Orange County April 2016

STYLE/BEAUTY Edition

KRISTIN CAVALLARI FINDING BALANCE

STYLE/BEAUTY Edition

KRISTIN CAVALLARI FINDING BALANCE

PHOTOS BY: Kolini Faagata

LIVE MUSIC

HORS D'OEUVRES DRINKS

EAT/DRINK Portola Coffee Lab The Kroft Crêpe Coop Churned Creamery Central Bar Cubed The Dirty Cookie Hatch Farmers Torch S'more Co. Front Porch Pops Market2Plate Drinkbar Jucery Kettlebar

STORES The Shangri-La The Treehouse Luella Boutique OC Hit Factory

APRIL

21

Artisian Candle Company

7-9

PM

Spring

LAUNCH PARTY SPRINGLOCALE.EVENTBRITE.COM

WoodSnap Apples & Oranges Spice & Tulips B Squared

THE DISTRICT @ TUSTIN LEGACY 2493 PARK AVE TUSTIN, CA

Contributor Call Out PHOTO BY:

TAYLOR LEWIS taylormarielewis.com @taylorlewisphoto Fashion Spread - Role Over DATE TAKEN: JANUARY 19, 2016

TEAM

the

ASHLEY SMITH

ART

COO/CO-FOUNDER Born and raised in New Jersey, Ashley Hickson has enjoyed living in sunny Southern California since she was 17. After graduating from Chapman University in Old Town Orange, Ashley joined forces with Erik to create LOCALE Magazine.

Known as Erik’s right and left arm, Ashley is THE go-to girl for everything LOCALE. She enjoys being an intricate piece to LOCALE’s puzzle and is proud of the down-to-earth, innovative magazine.

REILLY KAVANAUGH ART DIRECTOR + DESIGNER With a bachelor’s degree in graphic design under her belt, this Redlands native has produced creative for major fashion labels, institutions and ad firms.

Reilly Kavanaugh is a tiny artist, at 4 feet 11 inches, who is much tougher than she looks. As the most artistic member of LOCALE, she exhibits a youthful energy and fierce, current designs.

SALES & MARKETING

KARLY MATSON GRAPHIC DESIGNER Originally from Chicago, Karly has lived in a number of places before calling SoCal her home, including Miami, New York City and even a brief stint in Paris.

She began her design career in NYC, working in both the packaging and publishing industries with some of the city’s leading creatives. When she’s not designing she loves taking photos and painting.

MIKE TODD SMITH

“Sunset is still my favorite color, Rainbow is second.”

—Mattie Stepanek If you asked the eight-year-old version of me what my favorite color was, I could answer “aqua blue” without hesitation. If you asked me now, I’m not sure I could narrow it down as easily.

Pantone, it seems, experienced a similar dilemma when it named two colors as “Color of The Year 2016,” the first time it had done so in its history.

Rose Quartz and Serenity were the chosen colors. They were meant to signify the gender neutrality taking effect in fashion. The pull between two opposites that can benefit both sides when they work together—something our political parties could learn from. We loved two photos of Kristin Cavallari so much, we decided to print half of our issues with a Rose Quartz background and the other half with a Serenity background.

As we welcome the beautiful colors and mild temperatures of spring, we are proud to present our 2016 Style & Beauty Issue. We have an amazing blogger, Kimberly Luu, walk you through her perfect day (Market District, pg. 145), we take you behind the scenes at Segerstrom Center for the Arts to set a perfect makeup table (pg. 172) and we built a 15 page beauty guide—“The Gloss-ary”—to explain all things trending in the style/ beauty world.

In keeping with our gender bending theme, we went back in time to reimagine gender roles in the early 60s. We hope you enjoy our look at an alternative 1960s era where men ruled the domestic sphere and women “wore the pants” in our photo essay “Role Over” (pg. 104). We also hope you find both covers and write to us, letting us know which one was your favorite.

Wait, it's 2016, you can love both.

ERIK HALE PUBLISHER

16 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

MARKET MANAGER Mike was born in Los Angeles, raised in Laguna Beach and has created a home in San Diego. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Mike helped build ECCO Restaurant and then later a custom golf car company, LUXE. Mike found his true passion within LOCALE and now wakes up inspired everyday.

EDITORIAL

JASON KOSKY

KILEY COLEMAN

MARKET MANAGER Jason was born and raised in South County with the Dana Point Harbor as his backyard. He is proud to call such a beautiful place home. Family has always been most important to him, and now he is a father to two beautiful girls and a husband to a wonderful wife. Jason says, “As long as I have my family and my health, I am a rich man.”

MANAGING EDITOR Born and raised a Cali native, this Los Angeles local has worked the last four years as a freelance production manager for editorial magazines, fashion companies and a top record company. Now living in Newport Beach, this girl has made LOCALE Magazine her home.

NICK CIMARUSTI

ANDRE MATAELE

EDITOR After living in New York City for a year, Nick now calls Southern California home again. He completed his bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at USC and a master's degree in journalism at Columbia University.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKET MANAGER Born and raised in Hawaii, Andre has made Southern California his home for the past five years. His position at LOCALE allows him to continue building relationships with people who he values greatly.

GINA MAGNUSON

KELLY ZALDO

EDITOR Having contributed fashion, lifestyle and entertainment editorial from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Gina is happy to return to her Orange County roots. While earning a degree in English at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, Gina adopted a passion for cinema, literature, music subculture and beer. She enjoys perusing IKEA, going to shows and writing about all of the above.

MARKET MANAGER Although born a Texan, from a young age Kelly has called SoCal her home. Now she lives in Huntington Beach with her daughter. After attending Loyola Marymount University she has held various marketing positions with several print mediums and is excited about the opportunity to work with LOCALE.

BRIANNA ROMANO

NICK PACHELLI

PARTNERSHIPS + MARKETING DIRECTOR Brianna is a California native with an eclectic taste in fashion, music and activities. After graduating with a degree in fashion and textiles, she became a jack-of-all-trades, juggling multiple jobs from fashion stylist and makeup artist to professional organizer. She loves traveling, making dinner for friends, a good beer and taking Instagram photos of her dog, George.

ALYSSA KLOPFER

EDITOR A New Mexico native, Nick moved to Southern California to attend college at Loyola Marymount University. After graduating with a degree in English and marketing, he held positions at various publishing and digital media companies in Los Angeles. When he’s not editing stories for LOCALE, you can find him wandering around foreign cities and chatting up local chefs.

DISTRIBUTION

MARKETING + EVENTS COORDINATOR Born and raised in the Irvine bubble, Alyssa has a passion for art and travel. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in art history from Westmont College in Santa Barbara and a summer European adventure, Alyssa discovered LOCALE. In her spare time you will find her with a cafe au lait blogging at her favorite coffee shop, sitting in a museum or searching for any reason to plan a weekend getaway to San Francisco.

RICK RAMIREZ DISTRIBUTION Rick is a California native and has lived in Orange County all of his life. A lover of nature, Rick is an avid camper, with an extensive knowledge of Southern California's beautiful mountain and forest regions.

He further expresses his connection with nature artistically, through his unique watercolor paintings.

Among his many other interests are cooking, history and music.

APRIL GARLEJO INTERNAL SALES MANAGER April is a California native and is new to the Orange County area. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management, April took on education management until she eventually found LOCALE Magazine. She is excited to work and grow with the company.

FINANCE VALERIE KERR ACCOUNTANT Valerie is a California native and cannot imagine living anywhere else. She graduated from CSUF with a degree in business and fell into the world of accounting. When she is not crunching numbers for LOCALE, Valerie loves spending time with her two beautiful daughters.

the CONTRIBUTORS A P R I L 2016

WRITERS

ELIZABETH NUTT HOLLY CLINARD

elizabethnutt.com

hollyinheels.com TW @hollyinheels

JOSIE GONZALES qsphotography.com IG @josgonzales

FRANCISCO, EDDIE AND ALEX BARRAGAN STYLE BY F.E.A stylebyfea.com iloveyouwhenidonthateyou.com IG @stylebyfea

TYLER HOLLAND BARBARA BERAN

GIL COPE gilcope.com IG @gilcope

IG @tyler_jal TW @Sirstizorm

IG @babarah TW @Barbara_Beran

BEAUTY STYLISTS MICHAEL WESLEY

PATRICK MARTIN

bluewesley.com | surfart.co IG @bluewesley

patrickmartinphoto.com IG @Mr_Martin_Please

GENEVA MENDOSA TONI & GUY NEWPORT BEACH, OWNER

MARIE SPADA IG @marie.charisse

MOLLY BROOKS IG @mollybrooks TW @mollybrooks

ADAM GENTRY

NIKI CRAM

gentryimages.com IG @adamgentry

nikicram.com IG @nikicram

TAYLOR LEWIS

JULIE JONES

taylormarielewis.com IG @taylorlewisphoto TW @TLPhotos

jonesphotographycompany.com IG @jonesphotographycompany TW @jonesphotoco

LINDSAY DELONG

NOEL SWEENEY

iLikeLindsay.com

AMANDA NGUYEN feastfashionfaves.com IG @feastfashionfaves TW @feastfashionfav

SCOTT CUNHA FOR THEONLY.AGENCY USING ORIBE

KOLINI FAAGATA IG @randaa7 TW @RandaAkeel

koliniphoto.com IG @koliniphotography TW @kolinilynne

MANUEL PARRA manuelparraportfolio.tumblr.com IG @MrManuelParra TW @MrManuelParra

SUSAN KRUPA TW @TraevelPhoudee

NANCY VILLERE

DANIELLE GUMINA griphandbags.com IG @griphandbags

KIMBERLY LUU

crushphotostudios.com IG @crushphotostudios

theonly.agency/portfolio/scottcunha IG @thescottycunha TW @TheScottyCunha

PASQUALE CASELLE

CRUSH PHOTO STUDIOS AccordingtoKimberly.com IG @kimberly_luu TW @kimberly_luu

heysaylorcometics.com IG @heysaylorcosmetics

FASHION STYLISTS

RINA MAGSOMBOL IG @daffodilzz

RANDA AKEEL

toniandguy.com IG @toniandguynewport

NICOLE POLLARD lalaluxe.com IG @lalaluxe TW @lalaluxe

hairbypasqualecaselle.com IG @hairbypasquale TW @hairbypasquale

PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF COOPER

ARIELLE LEVY

jeffcooperrealestate.com IG @jefftcooper TW @welcomehomeCAx

LINDA CASELLE

ariellephoto.com IG @ariellelevyphoto

NIKKI SCHIFFMAN

hairbypasqualecaselle.com IG @hairbypasquale

thevaultbynikki.sd.com IG @the_vault_bynikki

BRADLEY BLACKBURN BApictures.com

SAMMY ZARGARAN

NICOLE HAKIM

SHEENA MORRIS

IWINK STUDIOS

sultanvilebetrayer@tumblr.com IG @thenamesksts TW @aspiredauthor

sammyZphotography.com IG @sammyZphotography

MADELINE CRAIG

AMANDA GERARDO

thesheenamorris.com IG @thesheenamorris

IG @amandanoelleeee

flickr.com/photos/madelinecraig *FOR FULL INFORMATION ON OUR CONTRIBUTORS GO TO www.localemagazine.com/about 20 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 21

LOCALE MAGAZINE

CONTENTS April 2016 T H I S I S S U E : Style/Beauty

123 100

Beauty Guide

The Gloss-ary Get Your Look On Point with These Beauty and Fitness Tips

Style Profile

Feast Mode Going Visual and Digital with Content Creator Amanda Nguyen

88

Cover Story

The Real KC Kristin Cavallari Tells Us Her Secrets to Staying Grounded

139

Locale Looks

Ready, Set, Glam!

All Dressed Up With Somewhere to Go

118

Beauty Expert

Permanent Record Costa Mesa Tattoo Artist, Sara Fabel, Shares Her Meticulous Art Form

24 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

104

Fashion Spread

Role Over Who Needs Gender Roles?

145

That's What She Said

Market District The District at Tustin Legacy According to Kimberly

LOCALE MAGAZINE

CONTENTS April 2016 32

Native Knowledge

42

Localendar

Monday Through Sunday, by Locals

GO/DO

20 Events That Aren’t Fooling Around This Month (and Beyond)

EAT/DRINK

172 152

Setting the Table

Vanity Affair Creating a Stage Ready Look with Ballerina Stella Abrera

Go Profile

Turning the Tide How Pacific City Is Changing Orange County Retail

48

Eat Expert

Halal-lellujah The Halal Guys Have Landed in OC

176 158

Away Feature

Her Way on the Highway A Guide to the Best Desert Road Trip Ever

Do Expert

For the Record OC Hit Factory Develops Local Musicians from Start to Finish

55

Eat Feature

Animal Instincts

HOME/AWAY

Whose Names are as Wild as They Are

67

Drink Feature

Fire Starter Get Heated with eight of OC’s Spiciest Cocktails

26 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

166

Home Expert

Lost and Found Jeni Maus is Bringing Vintage Stories and Style Back to Life

188

Su Casa

Eat, Pray, Laguna A Balinese Escape in Laguna Beach

®

All rights reserved © 2014, 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 COVER Photographed By: Gil Cope, www.gilcope.com | @gilcope Model: Kristin Cavallari, @KristinCavallari Styled By: Nicole Pollard, www.lalaluxe.com | @lalaluxe Makeup By: Karan Mitchell, www.eamgmt.com/karanmitchell | @karanmitchellmua Hair By: Scott Cunha, www.theonly.agency/portfolio/scott-cunha | @thescottycunha COVER #1 (Serenity Background) Apparel Provided By: Alexis, www.saksfifthavenue.com Shoes Provided By: Chinese Laundry by Kristin Cavallari, www.chineselaundry.com Watch Provided By: Chopard, Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo, www.swisswatchgallery.com Rings Provided By: Craig Shelly Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Beverly Hills, www.craigshelly.com, Roberto Coin, www.us.robertocoin.com & Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo, www.swisswatchgallery.com Bracelet Provided By: Wonderlost, Nicole Pollard Bayme COVER #2 (Rose Quartz Background) Apparel & Shoes Provided By: Thomas Wylde, www.thomaswylde.com Watch Provided By: Chopard, Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo, www.swisswatchgallery.com Rings Provided By: Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo, www.swisswatchgallery.com & Emerald Duv, www.emeraldduv.com Bracelet & Earrings Provided By: Emerald Duv, www.emeraldduv.com

Making THE ISSUE

Photographer Gil Cope was inspired by spring to shoot Kristin with clean, bright light on colorful backgrounds. The shoot featured colored backdrops showcasing the Pantone 2016 colors of the year, Rose Quartz and Serenity. Gil says working with Kristin was a breeze. “To say Kristin was a pleasure to work with would be an understatement,” Gil says. “She was very giving of herself–and I think it really shows in her photos.” He used a Canon 1D-X coupled with a Zeiss PCP.2 85mm Super Speed lens and Profoto strobes.

Nicole Pollard and Courtnee Scully of LaLaLuxe wanted to pull outfits that reflected Kristin personal style—a young mom with a finger on the pulse of fashion.

Courtnee says she chose the high-low, floral Sarah Seven dress because it was young and playful and then added the Thomas Wylde jeweled pump to edge it up a bit. To add even more personal detail, Courtnee says Kristin was kind enough to let LaLaLuxe style her with her own shoe collection including Chinese Laundry and her very own jewelry collection, Emerald Duv. Kristin’s go-to hair stylist Scott Cunha created a timeless look with boho elements.

Kristin’s tousled locks were pulled into loose braids to frame her face. Makeup artist Karan Mitchell kept things light and fresh, using a palette perfect for springtime.

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// THE ESSENTIALS

EAST MEETS WEST EXPERT: Pat Tenore CREDENTIALS: Founder and President of RVCA

Inside the Bag of a RVCA Kingpin:

1. Greg Chait cashmere rope with Bedwin and The Heartbreakers key chain from Masafumi Watanabe, a Japanese designer

when I was 10 years old to promote wellness and good fortune. It’s the most important material item I own

2. Necklace by Slim Spurling, which was a gift from friend Eli Olson (North Shore surfer). The light life ring promotes energy and healing

6. The Elder Statesman cashmere beanie given to me by Greg Chait

3. PURPS hydration packs formulated

by Dr. Chris Schaumburg. I never leave home without them

8. VISVIM coin wallet made by friend Hiroki Nakamura with yen coins

4. Goyard grocery bag wallet with passport card 5. Jade bracelet given to me by my Chinese-Filipino nanay (grandmother) 32 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

7. Japanese bandana for travel

9. Custom Rolex Sea Dweller given to me as a gift by PC Valmorbida and Jared Najjar after I curated the Barry McGee art show at their gallery, Prism in Los Angeles PHOTO BY: Bradley Blackburn

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// THE ESSENTIALS

MIXED BAG EXPERT: Lynne Curtin CREDENTIALS: Jewelry and Accessory Designer

This Designer and Fashion Maven Knows What to Pack on the Go:

1. Power Pac Vitamin Mix: When you feel like you're dragging at the end of the day, Power Pac will give you that extra boost 2. iPhone: I can’t leave my house without it, it’s my lifeline 3. Chanel Lip Gloss: A girl always needs her lip gloss!

4. Mini Hand Sanitizer: The spray is the best, especially for us germaphobes 5. Nexus Hairspray: You never know when you’ll need it 6. Crystal Pen: always great if you need to sign on the dotted line 34 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

7. Lynne Curtin Mini-Fringe with Benefits Handbag and Queen Bee Fringe Key 8. Max Factor Lipstick in Berry: It's perfect for spring and it stays on all day.

9. Peppermint Mini Altoids: I love my Mini Altoids for evening bags 10. Tom Ford Sunglasses: These are always a must in Southern California 11. Revlon Photoready Skinlights: For a little extra cheek color to give you that healthy, sun-kissed glow 12. Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner in Sienna: It’s the one thing in my bag I cannot live without

PHOTO BY: Sammy Zargaran

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// THE ESSENTIALS

ALL IN VEIN EXPERT: Dr. Hamid Towhidian CREDENTIALS: Cosmetic Surgeon/Medical Director/Owner, Total Cosmetix

Dr. Towhidian Picks his Essentials with Precision:

1. Stethoscope—We use it for examining patients during pre-op and post-op and listening to their heart and lungs sounds 2. 0.9% normal saline IV bag. This is used to infuse medications. For stem cell therapy, we will add the stem cells to the infusion bag and then have the patient relax for about an hour for the infusion to complete 3. Triple antibiotic ointment is used as a preventative measure to prevent any microorganisms from causing any infections to wounds or incisions 4. A 60 cc syringe has many purposes such as: Injecting medications and manual aspiration of fat. Injecting fat into desired areas for the fat transfer procedure 36 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

5. I always keep my business cards in my bag. Whether I am at a conference or out in the community, I always want to have these handy for future patients and or networking with colleagues 6. Pick ups are sterilized and used for suturing incisions 7. Mini-scissors are used after an incision has been made to create a better pathway for the cannulas during liposuction and for cutting sutures 8. 15-blade scalpel is used for making my incisions for liposuction and for removal of undesired moles/skin tags 9. Latex-free disposable gloves for providing clean techniques for all procedures

PHOTO BY: Bradley Blackburn

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE

BY LOCALS FOR LOCALS /// THE ESSENTIALS

OMG,

LOOK AT HER BAG EXPERT: Annette Richardson CREDENTIALS: Managing Director, OMG Aesthetics

A True Style Expert Keeps Things Tidy and Stylish:

1. My business card holder with a crown, of course

7. My passport because you never know when you might need to hop on a plane

2. Bootzie essential oil—it's my Hawaiian love potion

8. My lucky wallet that I won at a Neiman Marcus raffle

3. A mirror

9. YSL Heart of Light powder blush because I have to have pink cheeks

4. Must-have oversized black sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays 5. Japanese eye drops—I use them daily to keep my eyes bright, white and healthy 6. Oxygenetix tinted SPF—I can't leave the house without it on my face 38 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

10. Pair of black stilettos, just in case I need to run off to an event 11. Peppermint Altoids—I eat them all day 12. My bling pepper spray; a woman should always carry some form of protection

PHOTO BY: Bradley Blackburn

LOCALE ndar

20

EVENTS THAT AREN’T FOOLING AROUND THIS MONTH (AND BEYOND) WRITTEN BY: MOLLY BROOKS

SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL

sawdustartfestival.org ¢ Over 200 Laguna Beach-based artists gather for the

annual Sawdust Festival over the summer months. Running June 24-Aug. 28, 2016, from 10 a.m-10 p.m. daily, the festival draws over 200,000 worldwide visitors each year.

This year will be even bigger for their 50th anniversary and will attract art enthusiasts, collectors and novices alike. Artists at the festival are eager to show their creative processes during live demonstrations.

