42 of LA's Brightest Cinderellas said "Yes to the Prom" with BCBGeneration, TLC, & Discovery Familia.

By Laura Medina

Monte Durham of TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta" with a Cotilliton of Young Ladies.

Tucked away in BCBG's top secret headquarters, a bevy of Los Angeles' brightest and smartest high school female students, from two of the city's most overlooked high schools, giddily pick and select three dresses and gowns of their choice with an army of styling and grooming help from BCBG's, TLC's, and Discovery Channel's volunteers.

Heading this troop of volunteer "Fairy Godparents" is Monte Durham, the fashion director and star of TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta."

He was willing to embark on this five city tour of assisting the brightest and smartest of young ladies for their proms because he wants to pass on the worthy Southern tradition of grooming and polishing young people, regardless of socio-economic status, for society, whether it's high society or fully-functional society as well-behaved adults.

Monte said growing up in the Virginia, his family didn't have a whole lot of money.  They always had food.  They always had shelter but they made concessions to groom him for not just prom and high society but how to carry one's self through-out life.

He want to teach these girls, who excel in under-served schools, that you don't need designer clothes or a lot of money to be elegant and classy.

"Even though we didn't have a whole lot of money, there are two things my parents always you will always have, 'That you will always be cleaned; and that you will always have manners." In an uniquely Southern way of joking, "I'm still more of the one than the other.  I'm still figuring out what that is."  So, we all can't be perfect but we still try to exceed in one of the two arenas.

"We were taught in what we have to take care of.  We were brought up to press everything before we leave the house.  Even to this day, he still irons his clothes before he leaves the hotel.  I press all my clothes.  I still polish my shoes to get ready for the day.  I still do it.  That's the way I was taught.  I still do it."

"You know what, it really comes down to respect, for yourself and for others.  It actually boils down to paying attention.  You don't have to have the most designer garment on but it can be cleaned; it can be tailored; it can be pressed and ready to go.  You're gonna make a scene."  

"It's about improving confidence and that's what we're doing today.  You don't have to wear designer clothes.  You don't have to go to an Ivy League college.  Confidence needs to come from within."  

"A lot of it happens with good habits and good grooming and good manners.  Those three things will take you a long way."

To build assurance and confidence that will grow with these young ladies into a lifetime, Monte wants to prove and show them that you don't need a whole lot of money to be stylish; and having manners, whether you're poor or rich, carries you a long way.

Proving that you care and give then receive equal amounts of respect, doesn't mean nor give you the right to be a snob.  In other words, don't be slobby with manners.

It is these life lessons, simple good habits, simple yet wholesome grooming, and most importantly, good manners with little money but with a whole lot of care, that is what Monte and an army of fellow "Fairy Godmothers" are trying to instill in these girls,  while advising these well-deserving, bright young ladies on what silhouette, colors, and textures bring out their best features then they help these young ladies coordinate jewelry, shoes, and accessories of their own choice then the volunteer stylists make it better.

Monte and volunteer army of stylists from TLC, BCBG, and Discovery Familia call this "empowerment."

Grooming and polishing Los Angeles' 42 brightest and smartest high school seniors for America's rite of passage into adulthood, a passage these students couldn't afford otherwise, is a mission that Joyce Azria, Creative Director of BCBGeneration, is willing to take on.

BCBGeneration is not well-known for their eveningwear and special events ball gown but they do manufacture them...lots of them.  Rather than mark them down at outlets or throw them away, much less burn them.  BCBG sees it's a worthy cause to donate their eveningwear then let these young ladies have their pick and say in three dresses that will help them transition through life, a prom dress, a graduation dress, and a cocktail dress for college then adulthood.  Possibly, these outfits can be passed down as family heirlooms.

 

Joyce Azria is very excited about donating highly crafted overstock and the family's headquarters for "Say Yes to the Dress" program.

"I'm very excited about this program because I love anything that has to do with girls feeling important, feeling beautiful, feeling honored, and feeling special.  Quite frankly, this event focuses on making them feel special, loved, giving them a lot of attention then sharing that is a very important moment in their lives."

