance

Dr. Jason Diamond BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON AND FOUNDER, DIAMOND FACE INSTITUTE

Ashley Vance OWNER, KORNER KLOSET Q: What is your fashion background?

Ashley Vance: I wouldn't know where to even start because personally and professionally fashion is my background! I can't pinpoint if it started with the pristine outfits that my mom dressed me in, the moment I started dressing myself or my first retail position at the local mall. I have been totally submerged in the culture for as long as I can remember. My message to every girl who is passionate and inspired by clothing is to be okay with starting at the bottom because this industry always has room for another rebellious mind.

Q: What designers will you be featuring this spring and summer?

AV: Obviously my favorites, One Teaspoon and Kaohs swim, because they are consistently evolving season after season. The rest you will have to come in to see.

KORNER KLOSET 1617 Pacific Coast Hwy Redondo Beach, CA 90277 310.863.8607

Q: What are the must-have pieces for spring and summer?

AV: Serious necklines, crazy bralettes and stud earrings that don't match at all!

Q: What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your business so far?

AV: Great product is just the surface. A true relationship with a ‘client’ (a word I would never use to describe one of these amazing women) is worth a thousand times more. I have developed some unbreakable bonds and gained lifelong friends while owning Korner Kloset. Before owning a boutique I would use the phrase ‘retail therapy’ when I had an annoying day and ended it with something shiny and expensive. Now I understand I didn't need new shoes, I needed someone rad to chat with about shoes!

Q: Who is the ideal client for Diamond Face Sculpting, one of your non-surgical options?

Jason Diamond: There are two sets of ideal candidates.

The first set are people who need or want to be more photogenic; who want to have a more contoured, slimmer and more angular appearing face. That can be even models who are 19 or 20 years old or anybody on the red carpet a week before they have an event. The second group are people who want to look younger, whose skin and faces are starting to sag, yet are not quite ready for a facelift or to undergo surgery. This procedure will lift their tissue off the bone.

Q: Who is or is not an ideal candidate for a facelift?

JD: There are people who are going to get very nice results with subtle procedures versus bad candidates who are likely not going to be

satisfied with their results no matter how aggressive the surgery is done. They won’t feel they have had enough improvement. There are a lot of anatomical factors that determine whether someone is a good or bad candidate.

Q: Is BodyFX a viable and long-lasting alternative to liposuction?

JD: BodyFX can be a viable alternative for certain people with problem areas. When it comes to overall major reduction, liposuction would be more powerful and more appropriate. But for limited areas, yes, BodyFX can be very effective.

Q: What treatments or developments can we look forward to in the near future?

JD: Minimally invasive neck lift procedure that we have developed. No scars, very effective technique, local anesthesia. And laser technology promises to get better and better.

THE DIAMOND FACE INSTITUTE 9400 Brighton Way, Penthouse Ste Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310.859.9816 www.jasonbdiamond.com LOCALE MAGAZINE

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Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

My

BIG FAT

‚

WRITTEN BY: ASHLEY RUIZ, ELENA KHURY, ERICA JOHNSON, KARLI KARANDOS, & RANDI SLUSHER

SoCal

WEDDING TIPS, TRICKS AND INSPO TO MAKE YOUR SoCal WEDDING PLANNING SEAMLESS

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Photos - Jesi Haack Design: Ryan Ray

Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

MAKEUP

Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrientrich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish that lasts an amazing 12 hours.

SEPHORA, Tarte Blush sephora.com

HONEYMOON

At The Shore Club, the only limit is your imagination. Defined by a spirit of relaxed luxury, refreshing adventure, healthy indulgence, and exclusive accessibility, it’s a place where you can do exactly what you desire.

The Shore Club Turks and Caicos theshoreclubtc.com

RING

Alber Rezko Jewelry Designs uses innovative techniques and profound elements when designing engagement rings.

Alber Rezko Jewelry alberrezko.com

Breezy & BEACHY Where the Sand Meets the Sea is Your Comfort Zone

VENUE

If you are looking for the perfect beachfront wedding venue, look no further than Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. The Pacific Terrace venue provides the best location to say “I Do.” Shutters on the Beach shuttersonthebeach.com

Written By: Elena Khury DECOR

We are loving bright, fun pops of color for beach weddings. It is all about fresh color and brightness.

Jesi Haack Design jesihaackdesign.com

GOWN

For the bride who prefers turquoise to diamonds, wildflowers to roses, or braids to formal up-do’s, designer Claire Pettibone has created Romantique— perfect for the beach bride.

Claire Pettibone clairepettibone.com

CAKE

Their pastry chefs will work with the couple to create any cake they want.

It can be any flavor, any number of layers and they can decorate it however the couple wants.

Ritz Carlton ritzcarlton.com/ en/hotels/ california/lagunaniguel

“JUST MARRIED” CONVERTIBLE CAR

Looking for the perfect car to drive off after you say “I Do”? Look no further than Hoehn Motor Cars. They will get you in the perfect convertible car to drive off to your future in style.

Hoehn Motor Cars hoehnmotors.com

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FLOWERS

Theresa Anderson founded this floral hotspot in 2012. These elegant yet simple arrangements are a beautiful touch to any wedding.

Petals and Pop petalsandpop.com

Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

FLOWERS

HAIR STYLIST TIPS

The talented designers at Bloomers La Jolla can bring the Boho aesthetic to your ceremony with just the right mix of flowers, colors and textures. Favorite flower suggestions for the Boho Bride are Astilbe, a beautiful lacey looking wildflower that adds a delicate touch of timeless elegance to a bouquet or boutonnière.

Bloomers La Jolla bloomersflowerslajolla.com

HONEYMOON

Whether you enjoy gorgeous scenery, secluded walks on the beach or a little adventure in the mountains, Catalina will fill your days with fun and your nights with romance. Santa Catalina Island Company will create a custom package and ensure that your Honeymoon is truly unforgettable.

Santa Catalina Island Company visitcatalinaisland.com

Ibrahim (Brian) Kudsi:

Owner of Kud’Ci Salon, Corona Del Mar Brian’s Top 5 Tips for Today’s Bride: 1. Choose a stylist that you can trust and feel comfortable with 2. Don't make any drastic changes to your hair or hair color just before your wedding day 3. Work with your stylist on reaching all your hair goals prior to the big day

RING

Any combination of custom finishes and gemstones are available to create your timeless masterpiece.

Traditional Jewelers traditionaljewelers.com

4. Wear a button-up top to ensure your style stays in tact while you get ready

Boho CHIC

5. Relax and enjoy your special day!

Kud’Ci Salon 949.675.5053

Key Rustic Elements for the Perfect Bohemian Bride Written By: Erica Johnson

INVITES

Invitations for your shower, engagement party, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner and ceremony can be customized to fit your style and the venue you have picked for that special day.

Where’s The Party? wheresthepartyoc.com

DECOR

Make your ceremony truly spectacular with special pieces such as wicker peacock chairs, Moroccan furniture, tapestries and Persian rugs.

Pow Wow Design Coordination Studios powwowdesignstudio.com

GOWN

Pastry Chef, Albert Gonzalez, can create a custom wedding cake prepared on-site. The personal attention that owner Willie Rhine offers in planning each event creates an experience that is authentic, leaving guests with the feeling that every detail was created just for them.

Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge eight4nine.com

48 LOCALE MAGAZINE

VENUE

Able to accommodate groups up to 160 attendees, Solterra features rustic Mediterranean cuisine to pair with their award winning selection of wines.

Solterra Winery solterrawinery.com

Photos - Pow Wow Design Coordination Studios: Logan Cole

CAKE

Tara Lauren Spring 2017 "Seafarer Collection” features textured Battenburg lace, soft touches of color, billowy crepe de chine, as well as modern cuts and silhouettes to capture a dreamy but chic wedding look.

Tara Lauren tara-lauren.com

Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

VENUE

There is no better place for the alternative bride to say, "I do," than in the midst of the Santa Rosa Mountains, surrounded by lush valleys and free-roaming giraffes!

Living Desert Zoo livingdesert.org

DESSERT

From the classic ooey-gooey cookies stuffed with strawberry ice cream to more exotic flavors like the pear gorgonzola with orange marmalade, the dessert table may attract more attention than the giraffes.

Chunk-N-Chip chunknchip.com

HAIR STYLIST TIPS

JUMPSUIT

Skip the ultra traditional wedding dress and go with the Bella Jumpsuit in Ivory.

Stone Cold Fox thestonecoldfox.com

Lauren Scaccia,

DECOR

Continue the theme with colorful plates, knotted brass flatware, and textured goblets to complete the look.

Soiree 8 Rentals soiree8.com

Co-Owner of Toni & Guy Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Dare to be DIFFERENT

Lauren’s Top 5 Tips for Today’s Bride: 1. Find pics of what you'd like for your hair and makeup as well as what you don't like. Having some images prepared for your stylist and makeup artist will really assist in getting great conversation going to get your desired look right.

As an Alternative Bride, Your Options are Endless Written By: Ashley Ruiz

2. Always book a consultation for hair and makeup. It's important for your big day and even better to have time to try a look or two if you're unsure.

FLOWERS

Combining her love of books and pretty things, the alternative bride will carry a custom-made bouquet of paper roses.

With Love & Petals etsy.com/shop/withloveandpetals

INVITES

Twinkle & Toast's custom stationery creates meaningful wedding stationery for inspired couples. For an alternative bride, check out cactus design to match your zoo venue.

Twinkle & Toast twinkleandtoast.com

50 LOCALE MAGAZINE

HONEYMOON

Honeymooners will gape at the blooming cherry blossoms, hike Mt. Fuji and soak in rejuvenating hot springs.

Tokyo, Japan japan-guide.com

4. Bring or have an idea of your jewelry, including any accessories you're planning on wearing in your hair.

5. Listen to what your stylist recommends.

Some find it helpful to have second day hair in order to manipulate texture better and will let you know, based on your particular hair type.

Toni & Guy toniguy.com/hairsalons/newport-beachca/fashion-island

Photos - Toni & Guy: Taylor Lewis | With Love & Petals: Photography West Ca

3. Bring pictures of your dress and share what weather you're expecting so your stylist can make recommendations for you. High winds or high heat, even a high neckline can make an impact on whether or not hair goes up or stays down.

Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

VENUE

Nothing says romance more than saying ‘I Do’ surrounded by fresh roses, lush trees, and a beautiful lake.

Avenue of the Arts Hotel avenueoftheartshotel.com

MAKEUP

Add a pop of color to your lips so you’ll look fab when your new hubby leans in for a kiss.

Adding a lip stain, like this one from SEPHORA, is an easy way to incorporate your color palette for a complete, glamorous look.

SEPHORA Cream Lip Stain, $18 sephora.com

RING

Be bold or be different with any of the stunning rings that Winston’s Jewelers carries.

Winston’s Jewelers winstonscrownjewelers.com

Glitz & GLAM For the Bride That Won’t Shy From the Limelight Written By: Randi Slusher

HAIR STYLIST TIPS

GOWN

Look stunning in this “Antara” gown from Pronovias’ 2017 Bridal Collection.

Available in off white or optical white, this beaded dream of a wedding dress is perfect for you, Glam Bride.

Bohimi bohimi.com

“JUST MARRIED” CONVERTIBLE CAR

DETAILS

Upgrade your wedding invites and dinner menus with a little laser-cut accent.

Darla Marie Designs darlamariedesigns.com

A Mercedes represents the ultimate in luxury.

Show off your ritzy side by driving off in the “Just Married” C300 C-Cabriolet Mercedes from Fletcher Jones of Newport Beach.

Fletcher Jones Mercedes fjmercedes.com

Stroll Monaco City hand in hand and take in the breathtaking palaces and botanical gardens on almost every corner.

Admire the luxurious and grandeur architecture of Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Monte Carlo visitmonaco.com

Oscar’s Top Tips: 1. Know a direction you want to move toward, but be open to professional opinion. Your hairdresser wants you to have what you want, but also has experience with a variety of face shapes and hair textures. You may be surprised how much you like other suggestions.

Every glam bride needs some sequins in her life!

What better place for them than the sweetheart table? With delicate florals as an accent, this dreamy setup is perfect for the glitter lover.

Pure Lavish Events eventsbypurelavish.com

3. If you are receiving any color services prior to your big day, remember to do so approximately two weeks in advance.

This gives you and your colorist time to really nail your color and make any needed changes to suit the needs of your final style. Color should be placed to complement or accentuate your final style.

The Studio O thestudioo.com

Photos - The Studio O: Wil Cohen

52 LOCALE MAGAZINE

DECOR

HONEYMOON

Owner and Stylist of The Studio O, Long Beach

2. Wear a button-down shirt. The last thing any bride, or hairdresser, for that matter, wants is the final hair design being battered and deflated by removing a blouse over one’s head.

CAKE

Your wedding cake is the first thing people see when they enter your reception. Wow your guests with an over the top, four-tier wedding cake with cascading flowers.

Colette's Catering colettesevents.com

Oscar Vasquez:

Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

WEDDING PLANNER TIPS

Wedding Party ESSENTIALS For Your Besties Standing Next to You When You Say, “I Do” Written By: Karli Karandos

MAID FOR EACH OTHER

BRIDESMAID DRESS At Vow to be Chic, they make finding the perfect bridesmaid dresses a piece of (wedding) cake by offering a wide ranging selection of different styles, colors, cuts, and more.

The best part? You can rent them!

THE WELL-GRO OMED GRO OM

SUIT Mares Menswear offers custom tailored suits and a selection of exclusive brands, so you can look like a million bucks on the big day without having to spend a fortune.

Krystel Tien

Lead Stylist, Creative Director, and Founder of Couture Events coutureeventsca.com Establish your values and priorities first!

Before you do anything else, sit down with your fiancé and discuss what is most important to you not just for the wedding, but in life, then use these things to set the values for your big day. When you are stuck on something in the planning process, refer back to your values and you will find the answer.

Mares Menswear maresmenswear.com

Vow to be Chic vowtobechic.com

Jessica Sukert CEO of Jessica Lauren Events jessicalauren.events

Don't be afraid to be bold with patterns and colors! Throw in an emerald green or a fun stripe to change things up.

BRIDESMAID GIFT A perfect gift for your bridesmaids is something they can enjoy long after the wedding festivities are over, and what better gift than a divine piece of Roberto Coin jewelry?

The timeless designs will surely bring out the beauty in every member of your bridal party.

Roberto Coin us.robertocoin.com

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE GET IN WITH GRAYSE Looking for a dress for the fabulous mother of the bride?

Look no further than Grayse's Crystal Illusion dress, which is designed specifically for women who love quality, luxury, and style.

Grayse shop.mkgrayse.com 54 LOCALE MAGAZINE

GROOMSMEN GIFT Give your groomsmen a gift they can drink and toast to such a memorable occasion! William Grant Glenfiddich whisky is the World’s Most Awarded single malt Scotch.

William Grant & Sons williamgrant.com

Aubrey Huffman + Kenzie Swift Founders of Details, Darling detailsdarling.com

BOW TIE Keep your groomsmen looking dapper with a unique bowtie from Lord Wallington, where craftsmanship and pride in aesthetic converge to make unforgettable accessories.

Lord Wallington lordwallington.com

Finding a venue is the most difficult part of planning because couples become very eager to find their ideal spot right away.