OC MARATHON

MUMMIES OF THE WORLD

bowers.org ¢ The large mummy exhibit

is coming to the Bowers Museum from March 19-Sept.

5. Mummies of the World portrays a collection of real mummies and artifacts from different countries around the world. Some portions of the exhibit date back as far as 4,500 years!

ocmarathon.com ¢ May 1, starting at 5:30 a.m., you can run the 11th Annual

OC Marathon in Newport to kick off the month of May the right way. The race includes a full marathon, half marathon and 5K Run and Walk event. At the end of your run, celebrate a job well done with live music, beer and Wahoo’s Fish Tacos during the Finish Line Festival. If running is not your thing, come out and cheer everyone on!

DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL

A TASTE OF GREECE FESTIVAL

rage lately, and Dana Point’s Blues Festival at Doheny Beach is no exception. The festival has three stages, an international food court and micro-brew tasting area. There is also a vendor village with over 50 unique booths and a kid zone. The Doheny Blues festival attracts Grammy winners and music legends to their stages and is an event any music lover shouldn’t miss. Stop by May 21-22.

10 p.m., take a vacation to Greece without leaving Orange County. Saint Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine is hosting a Greek cultural festival for all to enjoy. Try authentic fare and watch traditional folk dancing. Learn how to cook the Mediterranean way during live cooking demonstrations, ride carnival rides and take a tour of the church.

dohenybluesfestival.com ¢ Music festivals are all the

irvinegreekfest.com ¢ June 24-26 from 12-

LONG BEACH PRIDE CELEBRATION

longbeachpride.com ¢ Have fun at Orange County’s

TUSTIN STREET FAIR AND CHILI COOK OFF

tustinca.org ¢ June 5, Old Town Tustin

CINDERELLA AT SEGERSTROM CENTER

scfta.org ¢ April 19-May 1, take the chance to see the Tony Award-winning Broadway play,

Cinderella. The production features a full orchestra band, incredible costuming and all your favorite moments from the classic story. Take a trip back to your childhood and rediscover why you love this romantic and hilarious story.

42 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

heats the competition up with a Chili Cook Off and Salsa Competition. Between tasting chilis, be sure to check out vendors, craft booths, entertainment and music. Let the kids play on inflatables in the Kid Zone while you enjoy a glass of wine or beer. All events are family friendly and a great way to spend the afternoon.

closest location to celebrate Pride on May 21-22 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The celebration attracted over 800,000 visitors over the two day festival, including major celebrities.

There will be five large stages and dance areas that will host performances by Grammy Awards winners like Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Rowland, The Village People and many more.

Celebrate with Long Beach’s LGBTQ community and show your pride!

15TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

soka.edu ¢ May 7 from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., enjoy three stages

HIGH 5IVE 4FITNESS

thenoblepathfoundation.com ¢ May 14, the Noble Path Foundation is holding a Wellness Expo and Fitness Festival

to support the nonprofit’s fight against childhood obesity. Participate in a 5K run, listen to live music and watch local gyms battle it out to prove who’s the strongest team in town. There will be vendor booths selling merchandise and educating attendees on healthy lifestyle tips. The family event is all about getting the community healthy and having tons of fun.

CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA

Photo Credit: Cinderella at Segerstrom Center: Carol Rosegg | Bubblefest: Discovery Science Foundation

san-clemente.org ¢ Don’t miss the Cinco De

Mayo Fiesta in Downtown San Clemente celebrating Mexican culture on May 7 from 12-6 p.m. Traditional mariachi bands and folk dancing take the stages, along with salsa dancers and contemporary musicians.

Fill your belly with Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican fare. Other activities to enjoy include an art contest, carnival games and vendors.

BATTLE OF THE MARIACHIS

missionsjc.com ¢ May 14, the 12th Annual

Battle of the Mariachis festival is coming back to the Mission of San Juan Capistrano.

Live mariachi bands coming from all over California compete throughout the day for distinguished judges.

The bilingual event includes marionette shows, exhibition performances and dancing.

BALBOA ISLAND ART WALK

balboaislandartwalk.info ¢ Walk along the bay and

survey over a mile of art and live music during the annual

Balboa Island Art Walk. Over 100 local artists and vendors will be showing their craft on May 22. View paintings, fine jewelry, blown glass, photography and more, all locally made. Some artists performing music throughout the festival include The Retros, Don Ross Duo and Jim Roberts.

CALIFORNIA WINE FESTIVAL

localwineevents.com ¢ April 15, starting at 6:30

p.m., enjoy wine and music by the sea and under the sun at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott.

Taste wine from hundreds of California’s finest wineries and sample gourmet food.

Live music sets the mood and makes the event a real party.

You’re guaranteed to find a new favorite sip.

NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL

newportbeachfilmfest.com ¢ April 21-28, the Newport

Beach Film Festival brings the best of classic and contemporary film to Orange County from all around the world. The festival showcases studio and independent films and helps support upcoming and established artists. People of all ages are encouraged to

attend the festival to stimulate an interest in film study.

SAN CLEMENTE MICROBREW FESTIVAL scchamber.com/events ¢ April 23 from 12-5 p.m.,

local brewery Left Coast Brewing Co. is hosting a microbrew festival in San Clemente this April. The festival will be highlighting brews from all over Southern California. Spend an afternoon listening to live bands, tasting good brews and eating homemade food. There will also be opportunities to visit Left Coast’s tasting room.

and 700 musicians and dancers at Soka University’s International Festival. Walk around hundreds of nonprofit, craft and business exhibits and enjoy food from cultures around the world. There will be games and activities and art projects for kids along with a play area and bounce house. The event is part of the Orange County Imagination Celebration.

THE WHO

hondacenter.com ¢ May 22 at 7:30 p.m., take a

trip back to the 1970s during The Who concert at the Honda Center. Original members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the English rock band recently released a studio album and continue to perform on tour. An integral part of music history, The Who have created countless hits and won numerous awards throughout the years.

TASTE OF HUNTINGTON BEACH tastehb.com ¢ April 24, try all the best

restaurants Huntington Beach has to offer. Get tastes of different cuisines, sip on local wines and beers and mingle among community members.

After eating great food, dance the night away and bid on the silent auction items. All proceeds go to the Huntington Beach Children’s Library.

YO-YO MA AND KATHRYN STOTT AT SEGERSTROM CENTER scfta.org ¢ May 14 at 8 p.m., world

famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be performing with his longtime collaborator, pianist Kathryn Stott, for an exclusive Orange County recital. The performance will be for one night only on May 14th at the Segerstrom Center. The program will include music from the duo’s new album, which includes two settings of the traditional Ave Maria.

BUBBLEFEST

discoverycube.org ¢ The Discovery Cube is hosting the 20th Annual Bubblefest

this year and it will be bigger than ever. The festival will have activities that will amaze both kids and their families. Enjoy the Mega Bubblefest Laser Show, Water Spheres, Bubble Zones and so much more between March 26-April 10.

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 43

PHOTO BY: Julie Jones

eat /drink

APRIL

2016

48 EAT EXPERT The Halal Guys Hit the West Coast

55 EAT FEATURE These 5 OC Restaurants with Animal Names Can’t and Won’t Be Tamed

67 DRINK FEATURE OC Brings the Heat With These Spicy Cocktails

55

EAT FEATURE Animal Instincts

THE BLIND PIG KITCHEN + BAR 31431 Santa Margarita Pkwy Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 949.888.0072 www.theblindpigoc.com

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APRIL 2016

I’ve been quoted saying to one of my buddies four years ago, who is a partner now, that if we ever open a restaurant it will be The Halal Guys and that’s it. I share that story because looking back on it really shows how powerful our passion was for The Halal Guys and how much we loved it in New York City."

—THOMAS PHAM, CEO, THE HALAL GUYS

THE HALAL GUYS 3033 Bristol St Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.850.1080 www.thehalalguys.com 48 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

EAT EXPERT

Halallellujah The Halal Guys Have Landed in OC

WRITTEN BY: RANDA AKEEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JOSIE GONZALEZ

THE EXPER T

THOMAS PHAM CEO, The Halal Guys, Southern California

Must Order: The Halal Classic Plate with a side of French fries and their famous white sauce.

WHEN YOU THINK OF NEW YORK, three things come to mind: the Statue of Liberty, skyscrapers and The Halal Guys.

From a humble beginning as a simple hot dog cart in New York City to a world-renowned international Middle Eastern restaurant chain, The Halal Guys story is the epitome of the American Dream. It is a new and thriving element for the restaurant industry, “American Halal Food.� Not only do they offer flavorful halal meat over basmati rice, they also have hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, yogurt, Mediterranean salads and freshly made falafels on the menu. After experiencing The Halal

Guys firsthand during a trip to New York, 29-yearold Thomas Pham, a true foodie, knew he wanted to be a part of this thriving American halal food venture.

His exceptional work ethic and extensive experience in the marketing and branding of the restaurant and franchise industry is what lead him to become the CEO of The Halal Guys, a delicious dream come true. When Pham is not building and promoting The Halal Guys franchise here on the West Coast, he is going on food tours with friends and is one of the most social and outgoing people you will have the pleasure of meeting. His passion for hospitality is as strong and evident as his love for food.

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Pile It On: You can add green bell peppers, onions, olives and jalapeños to any combo plate and indulge in as much sauce as you’d like with no extra charge when you’re dining in!

Marketing guru: Pham did all the marketing for Halal Guys and has also helped many other restaurants and franchises grow their brands through Slique Media, the marketing firm he runs and owns.

q

How did the legend of The Halal Guys begin and why did they create the menu they have?

Thomas Pham: It’s a really cool story actually! The three original founders called “The Guys,” started out with a hot dog stand in New York and found that there was a significant demand for quick, fast and easy-to-get food for taxi drivers. So, they started The Halal Guys. From there, they created these very complicated, yet simple, flavors of chicken or gyro over rice that people could eat standing up, sitting down or on the go at any time.

Q: What is in that famous white sauce?

TP: I don’t even know what’s in the sauce! It’s not a ranch, it’s not mayo, it’s a very light sauce with few calories. The way we cook our chicken actually absorbs the white sauce, it’s all part of the bill. We don’t recommend having the chicken without it, but, of course, you can have it however you like.

Giving Back: The Halal Guys work with local charities like Women Helping Women, Orangewood Children and Family Center, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California, HomeAid OC, Illumination Foundation, Someone Cares Kitchen and Food Finders.

Q: What makes The Halal Guys different than other Mediterranean restaurants out there?

TP: The reason the flavors are complicated, yet simple, is because chicken or gyro over rice doesn’t sound complicated. What you get in the result is a very simple platter, but the food itself is very complicated in the way it’s made. For example, the chicken has never been frozen, we marinate it and season it overnight then we put it on the grill, and serve it directly from the grill right to your plate. Rarely do you see a restaurant that can do fresh food that can serve it to that many guests in a small period like that. So we serve very quickly and serve a lot of people. It’s fresh food that has never been frozen.

Q: What is the best part of being the CEO of The Halal Guys?

TP: I would have to say hospitality. I like hanging out with the customers, getting feedback and hearing what they have to say about it. When someone is trying it for their first time, I always ask them to give me an honest opinion — What do you like about it? What can we do better? How was the service? We’re always looking to be 100 percent all the time as well as trying to improve and operate at the highest level.

Q: What has been your proudest moment while being a part of The Halal Guys?

TP: Of course, serving mouth-watering, high-quality food to the people of Southern California is our goal. But one of the things I’m proud of is creating an incredible team with an incredible working environment. Our employees love working with us and are excited to come to work each day. Almost everyone who has been with us since day one is still here. We are expanding quickly, and it doesn’t matter what position you start in, the opportunities with The Halal Guys are endless. The people we are looking for are people with a passion for hospitality and food.

Q: If you had not been franchising with The Halal Guys, what would you be doing?

TP: My partners and I have been wanting to open The Halal Guys here on the West Coast for years and years. I’ve been quoted saying to one of my buddies four years ago, who is a partner now, that

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if we ever open a restaurant it will be The Halal Guys and that’s it. I share that story because looking back on it really shows how powerful our passion was for The Halal Guys and how much we loved it in New York City. We’ve always been wanting to do this, and now we’re doing it. What I can tell you is that if I had not opened a restaurant, I would most likely still be marketing, branding and business consulting for restaurant owners and franchisees.

Q: Where do you see The Halal Guys in the future? Are there any other ventures in the future?

TP: We are slated to open 50 restaurants in Southern California; we are open in Long Beach with another location in Koreatown coming soon. We are very excited and we are always looking at real estate and looking to expand the brand. As far as other concepts, we don’t know yet, but as of now we are continuing to improve The Halal Guys brand.

Q: What local restaurants do you like to eat when you’re not eating a Halal Classic platter?

TP: I would have to say In N Out and North Shore Poke. For dessert, Afters Ice Cream. I order the almond cookie ice cream inside of their signature Milky Bun topped with almonds. If I had to pick my favorite dinner spot, it would be Vaca by Chef Santana for their delicious drinks and variety of meats!

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring restaurant owners?

TP: Something I’ve been preaching for a long time is that marketing for your restaurant is required for all business owners.

You have to do marketing. You have to keep that in mind when opening a restaurant. You can’t open a restaurant and have zero people know about it. You need to have a line from day one and if you do not have a line out the door from day one, you should not open a restaurant. There’s a lot of great food and brands emerging here in Southern California and if people don’t know that your restaurant is opening or how good your food is, then no one will show up on day one. No one else is going to be as excited about the new restaurant as the owner.

Q: How has The Halal Guys been able to market itself with such great success?

TP: We are huge on the marketing, of course, and we are huge about being a part of the community. That’s even a better form of marketing. We work with eight different charities, we want to give back. Even before we opened our doors, we gave away over 2,000 platters of food to the homeless. We work with Finders who picks up food from restaurants and delivers it to the homeless. There are so many ways we can give back and do our part for the community, which is also an excellent form of marketing. So, it’s not always about social media and being in the press. We also encourage charities to reach out to us too!

Find Halal Guys on Instagram @thehalalguyssocal and Thomas Pham @eatersanonymous

The three original founders called ‘The Guys,’ started out with a hot dog stand in New York and found that there was a significant demand for quick, fast and easy-to-get food for taxi drivers."

—THOMAS PHAM, CEO, THE HALAL GUYS

PHOTO BY: MADELINE CRAIG

Re

hey Are re as Wild as T A s e m a N se o staurants Wh US TI & NI CK CI M AR M AR IE SP AD A E CR AI G IN EL AD M W RI TT EN BY: & : JU LI E JO NE S BY ED PH RA PH OT OG

BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS 4647 MacArthur Blvd Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.333.0917 www.bosscatkitchen.com

From time to time, a simple craving turns into a raging appetite, a hunger so fierce you can’t help but answer its call. That’s when your instinct can only be satisfied by dishes whose restaurants are as ferocious as your appetite. Browse through this menagerie of kitchen cats, ingenious pigs, seafaring bears and drink-savvy rabbits to find out where that rumbling stomach will best be satiated.

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Executive Chef Matthew Robinson is a firm believer in making everything in house, even down to the ketchup recipe he uses.

WHAT'S IN A NAME The name Crow Bar came when founder Steve Geary was inspired by the number of crows in Corona Del Mar and he loves the play on words.

CROW BAR KITCHEN + BAR 2325 E Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar, California 92625 949.675.0070 | www.thecrowbarcdm.com

On The Daily Every day of the week you’ll find a new

special for Crow Bar’s flatbreads, grilled cheeses and tacos, plus there are weekly dinner specials. Monday is Crow BBQ, Tuesday is Chicken Pot Pie, Wednesday is Prime Rib with Street Corn, Thursday is Past and Friday is Southern Style Baby Back Ribs.

The Black Label Burger with Duck Fat Fries Executive Chef Matthew Robinson is

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JULIE JONES

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a firm believer in making everything in house, even down to the ketchup recipe he uses—it took him seven years to perfect, but it was worth every year waiting. The signature patty is a proprietary blend of brisket, hanger steak, chuck roll and 21-day dry-aged prime ribeye. Bone marrow butter and caramelized onions provide the perfect

addition of sweet and savory and the duck fat fries should not be missed.

Braised Natural Short Rib Pot Roast

Pan Seared Steelhead Trout

Chef Matthew’s seasonally rotating menu changes at least two to three times per month. He strives to make sure his ingredients are at their peak according to the seasons and the seasons within the season. His bone-in short rib pot roast is an homage to the comfort food you’d find at home, right down to the smashed russet potatoes, carrots and celery roots—although the red wine jus adds an extra level of class to this traditional favorite.

Straight from the salty waters of Loch Etive in Scotland, this gluten-free dish features a fennel-olive-citrus salad, fregula sarda and grapefruit gastrique (a sweet and sour sauce of caramelized sugar and vinegar reduction).

Jumbo Wings and Deviled Eggs Forget those little tiny wings you’ll find elsewhere. Crow Bar uses the whole thang!

Smothered in Fresno chile jelly and plenty of housemade hot sauce, these wings come with micro cilantro, chopped peanuts and charred lemon. They pack just the right amount of kick. Pair wings with Crow Bar’s deviled eggs—blue cheese aioli, house-made hot sauce and chicken cracklins—and you’ll never fly the coop.

Duck Fat Fried Chicken Tender chicken is battered in pure duck fat, creating juicy flavor with a satisfying crunch. The crispy, golden meat is served alongside maple glazed heirloom baby carrots and hatch green chile cornbread.

Top it off with your flaming orange peel for that smoky, citrusy taste, and you’ve got yourself an Old Man & The Sea!

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Robert Adamson came up with the name for The Drunk Night in Thailand when he overheard a table of people swapping stories and laughing, and heard one of the guests proclaim, “That sounds like a drunk night in Thailand!”

After an a-ha moment, Adamson went to talk to the guests for further inspiration, and a drink was born.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JULIE JONES

THE BLIND RABBIT E Santa Ana St, Anaheim, CA 92805 www.theblindrabbit.com

The Old Man & The Sea This unique cocktail is one of the most

highly requested libations at The Blind Rabbit, and it’s no surprise why— this drink is not only delicious and smells fantastic, it even puts on a show! The drink, created by Andrew Winters, is a smokey treat with layers of vanilla, cinnamon and oak, finished off with an aromatic blend of herbs and spices.

We don’t recommend trying to make this drink at home, because Andrew totally nails it, but if you’re so inclined, the ingredients included are Bulleit Bourbon, Zaya Rum, Fernet-Branca and housemade cinnamon cane. Combine all of the ingredients and stir slowly for roughly 40 revolutions with ice. Make your flaming orange peel (don’t try this at home, kids—or do … but we didn’t tell you to do it), turn your smoke-filled cocktail glass right side up, and pour the

ingredients into it as the smoke escapes the glass. Top it off with your flaming orange peel for that smoky, citrusy taste, and you’ve got yourself an Old Man & The Sea!

The Drunk Night in Thailand Robert Adamson has created a

cocktail with not only an amazing name (a drink with that name is a guaranteed good time), but also an out-of-thisworld flavor. Adamson describes the cocktail as being just like Thailand in that it starts out sweet, but leaves you with a slight burning sensation.

This fun cocktail is made of Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch, honey, lime, Sriracha and Hellfire Bitters. All of the ingredients are combined and shaken for roughly 15 seconds. He proceeds to pour the contents into a plastic bag and seals it with a rubber band and a straw.

GLUTEN BE GONE:

THE BLIND PIG KITCHEN + BAR 31431 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 949.888.0072 | www.theblindpigoc.com

About 80

percent of the items on the menu at Blind Pig can be prepared gluten-free if they aren’t already!

This is one of Chef Karl’s favorite dishes on the menu, so you can bet it’s beyond fantastic.

Roasted Mushrooms Sometimes, the best ideas come out of a simple conversation. That’s exactly how this mushroom dish came to be for Chef Karl, and we couldn’t be happier about it.

This dish was inspired by a mushroom miso soup Chef Karl’s sous-chef enjoyed from a Japanese restaurant. Chef Karl wanted to make a similar dish with his own flair, but without over complicating it. He immediately took to the kitchen to try out his own version with different mushrooms. The dish is now made of shiitake mushrooms, which are cut and roasted in a pan. He then makes a miso broth fortified with butternut squash to add a delicate sweetness to the miso. Mushroom ash with salt seasons the plate while puffed rice is added to the top for texture before a drizzle of his own garlic oil. The broth is then poured over the dish table side.

Bone Marrow The bone marrow at The Blind Pig was PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JULIE JONES

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on the original menu, taken off, revamped, and put back on to feature Chef Karl’s own

take. His original idea was to serve the dish without bread, which is generally standard with any bone marrow dish. Though the bread is now back on the plate, take it from us, you don’t need it. The bone marrow is now prepared with fennel, black garlic and a delicious sauce. Bone marrow lovers cannot and should not miss this innovative treat.