This is the first time BCBG, specifically BCBGeneration, participates in the "Say Yes to the Prom" program and as a the fifth and last city, it is also the first time for Los Angeles.

Joyce is open to admit she first learned about the program from public relations but it's a worthy cause that she knows that BCBG can hit out of the ball park.     

"Obviously, the show is a huge success.  I never thought I'll be related to the show or be working with the show but we're really, really honored to have the ability to throw the show for them. "

As being interviewed during her lunch on a hectic but fun-filled, glamor day, "I work very, very hard.  I even work through my lunch."

"I feel like all these young girls are stepping up for their parents.  A lot of them have seen their parents come from other countries.  We (Joyce being a daughter of French and Russian immigrants) don't take our opportunities living in this country for granted."

In describing these young ladies she is helping in "Say Yes to the Prom," Joyce describes them as, "This girl is a very intelligent girl.  She knows she needs to step up for her family and for herself."

What she and BCBGeneration is doing for these young ladies on "Say Yes to the Prom" Day is what she calls, "A definitely "red carpet treatment," usually reserved for A-list celebrities getting primp and prep for the Golden Globes, the Grammys, and the Oscars during Awards Season.

Joyce, "I'm so happy to help."

Monte and Joyce are offering help that these deserving young ladies would never get otherwise.  Monte and Joyce are happy to offer their wisdom and resources to these ladies when it comes to that rite of passage from being girls to helping them being debuted into society.

"Say Yes to the Prom" is more than just giving these well-deserving girl the Hollywood Red Carpet treatment.   The organization, the production, and the logistics are on par with New York and Paris Fashion Week.  Compared to other fashion week shows, "Say Yes to the Prom," the Los Angeles edition was one of the best run fashion productions in the city.

BCBG's factory facility was transformed into a white and gold atelier with fake fur shag carpeting, French Rocco furniture and couches, a make-believe Parisian atelier in the heart of top-secret industrial Los Angeles.

The top-notch production and logistics were needed when handling an army of makeup artists and hair stylists from Ruby Makeup Academy and an army of volunteer stylists, headed of course, by Monte Durham.  

Watching 42 young ladies being primp and prep reminds this scribe of New York Fashion Fashion...but with more space.

To make sure that dress is right, Monte and his volunteers escort the ladies to a special alteration/tailoring section where tailors happily adjust and fit the gowns.

Once the look is "finalized," the young ladies walk the runway.

Mind you, these young ladies are academics from two of Los Angeles' most overlooked schools.  They're just happy with scholarships and grants but to be "Cinderellas" for a day...now this is special.

Sure, "debuting" on the runway was awkward for the most of them but Monte and Joyce soothe their nervousness.  He can't help but comment how everybody's hair in Los Angeles is so lush.  He was so happy when one of the ladies selected a bedazzled scarlet red ballgown with a full skirt.

Since this is also a runway show, Monte also commented on emerging prom and eveningwear trends.

This wasn't just a treat for the young ladies but also for the all employees and volunteers involved.

The audience was packed, full of beaming BCBG employees and TCL and Discovery Channel volunteers who were so proud of seeing their work on display.

The finale was when all 42 ladies walked the runway then gathered at the end, surrounding Monte.  This was their cotillion that will launch them into society. 

BCBGeneration, TLC, and Discovery Familia are thrilled to be "Fairy Godmothers" to these well-deserving and well-earned Cinderellas.

 

 

 

  

 

 

Surf & Turf with Plenty of Room for Sodas & Bitters & Whipped Matcha Green Tea at Baltaire.

By Laura Medina

Steak & Spinach, top.

Lamb Chops, bottom.

https://www.tastemade.com/places/baltaire-11647-san-vicente-blvd-los-angeles-ca/g5Ihsh9hTJqX7ZLp_vOq9w

Within a mere short 2 months, the nouveau power-house steakhouse, Baltaire, already received accolades for their juicy cuts of steak for dinner, but what about lunch and brunch...and Happy Hour for the rest of day?

Those aspects have been overlooked for the much glamorized dinner but there are so many meals and singular services that Baltaire excels at.

