by Dennis Richardson | Nov 13, 2021
There are few things that enhance the appeal of fashion, but cold and snow are two things that make it all the more fun. Over at Canada Goose, who opened their first permanent California retail store on October 29, functionality meets attractive practicality as they show just how fun luxury arctic apparel can be. Located at South Coast Plaza, and featuring its first-ever Snow Room in the United States, Canada Goose is on a mission and they’re ready to show you the proof in the pudding. The Snow Room, the next generation of our award-winning Cold Room, simulates a snowstorm daily with temperatures reaching as low as -10°F. This innovation replicates various conditions for visitors to experience Canada Goose’s functionality and performance, inviting them to put their products to the ultimate test.
The Snow Room’s environment is inspired by the climate of Churchill, Manitoba, best known as the Polar Bear capital of the world, and home to longstanding Canada Goose partner, Polar Bears International (PBI), the non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy and the worldwide conservation of polar bears and their habitats.
Known around the world as a performance luxury essential, Canada Goose can be seen on city streets, mountain peaks and film sets, alike, with a variety of ideal products for the West Coast lifestyle. The brand’s lightweight down jackets are made for every day, perfect for chasing sunsets in Malibu and hiking in Griffith Park. The newest line of lightweight down jackets, puffers and vests, called the Cypress and Crofton collections, are made with the brand’s Recycled Feather-Light Ripstop Fabric, which is 100% Recycled Nylon and includes a water-repellent finish. The HyBridge® collection provides lightweight warmth that is designed to move with you, perfect for active use, layering and on-the-go adventures. Packable and portable, these styles are also the perfect travel companion. The selection of knit sweaters, hoodies and zip-ups, made with Merino Wool and Organic Cotton, are fit for a casual, laid back look. Thermal Mapping® technology is incorporated in the knit styles to maximize warmth and breathability with strategically placed down-filled panels and a more open knit construction in areas that are prone to overheating.
Canada Goose’s HUMANATURE platform is the driving force of its purpose to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm. HUMANATURE unites the brand’s sustainability and values-based initiatives, including its Sustainable Impact Strategy, philanthropic work and dedication to culture through the arts. HUMANATURE is brought to life in the South Coast Plaza store through the Northern Art Program, which celebrates Northern Canadian artists. For this location, the brand partnered with artist, Winnie Truong. Truong’s artwork for the space, titled Zephyr, is a stop-motion animation work created entirely with cut paper that guests can experience in the Snow Room. Zephyr is inspired by the idea of the invisible made visible, with impressions of flora and landscapes of the Los Angeles area and beyond – across San Bernardino Forest, and towards Joshua Tree. Guests will be treated to an entrancing animation of beautiful scenes that rise and fall with the introduction of new environments. Additional illustrations and sculptures by Inuit artisans are showcased throughout the store, all embodying the symbiotic relationship between people and the planet.
On November 12, Canada Goose’s brand-new Footwear collection will be available in-store. The collection complements and completes the Canada Goose lifestyle. The collection features two styles: the Snow Mantra Boots and Journey Boots. The Snow Mantra Boots are born from the brand’s Snow Mantra Parka, renowned as the warmest coat on Earth and designed with functional intention. The Journey Boots are expertly crafted in Italy and built for the demands of the everyday. Designed with an iconic squared off-toe, The Journey was inspired by classic Hiker boots worn in the Alps.
About Canada Goose
Founded in 1957 in a small warehouse in Toronto, Canada, Canada Goose (NYSE:GOOS, TSX:GOOS) is a lifestyle brand and a leading manufacturer of performance luxury apparel. Every collection is informed by the rugged demands of the Arctic, ensuring a legacy of functionality is embedded in every product from parkas and rainwear to apparel and accessories. Canada Goose is inspired by relentless innovation and uncompromised craftsmanship, recognized as a leader for its Made in Canada commitment. In 2020, Canada Goose announced HUMANATURE, its purpose platform that unites its sustainability and values-based initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm. Canada Goose also owns Baffin, a Canadian designer and manufacturer of performance outdoor and industrial footwear. Visit www.canadagoose.com for more information.
by Dennis Richardson | Nov 12, 2021
After 19 months, the renowned gaming parlor and cocktail lounge, The Spare Room, reopened its doors on November 4th. Known for it amazing social atmosphere, it’s about time!
Housed within the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, The Spare Room has remained a top-tier cocktail bar for over a decade and this year was named ‘Best American Hotel Bar’ by the Spirited Awards and featured in Alia Akkam’s book, Behind the Bar: 50 Cocktail Recipes from the World’s Most Iconic Hotels.
