The Golden State - More Than A Store, A Lifestyle

When I was about five, I saw the Sunkist soda "Good Vibrations" commercial, and knew that California is where I wanted to live when I grew up. Then I saw A Star Is Born and knew that I wanted to live where Kris Kristofferson lived in the movie - in California. Then I heard Led Zeppelin's "Going To California", and that just sealed the deal. As soon as I finished college (and after a year in Hawai'i), I headed to California ... Venice, in particular.

Over the years, I've grown to love California as much, if not more, than I love Minnesota. A lot of that has to do with freedom, the wild West, the sun, the surf, the music, the open-minded people, and creating a lifestyle that lets me appreciate all of the best of that to the fullest. I don't want to live somewhere that's like everywhere else, which is why I tell the stories of the people and places that I love, that have a distinct sense of place, and that embody all I love about where I live. Like The Golden State.

Stephanie Stuart is a fourth generation native Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles. Her family was in the film biz, and she grew up surrounded by the industry. Stuart worked as a stylist for editorials and film and television, then wound up as a costumer on Seinfeld. She had her first son on the last night of that job, and then focused on raising her three boys, all the while thinking of how she'd really like to open a concept store for all things tied to a California lifestyle. It was also a reaction to the recession, getting away from big box stores and realizing the backlash people were having to corporate takeovers, and wanting to do something independent and unique for our area.

The chance came to open a store on Ocean Park Boulevard in 2009, which was short lived, before opening again as a pop up store within Big Red Sun on Rose Avenue in Venice, then moved into their own space next door (now Lily Ashwell). The synergy there was great, and the store gained a loyal following for lovers of all things California. "I find that people will go out of their way to support us, and tell their friends. This has all been pretty much word of mouth," Stuart told me gratefully.

When the lease was up on the Rose space, Stuart and her husband, Steve, began looking for a new spot, and found a gem on Lincoln Boulevard, right next to Superba Food and Bread. They opened their doors on Lincoln this past April, and have never been busier. The store is gorgeous, light and breezy, and full of everything you want, from gorgeous beach cover-ups and bikinis, and the latest and coolest threads for the dudes, all the way to books and olive oils!

Jewelry and wall hangings share space with art and cards, all of it the full embodiment of a West Coast lifestyle. "People are creating a lifestyle that's not about money, it's about enjoying their life in California," says Stuart. "I'm impressed by California every day ... its resilience, its resources, and its beauty, from the beach to the mountains to the desert."

All of those highlights are included within the walls of this wonderful shop, making it feel as if you went on a good old fashioned road trip just by walking around looking at all the great stuff.

It gets even better when you go out to the back patio. There Stuart teamed up with the Superba folks to create a hydroponic garden outside to provide fresh produce and herbs for the restaurant next door! It's a beautiful refuge back there, and you feel miles away from busy Lincoln Boulevard just outside the front door. There is a fire pit and large picnic tables, with the idea that they'll start having events back there, from dinner parties with neighbors to yoga classes ... all very Californian, of course.

A mural by Dee Dee Cheriel will be added to the outside wall next week, all of coming together to be a low impact space to just chill and build more community, with anything you need just steps away. It's truly lovely, and resourceful, and all around just great.

The Stuarts feature California brands in the store, some favorites being Iron and Resin and Freedom Artists for Men's clothes, Raen for sunglasses, Electric and Rose (designed by Venice locals) for both men and women's surf and yoga couture, and Turquoise and Tobacco (another Venice local and dear friend Laura Genevieve!) for excellent local jewelry. They even have their delicious smelling The Golden State candles hand poured just for them.

When not in the store, the Stuarts can be found, of course at Superba next door, at Clutch on Lincoln, at new favorite in Louie's of Mar Vista, but probably their favorite spot is to just hang out in their glorious back garden with their boys and their friends. I get it ... I didn't want to leave either. It's exactly the kind of place we want to keep Venice unique and awesome.

"California is timeless and classic and brand new all at once, and I wanted to create the context to tell that story in our store, as well as be a vessel for local and regional designers," explained Stuart. She has done exactly that, as from the moment I walked through the door, I instantly felt that same groovy excitement as I did when I was a kid listening to "Good Vibrations", which should absolutely be the theme store for this fantastic oasis of California gold, both a state and a state of mind.

The Golden State is located at:
1916 Lincoln Boulevard
310-392-7800
TheGoldenStatestore.com
Instagram.com/@thegoldenstatestore
Facebook.com/thegoldenstatestore

Open Tuesday - Friday 11 - 6
Saturday & Sunday 10 - 6
Closed Monday

Principessa - Outfitting Venice Since 2001

I like to tell the stories about people and places that have made Venice interesting and cool ... and Venice. Lots of people have been coming in without really understanding what that means. We're here to help.

Principessa knows what it means to be Venice, and have been helping ladies put together perfect outfits since 2001. Partners Darla Bonnaire and Jennifer Corgan have great personal style, and once inside Principessa, it's pretty hard not to emerge with some of that flair rubbing off on you. They feature local designers (like Show Me Your Mumu, Totem Salvage, Flynn Skye, Jen's Pirate Booty, Luxury Jones, Mikal Wynn, etc...) as well as the big international ones (and great hard to find labels like Spell & The Gypsy Collective) you'd expect to find in such a style emporium.

The whole deal began with Bonnaire opening her store Vamp on Main Street in Santa Monica (after a brief stint near Windward Circle). She wanted to be in Venice though, so when a spot opened up on Abbot Kinney, she brought Principessa (Italian for "Princess", of course) to life. Shortly after Bonnaire's son, Wolf, was born in 2002, so too was the men's clothing store named for him (in the space that is now Kid Firefly). Then came Little, the children's store, until the madness of running four stores at once (with a toddler!) stretched them too thin, and it was all consolidated into the Principessa we now know at 1323 Abbot Kinney.