One shouldn't overlook it's lengthy lunch menu and it's shorter in length but deep in quality Happy Hour Menu, a select pick of hits spanning from lunch into dinner.

This scribe stops by Baltaire for lunch or mid-afternoon fueling before charging into one or two or even three evening engagements later that night.

Laura's Cough Syrup, left; Cough Syrup with Soda, middle; Lavender Soda, right.

Since this scribe is refueling to charge into the night, getting smashed beforehand isn't a right move but this sophisticated palate wants something more than diabetic-inducing pedestrian soft drinks.

The mixologists-slash-bartenders at Baltaire are the unsung treasures at the restaurant.  These are highly trained, skilled, and certificated bartenders imported from Manhattan just for their gift and expertise.

When Baltaire opened, this scribe was stricken with post-Oscar Flu.  Sensing an allergic attack, s bartender knew better than to get this sick scribe drunk for no reason.  Instead, he whipped up an healthy concoction that this country's colonial settlers might recognize, a pure lemon juice and honey concoction (with some secret ingredients sans alcohol) to decongest and soothe the lungs.  It eased the pain; and we gladly nicknamed it, "Laura's Cough Syrup."

Once the coughing eases up, he topped out "Laura's Cough Syrup" with lemon-lime soda for a fizzier feel.

Experimenting for Spring and Summer, the bartender whipped up Lavender Soda with Lavender Syrup, made from scratch.  We agreed it was fluffy in effervescence.  This one is for my lavender-loving friends.

Another mixologist/bartender to keep your eyes out for is the one who studies herbal medicine during his off-hours when he's not bartending at Baltaire.  He bartends on Thursdays.

The bar has a slew of artisanal bitters, hand-crafted and customized in the same way sodas used to be, medicinal, herbal, and refreshingly healthy before mechanized into overly-sugared mass production, giving real sodas the bad name they have to endure to this day.

Let's not forget the meals! 

 Filet Steak Salad & Lobster Cobb Salad, top.

Manhattan Clam Chowder with Frites and Laura's Cough Syrup, bottom.

The soup and salads don't disappoint.

The Manhattan Clam Chowder is more of a stew, rich in bacon swimming in a pool of tomato-based thick soup.

The Filet Steak Salad and the Lobster Cobb Salad are meals unto themselves.  You ain't missing out on these protein-packed bowls.  These are salads meant for carnivores who need their fibers, antioxidants, and nutrients.   Well-rounded meals.

Baltaire's The Butchered Burger.

Everybody talks about their mouth-watering steak for dinner.  This scribe leaves it up to them.

Say, if your so-called "lunch meeting" runs late or interferes with your lunch-time work-out, or you're doing a massive article, God Bless Baltaire's heart for having a hearty Happy Hour that fills in the gap between lunch and dinner.

What the Happy Hour lacks in variety, it makes up on focusing the classic, no-fail hits such as the personally hand-ground Butchered Burger or the Lobster Roll, great for fueling up on sustainable protein before the hitting evening circuit.

 https://www.tastemade.com/places/v/1ahKlPGiQnOSADBHyQ9geg

Can't forget dessert or the alternative to dessert.

Can't go wrong with this Spring's/Summer's pick of Lemon Meringue Pie, but the overlooked alternative is the table side, whipped from scratch Matcha Green Tea Table-side Service.  

Yes, this scribe did indulged in a crunchy-encrusted, juicy steak dinner on opening night.  For ease, this scribe ordered the Matcha Green Tea Service out of curiosity.  Was delightfully surprised when the Beverage Director, David Vaughn, personally wheels up table side with a chic, minimalist cart with an elaborated, fully-kitted out Japanese Ceremonial Tray and a kettle of boiling water.  Soon, he magically brushed and whipped up a frothy cup of yummy Matcha Green Tea, their version of a cappuccino for dessert.

He educated this scribe that Baltaire is the only West Coast restaurant, other than two restaurants back in New York, that does this tableside, made-from-scratch frothy Matcha Green Tea Table-side Service.

If your tooth isn't sweet or want something different, never skip out on the Match Green Tea Table-side Service.  You'll delight your diabetic friend and family. 