Don't get overwhelmed in the beginning and don't make decisions too quickly.

Be patient, take the process slowly, ask for venue recommendations from others and all the right pieces will fall into place.

Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

Places to PROPOSE

These top Southern California locations are prime spots to pop the question. From seaside views to a desert escape, it won’t be hard to say, ‘Yes’ after being wined and dined at one of these places.

SURF & SAND RESORT

SILVER TRUMPET

RED O TASTE OF MEXICO

1555 S Coast Hwy Laguna Beach, CA 92651 877.741.5908 www.surfandsandresort.com

Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa 3350 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.442.8593 www.silvertrumpetrestaurant.com

143 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.718.0300 www.redorestaurant.com

THE LODGE AT TORREY PINES

WATER GRILL

HERMOSA BEACH PIER

11480 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037 858.453.4420 www.lodgetorreypines.com

3300 Bristol St Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949.208.7060 www.watergrill.com

1 Pier Ave Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 www.hermosabch.org

RED HERRING

EIGHT4NINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

PEAKS RESTAURANT

1661 Colorado Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.739.0004 www.redherringla.com

849 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.8490 www.eight4nine.com

1 Tramway Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.4537 www.pstramway.com

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Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE

WHAT'S IN A WEDDING?

Here's the Scoop on Most Recent Wedding Statistics

15

Months is the average length of engagement *According to The Knot

Carat MAGIC

$35,329 is the average wedding cost

*According to The Knot, in 2016

Find the Jewels That Match You and Your Future Spouse

$1,564

RUSS VARON,

is the average wedding dress cost

OWNER OF MORGAN’S JEWELERS

*According to The Knot, in 2016

Q: What’s your favorite part about helping a couple pick out the perfect ring?

Russ Varon: My favorite thing is to watch the bride ‘light up’ when she finds the perfect ring and he slips the ring on her finger for the first time.

Q: How important are the 4 C’s when making your decision?

RV: They are exceedingly important and their balance is different for each client. Some clients want a larger stone and are willing to forego some clarity or color, while others are not so concerned about the size of the stone but want the best color and clarity they can get. It is a matter of finding that sweet spot for each couple that makes them happy.

Q: How do you feel about trends?

RV: Fashion is a very important mainstay of our business.

Accessories, of which jewelry is the most important, complete the overall fashion look. Trends come and go, but a quality piece of jewelry is timeless and can be worn forever.

Q: What details make jewelry from Morgan’s Jewelers oneof-a-kind?

RV: For over 70 years Morgan’s has been a direct importer of diamonds and other gemstones. We pride ourselves in the vast selection of hand-picked inventory of GIA certified ideal cut diamonds at highly competitive prices. We also carry a wide selection of custom and fine designer jewelry. Morgan’s has something for everyone and something to be cherished for years to come.

Q: Finally, what’s one pro tip?

RV: Make sure that you deal with a knowledgeable and trustworthy jeweler. Morgan’s is GIA Certified and has one of the few accredited gem laboratories in the South Bay. Given the great disparity in quality and workmanship that one can be presented with it is important that you choose your jeweler wisely.

78%

of weddings take place from May to October *According to The Knot

81%

of brides take their spouse’s last name *According to The Knot

47% of brides do a bouquet toss

*According to The WeddingWire

Morgan’s Jewelers 2200 Hawthorne Blvd Torrance, CA 90505 310.375.4471 | www.morgansjewelers.com 58 LOCALE MAGAZINE

Locale Magazine BRIDAL GUIDE WHAT'S IN A WEDDING?

Here's the Scoop on Most Recent Wedding Statistics

124

is the average number of wedding guests *According to WeddingWire

One-of-a-Kind Go With a Unique Setting to Make a Statement

ALAN LEMMERMAN,

*According to WeddingWire

OWNER OF NATHAN ALAN JEWELERS Q: How do you start the engagement ring selection process with the future groom?

Alan Lemmerman: Meeting with a future groom or future couple is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. I have four kids, three of whom are married, and all of my kids have had their close friends come into my store to see me about engagement rings and wedding bands. I love their trust in me and I totally enjoy helping them find the perfect ring. I realize that typically this is one of the more important purchases the groom will make in his life.

Therefore, I take this process very seriously and I want to make sure the groom knows he is in good hands. I actually try to put myself in my customer's shoes to see the potential purchase from their unique perspective.

Listening and taking direction from the customer is key!

Sometimes I see a future groom who is walking into a jewelry store for the first time, and sometimes I have a groom-to-be who has been to many. It is always an investigative process of finding out the needs of the customer at that moment of time and building on that encounter. At times the future groom has been given a few ring ideas from his bride-to-be. He may even have pictures of styles that are her favorites. Talking with the future groom or couple helps to tell me a story about their engagement ring desires, which helps to narrow down the selection process for them. Often that means that we customize different design details from multiple rings to come up with the perfect engagement ring.

On the other hand, if the groom is just beginning his research, I feel it is important to provide him with an overview of diamond

50%

of couples wedding prep from a smartphone or tablet device

knowledge. We have created an excellent brochure that illustrates the 4 C’s in diamonds: carat, color, cut, and clarity that he can take with him. I enjoy helping the customer simplify the process, one step at a time, by giving the groom confidence with knowledge and providing ring options that are in sync with his desires. Finally and importantly, I like to make sure the process is enjoyable, fun, and memorable for all.

Q: What small details at Nathan Alan Jewelers make your rings one-of-a-kind?

AL: The uniqueness of Nathan Alan comes from our ability to make custom engagement rings and fine jewelry while closely collaborating with our customers to determine every detail that will be in the finished piece. It could be a very simple solitaire design where shape, scale and proportion are critical, or a very detail driven design with different setting styles and a lot of different sizes and shapes of diamonds included. We are very fortunate to have elite craftsmen who utilize their special skills to create one-of-a-kind rings at the highest level of quality.

Q: What sets Nathan Alan Jewelers apart?

AL: Throughout my 40 years in the jewelry business, I have strived to continuously improve the quality of our products. At the end of the day, the customers we serve at Nathan Alan enjoy the face to face relationship, they are able to see the quality and uniqueness in our designs, and appreciate our ability to deliver high quality and customized jewelry at an extremely competitive price.

30

years old is the average age of a bride *According to WeddingWire

32

years old is the average age of a groom *According to WeddingWire

$71

is the average price per head for catering *According to the Knot, 2016

64%

of couples created a wedding hashtag

*According to the Knot, 2016

Nathan Alan Jewelers South Coast Plaza 3333 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.545.8337 | www.nathanalanjewelers.com 60 LOCALE MAGAZINE

www.shalicenoel.com @shalicenoel Photoshoot Location: Manhattan Beach, CA

MAKEUP PROVIDED BY: Makeup For Ever www.makeupforever.com SKINCARE PROVIDED BY: Joa Brand www.jaobrand.com HAIR PRODUCTS PROVIDED BY: Aquage www.aquage.com

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T H AT ' S W H AT S H E S A I D

Meet Me in MANHATTAN Fashion Blogger Shalice Noel Takes Us to Her Favorite Hot Spots in Manhattan Beach

WRITTEN BY: SHALICE NOEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DIANE LOMBARDI HAIR AND MAKEUP BY: LEXI KLEYLA

The city that finally convinced us to move our family from Chicago to LA, was Manhattan Beach. We quickly fell in love with the beach views, quaint shops and charming brunch destinations that sparked our longing for the SoCal lifestyle. My name is Shalice Noel and I'm a mom of four, a wife and creator of the fashion website, Shalicenoel.com. Our family relocated to Los Angeles a year ago and we still pinch ourselves every time we head to the beach. While we miss our family and friends, we know they are always excited to visit us and hit the beach towns. It's hard to believe such a friendly, gorgeous, quaint place actually exists, but it does! And I love discovering it with my family. One day we would love to call Manhattan Beach our permanent home, but in the meantime, I'm sharing some must-see stops to visit.

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LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN

451 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.546.6411 www.lepainquotidien.com

I started my Manhattan Beach outing with intentions of early shopping, but I craved a warm croissant, fresh fruit and a cappuccino from Le Pain Quotidien. I sat outside on their beautiful terrace among the plants and flowers while I planned my quiet day alone. The kids were at school and my husband took our youngest down to the pier to watch the surfers and play in the sand. My plan wasn’t much of a ‘plan’—shop, lunch and shop. When you have four kids, you really appreciate the experience of browsing in stores peacefully.

GUM TREE MANHATTAN BEACH

324 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.318.2990 www.gumtreela.com

The first store I came across was Gum Tree.

It’s such an eclectic collection of items that totally define the California lifestyle we had made the big move for. It is great for gifts to send back to family in the Midwest too.

The Right Fit When in doubt, take a selfie! If she likes something on the hanger, she tries it on and takes a quick snap to make sure it’s a worthy purchase.

Playtime The best highintensity family workouts are on the beach. You can find them playing a game of tag in the sand. It’s their secret to early bedtimes.

Obrigada!

Shalice is proud of her Portuguese roots.

Modern Woman When Shalice isn’t taking care of her kids, she spends her time as a full time blogger and stylist.

Up Close and Personal Vague and impersonal are two adjectives that are never used to describe Shalice’s blog. She makes sure to include insightful, personal details, about her life.

DACHA

1219 Highland Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.545.8990 www.dachainteriors.com

Another store with great gifts for the home is DACHA. They have a collection of home goods that fit into our California décor, which is no surprise as the meaning of their store refers to a summer retreat. This vibe can be seen and felt throughout their entire store.

Little Sister 1131 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.545.2096 www.littlesistermb.com

Lunchtime means a stop at Little Sister. My first impression when they brought over countless plates was “Wow!” It was complete eye candy from the Shaky Shaky Beef with watercress to exotic drinks like the silky and tropical Charlize Theron, which is infused with red wine, yuzu, and orgeat.

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ECLAT

1100 Manhattan Ave, Ste 102 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.376.3553 www.shopeclat.us

First up after lunch was Eclat to look for a new bag. Their selection and modern aesthetic fits easily into my wardrobe.

They have great pieces that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. With everything from bold colors to nudes this spot is definitely worth a trip.

Roberto Coin 1141 Highland Ave A, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.546.4900 | www.robertocoin.com

Next up on my busy and productive day of exploring Manhattan Beach was Roberto Coin. They have so much elegance under one roof. One piece in particular stuck out to me, as it was similar to my signature turquoise ring. The little beauty had brown diamonds and agate and was absolutely beautiful! As a renowned Italian designer, the pieces at Roberto Coin show his innate and instinctual style. With everything he does, Coin shows a keen attention to detail. Simply put, his designs are legendary. I played with a cuff and rings, and flirted with the rose gold options. For those who follow my blog, you know I like simple jewelry, so I naturally gravitated to pieces like the rose gold circle pendant, spider cuff and black jade ring. I will definitely be back with my hubby. Wink wink!

BEACH HOUSE YOGA

BLVD.

Not only does Manhattan Beach offer great shopping and dining, there’s also yoga by the beach. When I need a quieter, more serene workout, Beach House Yoga checks my fitness and stress-release routine.

What more could someone ask for in a relaxing day?

Next on the hitlist: Blvd. I needed a new swimsuit for our upcoming vacation, and Blvd. has such a wide variety. I’m confident no one else on the beach will be wearing the same suit as me.

815 Manhattan Ave, Ste E & F Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.376.0107 www.beachhouseyoga.com

LEMONADE

Gingham Dress Provided By: Greigh Goods, www.greighgoods.com

451 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.545.5777 www.lemonadela.com

Nothing screams beach day like ice cold lemonade. Our favorite family walks are down The Strand during sunset with a Cucumber Mint Lemonade in hand from one of our favorite spots—Lemonade. Its sweet and sour taste always hits the spot, and my family loves it.

Greigh Goods 1300 Highland Ave, Ste 108, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 424.262.2881 | www.greighgoods.com

We always make a stop at Greigh Goods to meet the founder and designer, Sisongfa Noukhay. With reams of fabric and a sewing machine lining the wall, walking into her shop is like walking into a private studio. Her small and quaint setup features handsewn, beautifully designed dresses and separates. I loved trying on her dresses as I asked about her quality of fabrics (I love to feel everything), and about her beginnings in fashion. My husband says I like to play dress up and that's not too far from the truth. One dress caught my eye, the Bijoux dress, which gives a modern twist on the shirt dress with built-in ties that can be tied high on the waist or low on the hips. It was surprisingly flattering. You can probably guess that dress came home with me, as you'll soon see on my Instagram page.

WAVERLY BOUTIQUE

912 B Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 424.206.1884 www.waverlyboutique.com

You don't have to leave fashion all together once you're a mom. I retained mine by styling highend with low priced pieces, and adding unique accessories to be edgy yet comfortable.

Waverly Boutique has a wide selection of accessories for any day of the week.

320 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.372.0777 www.blvdmb.com

CAMI

316 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.545.2264

I stopped by Cami next for a new spring dress—always an essential during the season.

Cami’s collection carries major fashion labels as well as garments from up and coming designers that I love to discover.

OLD VENICE

1001 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.376.0242 www.oldveniceonline.com

At the end of the day, my husband picked the kids up from school and met me at Old Venice for their amazing pizza. The kids love pizza for dinner and I love not having to make it.

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PHOTO BY: Natasha Lee

E AT

///DRINK MAY 2017

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SUMMER MICHELADA Learn How Red O Taste of Mexico Makes Their Micheladas so Delicious

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EAT EXPERT Get the Scoop on Sugarfina

84

80

EAT EXPERT Sweet Tooth

Sugarfina Sweethearts Let Us in Their Sugar Coated World

SUGARFINA The Point 840 S Sepulveda Blvd El Segundo, CA 90245 424.290.0777 www.sugarfina.com

MEALS DECONSTRUCTED Old Venice Serves Up a Beautiful and Tasty Dish

88

BOMB BLOODIES Clink With Eight of SoCal’s Best Bloody Marys

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EAT/DRINK

RED O TASTE OF MEXICO 1541 Ocean Ave, Ste 120 Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.458.1600 Photoshoot Location: 143 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.718.0300 www.redorestaurant.com

A METHOD TO

MICHELADA MADNESS Celebrate Summer With a Modelo Michelada at Red O Taste of Mexico WRITTEN BY: TYLER HOLLAND PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MATHEW MARTINEZ

If there’s one thing Southern California is known for, besides endless sunshine and beaches, it’s the incredible selection of Mexican food and with that comes an abundance of cocktails that will keep even the most discerning customers satisfied. However, this can make choosing the perfect place for a night out quite the chore. Where should you go when looking for that new and innovative drink that remains true to the roots of the local fare? Red O Taste of Mexico has the solution.

The Modelo Michelada gives customers that famous zing of a Mexican bloody mary with the addition of an ice cold beer. A michelada’s flavor

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reflects the true origin of its name, mi chela helada, which means "my cold beer." Modelo Especial forms the foundation and is complimented by salt, lime, ice and a mixer of your choice, creating an unforgettable concoction.

Garnish to your liking and find a new favorite!

Summertime in Los Angeles calls for Taco Tuesdays under the sun of Southern California.

Enjoy your ice cold Red O Modelo Michelada with tasty deals that happen on a foodie’s favorite day of the week. With mouthwatering $3 select tacos to bite into, and your new fave drink to sip on, you’ll feel like you escaped on a Mexican vacay without leaving town.

