French 75 1464 S Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 494-8444 www.french75.net Blue Eyed Girl 31103 Rancho Viejo Road San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (949) 429-1361 www.shopblueeyedgirl.com
ne of the best parts about being a So Cal dweller in the summertime is the fact that there are tons and tons of things to do! Not only are the beaches ripe and ready for us to sprawl out on our towels and don some sunscreen, but the event calendar for coastal OC is packed with art walks, family fun, and parties galore. Good thing you’ve saved a weekend for Laguna Beach’s biggest art and craft festival, the Sawdust Art Festival! It’s time to let your hair down and throw on your artsybest for this oh-so cultured Laguna Beach festival. But before you get down to business walking the rows of paintings and handmade things, you’ll need to charge up with some din-din, right? French 75 must be the nearby number that’s been calling your name (either that or you’re just craving their decadent chocolate soufflé!). A true FrenchAmerican bistro and champagne bar, this cottage-like restaurant has staked its claim on OC for 60 years straight. Not only is this one of the most romantic spots in Laguna Beach, but their menu is stocked with delicious items that’ll have you wanting more! From the moment you walk into French 75, you’ll feel like you stepped into the Moulin Rouge itself—red décor, dark wood, leather seats, and pommes frites like you’ve never had before (trust me on this one!). If you’re feelin’ it, I dare you to order the Moulin Rouge martini—one of French 75’s signature martinis from their pagelong list. Go a bit wild tonight, and try out the escargot, the famous foie gras, or even the seafood-lover mussels, and your taste buds will no doubt give you a standing ovation! Finish off that meal with French’s chocolate soufflé—an honest musthave at this local-lovers hideaway. Merci beaucoup!
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summer lovin’ 2011
Look your art-lover finest tonight with threads from locally grown Blue Eyed Girl Boutique. With four OC locations to their name now, husband and wife owners Tom and Dawn McKnight have grown a blueeyed empire. Now open in San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, and even as far north as Santa Barbara, you can find their sweet OC girl sorta style easily in-store, or even at B.E.G.’s online shop, shopblueeyedgirl.com. Blue Eyed Girl doesn’t just get their stylish character by guessing what you’ll like, but they travel all around the globe to find up-and-coming designers from Los Angeles, The Big Apple, and Europe, bringing these clothes right to your Orange County doorstep! Jewelry maker Liz Jona also sells pieces in this boutique, and brings design influence from faraway lands like Ethiopia, China, and Indonesia— yes, all of this and more under one roof (or four if you hit up all of their locations!). Blue Eyed Girl boutique also carries some of my personal favorite brands like Hudson Jeans, J Brand, Free People, Joie, Hale Bob, Gypsy 05, Goddis, Hoss, Michael Stars, Desigual, Johnny Was, and even Dolce Vita (ooo la la!). A stand-out among the rest, the McKnights have created a place that is known throughout their clientele base as the boutique with exceptional customer service, and genuine, honest, and helpful stylists that thrive on finding the perfect designerss and fits for each gal that walks through their top-notch doors. Did I mention the decor in this lovely lil’ location? If you can take your eyes off of the cutting edge fashions and accessories, take the time to look up at the draping chandeliers and urban brick features that adorn the walls of Blue Eyed Girl. This darling decor and hot-to-trot fashion make Blue Eyed Girl a must-see in the realm of OC boutiques.