 Baltaire Brunch: Two Poached Eggs, Bacons, Fried Potatos and Toast washed down with  Ramos Gin Fizz.

  

No great restaurant wouldn't be great unless completed with brunch.

This recent, past Mother's Day was the unofficial launch for brunch service.

This scribe has no intention of driving anywhere on Sundays (time to give this scribe and the car a break), the weekend is a fine time to imbibe on Brunch-only cocktails.  Some so classic that they're historical.  There's nothing like sipping a frothy, egg white-based Ramos Gin Fizz, a concoction so creamy that you wouldn't notice that there is no cream or milk in it at all.  Cheers to the bartenders.  For my lavender friend, they sprinkle lavender on top.

For partying the night before, Baltaire's Two Organic Eggs Any Way with bacon, toast, and fried potatoes have enough grease and carbs to absorb the alcohol.  Having the eggs poached serves as a dipping sauce for your toast, bacon, and potatoes.  You can spoon up the remaining egg sauce.

Yes, Baltaire stands at the former site of the largest Cheesecake Factory in Los Angeles before it was shut-down three years ago, at 11647 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA90049.

They still retain the architectural "bones."

They have two roomy private banquet rooms, and a spacious fireplace/piano bar, ideal for Grammy parties and industry concerts.

The patio/lounge area has sliding widows/walls that let in that singular Santa Monica sea breeze in.

The greatest virtue of Baltaire, especially for visiting Manhattanites who don't know any better, is the sheer volume of space and sections that can be reserved, sectioned-off, and blocked for all sorts of publicity-oriented events as gifting suites during Award Season or beauty soirees year-around or industry concerts headlining legendary musicians by the grand piano...by the crackling fireplace in one of three lounges.  Another overlook aspect of Baltaire, "the space" as they say in cramped New York.

The Olde School professional service, that would make the Roger Sterlings and the Don Drapers (a.k.a. the "Mad Men") of the universe feel right at home, is the place to make and seal "the deal for you all's today's industry wheelers and dealers and players.

Yes, Baltaire answered the simple call of a decent steakhouse in a restaurant row dominated by Italian bistros and crowded by starving starlets' vegan, diet-conscious cafes.

Baltaire feeds and soothes the hungry soul with satisfying steaks and surf & turf with room, tons of room.

 

 

 

Basic, Wholesome, Innovative Beauty Basic, Mineral Fusion at Whole Foods.

By Laura Medina

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/skin-care/products/mineral-spf-30-brush-on-sun-defense#

Most women know that every supermarket carries aisle of basic makeup and skincare that anyone can toss in their cart in a pinch.

If you're like this scribe who really cares what she put on her skin, as well as what she puts in, Whole Foods also carries "basic and wholesome" makeup and skincare lines that the average shopper can toss in their basket or cart.

One of these "basic and wholesome" beauty lines is Mineral Fusion.  Always reliable Mineral Fusion, best known for their nail polishes.

Most folks know it for their powdered sunscreen in a tube, with a brush, that anyone can dust on while dashing on the go.  Thank god, it's their basic, from which their skincare and makeup grew from.

Still, Mineral Fusion has a bunch of stand-out skincare and makeup that deserves to be tried and used everyday.

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/skin-care/products/limitless-beauty-cream#

For all you Do-It-Yourselvers who are creative as they are crafty as they are cheap as they are eco-minded, no more figuring what to buy and how to mix for an All-in-One Basic Cream that can turned their numberous powdered color cosmetics into finger-friendly creams and tints for spreadable and smear-able eyeshadows and creamy blush flush for cheeks.

Mineral Fusion's innovative coconut cream lotion, Limitless Beauty Cream, that you can use on a myriad of uses: moisturizing lips, taming brows, applying to dry elbows, nourishing cracked heels, softening cuticles, or simply use as a hand cream or super-rich night cream.

More than just skincare lotion, Mineral Fusion's Limitless Beauty Cream can be used as a base to mix into powdered cosmetics for cream shadows and blushes, or use as a luminizer.