HOW TO MAKE A RED O TASTE OF MEXICO MICHELADA Ingredients: • 12 oz. Modelo Especial • 3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice • 1/4 oz. Bloody Mary Seasoning mix • 1/4 oz. Worcestershire Sauce • 1/4 oz. Tomato Juice • Dash of Tapatio • Salt • Pepper • Lime • Ice

AD

E AT E X P E RT

sweet tooth S U G A R F I N A S W E E T H E A RT S L E T U S I N T H E I R S U G A R COAT E D WO R L D

WRITTEN BY: ASHLEE POLAREK PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NATASHA LEE

E XP E RTS : Rosie O’Neill and Josh Resnick C R E D E N TI A LS : Owners and Founders of Sugarfina WO R L D TR AV E LE R S : Rosie and Josh have taste tested about 3,000 candies each. They go on candy scouting missions all over the world, including Morocco, Bali, Japan and Scandinavia to look for inspiration.

Rosie O’Neill and Josh Resnick, owners and founders of Sugarfina, are just as sweet and lovely as their candy stores. When you walk into a Sugarfina location, it’s exactly like being a kid in a candy shop, except this time some of the candy has booze. Inspired by a date spent watching the candy master himself, Willy Wonka, this couple took the LA candy scene and flipped it on its head. Leaving their jobs, the couple took to the globe to get sweet inspiration from candy worldwide. They are passionate about making sure that Sugarfina candy tastes just as good as it looks and is always perfect quality.

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SUGARFINA The Point 840 S Sepulveda Blvd El Segundo, CA 90245 424.290.0777 www.sugarfina.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 81

q: how did you two meet?

Rosie O’Neill: We actually met on Match.com.

Josh Resnick: She reached out to me, no way in hell would I have reached out to her, talk about intimidating. Fortunately for us we hit it off right away.

Q: Where did the inspiration for Sugarfina come from?

JR: On our third date, I took her to see Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and we came out of there totally energized and excited. But also because we’re a little bit type A, we started talking about why it is that candy isn’t getting people like us as excited and energized these days. We realized the candy industry at that time was really geared towards kids. In our minds, kids were having all the fun. So we did a ton of traveling and a lot of research, and we discovered that there was nothing like this, and that's how we created Sugarfina.

Q: What makes Sugarfina candy for grown-ups?

RO: We like to do a lot of fun flavor combinations where we take things that maybe people were nostalgic about as kids and combine that with grown-up indulgence. So Champagne Gummy Bears, which is our best seller, is the perfect example of that. You have champagne, which people love and you have gummy bears, which people have this nostalgia for. You put them together and all of a sudden, you have a really fun treat that makes you feel a little something extra. If you’re going to have a small treat, have something really high quality and make it special. Treat yourself.

Q: What is the candy making process like?

RO: It’s really fun for us because we get to play Willy Wonka. We will have really fun brainstorming sessions where we come up with the candy ideas, ‘What if we made bourbon gummy bears?’ ‘What bourbon would we put in them?’ So we do all of the inventing and flavor profiles, shapes and ideas, and we have these really amazing candy makers who all

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specialize in a different type of candy. We go to them and we’re able to combine the idea and expertise and create something very special and unique.

JR: We have like dozens of chefs on our staff that we go out to create something with.

Q: What are your favorite candies that you sell?

RO: Our new Bourbon Bears are one of my personal favorites; they’re amazing. I will always put Peach Bellini on my list, that’s my go-to. And on the chocolate side, we have these dark chocolate toasted hazelnuts that have the best hazelnuts from Italy that are unbelievable.

JR: I have to say mine are Parisian Pineapples, a cute little shape and it tastes just like a pineapple would be as a gummy, all natural ingredients, it has a really fun texture to it. On the chocolate side, I would say the Brown Butter Brittle, it’s dark chocolate with little bits of toffee inside. So it’s this kind of crunchy, sweet, dark chocolaty contrast. The Dark Chocolate Scotch Cordials are amazing too. Even if you don't love scotch you’ll love this combination.

Q: Sugarfina gives to charities, what inspired that?

RO: This is my first time being an entrepreneur.

Josh is a lifelong entrepreneur, so supporting other entrepreneurs is a core part of our DNA. We try to do it in our daily life, like mentoring and helping people with their businesses. Kiva is an organization that does that on a much broader scale, and does it with entrepreneurs in third world countries. That of course is really near and dear to our hearts because I think it’s so great when an organization can help someone learn the tools they need to lift their whole community up with them.

Q: What kind of crazy or interesting things have happened in your stores?

RO: We’ve had, I think, six or seven marriage proposals happen in the store. Some were planned and our team was involved, some were spontaneous

“We like to do a lot of fun flavor combinations where we take things that maybe people were nostalgic about as kids and combine that with grown-up indulgence.”—Rosie O’Neill

BOOZY BITES: The Dark Chocolate Scotch Cordials have a real shot of Scotch inside. You have to be over 21 to buy them, and they will card you.

POPULAR POP: When the Rosé All Day Bears were launched, the whole year’s production sold out online, and they had a waitlist of over 18,000 people.

ROSIE O’NEILL'S TOP 3 FAVORITE CANDIES

1.

Bourbon Bears

OFFICE MUNCHIES: In the office, each employee has an open cube of candy on their desks. They work their way through cubes then go down to the warehouse and try a new candy. and everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, did that just happen?’ We’ve had one wedding in the Pasadena store. Tons of people do their engagement photos in our store. We had probably the most Insta famous Micro Pig come to one of our store launches.

JR: We’ve had a lot of animal personalities with large followings, dogs, cats—it’s interesting. The pig was the most interesting animal personality.

Q: If you had to pick a candy that you sell that describes each other, what would it be?

JR: I know the one, it just instantly came to my head for you—Pink Flamingo. Which is the cutest pink flamingo, and its elegant, graceful, tall.

RO: The one I pick for you actually is one of your favorite candies, so I was going to say the Brown Butter Brittle. Josh is a very complex person, he has many layers, but at the core, he’s very sweet.

Q: Have you always liked candy growing up?

RO: I had a major sweet tooth, I was the kid who would probably have a candy bar every day, and I would have to hide it...

JR: I did not know that.

RO: *Laughing* I had to hide it because I knew my parents would be mad at me if they knew how much sugar I was actually eating. I have this crazy sweet tooth, I always have.

JR: I had all the classics, Twizzlers, Whoppers, 100 Grand Bar; things like that.

Q:What inspires you to make candy?

JR: It makes people so happy, I mean that’s what inspires me. People walking into the store for the first time, being offered a sample and then gazing at our wall, seeing 130 different candies from around the world. All the different colors, textures, shapes and flavors, it’s a really positive kind of awakening that you’ll see in people. When Rosie and I are in the stores and we see people walking in and having that kind of reaction, that’s what drives me.

2.

Peach Bellini

3.

Dark Chocolate Toasted Hazelnuts

“It makes people so happy, I mean that’s what inspires me. People walking into the store for the first time, being offered a sample and then gazing at our wall, seeing 130 different candies from around the world.”

—Josh Resnick

JOSH RESNICK'S TOP 3 FAVORITE CANDIES

1.

Parisian Pineapples

2.

Brown Butter Brittle

3.

Dark Chocolate Scotch Cordials

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M EALS DECONSTRUCTED

Hooked on Linguini OLD VENICE’S INSTAGRAM-WORTHY SEAFOOD LINGUINI HAS US WANTING SECONDS

WRITTEN BY: ASHLEE POLAREK PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ALICIA CHO

Seafood Linguini Deconstructed

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OLD VENICE 1001 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310.376.0242 www.oldveniceonline.com

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PALATE PLEASER u Old Venice offers its guests both Greek and Italian food, and can satisfy the cravings of any Mediterranean cuisine lover.

MEDITERRANEAN VIBES u The restaurant is covered in tile mosaics and hand painted murals evoking memories of Greece and Italy.

The entry way has stones similar to long winding Greek roads and the windows let in beautiful, natural light.

The chairs inside the restaurant are painted different colors, some of them are original to the restaurant having survived the fire and are now left with ghostly scars of a battle they’ve won.

“We’re one of the oldest withstanding businesses in the area. A lot of places can't say they’ve been here for over 30 years like we have.”—Andrew Hantzarides

Q&A With Chef Andrew Hantzarides Q: What is your favorite dish to make at the restaurant?

Andrew Hantzarides: I love making pizza; it was the first thing I learned how to make.

When I was two years old, I made my first pizza for a customer. He was a regular and knew my dad, he saw me behind the counter and he said, ‘I want him to make my pizza today.’ So they put a little stool for me to stand on and my dad helped stretch the dough, but after that, it was always something that I had a passion for.

Q: What is the best part about working with your family?

AH: Since we grew up here, it's home to us so we feel comfortable. Even if we have to spend a 12- or 15-hour day, it doesn't even feel like that. We still hang out together outside of work.

Q: What kind of flavors are essential to Greek and Italian food?

AH: There are a lot of similar flavors, that's why we have been able to develop the two menus over the years. Lemon, basil, and oregano go a long way in cuisine. And the secret ingredient in our dishes is lots of love and care.

Next time you feel like escaping to the islands of Greece or the historic sights of Italy, look no further than Old Venice in Manhattan Beach.

This unique family owned restaurant has been around for over three decades. Established in 1984

by Jimmy Hantzarides and his wife Julie, the restaurant quickly became a town favorite, however, it was destroyed in a tragic fire in 2006. It has since been rebuilt by current Chef and Owner Andrew and Natalie Hantzarides, the

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children of Jimmy and Julie, and is as charming and successful as ever. Just a block up from the beach, the Greek and Italianinspired decor whisks you away to faraway lands of delicious and inspired cooking.

The Seafood Linguini is a must try dish at Old Venice. This heavenly dish is served in a massive pearlescent seashell that catches the attention of all the other restaurant goers. The Seafood Linguini can feed one to two people if you're willing to share. Brought to you in the giant shell, this dish is definitely Instagram-worthy.

Q: What is the most popular dish at Old Venice?

AH: It’s hard to pick one thing out, but the Seafood Seashell is a popular pasta dish.

Our pizzas and calzones are very popular too. Also we sell a lot of pita wraps. We offer many choices including vegetarian options like souvlakis and gyros.

Q: If you had to eat somewhere in LA that wasn't your restaurant, where would you eat?

AH: It’s hard to choose one place; I like Philippe's the Original, in downtown LA. Also, we have a family member who owns a restaurant on Olvera Street called La Luz Del Dia and I’m always looking to try something new. But I do enjoy a lot of Mexican cuisine.

Q: What do you think the restaurant brings to the community?

AH: We’re one of the oldest businesses in the area. A lot of places can't say they’ve been here for over 30 years like we have.

We offer that family environment; that homey feeling. Manhattan Beach is a family town, so a lot of families appreciate us. Our menu is based on the Mediterranean diet and we offer many vegetarian and healthy dining options.

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Seafood Linguini Deconstructed

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Ingredients: 1. 3 Pieces of Shrimp 2. Calamari 3. Shaved Parmesan 4. Lemon 5. Half Shelled Mussels 6. Chopped clams 7. Garlic 8. Diced Tomatoes 9. Linguini Noodles 10. Fresh Basil 11. Marinara Sauce *Not pictured u 8 Scallops u White Wine u Homemade Garlic Butter

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ABSO-BLOODY-LUTELY Bacon, Burgers, and Celery Topped Goodness WRITTEN BY: ASHLEE POLAREK PHOTOGRAPHED BY: KRISTIN ANDERSON

PALM SPRINGS

ORANGE COUNTY

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

BLT Mary

Buddy’s Bloody Mary

Ò House-made bloody mary mix and homemade bacon infused vodka sends the BLT Mary at Jake’s right to the top. This meal in a cup is garnished with a skewer of crispy applewood bacon, fresh lettuce, tomato and a perfect piece of toast. Great for curing a hangover or starting the day off with bacon boozy goodness.

Jurassic Pork Bloody Mary

Ò A bloody mary of massive proportions, Buddy’s Bloody at Lighthouse Bayview Cafe is fresh and filling. The 32-ounce bloody is made up of a homemade mix, and is garnished with fresh lemon and lime, pickled asparagus, crisp celery, crumbly gorgonzola, a green olive, salami, a cherry tomato and a pickled pearl onion plus a chili salted rim. The enormous drink lives up to the man (Buddy) it was inspired by.

Jake’s Palm Springs jakespalmsprings.com

A loaded bloody mary is the perfect addition to your Sunday brunch—especially photo-worthy when it’s stacked as high as your face! Whether you’re looking for a bomb bloody in your own backyard or you’re wanting to explore a bit, we’ve got you covered with some of the best bloodies in Southern California.

Franken Mary Ò This 32-ounce behemoth truly is a meal in a cup. The homemade bloody mary mix is garnished with crisp celery stalks, asparagus, a Slim Jim, a melty cheeseburger slider, a shrimp skewer, two chicken wings, bacon, two cheese sticks, and a garnish kabab made up of fresh lemon, lime and orange wedges, olive, onion and cherry.

Sloan’s Restaurant sloansrestaurant.com

Lighthouse Bayview Cafe lighthousenb.com Ramos House Bloody Mary Ò The stacked-to-the top Ramos House Bloody Mary has been around for 19 years. Created as a cure for a New Year’s Eve hangover, this delectable drink is one for the books. Made with soju and house crafted mary mix, the unique drink is topped with a Scotch quail egg, pickled string beans and a crab claw.

Ramos House Cafe ramoshouse.com

Ò The Jurassic Pork Bloody Mary from Breakfast Republic is garnished with thick cut bacon, celery, olives, a tangy lemon wedge, and a cornichon. The mouth watering Jurassic Pork bacon, a crowd favorite at the restaurant, is marinated in brown sugar and paprika, delivering balanced spicy and sweet flavor that perfectly tops the brilliantly colored bloody.

Breakfast Republic in Encinitas breakfastrepublic.com BBQ Bloody Mary Ò Jalapeño infused vodka, house made mary mix and barbecue sauce are what makes the base of this unique bloody mary delicious.

On top you’ll find a two- to three-boned cut of smoked pork baby back ribs, a green olive, fresh celery stick, house pickled okra and green beans, and a brisket rub rimmed glass, sure to have you licking your fingers asking for seconds.

That Boy Good Southern BBQ Joint thatboygoodbbq.com

LOS ANGELES Mama Betty’s Bloody Mary Ò Inspired by Grandma Betty, Mamma Betty’s Bloody Mary features a spicy habanero infused vodka, made in house, and a refreshing and flavorful homemade bloody mary mix. To avoid the usual, the Bellwether garnishes their bloody with a mini BLT, a peperoncini, a cornichon and bacon salt around the rim.

Sunday Bloody Sunday Ò The Sunday Bloody Sunday at Rock and Brews is a classic hit.

Garnished with savory bacon, celery sticks, lemon and lime, three olives, pickled okra, and a deliciously spiced rim, this bloody mary will have you wanting to rock and roll all night.

