by Joshua J. Pinkay | Jun 29, 2018
I’m still on a very specific search for the best products and regimens relating to hair thinning/loss prevention. Within my own personal circles, I’ve come across other men my age struggling with the same concerns about hair loss, so I felt like I could find something of value in my search not only for myself, but for my peers and the thousands of people across America looking for a solution that works best for them.
Launching this Summer is SeroVital Hair Regeneres, a combination treatment of supplemental capsules through their Hair & Scalp Revitalizing Corrector and the topical Advanced Hair Thickening Serum comprising of SeroVital’s trademarked proprietary compound called Chromaviv. The two-step system features a dietary ingredient that delivers melanin to the hair roots and a topical serum that impacts the scalp environment with external bioactives. I’ll be undergoing a trial using this product to see just how much my personal hair thinning decreases. I’m personally very excited to see any results and share SeroVital Hair Regeneres with our readers as a solution.
This is a unisex product that also works on the reversal of graying hair. SeroVital Hair Regeneres will be available online in July retailing at $99 for a 30-day supply, with a full release to national retailers August 2018. Check out more at www.SeroVitalHair.com
by Niki Smart | Jun 25, 2018
Photo credits – William Short and Kristina Sado
WHAT: The City of Santa Monica presents COAST, its annual open streets event celebrating community, art, and sustainability. More than two miles of city streets will be closed to cars and open for people to stroll, bike, and roll. Attendees will indulge in delicious food, listen to live music, enjoy world-class art, and experience the community’s public spaces in a new, reimagined way.
WHEN: Sunday, October 7, 2018
WHERE: The event will be held on approximately two miles of car-free streets in Downtown Santa Monica, including Ocean Avenue from Wilshire Boulevard south past City Hall and Tongva Park, as well as all of Main Street to Marine Street.
ADMISSION: The general public is invited to attend the free, open streets event.
CONTACT: For more information about COAST, visit santamonica.gov/coast.
Other Resources
by Joshua J. Pinkay | Jun 22, 2018
Brunch in Los Angeles has turned into common play for Angelenos. Frankly, if you’re not brunching, then what are you doing at all on your early Sunday afternoons? It’s where we come together, enjoy particularly delicious food that crosses the boundaries of meal labels, and most importantly, gives us a good reason to drink one too many mimosas on a given period.
Though, I digress, I love to brunch, especially in L.A. There are so many options and in so many neighborhoods, you can almost never run out of ideas on where to eat. Every so often, I find a gem of a restaurant that leaves such a lasting impression on me, well, it deserves any audience I can bring to it.
Enter Commerson, a fairly new establishment near Miracle Mile whose menu options blew my mind and changed the game for my brunching standards. First off, the space is beautiful with a minimalist approach that incorporates concrete details, white walls, large glass windows, and light greenery. The space allows for the vibrant food to stand out as the stars of the room.
The heavy hitters on the menu, and my personal favorites, were the Tinga Sopes, Pork Belly Toast, Sourdough Waffles, French Toast, and the Salmon Benedict.
Even more impressive were Commerson’s mimosa options. Anyone can mix some champagne and orange juice together, but Commerson created two exquisitely crafted drinks in their Guava, Pear, & Sage mix and the Peach Thyme mimosa. I opted for the bottomless, so I made sure I was able to try both. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed in either.
Brunch is served at Commerson on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am – 3pm.
Regular Business hours are Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday from 5pm – 11pm, with Friday and Saturday from 5pm – Midnight.
Make sure to follow Commerson on Instagram at @CommersonLA and tag your experience.
by Joshua J. Pinkay | Jun 22, 2018
Summer is well underway, and men, I’ve seen the glory as it pertains to products for retaining youthful, well-moisturized skin this season. Kiehl’s partnered with Equinox in Century City to provide a media preview to two of their latest products within their Facial Fuel & Body Fuel Lines.