Steak

This dish came to fruition and was

added to the menu when Chef Karl’s sous-chef was coming in on his birthday to watch a basketball game. Chef Karl sent him a text to see what he wanted to eat, and he responded with, “Steak and potatoes.” Chef Karl then prepared him a dish with steak, salt-boiled purple potatoes, chips and chimichurri sauce.

The dish was a hit and was subsequently added to the menu for good!

Cauliflower With the seasons changing, Chef Karl

was looking to add something to the menu that incorporated the seasonal produce of the time. His original idea was to create a

cauliflower kimchi, but felt like he needed to do a little bit more to get just the type of dish he was looking for. The dish now features a cauliflower purée, pan roasted cauliflower florets, braised and brined pork shoulder and is topped with housemade kimchi and a spiced peanut garnish.

This dish is one of our favorites, so don’t miss out!

Brussels Sprouts Chef Karl knows that if there’s one vegetable that’s here to stay, it’s Brussels sprouts. In an effort to make them different from everywhere else we see them, the chef’s unique spin keeps you coming back for more. He adds in one of our other favorites to make this dish one of a kind—eggs Benedict. Rather than using bread, Chef Karl uses Brussels sprouts leaves. He deleafs the sprouts, makes a shallot, garlic, and white wine sauce, then adds a poached egg, hollandaise, crispy prosciutto, parsley and thinly sliced red radish. This is one of Chef Karl’s favorite dishes on the menu, so you can bet it’s beyond fantastic.

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Chef Peter’s Comeback Sauce was inspired by the sauce in a Mississippi diner.

The porchetta itself takes three days to make, and the care and attention to detail is clear in the flavor.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MADELINE CRAIG

BOSSCAT KITCHEN & LIBATIONS 4647 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.333.0917 | www.bosscatkitchen.com

Gumbo Gravy Fries Don’t get us wrong, we love poutine.

How can you not? But thanks to Chef Peter Petro, there is now an option that is—dare we say it?—even better.

Bosscat’s Gumbo Gravy Fries are made with the stuff of dreams for any loaded French-fry lover. These fabulous fries are topped off with country gravy and gumbo, consisting of andouille sausage, garlic, onion, bell pepper and a brown roux, which is simmered for two to three hours until it reaches flavor perfection.

Secret Menu Burger This burger is a must-have if you’re

looking for that perfect burger that offers just a little bit more than your average patty. Inspired by the InN-Out Double Double, this burger uses two patties to make sure your hunger is absolutely obliterated. This burger is then doused in Bosscat’s own Comeback Sauce, American

cheese, onion, and pickles. For your convenience, the burger comes with a paper wrapping to hold the whole thing together. Don’t call it a comeback if the magic never left …

Barbecue Porchetta Sandwich It’s no secret that pretty much

everything tastes better when pork is involved. Bosscat’s Barbecue Porchetta Sandwich is an absolute must for the pork lover. Chef Peter takes a pork loin wrapped in pork belly (pork on pork on pork … yes, please), and covers it in barbecue rub and spices.

The pork is cured in the refrigerator for two days, and is then roasted at a high temperature for that perfect, crispy skin. The porchetta itself takes three days to make, and the care and attention to detail is clear in the flavor.

Chef Peter then slices the pork thinly on a relic slicer, heats it up on the griddle and puts it on a potato bun with slaw and pickles. Enough said.

The addition of Tommy Sauce brings the spicy and smoky flavors together for a cool finish.

OWNER THOS CARSON’S FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT BEAR FLAG? “The quality of the fish we are using and the simplicity.

All you need for good food is to start with quality.

Sometimes less is more.”

BEAR FLAG 3421 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663 949.673.3474 | www.bearflagfishco.com

Bear Flag Burrito What better way to enjoy the best grilled fish around than all

wrapped up in a neat burrito? Chock-full of black beans, avocado, lettuce, pico de gallo and creamy Tommy Sauce, this burrito will leave bellies and tastebuds totally satisfied. Poke lovers can unite in raw fish love over Bear Flag’s poke burrito: fresh raw fish of your choosing tucked away in a tasty tortilla.

Poke For those real raw fish lovers, Bear Flag offers your choice of fish

in straight up poke form! From salmon to ahi, these cubed morsels of fish are doused in a blend of sauces and topped with sesame

seeds for a tangy, sweet finish. Pair with chips and guacamole for a perfect appetizer. You can also opt to get the poke in bowl form, placed on a bed of rice with pickled ginger and a touch of wasabi.

Signature Tacos Once Tuesday rolls around, we all know what time it is—time

for tacos! Luckily, Bear Flag has some of the best Taco Tuesday deals around. Choose your favorite fish or shellfish and sit down to a couple of mouthwatering street-style tacos. Topped with pico de gallo, cabbage and zesty lemons for squeezing, these tacos are fresh and full of flavor. The addition of Tommy Sauce brings the spicy and smoky flavors together for a cool finish.

BEAR FLAG’S 5 MOST POPULAR DISHES ON INSTAGRAM PHOTOGRAPHED BY: JULIE JONES

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#1

Poke rice bowl with avocado

#2

Lollipop sushi roll

#3

Bear Flag sushi roll

#4

Fish tacos with avocado

#5

Clam chowder in a bread bowl

fire

STARTER Get Heated With 8 of OC’s Spiciest Cocktails

PHOTO BY: MADELINE CRAIG

WRITTEN BY: MOLLY BROOKS PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ARIELLE LEVY & MADELINE CRAIG When the weather gets chilly, restaurants and bars all over Orange County are warming up with spicy cocktails on their menus. A little heat in a drink never hurt anyone, right?

Some of these restaurants take spicy cocktails to the extreme.

Scorching ghost peppers make an appearance at Three Seventy Common, hitting the Scoville Heat Scale at nearly a million units. But if you’re looking for something more tame, Oak Grill and La Vida are mixing up fruity margaritas to tone down the jalapeños hiding inside. Some of these drinks come with disclaimers, so know your tolerance and take a trip on the wild spice side.

THREE SEVENTY COMMON 370 Glenneyre St Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949.494.8686 www.370common.com

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WHAT’S INSIDE THE A LITTLE BIT NAUGHTY: Mezcal Contratto Aperitivo

The menu is ever changing and there is a good chance that it could be different every time you walk through the door.

Fresh Cranberry Lime Juice Spicy Serrano Tincture

A LITTLE BIT NAUGHTY

PLAYGROUND 220 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701 714.560.4444 | www.playgrounddtsa.com

u Playground is a new-school American restaurant that can serve up

anything from crispy fried chicken to squash tamales. The menu is ever changing and there is a good chance that it could be different every time you walk through the door. Same goes for their cocktail menu, which is reevaluated weekly by Director of Libations Jarred Dooley and his team.

They don’t stick to the tired format of seasonal menus. They keep things fresh with constant change. For the time being, the spicy cocktail you can find on their menu is A Little Bit Naughty, both in name and make.

Playground mixes mezcal with fresh cranberry juice and serrano pepper tincture for a tart and hot combination sure to please your pallet. Dooley said the flavors came together naturally and provided a great option for anyone looking to spice things up.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MADELINE CRAIG

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CHEF’S CHOICE: u If you’re a picky eater and like to substitute everything on your plate, then Playground isn’t your scene. They serve up dishes the way they want them to be served, no exceptions.

WHAT’S INSIDE THE HAWAIIAN MARGARITA: Tequila St. Germain Liqueur Li Hing Mui Seasoning Fresh Pineapple Fresh Jalapeños Lime Juice House Spice (on rim)

Bar Manager Robert Valenzuela mixes a special Hawaiian powder made from plums and other tropical fruits called Li Hing Mui into the spicy cocktail to give it a mild sweet flavor.

HAWAIIAN MARGARITA LA VIDA CANTINA 1850 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.612.2349 | www.lavidacantina.com

u If you’re looking for a choice of spicy cocktails, La Vida Cantina has a large selections of margaritas and martinis that bring the heat with jalapeños and other peppers. One of the authentic Mexican cantina’s margaritas, though, is truly unique. To taste flavors you’ve never experienced, pick the Hawaiian Margarita and enjoy it by one of the five fire pits on La Vida’s large outdoor bar and patio. Bar Manager Robert Valenzuela mixes a

BAR MANAGER ROBERT VALENZUELA’S TOP TEQUILA PICKS ARE: PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ARIELLE LEVY

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special Hawaiian powder made from plums called Li Hing Mui into the spicy cocktail to give it a mild sweet flavor. The powder is specially ordered from the islands and really makes the Hawaiian Margarita a hit among their customers. Valenzuela also makes a house spice blend that mixes the Li Ming Mui with Tajín and adds it to the rim of the glass. La Vida always uses fresh fruit inside their cocktails and squeezes their own fruit juices.

Don Julio 1942

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Desmadre

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THROW IT BACK: Love the Li Hing Mui powder at La Cantina? Order a round of tequila shots served with orange slice chasers covered in their special Li Hing Mui and Tajín blend. u

Karma Tequilae

WHAT’S INSIDE THE DON’T FEAR THE REPO: 100% Agave Tequila Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur Saint George Spiced Pear Liqueur Lime Juice Fresh Pear

With this new restaurant comes a brand new drink, Don’t Fear the Repo, a spicy tequila cocktail heated up with ancho chile liqueur and sweetened with fresh pears.

DON’T FEAR THE REPO VACA 695 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.463.6060

THE BACKLIST: Vaca changes their 15-drink cocktail menu every three months, but if you have a certain favorite, the bartender can serve up any cocktail from the past. An impressive feat considering they have a backlist of over 100 cocktails. u

u Amar Santana brings Spanish flair

to Orange County with his second restaurant, Vaca, which opened in late 2015. The new restaurant has more than paella and bocadillos and brings the same creativity and forward thinking as Santana’s highly successful Laguna Beach restaurant, Broadway. With this new restaurant comes a brand new drink, Don’t Fear the Repo, a spicy tequila PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ARIELLE LEVY

cocktail heated up with ancho chile liqueur and sweetened with fresh pears.

Bar Manager of both Broadway and Vaca, Michael Rooney said it’s loosely inspired by a classic gin and lime cocktail, the gimlet. Vaca and Broadway customers have been asking for a spicy cocktail for quite some time now, but this is the first time they’ve obliged.

WHAT’S INSIDE THE ICY HOT: Tequila St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur Fresh Lime Juice Agave Nectar Fresh Cucumber Fresh Jalapeño

Don’t be fooled by the cooling ingredients in this spicy cocktail, cool cucumbers can’t mask the heat of the fresh jalapeños.

ICY HOT

RED BAR AND LOUNGE 17900 Jamboree Rd, Irvine, CA 92614 866.396.4201 | www.hotelirvine.com

u The spring green hue of the Icy Hot

stands out amongst the bright reds and oranges that make up the decor of the Red Bar. Don’t be fooled by the cooling ingredients in this spicy cocktail, cool cucumbers can’t mask the heat of the fresh jalapeños. Irvine’s endless summer lets the Red Bar keep this instant hit on the menu year-round. However, the Red Bar really focuses on only using

THE IRVINE HOTEL’S TO-DO LIST IN IRVINE: PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ARIELLE LEVY

fresh ingredients that are in season, and because of that the menu is continually changing, making the ever present Icy Hot truly unique. The mixologists partner with the hotel’s Chef Jason Montelibano to create complimentary farm fresh menus. Visit during happy hour to get half off the Icy Hot and other handcrafted, seasonally focused drinks at the lounge.

Visit the Diamond Jamboree for eclectic restaurants and an Asian market.

The beach is closer to Irvine than you think.

Go see the Duffy Boats.

ENJOY THE VIEW: The Red Bar has a 10-foot wide television made up of nine different screens. It’s a great location to watch sporting events since they can show up to nine games at a time. u

Play a round at the Oak Creek Golf Course.

WHAT’S INSIDE THE WHITE FLAG: Ghost Pepperinfused Tequila Passion Fruit Puree Mixed Lemon and Lime Juice Agave Nectar

Made with a house-made ghost pepper-infused tequila, the warning should be taken seriously.

WHITE FLAG

THREE SEVENTY COMMON 370 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949.494.8686 | www.370common.com

u Three Seventy Common defines itself

as a large dining hall that is all about creating a community environment. In their opinion, food is special because it’s a commonality; it’s something everyone can relate to. The food at Three Seventy Common is hyper local, so much so that some of the fresh ingredients are grown by Chef and Proprietor Ryan Adam in his home garden. The menus at Three Seventy Common are globally influenced and not afraid to take a risk. This is visible through the spicy cocktail served at Three Seventy, with

CHEF RYAN ADAMS FAVORITE SPOTS TO EAT: PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MADELINE CRAIG

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Marche Moderne

a disclaimer that it’s very hot. Made with a house-made ghost pepperinfused tequila, the warning should be taken seriously. The peppers sit in the tequila anywhere from a week to two weeks and turns a clear bottle of alcohol deep orange. We were told that only about half of the people who order the White Flag can actually finish it, and most people ask for less spice.

The bartenders at Three Seventy are happy to lessen the spice factor, but still joke, “If you order it, you pay for it.

Regardless of how much you drink.”

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The Crosby

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Lola Gaspar

PAY IT FORWARD: u Three Seventy Common has a drink board up on the wall. Get a friend’s name on the board by buying them a drink for the next time they come in. The drinks are redeemable at any time. And if the board fills up, the bartender has an extra list in the back.

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Honda Ya

WHAT’S INSIDE THE CLASH: Chili & Tangerine Infused Vodka Tuaca Cilantro House-made Sweet and Sour Garnished with Orange

The Clash is aptly named after the rock band, boasting rock ‘n’ roll flavors that balance both citrus and spice.

THE CLASH

MESA 725 Baker St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714. 557.6700 | www.mesacostamesa.com

u Mesa is one of Costa Mesa’s best kept secrets, and so

is their spicy cocktail. The Clash is aptly named after the rock band, boasting rock ‘n’ roll flavors that balance both citrus and spice. Mesa also adds an unexpected flavor with herby cilantro. However, the retractable roof, edgy personality and nightly entertainment makes Mesa much more than a place to grab delicious late night eats and drinks. The vibes coming from Mesa are welcoming and by your second visit the staff is guaranteed to know you by first name. General Manager Julia Arjune said spending a night with Mesa is an authentic experience and their great food and drinks only compliment everything they have going on.

JAZZ IT UP: Come into Mesa on a Wednesday for a different vibe.

Enjoy sexy jazz all night long from the Joshua Payne Orchestra. u

ARJUNE’S TOP 3 LATE-NIGHT BITES FROM MESA: Triple Grilled Cheese made with havarti, swiss and cheddar and served with curry tomato jam

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ARIELLE LEVY

Cast Iron Skillet Mussels flavored with salt, pepper, butter and lemon

Skirt Steak served with chimichurri

WHAT’S INSIDE THE STRAWBERRY JALAPEÑO MARGARITA: Tequila Cointreau Agave Nectar Lime Juice Muddled Strawberries & Jalapeños Tajín Spice (on rim)

The fresh fruits and heated jalapeños in the drink seamlessly incorporates the farm to table aspects of Oak Grill with Aqua’s bold flavors.

STRAWBERRY JALAPEÑO MARGARITA OAK GRILL 690 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.760.4920 | www.oakgrillnp.com u The Island Hotel in Newport Beach is home to the Oak Grill and Aqua Lounge, two restaurants with very different atmospheres but both serving the Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita. Kevin Morales, General Manager of both restaurants, said the inspiration behind this particular spicy cocktail was to combine the concepts of both Oak and Aqua. The fresh fruits and heated jalapeños in the drink seamlessly incorporates the farm to table aspects of Oak Grill with Aqua’s bold flavors. The strawberry jalapeño margarita is just one of the many craft margarita’s served.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ARIELLE LEVY

DIY COCKTAILS: u Aqua Lounge at the Island Hotel offers an interactive experience with their cocktail service. Pick a shareable cocktail to bring to your table and assemble your own drink!

WHAT’S INSIDE THE TAMARINDTOGARASHI MARGARITA: Tequila Tamarind Lime Togarashi salt (on rim)

TAMARIND-TOGARASHI MARGARITA 180BLÜ 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629 949.240.2000 | www.ritzcarlton.com u Sip the Tamarind-Togarashi Margarita on 180blü’s ocean

front balcony with 180 degree panoramic views of the coast.

The margarita is one of The Ritz-Carlton’s Raya-inspired cocktails created by the Richard Sandoval team with coastal Latin influence. The Tamarind-Togarashi Margarita uses shichimi-togarashi spice which is a blend of red chili pepper, orange peel, sesame seeds, Japanese pepper, ginger and seaweed. They mix the spice with salt to top the rims of the glass and garnish the cocktail with lime. The margarita has been on the menu since Raya and 180blü first opened, and it is the most popular drink among visitors and locals.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MADELINE CRAIG

THE ALL ACCESS COCKTAIL: u You can order any of the Raya-inspired cocktails from any of the dining areas at The Ritz-Carlton, including in-room service.

PHOTO BY: Gil Cope

style

/beauty

APRIL

2016

88 COVER STORY Kristin Cavallari on her New Book, Babies and Life After Reality TV

100 STYLE PROFILE Feast.Fashion.

Faves Blogger Amanda Nguyen Gives her 2016 Fashion Forecast

104 FASHION SPREAD Switching Roles and Taking Names

118 BEAUTY EXPERT Get Under the Skin of Costa Mesa Tattoo Artist Sara Fabel

123 BEAUTY GUIDE Maintain a Gorgeous Look with Beauty and Fitness Tips from Orange County’s Experts

139 LOCALE LOOKS

118

BEAUTY EXPERT Permanent Record

OUTER LIMITS TATTOO 2981 Bristol St Ste B4, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.241.8287 www.outerlimitstattoo.com

Getting Ready to Put Your Best Face Forward

145 THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID Lifestyle Blogger Kimberly Luu’s Insider Guide to The District at Tustin Legacy

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APRIL 2016

TOP PROVIDED BY: Few Moda www.fewmoda.com SHORTS PROVIDED BY: Thomas Wylde www.thomaswylde.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Chinese Laundry by Kristin Cavallari www.chineselaundry.com WATCH PROVIDED BY: Chopard Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com RINGS & EARRINGS PROVIDED BY: Craig Shelly Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Beverly Hills www.craigshelly.com NECKLACE PROVIDED BY: Roberto Coin www.us.robertocoin.com

The Real KC KRISTIN CAVALLARI TELLS US HER SECRETS TO S TAY I N G G R O U N D E D

WRITTEN BY: ELIZABETH NUTT | PHOTOGRAPHED BY: GIL COPE STYLED BY: NICOLE POLLARD HAIR BY: SCOTT CUNHA | MAKEUP BY: KARAN MITCHELL

In 2004, K R I S T I N C A V A L L A R I was like any other seventeen-yearold girl: she was preoccupied with navigating the intricacies of high school and thinking about college. Then, MTV came along and set up an audition booth in her high school’s quad for the upcoming show Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. Kristin, an aspiring broadcast journalist who was interested in going to college in Colorado, was cast for the breakout series.

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SHE TRANSITIONED INTO HER TWENTIES W H I L E F I L M I N G A N D H E R E V E R Y J O Y, SORROW AND MISSTEP WAS MAGNIFIED FOR A L L O F A M E R I C A T O S E E . Looking back, Kristin says she could never have predicted what would unravel on the show where an ambiguous line separated what was “real” from what was real. “I was upset about how I was portrayed and that was a really tough when I was so young,” says Kristin. “But it made me look inward and figure out who I was.”

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hen asked what advice she’d give her teenage self, knowing now what she didn’t know then, she smiles and says, “Just that everything always ends up working out. It just does.” Her insight is spoken with the sincerity and confidence of a woman who, today, knows exactly who she is. And she’s as unapologetically real now as she has ever been.

When filming of The Hills, a spinoff of Laguna Beach, wrapped in 2010, Kristin wanted out of Los Angeles.

Around that time, she visited Chicago—where some of her family resides—and went on a date from Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler. At the time, she knew vaguely who Jay was—only because he had reached out to her publicist the year before. Kristin met up with Jay after one of his games and she was immediately smitten with the athlete, whom she describes as “such a gentleman.”

It hasn’t always been easy for the couple, however.

Jay proposed eight months after they met, and a few months later they broke off the engagement. “It was the best thing for our relationship, because even though I’d ended things, I knew it wasn’t really over,” explains Kristin. “He just needed to see how serious I was about some things that needed to change. I had to do what I had to do.” Ultimately, the two reconciled and were wed in 2013.