Sunday Bloody Sunday • Bacon • Celery sticks • Lemon • Lime • Olives • Pickled Okra • Spiced rim

Rock and Brews rockandbrews.com

The Bellwether thebellwetherla.com

Photoshoot Location: ROCK AND BREWS 143 Main St El Segundo, CA 90245 310.615.9890 www. rockandbrews.com

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PHOTO BY: Travis McCoy

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MAY 2017

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COVER STORY UFC’s Luke Rockhold Drops Some Serious Motivation

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STRANGERS YOU KNOW The Musical Duo Who Began as Strangers

100 MUSIC SPOTLIGHT Local Sound: Strangers You Know

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DO EXPERT These Young Do Experts are Killing it at Life

The Evolving Sound of this Local Musical Duo

STRANGERS YOU KNOW @strangersyouknow www.strangersyouknow.com Photoshoot Location: Beverly Hills, CA

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BEHIND ENEMY LINES PEEK INTO THE MIND OF UFC’S L U K E R O C K H O L D AS HE’S HUNGRY FOR ANOTHER C H A M P I O N S H I P B E L T

WRITTEN BY: JORDAN LIGONS PHOTOGRAPHED BY: COREY WILSON

CAGE /KAJ/ NOUN:

a structure of bars or wires in which animals are confined. Luke Rockhold is a MMA animal. His cage is eight sides, usually located in Las Vegas, and is surrounded by chain link fence. The 30-foot mat is marked with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) sponsors like Monster Energy Drink and Reebok, accessorized with drops of the previous card fighters’ blood. This cage is more like a stage, with a high-paying audience surrounding it chanting, booing, or cheering as more blood gets added to the floor. This cage is where Rockhold calls home.

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LUKE ROCKHOLD @lukerockhold

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“THERE’S NOTHING LIKE FIGHTING." —LUKE ROCKHOLD

GRAPES THE CAT Ò Rockhold is also a businessman.

His latest venture is Grapes, a fresh take on portable chargers that’s fit for the extreme athlete lifestyle. Get #OntheGrapes and buy yours at www. grapesthecat.com.

MODEL BEHAVIOR Ò Being in fight shape, snapping a couple pictures, and traveling the world doesn’t seem like a bad side gig.

Rockhold has signed with Soul Artist Management for his newest adventure: modeling. “I don’t mind it. I’m getting paid handsomely to be handsome,” he says with a laugh.

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“ Y O U C A N S U C C E E D, S U C C E E D, A N D S U C C E E D A N D B E C O M E B L I N D E D B Y I T… W H E N Y O U F A I L , I T H U R T S . I T M A K E S Y O U R E A L LY A N A LY Z E , ‘ W H Y D I D I F A I L ? W H AT D I D I D O W R O N G ? ’ A N D I F Y O U ’ R E N O T D O I N G T H AT, I F E E L S O R R Y F O R Y O U .”

—LUKE ROCKHOLD

ONCE YOU STEP INTO THIS CAGE, THERE IS A PERSON STANDING ACROSS FROM YOU THAT HAS BEEN DOING THEIR HOMEWORK AND TRAINING FOR MONTHS TO DESTROY YOU; THEY GRIND THEIR MOUTHPIECE AND PIERCE INTO THE DEPTHS OF YOUR SOUL. ONCE THE REFEREE’S HANDCLAP GIVES THEM THE GO AHEAD, THEIR ONLY AGENDA IS TO KNOCK YOUR LIGHTS OUT. SOUND FUN? ROCKHOLD BELIEVES SO. “I FUCKING LOVE WHAT I DO,” HE SAYS. This self-proclaimed rough kid first fell in love with mixed martial arts through the way of wrestling in his hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. With a former CIF Championship-caliber wrestling career and a newfound love of jiu-jitsu going for him, Rockhold showed up one day on the doorstep of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) ready to work. After a couple hours of sparring in that controlled, hightempo environment with some of their best guys, Rockhold was hooked. “The moment I got in there and mixed it up, from then on I was like, ‘I’m going to make this work no matter what it takes,’” he said.

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“I had always known that I was more talented than others, more driven, more disciplined. I was a perfectionist in everything I did. I loved athletics and I knew I was athletically gifted like none other,” Rockhold explains.

The genes were definitely in his favor.

With a former Golden State Warrior for a dad, a tennis stand out for a mom, and a professional surfer for an older brother, he had a clear path to a career in sports. “I always knew I would be a professional athlete. There wasn’t really a professional outlet for wrestling, so I was kind of stranded.”

Denying a couple college wrestling offers, Rockhold wanted to ultimately follow the money, so he quit. He

started attending general education college, but wasn’t feeling inspired; the sheer thought of becoming a nine-tofiver freaked him out. The Santa Cruz lifestyle of kick flipping and shredding the gnar of the Pacific Ocean became a tentative cure. But, he had vibes that the people he was surrounding himself with were limiting themselves.

Rockhold wasn’t about that. “It’s about separating yourself from the pack,” he explained. So he moved from Santa Cruz to Gilroy, right outside of San Jose, to his manager’s garage and completely immersed himself in the fighting culture: “After a lot of sacrifices, trials, and tribulations I made it.”

Nothing, he said, took the demanding attitude, technique, commitment, and mental toughness that fighting did. It was the ultimate sport for him. With Rockhold being the risk taker he is, he took a big one and went head first into training.

“There’s nothing like fighting. Nothing else plays mind games with you like fighting on a certain date, with all the hype, and promotions that leads into it.

You have to demand more of yourself,” he said.

When leading up to a fight, he breaks down training camp in weeks, he says that you have to be real with yourself and ask, “Are you getting better every week?” The answer better be yes.

“I HAD ALWAYS KNOWN THAT I WAS MORE TALENTED THAN OTHERS, MORE DRIVEN, MORE DISCIPLINED. I WAS A PERFECTIONIST IN EVERYTHING I DID.” —LUKE ROCKHOLD

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“You can’t cheat yourself in this game. You have to have every element to the game on point,” Rockhold said. Not only does your cardio, technique, and weight have to be as flawless as possible, but your mental state of mind has to be out of this world.

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“[Mentality] is everything. You could be the sharpest, the fastest, and the most powerful in the gym, but if you’re not mentally prepared and ready to step into [the cage], it can all fall apart,” Rockhold said. “This is not basketball, this is not football; we don’t have another quarter, another inning, this is not a series. This is everything on one given night. It could end in seconds or it could end in a half-hour. You can’t have an off day.”

Five to 10 days before Fight Night, Rockhold likes to hit the cool down button. The mind game toggles between confidence and doubt. He begins meditating and visualizing the fight that is to come, mentally picturing what moves his opponent is going to make so he’s already one bob, weave, or kick ahead. Throughout this process, though, a lot of negativity intensifies, Rockhold says. He takes this time to refocus on the positives; you have to come to terms that you have done everything that you could do up until this point, he says, “Relaxation is confidence. The more relaxed you can be, the more you can let go.” Once the ding, ding, ding sounds, he relies on instinct—less thoughts, more reacting.

“THERE’S NOTHING LIKE FIGHTING. NOTHING ELSE PLAYS MIND GAMES WITH YOU LIKE FIGHTING ON A CERTAIN DATE, WITH ALL THE HYPE, AND PROMOTIONS THAT LEADS INTO IT.” —LUKE ROCKHOLD

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The week of the circled calendar date, Rockhold explains how you have to come face to face with your opponent almost every day due to the promotional aspect of the job.

“You’re looking at this guy, and you’re watching him and seeing how people carry themselves during fight week.

It’s a big tell. Or it can’t be,” he says.

“Some people believe in themselves so much that you know it’s going to be a fucking fight. You know this guy is bringing it. You can [also] see doubt sometimes from people…You know he has a breaking point, so you just have to focus on getting there.”

When they shut Rockhold in the cage, and it’s go-time, that’s when all the pressures ripple away like beads of sweat. The gloves are on, and it is time to separate the competitors versus the true fighters. At this point, the attending crowd, or even the pay-per-viewers, are standing, anxiously awaiting this modern-day gladiator scenario unfold.

This is where the fun starts.

Rockhold is a Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and a former UFC Middleweight Champion, but till only recently had his title stripped in a fight to Michael Bisping last June; so it seems the word “champion” has a slightly bitter taste in his mouth. He

says that he sits back and analyzes the people he admires most and takes note of what makes people great. To be a champion, and to stay a champion, Rockhold believes that you have to be more: do more, give more, sacrifice more, and risk more.

When life throws a jab and knocks you down, you have to be able to get back up.

Rockhold says that failure is all a part of the process. “When you fail, there’s so much more to learn than when you succeed,” he says. “You can succeed, succeed, and succeed and become blinded by it… When you fail, it hurts. It makes you really analyze, ‘Why did I fail?

What did I do wrong?’ and if you’re not doing that, I feel sorry for you.” Rockhold roots this attitude to how he was raised.

He says that there’s failing, learning, and improving, and more importantly, not letting it happen again.

But, the fact is, this is a brutal profession. Rockhold finds it a necessity to find balance. His remedy?

Traveling. “I believe you have to get away,” he says. “I’m 32 [years old], I’m in my prime and I want to enjoy life, but I want to give everything to this sport at the same time.” Through trial and error, he’s found that he works better this way. He adds that the fire builds up when he takes a break, allowing him to get back after it with a new frame of mind. This year, an ACL injury forced Rockhold to rest, but with appropriate rehab and not overdoing it, he feels ready; he’s got the itch.

Rockhold’s social media profiles don the simple bio line of “Prize fighter on the quest for glory.” He believes that this equates with being the best you can be, and living the dream. “At this time in my life I am focused on being the best fighter in the world,” he says. “I’ve achieved that and I will achieve it again.”

This is a critical point in his career coming off a loss in a world title, and trust me, he’s aware. “I know what I did, I know I screwed up,” he says in regards to getting back in the octagon after the Bisping loss. “I was overconfident and I took too much of a risk; I didn’t respect the situation…I learned from it, and it’s time to go back out there and take what belongs to me.”

He’s aiming full steam ahead with the target month of July, and he’s looking to make some moves. “I’m not looking to dance around…I’m not looking for paychecks or for easy fights. I’m looking to achieve greatness.”

Rockhold is salivating at the thought of getting that gold plated UFC Middleweight Championship belt wrapped around his waist again, while hearing Octagon Announcer Bruce Buffers’ voice yell, “And new…” He’s had the taste of being a champion and now he’s starving.

“I am hungrier than ever,” Rockhold says. “I’m waiting in the woods, ready to fucking pounce.”

YOLO Ò Rockhold stays true to the phrase, “You only live once.”

He aims to focus on chasing what makes him happy and living the dream: “I’ve been blessed that my work is what I love.”

SURFER BRO Ò Matt Rockhold, Luke’s older brother, is a professional surfer sponsored by the likes of O’Neill. These Santa Cruz-natives spent a lot of time in the ocean growing up in the surf capital of NorCal. Luke is still an avid surfer and skateboarder.

HOMETOWN HERO Ò Santa Cruz declared Dec. 18 “Luke Rockhold Day” in honor of his championship title win.

Gold Coast, Australia

“AT T H I S T I M E I N M Y L I F E I A M F O C U S E D O N B E I N G T H E B E S T F I G H T E R I N T H E W O R L D. I ’ V E A C H I E V E D T H AT A N D I W I L L A C H I E V E I T A G A I N .”

—LUKE ROCKHOLD

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LOCAL SOUND:

Strangers You Know The Evolving Sound of This Local Musical Duo WRITTEN BY: REBECCA GRAZIER PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TRAVIS MCCOY

Musical duo Adam Haagen and Grady Lee of Strangers You Know show no signs of slowing down with their ever-evolving sound.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2013 was packed when Lee snuck in and tried to introduce himself to a pretty girl in Haagen’s group. It was there that he met Haagen by happenstance—Lee didn’t even notice Haagen, but he latched onto their group. They stayed for the performance of a band called Two Door Cinema Club, and after the show had ended, they started talking.

“He told me he had a small band up in Santa Barbara, a little trio,” said Haagen. “I had just finished the studio we’re in now, like a week before that, and I told him to come right down and that I’d record him.

About eight months later he took me up on the offer.”

The style of music these two guys create is a mix of indie/folk and indie/pop with a tinge of electro. Their song “Used” from their EP Loosen Up the Leash has over 1 million downloads on Spotify, and is about casual relationships and the consequences that ensue. They write their own lyrics to their songs and use some of their personal experiences.

Haagen and Lee made their debut for the first time last year at Coachella. The guys performed at six other major music festivals like the Kentucky

STRANGERS YOU KNOW @strangersyouknow www.strangersyouknow.com Photoshoot Location: Beverly Hills, CA

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Derby Festival in Louisville, the Hangout Music Festival in Alabama, BottleRock in Napa, Bumbershoot in Seattle, Summerfest in Milwaukee and Firefly Music Festival in Delaware.

“I had just finished the studio we’re in now, like a week before that, and I told him to come right down and that I’d record him. About eight months later he took me up on the offer.”—Adam Haagen

“It was an amazing experience seeing the country and going show to show. It was the most diverse thing we’d ever done,” said Haagen. “We’d go and play an indie show with the Cold War Kids in Kentucky, and then we’d fly up, and play an almost all electronic show back in Portland or Seattle. We’d start to mix the cities after a while. It was really just interesting to see the whole United States, and to see the different sub-genres that come alive in every city. Every city has its own flavor, its own sound, and its own feel.”

BLOWIN’ UP w The duo has two songs on Spotify with over 1 million views—“Used” with 1.1 million, and “Smoke and Mirrors” with 1.6 million.

TALENT SHOW w Adam Haagen plays the keyboard, drums, bass, and guitar while performing their songs, while Grady Lee sings on the microphone.

Last summer, the duo traveled all around the states while playing in cities such as Portland, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. They would wake up in a new state every two to three days, and most of the time they wouldn’t know where they were because they’d have no reception on their cell phones.

After taking six months off, the duo is now heading back to the studio focused on creating the best versions of themselves, while also creating the best music they’ve ever made. They plan on doing more summer festivals and probably another American tour.

In the meantime, you can give them a listen on Spotify.

v ADAM HAAGEN

v GRADY LEE

A CHILD DO EXPERT

SHALL LEAD

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MEET 7 YOUNG INFLUENCERS WHO HAVE MADE THEIR PASSIONS A REALITY WRITTEN BY: NICOLE HAKIM PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS AND JANE CHOUTEAU

If you’ve ever heard the phrase that the youth are the future, then you should know that it is entirely true. With their boundless imaginations and endless motivation, they do whatever they can to make their dreams come true and help others in the process.

Whether they are trying to clean up the environment, flying across the map, guiding people to a healthier lifestyle, creating a new useful invention, working with a team to score a win, climbing a mountain or using their skills as a chef to help kids find light in the darkness, each one of our determined young Do Experts are on his or her way to show others just how far one can go, if they only put their best foot forward.

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“IT’S A DIRTY JOB, BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO DO IT.” — VA N I S BUCKHOLZ

VANIS BUCKHOLZ

CREATOR OF MY RECYCLER AGE: 14

The earth is a beautiful place, but unfortunately, not many are committed to preserving its beauty. Meet Vanis Buckholz, the creator of My ReCycler, which aims to clean up streets, beaches, parks and much more by picking up trash and recycling it.

In his seventh year of business, Vanis has collected over 75,000 pounds of trash and has joined the Project Hope Alliance, a charity that helps homeless children in Orange County.

With his involvement, he has not only helped the environment, but also the people who call the earth their home. Seeing someone so young take care of the environment is truly inspiring, and as Vanis says, “It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.”