- Eye Fuel – Due to its thin, fragile skin, the eye contour is often the first area of the face to show signs of
fatigue. Kiehl’s instantly cooling under-eye formula provides weightless hydration and refreshing
relief for tired-looking eyes. With continued use, the formula with Caffeine and Vitamin B3 helps
reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Fuel up after a long flight or a long night.
- Body Fuel Antiperspirant & Deodorant – Kiehl’s delivers on its first ever global roll-on antiperspirant deodorant and provides 48-hour protection against sweat and odor. The quick-dry formula with Caffeine, Vitamin C and Zinc glides on easily without sticking.
So far, I can attest that both product samples we received are holding up to the standard of Kiehls’ brand quality that they’ve maintained for years. To further that claim, both are the perfect additions to these lines as the rest of the Facial & Body Fuel collection is particularly pleasing, with my favorite items being the No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm, the Energizing Face Wash, and the Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment.
What Kiehl’s is doing is starting a movement with their products and you can follow it on social via their #FindYourFuel hashtag.
Additionally, make sure to check out our media preview’s supporting partners who treated us so well during the product introduction before and after our Athletic Conditioning session at Equinox Century City.
Shirts by lululemon; athletic socks by Bombas; water bottles by Takeya; catering by SweetGreen; iced coffee by La Colombe; beverages from Beaming & Dirty Lemon, and health bars by Nutshell.
Make sure to follow Kiehl’s on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat, and YouTube, and shop the whole collection HERE.
This edition of Groom + Beauty review courtesy of @jPinNotes and @MrScott10
by Dennis Richardson | Jun 21, 2018
SoCal Mag loves seeing female entrepreneurs in action, especially when they’re creating experiences for Angelenos that wouldn’t compare to other cities. Jenn Harris gave us a quick reflective interview about this year’s past Food Bowl, and why it had such a significant importance on giving back. Consider this an LA event you no longer want to miss!
Q. Why is Food Bowl such an important culinary event for SoCal residents? Tell us about the mission and charity component.
A. This year we partnered with three really important charities: Midnight Mission, Food Forward, and LA Food Kitchen – all of them are doing really fantastic work in LA. LA Kitchen puts food that would go to waste to people that need it and help create job training programs. Midnight Mission is doing their best to feed the homeless here in LA. So Food Bowl is important because as much as we want to celebrate the great chefs and restaurants we have here in this city, we also want to shed some light on some of the serious issues that people face everyday.
Q. What can fans of this year’s Food Bowl expect next year? Any returning chefs or new highlights not to miss?
A. We had the best chefs in LA this year – and we have even more next year. Josef Centeno was back doing events. Michael Samurusi from Providence headlined a sustainable seafood dinner in Manhattan Beach, which was phenomenal. We also had the brothers from Lasa which is a great Filipino restaurant in Chinatown. They did a huge outstanding in the field long table dinner at Night Market, which is also returning next year. It was our five-night food festival in Grand Park, where we just take over the entire park with food and restaurants. There are food trucks, entertainment, and that’s going to be even bigger and better next year too.
Q. What is your day to day like at LA Times? What do you love the most about this position?
A. I think what I love the most is that I get to eat everyday. I basically get paid to eat, run around, and try new food. I meet new people and hang out with chefs and share that experience with everyone. I pinch myself everyday that I have my job. It’s really fun.
Q. What are your favorite hotspots for dining that you’d recommend to anyone visiting SoCal?
A. For out-of-towners, I always say you’ve got to go to Cassia in Santa Monica, because Chef Bryant Ng is doing amazing things with fresh produce and his flavors are just always on point. Any of Josef Centeno’s restaurants in Downtown LA… I’d recommend going to the Far East Plaza in Chinatown and basically doing a little eating tour; hit up Howlin’ Rays, hit up Chego, and hit up Lasa. There’s a lot of great food choices here. Also, Langers in DTLA has the best pastrami ever, so I would definitely go there too.