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Following the birth of their first son Camden, which was timed not-so-perfectly with the start of the NFL season, Kristin assumed the role of doting mom without hesitation. “By the time I was 24 and got pregnant, I felt like I had lived so many lives already. I had gotten everything out of my system, so it was very natural for me. Becoming a mom has been the most natural thing that I’ve ever done,” says Kristin. The couple welcomed their second son, Jaxon, in 2014, and daughter Saylor in 2015.

For Kristin, becoming a mom meant settling into a new life and an unconventional routine that brought its own set of challenges: Jay is away for six months during football season, and when he returns, he’s home fulltime for six months. The two relish the time that they are able to carve out together, scheduling regular date nights and leading what Kristin refers to as a very normal life—cooking dinner, playing with the kids and watching TV together before an early bedtime.

“We’re kind of boring! When I’m in Chicago, I’m just a stay-at-home mom. It’s like fantasyland when I’m in New York or Los Angeles for a photo shoot. I’m like, ‘This is really not me!’” she jokes. And, in fact, when pressed about the topics of style and beauty, she says she loves simple basics from Rag and Bone and her makeup routine is about as complicated as a coat or two of mascara.

APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Alexis www.saksfifthavenue.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Chinese Laundry by Kristin Cavallari www.chineselaundry.com WATCH PROVIDED BY: Chopard Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com RINGS PROVIDED BY: Craig Shelly Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Beverly Hills www.craigshelly.com Roberto Coin www.us.robertocoin.com Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com BRACELET PROVIDED BY: Wonderlost Nicole Pollard Bayme

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APPAREL & SHOES PROVIDED BY: Thomas Wylde www.thomaswylde.com WATCH PROVIDED BY: Chopard Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com RINGS PROVIDED BY: Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com Emerald Duv www.emeraldduv.com BRACELET & EARRINGS PROVIDED BY: Emerald Duv www.emeraldduv.com

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“

WHEN I’M IN

C H I CAG O, I ’ M J U ST A STAY- AT- H O M E MOM. IT’S LIKE FA N TA SY L A N D

WHEN I’M IN NEW YO R K O R LO S

ANGELES FOR A P H OTO S H O OT.

I’M LIKE, ‘THIS IS

R E A L LY N OT M E ! ’

”

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APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Sarah Seven www.sarahseven.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Thomas Wylde www.thomaswylde.com WATCH PROVIDED BY: Chopard Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com RINGS PROVIDED BY: Craig Shelly Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Beverly Hills www.craigshelly.com Roberto Coin www.us.robertocoin.com Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com EARRINGS PROVIDED BY: Craig Shelly www.craigshelly.com

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“

P E O P L E D E F I N I T E LY T H I N K T H AT T H E Y K N O W M E F R O M B E I N G O N

R E A L I TY T V, B U T T H E Y R E A L LY D O N ’ T. I ’ M J U ST E XC I T E D F O R P E O P L E TO S E E W H O I R E A L LY A M . I M E A N , T H I S B O O K I S M E . I F YO U D O N ’ T L I K E M E F R O M T H I S B O O K T H E N YO U J U ST D O N ’ T L I K E M E .

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oring or not, Kristin and Jay have cultivated what is clearly a happy home life. And the secret to a happy marriage with kids?

Communication. “We go to therapy regularly, which is great for communication, and I think it’s been extremely beneficial for our relationship. I’m not ashamed to admit it whatsoever,” she says.

Becoming a stay-at-home mom and living her life away from the spotlight with Jay also afforded Kristin the opportunity to explore some passion projects.

Take her shoe collection with Chinese Laundry, for example, which is four years in the making and enables Kristin to explore her creative side. It’s been an experience wrought with lessons—a vital one being the importance of following your gut.

“The first couple collections, there were a few shoes that I listened to other people about but that I wasn’t crazy about, and they ended up not doing well,” she says. “But today, everything I’m adamant about, and that I stick to my guns about, ends up being a bestseller.” She’s taken that know-how into another business venture: Emerald Duv, a jewelry and accessories collection that she designs and runs with a close friend.

In 2015, Kristin also launched a lifestyle app, through which she shares anecdotes about motherhood, fashion and beauty. But her favorite full-disclosure pearls of wisdom pertain to health and wellness; a self-described health nut, Kristin loves using her app to share her knowledge of what it takes to maintain a truly healthy lifestyle.

During her first pregnancy, Kristin made some significant lifestyle changes that today she credits for her health and happiness. “I used to put Splenda on everything and all I ate were the diet foods and the processed, chemical crap,” she says. “Now, I don’t even glance at calories. I go straight to the ingredients.

I try to eat real, whole foods, nothing processed. I eat bacon, butter … all of it. As long as it’s real.”

She credits her toned and slim post-baby figure to regular weight lifting sessions and twice-a-week

workouts with a trainer. And she’s a self-taught cook who enjoys preparing healthy fare for her family. In addition to posting workout and nutrition tips on her app, she regularly shares her own favorite, tried-andtrue recipes.

For Kristin, creating her own schedule and working from home is a welcome change of pace. “My career looks different than it did 10 years ago, and I guess part of me would say that it’s suffering a little. But at the same time, I also think that my career is better because I only do the things that I love.”

And one of those things, as it turns out, is opening up to fans through writing. In the wake of her app’s success, Kristin made the decision to write Balancing in Heels: My Journey to Health, Happiness, and Making It All Work, which was released in March 2016. Much of the book is written as a memoir, and fans will be surprised by its real, raw content.

“People definitely think that they know me from being on reality TV, but they really don’t. I’m just excited for people to see who I really am. I mean, this book is me. If you don’t like me from this book then you just don’t like me. It is what it is.” She’ll admit that sitting down to write was initially a daunting task that entailed locking herself in her office for days to form an outline and setting strict deadlines for herself. But, ultimately, the words flowed. “I was writing about everything that I love, so it wasn’t too difficult,” Kristin says.

In her book Kristin reflects on her past and offers fans an intimate glimpse into everything from her marriage, pregnancies and life as a mom to her workouts, career and kitchen.

And how does she balance it all? With a very refreshing outlook on life, for starters. “The first thing you have to accept is that you can’t do everything perfectly, that’s really what it is. Once I could accept that, I found so much peace in it,” says Kristin with the blithe smile of a wife, mother, and businesswoman who truly has figured out how to make it all work— and in heels, no less.

”

5 THINGS KRISTIN CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT 1. “A great pair of black jeans by Frame Denim.

Right now I’m into the ones with the cutouts on the knees.”

2. “A great pair of booties. I have one from my line called the Liam Bootie, which I absolutely love. It’s an open-toe black distressed leather bootie.”

3. “A good hat—I like Hat Attack hats.”

4. “A great blazer goes a long way...”

5. “…As does a great pair of leather pants.”

KRISTIN’S TOP 5 BEAUTY PRODUCTS: 1. Armani Lashes to Kill Mascara 2. A Chanel brow pencil 3. Essie nail polish in Ballet Slippers 4. SK-II eye mask 5. Acure facial scrub

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“

M Y CA R E E R LO O K S DIFFERENT THAN IT DID 10 YEARS

AG O, A N D I G U E S S PA RT O F M E

WO U L D S AY T H AT IT’S SUFFERING A

L I T T L E . B U T AT T H E SAME TIME, I ALSO T H I N K T H AT M Y

CA R E E R I S B E T T E R B E CAU S E I O N LY DO THE THINGS T H AT I LOV E .

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APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Alexis www.saksfifthavenue.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Chinese Laundry by Kristin Cavallari www.chineselaundry.com WATCH PROVIDED BY: Chopard Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com RINGS PROVIDED BY: Craig Shelly Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Beverly Hills www.craigshelly.com Roberto Coin www.us.robertocoin.com Swiss Watch Gallery and Fine Jewelers at The Shops at Mission Viejo www.swisswatchgallery.com BRACELET PROVIDED BY: Wonderlost Nicole Pollard Bayme

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STYLE PROFILE

FEAST MODE G O I N G V I S U A L A N D D I G I TA L W I T H C O N T E N T C R E AT O R A M A N D A N G U Y E N

WRITTEN BY: AMANDA NGUYEN OF FEAST.FASHION.FAVES PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TAYLOR LEWIS HAIR & MAKEUP BY: GENEVA THOMPSON

My love for fashion began with accompanying my mom on shopping trips and getting to play dress up in her closet. She, to this day, exudes a sense of timeless style—her wardrobe possesses elements of vintage and retro design that inspired my interest in finding unique items through thrift shopping. My mother coveted (not obsessed over) and had an appreciation for garment design and styling outfits; it was “her thing” and I always admired how she could make a corporate business outfit look so chic.

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“MY MOTHER COVETED (NOT OBSESSED OVER) AND HAD AN A P P R E C I AT I O N F O R GARMENT DESIGN AND STYLING OUTFITS; IT WAS ‘HER THING’ AND I A LW AY S A D M I R E D HOW SHE COULD M A K E A C O R P O R AT E BUSINESS OUTFIT L O O K S O C H I C .” ­­— A M A N D A N G U Y E N

AMANDA NGUYEN F O U N D E R O F F E A S T. FA S H I O N . FAV E S

FEAST. FASHION. FAVES @FeastFashionFaves www.feastfashionfaves.com

ALL APPAREL & ACCESSORIES PROVIDED BY: On Que Style www.onquestyle.com

ON QUE STYLE 2900 E Coast Hwy Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 949.717.7795 www.onquestyle.com LOCALE MAGAZINE | 101

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hile attending the Orange County School of the Arts for classical dance, I worked at Hollister, where my passion for visual merchandising started. Having a hand in dressing mannequins and merchandising clothing and displays excited me. I learned how to visually drive consumers to make a purchase by creating strategic, eye-catching displays. As a dance major in college, bringing window displays to life at Lululemon Athletica supported my training while elevating my experience in visual merchandising. I was enthralled by drawing the window concepts on paper and brainstorming ways to bring it to fruition.

5 SONGS ON MY IPHONE

“Sorry” by Justin Bieber

5 FAVORITE CLOTHING BRANDS:

H&M

Zara

16th Colony

Vintage Havana

Urban Outfitters (Kimchi Blue, Silence + Noise, BDG)

AMANDA’S MUST-HAVES

Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm or Maybelline Baby Lips

L’Oreal Lineur Intense Eyeliner Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer Planner/Agenda

Canon G16 Camera

T

oward the end of my dance instructing career, I started working as a sales supervisor at a contemporary women’s brand, Michael Stars, which led to interning for the corporate visual merchandiser at their LA headquarters. It was during that time I really got to see and experience on a higher scale how important visual merchandising is to the retail store space, and I was driven to learn as much as possible. I worked on vision boards and physically created the pieces that would bring their store windows together. We would create each component of the store window concept whether it was painting, staining or building something; pulling and styling the mannequin looks; completing a mock window display; then visiting the local stores and installing the display. I would say this was the most memorable and impactful time in my fashion journey.

I also started a lifestyle blog, Feast.Fashion.Faves, as a creative outlet to highlight food adventures, style inspiration and cover events. That was May of 2011 and I was following fashion bloggers such as Rumi Neely of FashionToast, Liz Cherkasova of Late Afternoon and Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper Vintage; there weren’t vast communities of bloggers like there are today.

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“Come with Me” by Nora En Pure

“Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

­­— A M A N D A N G U Y E N

“Feel So Close (Cover)”

by Megan Nicole

“ M Y G O -T O S T Y L I N G T I P I S T O MIX CONTRASTING TEXTURES OR STYLES. FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE BOMBER JACKET AND SLIP D R E S S T R E N D S , I C A N PA I R BOTH TOGETHER, MIXING THE STRUCTURED SHAPE OF THE JACKET WITH THE SOFTNESS A N D F L O W O F T H E S L I P. ”

“Night Sky” by CHVRCHES

My blog ended up taking me to New York Fashion Week for a few seasons, and I would also cover LA and OC Fashion Week. Feast.Fashion.Faves has opened a plethora of doors to opportunities that I didn’t know were possible—I’ve met countless individuals in the industry: hair and makeup artists, photographers, creative directors, designers, editors, stylists and boutique owners. Meeting these creative minds has allowed me to explore wardrobe styling, production and set management, creative directing, fashion and beauty writing, content creation and modeling. This past year, I teamed up with a wardrobe stylist friend of mine and we launched a fashion magazine, Alpha/Omega Magazine. We wanted to showcase our editorial concepts and bring together creatives in our area. We are excited to have recently launched our second issue.

I’m all about texture and shapes for the upcoming spring season. Trends that I’m swooning over for spring 2016 are ’70s style fringe or any kind of fringe trim, marled sweaters, pleats pleats and more pleats, romantic layers of lace, frills, and floral prints, revamps of retro styles, bomber jackets and slip dresses or lingerie inspired pieces. My go-to styling tip is to mix contrasting textures or styles. For example, with the bomber jacket and slip dress trends, I can pair both together, mixing the structured shape of the jacket with the softness and flow of the slip. I would then finish the look by throwing on a pair of booties or sneakers for a more street-style look.

I’m going to ride out the faux fur trend as long as possible; wear this trend during the spring season by styling faux furs in pastel shades. My favorite pastel shade right now is a blush pink—it’s feminine but still looks luxe.

I can easily pair it with a basic tee, black skinny jeans and heeled booties for the daytime or strappy heels for the evening. I fell in love with fashion because of this— being able to see and be overwhelmingly inspired by the runway designs or street style trends and translating it to fit me. I love being able to explore fashion with the various avenues like styling, writing or modeling; it all ties together but each outlet is a different way to see, feel and do fashion.

It was a dream come true getting to play dress up in On Que Style. While chatting with co-owner Kirsten, I discovered that On Que Style has been around for seven years, and that she is a former designer and stylist. I’ve always known of the Corona Del Mar location as being the go-to spot for designer consignment and re-sell, and was excited to learn that there are also San Diego and Irvine outlet locations. On Que Style houses beloved designer brands such as Chanel, YSL, Givenchy, Chloe, Balenciaga, Marni and Missoni as well as the younger brands like Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang.

WHO NEEDS GENDER ROLES?

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TAYLOR LEWIS STYLED BY: MANUEL PARRA HAIR BY: PASQUALE CASELLE MAKEUP BY: LINDA CASELLE MODELS: COLE J & ANNMARIE NITTI OF WILHELMINA, www.wilhelmina.com

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ALL PROPS PROVIDED BY: Hutch Vintage www.hutchvintage.com APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Ekaterina Kukhareva www.kukhareva.com

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APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Ekaterina Kukhareva www.kukhareva.com HAT PROVIDED BY: Giovannio www.giovannio.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Hey Lady www.shopheylady.com SUNGLASSES PROVIDED BY: Gogosha Optique www.gogosha.com

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"IN POLITICS, IF YOU WANT ANYTHING SAID, ASK A MAN. IF YOU WANT ANYTHING DONE, ASK A WOMAN." —MARGARET THATCHER

JUMPSUIT PROVIDED BY: Ekaterina Kukhareva www.kukhareva.com

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APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Ekaterina Kukhareva www.kukhareva.com NECKLACE PROVIDED BY: Charles Albert www.charlesalbert.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Hey Lady www.shopheylady.com

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"IT IS TIME THAT WE ALL SEE GENDER AS A SPECTRUM INSTEAD OF TWO SETS OF OPPOSING IDEALS." —EMMA WATSON

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APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Equipment www.equipmentfr.com Morris Janks www.morrisjanks.com Ekaterina Kukhareva www.kukhareva.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Hey Lady www.shopheylady.com NECKLACE PROVIDED BY: Charles Albert www.charlesalbert.com

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APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Mac Duggal www.macduggal.com NECKLACE PROVIDED BY: Charles Albert www.charlesalbert.com

"I'M TOUGH, I'M AMBITIOUS, AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WANT." —MADONNA

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OUTER LIMITS TATTOO 2981 Bristol St Ste B4, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.241.8287 www.outerlimitstattoo.com 118 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

BEAUTY EXPERT

pERMANENt RECOR D Costa Mesa Tattoo Artist, Sara Fabel, Shares Her Meticulous Art Form

WRITTEN BY: RINA MAGSOMBOL | PHOTOGRAPHED BY: GIL COPE

THE EXPER T

SARA FABEL Tattoo Artist

A Few of Sara's Favorite Things: Hiking, Clay Shooting, Quiet Time

What started with only two black stars on her back perpetuated into a “skanvas” masterpiece.

Tattooed from neck to feet, Sara Fabel, a Finnish-American tattoo artist, former actress and full-time mommy to her cat Dawn, has landloped to the U.K., gallivanted along the coast of Africa and combed through Asia, Europe and Australia. Now, anchored in Costa Mesa, she puts the needle to work at OC’s tattoo shop Outer Limits.

Fabel has worked at Victims of Ink in Melbourne and Tatuata in Helsinki, tattooing a vast array of patrons, including many veterans.

Beneath her sundry, medieval-inspired tattoos that effortlessly evoke curiosity is a gal who enjoys the simple things in life: hiking, clay shooting, snorkeling and delighting in her own fortress of solitude. Garnering social media acclaim, Fabel’s priorities recently adjusted, she is no longer acting and modeling, but prioritizing her sovereign passion for art.

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“I saw my first tattoo when I was 8 years old and I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. I just knew I wanted to be heavily tattooed.”

—SARA FABEL

Q:What

compelled you toward the world of tattooing?

Sara Fabel: I saw my first tattoo when I was 8 years old and I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. I just knew I wanted to be heavily tattooed. I used to be an art teacher doing graphic design but I missed working with people, so I decided to go with a new way of making art. I became a tattoo artist.

Q: How would you describe your tattoos?

SF: I am inspired by medieval-style woodcut illustrations—like old, antique Victorian, Edwardian-etching illustrations. I have one from Albrecht Durer who is an old medieval woodcut cover. You can’t use different shades of gray or anything like that. Everything is 100 percent black, but how you place it in the image, creates the illusion of depth and shade.

Q: What have you learned from tattoos that others may fail to notice?

SF: Tattoos can be so much more than pretty pictures on skin.

They can be psychological stepping stones in your life. For me, it feels like my body, personality and who I am as a person is more protected with the more tattoos I have. I feel happier, calmer, secure and safe. Churches used to have gargoyles to brigade evil away from the sacred place and I feel the same way—my tattoos are my gargoyles. With my clients, they feel the same way; they have something permanent on their skin that no one can take away, and that means no one can challenge who they are as a person and what they have gone through.

Q: Tell us about your childhood. What did you always want to be when you grow up?

SF: I was really quiet and heavily bullied as a child. I didn’t really have friends and all the free time I had I spent drawing. When I was growing up, I was interested in law and medicine. I did study a little bit of that and I realized it would constrict me too much. So, I got a degree in art education and became a teacher in primary schools.

Q: Tell us about your most cherished tattoo.

SF: My favorite is by the artist Albrecht Durer. It’s taken from one of his works. It’s not the full piece, but it is a part of one of his 120 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

TATTOO MATRIX: One of Fabel’s most noticeable tattoos is the one on her neck and chest, which comprises four different pieces: There lies a symbol on her solar plexus with a quote that says, “The night is darkest before the dawn.” Above that is a text reading, “misanthropic,” and on top of that is a triangle and an eye, with wings.

y

y

YIN & YANG: Fabel’s tattoos appear ominous, dark and eerie. This runs in stark contrast to Fabel herself who is a fun, charismatic cat-lover! She enjoys spending her time with her cat, Dawn, as well as hobbies like camping to hiking.

illustrations. It’s the Whore of Babylon riding the seven-headed beast, and I actually like the beast because it has the biggest and fluffiest paws! I love the feet because they are so fluffy! I tattooed that on myself about six years ago. It’s on my leg, from my ankle almost to my shins.

Q: How about the piece on your elbows. What’s the story there?

SF: It’s a three-quarter sleeve. On the left arm, I have a winged lion with a crest and an eagle headed griffin on my right arm with a scepter.

These were my designs. The left one with the lion is there to protect and he has a protection shield. The one on the right has a scepter.

Q: Any heartfelt stories you’ve had with a client that you’d like to share?

SF: I feel like 50 percent of my clients like pretty tattoos and the other 50 percent are really meaningful and symbolize something to them: a lot of veterans have heartbreaking war stories—a lot of people who’ve lost their loved ones or lost their cat. I do a lot of catrelated tattoos. I call them “cattoos.”