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Q: What inspired you to get into recycling?

Vanis Buckholz: It was for an Earth Day project in elementary school. I picked recycling because it seemed like a smart thing to do. Once I started, I thought we should keep doing it. When I realized we could make money doing it, we started the business. My grandpa always told me to start a business, so I did.

Q: How did you come up with the name “My ReCycler?”

VB: I started my business on my scooter and then on my bike; that’s how I got to all my customers. The name matches what I actually do: I recycle and I ride my bike.

Q: Were there ever times of struggle?

How did you push forward?

VB: Yes, because it grew so fast, it was

hard to keep everything organized.

I just focused on what I had to do.

I took care of my commitments and stayed organized.

Q: What plans do you have for your business in the future?

VB: I want to grow it as big as I can and add other services. I’d like to get my own recycling yard and hire others to join it.

Q: How does it feel to be considered one of Orange County’s most influential “Game Changers?”

VB: Wow! It’s shocking. I’ve been doing this for half of my life, so it’s nothing unusual. It’s still really cool.

Q: What is one of your biggest achievements while in business?

VB: That would probably be helping other kids.

I’D LIKE TO GET MY OWN RECYCLING YARD AND HIRE OTHERS TO JOIN IT.”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS

— VA N I S B U C K H O L Z

A PIECE OF ADVICE

Buckholz says the most important thing for people to help is to do something.

STAY ACTIVE

When he’s not recycling, Buckholz likes to spend time sports car racing with his dad, hanging out with his friends, surfing, skateboarding, go-kart racing and playing basketball, volleyball and golf.

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“THE FACT THAT I CAN SHOW THEM A DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITY AT LIFE BRINGS SATISFACTION TO MINE. I WISH TO SHOW MANY KIDS IN THE UNITED STATES THE SAME THING.” —ISAIAH COOPER

ISAIAH COOPER

YOUNGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO FLY ACROSS THE US AGE: 17

To many, the idea of flying can be quite scary. To others, it’s merely a way to get from one place to another.

To Compton-native Isaiah Cooper, flying is a sense of freedom and accomplishment. At the age of only 16, Cooper achieved a milestone last July, as he became one of the youngest people to fly across the United States. The 8,000-mile flight took two weeks, and though this is quite an accomplishment, Cooper is far from finished. He hopes to take his passion to the next level and become the youngest person to fly around the globe.

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Q: When did you want to become a pilot?

Isaiah Cooper: I was a young kid, and I wanted to do it as a hobby. I was five or six years old at the time.

The fact that I can show them a different opportunity at life brings satisfaction to mine. I wish to show many kids in the United States the same thing.

Q: It sounds really scary! How do you keep calm and push forward?

IC: I don’t really have moments of doubt. I’ve been in an accident before, so I’m ready for what flying brings.

Q: What advice do you have for kids on how to follow their dreams?

IC: Stay focused, stay positive, stay around positive people who want to encourage you, and put your best foot forward in school. Everything you learn in school will help you in real life.

Q: Have you flown any of your family?

IC: No. I don’t have a license yet, and on top of that, most of them are scared of planes, so it’s going to be hard.

Q: Have you met any young children inspired by your adventures? How does it make you feel?

IC: Oh, yes. Some will contact me online or through social media. I’ll sign autographs and take photos. I love inspiring them.

Q: How did it feel when you were flying 8,000 miles around the US? IC: I loved it. It’s a sense of freedom you won’t get from driving a car. I love flying through the clouds; it’s so exciting.

Q: What do you have planned for the future?

IC: I would actually like to open my own organization. Hopefully I can make it so kids can get the same chance I did.

IT’S A SENSE OF FREEDOM YOU WON’T GET FROM DRIVING A CAR. I LOVE FLYING THROUGH THE CLOUDS; IT’S SO EXCITING.”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS

— I S A I A H C OO P E R

BALLIN’

When he’s not flying, Cooper also enjoys playing baseball and basketball.

DREAM FLIGHT

Cooper says his dream flight destination is Jamaica.

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“I’VE HAD LEUKEMIA THREE TIMES...I FOUND THE FOOD NETWORK AND ALL THE COOKING SHOWS, AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH FOOD.” — JAC K WITH ERSPOON

JACK WITHERSPOON

CHEF, LEUKEMIA SURVIVOR AND AUTHOR OF “TWIST IT UP” AGE: 17

Diagnosed with leukemia at age two, Jack Witherspoon has relapsed twice at age six and 11, and has even gone through a bone marrow transplant.

However, Witherspoon has moved past the darkness by finding solace in cooking.

With a cookbook, a visit to the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, and a charity that raised over $150,000 for pediatric leukemia research, Witherspoon has achieved so much by age 16.

Q: What inspired you to start cooking?

Jack Witherspoon: I’ve had leukemia three times.

It was during my first relapse when I was six, and I was in the hospital a lot. I found the Food Network and all the cooking shows, and I fell in love with food. I got my mom to write down recipes, and when I got home, I’d make some of them.

Children, where I was treated for my first two bouts of leukemia. It’s called the Jack Witherspoon Foundation. Proceeds from my book also go to that foundation. I was also Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Boy of the Year in 2015. I’ve raised a lot of money for a lot of different charities, but they’re all for leukemia research.

Q: How did you stay positive during difficult times?

JW: It really hit me when I was six because I had friends and school. All those things were just taken away when I was under treatment.

The cooking was the bright light that kept me positive in the midst of everything. I really needed something to get my mind off everything that was going on, and cooking kept my mind off all that.

Q: What do you think is one of your biggest achievements in the culinary world?

JW: My cookbook is one of my biggest achievements. It was a lot of hard work, and it was my first big project. I was 11 when it was published, and as it was going to print, I had a relapse with leukemia, so my book launch was postponed.

Q: What is the first dish you ever made?

JW: I started off just helping my mom, but the first dish I really ever made was a five-cheese mac and cheese I saw on “Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels.” The night after I got home, my mom and I made it. It was really cool, making something by myself and having people eat it and enjoy it. It’s a really good feeling.

Q: Which recipe in “Twist it Up” is your favorite?

JW: It’s 60 of my favorite recipes, so it’s kind of hard to choose, but I’ve got to say either my spaghetti carbonara—it’s easy, it’s fast and it’s really good— or my shepherd’s pie, which has a little bit of sentimental value because I made it on the “Tonight Show,” and I got to cook it with Jay Leno.

Q: Tell me about your charity. When did it start and what have you done to raise money?

JW: I have my own endowment at Miller’s

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Q: Which chefs inspire you the most?

JW: I got to say Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, all those Food Network chefs inspire me to keep cooking, but now, as I’m getting older, I’m watching more Gordon Ramsay; he really knows his stuff.

Q: Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to learn how to cook?

JW: You want to keep it simple in the beginning and work your way up. I started off helping, learning everything I could, and watching videos.

Practice really makes perfect.

Q: What do you have planned for the future?

JW: I’m going to be making my own business. It’s going to be a cookie company called “Sconies.”

It’s a cross between a cookie and a scone. We’re hoping to launch with three different varieties like vanilla bean, chocolate chip and lemon zest.

THE COOKING WAS THE BRIGHT LIGHT THAT KEPT ME POSITIVE IN THE MIDST OF EVERYTHING. I REALLY NEEDED SOMETHING TO GET MY MIND OFF EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON, AND COOKING KEPT MY MIND OFF ALL THAT.”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS

— JAC K W I T H E R S P OO N

COOKING UP A STORM

Witherspoon says one of the most fulfilling things is inspiring kids in the hospital by doing cooking demos.

ACROSS THE BOARD

When he’s not cooking, Witherspoon likes to hang out with friends, skateboard, snowboard, and surf.

Photoshoot Location: PRIMO ITALIA 24590 Hawthorne Blvd Torrance, CA 90505 310.378.4288 www.eatprimo.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 109

“FOR ME, I NOTICED HOW YOGA HELPED ME WITH SCHOOL AND RELAXATION. IT INSPIRED ME TO HELP OTHERS BECAUSE IT HELPED ME.” — JAYS E A D E VO E

JAYSEA DEVOE

YOUNGEST CERTIFIED SUP YOGA INSTRUCTOR, FOUNDER OF SEAVIBES AGE: 15

Jaysea Devoe has loved yoga from a young age—when other forms of sport didn’t work for her—and has found a sense of happiness within the practice.

However, as relaxed as yoga makes her, merely practicing isn’t enough. Devoe is also a certified yoga instructor, and she is only 14 years old. Teaching at the Yoga Bergamot every Wednesday night, Devoe shows that her young age doesn’t matter because she is able to share the passion and relaxation that yoga brings her to her students.

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Q: How did you get into the yoga hype?

Jaysea Devoe: I was about eight years old. I had been taking kids’ classes at a dance studio that offered yoga one or two times a week. I loved it. I tried all different sports, but none really worked, and yoga just stuck with me. I took the training when I was 12.

incense and music on. When the students show up and line up their mats, I welcome them and introduce myself to new students. I start off slowly with one pose for a few minutes to reflect on our bodies. We pick up the pace in the middle with sequences that build up, and at the end of class, I bring the sequences down to reflect.

Q: What inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

JD: For me, I noticed how yoga helped me with school and relaxation. It inspired me to help others because it helped me.

Q: What advice do you have for people who want to try yoga?

JD: I hear students say they can’t do yoga because they’re not flexible. Yoga is meant for working on flexibility. If you haven’t started yoga, go to a local studio and take a few classes. Go for a few days a week and build it up, and see if you notice any differences in your mind and body.

Q: How does doing yoga and helping others make you feel?

JD: Yoga is such an important thing that everyone should practice. Being able to help others make their bodies healthy makes me happy. It empowers me to help others.

Q: Walk us through a typical class when you’re instructing.

JD: Normally, I go in and teach at Yoga Bergamot. I teach on Wednesdays, and I put

Q: What are some of your biggest achievements in the yoga field?

JD: For me, it’s my clothing and jewelry line called SeaVibes. We have a little shop where I teach. It gets me into a new thing while incorporating yoga.

BEING ABLE TO HELP OTHERS MAKE THEIR BODIES HEALTHY MAKES ME HAPPY. IT EMPOWERS ME TO HELP OTHERS.” — JAYS E A D E VO E

WATER BABY

When Devoe isn’t doing yoga, she likes to surf and paddleboard.

WORLD TRAVELER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS

As an instructor, she wants to share her love for yoga around the world, and explore new cultures as she does so.

SEAVIBES YOGA www.seavibesyoga.com @seavibesyoga Photoshoot Location: PONTO BEACH TOWER 21 Carlsbad Blvd Encinitas, CA 92024 www.californiabeaches.com LOCALE MAGAZINE 111

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS

“I’VE ALWAYS WANTED A SKATEBOARD I COULD FIT IN MY LOCKER AND BACKPACK, SO I DECIDED TO JUST START MAKING ONE.” —CARSON K RO P F L

CARSON KROPFL

CREATOR OF THE LOCKER BOARD SKATEBOARDS AGE: 11

Nothing can extinguish a child’s imagination, especially if he has an idea that he’s passionate about. In order to pay for his surf contests and lessons, he started the Locker Board—instead of doing chores. They are made with recycled skateboard decks, and when Vans learned of Kropfl’s ideas, he was set up with a monthly recycling program at two stores in So Cal where he is given donated skateboard decks to upcycle into Locker Boards. This year, Carson will be a mentor at the Independent Youth Teen Network, and he is also donating $1 for every Locker Board he sells to the Tony Hawk Foundation.

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Q: What is the Locker Board and how did you think of it?

Carson Kropfl: Locker Boards are recycled skateboard decks that I’ve reshaped to fit inside backpacks and lockers. I put new tracks and wheels on them and sell them for $69. I’ve always wanted a skateboard I could fit in my locker and backpack, so I decided to just start making one.

Q: Any notable people who have a Locker Board?

CK: We sent out [a board to Barron Trump], and it’s in the White House, but we haven’t heard anything quite yet.

Q: How many Locker Boards have you sold?

CK: To date, I’ve sold 151. We’ve been selling them for three-and-a-half months.

Q: Who was the first person to get their very own Locker Board, besides yourself?

CK: It was Oct. 25th—I put the boards out

there on Oct. 29th—and two of my friends came over and bought one.

Q: Do you have any other inventions you’ve done?

CK: A while ago, we started a company called Streetubez. It’s like tarp surfing, and that’s when you get a big tarp, and then you set it down and take one corner and pull it. The wind takes you like a wave, and you skate through it. The tarp is a triangle and is made out of parachute material, and you skate on the streets. It’s super easy and fun to ride. We did a Kickstarter. We didn’t make it, but we’re going to start it up again.

Q: Do you have any advice for kids who want to invent?

CK: You just have to push through and work as hard as you can. Then you’ll have time to play. Work hard, shred hard!

WORK HARD, SHRED HARD!” — C A R S O N K RO P F L

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

When he’s not inventing, Kropfl enjoys playing with his friends, biking, skateboarding and surfing.

BIEBER FEVER

Kropfl says he’d think Justin Bieber—who skates a lot in Venice Beach—would enjoy his own Locker Board.

LOCKER BOARD SKATEBOARDS 949.554.4448 www.lockerboard.net Photoshoot Location: SAN CLEMENTE, CA LOCALE MAGAZINE 113

“[THE HIKE] TOOK ABOUT 22 HOURS. THAT WAS WITH NO SLEEP, JUST SOME ONE-MINUTE CATNAPS; THOSE ONLY FELT LIKE A SECOND.” —ANTHONY S LO S A R

ANTHONY SLOSAR

YOUNGEST PERSON TO CLIMB MT. WHITNEY AGE: 7

Whether one is an experienced hiker or just starting out, climbing a mountain at any stage of life is a long, difficult, and impressive feat.

It’s even more impressive when you’re only six years old and have already climbed a mountain that is over 14,000 feet, and that is what Anthony Slosar did last August. Coming from a family of hikers, Slosar made history with his father, mother, brothers, and sisters.

Even when his mother and siblings had to turn back halfway through the climb—because of altitude sickness—Slosar wasn’t about to give up. He continued on with the 22-hour journey and came back with a heightened sense of confidence and achievement.

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Q: What inspired you to climb Mt. Whitney?

Anthony Slosar: My original reason was because my brother, Jackson, did it a couple of years ago, but I wasn’t allowed to. When I got to the top, I asked my dad if I could watch Captain America: Civil War, since I was already there. I only watched about 10 minutes of it, though.

Q: How long did it take to complete the climb?

AS: It took about 22 hours. That was with no sleep, just some one-minute catnaps; those only felt like a second.

When you get to the top, the oxygen gets thin, and you’re already tired, so it was rough. The craziest part was when my mom turned around, she wanted me to go with her, but I didn’t want to quit!

Q: Did you ever feel like giving up?

AS: There is a spot—a portal—at Mt. Whitney where some had to quit because we didn’t have any camping gear. Quitting wasn’t an option! When I finished the climb, I had no idea how much there would be left when I had to go back down. It was good for my self-esteem because it made me extra confident! My dad had a backpack, and if I wanted to stop, he was ready to cut holes in it so he could carry me, but I didn’t want that! When it turned dark, I couldn’t believe we were still going; I thought they were elves in the forest as we walked back, and I was scared, but I wouldn’t stop!