This is Mineral Fusion's #1 Hit seller, alongside their Powdered Sunscreen, brushed over a face or neck or chest already prepped with their Mineral Fusion Limitless Beauty Cream, you'll get a creamy, opaque "foundation" appearance using the most basic of Mineral Fusion without the heavy grease and chemical from conventional cosmetics.

Mineral Fusion is multi-purpose.

 

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/cosmetics/products/mineral-blush-bronzer-duo?variant=1226569143

A good powdered cosmetic to mix and blend for all sorts of spots to highlight, sculpture, and warm the face is Mineral Fusion's Mineral Blush/Bronzer Duo in warm rose paired with bright pink.

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/cosmetics/products/3-in-1-mineral-color-stick?

If all that mixing and blending is too time-consuming or you're simply short on time, dab and dash with Mineral Fusion's 3-in-1 Color Stick.

This is what Mineral Fusion call their tinted sticks,...

Instant Color For Cheeks, Eyes & Lips
This versatile product is all you need to add color to cheeks, eyes and lips. The lightweight formula will add a subtle shimmer and pretty glow to any complexion.
Perfect For On-The-Go Use
Brush-free application - apply and blend with fingertips. Easily fits in your bag for touch-ups throughout the day and night.
Multi-Tasking Makeup
All-in-one product speeds up your morning routine.

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/skin-care/prime#

A true sign of innovation responding to customers' busy, healthy lifestyles, skincare and beauty brands have come up with cosmeceuticals, where skincare intersects with makeup, like Mineral Fusion's new line-up of primers.

If you want to go beyond traditional moisturizers, Mineral Fusion's Hydrating Primer fills in lines, nourishes skin, and evens tone and texture creating a smooth canvas for makeup application.  At the same time, its Nutrient-replenishing Mineral Water softens and hydrates skin while providing essential moisture to skin cells.  Think of this as a light-weight choice to heavy creams for folks with combination complexions.

Their Mattifying Primer not only soaks up the grease and prevents pollutants from clogging up the pores, it also has natural antioxidants and their wrinkle fighting, collagen-boosting peptide help minimize the appearance of fine lines.  Great for those in-between Middle-Agers who are now suffering from both wrinkles and adult acne.

Again, if you're searching for a cosmeceutical quick-fix, basically makeup with benefits, Illuminating Primer luxurious formula fills in lines, brightens, illuminates, and evens tone and texture creating a smooth canvas for makeup application with spreading radiant gold flecks create exquisite, subtle illumination and the perfect hint of shimmer.  It also fights wrinkles with natural antioxidants and collagen-boosting peptides.  

For those with sun and age spots...and crinkles and wrinkles, Illuminating Primer has Vitamin C and Orange Fruit Oil naturally promoting radiant, brighter, and more even skin tone.  Again, another bonus for Middle-Aged Gen-Xers battling in-between skin of pimples and age spots.

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/skin-care/products/skin-soothing-face-toner?variant=1235113819

&

http://www.mineralfusion.com/products/hydration-mist?variant=1222539923

While sticky, sweaty Summer upon us soon, we yearn for things light-weight and refreshing, leaving the heavy moisturizers behind in Winter and best saved for Fall.

Mineral Fusion's Hydration Mist is spray-able Shea Butter with Hyaluronic Acid, delivering refreshing hydration that minerals love. Mist skin to set foundation or throughout the day as needed to refresh skin with a burst of instant hydration.

Age-Defying Chamomile, White Tea, Burdock Root and Sea Kelp soothe and nourish while defending skin against free radical damage.

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/skin-care/products/mineral-spf-16-age-defying-treatment-serum?variant=1235005819

Another Mineral Fusion item that tackles middle-aged Gen-Xers' quest in staying relevant and younger, their SPF 16 Age-Defying Treatment Serum's Alpha Lipoic Acid, natural antioxidants, and our powerful wrinkle fighting, collagen-boosting, dual-peptide blend help firm skin and restore natural radiance, can be layered on first then dusted with their powdered sunscreen as fortified daytime makeup.