Owners Marc Rose and Med Abrous of Call Mom are ushering in a new era of the award-winning bar with the introduction of bar director, Tess Sawyer. The former Speed Rack champion and Virginia Beach native cut her teeth in the industry at some of the most lauded joints in New York City (Mother’s Ruin, Up & Up, Happiest Hour), and is reimagining classic, elegant cocktails with unexpected flavor profiles in what is arguably one of the best cocktail destinations in the city. When you see the photos, how could you even resist?
The list features clever twists on traditional drinks like the Dunhill and the Penicillin with nods to Tess’s Korean heritage (think a Martini infused with kimchi and a Gimlet dotted with chili-sesame oil).
Additional highlights include a portion of the list devoted to premium highballs featuring specialty infused ice, espresso martinis on draft, and, of course, a variation on a White Russian made with coconut corn milk as an homage to The Big Lebowski and the bar’s vintage bowling lanes. New to the space is a dedicated dart room joining their collection of nostalgic board games and custom bowling shoes from LA designer George Esquivel.
The Spare Room at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Wednesday – Sunday | 8pm – 2am
by Dennis Richardson | Nov 12, 2021
Whether your Thanksgiving plans are to stay in SoCal or go elsewhere, there’s one delicious opportunity you can’t pass up. Mírame has launched their Thanksgiving menu for take-out orders in time to save your last minute or even well thought out holiday plans. Known for their exquisite offerings, Mírame continues the trend with Chef Josh Gil.
Chef Gil’s menu is priced at $450 and feeds 6-8 people.
The Thanksgiving feast includes: Smoked Turkey Ballotine, Fall Caesar Salad, Boulangere Potatoes, Esquites with Baby Corn, Mayacoba Charros, Roasted Beets, Mushroom and Pine Nut Bread Pudding, Tortillas and Mole Torte as well as Pumpkin Pie with fresh roasted pumpkin, masa crust and hoja santa meringue for dessert.
Orders can be placed here for pickup on November 25th.
by Dennis Richardson | Nov 11, 2021
It was a big headline this past week, as the United States re-opened its borders to accept vaccinated foreign travelers — many of whom looked toward reuniting with their families that have been sealed out of the country during the pandemic. But what if there was something that could make the process a little easier? Thankfully, there is something, and it couldn’t come at a better time. An unsung hero for many that have already started to reconnect, Atlys, a new travel app, condenses the visa application process to just a few minutes!
Created by Mohak Nahta, an immigrant from India staying in the U.S. on a work visa, this breakthrough app revolutionizes travel, removes confusion and fear, and cuts through the current bureaucratic process in 10 minutes or less. Atlas has quickly become a solution for millions of families who have been unable to reconnect after 8+ months apart. Some notable ways that Atlas can help:
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The Atlys App starts its simplified process with a few easy questions. Once answered the app processes all the paperwork, payments, and other required documents for international travelers to over 190 countries.
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Atlys guides users through each step—beginning from the comfort of your couch to the comfort of your seat in the airplane, bringing the Visa application and COVID health requirement processes from an average of 13 hours to under a few minutes.
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Any documents, including Visas, that Atlys provides are issued directly by the respective governments. Atlys integrates only with the official sources and can vouch for the authenticity of any documents obtained.
We also had a brief Q&A with Atlys’s founder, Mohak Nahta to discuss the company and how it came about — as well as his background and what he hopes Atlas can do for families in the coming years.
Q&A with Founder Mohak Nahta
Q: Hi Mohak, and thank you for taking the time to provide deeper insight into Atlys. To get started, can you share your story and background?
A: I grew up in India and came to the US for my undergraduate studies a few years ago. Having been raised in India, I was born with what is sometimes called a ‘weak’ passport. After my undergrad, I joined Pinterest, where I spent four years as a software engineer. During undergraduate school and my time at Pinterest, I traveled a lot, which only made me realize how challenging international travel is; even looking to go internationally for a few days, required going through hours of endless paperwork.
Q: How was Atlys created?
A: Atlys was born as a solution to the problems I experienced, first-hand. s. Before COVID, I went to Europe three times in about 6 months, and for each occasion I had to apply for a new visa. Every time, it took me more than 12 hours to do the same work. I built Atlys as a tool to solve my problems.
Q: What was the biggest obstacle you faced while creating Atlys, and how did you overcome it?