Q: Do you have advice for anyone wanting to climb mountains?

AS: Don’t quit!

THE CRAZIEST PART WAS WHEN MY MOM TURNED AROUND, SHE WANTED ME TO GO WITH HER, BUT I DIDN’T WANT TO QUIT!”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: DAMIEN NOBLE ANDREWS

— A N T H O N Y S LO S A R

FAMILY AND FOOTBALL

If Slosar could hike with anyone, he would hike with his mom, dad, siblings and Tom Brady!

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Slosar also likes to play soccer, ride his bike, swim, fish, camp and play with his siblings.

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“MY DAD WAS A GOALIE, AND HE WANTED ME TO TRY IT, AND EVER SINCE THEN, I WAS IN LOVE AND JUST KEPT PLAYING.” — E L I NA L I N N E R

ELINA LINNER

GLOBAL HANDBALL PRODIGY AGE: 19

Handball—a sport that contains two teams that throw a ball from outside a goal zone, hoping to get the ball past the goalkeeper. Hailing from Sweden, Elina Linner has brought her love for the sport to the United States. With hopes of joining the US Olympic team, Linner puts everything she has in the game and credits her coach, Juliano de Oliveira, who is always there to support her as she makes her dreams come true.

Q: When did you fall in love with handball?

Elina Linner: When I was eight years old, I started playing. My dad was a goalie, and he wanted me to try it, and ever since then, I was in love and just kept playing.

Q: What do you do to shake any nerves before a big match?

EL: I usually start talking to my dad to help me get motivated. I also put headphones in and listen to music to just forget about it.

Q: Which handball players do you admire and look up to?

EL: Elizabeth Hartnett who plays for the US National Team; she’s one of my closest friends.

Q: What do you feel is your biggest achievement in handball?

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EL: That would probably be when I played in the national team in Auburn, and when I played in Brazil against other national teams.

Q: What do you hope to do with handball?

EL: For the USA Olympic team, beach handball will be in 2024, and I’m training for that. It has been one of my biggest dreams since I was little. I told my mom she’d one day see me play handball on TV. Q: What’s next for you and handball?

EL: Next year is the Pan American Championship for beach handball. If my team places high enough, we will be in the World Championships. Then, we will try to qualify for the Olympics!

IT HAS BEEN ONE OF MY BIGGEST DREAMS SINCE I WAS LITTLE. I TOLD MY MOM SHE’D ONE DAY SEE ME PLAY HANDBALL ON TV.” — E L I NA L I N N E R

MULTIFACETED

Besides sports, Linner is also interested in real estate and has an internship.

SWEDISH LIFE

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JANE CHOUTEAU

If she could play handball with anyone, Linner would play with a Swedish player named Isabelle Gullden.

Photoshoot Location: RONALD REAGAN ELEMENTARY 79800 Liberty Dr Palm Desert, CA 92211 LOCALE MAGAZINE 117

PHOTO BY: Wil Cohen

HOME

///AWAY MAY 2017

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SAID THE KING Put This Witty Home Decor in Your Home

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ESCAPE: SOUTH AFRICA How to Explore South Africa in Luxury

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SETTING THE TABLE Happy Hour, Sicilian Style

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140 SU CASA Paint It Black

Lauryn Evarts’ Bachelor Pad Inspired Home with a Woman’s Touch

AWAY FEATURE What Happens in Vegas Stays at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino

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SU CASA A Look Inside Lauryn Evartsʼ Personally Curated Los Angeles Home

THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL @theskinnyconfidential www.theskinnyconfidential.com Photoshoot Location West Hollywood, CA

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HOME/AWAY

SAID THE KING www.saidtheking.com

LIFE ON THE WATER

LIVE YOUR AWESOMENESS Ò Karen King encourages you to throw everything out of your life that isn’t awesome. She reminds her readers to take charge of their life, own their awesomeness, and embrace their uniqueness.

Do as the King Says Show Off Your Sassy Soul With Said the King WRITTEN BY: VICTORIA RAMIREZ

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“Said the King’s unique ceramic plates are another way to celebrate a meal with laughter and to add an extra something to your dinner party.”

Three words that encapsulate what Said the King is all about are ‘sassy, playful, and minimal,’ which appeals to Founder Karen King’s large network of customers. She hopes that her customers share a great experience, a laugh or two at the witty sayings, and feel as if the piece reflects them in one way or another. King is inspired by the experience of using the item, storytelling in all its forms, and super-simple aesthetics. Her favorite sayings on her products are “Eat your f*cking veggies” and “You did it.”

Said the King offers a variety of items such as pillowcases, plates, coasters, and totes—all of them inscribed or embroidered with funny, witty sayings. Not only aesthetically pleasing, these products empower you to own your quirkiness and to be who you want to be.

Said the King’s unique ceramic plates are another way to celebrate a meal with laughter and to add an extra something to your dinner party. With a variety of quotes to choose from including “Finishes first, celebrates,” “Picks at molar, eats it,” “Loosens belt two notches,” and “Burps, maintains eye contact.” If you feel the need to label your meal, look no further. There is a set of four

plates inscribed with “burrito,” “burger,” “bacon & eggs,” and “spaghetti & meatballs.” If you have picky eaters, you can always send a subtle message with the Eat It plates collection, which are “Eat your f*cking veggies” and “Eat your f*cking food” because as the website says, when you need to dish it out, these are the plates for it.

Waking up in the morning is hard enough as it is, so why not wake up to Said the King’s humorous pillow cases.

Each pillowcase is two sided, so you have one word on each side. The different phrase combinations include “F*ck you,” “F*ck me,” “Love you,” “Love me,” “Get up,” “Get out,” “Make up,” and “Make out.” I think it is safe to say that Said the King got every aspect of the bedroom in these pillowcases, so go crazy and say what you want to say.

Karen King plans on expanding her business into the more editorial direction, which has been evolving and coming to be over the years. Future products we can expect from Said the King are mugs, tea towels, and more pillowcases. There will also be a new storytelling side to the company. Whether you are sassy or sweet, do as the King says and “live by your own laws, be kind to your people, stand for something, and bow to no one.”

Photo By: Isabelle Cheng

Ò In the winter, Karen King spends her days on a houseboat in Toronto, Canada.

NAC HELICOPTERS E Pier Rd, V & A Waterfront Cape Town, 8001 South Africa www.nachelicopterscapetown.com

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into the

WILD

EXPERIENCE A LUXURIOUS ADVENTURE TO SOUTH AFRICA WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY: BRIANNA ROMANO

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THE VINEYARD HOTEL Colinton Rd Newlands, Cape Town 7700 South Africa www.vineyard.co.za

I was both excited and nervous to be traveling as just two girls in a foreign country not particularly known for its safety, but I was confident once I got there that my fears would ease. I have always been the first one to say yes to any adventure, but a sense of anxiety rushed over me as I walked through the sliding glass doors into the airport.

People asked, “WHY SOUTH AFRICA?” so many times I lost count, I don’t think many people seemed to know that you could have a luxury girls getaway there, little did we know we were about to blow everyone’s minds, and our own.

My friend Andrea and I met when she was an exchange student from Maryland at my high school. We both got kicked out of class for not doing our homework and had to sit outside—we've been friends ever since. I spent the next month or so driving her around Southern California trying to give her every experience I could possibly give her. We would see each other every few years, but this time, instead of visiting each other in Orange County or New York, I suggested we pull out our bucket lists.

South Africa was on both of ours, so we booked a flight that week.

We arrived in Cape Town after a fivehour flight to meet Andrea in New York, a five-hour layover, a 15-hour flight to Johannesburg that ended in us giving some “good samaritan” $20 for helping us find our next terminal (Lesson #1Bring smaller bills for tipping or don’t let anyone help you in the airport unless you want to pay for it.) and a two-hour flight to Cape Town. Luckily, we slept for the majority of the flight, so arriving at 1 p.m. was an easy transition with no jet lag.

We picked up our rental car and blasted “Circle of Life” from the Lion King with no shame, as I began learning to drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car.

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cape town

T H E VI N E YA R D H O TEL

A short 20-minute drive later, we arrived at The Vineyard Hotel, a seven-acre riverside garden estate on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain about 15 minutes outside of the city. We checked in and made our way into our suite, where we plopped our bags down in the living room and booked it straight for the patio with the most awe striking view of Table Mountain overlooking their lush garden. We quickly decided we needed to explore and followed the pathway through the gardens back to the pool where we spent the rest of the day laying out and drinking cosmos and mojitos.You could literally

just spend your entire trip at The Vineyard Hotel enjoying their amazing dining options, amenities, and property. During our stay, we took advantage of their fully stocked gym.

With floor to ceiling windows looking out at Table Mountain, running on a treadmill isn’t so bad. I have never been as enthusiastic about making sure we did not miss breakfast as I was here, we started every morning with their complimentary continental breakfast at The Square Restaurant, and ended almost every night at the Garden Lounge chatting with locals and fellow travelers.

4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE VINEYARD HOTEL ¢ A tortoise lives on site. We found this out after running into him in the garden. ¢ Their riverside garden overlooking Table Mountain is so beautiful and peaceful, you will want to walk around the property every day. ¢ They have five options for food and drink on the property. We tried and loved them all, including room service, but especially loved the hospitality at the Garden Lounge (Say ‘hi’ to our favorite bartender, Boyce!) and Myoga, an independently owned Japanese-inspired restaurant. ¢ Amenities include an indoor and outdoor pool, health and fitness center, and Angsana Spa.

EXPLORING CAPE TOWN STREETS ¢ Bree Street - hipster trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes ¢ Kloof Rd. - fashion boutiques, art galleries, interior design shops, and restaurants ¢ Long Street - best known for nightlife

NAC HELICOPTERS We booked a helicopter tour with NAC Helicopters, who are a well-known spot for offering a variety of chartered and private helicopter rides in Cape Town. They are right near the V & A Waterfront, an iconic landmark in Cape Town where there are a number of shops and restaurants. We spent the day wandering around The Watershed, an indoor market on the waterfront, then arrived to pre-flight champagne before we hopped in the helicopter for a 15-minute private tour. Cape Town is one of the coolest cities to see from above. If you can take a helicopter tour anywhere in the world, this would be at the top of my list.

TABLE MOUNTAIN

#VIEWS We took The Hopper Tour which included views of: ¢ City Bowl ¢ Sea Point ¢ Camps Bay ¢ Green Point ¢ Clifton ¢ Twelve Apostles

NAC HELICOPTERS E Pier Rd, V & A Waterfront Cape Town, 8001 South Africa www.nachelicopterscapetown.com

CABLEWAY WONDERS OF THE WORLD The Table Mountain Cableway is one of three rotating trams in the world—the others are in Switzerland and in Palm Springs!

TOUR THE TOWNSHIP ¢ We took a tour of the township with a friend.

Although there are many tours available to visit the townships, you do not want to go without a guide as it can be a little dangerous, but the locals are extremely friendly and are excited to have visitors. We had lunch at a Braai where we had Sheep’s Rib and a Castle, a well known South African beer, for lunch.

GO WITH UBER ¢ Having a car in Cape Town was one of the best things we could have done. We felt completely safe driving around during the day, but at night it is dangerous to drive, so you can Uber everywhere once it gets dark, which is the safest option.

Our next adventure was Table Mountain.

It’s possible to hike up the mountain, but we took a cable car up to the top, where we prepared to rappel down the mountain with Abseil Africa. The instructors put us in harnesses and gave us a brief tutorial on how to run the ropes and descend safely. If you are afraid of heights like me, you’re going to have to be ready to conquer your fears. As I made my way to the edge of the rock to begin rappelling down, I refused to look backwards for fear that I would not go through with it.

Two people can descend at a time, while two instructors lead from the top and one from the bottom. As we stepped off the top of the mountain at 3,558 feet above sea level, adrenaline pumped through us for the three minute descent. We were glad we filmed the entire thing because we felt, after watching the footage, we may have blacked out during the adventure.

BO KAAP ¢ Bo Kaap, a Muslim neighborhood of brightly painted houses, is home to Cape Town’s first mosque, and is one of the most photographed parts of Cape Town.

DO SOMETHING WITH A LOCAL! ¢ A friend of mine in the states made the connection with a local in Cape Town.

Ryan, or ‘Menno’ as everyone calls him, had us meet him at a local bar that was attached to a hostel called Yours Truly, where locals and fellow travelers congregate. This became our favorite place for late night pizza and beer. The next night, he made us dinner with three of his roommates at their house and we taught them how to play Heads Up!

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stellenbosch

The next day we made our way an hour outside of Cape Town to STELLENBOSCH, a small university town in South Africa’s Western Cape province, surrounded by the vineyards of the Cape Winelands. It’s the kind of place where the city has it’s own free Wi-Fi network.

CLOS MALVERNE On our second day in Stellenbosch, we woke up to the best weather we had the entire time we were in South Africa. It was a perfect day to do some wine tasting. We hopped in our shuttle and made our way to Clos Malverne, a family-owned wine estate about four miles from the center of Stellenbosch in The Devon Valley.

We arrived to a warm welcome from Clos Malverne’s Communications Manager Erich Zeelie, who took us on a tour of the wine farm and taught us a little bit about the winemaking process and the history of the wine farm. We walked out into the 66-acre vineyard that lays in a valley where the early morning mist keeps the grapes cool in the summer and the slopes of the valley allow for the perfect amount of sunlight, creating ideal conditions for the grapes to ripen.

OUD E WERF H O TEL 4 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT OUDE WERF HOTEL: On-Call Spa Services ¢ In-room spa services are available, you just need to book 24 hours in advance. We both got massages and opted to have them outside on our patio.

Oude Werf is an intimate 58-room hotel blending contemporary comfort and periodinspired ambiance. It is the perfect place to stay because it is right in the middle of the town and walking distance from the main street in Stellenbosch lined with cafes, artisan shops, and of course wine bars. We stayed in one of their Luxury Suites, which had its own private lawn with chairs to lay out on in the sun overlooking their courtyard and pool. We spent our first day sunbathing on our patio sipping on rosé and snacking on a fruit plate.

Friendly Staff ¢ After a long day out, the manager sent us up a bottle of champagne to end the day. I also thought I lost my jacket at one point and he even went to my car for me to look for it.

They also booked our shuttle service and made reservations at a local restaurant for us.

Their customer service is unparalleled.

Pool & Lounging Patio ¢ Seriously! We loved that patio.

Central to the City ¢ You are walking distance from pretty much everything.

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ICE CREAM & WINE TASTINGS ¢ This was the first wine estate in Stellenbosch to offer a unique tasting experience in the form of an ice cream and wine pairing. It has since become one of their signature pairings with seasonal, handmade delicacies.

STAY & PLAY ¢ Clos Malverne has three luxurious guest rooms; two family cottages and a private pool as well as an onsite spa.

OUDE WERF HOTEL 30 Church St Stellenbosch, 7600 South Africa www.oudewerfhotel.co.za

As the wine business becomes more industrialized, Clos Malverne keeps it old school, which is part of their charm. They are one the few wineries left in the world that uses a basket press, which is the oldest method of pressing grapes. The winery also uses the method of open fermentation in a cement tank (called a ‘kuip’), where the grapes are crushed, and their grape skin caps are pushed down by hand.