Q. Anything else you want to add about Food Bowl?
A. Just that if you’re someone who likes food and you’re here in LA, then I think it is the perfect time to eat around LA. It really does give people a taste of the great chefs and the restaurants around here. It’s a fun month to eat.
For everything about the LA Food Bowl coming in May of 2019, be sure to bookmark the official website and stay tuned!
by Dennis Richardson | Jun 15, 2018
Photos / Story Contributions by Anthony C. Stafford & Joshua Pinkay
This Wednesday, MOBS Design was the extraordinary host of a spectacular brunch at Platform’s one and only Hayden restaurant. It was the perfect day and perfect way to welcome the shoe brand’s bright new colors, and latest design, The Grid. Culver City’s cool breeze coupled with the famous SoCal sun to create a bright, fun, music-filled brunch time party.
A line of numerous shoe styles and summer colors lined Hayden’s outdoor dining area, and shone brightly (but not overbearingly) in the sun. In fact, the pinks, blues, and other subtle hues are elegant and befitting to the season. As we begin to embrace the warmth of late Spring, and early Summer, it becomes apparent that MOBS are a staple for the shoe connoisseur: extremely comfortable, light-weight, and a magnet for the eyes. It’s a welcome change to the footwear landscape.
MOBS’ entire team, along with event organizers, wore their favorite pairs of the shoe company’s stylish designs, and spoke eloquently of their mission, creative and design processes, and what’s to come in the company’s future.
Here’s what MOBS’ designer, Bryon Schroeder, had to say about his goals, the company’s competition, and what he wants customers to expect when they purchase a pair of shoes:
“My goal is to offer people a decent pair of shoes that blends elements of the athletic world with my own sense of fashion. I see a lot of footwear brands today that don’t particularly do that. That’s what we want MOBS to accomplish by bringing the best of both worlds to footwear. Ultimately, I just want people to enjoy our products. We’ve been working really hard with this concept and I’m so happy to be able to bring this brand to life in Los Angeles.”
MOBS’ Managing Director, Tony Ramo, added:
“It’s very hard launching a new brand when the landscape and market has changed so much over the years. It’s really nice to get support from various media outlets on what we feel is a truly amazing product.”
MOBS Design brings to the table what many footwear brands have long forgotten or done away with — unique colors, high-quality materials and undeniable comfort — so it’s refreshing to see the company tackle and defeat the obstacles that get in the way of some of their goals. Even more, it’s reassuring to find a brand of shoes that can bring many miles of durability to the feet of consumers in an extremely versatile and stylish way.
by Dennis Richardson | Jun 6, 2018
Summer is here, and as Mother Nature turns up the heat, some of LA’s finest chefs will be doing the same! LA’s tastemakers are joining forces for a night of wining and dining at Cleo’s Third Street. Sam Nazarian, Founder & CEO of sbe, Daniel De Polo, President of Darioush Winery, and Chef Danny Elmaleh, Cleo Executive Chef will host an evening of Cleo favorites crafted by Chef Danny Elmaleh and a pairing of the finest wines from Darioush Winery. This one-night-only unique dining experience has limited seating and a reservation is required.
What can you expect from this special occasion? Cleo, known for their delicious shareable plates, mezzes, and flatbreads and cocktails, is leaving no holds barred. The ambiance at Cleo provides a warm, intimate restaurant setting that playfully marries old Hollywood glamour with relaxed Mediterranean charm.
Learn more information, and purchase tickets to this exquisite event to kick off your summer on the right foot! Details below:
THE DETAILS
Cleo Third Street
8384 W 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tuesday, June 14, 2018 @ 7:30pm
by Joshua J. Pinkay | Jun 6, 2018
With cannabis now legal in Southern California, there’s no question the industry is booming and a new wave off entrepreneurs are emerging. We sat down with “cannapreneur” Sarah McDaniel to discuss her CBD- based skincare line Walagoot, which was born from from her own struggle with clear skin as a working model and actor. We also spoke to her about her upcoming on camera roles and stop animation projects she is producing. Check out the full Q&A below!