A: The biggest obstacle initially was COVID-19 since travel was non-existent when Atlys launched. We always had conviction in the idea, and we kept talking to customers. Usually, customers often tell you their problems, and we realized that they were struggling with COVID visas’ – a type of visa you need to travel to many countries. We quickly built support for it, and COVID-19 turned into our most significant opportunity and growth driver.
Q: 2020 was undoubtedly a difficult year for many, as we struggled with the pandemic and so many yearned to get back home. Can you break down how much easier the Atlys app can be for helping those returning to their home, and what the process is like?
A: There are many families we have spoken with who have found Atlys because of their struggles getting home. [One example is] Vik, an Atlys customer, who worked in Texas and came to the US from India about 10 years ago with his wife. In 2020, Vik’s father, who was living in India, succumbed to COVID. While he had to rush back to take care of his grieving mother, his wife was 36 weeks pregnant. Because of the travel bans, he was unable to come back. On top of that, his employer gave him an ultimatum to show him to work. Like Vik, many immigrants cannot be in the country legally, without an active job.
The only way for Vik to come back was to do some complex paperwork, so he used Atlys, and in under 200 seconds was able to submit the proper documentation. In 2 days, he got approval to come back to the United States anytime.
Vik is one of the many people who have used Atlys to return to loved ones, tend to family emergencies or even go for their first vacation in years.
Q: Are the Atlys app and its services free to use?
A: The app is free to download, but there’s a service fee. We offer many free tools and guides to travelers, however such as this, this, or this.
Q: What are some of your long-term goals for Atlys?
A: Our mission is to enable every person on earth to travel freely. To achieve that, we are building the tools that lets anyone travel freely – an SSO for travel. One access point to get everything from visas, to foreign exchange, travel insurance, and even checking into hotels.
by Mia Barnes | Nov 11, 2021
Reducing Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles
Sometimes, skin and skincare can be unpredictable, especially when it comes to things like acne, wrinkles, dark circles and everything in between. No matter what your skincare journey or routine has been like up to this point, there are so many ways that you can achieve your skincare and beauty goals naturally, and that includes reducing puffy eyes and under eye circles. Whether your puffy eye struggles are stress-related, genetic or seem to have appeared out of nowhere, you don’t have to let them control your beauty routine. Here are a few tips to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes.
Get Enough Sleep Each Night
When it comes to puffy eyes and dark circles, one of the most common and most effective solutions is to make sure you’re getting the sufficient rest you need, not just for the purposes of your beauty routine, but also to stay healthy. For some — especially those who don’t usually struggle with dark circles and puffy eyes — this can be a visual manifestation of your body asking for more of what it needs. And that, oftentimes, is high quality sleep and rest. Make sure you’re getting your standard seven or eight hours every night.
Moisturize Daily
No matter who you are or what skin type you have, it’s always important to moisturize so you can add a layer of protection and prevent dehydration or the overproduction of oil — both of which can be caused by lack of protection and moisture. Even if you only use a light moisturizer, applying hydration directly to your skin can prevent your under eye area from getting irritated, puffy or dry.
Stay Hydrated
Speaking of all the ways that you can experience hydration, another way that you can hydrate your skin is by hydrating your body. Drinking water every single day and staying consistent about it can not only slow signs of aging, help prevent acne and reduce overall redness and puffiness in the skin, but it can also help to protect the capillaries in your eyelids, which reduces signs of swelling and darkness under the eyes.
Quit Smoking
Even though almost everybody knows by now that smoking is bad for you, it must be said that one of the aesthetic symptoms of smoking cigarettes and tobacco is redness, darkness and puffiness underneath the eyes. If you were a smoker and you either quit or cut back, that’s amazing! If you still smoke, you might want to consider quitting or even just reducing how much you smoke on a regular basis. You might be surprised at how drastic the results can be.
Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol are both vices that many people are totally fine to consume in moderation, and that doesn’t have to change completely for the sake of your skincare routine. However, it is worth noting that they can both cause mild dehydration, which is the opposite of what you want to prevent dark circles and puffiness.
Try an Eye Cream
Even though trying out an eye cream is many people’s first line of defense when they notice dark circles, it should ideally be built into a larger routine that’s based around supporting your overall health and wellness, not just your beauty. However, using an eye cream can be a great way to lock in a bit of extra moisture underneath the eyes, and this can often make a big difference when you do it consistently.
No matter what your skincare journey has been like so far, there are so many ways that you can naturally reduce puffy eyes and dark circles. Whether you seek out a moisturizer, quit smoking or steer clear of caffeine, there are many things that can make a difference.