They can crush 400 tons of grapes and yield up to 350 tons a year, where the wine is then stored in French and American oak casks to mature.

Sustainability is an important focus of the winemaking industry in South Africa. There is even a labeling system that ensures that the wine you are buying has met their standards for sustainability, called “Integrity & Sustainability Certification.” Clos Malverne complies with this system and also does their part growing many of their own organic vegetable and herbs without pesticides and herbicides. All the organic waste from the restaurant is used as compost for the garden, reducing their carbon footprint and creating more employment opportunities. The staff is also able to take home any vegetables that have been picked and left over for the day.

The view from the dining terrace is unbeatable.

The patio completely opens up and overlooks the vineyard on a backdrop of miles of rolling hills and mountains in the distance. We sat down for a fourcourse meal and wine pairing that was the best we had on our entire trip—which was no surprise, seeing as Executive Chef Nadia Louw Smith hides away with a bottle of Ellie somewhere on the property seasonally to come up with an amazing and innovative new menu.

Her menus have inspired a kind of cult following, where people come back seasonally to get their fix.

CLOS MALVERNE Devon Valley Rd Stellenbosch, 7600 South Africa www.closmalverne.co.za

Q&A WITH

EMILE KOTZE OF BRAVO’S “BELOW DECK” & DREAM CREATOR AT AFRICAN TRAVEL KID

R O A DT RI PPI NG the cape penninsula

Q: What inspired you to start a travel company and what is your vision behind it?

Emile Kotze: I left South Africa. I traveled, worked on Yachts and then was approached to be part of a TV show called “Below Deck.” I suddenly got a burst of followers on social media, especially on Instagram, where I posted photos of my travel adventures followed with the hashtag #africantravelkid as my signature. I received DMs where I was frequently asked how I had so much fun. I really do love being outdoors and having adventures in nature, it recharges me.

On a trip to the wild coast of South Africa, I was walking on a deserted beach where I had a euphoric moment where I realized I should show people how to have fun, awesome adventures and do it for a living as it is a passion of mine. I wanted to show Americans that they can come to explore Africa in an easy way with me. I have done it on yachts and I have studied business. It was destined to be. My vision is to show people from all over the beauty of the outdoors, to show them how much energy and positivity it generates, show them how beautiful life is, and that the spirit of the African child is within all of us.

Feeling refreshed after a relaxing two days, we headed back to Cape Town where we met up with Emile Kotze, owner of African Travel Kid, who was about to take us on a day long road trip. We knew Emile from the Bravo show “Below Deck,” and had heard that he started a travel company that was focused on giving you a more personalized experience, rather than some big tour group, so we were excited when he agreed to take us on a roadtrip for the day. We gave him an idea of what was on our list of things to see and he took the lead from there. We became quick friends as he is extremely personable and a fun person to travel with. Our favorites were driving through Chapman’s Peak, a well-known drive that's reminiscent of driving PCH in Northern California, Boulder’s Beach, a sheltered cove known for its African penguins, and we ended our day with some seafood at Kalky's Fish & Chips in Kalk Bay, a well known local spot for a huge plate of seafood.

Q: What is your favorite trip out of the trips you offer?

EK: Well, each trip I offer out of the five different trips is unique in their own way. I offer half day trips, full day trips, three-day trips, week trips, and two-week trips. All the trips are bespoke and customizable. I use my experience I have gained from the yachting industry to meet the needs of all guests on the trip. If I have to choose one, I must say the two-week trip from Cape Town up to the Garden Route must be my utmost favorite.

INSTAGRAM WORTHY: ¢ Hout Bay ¢ Chapman’s Peak Cape Point ¢ Boulders Beach ¢ Simon’s Town ¢ Kalk Bay ¢ St. James Beach ¢ Muizenberg Beach ¢ Simons Town

Q: If you could take anyone to one place in all of South Africa where would it be?

EK: That would be the whole of South Africa! [laughs] But, a place to see before you die has to be Storms River Mouth; it is magical.

Q: What do you see as the biggest difference between your experience in America versus South Africa?

EK: America is way more humanized and developed all over, whereas South Africa has some room to go, and as a result, it is more wild west in South Africa; there are a lot of natural spots to explore.

Q: Which would you choose plane, train, or automobile?

EK: Depends on the situation. I don’t mind, but overall, the good old automobile, as it is, very convenient.

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SHARK DIVING IN GANSBAAI The next morning we left at 4 a.m. to go shark diving in Gansbaai. We stepped outside and it was raining. We were a little worried because the trip we had originally booked got postponed because of weather, and we were about to drive two hours for something that could have been canceled, but that’s what an adventure is about, right? I drove two hours in the rain, on pitch black mountain roads. To this day I am not sure if it was dumb or brave but I’m alive to tell the story.

After a brief safety overview, we set out to sea on ‘White Shark,’ a 12-meter long sea-cabin cruiser that has been custom built to the specifications required and is the most recent boat built in the shark cage diving industry. After a 15-minute boat ride, we arrived at ‘Shark Alley,’ a channel of ocean so frequented by great white sharks it received this nickname. Andrea and I immediately got sea sick once the anchor dropped. The crew began to set up the cage and throw out a large frozen fish head on a line to attract the sharks, and we waited.

cape town

MA NNABAY THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT MANNABAY

Food & Drink ¢ Local beverages and house wines are complimentary for guests. The complimentary breakfast includes a small buffet and a choice of hot breakfasts to order. Afternoon high tea includes a variety of decadent sweet and savory treats, a glass of Graham Beck rosé, Methodé Cap Classique, tea, coffee, and juices.

Transportation ¢ Complimentary airport transfer, and oncall chauffeur to dinner, GPS navigation devices for guests to use in their rental vehicles, free parking in their gated lot, and you’re given a gate remote for easy access.

Facilities & Extras ¢ Swimming pool, laundry, gym with a steam room, Wi-Fi, media center with flat-screen TV and full entertainment center in each room with a variety of satellite channels and an extensive selection of movies and music available, rooftop bar area, and fire pit.

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We came back to Cape Town and checked into our next hotel tucked away in a residential neighborhood on the other side of Table Mountain. MannaBay is a luxury boutique hotel with only eight rooms and sleeps only 16 guests to create a more exclusive and intimate setting. You could potentially rent out the entire hotel for a private function, and they do so frequently. The eclectic design, contemporary art, and a panoramic view of the entire city are just the beginning of why this is an ideal place to stay in Cape Town. Each room has its own theme, as well as extra-length king size beds that can be made into twins.

They have over 3,000 books in the rooms and in their floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the lounge. As you walk up the marble staircase with floor-to-ceiling windows, you are surrounded by art. MannaBay is focused on celebrating

South African artists, and uses their walls to showcase the creations of the country’s well established artists, giving each area of the hotel its eclectic feel.

The thing that really puts MannaBay over the top is that the staff is extremely attentive and friendly. They have a 24-hour butler service, and really go out of their way to make you feel at home, which I think is important when you are staying in such a small space. They put a high priority on personalizing your stay there. We had missed high tea on the day of our arrival, but they went out of the way to put together an entire spread for us to snack on while we lounged in one of the common areas. We had also told the staff that we would be leaving at 4 a.m. to go shark diving. As we walked down the stairs they had a bag of snacks and juice ready to take on our drive. It’s the little things.

MANNABAY 8 Bridle Rd, Oranjezicht, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa www.mannabay.com

FAVORITE NIGHT ¢ We spent one night in playing scrabble with a bottle of wine in our room.

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE ¢ White Shark Diving Co. runs an internship program for biology students and shark enthusiasts who are interested in getting involved in some shark conservation and research. www.sharkcagediving. co.za/volunteerprogramme

We didn’t have to wait very long before two sharks arrived. The great white shark is a surface feeder, so you don’t need to be very far down to see them.

You only need the provided wetsuit and snorkeling gear; no dive gear is required. The crew stands above the cage as you bob up and down, as they shout to dunk back down and slide your feet under a bar to keep you down. They even have a videographer there to capture the whole experience for you. The water is very cold, but is easily ignored with all the excitement around.

There is some controversy with the ethics of shark cage diving, but Gansbaai is known for their strong conservation principles, and White Shark Diving Co. is a founding member of the Great White Protection Foundation and has been a leading voice in the call for operators to collaborate in protecting the dwindling number of sharks and other marine species off the South African coastline.

T IP ¢ You can have a car service drive you or have the diving company set up transportation.

If you choose to drive, make sure you know the local emergency numbers in case you get a flat tire or something goes wrong.

WHITE SHARK DIVING CO. 9 Kusfront, Van Dyks Bay, 7220, South Africa www.sharkcagediving.co.za

Kruger National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in South Africa.

SAFARI in kruger national park We flew from Cape Town back to Johannesburg to Skukuza to get to Kruger National Park. The flight from Johannesburg to Skukuza is only an hour on a very small passenger plane. We were picked up from the airport and drove about 40 minutes to Rhino Post Safari Lodge, a luxury safari lodge with eight suites inside Kruger National Park. Each suite is built out of stone, wood, and thatch, has an outdoor shower, bed with mosquito nets, and has a large private patio looking over the Mutlumuvi Riverbed.

All accommodations, game drives, food, and drink, except for alcohol, are included.

Each day we woke up at 6 a.m., and went for a morning game drive. We spent the afternoons drinking wine on the patio watching animals crossing into our camp. A family of elephants walked through our camp to drink from a watering hole that sits in front of the viewing deck and a leopard crossed through at night. In the late

afternoon we would head out on another game drive, and would stop at sunset to get out of the truck for some wine and snacks. We would continue the drive into the dark, then head back for dinner with everyone staying at the camp.

I would say to anyone, if a safari is not on your bucket list, that needs to change right now. It is such an amazing adrenaline pumping experience. When our guide Joey found out there were wild dogs near us while talking to another guide through a radio, he basically floored it to get over to them. One night we were driving down a road back to our camp when a rhino and her baby were crossing the road. We had scared her and she began charging at us. Joey quickly whipped the truck into reverse and yelled at her to stop.

She stopped then tried a second time before finally letting us pass.

There are only about 450-500 wild dogs in the entire park, which is about 7,523 square miles. *Our game driver, Joey, told us that we must be good luck charms because every time we took a drive, we would see the Big 5 which includes the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. The phrase itself was coined by African hunters and refers to the five most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot.

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S E T T I N G the TA B L E

Sicilian Style Happy Hour O+O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar Brings Sicilian Style Fare to Santa Monica

WRITTEN BY: VERONICA AN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: RYAN HENSLEY

There’s just something about the beach that encourages everyone to take a deep breath and enjoy life. The beach town vibes in Santa Monica make the perfect setting for savoring a fresh, flavorful meal and creative cocktails.

Just a short stroll from the beach, you’ll find the ideal location to relax and appreciate a fine meal. O+O Sicilian Kitchen & Bar brings California-influenced Sicilian food near Ocean Avenue and Olympic Drive. This chic restaurant boasts an outdoor patio perfect for happy hour, bar seating for after dinner drinks, and high top tables ideal for a full meal.

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O+O SICILIAN KITCHEN & BAR 1705 Ocean Ave Santa Monica, CA 90401 424.272.8700 www.oosantamonica.com

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MENU

“We wanted to bring a bit of Sicily to Santa Monica.

O+O is a twist between California and Sicilian food.”

—Gianluca Maita

FRIED OLIVES

CLASSIC BEEF MEATBALLS

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS MEATBALLS

O+O mixes laid-back beach style with classy interiors and a Sicilianinspired menu. Take a seat inside if you’re feeling chilly, but the best seats in the house are outside. In keeping with the laid-back chic vibe, O+O’s menu is simple but refined. Their menu isn’t what you would find at a generic Italian restaurant. Sure, there’s pizza, pasta, and meatballs, but the focus is on nuanced flavors, fresh seafood, and bright flavors—not huge portions of tired spaghetti.

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Each order comes with three meatballs making them a hearty appetizer or perfect side for sharing. Choose from tender Classic Beef Meatballs with tomato sauce, basil, and pecorino or Chicken and Mushroom Meatballs with cream sauce and thyme. Vegetarians can even get in on the fun with Classic Arancino, lightly fried rice croquettes made with vegetarian pea, tomato ragu, and mozzarella. These crispy arancini pair well with red wines, listed as Rosso, on the menu.

Of course, you can’t go wrong with pizza. O+O’s thin crust pies come with a flavorful selection of toppings that make for a satisfying meal. Try the Vegetariana Pizza bursting with artichokes hearts, garlicky spinach, thinly sliced eggplant, capers, and tomato sauce. If you’re in the mood for something more unique, order the Pistachio Pizza. While this may sound like an outlandish concept, this delicately balanced pizza will change your mind. This pie comes topped with mozzarella, pistachio cream, mortadella, and shaved parmesan.

Pizza and wine are an unbeatable pair.

Make the most of O+O’s wine program by ordering a Sicilian wine like the Pinot Grigio from Veneto, Italy.

O+O also offers a special happy hour menu, which includes a selection of small plates and cocktails. Favorites like the Fried Olives and Classic Arancino are on the menu, including items like the Pizzolos. These calzone-style bites come filled with ricotta spinach, and rapini or with mushrooms, mozzarella, and arugula. Score deals on Red Seal, prosecco, or some of O+O’s signature cocktails. Order a bubbly Aperol Spritz made with Aperol, prosecco, and club soda or a summery Vincenzo, made with raspberry, galliano, pistachio, midori, and coconut. These drink and food pairings make the perfect start to your evening.

At O+O, it’s hard to make a choice you won’t be deliciously pleased with. From the refined flavors to the chic decor, this restaurant makes it clear that California cool and Sicilian style make the perfect pairing.

MARGHERITA PIZZA PORK MEATBALLS CLASSIC ARANCINO PIZZOLO VEGETARIANO PIZZOLO SICILIANO ARTICHOKE PEAR AND GORGONZOLA SALAD RAVIOLI ALLA NORMA

Q&A

With Owner and Executive Chef Georgi Yaneff and Chef de Cuisine Gianluca Maita Q: What are the characteristics of Sicilian food (versus other styles of Italian food)?

Gianluca Maita: We wanted to bring a bit of Sicily to Santa Monica. O+O is a twist between California and Sicilian food.

Georgi Yaneff: I’ve always been in love with Sicilian food and wanted to open a restaurant here. The climate [between Sicily and Santa Monica] is similar so we can get fresh local ingredients like tomatoes and pistachios here.

Q: How does O+O set itself apart from other Italian restaurants in LA? GM: Sicilian food isn’t that different from other Italian food but there are North African influences in the food.

GY: It’s a fusion of Mediterranean and North African flavors.

Q: What dish are you most proud of and why?

GY: My favorites are the couscous, the Artichoke Salad, and the Pistachio Pizza.

GM: Our meatballs are a very traditional recipe. They taste like home. The Sicilian Parmigiana is also a must try.

Q: What can guests look forward to on the menu?

GY: We keep our menu as seasonal as possible and are looking forward to adding asparagus and stone fruits.

Q: What makes for a good food and cocktail pairing?

GY: Some of the hand crafted cocktails like The Oakey. Also, the best wines to pair with food are [wines] from the region that the food is from. Our Sicilian wines pair well with our small plates, pizzas, and main courses. For example, our white wines pair well with the seafood dishes.