Q: You’re a California local, correct? Tell us how you got your start in modeling and acting.
A: Yes, I was born in Northern California then lived in San Diego and Calabasas and now near Oxnard. I actually got discovered as model through Instagram. When I was seventeen, I began posting modeling type shots to Instagram and this was before “influencers” was really a big thing yet. I started to build a following and caught the attention of photographer and videographer
I’ve always had a passion for filmmaking and recently acted in a psychological thriller, Perfect, alongside Abbie Cornish and Leonardo Nam which premiered at the 2018 SXSW Festival in Austin, TX. The film will also be premiering here in Los Angeles this fall.
Q: California is among the first states to legalize marijuana. The cannabis industry has since taken off. Tell us about your interest in Cannabis and your upcoming skincare line.
A: Growing up, I used to struggle with acne and eczema.It just makes you feel so conscious of your skin. Worrying if people notice I would even lose modeling and acne jobs because of my skin and it took a lot of my confidence away. After trying Accutane, over-the-counter medication and every fad on the market with no results, I knew there had to be something else. At the time, I was aware of cannabis recreationally and knew it had some medical applications. I began doing research and eventually contacted a friend in Colorado who recommended isolate which is CBD in a crystal form. It had some positive affects but I wanted something stronger so I began experimenting with the full spectrum of CBD oils along with coconut, jojoba and other oils. Eventually I found the right blend and my skincare line, Walagoot, was born!
Q: What has been the biggest challenges you face in your business so far?
A: I’m a young female in the cannabis and entertainment industry which brings a unique set of challenges. To be able to pose in lingerie or act in a horror film while also having a huge passion for behind the scenes business and creating its hard to command authority in two polar opposite worlds. A lot of what you say gets overlooked and its hard to be heard but theres always a way to find sucess if you’re committed enough.
Q: You also work behind the camera as a content creator. Tell us about your latest projects.
A: I’ve recently been working in stop-motion animation. I created a rabbit character known as “The Professor” which was produced in partnership with Movie Mountain Studios. We are now working on a cyclops character for our next short. I was originally considering creating the cyclops for a comic book but I’ve found through my work as an influencer that people engage better with video content. Stop motion is a very expensive and time consuming way to make a film but I really love it and hope to continue working in this medium.
I also put out a variety of video and photography content on my Instagram. You can follow me @krotchy.
Q: And what are your long-term goals with your cannabis line?
A: For my CBD line, I’d eventually like to expand from topicals to more medicinal tinctures for things like bone density, migraines, and eventually herbal chemo. I’d really like to use my knowledge of CBD oil to help people medically, and work toward creating cancer preventatives.
Q: Please share with us your SoCal Must Haves
Fav Restaurant: FACE restaurant is the best in Ojai
Fav Spot to Create Content: Favorite place to create content is in my bathtub
Fav Area of this City: Favorite area of the city is my friends house in Malibu canyon
by Dennis Richardson | Jun 1, 2018
Father’s Day is right around the corner, and instead of brainstorming the many ways to make dad feel appreciated, families can look to MOBS Footwear. MOBS is delivering a brand new style, sure to impress people everywhere. This new look, named Grid is perfect for the busy ‘cool dads’ who jump from meetings in the office, to their kids’ soccer practice right after.
The Grid set’s stretch knit upper maximizes breathability, and a nested elastic and leather mid-foot strap provides support and stability while maintaining a clean minimal aesthetic. The sleek “Grid” EVA midsole delivers lightweight cushioning, and the rubber outsole assures both flexibility and traction. Easy to slip on and available in two different color-ways — it works for all dads alike! The new Grid style maintains MOBS’ signature mobility and comfort, yet introduces a new type of versatility that is appropriate for a quick round on the golf course, business meetings, travel, walks at the park, or just getting a drink at the bar.
Visit https://mobsdesign.com/ to get the “dadpreneur” in your life a stylish and functional set of shoes that will keep him moving from business to casual without skipping a beat!