Sleep photo by Miriam Alonso from Pexels
Cover photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels
by Anthony Stafford | Nov 8, 2021
MUD\WTR has wooed our hearts along with so many other coffee lovers seeking an easier-on-you alternative. And while their hero coffee alternative was created to better morning routines, they’ve now created :rest — a thoughtful blend to support evening rituals. Restoration and sleep quality are key elements in energy levels, mood and productivity for the next day, so it’s crucial that your end-of-day regime treats you right, and :rest will do just that.
:rest promotes relaxation and calmness, with its caffeine-free blend of rooibos and chamomile chai teas, turmeric, cinnamon, along with the dream team of adaptogens and herbs (ashwagandha, reishi and turkey tail mushrooms and mycelium, and valerian root and passionflower). If you’re a fan of ashwagandha, you may know that this special ingredient carries a ton of benefits all on its own, including helping to destress and regulate hormones.
In addition, MUD\WTR is donating 25% of their revenue from Black Friday weekend to
MAPS — an organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of those suffering with PTSD and other disorders, through psychedelic research. Psychedelics are showing promising results to researchers on the quest to sufferers of trauma, migraines, and other ailments, and this research is vital for millions of people who seek relief and treatment. To sweeten the deal even more, MUD\WTR is now offering a 20% site-wide discount using the code
TURKEYTAIL. Get some :rest, yeah?
About MUD\WTR
MUD\WTR:
Coffee is so commonly believed to allow you to do more and to do better, but it’s attribution to jitters, poor sleep, and general mental health is always overlooked.
MUD\WTR is a coffee alternative that uses a blend of masala chai, cacao and adaptogenic mushrooms to provide energy, focus, and immune support— more than a product though, the company is about empowering people to think differently, to think for themselves.
by Anthony Stafford | Nov 5, 2021
Ahh, brunch, mimosas, and Pride weekend and Palm Springs. Sounds like paradise right? You’d be sorry you missed out, but that’s exactly what’s happening this weekend as SunDaze, a Palm Springs LGBTQIA+ founded business, sponsors The Girlz Skate Jam, a Lesbo Expo Event on Saturday, November 6th.
Hosted by skater Sierra Prescott, Girlz Skate Jam will include the top women-identified LGBTQIA+ skaters, including 2021 Olympian Alana Smith! Skaters will sip on SunDaze’s newly launched flavors throughout the Girlz Skate Jam, and into the after party! The newly launched, seriously refreshing, better-for-you alcoholic beverage was co-founded by Arthur Gallego, a local Palm Springs resident and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. SunDaze is made from an 100% Valencia orange juice blend that uses an exclusive fermentation process. The brand’s debut product lineup features three refreshing flavors including: Classic, Spicy, and Botanical.
Read on for a special Q&A with Arthur to learn more about SunDaze, what they have coming in the future, and what it means to participate in LGBTQIA+ events on the horizon!
A Q&A With Co-Founder and CEO Arthur Gallego
Q: Hi Arthur, and thank you for taking the time to give us some insight into SunDaze! Let’s start off with you and your role at SunDaze. What is your background, and how did you get started with the company?
Arthur: As a SoCal-born brand, we appreciate local media support. I’m the co-founder and CEO of SunDaze, a new line of fermented cocktails that emphasize minimal ingredients, authentic taste, and low sugar. I’m a long-time beverage marketing executive and finally decided to throw my hat into the entrepreneur ring.
Q: SunDaze achieves what many could only have dreamed of by creating something comparable to, yet better than a mimosa — while also better for you! What was the creation process like for you and your team to come up with the 3 flavors you currently offer?
Arthur: My brilliant food scientist and co-founder, Juan Toledano, identified a unique fermentation tech that transforms a fruit juice’s naturally occurring sugar into alcohol and also reduces overall sugar levels in the drink. We were able to produce a light, delicious, and more refreshing version of a citrus cocktail and started with orange juice because it’s so beloved.
Q: Were there any hurdles your team faced to get where you are today, and if so what were they?
Arthur: The biggest hurdle right now for an alcohol drink start-up like ours is competition — there are so many choices on store shelves. But we’re confident the simplicity and quality of SunDaze will make us a big success. People still love juice and juice-based cocktails. They are iconic and we’re making them better.
Q: Name a better duo than the LGBTQIA+ community and mimosas. (We’ll wait!) While you think that up, can you tell us why it’s so important for SunDaze to sponsor Girlz Skate Jam, and what this event means for so many – not just in Palm Springs – but everywhere?