"The store has evolved with the street," says Bonnaire, meaning as the street has gotten busier and fancier, so have they, while paying close attention to who their customers are, and what their locals like (and can pay for). There's a great mix of things that will really set you back, investment pieces meant to be heirlooms, and fun, trendy stuff that you can pick up with no guilt at all. Carefully curated vintage pieces (and repurposed, one of a kind treasures) hang alongside the very latest fashions. I once played a game with a friend there, guessing how much things were. When the gorgeous blouse I held up ($49) was guessed at $500, I knew I had to get that thing. It's like that. You're pleasantly surprised often.

Modern day flower women will love Princi (as all involved affectionately call it), with its flair for bohemian dressing all set up for you to choose your look from.  "We seek out indie designers on the cutting edge, and we always want our things to be unique to Venice," explained Bonnaire. "To that end, they are also developing the label, Bonnaire-Corgan (named after the friends/partners), where all the lines are named after streets in Venice, e.g. "Electric pants".  Love it. Corgan added, "All the changes on the block don't make us want to leave ... we want to stay here to KEEP the local flavor." And we thank them for that. We NEED them for that.

 As longtime Venice residents all, we talked about what we love about it. "I love how Venice is set up. The whole town is walkable. We all share that desire to be outside, seeing people, being a part of our community. It's like a club of people that we're so happy to be a part of. It's a less exclusive club now, and it's sad that some special people who have been a part of it all for so long are being made to leave," Bonnaire said truly. "We really embrace Venice, imperfections and all ... because that's Venice," she shrugged.

The Venice they love is mostly outside, but when asked what shops they like to frequent, it was the equally legit ones like Firefly, Bazaar, Tortoise, Animal House and the one they say is without question their favorite, that they could not survive without - Elvino. Amen.

Corgan summed up their mission succinctly. "Individual expression is what makes Venice special. It's always been a mecca of variety, diversity, and funky, artistic bohemia ... and acceptance of everyone. That's the real Venice, and we're here to help people look the part." And they do. Beautifully.

Both Bonnaire and Corgan agreed that they've made their closest friends through the store. The girls are like a family, and once you've worked there, you're always a part of it. "Kind of like being a Playboy bunny," joked Bonnaire.

Principessa hosted an extra-fun pre-Valentine's party last weekend, complete with champagne, chocolate and live music. The store was full of things that would make any lady over the moon when gifted the dress, jewelry, lingerie or anything at all from her lover, and all the Princi ladies were happy to help find that certain item that would seal the deal. Like this hot bra I want:

Their parties are always a treat, and there's another one coming up to get everyone ready and looking great for Coachella. Mark your books on Saturday, March 22nd for that one.

Being inside Principessa, you can sense the difference that immediately sets them apart from the newer, polished up chain businesses that have somehow infiltrated our town. There's a true sense of place, there's a true sense of Venice, there's a true sense of uniqueness ... and as Corgan said about places, "I want truth."

The truth is that Principessa is a wonderful place to set yourself up if you're interested in a truly local Venice - and looking like it.

Principessa is located at 1323 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
310.450.6696
Ecommerce: www.Principessavenice.com
Twitter: @PrinciVenice
Facebook: /Principessa-Venice

Moods of Norway Celebrates Norwegian National Day - L.A. Style!

Norway celebrates its National Day (Syttende Mai) on May 17th, and for the third year in a row I got to throw down with the Norwegians of the super duper clothing brand, Moods of Norway.

They are the best people ever, and really know how to throw a party. Judging from the line outside, the word is spreading that Norwegians are the jam.

The place was packed with real blondes, and a lot of scenester people that had never heard of Syttende Mai before. And that's ok ... One Love!

Moods of Norway founder and owner, Stefan Dahlkvist, was the host of the evening, and was having as good a time as anyone there. He told me they're about to open their summer ski resort in Norway, and that is HIGH on my list of must life experiences. Ja.

This was a very L.A. Norwegian experience, from the long line out front, red carpet deal, the Moods blue limo parked out front, the sparkly gold tractor (MON's logo), some iffy plastic surgery, and everyone taking phone pictures.

But the warmth of the store's wooden walls, and homespun photos and embroidery placed around cozied it right up, in spite of the pressure to be a scene.

Moods served up the usual champagne and waffles they're know for, but for the night party they had a Border Grill truck set up in the back, and Viking Fjord vodka drinks ("Grandma's Disco Fuel" - on the very day that Donna Summer died - RIP) getting the crowd all loosened up.

This was most evident in the area reserved for the Viking Photo booth. Folks of all ethnic backgrounds were transformed into ferocious Vikings via horned helmets, beards, Thor hammers, shields and Glogg mugs. Everyone had the Viking spirit, for sure, some (I'm talking to you, rosy-cheeked ass grabber) more than others.

Moods of Norway suits were well represented on the gentlemen in attendance,

And the ladies were mostly fancy, though one woman wore her traditional bunad costume, and I was jealous.

Norwegians are very friendly, and seem to get a kick out of my trying to speak my few bits of the language that I retained from college in Minnesota. They also get a kick out of the fact that most Norwegians they meet ARE from Minnesota. Similar climates, I guess.

One woman I met (Anna, I think - Viking Fjord fog) and I got to chatting and her son is going to college in Minnesota near where I went. We were talking about our various traditions and foods and stuff, and she told me that it's mandatory in her family that she make Norwegian meatballs each Christmas. I said, "How are Norwegian meatballs different from Swedish meatballs?" She smiled at me and very confidently said, "They're MUCH bigger."

We laughed and looked around at all the happy people ("Happy clothes for Happy People"), proud of our heritage, and also happy to be exactly where we were.

SKOL!!!