OCCUPATION: Stylist
MY STYLE IS: Lots of color and things from India to decorate my home. In my closet, I have a lot of dresses, army boots, and Balenciaga.
I LOVE L.A. BECAUSE: I love the beautiful homes, weather, and pools!
Farmshop
After shopping for decidedly off-the-farm goods at Brentwood Country Mart’s luxe boutiques, why not stop into Farmshop for unfussy, simple fare. We love the farm egg salad, beet and avocado salad, and pastry basket, and the shop also stocks its own larder of farm-fresh items such as charcuterie, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, wine, and beer.
Getty
A walk through the Getty is a lesson in art history: numerous European and American artists from the Middle Ages to present day hold placards in the museum. Elizabeth Stewart calls the museum a park as well—after she and her family take in the exhibitions, her children (literally) roll down the hill outside. Other family activities include the Getty’s numerous workshops, as well as a series of kid-centric concerts that takes place in the garden.
Shutters
“Beach chic” are the words this Santa Monica hotel uses to describe its aesthetic, and the white-washed suites, ocean blue trimmings, and wicker balcony furniture give visitors the feeling of a cottage on the shore. Gather for dinner served family style at One Pico—one of Shutter’s three restaurants—or book an evening for yourself at the hotel spa.
Venice Boardwalk
The iconic Venice Boardwalk needs little introduction—the one-and-a-half mile stretch, running parallel to the eponymous beach, is a well-referenced fixture on screen and in print. Musicians, artists and a gaggle of street performers, as well as the Monthly Boardwalk Event, make each trip to the boardwalk unique. Bring dollar bills, the website advises, to tip your favorite entertainers.
Hotel Bel-Air
After two years of renovations, Hotel Bel-Air came out swinging with completely restored guestrooms, 12 new bungalows, several acres full of plants and flowers, and new dining concepts from Wolfgang Puck. The iconic Bel-Air swans have even been outfitted with new water pumps! As for the children’s amenities, kid-size bathrobes and signature coloring books are available upon request.
The Huntington
Railroad and real estate Henry E. Huntington was an avid art collector, historian, and horticulturist. His estate in San Marino houses his collection and impressive gardens. Among the best is the 9-acre Japanese garden, complete with a 19th-century Japanese house, and the 100-year-old Desert Garden, which features more than 5,000 species of succulent plants. One of the Huntington’s more recent projects has been the completeion of the Chinese Garden, Liu Fang Yuan, complete with a peaceful manmade lake, fragrant flower trees, and a tea house. Last year, the Huntington launched another new project, Huntington Ranch, to research sustainable urban gardening. While it remains a closed research facility, the Ranch offers public talks and programs, as well as a great entertainment blog.
Sweet Rose Creamery
Looking to not be so vanilla? Try one of Sweet Rose Creamery’s classic ice cream flavors, with a twist: salt caramel, ginger with honey, and toasted coconut among them. Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb, the authorities on all things local and organic in Santa Monica (and the duo behind Huckleberry) are known for trolling the farmer’s markets for the best local produce, so make sure to keep an eye on their ever-changing list of flavors.