Arthur: The community lives for brunch, and mimosas are synonymous with brunch-ing if that’s a proper verb! For me personally, as a gay man and a Palm Springs resident, it was important to support a local event that attracts more tourism to Palm Springs and builds a stronger community here and in SoCal.
Q: Are there any future LGBTQIA+ or other events we can expect to see SunDaze at?
Arthur: Absolutely, we’ll be building community with SunDaze in the LGBTQIA+ communities in California and Texas through 2022, one meaningful event at a time. It’s part of our social commitment program.
Q: What are some of your team’s longterm goals that you hope to achieve in the coming years?
Arthur: The big vision for SunDaze is to become the go-to brand for juice cocktails. Everyone has a favorite juice cocktail, whether it’s a mimosa, a daiquiri, a greyhound, a piña, or something else, and our fermentation tech can elevate all of them.
Q: Finally, can we expect an expansion for the SunDaze brand beyond the current offering? Are there any new flavors secretly being worked on, or a new type of drink? Care to offer a sneak peek?
Arthur: We’ve experimented with everything from watermelon to mango to pineapple to berries, and you’ll see some exciting new drinks from us in Spring 2022. Our fermentation tech has incredible potential in the alcohol drinks industry and we’ve only started to show people what we can do to change social drinking.
by Dennis Richardson | Nov 4, 2021
Josephine & Billie’s, the nation’s first cannabis dispensary focused on the needs of Women of Color, has opened and it’s focused on community and education.
Located in South LA, Josephine & Billie’s is dedicated to being an educational space and community where Women of Color, and allies, feel safe and welcomed to learn about the healing benefits of cannabis while offering a unique speakeasy-style cannabis retail concept inspired by ‘tea pads’ that existed in Black communities in the 20s and 30s. Founded by CEO Whitney Beatty and COO Ebony Andersen, the duo looked back into history for inspiration for their approach. That inspiration, recreating an experience from years ago that is unique to this dispensary – unique to Josephine & Billie’s.
What may be easily overlooked across dispensaries nationwide is the experience, and Josephine & Billie’s want to make that their first priority in their approach to educating women of color and their allies. Education can take one far, but it can take one even further in a place where they feel a familiarity that reverberates within their community.
During a time when tensions in the United States seem to be endlessly on edge, it’s now that an environment of familiarity is most important. Across the board, women are consistently treated harshly for a number of things — but especially their use of cannabis — whether that be for recreational or medicinal purposes.
As we find ourselves seeking more and more natural alternatives as remedies for chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, and lack of sleep, cannabis has long been the front runner for relief. Yet, for innumerable and unsubstantiated reasons, many women of color don’t feel at ease accessing this plant medicine –– despite being more likely to experience anxiety, under-treated for chronic pain, and quietly suffering from other ailments.
According to Josephine & Billie’s, “72 percent of the female population in Los Angeles identify as women of color, but until now there was not a single cannabis space that prioritized their real and urgent needs.” They want to change that.
The team states, “We were created by Black women to give women of color an experience of cannabis that doesn’t exist anywhere else. It’s an experience that’s communal, where women can discover the many positive effects cannabis has on well-being––and enjoy connecting with others doing the same. It’s an experience that’s inclusive, that puts the needs of women of color at the forefront, even down to the way our space is organized. We take special care to focus on what effects to expect from the type of cannabis you’re interested in, instead of just listing buzzwords and features about it. We put you––the woman seeking healing, calm, relief, happiness––in control. The experience at Josephine and Billie’s is one that’s uplifted, and that reclaims this powerful medicine from its history of racist criminalization. We’re here to encourage self-care and joy, and to educate every woman that walks in the door, giving her a little more than she came in with.”
About Josephine & Billie’s
Women founded and led, Josephine and Billie’s is the first dispensary in the nation to focus on women of color. Our cannabis teapad – the first of its kind in the U.S. – is a modern-day callback to the Jazz age, from the pearls and feathers of Josephine Baker to the poetry of Billie Holiday. It’s a trip back to the ‘tea pads’ in Black communities of the 20s and 30s where people listen to music and enjoy cannabis while feeling connected, relaxed, valued and safe. Josephine and Billie’s carries product lines that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve with intention and include Black and Brown owned brands, and price points for everyone from the dabbler to connoisseur. In our space, there’s no question not worth asking. Our M.O. is we got you, sis. The company is led by CEO, Whitney Beatty & COO, Ebony Andersen.