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

THE

GLOSS-ARY

GET YOUR LOOK ON POINT WITH THESE BEAUTY AND FITNESS TIPS

WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN, MOLLY BROOKS, DANIELLE GUMINA, STYLE BY F.E.A, GINA MAGNUSON PHOTGRAPHED BY: SAMMY ZARGARAN, TAYLOR LEWIS, NIKI CRAM, NICK NEUMANN, MADELINE CRAIG, PATRICK MARTIN, BRADLEY BLACKBURN STYLED BY: STYLE BY F.E.A

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 123

POWER

sports bra

You've put in the work, now it's time to show off the results! Keep your gym look on fleek with this crisscross back sports bra

STANCE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FIND YOUR VINYASA FLOW WRITTEN & STYLED BY: STYLE BY F.E.A PHOTOGRAPHED BY: SAMMY ZARGARAN

water bottle

headphones

Shine on and stay in the zone with these wireless headphones!

yoga pants

Paired with a solid top, these textured yoga pants will surely earn you some well deserved style points!

kettlebell

yoga mat

barbells

Style

FLOW

candles

yoga towel

QUICK STYLE TIPS FROM THE LULULEMON EXPERTS The women of Lululemon love fun printed leggings, high waist pants and mesh details. High-waisted pants are trending because they go well with another current trend,

the crop top. The ladies feel the best colors to wear this summer are any bright, fun colors and prints inspired by the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

LULULEMON ATHLETICA 563 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.644.9642 | www.lululemon.com 124 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

YOGA APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES PROVIDED BY: Lululemon Athletica at Fashion Island www.lululemon.com CANDLES PROVIDED BY: Seed People’s Market www.seedpeoplesmarket.com HEADPHONES PROVIDED BY: Apple Store Mission Viejo www.apple.com

BLISS PADDLE BOARD 2824 Newport Blvd Newport Beach, CA 92663 949.529.4242 www.blisspaddleyoga.com

Paddleboard yoga is a unique experience with many benefits. One major plus is the heightening of all senses, while fusing mind, body and environment. Chaput explains, “You get to enjoy the benefits of yoga in the middle of nature. Humans are mostly made of water, therefore being on the water naturally allows people to relax, decompress and tap into connecting with the dynamic flow of the water. Paddle board yoga somehow accentuates the benefits of yoga, much like a magnifying glass.” Thus, each pose—whether relaxing or challenging—is intensified, and further connects yogis to their surroundings.

This also includes being more conscious of what you’re putting into your body and how that makes you feel; it’s not only about diet and a healthy lifestyle, it’s also about being in tune with your energy levels.

GET ON

BOARD

FINDING YOUR CENTER AT BLISS PADDLE YOGA WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN | PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NIKI CRAM

T

aylor Chaput, owner and co-founder of Bliss Paddle Yoga, began her professional career in accounting, but after stepping on to her first paddleboard, she couldn’t deny the harmonious balance. So, she followed her bliss by founding Bliss Paddle Yoga in 2010, beginning in a small cove in Laguna Beach, California. Today, Bliss offers daily classes in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and San Diego. Chaput has made it her mission to bring the joy of being on the water and practicing yoga to everyone she meets or teaches along the way by following her mantra, “Look inward to sea.”

Her goal is to spread paddle yoga across the world and encourage everyone to find their own bliss.

Since you are balancing on a board, paddleboard yoga is more challenging than studio yoga. In studio your base is “static,” on your board the water is “dynamic and constantly moving.” Chaput says, “That’s why we put so much emphasis on breathing, relaxing while exerting, and in some poses really encouraging our students to find their “drishti” (a visual focal point) that will help them with balance. If you try to rush in certain poses on land, you can lose your breath and balance—maybe falling out of a pose. If you lose your mindfulness while practicing on a board, the same things can happen, with the added potential bonus of falling in the water! That will definitely help you become present.” This makes paddleboard yoga a good way to switch up a workout routine and keep yourself stimulated.

Another benefit is that being on the water utilizes your whole body but specifically emphasizes your body’s core muscles— which is crucial for getting bikini ready!

Some of Chaput’s favorite stances are boat pose and navasana, an accessible pose that works the core. She says, “Simple postures like downward-facing dog and mountain pose aren’t so simple on the water but very empowering.” Bliss is the perfect workout to get ready for both spring and summer and to practice in both seasons since the weather is warmer. Being outside also allows for visual stimulation but also soaking up vitamin D! People of all ages and levels try and should try Bliss because you don’t need incredible athletic skills, just a sense of adventure.

Chaput trusts that there is nothing to fear but fear itself and hopes her yogis have an all-encompassing experience, making them as present as possible. It’s all about coordinating breath and movement, having fun and finding peace.

“Simple postures like downwardfacing dog and mountain pose aren’t so simple on the water but very empowering.”

—Taylor Chaput

DEFINING DRISHTI: The Sanskrit word “drishti” means the practice of focusing your concentration.

It’s a gazing technique that directs and controls your outward vision to clarify your inner awareness.

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NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Bliss is currently launching its apparel site www. blissbandits.com

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OFF-SHORE FLOW: Cross Country Bliss Paddleboard hosts paddle yoga teacher trainings across the U.S. in areas such as Boulder and New Jersey​. Bliss Paddleboard also sponsors top yogis such as Kathryn Budig and Laura Sykora, among others, who inspire people to take their practice to the water. u

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 125

WORK THE

OFFICE

sunglasses

8 ESSENTIALS FOR A PERFECT WORK OUTFIT WRITTEN & STYLED BY: STYLE BY F.E.A PHOTOGRAPHED BY: SAMMY ZARGARAN

cell phone case

Conference calls are way more fun when your phone is properly accessorized!

bag

dress

If you want to be a boss, you have to look the part. This dress is a super chic alternative to a boring work suit.

mug

Black Not

YOUR SHADE?

NOT EVERYONE LOVES THE SIMPLE BLACK, ON QUE STYLE HAS THE ANSWER: The team at On Que Style say that florals and stripes are trending, which they recommend wearing together. They’re looking forward to off the shoulder looks because it’s a sexy way to reveal

skin without showing too much. Some of their summertime color recommendations: blue, pink and yellow because, “pastels always have a way of making you feel happy.”

ON QUE STYLE 2900 E. Coast Hwy Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 949.717.7795 | www.onquestyle.com 126 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

boots

accessories

These boots are made for walkin'... you straight to the corner office!

DRESS PROVIDED BY: BCBG Max Azria www.bcbg.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Blue Eyed Girl www.shopblueeyedgirl.com SUNGLASSES PROVIDED BY: Ilori Optical at South Coast Plaza www.iloristyle.com BAG PROVIDED BY: BARE www.baremade.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Doheny Clothing Exchange ACCESSORIES PROVIDED BY: Seed People’s Market www.seedpeoplesmarket.com

TONI&GUY FASHION ISLAND 1165 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.721.1666 www.toniguy.com

WHAT PRODUCTS TO WEAR

DURING HOT WEATHER: Dry shampoo.

Warmer weather means more activities and who wants to stop what they’re doing to wash their hair?! Dry shampoo will extend the life of your style. TONI&GUY recommends: Oh Bee Hive by TIGI.

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Deep conditioner.

This will help texture because these treatments are formulated to add vitamins, moisture and strength to hair. Consult with a professional about what kind of deep treatment would be best for what your hair is lacking! TONI&GUY recommends: Serious Conditioner from the S Factor line by TIGI.

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Leave-in conditioner.

This is to be your first step out of the shower because a great leave-in conditioner will fill the hair shafts’ porosity and help your hair dry more evenly. TONI&GUY

u

CUT

Blow dryer with a nozzle. u Many people throw the helpful attachment away not knowing its purpose or the potential but the nozzle helps to concentrate the airflow of the dryer to achieve a smoother result!

WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TAYLOR LEWIS

Experts at TONI&GUY share their top styling and hair care secrets.

If your hair is too soft for your desired textured look, TONI&GUY suggests adding dry shampoo or hairspray that will give your hair the needed hold to manipulate your hair into position.

Shine serum.

A glossy serum will increase comb-ability when applied wet and adds beautiful reflection and shine when added wet or dry. TONI&GUY recommends: TIGI’s S-Factor Dream Drops.

It is very concentrated so a little goes a long way and always sells out in the salon.

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5 HAIR TOOLS TONI&GUY EXPERTS

TONI&GUY’S HOTTEST HAIR TIPS

Be creative with accessories. Jewelry, such as chains, brooches, necklaces and earrings can all work. The trick is securing the jewelry into the style!

Simply place the jewelry against your head (diagonally is always pleasing to the eye), find an anchoring point on the piece, place a pin with the textured side against your scalp and repeat until secure.

Heat Spray + UV protection. u Color can fade so quickly from high heat from a blow dryer or iron as well as sun exposure so why not protect our hair as we do our skin? TONI&GUY recommends: Haute Iron Spray from TIGI’s Catwalk line. The fine mist is great on wet or dry hair and adds brilliant shine!

CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT:

& DRY Create bends and waves in a variety of lengths— whether styled up and down, braided, bunned, twisted or pinned. Whether it’s secured with pins or woven into a braid, this trend will add more texture to your style.

recommends: Hairista from TIGI’s Catwalk line because it is great for both air-drying and blow-drying!

Most people settle for one look and never change, but change might be the solution! Try a simple adjustment to how you part your hair for a fuller look.

Adding subtle highlights can also add body.

You must trim your hair! Regular visits to your hairdresser spanning between 6-8 weeks should keep your hair strong and healthy. Trimming also applies to short hair. Having short hair requires visits between 4-6 weeks depending on an individual’s density and desired style.

Prevent split ends with regular haircuts and steer away from over processing hair with chemicals. Use proper products to maintain the health of your hair. Even squeezing the moisture out of your hair rather than towel drying it roughly can help avoid unnecessary breakage!

Flat iron. u It is not only used for straightening anymore—TONI&GUY loves to create different bends and movement with this tool!

Round brush.

The round brush can create tension to stretch out curl and frizz, and it can be used to u

create bends as well as massive volume. The key is to know which size is appropriate for the look you’re going for!

Curl stick.

For easy going beachy waves, this tool has proven to be a fabulous go to for both clients and hairdressers alike. u

Curling iron. u Like the round brush, the size of the iron will impact the size of the curl created! A larger iron run through the mid-length to ends and brushed out can give a very polished and sophisticated look.

Still searching for a new style or looking for expert advice?

The team of hairdressers at TONI&GUY Newport Beach is constantly evolving with ongoing education and is ready to help bring your vision to life.

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 127

SUNDAY

BEST

drink

THE 12 MUST-HAVES FOR A WEEKEND WITH THE GIRLS WRITTEN & STYLED BY: STYLE BY F.E.A PHOTOGRAPHED BY: SAMMY ZARGARAN hat dress

Keep it chic and effortless. A tunic dress is a wardrobe must-have!

vest

sunglesses

Like orange juice and champagne, oversized sunglasses are a brunch staple!

crossbody bag

You'll have plenty of time during the week to lug around a giant bag, so stick to the essentials and carry a small purse where there's no room for stress, worries, or unnecessary clutter.

earrings

Find Your

EDGE

champagne

SADIE SLICK HAS TIPS FOR KEEPING EVERYONE SLEEK The folks at Sadie Slick Boutique feel like the “attitude” look that you can switch on a daily basis, depending on how you feel. They feel the best colors to wear this summer are mono-

chromatic. They also recommend wearing white with pops of color in your heels or accessories.

Their piece of advice, “Don’t be afraid to think out of the box.”

SADIE SLICK BOUTIQUE 435 E 17th Street Ste 3 Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.642.5707 | www.sadieslick.com 128 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

booties

bangles

APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Blue Eyed Girl www.shopblueeyedgirl.com ACCESSORIES PROVIDED BY: Seed People’s Market www.seedpeoplesmarket.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Doheny Clothing Exchange

BOXFLI 1904 Harbor Blvd Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.642.4269 www.boxfli.com

OUT OF

THE BOX Boxfli will help you with anything package related, in store and out. Can’t make it over to a location? They’ll come to you! The packaging store will pick up, package and ship your gifts for just $5 on top of material charges.

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Jayne and Mike Flinn of Newport Beach opened Boxfli in 2013 with two locations in Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa. Prior to opening up shop, Mike had already been in packaging for 30 years and Jayne was the owner of a real estate company. The couple decided to combine their passions and create the unexpected shipping shop.

There are no boring brown boxes inside of a Boxfli store. You’ll find shelves filled with a rainbow of options. The store carries year-round favorites, including multiple solid colors, stripes and other exclusive designs. A fan favorite is the California Flag Box, which bears the state’s flag on every side. They also have specialty boxes in store for every and any holiday or occasion. The best part is that the boxes are eco-friendly and there is no gift wrapping required—ever.

WRAPPER’S

DELIGHT SAY GOODBYE TO BORING BROWN BOXES

WRITTEN BY: MOLLY BROOKS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NICK NEUMANN

L

ove giving gifts, but hate shipping packages? Want to rent a mailbox but don’t like any of the untidy mailbox stores? Or do you have a small business but dread packing and shipping all the orders? Between the impersonal service, long lines and bleak environment, going to the post office is pretty much always a pain. Boxfli, though, is the coolest shipping shop and turns the stereotypically horrible errand into lots of fun.

The sky’s really the limit when it comes to designing these boxes.

If you have an image or design, they can put it on a box. Even Vogue has asked for custom boxes for their editorial team.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though. Boxfli knows that what goes inside the box is just as important as important as that colorful cardboard shell. So, it’s not a problem if you come in empty handed, because Boxfli has a gift section for you to browse, as well. It’s the perfect place to find kitschy knickknacks to fill up a care package. The eclectic gift section has everything from baconshaped pens to comical parenting flashcards. Boxfli searches high and low to find the best collection of gifts and cards for their store.

They only source from smaller businesses and make sure their selection is more unique than anywhere else.

Once you have everything ready to go inside your box, the friendly staff is there to help create the perfect presentation at the assembling table. They’ll help you choose between colorful bubble wrap or crinkle filling and place the gifts in a pleasing manner. After you protect all the goodies, you can even pick a special scent to spray inside and keep the box closed with your

choice of colorful tape. When you’re ready to ship, they’ll help with that, too! They ship through the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and DHL, and will help you figure out which service is your best option.

The Boxfli experience brings back the joy to shipping and receiving, even when it’s from a long distance, because it’s done in style. From the inside out, a Boxfli package is fun to give and even better to receive. When a recipient’s package is “Boxflied,” as the store likes to call it, they cherish the care package even more. Even Boxfli’s mailbox rentals are done in style. Each mailbox is a different color, and clients can choose their mailbox based on color or number. For children looking to get in on the action, Boxfli has what they call, the “Magic Mailbox,” which is a mailbox painted blue full of toys for kids. The Magic Mailbox is great for parents looking to keep their children occupied while they shop and ship.

The fun boxes created by the store can be used for more than just to transport goods.

Encouraging people to literally think outside the box, Boxfli wants to help you organize your closet, garage or office, and store everything from seasonal décor to toys, vinyl records and more in a colorful way that makes organization easy and fun. The boxes can even be used for entertaining. What guest doesn’t like a gift box at their plate and it’s easy to turn a file box into a drink cooler to match the party’s theme. In a recent issue of Cottages & Bungalows Magazine, the Flinn family was featured on their extensive use of the boxes, especially during the holiday season. The boxes make for great stocking alternatives because of their practicality.

The shape of a box can fit more items than a stocking and you can display them more easily in front of a fire place. Away from special occasions, the boxes can also be used as practical, and great looking, storage and organization options. Boxfli makes shipping packages more than just another dreaded errand. It’s the highlight of your to-do list.

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 129

LAST SATURDAY

NIGHT...

DRESS PROVIDED BY: Shiba Designs Los Angeles JACKET PROVIDED BY: Sadie Slick www.sadieslick.com SHOES PROVIDED BY: Shoe Dazzle www.shoedazzle.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Doheny Clothing Exchange

leather jacket

BAG PROVIDED BY: H&R Fashion Jewelry www.hnrfashionjewelry.com

Give your evening look some edge with a black leather biker jacket.

STAY OUT LATE, STAY SUPER CHIC WRITTEN & STYLED BY: STYLE BY F.E.A PHOTOGRAPHED BY: SAMMY ZARGARAN

clutch

mini dress

Soft hues aren't just for daytime. This pink satin dress is perfect for a fun night out!

cards and chips

bracelet

Keep It

CLEAN THE TEAM AT NOVECENTO BOUTIQUE HAS A THING OR TWO TO SAY ABOUT SUMMER TRENDS Novecento Boutique’s favorite summer trends are ones that look effortless—think basics with a twist. They see a lot of emphasis on interesting hemline

details and textile mixing.

Their summer color recommendations are neutrals because they are great on any skin tone and can be layered with statement accessories.

NOVECENTO BOUTIQUE 8002 E Coast Hwy Newport Coast, CA 92657 949.715.1700 | www.novecentofashion.com 130 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

heels

A touch of snakeskin takes any look to the next level!

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE

A DIAMOND:

If you are looking for the classic look of a round cut diamond with a little more flare, then this ring is for you. The added diamond halo and split shank cathedral setting allows for an updated version of the legendary round diamond solitaire.

The cushion brilliant center diamond is one of the most rare and unique diamond shapes that puts a modern twist on the antique cushion cut. It has the brilliance of a round brilliant cut with a cushion shape, and the diamond halo beautifully accentuates the center diamond.

The three stone diamond ring is a timeless setting. It is an ageless statement with two larger diamonds on each side of the center stone that traditionally represent the past, present and future.

CRISTINA PUCCI Liberty Diamonds’ custom jewelry designer and a GIA Diamonds graduate

LIBERTY DIAMONDS 18009 Sky Park Cir Ste A Irvine, CA 92614 949.261.8663 www.libertydiamonds.com

CLEARLY

PERFECT LIBERTY DIAMONDS’ HAND-CRAFTED STYLES ARE JUST THE CUT YOU NEED WRITTEN BY: DANIELLE GUMINA | PHOTOGRAPHED BY: TAYLOR LEWIS MODEL: IRELYN DAUGHERTY, BRAND MODEL & TALENT AGENCY, www.brandtalent.org

T

here’s truth behind the classic quote, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Diamonds aren’t just luxurious status symbols.

These rare jewels reflect the effortless sophistication of those who wear them. The timeless beauty of a diamond is unmatched. At Liberty Diamonds, you can find all kinds of diamonds that complement any style and feature beautiful colors and unique cuts. Their large selection of in-house designed and carefully chosen pieces flatter every client. Cristina Pucci, Liberty Diamonds’ custom jewelry designer and a GIA Diamonds graduate, tells us more.

Q: Describe your gorgeous spring/summer collection.

Cristina Pucci: We have something for everyone, as our spring/ summer collection is comprised of statement pieces for special occasions and unique everyday styles for the client who wants something of quality that can be worn at work or happy hour with their friends.

Q: Are there any specific colors that are trending in the jewelry market right now?

CP: Rose gold and yellow gold are making a comeback. Also accents of black gold are making a splash, especially when mixed with slices of colored stones such as aquamarines or rubies.

Q: What pieces are the most flattering for your customer?

CP: As we hand-select or design each piece in our showcase, I would say everything we carry is flattering to our clientele, especially when we can make everything in white, yellow, rose gold or platinum to complement a person’s jewelry preferences. Jewelry is so personal and having a large selection of necklaces, colored stone pieces and stackable rings is important to help all shoppers find the most suitable item for their lifestyle.

Q: Can you share something interesting about Liberty Diamonds that we may not know about?

CP: We annually enter an international design contest held

by JCK, which is the highest industry award given to designers in the world. Since we started entering our designs just three years ago, we are proud to say

that we have already won first place and runners-up. This is a major accomplishment for a small family-owned jeweler, as we were up against some of the biggest and well-known brands in the industry!

Q: What pieces have always been the most popular?

CP: We specialize in bridal, so engagement rings in platinum or gold have always been the most popular. During Christmas and Valentine’s, the best sellers are always diamond stud earrings.

Q: What sets Liberty Diamonds apart from other jewelry shops?

What makes you special?

CP: David Lob, the owner of Liberty Diamonds, is a Master Diamond Cutter who grew up in South Africa and opened Liberty Diamonds in 1982 in the same location we are today. We still stay true to our roots and cut diamonds in our Orange County store which we are happy to give tours to anyone who comes by.

In 1999, his son Troy Lob joined his father and studied to become a GIA Graduate Gemologist, and later in 2004, he helped establish another location in the famous L.A. jewelry district. This gave us an edge on the competition as we are able to provide competitive wholesale pricing and the best selection of loose diamonds in the OC market. Another facet of our business that really sets us apart from other jewelry stores is our ability to custom design and manufacture the highest quality jewelry and tailor it specifically for a customer. Our expertise in this area allows us to create fully custom-made jewelry at prices far below other custom jewelers and all without sacrificing quality.

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 131

MAKEUP

GUIDE SPRING INTO FRESH MAKEUP LOOKS WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: SAMMY ZARGARAN

B

rie, owner of Brie Does Makeup + Hair, explains spring makeup trends will be more about the barefaced look, a refreshing shift from the heavily highlighted and contoured look. This fresh look will easily translate from day to night with bronzer and a shimmery bronze “smokey” eye. Brie applies with her finger to pack on the pigment because shimmers are easily blended sans makeup brush.