Q: What inspires your cocktail menu? Your wine and beer lists?

GY: We chose Sicilian wines to go with Sicilian foods but also have some California wines on the list too.

Q: In your opinion, what makes a great meal?

GM: Without good food, there cannot be a good meal. Good company, good wine, and good weather make a meal.

GY: Fresh ingredients, a love of what you’re doing, great wine or drinks, and taking the time to enjoy it.

WHAT’S IN A NAME The name O+O stands for the cross streets of the restaurants— Ocean Avenue and Olympic Drive.

BI-COASTAL Owner and Executive Chef, Georgi Yaneff, and Gianluca Maita, Chef de Cuisine, met in London in 2011.

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FRESH Squeezed Fun SPEND YOUR VEGAS VACAY AT THE DOWNTOWN GRAND HOTEL & CASINO WRITTEN BY: ERIK HALE

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DOWNTOWN GRAND HOTEL & CASINO 206 N 3rd St Las Vegas, NV 89101 702.719.5100 www.downtowngrand.com

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Do you remember your first trip to Las Vegas?

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What stood out to you? For me, it was the bright lights and neon signs, 99 cent biscuits and gravy breakfasts, slot machines, and room prices that my parents could afford. My first trip to Las Vegas was with my parents nearly 30 years ago, when I was only 16. I remember my dad driving down Fremont Street while my brother and I fought for space on the backseat window to smash our faces against and stare up at the neon lights.

Las Vegas has changed so much since then. The light bulbs were replaced with LEDs, the giant neon signs were retired to a graveyard, the 99 cent breakfasts gave way to

$700 bottle service and for a clean room you might have to dip into your 401(k).

The Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino is the newest hotel in Downtown Las Vegas and everything about it reminds me of that first trip. The neon signs have been restored to their previous glory and now grace the skies of East Fremont Street nearby. There’s amazing comfort food options (from a celebrity chef) that won’t break the bank and clean, modern rooms that leave money in your checking account to spend on more important things—like slot machines.

LIFE IS GRAND

7 Events to Guarantee You’ll Have a Grand ‘Ol Time

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Biscuits & Jam Sessions Presented by Gibson

Monday nights at Freedom Beat from 10 p.m.-1 a.m., anyone can grab a guitar and hit the stage and grab $1 beers and $10 biscuit specials.

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Mob Museum

About 350,000 people per year visit this museum that chronicles the history of mob and gangster life in Las Vegas—a must stop when staying at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino.

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Life is Beautiful Music Festival

The festival returns to Downtown Las Vegas for the fourth time Sept. 22-24.

The festival covers 18 square blocks of the downtown area featuring headline acts across multiple stages, massive art installations, and enough food options to call this a ‘foodie festival.’ The Downtown Grand is walking distance from the festival's entrance.

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Albumpolooza

On select Saturdays, come listen to unique live concerts where the band plays iconic albums in sequence. Next up is the greatest hits from The Eagles on April 8 at 9 p.m.

Our 3 favorite drinks at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino

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Fremont Street East

With a dozen cool new bars and restaurants bathed in the glow of resurrected neon signs, this five-minute walk will take you back 50 years.

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SCOTT COMMINGS

EXECUTIVE CHEF OF FREEDOM BEAT The restaurant is part roadhouse, part culinary road trip. They boast great live music, jam sessions, classic American food offerings, and a distinctive selection of craft beers and cocktails. Home to amazing biscuits, Chicken Fried Bacon, Pot Roast Sandwiches, delicious burgers, and, of course, the winner of “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 12, Chef Scott Commings.

Q: You were the winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 12. Can you describe Gordon Ramsey in a few words?

Scott Commings: Gordon Ramsay is an incredible individual.

The poise and determination and sheer perfection he carries with him is truly inspirational. Phenomenal character in every aspect.

Q: You were praised as an artist on the show for your plating skills. How important is presentation to a meal in your opinion?

SC: We first eat with our eyes. It is first important to put out an incredible product, but a close second is putting out a product that looks above and beyond expectation.

Q: What menu items did you create for the Downtown Grand that best reflect your style?

SC: I truly put my heart and taste buds into everything I create, I am proud of how we cut zero corners in the way in which we construct each dish.

Q: What menu item have you created that you could easily eat every day for the rest of your life?

SC: I have to admit the chicken wings are a true pleasure. We put a lot of time into putting out a spectacular product; from the 24-hour brine to the slow smoke, and then the tang of the sauce; everything comes together fantastically! I can't help but say I would gladly eat them every day.

Fremont Street

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Georgia Mule from Freedom Beat:

Green Iguana from Citrus Grand Pool Deck:

Tito’s Vodka, Georgia Peach Syrup, Lime, Ginger Beer, Peach Slice $12

Kimo Sabe Mezcal Joven, Midori Melon Liqueur, Fresh Lime Sour, Fresh Honeydew Juice $10

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Salted Caramel Martini from Triple George Grill: RumChata, Caramel Vodka, Sea Salt $11

This might still be the best place to people watch in the entire city. In 1995, the sky was covered with a digital screen that you can now zip line across.

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Totally Radical

The music video for U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” featuring Bono,The Edge, and the rest of the band walking the streets and talking to tourists was filmed in Downtown Las Vegas in 1987.

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CITRUS GRAND POOL DECK The Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino is home to Downtown Las Vegas’ premier and the coolest rooftop pool and party.

You won’t find your typical eardrum popping EDM here, rather the vibe is chill and energetic.

Imagine private cabanas, cocktails made with fresh ingredients growing right on the roof in garden boxes, and an all new menu created by Chef Scott Commings (the winner of “Hell’s Kitchen” from Season 12).

The infinity pool, set against the backdrop of classic Las Vegas, has sunshine all day as the pool is never shaded.

CITRUS SUMMER SERIES: ALWAYS FREE AND NEVER A COVER Thursday Night: R&B/Old School Friday Night: Dance Party Saturday Night: Rock Sunday: Latin Monday-Wednesday Nights: Night Swim

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Triple George Grill

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EASY STREET

YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK FOR AN ENTIRE DAY WITHOUT LEAVING 3RD STREET Two Martini Lunch Are you looking for a thick cut steak and a martini for lunch? Triple George Grill is routinely awarded as the Best Power Lunch restaurant in Las Vegas. The San Francisco inspired restaurant features classic steaks, seafood, chops, and salads and is a Downtown Las Vegas institution. With one of the few patio dining options in downtown, it might be the best place to dine alone and people watch.

Nothing Good Happens After 2 a.m., Thank Goodness If you’re craving a Mai Tai with four pieces of fruit and an umbrella you have come to the wrong place. If you enjoy raising your voice without being shushed, dancing on the bar, appreciate a mustached bartender that has no problem putting you in your place — then welcome to Hogs & Heifers.

Act Like You’ve Been Here Before How you start and end your nights in Vegas probably couldn’t look more different. You might hang your head out of a limo sunroof, dance with the security guard, or walk home carrying your shoes; but there are ways to start your night classy. Have your crew meet at Sidebar at 11 p.m. for some pre-party cocktails and take photos with your shoes on.

Reasons You May Never Have to Leave Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino

KEVIN GLASS

GENERAL MANAGER OF DOWNTOWN GRAND HOTEL & CASINO Q: Why should someone stay in Downtown versus the Strip?

Kevin Glass: Downtown has experienced a renaissance these past years and it has never been better. It’s more relaxed, fun, and experiential than the Strip, and it is a much better value and better gaming odds. From Fremont Street, to the Mob Museum, to great new restaurants and bars on Fremont Street East, a guest could come Downtown and never have to get in a cab. They can walk everywhere and be surrounded by classic architecture, great neon, and a real energy you don’t get on the Strip.

#DiveIn

Q: Why should they stay at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino?

KG: At the Downtown Grand we have created a full Las Vegas resort experience without the hassle of the Strip. From the Citrus Grand Pool Deck where guests can lounge and play day and night, to our 24/7 restaurant, Freedom Beat, to our great new rooms, the Downtown Grand is definitely one of the values in Las Vegas. Besides what’s in the hotel, we also have 3rd Street, a unique place to party, eat, and drink, featuring Triple George Grill, an amazing steak/chop/ seafood restaurant; the famed Hogs & Heifers (best biker bar in the country); Sidebar featuring classic, sophisticated cocktails and Pizza Rock, which is definitely the best pizza in town! Honestly, if you are staying at the Grand, you really don’t ever have to leave, but we encourage guests to set out and explore the entire Downtown Las Vegas area — it’s vibrant, fun, and original.

#Can'tLiveWithout

#FloatAway

Cheese Cures Hangovers You will thank us later for saving your life. When you wake up with a head full of wasps and your stomach is doing flip flops, stumble over to Pizza Rock and order the Detroit Red Top. A rectangular pizza cooked in a blue steel pan from Detroit with ingredients like Wisconsin brick cheese and butter toasted cheese corners, topped with garlic, two racing stripes of marinara, Pecorino Romano, and oregano.

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Instagram Photos That Will Make You Hate That You’re Not at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino Right Now

Q: Why is Vegas so expensive now?

KG: It is really all about supply and demand and the demand for Las Vegas is high. That being said, the value is always better in Downtown Las Vegas. We are able to offer a complete Las Vegas resort experience at a much lower cost than the bigger Strip resorts. If you ask me, for the money and experience, Downtown Las Vegas is the place to be right now.

#OmNomNom

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Calories don’t count in Vegas.

Freedom Beat offers a $20 all you can eat brunch with Red, White & Blue Velvet Waffles, Fried Chicken Biscuits, and Cast Iron Baked Monkey Bread.

Add bottomless mimosas for $10 more, because why not?

Happy hour at Freedom Beat is not only from 2-5 p.m., but also from 2-5 a.m. Only in Las Vegas.

Boutiquefeeling, modern rooms that will make you want to stay in bed and order room service.

Live music every Friday and Saturday night from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. inside the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino at The Red Velvet Lounge.

Take a Culinary Road Trip on the first Wednesday of each month with Chef Scott Commings. Chef Scott takes 25 guests on a dining road trip featuring the foods and vibes of a different state or city at only $35 for this intimate, chef hosted event.

Free admission and no cover to The Citrus Pool Deck. There are no buildings blocking your tan lines so you can sun your buns all day.

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THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL @theskinnyconfidential www.theskinnyconfidential.com Photoshoot Location West Hollywood, CA

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SU CASA

Paint It Black LAURYN EVARTS’ BACHELOR PAD-INSPIRED HOME WITH A WOMAN’S TOUCH

WRITTEN BY: RAE ANN VARONA PHOTOGRAPHED BY: WIL COHEN

Spending time between San Diego and Los Angeles, Lauryn Evarts has an eye for making things look good.

Since launching her blog, The Skinny Confidential, at the end of 2011 Lauryn Evarts has become a go-to girl for what she best describes as “major realness.” The blogger, influencer, author, and entrepreneur has since then garnered a major following and expanded her brand into her books, podcasts, and a YouTube channel.

As stated in her blog, a great way to describe her would indeed be “kale in one hand, champagne in the other.”

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“I wanted a very masculine vibe throughout the whole house. I wanted it to feel almost like a bachelor pad thrown in with a feminine touch.”

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As stated in her blog, a great way to describe her would indeed be “kale in one hand, champagne in the other.”

E HOMESWEET-HOME Located in a classic Los Angeles midcentury building, Lauryn and her husband Michael didn’t have to do any remodeling. All they had to do was come in, paint walls, and start designing and decorating.

LOCATION IS EVERYTHING Upon finding the condo, Evarts was attracted to its size, its matte black floors, and its matte white marble bar decorated by the condo’s previous owners.

Being located in one of LA’s trendiest neighborhoods, Evarts said, “It was in a cute location where we could just walk to get a smoothie.”

varts’ Los Angeles home is very much reflective of her personal style. It’s chic, classy, grownup, with just the right amount of seriousness. The West Hollywood condo where Evarts and her husband Michael frequent a couple times a month may seem a little different from Evarts’ brand style at first. “A lot of my life is very feminine,” said Evarts pointing out the soft hues of pink on both her website and Instagram photos. “I wanted a very masculine vibe throughout the whole house. I wanted it to feel almost like a bachelor pad thrown in with a feminine touch.” No pink is found in the house. Rather, black and white dress the walls, floors, and furniture. Almost like a chic tuxedo. Or a chic power suit if you will. In the living room are black leather sofas on top of a big fluffy white rug. The aesthetic continues outside the house where modern black planters contain minimalistic looking plants like horsetails.

styles together, they wanted to go for a more sexy look. “It feels a little bit cold, but you still want to be entertained there. It’s very clean and simple. It’s very un-family,” Evarts said laughing.

“I don’t want to say it’s necessarily a party house, but it’s definitely a place where you entertain and have a cocktail. You’re not going to want to get cozy there on a Sunday,” Evarts said. Adding on to the bachelor pad inspiration, she admits that the place is far from being a family home and explains they have their whole lives to have a family house. None of the displayed photos are of the couple, the contemporary furniture does not shy away from sharp corners, and the beautiful matte white bar is fully stocked. When designing the house with LA interior designer, Courtland Bascon, who helped fuse her and Michael’s

Aside from the pad’s minimalistic and stylish design, it is efficient and smart, much like Evarts herself. Organization and practicality are among the priorities Evarts has in both her San Diego and Los Angeles homes. “Everything has its place and there’s not a lot of stuff out. We designed the house so that anyone can walk in and know what to do,” said Evarts.

Their television console, which the couple designed themselves, allows the television to disappear, exemplifying the efficiency.

With a career that allows her the freedom to work from home, having a stress-free environment where things are where she

Perhaps the most bachelor pad-esque item in the house is the beautiful black and white vintage 1970s Café Racer hanging above the dining table. And yes, it is real.

“It’s kind of a joke because my husband always wanted a motorcycle and I told him he can do whatever he wants besides have a motorcycle,” Evarts said laughing. “He gets his motorcycle on the wall, he just can’t ride it.” Evarts’ home is just full of uniquely curated pieces and artwork.

Making the house Instagram-worthy was another goal of theirs and indeed it is. The bright natural light which Evarts found important does well in highlighting all the contrasts and textures of the furniture and art against the white walls.

wants them to be is important. Evarts praises The Container Store and advises against nonnecessities. “Anything that’s pointless, I like to put away because I find that when things are put away, I have less stress,” explained Evarts.

Evarts’ main advice for decorating is to think outside of the box like finding pieces one wouldn’t expect to hang on the wall or place on top of a coffee table. She also encourages mixing high and lowend pieces from different places such as the online shop Society6 or HomeGoods, two of which she likes to shop at. And of course, vintage is always an option. “We love to go to vintage stores, especially in Palm Springs. We find some of the best stuff there,” said Evarts.

As for art, Evarts likes to look for upcoming artists and emphasizes that they don’t have to be expensive or really popular. One of her first commissions were from her early days as a bartender where she paid a 12-year-old to paint something for her now husband. “I am such a huge believer that you could decorate your house within your budget.”

When asked what kind of drink she would pair her home with, a martini was her answer. “It’s straight up, super classic, with a little bit of flare and a twist,” said Evarts in comparison to their San Diego house, which she describes as a glass of rosé. “It’s really cold. It’s a straight up shooter. There’s no extra added shit, if that makes sense.”

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