Broad spectrum mineral SPF defends against sun damage and premature signs of aging. Shea Butter provides lightweight moisture and helps improve skin’s texture and elasticity.

http://www.mineralfusion.com/collections/hair-care/products/hair-repair-natural-hair-moisturizer?variant=1236138819

A lot of all-natural beauty companies has the basic wash and soothe line-up of shampoos and conditioners but most don't have beauty balms for hair.

Mineral Fusion's Hair Repair Beauty Balm Leave- in-Treatment to style, hydrate, and protect hair in one simple step, can be used on wet hair as a leave-in-conditioner or on dry hair as a styling cream.

Moringa Seed and Mongongo Kernel plus Sea Kelp help repair damaged hair by coating every strand with rich nourishment to prevent breakage.

Right now, this month, Mineral Fusions is hitting the road.

At this moment, they have a pop-up shop/traveling road show at Pasadena's Whole Foods on 3751 East Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA.

Starting last Friday then catering and educating until May 25th, Whole Foods Market in Pasadena will be hosting a Mineral Fusion Road Show while offering customers 40% off of all Mineral Fusion Products including skin, hair, body, nail care and cosmetics. Enjoy complimentary makeup applications from passionate and experienced makeup artists in the natural cosmetics industry while exploring all that Mineral Fusion has to offer.   

Mineral Fusions also carry their own manufacturer's coupons, so use this month as an opportunity to learn and stock up on your beauty basics.

Two months ago, the Whole Foods in Playa del Rey hosted a Mineral Fusion Traveling Road Show.  It was a great opportunity to get hands-on knowledge on the product line-up on a generous event-only discount.  They even passed out travel-sized items and samples.

 

Go to Whole Foods Pasadena and get acquainted with Mineral Fusion.   

Tiffany for the Hip, Cool Mom.

By Laura Medina

This is the real and current Tiffany for the real and current mom.

Paloma Picasso's Olive Leaf is an established version of the current trend for filigree jewelry, delicate but no less of a lesser value.  True keepsakes to jazz up her classic tee and jeans uniform.

Tiffany's bold but simple "T" and the sleek Atlas Collection is for the power mom, the executive-cum-mom.  Statement pieces that are powerful but unfussy.  Great to accessorize a power outfit.

Sure, Tiffany may be pricey but look on the bright side, they're instant family heirlooms that you're greatly anticipating right now.

L'Occitane Beverly Hills & Fresh Pasadena for both Mother's Day & Father's Day.

By Laura Medina

Fresh Pasadena Fragrance Bar.

What to do?! What to do?!

Mother's Day is fast-approaching this Sunday; and Father's Day is right around the corner..;and he doesn't wear neckties.

This practical luxurist believes in practical pampering, making the everyday routine special, as in really fragrances and skincare that makes daily routines extra-comforting and nice.

With L'Occitane and Fresh Pasadena, you can find everything for both mom and dad in one-stop shops.

The Fresh boutique in Pasadena has a fragrance bar that you can pour fresh fragrance into thick glass decanters.  They'll make great gifts for both mom and dad...and yourself.

Fresh shaving cream and the Skin Soothing After-Shave are items you need to buy three-times over for the whole family.

No more bashing your head about where and when to wrap your gifts, the Fresh boutique in Pasadena has Tiffany-like gift-wrapping service that is available year-around for anything and any time, from holidays to birthdays to butt-kissing gifts.

L'Occitane in Beverly Hills is already blooming with Mother's Day gift packages.  

They just debut their new cosmetics.  Under the Immortelle Collection, they have three shades of Immortelle Precious BB Cream SPF30 in Light, Fair, and Medium.

Their revamped Peony Collection has tinted lip balms that range from clear Transparent to mauvey-Amber, bright Rose, and Plum.  Since they're shea butter-based, you can dab them onto the cheeks for a flush blush.

Also under the new and improved Peony Collection, L'Occitane has a CC Cream in Light.

At the L'Occitane Beverly Hills, you can dump dad at the barbershop while you buy mom a bouquet of dried lavender.  Whatever they use for a clean shave on your dad, those items can be bought and resupplied easily.  They even have a shaving kit for him for Father's Day.

Which boutique or brand you select, just know that Fresh and L'Occitane are one-stop shops for both parents.