BRIE LEACH Makeup Artist and Hairstylist, Owner of Brie Does Makeup

Other spring trends include candy apple red lip and dark, moody lips with stained ombre finishes— both can be worn during the day. The best way to pull off daytime dark lips is to lightly smudge the edges of lips so you don’t have a harsh crisp line of dark lip liner. Avoid creamy

formulas, gloss on top and pairing dark lips with black, sharp eyeliner; keep everything soft and blended.

Another spring trend is the “blue slate” look over the eyes.

Brie recommends using a warm brown transition color.

Bronzer is also back this spring and Brie’s favorite way to apply bronzer is

using the Ecotools Mattifying Finish Brush: “Depending on which way you hold it, you can apply a sharp dense contour or a sheer wide sweep. Becca makes a great bronzer that has no shimmer in the formula. Hourglass has a gorgeous bronzer if you want to splurge,” says Bri. Eyeliner is also

back this spring.

If you think black looks too harsh, opt for dark brown or charcoal. Brie’s favorite eyeliner is Laura Mercier’s Crème Eye Liner. As it comes in a small pot with a brush, this eyeliner is easy to apply and can be used in different ways depending on the brush.

REAL TALENTED: Brie is the official makeup artist and hairstylist for the Real Housewives of Orange County.

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CURRENTLY IN HER MAKEUP BAG: Ilia’s new organic Vivid Foundation and 100% Pure’s Fruit Pigmented Concealer.

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ON-LOCATION SERVICE WITHIN A 25-MILE RADIUS Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949.887.2708 | www.briedoesmakeup.com 132 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

“It’s about creating a complete experience, about making every guest feel beautiful, cared for, adored and respected.”

—Angela Mabon

QUICK AND

PAINLESS: LunchBOX specializes in speed-waxing, which means the average LunchBOX Brazilian runs about 15 minutes give or take, the moments are literally quite quick, but they’re still lasting. Guests

enjoy smooth skin for weeks at a time.

LunchBOX’s core values state, “Beauty is our guiding light.

We’re not talking about the skin-deep, all-forappearances visage (not that pretty bothers

us, by any means!), but rather through and through beauty--the essence that leads to strong relationships, acceptance, support, respect, warmth, hospitality, laughter, joy and delight.”

ANGELA MABON Franchise Owner of O.C. LunchBOX

Q&A WITH LUNCHBOX 435 E. 17th St, Ste 2 Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.209.8997 www.lunchboxwax.com

WAX

POETIC IT’S ALL SMOOTH SAILING WITH LUNCHBOX WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN | PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MADELINE CRAIG

S

pecializing in quick and painless waxing, LunchBOX helps clients achieve that sleek, smooth look within minutes. This chic salon is the perfect place to stop in and get rid of unwanted hair from head to toe. O.C. LunchBOX Franchise Owner Angela Mabon gives us a full look at the LunchBOX experience, covering everything from the waxing process to the latest trends in hair removal.

Q: Tell us about what the salon and its experience are all about.

Angela Mabon: We’re here to be the waxing salon that all other waxing salons measure themselves by. We understand that a great wax goes well beyond removing hair or tailoring brows. It’s about creating a complete experience, about making every guest feel beautiful, cared for, adored and respected. It’s about fostering relationships, because while we are certainly in the beauty business, we understand that waxing is also a very personal experience. Every LunchBOX waxologist is expertly trained in our proprietary speed-wax process, and beyond that, we’re also working to develop our interpersonal communication, our ability to show up, to be present and connected and kind and empathetic and genuine.

Q: You encourage all to “Bare Your Beauty.” Can you explain?

AM: Bare Your Beauty—our tagline—has a double meaning.

It’s literal, of course, since we’re here to smooth skin, leaving it silky and free of hair, but we’re also interested in encouraging other people to let their inner beauty shine. Imagine how you feel when you’re around someone who is authentically interested in you. It feels good, and when you feel good, you are inclined to continue feeling good and share

that warmth with others. It’s contagious, and we’re happy to contribute to that positive energy in our community.

Q: What is your three-step waxing process?

AM: Our three-step process includes protecting the skin by applying two of our privatelabel products to serve as a barrier. The next step includes our proprietary wax technique.

And finally, we soothe the skin, again with a privately labeled LunchBOX skin product.

Q: Are there any new waxing trends we should know about?

AM: Manscaping isn’t taboo anymore and we’re seeing men of all ages, backgrounds and interest choose smooth skin. Another general trend we’re seeing is women who are choosing to forego shaving altogether for waxing. Brazilians and brow sculpting have been a mainstream choice for a long time, but now, women opt to wax under their arms and their legs instead of using razors. Both of these trends are really, well, not trends at all, I’d say. I think they’re here to stay. Fuller brows are certainly a trend right now, as people look to Cara Delevingne, Lily Collins, Jessica Alba and Emma Roberts. Full doesn’t mean untamed, however. They’re going for a natural look that still carries weight and definition.

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 133

GLO NAIL BAR 2075 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa, Ca 92627 949.287.6790 www.glonailbar.com

Polished

PROFILE MAKE YOUR NAILS GLO

WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY: SAMMY ZARGARAN Tracy Tran, owner of GLO Nail Bar, notes Spring 2016 nail trends as gel nails with natural soft round and oval shapes. The most popular colors at GLO this spring are soft blues, purples, and opaque nudes and blushes. She recommends lighter colors for hands paired with metallic colors for feet. She prefers using OPI products.

Gel nails are currently trending because they last longer than traditional polish, continue to shine after two weeks of wear and allow for more intricate art designs. Tracy recommends changing out gels after two weeks

because nails need oxygen and gels block oxygen. Changing gels often allows nail techs to assess nail health and condition. She also stresses removing gels correctly, as peeling them off can damage their nail bed—the most frequent mistake she sees clients make.

When asked about nail art, Tracy says, “There is no such thing as too much nail art. It’s all preference and every client likes something different and unique.

This is why nail art has gotten so popular-it allows clients to express themselves. Nail art can be simple and cute, to extreme and edgy.”

Work

IT OUT MASTER YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN

ANTHONY MACALUSO Director of Sales, Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo

REACH FOR

THE SKIES SOARING WITH URBAN AERIAL FITNESS

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URBAN AERIAL FITNESS 8780 Warner Ave Ste 14, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 | 714.502.4983 | www.urbanaerialfitness.com

WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN | PHOTOGRAPHED BY: PATRICK MARTIN

ne day, Mary Lee Freeman found her way into a pole fitness class and immediately recognized a genuine passion for the practice.

Today, she is cofounder, co-owner and teacher at Urban Aerial Fitness—a fitness studio that teaches climbing, inverting and blocks of choreography. “Finding a fitness avenue that includes strength, flexibility and artistry was my saving grace!” she said. Urban Aerial Fitness offers classes in aerial silks, hoop, pole, flexibility and vertical barre with clients ranging from 13-68 years young. Freeman encourages anyone to try it and says she hopes “to inspire people to think beyond what seems impossible, to push past their limitations. The human body is capable of great things.”

MARY LEE FREEMAN & NATALIE HAMITON, Co-owners of Urban Aerial Fitness

NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Urban Aerial Fitness is a first of it’s kind in Orange County.

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5 THINGS YOU LEARN FROM URBAN AERIAL FITNESS 1. No judgement!

We all started at the beginning 2. Body and muscle awareness 3. Flexibility—Epsom salt baths work wonders 4. “Pole kisses”— You’ll know when you get one!

5. Camaraderie, friendship and community

PACKAGES: Class packages include $39 special packages for new customers such as: The Aerial and Pole Sampler with the inclusion of one introduction to aerial class, one introduction to pole class and one flexibility class The Aerial Package that includes one aerial skills class, one aerial hoop class and one flexibility class The Pole Package, featuring one week of unlimited pole work and one work of unlimited flex and fitness work

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Q: Why is aerial fitness a great workout?

Mary Lee Freeman: First and foremost, our classes are fun! Having fun makes you want to come back. Instead of dreading going to the gym, our clients adjust their schedules to get to class as often as they can. All of our classes provide a full body workout. Our clients learn technique, leverage and using their own body weight and engaging muscles they never knew they had.

Q: What advice would you give to a beginner? What should they wear?

MF: It’s a process. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. We have intro classes, especially for the beginner, but all of our classes are generally multi-level. For aerial classes: We recommend long yoga pants or leggings and a comfortable top.

For pole classes, bring a pair of shorts with you as you may find yourself climbing.

Q: How would you describe Urban Aerial Fitness and its classes?

MF: Think Cirque du Soleil for the everyday person. Urban Aerial Fitness is really a boutique studio because we limit our class size. Having smaller than average class sizes allows for a better workout, more one-onone time with the instructor and it is safer.

We’re super excited that we’ll be offering rope (corde lisse) classes at the end of February. We take great pride in providing small, intimate instruction with the ability to cater to all shapes and sizes, from the inexperienced to the most advanced.

Q: On a whim, how does aerial fitness influence health, body and mind?

MF: Aerial Arts Classes require complete concentration, as it works your entire body, creating fluidity in movement. As one of our clients said, “This workout is so satisfying for my soul.”

Anthony Macaluso of Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo explains how the best way to jumpstart your workout routine is to hire a personal trainer, your greatest ally when achieving fitness goals. The most important areas to target are the abdominals, lower back and glutes because all three muscle groups allow you to move and be functional throughout any exercise. Individuals should dedicate at least five hours a week to working out and eat foods like simple oatmeal and egg whites for quick energy and to build muscle mass. His secret is, “Do cardio in the a.m. before breakfast to burn your fat storage for fuel.” He also recommends training in three phases: strength training, cardio and stretching.

The best warm weather workouts include outdoor TRX, bootcamp and cycling. Current workout trends embrace High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), a system of organizing cardiorespiratory training which calls for repeated bouts of short duration, high-intensity exercise intervals intermingled with periods of lower intensity intervals of active recovery. Most importantly, keep your intensity high throughout your workout for efficiency.

MAJOR WORKOUT “DON’TS”: 1. Over-train. Your body needs time to recover in between workouts.

2. Skip stretching. Do it after every workout.

3. Skimp on sleep. It’ll give you the energy you need to focus on your exercises.

4. Set unrealistic goals. A healthy rate of weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week. 5. Compare your successes and failures to others. Everyone is unique, and what works for some may not work for others.

WORKOUT AND REST UP: Renaissance Club Sport is not only a fitness resort but a boutique hotel with a poolside bar and restaurant.

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5 FUN OUTDOOR WORKOUT OPTIONS: 1. Hike at local park 2. Jog on the beach 3. Bike ride 4. Run the bleachers at a local high school 5. Trail running

ANTHONY’S TOP 5 WORKOUT SONGS: 1. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor 2. Lose Yourself – Eminem 3. Work Hustle, Kill – Rob Bailey & The Hustle Standard 4. Can’t Be Touched – Body Head Bangerz 5. Good Feeling – Flo Rida RENAISSANCE CLUBSPORT 50 Enterprise, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949.643.6700 www.renaissanceclubsport.com LOCALE MAGAZINE | 135

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FACTS

SETTING THE CLOCK BACK WITH RENOWNED PLASTIC SURGEON, DR. KESSLER WRITTEN BY: GINA MAGNUSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BRADLEY BLACKBURN

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“I would never want to niche myself with one procedure because I love it all.”

—Dr. Robert Kessler

here is far more to plastic surgery than the simple prick of a needle or a day under the knife. The intricacies of cosmetic surgery go far beyond the procedure itself and for Dr. Robert Kessler of Kessler Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, cosmetic surgery is about communication and forming real relationships. Plastic surgery goes much further than just superficial manipulation. It can be a tool to improve mental health.

ROBERT W. KESSLER Cosmetic Surgeon at Kessler Plastic Surgery

STAR POWER: Dr. Kessler worked alongside Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Garth Fisher on Seasons 2, 3 and 4 of ABC’s Extreme Makeover.

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SAVING FACE: When it comes to facial cosmetic surgery, Kessler Plastic Surgery specializes in a variety of procedures including skin care, facial fillers, Botox, Ulthera, Exilis, laser resurfacing and face/brow lifting.

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KESSLER PLASTIC SURGERY 2121 E Pacific Coast Hwy Ste 200 Corona Del Mar, CA 92625 949.644.6544 www.drrobkessler.com 136 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

Treat

YOUR SKIN WITH SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR SKIN, WE ASKED THE PRO AT VEIN CLINIC CA WRITTEN BY: BARBARA BERAN

ANDY SHARIFI Owner of Vein Clinic CA

With summer quickly approaching, the last thing we want are unsightly varicose veins ruining our bikini look.

Luckily, Vein Clinic CA can quickly take care of those stressful skin issues. Owner Andy Sharifi dishes on how to prevent varicose veins to keep your legs healthy and glowing.

“Rejuvenation, for me, is making you look like you did 10 or 15 years ago, not like someone who never walked the planet.”

—Dr. Robert Kessler

Emotional and mental well being are deeply connected to self image and Dr. Kessler uses his expertise to repair those connections. Each patient receives an individualized set of options ranging from noninvasive to minimally invasive to surgical. This comprehensive approach gives patients the information they need to choose the best option for them, leading to the most positive results possible.

Since his residency, Dr. Kessler has been dedicated to reconstructive and aesthetic surgery because it allows people to feel better about themselves. As a member of both the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Chairman of the Electronic Communication Committee and member of the Public Education Committee of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kessler discusses the importance of artistry from a surgeon’s perspective.

Q: Do patients often come in with a certain celebrity look in mind?

RK: Yes, but I encourage my clients to be the best you you can be, as opposed to just looking like someone else. I think that there’s a professional responsibility to talk about this, to get people to come to terms with these things. Now, making the lips a bit fuller or correcting major facial asymmetries—I have no problem with that. What people don’t see is the big picture. I have people coming in all the time for specific things, but they really don’t know what they’re asking for. So it’s up to the doctor to educate and inform.

Q: What separates your practice from others?

RK: What I think differentiates me is my experience and my approach. Rejuvenation, for me, is making you look like you did 10 or 15 years ago, not like someone who never walked the planet. When I look at people’s faces [prior to surgery], I ask them to bring photos of themselves during a time when they thought they looked their best. Then we recreate that.

Q: You talk about having an artistic approach. Can you elaborate on that?

RK: The face is not symmetrical. I tell my patients all

the time, the only places we find symmetry is in art museums. So, I think the importance is understanding which asymmetries are attractive and which symmetries are not.

Q: How has technology changed the world of plastic surgery?

RK: Where it’s most obvious today, for me, is the face.

If we look at the face, there is a very characteristic way the face ages. When we are younger our faces are triangular and as we age they become square.

Ten years ago, all we had were limited fillers. Now, we have amazing fillers and we can take fat using liposuction and transfer fat into the face. We can restore volume, restore structure, and not just rely on cutting and removing.

Q: Can you tell me a bit about a typical consultation for a procedure like breast augmentation?

RK: Unfortunately the word “natural” has lost its meaning. So, what I do is show patients different images of implant profiles and what each would look like. Then they bring in images of what they like and we work from there. Understanding proportion and appropriate volume is a key part of the discussion.

Q: Is Botox a simple procedure to perform?

RK: It’s about how you manipulate the muscle; you’re not trying to paralyze everything so you look frozen.

You have tons of providers who are told where they’re supposed to put the needle, but they don’t know why they’re doing it. Appreciation of muscle function and facial aesthetics makes all the difference with botox and fillers.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

RK: The transformation. Although it’s not a medical necessity, it’s a need. It is fun to help people restore their sense of self and regain their confidence. I like being on the happy side of medicine.

Q: In your words, tell us about your clinic and what you do.

Andy Sharifi: At Vein Clinic CA & Medspa, we specialize in varicose, spider vein and venous ulcers. Varicose veins are mostly hereditary for both men and women. Our goal at Vein Clinic CA is to educate people about the new treatment options that are available so that people can get rid of the bad and painful veins that affect their daily lives.

Q: What vein diseases do you see most?

AS: Chronic venous disease in the leg is a very common condition affecting a large number of people in the U.S. Approximately 40-45 percent of women and 20-25 percent of men have it. In the past, the treatment for varicose was stripping the vein out which was a very painful procedure in the hospital and a long down time. With new technologies like EVLT (endovenous laser treatment), it is a very easy and virtually painless procedure in an outpatient setting. The procedure takes around 30 to 45 minutes and it is minimally invasive. You can literally do it on your lunch break and go back to work and your daily activities. It is also covered by most PPOs and Medicare.

Q: What is the best piece of health advice you pass on?

AS: Best advice I would give is that if your legs bother you in any way, you should schedule a free vein screening at one of our offices and have us do a bilateral ultrasound on your legs and give you answers for treatment options that will benefit you.

SCULPT AND SHINE: Vein Clinic’s second location recently opened in Oct. 2015 on Newport Blvd in Costa Mesa. Still emphasizing vein care, they also have added procedures with state of the art equipment like CoolSculpting Luminesce Light sheer and Hydrofacial MD.

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VEIN CLINIC CA 431 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705 949.273.7300 | www.veinclinicca.com LOCALE MAGAZINE | 137

ALL DRESSED UP WITH SOMEWHERE TO GO

PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NANCY VILLERE STYLED BY: KILEY COLEMAN MAKEUP BY: NOEL SWEENY MODELS: DANI HENRICKSEN & KARLY RYNER OF BRAND MODEL & TALENT, www.brandtalent.net

APPAREL PROVIDED BY: West of Camden www.westofcamden.com JEWELRY PROVIDED BY: Craig Shelly Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Beverly Hills www.craigshelly.com

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APPAREL PROVIDED BY: West of Camden www.westofcamden.com

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

Market DISTRICT The District at Tustin Legacy ACCORDING TO KIMBERLY

WRITTEN BY: KIMBERLY LUU, LIFE+STYLE BLOGGER FOR ACCORDINGTOKIMBERLY.COM PHOTOGRAPHED BY: KOLINI FAAGATA

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MY BLOG

Gourmet popsicles on a stick anyone?

According to Kimberly is a life and style blog that was created to share my passion for fashion, food and travel along with some life lessons.

You may frequently spot me wearing a maxi dress while traveling the world or exploring new food destinations.

On this particular adventure, I’m checking out THE DISTRICT AT TUSTIN LEGACY. Honestly, this place has it all. Whether I’m craving some golden, crispy French fries (what’s up Five Guys?), a Neapolitan shake from In-N-Out or a refreshing treat from It’s Boba Time, The District is my go-to destination. Or if you’re on a healthy grind, Bowl of Heaven has eight kinds of açaí bowls plus refreshing juices­­—the Heart Beet uses lemon, apple and beet to give your juice an extra boost. One of these heavenly bowls is an excellent finish to a session at nearby Caffe Yoga.

Beyond food, The District also has plenty of shopping options. For that perfect pair of ripped jeans, The Denim Lab never disappoints and if I’m looking for boutique fast fashion, then I’ll head to Jasper Plum.

You can’t go wrong with their selection of patterned ponchos and floral dresses.

You’ll also find iconic kicks at Vans—a pair of classics or slip ons make essential elements of Southern Californian style.

For guys or anyone looking to get active, Sports Treasure is another not-to-miss spot.

To finish off your style mission, head to Ulta to get the best beauty supplies or take a few tutorials at Fashion Camp.

Follow along for more of my food adventures online (@kimberly_luu) and at AccordingtoKimberly.com!

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#5

MARKET2PLATE www.market2plate.com

Freshly made pasta and locally sourced produce is what makes Market2Plate special.

They make the pasta dishes right in front of your eyes. I tried their pesto pasta and you can really taste the freshness.

FASHION CAMP www.fashioncampoc.com

At Fashion Camp, kids, teens and adults can learn everything there is to know about being at the top of their style game. Take Sewing 101 and learn how to create an emoji pillow, stop in for a class on custom bows or attend a workshop on fashion sketching.

But shopping and dining aren’t the only options at The District. When you have an afternoon off or date night rolls around, you can do the classic movie theater experience at AMC to catch the latest blockbuster. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous, try tipsy painting at Pinot’s Palette or get in the fast lane at Bowlmor.

#6

#2

THE DIRTY COOKIE www.thedirtycookieOC.com

PINOT’S PALETTE www.pinotspalette.com

Remember those childhood

days of dunking cookies into your milk? Well, now you’ve got the cookie shot: a cookie formed into the shape of a shot cup filled with your choice of milk.

At Pinot’s Palette, you can access your inner artiste with a little liquid encouragement. Follow the instructor’s lead or paint to the beat of your own drum, all while sipping on a great selection of wine and craft beer. The calendar is also always filled with special class deals such as $5 mimosas on Sunday and $4 wine on Thirsty Thursdays.

