Stop by Skynear Designs+Gallery in Adams Morgan for a local designer trunk show!
I'll have my etxe wallets on sale along with Kayti Fan Designs, New Leaf Works, I Found That Vintage and ODA.
There will be champagne :)
See you there!
Laguna Beach at sunset
Laguna Beach Daydreaming
in TRAVEL
Laguna Beach, a bit of history
Laguna Beach is a place that most people experience as a myth. On vacation, on television, on film -- the beachside community is often visited but very few people stay. It was originally ruled by the Tongva people, then Mexico, until it was won by the US in the Mexican-American War in 1848. Officially founded in 1887, Laguna Beach is now home to nearly 23,000 people. It’s a home to artists and bohemians, surfers and real estate agents, the wealthy and the working staff. And a good friend of mine that I recently visited for a long dreamy vacation.
The waves crashing into the rocks at Laguna Beach
“...as a child of that deathless search, particularly by persons who devote their lives to painting or writing, or for some place where beauty and cheapness and a trifle of remoteness hobnob together in a delightful companionship” -Hildegarde Hawthorne, describing Laguna Beach
Hiking in Laguna Canyon, just before nightfall
What to do in Laguna Beach
Even though Laguna Beach is relatively small, there is a lot to do even if there isn't an art festival going on. There's hiking, dining, shopping, surfing, dancing and creating (like KMala Studio's Wine + Watercolor workshops!). You can also just spend all day at the beach. My day usually went like this: running on the beach, taking Mr. Bailey to the local coffee shop, stopping by my friend's studio, exploring, working on my projects for Etxe, then meeting my friend for dinner or drinks. Sometimes we'd go dancing, sometimes we'd watch movies and chat. The weather was perfect every single day.
This is my first attempt at making a watercolor map. I promise, they will get better. Laguna Beach, CA
Here are some of my favorite spots:
Laguna Coffee Co - 1050 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 - This is a real neighborhood gem. I loved the chill atmosphere and the fact that I could sit on the patio or inside for long periods of time reading or working on my computer. There's a nice mix of people that frequent this spot, so you'll get a good feel for the community. On the weekends they have live music.
Hiking in the Canyon - ask a local - I was lucky to have a guide! We hiked on the south side of the 133 highway up to the top. There are breathtaking views of the ocean. We even had a moon view!
Driftwood Kitchen & Stateroom Bar - 619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 - If you are at all a fan of brunch you cannot miss this dining spot. Everything is delicious and it overlooks the beach. Fine dining and sunbathing? yes.
Sourced: a California Collective - 950 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 - Half retail space and half offices for creative businesses, this is a really unique spot that is super inspiring. You will want to buy everything in this store!
Broadway - 328 Glenneyre Street, Laguna Beach,CA 92651 - My friend raved about this place and we somehow didn't go until my last night. She didn't exaggerate! This restaurant/bar has amazing cocktails and delicious desserts. They also have rotating art on the walls that is just as fabulous.
Brussels Bistro - 222 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 - This is where we spent most of our NYE and it was perfect. Just the right amount of people and great music. It's a bistro during the day and an 'european electro music' club on Friday and Saturday night.
Oh! I almost forgot -- Cafe Zoolu! I had one of the best meals here thanks to my friend's mom's recommendation. It's normally filled with reservations and is a bit pricey, but really all you need to do is sit at the bar and order the calamari. It may ruin all future calamari orders as nothing will be as delicious, but it is totally worth it.
Me after three cocktails at Broadway
Eric Gerdau's Horizons at Broadway
My feed and seaweed on the beach
Salt Fine Art Gallery on PCH
Ah, so much fun in Laguna! I kept tagging my instagram photos a found location someone else made up -- 'fun and sun in Laguna'. I'm not sure how anyone gets work done here because I can't really put anything above sunshine. This is why I don't live in SoCal anymore--I need my winter! Seasons! But, with the end of winter almost upon us, here I am daydreaming about Laguna Beach.
xoxo,
Stephanie
Very SoCal.
Have you been to Laguna Beach? Where are you favorite spots?
This is a sneak-peak of a project I'm working on. Check back soon for more!
my weekly goals #2
in STYLE
Goals for this week--happy February!
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NikeLab x JFS Collection
NikeLab x JFS
in STYLE
Super inspired today by this NikeLab x JFS Collection and the Freunde von Freunde interview with Berlin designer Johanna Schneider!
a home creative: apartment shopping
in STYLE
Finding an apartment in any city is hard. Finding something affordable in an up-and-coming city is super hard. Luckily with a vision in mind and a lot of phone calls, my sister and I found something we love.
It's not this place shown above - this one bedroom, den was gorgeous and had a balcony. But it wasn't for us. And we're so much happier with what we've found!
Tips for finding an apartment/home share:
Know what you want and what you're willing to give up. You can't expect to find something if you have no idea what you are looking for.
Be open. This seems a little counter #1, but you really have to be open to all possibilities. You're dream place probably isn't what you think it will be (or should be) so be open to anything that fits your criteria, even if it isn't in the way you thought it would.