ME Bath at Target for Me Time for Mom. Bringing the Spa Home.

By Laura Medina

http://www.target.com/bp/me!+bath

Now that Mom-on-the-go has pretty much done what she said has to be done, meeting with clients, designing, running errands, getting in a work-out, picking up the kids, dropping off the kids, then ordering or cooking dinner for the kids, she deserves "me time."

If you want to score brownie points with her, not earn jagged edges, you can help put together a "spa care package" very affordable with ME Bath luscious scrubs, body washes, lotions, and fun, fizzy bath bombs in light, fruity scents.

She'll really like you if you help her turn the bathroom into a impromptu spa.

Drop a ME Bath Ice Cream Ball into a tub then watch it fizzing into a mini-jacuzzi, ah.  Soon, mom will be soaking in a bubbly detoxifying bath.

Their Summer Rain scent leaves a light, not-too-sweet, floral-melon fragrance that leaves her clean and lightly scented.  

Yummy for the mom-on-the-go.

 

Cool Clothes for Hip Moms, Everlane & Malia Jones "Urban Beachwear."

By Laura Medina

https://www.everlane.com/

Real moms are producers, agents, entrepreneurs, and managers a.k.a. "momangers."  They still do sports and exercise.

Basically, moms are people on the go.  Real moms are searching for hip but timeless clothes that will stand the test of time and their daily routines.  Basically, they want to look good without worrying about it.

Everlane thinks about the real moms...and real dads (more on that later during Father's Day Week).

Everlane thinks about the basics for women over the age of thirty.  They remove the frump but left in the comfort.  They instill stylish but easy tailoring.  They use quality fabrics that will wear well over time.   Add them up together and what do you get?  An hip yet classy wardrobe that any mom can toss together without a stylist or a valet that she do herself then go!

 Malia Jones' Chambray Caftan.

Pro-surfer, model, and  Hawaii Five-O actor Alex O’Loughlin's wife, Malia Jones recognized there was a huge gap for hip women surfers like her who travel every beach and lacks decent athletic wear that you can wear from surf to shopping.

Too bulky. Too stiff. Too tacky.  Nothing for her to wear.  So, Malia decided to take matters into her own hands and whip up clothes that she wants to wear everywhere.

Soon, her friends noticed.  Just like the legendary Lilly Pulitzer, Malia was soon designing and making clothes that she and her fellow women surfers want to wear around-the-clock, from touring to shopping.  This gave Malia Jones the chutzpah to start her own athleisure line, carving her own niche in that flourishing lifestyle industry.

Malia added real leather trims to cliche beach bohemian basics such as v-neck tunics and caftans in fine linen then offering them in timeless black, white, and the preppy chambray, creating her own niche of "Urban Beachwear."

Because she remove the extraneous cliches of beads and bangles and batik weaves then refine the tunics and caftans into universal solid black and white linens.  Knowing she also competes on the East Coast, say the Hamptons, Malia wants an East Coast appropriate caftan that she can immediately pull over, add some pearls then meet up at shops and restaurants in the Hamptons.  This is how her chambray caftan came to be.

 Tunic Top with mesh knit side insert caging and caftan dress with mesh knit side insert caging.

Malia Jones' Swimwear/Athleisure is "Urban Beachwear" because she injected avant-garde tailoring, such as leather trim and meshing, into an urban black palette while still using beachwear-friendly cotton and linen.

At her trunk show at Ron Robinson in Melrose, the shoppers and buyers were grooving over her Tunic Top with mesh knit side insert caging because Malia paired it with a pair of black leather pants.  How urban cool can you get?

Her tankinis in black and white can also serve as tanks in sweat-wicking swimsuit fabrics.

The amount of thought instill into her premiere was so tremendous that the result appears effortless, hip, and chic.  Basically, good-looking basics that you can toss on without a second thought then go.

Because basic beachwear construction was meant to soft, Malia Jones' "Urban Beachwear" can be rolled and ball up, toss into a carry-on at the last-minute, then unravel wrinkle-free at a moment's notice, pretty much life on the surfing touring circuit.

For the cool mom who surfs and shops, Malia Jones was thinking of you.