#3

BOWLMOR ORANGE COUNTY www.bowlmor.com

Bowlmor has 30 lanes of striking fun (glow-in-the-dark bowling makes for an eye-catching Instagram, by the way).

Bowlmor has just the right amount of retro surfer kitsch and if hitting the pins isn’t quite your thing, there’s a luxury sports bar, billiards and ping pong.

There’s also a new hotspot inside The District to add to your foodie list: Union Market, a massive building filled with lots of delightful goodies inside for both kids and adults. Once you walk inside, you can’t help but notice polished concrete design juxtaposed with wooden décor, making for a cozy, right-at-home feeling.

You can immediately tell that this place is unlike any other and it will quickly steal your (hungry) heart away.

#7

FRONT PORCH POPS www.frontporchpops.com

#4

THE KROFT www.thekroft.com

Reinventing comfort food, The Kroft was created with a “farm-to-table” concept utilizing fresh ingredients. Their popular porchetta sandwiches showcase slices of pork with crispy skin that gives it that perfect crunch when you bite into the sandwich. It’s so good and definitely one of my favorite things to eat here! Also, check out their tasty chicken sandwich, pulled pork poutine fries and flavored lemonade.

Gourmet popsicles on a stick anyone? Whether you’re craving something fruity or creamy, they have a variety of flavors here including strawberry lemonade, mango pineapple and dark chocolate sea salt. Also try their creamsicles (50/50 bars) for fun flavors like blueberry lemon creamsicle and root beer float.

Then top off your popsicles with chocolate, sprinkles, nuts or coconut shavings!

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#8

TORCH S’MORE CO. www.torchsmores.com

Now you don’t even need a bonfire to have a s’more anymore. At Torch S’more Co. you can pick out your graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow to customize your own s’more. Take the kids here because they will love ordering this.

#10

CENTRAL BAR

Situated in the center of the

marketplace, Central Bar gives off definite cool vibes. It’s the place to go if you want to just relax with a craft cocktail for a casual date night out. Hint hint: Their blood orange martini is really good. Try it!

#11

DRINKBAR JUICERY www.drinkbarjuicery.com

Locally made in Orange County, Drinkbar Juicery offers organic, cold-pressed juices, açaí bowls and juice cleanses. I always like the ones with beets so I choose their carrobeet raw juice. Come by and get a bottle of their freshly made juices to go.

#9

CRÊPE COOP www.crepecoop.com

Before you leave the marketplace, don’t forget to stop

by Crêpe Coop for some amazing dessert! You can try one of their signature crêpes or create your own version. I got the strawberry short-crêpe (their take on a strawberry shortcake with sliced strawberries, bananas, whipped cream and strawberry ice cream) with the Speculoos spread and it was incredibly delicious! So, if you also like crêpes (I mean what’s not to like, right?) then you are going to love this place—I highly recommend it!

#12

PORTOLA COFFEE www.portolacoffeelab.com

Looking for a little caffeine

kick? Grab a coffee from Portola Coffee and watch them do the latte art! It’s a great spot to meet up and hang out with friends.

#13

ARTISAN CANDLE COMPANY www.artisancandlecompany.com

If you’re looking for natural, soy wax candles then you can find them here. I’m a huge candle collector and love adding new scents to my home. They also make great gift ideas for friends and family!

#14

SPICE & TULIPS www.spiceandtulips.com

THE SHANGRI-LA | www.theshangri-la.com

Upgrade your kitchen with unique spices and custom floral arrangements from Spice&Tulips. You may even discover a new Turkish-inspired spice to complement one of your dishes.

#15

THE SHANGRI-LA www.theshangri-la.com

After eating, burn off some calories while doing some hardcore shopping. At The Shangri-La they carry a variety of handmade, dainty jewelry that’s perfect for layering.

#16

LUELLA BOUTIQUE www.boutiqueluella.com

Looking for an outfit? Look no further!

Luella Boutique features trendy clothes and the latest styles.

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PHOTO BY: Bradley Blackburn

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APRIL

2016

152 GO PROFILE Pacific City Brings Innovative Urban Design to Oceanfront Property

158 DO EXPERT Orange County Record Label Takes New Talent and Helps Them Shine

158 DO EXPERT For the Record

OC HIT FACTORY 2493 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782 800.524.9772 www.ochitfactory.com

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APRIL 2016

PACIFIC CITY 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, CA 92648 www.gopacificcity.com

S T E N N PA R TO N The Director of Retail Development Behind Pacific City

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WRITTEN BY: NICK CIMARUSTI PHOTOGRAPHED BY: BRADLEY BLACKBURN

Orange County’s beachside culture is at a turning point right now, all because of Pacific City. For nearly a decade, we all passed that stretch of undeveloped land along PCH, right after Main Street. It seemed as if the prime real estate would never be anything other than heaps of dirt, a lone dump truck and a chain-link fence. Yet within the past year, Pacific City has broken ground and transformed into a destination with staying power, fully realized and fully developed.

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PARTON’S TOP 10 PACIFIC CITY SPOTS “I’m excited to see how the community responds,” Parton says. “I think our whole team is excited to hang out and be a part of the other guests’ experience at Pacific City.”

EQUINOX

SIMMZY’S

LEMONADE

OLA MEXICAN KITCHEN

PETALS AND POP

TOMMY BAHAMA

OLD CROW SMOKEHOUSE

WAYS & MEANS OYSTER HOUSE

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PACIFIC CITY

is more than an outdoor mall with ocean views (don’t be mistaken, though, those views are definitely Instaworthy). DJM Capital Partners, the developing firm behind Pacific City, has envisioned a mixed-use development that, for suburban Orange County, is actually revolutionary. While mixed-use ventures are common in denser urban neighborhoods— think of The Grove in Los Angeles or San Diego’s Uptown District—a suburban community such as Huntington Beach is uncharted territory for this type of commercial real estate venture.

Let’s slow down. What’s a mixed-use development? It’s a building or close group of buildings where visitors and residents can eat, shop, live, work and play. Pacific City combines retail, residential and public amenities, making it the first mixed-use development directly on the coast. Stores such as Heirlooms and Hardware or H&M are only 60 feet away from Paséa Hotel & Spa. Lot 579, Pacific City’s food hall, is on the same pedestrian pathway as The Residences at Pacific City (which will include over 500 residential spaces).

“It’s one continuous experience, which we think is much more of an urban experience,” says Stenn Parton, DJM’s director of retail development.

“And that’s what we thought was missing in this market.” He likens the overall experience to a ski resort, since you have a beautiful outdoor location—in this case the iconic Huntington Beach Pier community—coupled with luxury amenities and shopping and dining experiences.

Pacific City’s location, directly on Pacific Coast Highway and a five-minute walk from the ocean, contributes to the development’s economic

“We wanted to create an environment that could be a gift to the local community.”

—STENN PARTON

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY “The overall experience is designed to have that morning-to-night capability,” Parton says.

“Come in the morning for a surf, get lunch, go to Equinox for a workout and then go and have a dinner, and then go downstairs to Lot 579 for dessert after having a drink at The Bungalow.”

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BABY BOOM potential. As Parton says, “There are very few retail environments in Southern California, on the West Coast or even in the US that have the type of waterfront location that we do.” But why add Paséa Hotel & Spa to the mix when two other luxury resorts are down the street? “The hotel market in Huntington Beach is some of the strongest hotel market in all of Orange County,” Parton says. A May 2013 report from the California Travel and Tourism Commission shows that hospitality and tourism earnings accounted for nearly half of California’s total earnings that year.

The hotel market boom extends to this year, as CTTC’s 2015 trend report also reveals that trips to the Orange County region are steadily increasing and will continue to rise. Apparently, people really like coming to Huntington Beach.

Which is why Pacific City is an important turning point for the region—it has the potential to alter the face of Orange County’s culture. From both a residential and commercial standpoint, Pacific City could affect how future residential and retail opportunities are developed in the suburbs. Rather than disjointed boutiques and

restaurants and hotels, mixed-use design would integrate these community hangouts directly into the neighborhood.

The world-famous location of Pacific City is a key to its success, but at the same time provides a challenge: meeting the desires of both tourists and locals. Parton explains the vision behind Pacific City is a multi-purpose gathering place that stays true to Huntington Beach culture—a vision that, fortunately, does not include tiki torches and woodies.

“We wanted to create an environment that could be a gift to the local community,” Parton says. “The most important customer to us is the community.”

Instead of beach city clichés, Parton and his team drew from firsthand knowledge of Southern California and surfing culture to develop a destination that locals would approve of while still appealing to tourists. For example, one of Pacific City’s biggest dining choices, Lot 579, is named after the lifeguard towers in front of the property.

When you’re from the area, you tell friends to meet you between towers 5 and 7; likewise, surfers know to head to tower 9 every morning. In fact,

Parton and his wife’s first time visiting their newborn daughter’s pediatrician led to internet fame. The pediatrician asked to use the Partons’ daughter in a video showing his special hold to calm crying babies. “And next thing we know, she’s on Good Morning America and has over 17 million hits on YouTube!”

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#GOALS Parton says, from a business (and definitely taste) perspective, Bear Flag Fish Co. and Sidecar Doughnuts are his top choices if he had to pick just two spots in Orange

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County. He says both establishments’ attention to detail inspires him to apply that same focus at Pacific City.

NEXT UP DJM Capital Partners will next be developing Lido Marina Village at Lido Isle in Newport Beach. Expect a pedestrian-oriented, “laid back luxe” community center with waterside views and attractions.

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GETTING HANDSY Multimedia LA-based artist Geoff McFetridge created the mural behind

by Parton. Though McFetridge’s work is meant to be open to viewer interpretation, Parton says the mural can be viewed as the hand motion language used by surfers when describing the waves.

McFetridge operates his own company, Champion Graphics, and has contributed graphic design for Her, Where The Wild Things Are and The Virgin Suicides, along with being featured in GQ and Beautiful Losers.

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“Our goal is for Pacific City to be very distinctive of any of the other shopping alternatives in Orange County.”

—STENN PARTON

Toby Reece, an owner of Ola Mexican Kitchen at Pacific City, grew up surfing in Huntington Beach and Parton says he often grabs a taco with Reece to discuss that morning’s swells.

DJM is the developer behind Bella Terra, so the firm’s expertise in designing popular destinations for the area is well established. On the other hand, Parton says he and his team kept in mind that the DNA of every community is different. That’s why they’ve developed Pacific City to be even more adaptive than Bella Terra to multiple audiences.

“The overall experience is designed to have that morning to night capability,” Parton says, referring to Pacific City’s family-friendly programming alongside favorite LA beachside hangouts like The Bungalow and Simmzy’s, which will stay open later.

“There isn’t a place like that in Orange County that is all controlled by one landlord, which gives us the benefit from a security standpoint and an overall experience standpoint.” Really, you could spend a weekend, or even an entire week, at Pacific City and not run out of places to go or things to do.

The six main buildings from the site’s original plan were altered to be closer together and the entire property layout was elongated to better

evoke the feeling of two and a half rows of street blocks. “It’s so convenient to shop online, but I think people want a richer, more unique experience to get them to show up and give their time,” Parton says. To draw consumers in, he and his team work closely with the Paséa Resort & Spa’s management company and general contractor, Pacific Hospitality Group and RD Olson, along with developer UDR’s establishment of The Residences, to construct a seamlessly unified experience. “Our goal is for Pacific City to be very distinctive of any of the other shopping alternatives in Orange County,” Parton says.

If urban-inspired, mixed-use destinations such as Pacific City prove successful, then development firms like DJM might continue building them in the area. As a result, suburban Orange County would be influenced by an influx of new businesses and brands, allowing the cultural landscape of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach or Costa Mesa to rival Los Angeles in diversity and entertainment.

Conventional retail environments would be replaced by curated, metropolitan experiences in the middle of the suburban sprawl. Good riddance, strip malls.

DO EXPERT

FOR THE OC HIT FACTORY DEVELOPS LOCAL MUSICIANS FROM START TO FINISH

WRITTEN BY: TYLER HOLLAND PHOTOGRAPHED BY: BRADLEY BLACKBURN

THE EXPER T

THOMAS BARSOE Founder/Executive Producer

Wonderwall: Barsoe has an in-studio wall with 100 artists to whom he looks for inspiration

EVERY YEAR, PEOPLE COME TO CALIFORNIA WITH THE HOPE OF FULFILLING THEIR DREAMS OF MAKING IT AS AN ARTIST. Whether simply looking to develop their talent and become a part of the local scene or rise to superstardom, everyone has their goal and a reason to continue pursuing their passion. However, the road is long and tough and getting an opportunity to display your talent for a record company exec is virtually impossible. That’s where OC Hit Factory comes in.

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“WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WITH THAT SPECIAL SOMETHING. IT’S HARD TO DESCRIBE, BUT I KNOW IT WHEN I SEE IT.” —THOMAS BARSOE

OC HIT FACTORY 2493 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782 800.524.9772 www.ochitfactory.com LOCALE MAGAZINE | 159

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TOP 7 ALBUMS: #1 Songs In the Key of Life

#2 Thriller

#3 Parachutes

#4 Jagged Little Pill—An incredible record. I think she got about 13 singles out of it.

HIS ISN’T LIKE OTHER RECORD LABELS. OC Hit Factory aims to find developing talent and work with them to create something truly special. In fact, Thomas Barsoe, the label’s owner with his own impressive pop star credentials, prefers working with the diamond-in-the-rough type. These are the people he has the most fun working with and the results never cease to amaze.

Q:

How did OC Hit Factory get started?

Thomas Barsoe: I started out of my house back in 2010.

After I was done touring, I moved out to Orange County and began meeting and talking to some really cool singers and songwriters.

Much of the young talent out here had music in schools, but only the traditional band programs. There really wasn’t anything to encourage and develop songwriting. I brought a few groups over to my home studio and worked on creating original content. They loved it and said they had never done anything like this before. The original group only had three or four people and I realized if I could do this well with three or four, I could do even better with larger groups. I began a small business out of it and over time, discovered the wealth of amazing talent out here. This is when things got really fun and business has been growing ever since.

Q: When did you first realize your passion for music?

TB: When I was 13, I really realized my passion for music and began taking it more seriously. I got a guitar and a Beatles album and just fell in love with the music. It was something I connected to, which made me want to play more. I eventually started writing my own stuff and after that, there was no turning back.

Q: Where are your favorite places to go to find inspiration?

TB: It may sound cheesy, but I get the most inspiration from my work. Every day I meet 10 or more artists, all with passion and drive that reminds me of myself at that age. It’s exciting, I never know what will happen day to day.

Q: What are some of the main services you provide for talent?

TB: Songwriting is what we became known for. We have a songwriting camp that takes experience and turns it into great songs. For a whole weekend we’ll have 30 or so young artists all working together in groups. Some have written songs before and some haven’t, but all realize they are better at this than they had previously thought. From there it progresses and gets to the point where an artist becomes so good they start writing EPs and recording. At this state we work on production. We work with and develop this talent, which is the most exciting part of the process

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for me. We can also do music videos, album covers—everything really. With our new location, we’ll have a radio station that can get artists airplay and as much exposure as possible. It’s an online station called OC Hit Factory on Air. Q: What do you look for in an upcoming musician, producer or songwriter?

TB: Originality. We are looking for someone with that special something. It’s hard to describe, but I know it when I see it. You need to find your own voice and come in with your own thing, your own style, cool personality and essentially, a package we can’t wait to work with and develop.

Q: What makes OC Hit Factory stand out among the other record labels?

TB: We really nurture young, untested talent. Major labels want already tested, proven and established talent and don’t have time to nurture and develop new artists like in the past. I’m still that guy who finds young, developing talent and forges a relationship with them over time. We can get someone off the street and in six months have the whole package put together. We are also linked with Sony, which gives us a large distribution network and gives us the ability to handle all steps of artist development.

Q: What up and coming talent should we be looking out for?

TB: One girl we just signed last month named Damoni is someone to look out for. She is only 13 and has an amazing story and voice.

She’s probably one of the best I’ve seen so far. There is also a country trio called Temecula Road, they’re opening for Joe Nichols and in 2016 will be going on tour with Jessie James Decker. John Lindahl also recently signed to LA Reid’s label Epic and is someone I’m also really excited about.

Q: What makes an exceptional artist, someone who would wow you in an audition?

TB: Voice obviously, but first impressions are also very important.

You know when someone walks in that is really special. You can sense it through their confidence, look, style and self-belief.

#5 1989—Taylor Swift didn’t let people put her in a box and proved she could make an amazing pop album with Max Martin who’s been creating tons of hits recently.

More power to her.

#6 Ladies and Gentlemen by George Michael was a great record

#7 The Slim Shady LP was also so fresh and cool when it came out and had so many great singles as well.

“WE CAN GET SOMEONE OFF THE STREET AND IN SIX MONTHS HAVE THE WHOLE PACKAGE PUT TOGETHER.” —THOMAS BARSOE

Q: Why is it so important to make record labels more accessible?

TB: Music should give everybody a shot. It’s extremely hard to get an appointment with Capitol Records and other large labels. Here, there is always someone who will listen. Everybody who believes they have what it takes can come and prove it. It’s a tough business, so the least we can do is try to make it a little easier.

Q: Do you have a favorite style or genre to work with?

TB: There are genres I do best in, such as pop and R&B, along with the singer-songwriter type. I probably wouldn’t be the best guy for techno and hard rock, but if a great punk rock band comes through,

I’ll be more than happy to work with them. Anybody with amazing talent, no matter what genre, is more than welcome. Songwriting is becoming more important again, especially with artists like Adele being so popular. With our songwriting camp, people realize we’re all about the music.

Q: Do you offer internships?

TB: We do. From a production workshop I choose one or two interns and for every division, there are spaces available. We are always interested in meeting new people.

Q: Are there any record stores you think people should know about?

TB: There’s Amoeba in Hollywood right on the famed Sunset Boulevard. Downtown Fullerton also has a few such as Burger Records, Black Hole Records and Bionic Records to name a few.

Fingerprints Music in Long Beach is also really good and offers live performances as well that showcase up-and-coming talent. It’s sad that there aren’t as many record stores around as there used to be.

Hopefully they will still be around in 10 or so years, especially with the way technology and digital recording is developing.

Q: Where are the best venues to hear emerging local talent?

TB: OC Hit Factory, of course. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many local venues to hear talent. There are some grungy places, but not many boutique areas to hear singer-songwriters in intimate crowds. That’s what we’re trying to create here. An intimate and friendly space to listen to and develop up-and-coming talent. To answer the question though, Costa Mesa has a venue called The Wayfarer that is pretty good and Casa is also a great place to hear jazz, blues and singer-songwriters that don’t always fit into the traditional rock and music venue circuit.

“WITH OUR SONGWRITING CAMP, PEOPLE REALIZE WE’RE ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC.” —THOMAS BARSOE

TOP 5 MUSICIANS: #1 Michael Jackson

#2 Stevie Wonder

#3 Prince

#4 Whitney Houston

#5 The Beatles

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APRIL

2016

166 HOME EXPERT Found Home Takes Curated Furniture to a Whole New Level

172 SETTING THE TABLE Beauty and Ballet Take Center Stage at Segerstrom

176 AWAY FEATURE These Are the 7 Essential Stops on a Desert Road Trip

188 SU CASA Laguna Beach’s Tropical Hideaway Straight Out of Bali

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AWAY FEATURE Her Way on the Highway

MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA 49500 Seminole Dr Cabazon, CA 92230 951.849.3080 www.morongocasinoresort.com

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HOME EXPERT

found JENI MAUS IS BRINGING VINTAGE STORIES AND STYLE BACK TO LIFE

WRITTEN BY: HOLLY CLINARD PHOTOGRAPHED BY: ADAM GENTRY

THE EXPER T

JENI MAUS Owner of Found Home, treasure hunter and curator of custom and handmade goods.

Jeni has Sourced her Items From: California, Texas, Hungary and France

There is something special about transformation.

When someone can turn a bunch of messy ingredients into a decadent meal, or give an old piece of furniture a chic vintage facelift for newfound appeal—magic is at work. Jeni Maus is a maker of that magic. Maus, owner, buyer and stylist behind Found Home in Fullerton, is the pioneer woman when it comes to finding one-of-a-kind pieces and giving them a story. Her passion has led her all over the world in search of the most beautiful furniture finds to add to Found’s collection of vintage home items for sale (and for rent, too!). Jeni’s style and imagination have made her into a leader in the vintage rentals and sales industry. We sat down to pick this curator’s brain and get the scoop behind her great taste.

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Q:

Tell us a little about your background and how Found Home got its big break.

Jeni Maus: My husband is a photographer and I had designed and decorated his photography studio in an old building built in 1905.