Call everyone and anyone. The secret of finding housing is knowing someone that knows someone that knows someone. The more people you call and talk to about what you are looking for, the more likely you will find options and eventually something that you'll really love. I talk to all landlords, all house mates and call all those numbers on the side of buildings because you never know who knows of something else. And don't let price scare you -- chances are landlords have multiple properties and they can keep an eye out for you.
Be persistent. Don't just wait for them to run your application. Call them and make sure they ran your application. Don't just wait for an email, call them and double check they got your acceptance. I know this seems really annoying, but if you found a great apartment, someone else wants it. And the owners want it filled.
Be prepared. Ask the person doing the showing what you would need to apply before you show up. This applies to house shares too! One time I put in an application for a place in San Francisco literally right after I went to the showing and I was 20 people too late. You snooze, you lose. If you are serious about finding something, you should bring all your documents with you.
Don't trust anyone. Just today I overheard someone saying there are people in the city that will show you a place, take your deposit, and then disappear. Obviously this totally freaked me out. But the moral of the story is -- do you research, make sure if you are leasing with a company they are legit, and if you are renting from an individual he/she is legit.
Speak up. There is not enough affordable housing in DC. If you are not ok with this fact, then say something to your local government. If you don't speak up, you can't expect it to change. Let's see what we can do together!
Be insanely optimistic. You will not find anything if you think you won't find anything. You just won't.
I really believe if you can envision it you can make it happen!
Happy hunting!
Stephanie
p.s. I intend to keep on doing a home creative posts about my move and the making of my new home! Stay tuned!
What are your tips for finding an apartment?
in the studio: bay area edition
in TRAVEL, IN THE STUDIO
I arrived on a Thursday night to my old home, San Francisco. The 7x7 miles by the bay that everyone has an opinion about. Few are from San Francisco and those that are aren't always able to stay. Many pass through and ride the waves that go in and out, like the freezing tide at Ocean Beach.
My time in the city was unique--I started out working in nightlife, taught art classes, wrote articles for monayyy, and eventually helped create a startup fashion company. I lived above a wine shop, lived above a vintage boutique, lived above a pop-up French restaurant and had uber cool friends in the clubs, sew shops, coffee shops. Little by little I met the friends that will last forever. (Ironically, when I moved to DC I made friends that then went on to move to SF - funny, huh?)
Some of my friends in the Bay Area have since moved away, like me, and some have stayed. While I was in town I stopped off to visit a few that have since moved into some really amazing studio spaces to continue working on their craft. Bayview, Glen Park, Oakland--I was all over. It was really, really great to catch up with people that continue to inspire me even though they are on the other side of the country.
I've spent countless hours in Clinton Park's old location in the heart of the mission and was beyond thrilled to visit Steven and his team at their new spot at Yosemite Place. Steven is one of those people that sees right to the soul--and if you click you really click. He's a true craftsman that will teach anyone that is willing to learn and he taught me a lot about patternmaking, jeans making (ok, I've only done that once), rivets, flatlock stitching, constructing a garment, and of course, denim denim denim. He makes beautiful things, and helps other people make beautiful things. His new space is filled with natural light and cones of thick thread, with stacks of gorgeous Japanese flannels and twills just waiting to be handled. I was in heaven.
Next I got to visit Rachel at InYo. We originally met at Clinton Park and bonded over a desire to create something people really want. People really want her InYo leggings! It's been really cool to see her growth over the past year. Despite the headaches that come along with clothing production, Rachel is the most up-beat, optimistic person I know. I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve next...
This is Yosemite Place, it is huge. It houses artists, designers, developers, makers...there's a whole slew of people doing creative things in this place. The building is very industrial and I especially loved the concrete floors and the way the light flooded in through the loading dock. Oh loading docks, have I spent some time with you! (that was at the clothing company). Each floor is like a little maze. Follow the right path and you'll find something really interesting.
Across the street is a Trouble Coffee. Do not take pictures inside. Do linger and have a three hour conversation with the Barista.
This is what South San Francisco looks like.
Photo by DDCC
I also got to catch up with Diana of DDCC, an active wear and lifestyle brand that creates clothes that will actually inspire you to work out. She gave me advice on an application I was working on and we talked about our past, our present and our futures. I really enjoy her outlook on life and it's always a pleasure to hang.
Photo by PLT: O/O/A/K-- Winter 14
The next day I was able to spend some time with another friend, Lirany of Pretty Little Thing. Lirany creates stylish, whimsical jewelry for the artist at heart. She's one of my favorite people because she embodies everything that is great about the West Coast AND the East Coast. We had a deep conversation about life and agreed on a new year's resolution: this is the year of YOU. That means YOU. Go do it - whatever it is you want to do - your way.
This year.
Don't wait.
Why all this Bay Area stuff? Because I love NorCal! While DC is where I live and hope to grow with a community of creatives, you can never have too many people in your life that inspire you to keep doing what you do.
stay golden,
Stephanie
In a Clinton Park original unisex blazer over layers: long socks, J Shoes boots, The Loft white button-up, American Apparel shiny leggings and... I forget who does the long sheer thing, but it is awesome. I basically wear it everyday. Shot by Rolend Gumanas at Yosemite Place.