At the time, he used my vintage decor for his in-studio shoots, as well as on location. One time, a wedding coordinator came in and was amazed by the decor. She said, "Have you ever thought about renting this stuff out to brides?" And so it began. My husband and I did some research and found out that no one was doing strictly vintage rentals. When the website launched, we were featured on a wedding blog, and word spread like wildfire! We discovered quickly that the demand was there, and our vintage rental business grew quickly and feverishly. Six years later, Found Home was born out of simply a natural business progression. We were continuously being asked if we sold anything we rented. Another momentous step in our business!

Q: What inspires you most about interior design?

JM: I love interiors that feel cozy and unique to a person’s space.

Distressed furniture, worn books and one-of-a-kind pieces tell a person's story. They show the character of a person and a place and that is what inspires me!

Q: What types of events do you rent Found's fine vintage pieces for?

JM: We rent to so many different places and people. Weddings, corporate events, photo shoots, commercials, TV shows and personal parties—the list goes on and on. There are so many uses for our rental pieces that it has expanded into areas I never even imagined.

“Honestly, my favorite piece is probably a very old worn Napoleon III chair that shows the layers of fabrics used over the 100+ years of its life.”

—JENI MAUS

Q: The vintage couches and upholstered seating you have are gorgeous. What is your all-time favorite item from the Found Collection?

JM: Honestly, my favorite piece is probably a very old worn Napoleon III chair that shows the layers of fabrics used over the 100+ years of its life. The hay and horsehair that it was originally stuffed with is what makes this piece perfectly imperfect. We even named the chair after me, Jeni, because I just loved it so much!

Q: What is the most valuable, rare and special item on your menu of vintage items for rent/sale?

JM: Since I source from all over the globe, there are so many pieces that are special, because they are all original and truly one-of-a-kind. These pieces have a rich history and true character, that it would be hard to choose just one! That is what makes Found so exceptional and different from any other shop where you buy or rent furniture—each item is rare and special.

Q: What new finds and exciting things can we expect from Found Home in the next year?

JM: We always try to stay ahead of the trends and styles. We continually want our pieces to be exclusive and desirable. I am working on custom pieces made out of reclaimed wood, and upholstered pieces out of vintage textiles.

Q: A little vintage trivia about you: If there were an era you feel like you should have been born in, what decade would it be, and why?

JM: I would have to say late 19th century—and in Europe preferably. I am so drawn to the aesthetic of that time. The furniture was made so beautifully and with so much care. The detail and the structure of pieces were so gorgeous, which is why you can imagine I love them so much. I love pieces like this even more today—with all of the wear and tear, scratches and chipped paint!

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Maus’s husband came up with the name Found, and the very next day she went to buy a business license.

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THREE’S A D When shopping at Found Home, prospective buyers can choose from three distinct categories: Custom, Found and Handmade. Thanks to Maus’ expert curation, each contains items you won’t find anywhere else.

SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS 600 Town Center Dr Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.556.2787 www.scfta.org

“Cultivate friendships with your fellow students as good support systems are important.” —Stella Abrera

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VANITY AFFAIR Creating a Stage Ready Look with BALLERINA STELLA ABRERA

WRITTEN BY: SUSAN KRUPA

LOCALE MAGAZINE | 173

Q: How do you set up your vanity for a show?

Stella Abrera: I always set up my dressing room spot in the same way: Hairpins, nets, spray, and gel go in the top left corner, makeup brushes in a cup in the top right corner, shadows, blushes and liner pots in the bottom right corner, lipliners, lipsticks and eyelashes in the bottom left corner, and pancake makeup, sponges and mirror in the middle. Performances are exciting and often nerve-wracking; having my spot organized and orderly calms me.

Q: How long does it take for you to get ready?

SA: I can usually do my makeup in 15 minutes. Simple hairstyles take me another 15 minutes. If the role I’m doing requires a complex hairstyle, I either ask the hair and makeup team to help me, or I allot 45 minutes to tackle it myself. Then I warm up my body for the show for 45 minutes to one hour. Lastly, I put on my costume/headpiece and secure my pointe shoe ribbons; that takes about 15 minutes.

STELLA’S FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

She likes to try out different products and intentionally changes certain elements of her makeup collection, but there are some products she always has on-hand.

MEHRON PANCAKE MAKEUP: This is a must have. She has used it her whole career; it’s specially designed for theatrical use.

“Maintain your focus, work tirelessly and be patient with yourself.”—Stella Abrera 174 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

Q: What happens if there is a costume or makeup issue before a performance?

SA: Both the wardrobe and makeup/hair departments are fantastic at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). If a problem arises, a team of people assess and solve the problem within a few minutes. Rarely does the stage management have to hold the curtain [delay the start of the performance] due to such issues.

Q: How much time during the week do you spend rehearsing?

SA: It varies depending on the repertoire in the coming season. On some really tough days, I could rehearse for seven hours straight.

But on average, I would say I rehearse about four hours per day.

That’s following the 90 ballet class we all take every morning to hone our technique and warm-up our bodies for the workday. Finally, I’ll cross-train for about an hour in ABT’s gym.

ALMAY WATERPROOF EYELINER: Can’t have raccoon eyes after a sweaty pas de deux!

Q: What is your favorite role that you have played?

SA: Giselle. It’s an iconic role from one of the oldest and most revered ballets. Giselle is a tale of love, intrigue, betrayal and redemption. This character embarks on an exhilarating, rewarding journey. In Act One, Giselle is an innocent, joyful peasant girl who ultimately dies of a broken heart. In Act Two, she floats up from her grave to forgive her transgressor and protect him from a badass army of vengeful ghost women. It’s pretty epic!

PANTENE 2-IN-1 SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: After the show, a timely rinse so she can make a quick getaway.

Q: What advice do you give to young dancers hoping to make a career in ballet?

SA: Maintain your focus, work tirelessly and be patient with yourself. Cultivate friendships with your fellow students as good support systems are important. Be conscious of proper nutrition and health and well-being. Also, try to enjoy yourself!

Headshot by: Jade Young

S

tella Abrera’s career has taken her around the world, including a three-year stop at the Royal Academy of Dancing in Sydney, Australia. She went on to win a gold medal at the Royal Academy of Dancing Awards in London and is now a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. As a principal dancer, she has the opportunity to play lead roles in both classic and modern ballets from well-known productions of The Nutcracker to lesser known works like Here After. The beauty and grace of the ballet are a product of years of training, choreography, costuming and makeup. So, what does it take to go from the street to the stage? Stella Abrera gives us a behind the scenes peek at what she does in preparation before a show.

APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Blue Eyed Girl www.shopblueeyedgirl.com

CLASSIC MUSTANG RENTALS 1745 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.650.5202 www.classicmustangrentals.com

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HER WAY ON THE

A GUIDE TO THE BEST DESERT ROAD TRIP EVER WRITTEN BY: LINDSAY DELONG PHOTOGRAPHED BY: MICHAEL WESLEY STYLED BY: AMANDA GERARDO MODELS: ALANA NOLAND & JENNY PURTEE OF BRAND MODEL & TALENT AGENCY, www.brandtalent.net

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OTHER THAN THE OBVIOUS REASONS,

part of Southern California's beauty lies in the fact that no matter where you are, you're always within two hours of either the beach, the mountains or the desert. You can be on a surfboard in the waters of Huntington Beach on Friday, shredding powder on the slopes of Big Bear on Saturday and come Sunday, if you find yourself driving a classic red convertible Mustang with the top down en route to La Quinta, you're truly owning California. Road trips are a vital part of SoCal living and of all the destinations our state has to offer, the Coachella Valley is essential viewing. There are more than a few must-sees along the way as you coast through each town and we've got you covered. Behold, what to see and do when you're high-tailing it to the desert.

APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Blue Eyed Girl www.shopblueeyedgirl.com

CLASSIC MUSTANG RENTALS 1745 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.650.5202 www.classicmustangrentals.com 178 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

STOP

#1

CLASSIC MUSTANG RENTALS

FIRST THINGS FIRST, you’re officially on a road trip and you’re going to need that classic car. Set yourself up with a timeless beauty and learn all the old car intricacies: how to get that drop top down for maximum wind-in-hair effect, how to tune the radio to your favorite oldies station and, most importantly, where exactly that gas tank is located—trust me, it’s trickier than you’d think! Once you’ve got that freeway situation under control, it’s a straight shot toward road trip bliss.

YOU’VE GOT A STRAIGHT SHOT TOWARD ROAD TRIP BLISS.

STOP PARK IT LIKE IT’S HOT Ò With a mall the size of Desert Hill, it’s to be expected that parking can be a nightmare. Try finding parking on the back end rather than the front or middle section; you’ll do a little more walking but you’ll also be spending less time cooped up in your car.

#2

DESERT HILL PREMIUM OUTLETS 48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230 951.849.6641 | www.premiumoutlets.com

WANT FRIES WITH THAT? Ò You're officially in the 909 now and as any true 909-er will tell you, there's no place like Baker's Drive Thru. The Inland Empire lives and breathes Baker’s.

You can't go wrong with a supersized Papa Meal. Their hearty burgers and hand-dipped real ice cream milk shakes even give—gasp!— In-N-Out Burger a run for its money.

However, if that last statement caused your SoCal heart to skip some beats and your mouth is already salivating for that DoubleDouble, go for it—InN-Out is just a few exits away and the 909 will probably forgive you.

DESERT HILL PREMIUM OUTLETS

YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL STOP SHOULD BE THE DESERT HILL PREMIUM OUTLETS. It's the perfect excuse to add a shopping spree to your trip. Discount stores range from Balenciaga to Billabong, Jimmy Choo to J. Crew and Armani to Asics. Everything is already on sale so why wouldn't you buy that new jacket? And bathing suit? And extra-soft velour bodysuit with matching sneakers?

You need it and it's a good deal. Sold! With over 180 luxury outdoor stores, Cabazon's outlet mall is the largest collection of outlets in California, making it a sure thing you’ll find prime gifts for everyone in your hot little speedster. There’s no guarantee all your new loot will fit in it though!

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STOP

#3

HADLEY FRUIT ORCHARDS 47993 Morongo Trail Cabazon, CA 92230 951.849.5255 www.hadleyfruitorchards.com

HADLEY FRUIT ORCHARDS

JUST PAST THE OUTLETS IS HADLEY FRUIT ORCHARDS, a California landmark that has been in business for six decades. Step inside the brightly colored old wooden building and you are immediately transported back to the ’60s. At Hadley Fruit Orchards you're sure to pick up plenty of organic fruits, nuts, cereals and preserves as well as baked goods, dried and candied fruit and, of course, their legendary Date Shakes. Boasting the largest selection of dates you'll ever find, Hadley’s offerings range from the sweet dates you find in the creamy shakes to date cakes and even dates stuffed with walnuts. Oh hello, healthy new you!

SLIM PICKINGS Ò Founder Paul Hadley Sr.’s healthy yet energizing mix of dried fruit, nuts and seeds was initially for hikers of the nearby San Jacinto Mountains but soon Hadley’s trail mix became its own popular snack.

APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Blue Eyed Girl www.shopblueeyedgirl.com

STEP INSIDE THE BRIGHTLY COLORED OLD WOODEN BUILDING AND YOU ARE IMMEDIATELY TRANSPORTED BACK TO THE ’60S.

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WORLD’S BIGGEST DINOSAURS 50800 Seminole Dr Cabazon, CA 92230 951.922.8700 www.cabazondinosaurs.com

STOP

#4

WORLD’S BIGGEST DINOSAURS

GRAB SOME DATES FOR A SNACK AND HEAD NEXT DOOR TO THE WORLD'S BIGGEST DINOSAURS. The two dinosaurs were the brainchildren of Claude Bell, a former Knott's Berry Farm sculptor, who started construction on the first one (Dinny the Apatosaurus) in 1964. Dinny ultimately took 11 years and over $250,000 to complete. Standing at 150feet long, and 45-feet high, Dinny is towered over by his younger sibling, a Tyrannosaurus rex aptly named Rex, who stands at 65-feet high. There's a gift shop inside Dinny, and stairs that lead up Rex's neck to a viewing area behind the dinosaur's teeth. The iconic dinosaurs have made appearances in a few movies, most notably Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Self-guided tours are available every day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and cost $8.95 for adults and $7.95 for children.

BASIC EXTINCT Ò According to a 1970 interview with The RegisterGuard, Claude Bell originally planned to give Dinny the dinosaur glowing eyes and fire breath.

“It’ll scare the dickens out of a lot of people driving up over the pass,” Bell said.

STOP

#5

MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA

ONCE YOU’VE TAKEN THAT OBLIGATORY DINO SELFIE, YOU'RE OFF TO THE MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA. One of the largest casinos in California, the resort has 310 rooms and sits on 44 acres. In addition to the hotel and casino, the property offers golf, shopping, bowling, plenty of restaurants and the Oasis Pool and Sage Spa. Furthermore, Morongo’s entertainment and nightlife scene draw plenty of out-of-towners who come from all over SoCal to try their luck in the new exclusive room for high rollers. Dance at Vibe Night Club, dine at the resort’s signature steakhouse, Cielo, or slide a few chips at the roulette table and let Lady Luck decide how long you're staying.

THE WHOLE PACKAGE Ò Each month at Morongo you’ll find different packages available that offer exclusive rates on rooms with views, spa deals, casino credits, tee times and more. Book in advance!

STOP

#6

WINE DOWN Ò In addition to

signature cocktails and an impressive wine list, Mélange’s sommelier offers eight different varieties of wine available by selfdispense.

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THE CHATEAU AT LAKE LA QUINTA 78120 Caleo Bay Dr, La Quinta, CA 92253 888.226.4546 | www.thechateaulakelaquinta.com

THE CHATEAU AT LAKE LA QUINTA

ALAS, IT'S TIME FOR THE FINAL STRETCH. Back on the 10 past Palm Springs and Palm Desert you’ll reach La Quinta, a resort city and one of the leading golf destinations in the US. While the town is full of sprawling ritzy resorts, The Chateau at Lake La Quinta sticks out. A quaint 24-room boutique hotel located on the lagoon, The Chateau has the inviting feel of home mixed with class and luxury—we’re talking 400-thread-count sheets and BVLGARI bath products. The gourmet restaurant Mélange features an outdoor area where patrons can dock their boats for a fine dining experience worth the trip across the lagoon. Outdoor fire pits combined with an expansive wine collection mean you’ll definitely want to cozy up in one of the lakeside bungalows. Your weekend road trip is officially over. Until tomorrow, that is, when you have to drive back ... unless you can figure out a way to stay here all week. “Hi boss, I'll be at the pool. At the Chateau.” Click.

MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA 49500 Seminole Dr Cabazon, CA 92230 951.849.3080 www.morongocasinoresort.com APPAREL PROVIDED BY: Blue Eyed Girl www.shopblueeyedgirl.com

TIPS FOR THE BIG TRIP Our Friends at

GRAND PRIX PERFORMANCE Share 5 Tips to Get You Road Trip Ready

IN ADDITION TO THE HOTEL AND CASINO, THE PROPERTY OFFERS GOLF, SHOPPING, BOWLING, PLENTY OF RESTAURANTS AND THE OASIS POOL AND SAGE SPA.

DID SOMEBODY SAY ROAD TRIP? As car lovers, the folks at Grand Prix Performance like nothing more than a long drive on the open road. But they want to help you make sure you’re ready for the long haul.

TIP #1

CHECK YOUR TIRE WEAR

Ò Many newer tires have built-in tread-wear

indicators that let you know when it is time to replace your tires. When the indicators appear in two or three places, it is time to replace your tires.

TIP #2

CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE

Ò Proper inflation is key to a safe journey and will

help with your gas mileage, too! Look on the driver’s side door jamb or your owner’s manual to find your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire PSI (pounds per square inch) for your front and rear tires. Ò EXTRA TIP: Make sure to check your spare as well!

There is nothing worse than finding out you have an out of commission spare once you’ve already got a flat tire.

TIP #3

CHECK YOUR BRAKES

Ò A fully functioning brake system is crucial to the

safety of you and your passengers, and the safety of other drivers on the road. When you depress the brake pedal, it should feel firm and move no more than halfway to the floor.

TIP #4

CHECK YOUR LIGHTS

Ò Make a visual check to see that all of your lights

are working and clean. Don’t forget to look after your parking lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, backup and brake lights.

TIP #5

CHECK YOUR CAR’S FLUIDS

Ò Checking your vehicle’s oil, coolant and brake fluid

levels is highly recommended and may help you avoid an accident or an unnecessary breakdown.

Take your car to the professionals and get everything checked out!

GRAND PRIX PERFORMANCE 1718 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 wwww.grandprixperformance.com | 949.645.7022 LOCALE MAGAZINE | 185

This home might be within striking distance of many of Orange County’s most celebrated cities, but it truly feels a world away.

125 Irvine Cove Ct Laguna Beach, CA 92651 188 | LOCALE MAGAZINE

SU CASA Our sneak peek inside gorgeous local homes

EAT, PRAY,

Laguna A Balinese Escape in Laguna Beach

WRITTEN BY: JEFF COOPER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY: STANFIELD GROUP

smooth ride along the world famous Pacific Coast Highway takes you to the gates of Irvine Cove, a community of just over 100 homes that curves along a private stretch of beach. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by sweet ocean breezes and a sunset that will take your breath away. Offered at $9.75M, 125 Irvine Court features six bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms. The home has around 7,000 square feet of indoor living space inspired by Balinese design. A four-car garage with extra outdoor parking sits behind the beautiful wooden gate to the property. It took three years to design, construct and outfit this home to the owner’s tastes and the love and care put into the space is obvious. In addition to the interior, there is about 2,000 square feet of covered outdoor living space showcasing lush gardens and tropical foliage, which perfectly frame the views of the ocean.

a

LISTING AGENT: Sean Stanfield BRE#01024996 714.421.3377 | 949.390.4543 LOCALE MAGAZINE | 189

The doors lead you outside where a glistening swimming pool and Balinese statues line the lush patio space.

The estate is as authentically Balinese as possible

and many of the finishes and furnishings were brought directly from Bali. The owner chose well-known local architect Steve Ball to design the home and interior designer Christine Hallen-Berg to outfit the home to exacting standards. Hellenberg went with the owners to Bali and spent over a month choosing the doors and art, as well as some of the flooring and finishes that were shipped back and installed in Laguna Beach. The home truly stands out as a unique showcase of design and architectural talent.

The powder room is one of the places where the Balinese influence of the home really shines—the floor has a pebbled look and the sink basin is an authentic large

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shell from Bali that the owners brought back with them. In the kitchen, unique yellow limestone graces the countertops of the raised island, with a commanding view of the pool and the Pacific. The appliances are top of the line and there is a warm dining area with a natural wood tabletop and a butler’s pantry.

The home contains three “buildings”—the first is the kitchen and living spaces, the second is home to the office and guest suite and the third structure is the entryway, which in typical Balinese fashion is a defined space from the main home. To enter the home, you cross a turtle pond on a dark slate walkway that leads you inside. The owners took a chance to create a special home, and to create something that hadn’t been done before in Irvine Cove, and they succeeded. The

Three’s Company In Balinese culture, when the colors red, black and white are combined it’s called the Tri Datu. This color combination is a Hindu symbol of Brahma (creation), Vishnu (preservation) and Shiva (destruction).

Having a Ball Ball’s past architectural projects include the Ethiopian embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former Afghan ambassador Ishaq Shahryar’s home and actress Geena Davis’ Hollywood home.

You truly feel transported to a tropical oasis and, looking back at the home from the pool area, you can appreciate the dark wood decking and wrap-around balconies.

walls of the home are lined with large, custom glass sliding doors that are finished in dark wood. The doors lead you outside where a glistening swimming pool and Balinese statues line the lush patio space. You truly feel transported to a tropical oasis and, looking back at the home from the pool area, you can appreciate the dark wood decking and wrap-around balconies.

One of the most striking outdoor spaces is the large outdoor living room with an authentic thatched roof, Balinese lanterns and large comfortable sofas and chairs designed by Linda Garland, an expert on Balinese architecture and decor. Also accessible to the pool area are the guest quarters, which has its own en suite steam bath. When it is time for bed, the master suite does not disappoint. With views of the lush gardens and ocean beyond, you can drift asleep with the cool ocean breeze on your dark wood pedestal bed with its flowing white curtains. The oversized master bathroom features a large soaking tub along a set of windows framing the ocean and sunset.

This home might be within striking distance of many of Orange County’s most celebrated cities, but it truly feels a world away. The property transports its guests into its own tropical paradise, and is a statement of high quality craftsmanship and design. The new owners will surely know they are some of the lucky few who will get to enjoy this home as their own private paradise.

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TO OUR PARTNERS Andaz

JPS Designs

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192 | LOCALE MAGAZINE