Welcome Onekind !

October 10, 2019

The new, inclusive and shockingly affordable skincare line fighting the pink tax is THAT GOOD.

ONEKIND

They recently launched online and at all Heyday locations. Loving this brand that set out to rewrite the rules of skincare – particularly when it comes to traditional (read: inflated) pricing. 

BACKSTORY:

Onekind is the brainchild of brother-sister duo Matthew and Madison Ruggieri who – along with their business partner, actor Darren Criss – have been players in the men’s grooming category for close to a decade. Now they have taken all they know about fair pricing and top shelf ingredients to create this clean, accessible new brand which is “Every bit as luxe as le crème, but at a much fairer price.”

Onekind was originally designed to tackle the pink tax (products marketed at women are priced much higher than similar formulations aimed at men) but Onekind is unisex – ingredients are ingredients/skin is skin after all – and Darren uses the products every night in his skincare routine. Onekind is the brainchild of brother-sister duo Madison and Matthew Ruggieri who founded the popular men’s grooming site The Motley as well as their own successful brands, Buckler’s and Port Products.

During this time, they learned a lot of good and bad things about the beauty industry including how unnecessarily marked up products for women can be (for example, they had experts tell them to price their men’s products lower “as men won’t pay enough as women”). This infuriated Madison but  she just looked in her own medicine cabinet and knew she was being ripped off…just for buying skincare marketed towards women. 

Their debut products for nighttime are heavenly – Dream Cream Moisturizer ($38) and Midnight Magic Serum ($42) – 

We are loving them both!!!

Scenes from the opening party at Heydey!

Your Yoga Practice Is Missing This One Thing

October 9, 2019

Want to take your practice to the next level? Then you’re just a wheel away.

The Aadrika wheel from Yoga Design Lab.

This site is my go-to for eco-friendly yoga accessories (like this mat!)

Btw, This mat is amazing because of the texture. It reduces slipping totally. No more towels and mats. This is enough. Its machine washable, absorbent sueded microfiber is made of recycled plastic bottles, bonded to a natural tree rubber base gives you the sweaty grip of a towel and the cushion of a yoga mat.

Back to the wheel that is giving my backbends life… Its cork covered and designed to help open the chest, shoulders, back, and hip flexors.  It’s actually a quite beautiful object. You can tote it to class.  Perfect for beginners to advanced yogis. It offers support for challenging poses and adds creativity to your practice. Think about backbends becoming smoother and more flow – on top of assisting to loosen tight muscles. Naturally enhances your poses by achieving deeper stretches, easily and effortlessly.

 

ABOUT YOGA DESIGN LAB from the founder

The idea for Yoga Design Lab started while on vacation in Bali. I was seated in the back of a packed class at the well-known mecca for yoga, Yoga Barn. Looking around, all I saw was a sea of unoriginal, massed produced, solid colored yoga mats. My thinking was, there must be a way of creating a highly functional product that was also aesthetically beautiful. The inspiration grew and I knew I wanted to design mats that would make more people excited about practicing yoga.

So the journey began. Long story short, I sold my stuff, packed up a couple bags and moved to Bali with the goal of creating a line of yoga accessories that would inspire people around the world.

Blending fashion-forward design elements with innovative functionality and bio-renewable consciousness is key to the Yoga Design Lab approach. From our insulated stainless steel water bottles (reduce your use of plastic water bottles please!), to our hot yoga mats comprised of biodegradable natural tree rubber, to the water based inks used in our printed designs, we can all make a difference with the products we buy.

Giving back is awesome. $1 from every purchase goes to support Urban Youth Yoga Programs in need.

The adventure has just begun.

Chad

yogadesignlab.com

 

Imagine Fest Gathers Local Community in Yoga, Music and Conscious Conversation where 100% of proceeds benefits Non-Profit Organization, Unlikely Heroes

October 8, 2019

Founder Natalie Backman & The Young Leaders Council created a fundraising festival that united the Yogi community in helping carry out Unlikely Heroes mission to end human trafficking.  

Who: Founder of Imagine Fest, Natalie Backman and Non-Profit, Unlikely Heroes 

Notable Guests & Celebrities:  Satsang; Maya Jupiter; Dustin Thomas; Tubby Love & 

Amber Lily; Aloe Blacc; Inetra Brazil; Anisha Gibbs; Modern Tarzan; Sprout; Robot Nature; and Player WON

Sponsors: The Goldhill Group, California Commercial Investment, The Ave, Brian Fung, Quadranet, Andrea Gootnick, Pranamaya 

What:  Imagine Fest was a Yoga + Music + Conscious Conversation fundraising festival created by Natalie Backman and The Young Leaders Council to benefit the non-profit, Unlikely Heroes. Guests opted to enjoy a Sunday Funday full of live music, yoga, meditation and powerful panel sessions aimed at creating social change. 100% of the proceeds acquired at Imagine Fest were used to help fund Unlikely Heroes’ efforts in saving & restoring the lives of child victims of sex trafficking around the world. Performers like Maya Jupiter, Satsang, Tubby Love & Amber Lily; and Player Won provided music sets that fused entertainment with conscious healing and awareness. Acro yoga workshops were lead by renowned yogis, Modern Tarzan & Sprout. A wide array of artisanal vendors and food trucks were on site providing guests with a multitude of options to eat delicious, health conscious food and shop from local businesses. Panels were held by a number of thought leaders, including the founder of Unlikely Heroes, Erica Greve.

When: Sunday, September 22, 2019  12:00 PM – 10:00PM 

Where:  Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center,  29900 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills CA 91301

Why: To raise funds for Unlikely Heroes to provide healthcare, shelter, education, recreational activities, rehabilitation resources, love, and hope to rescued victims of sex trafficking domestic and abroad. 

About Unlikely Heroes: Unlikely Heroes, is a local non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating child victims of sex trafficking in countries such as Nigeria, Thailand, Mexico and the Philippines as well as the United States. The organization strives to rescue and rehabilitate the lives of these children as well as post trauma therapy, education, medical care and job training and most importantly, a happy, healthy childhood.

About Natalie Backman: Natalie Backman is a yoga teacher, and the Founder of Imagine Fest.  Originally from Washington State, Natalie has called Los Angeles home for nearly seven years and has been teaching yoga for five of them. She is currently a 500-hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher of the Himalayan Tradition and is working toward certification in ParaYoga with Rod Stryker. She teaches weekly at Agoura Power of Yoga as well as Horizons Senior Center, MUSE School, and for several private clients. She, along with the entire Imagine Fest family, donates her time and energy to offer healing and empowerment to their local community, as well as an opportunity to be the change we wish to see.

KIRKWOOD COLLECTION USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF BOUTIQUE HOSPITALITY WITH HIDEAWAY SANTA BARBARA

October 7, 2019

Kirkwood Collection, a new luxury hotel brand, underwent the grand opening of Hideaway Santa Barbara in June.  Blending “old world” charm with “new world” accoutrements, Hideaway is the newest addition to the family-owned and operated collection of uniquely boutique, design-driven properties. Kirkwood Collection focuses solely on boutique properties in iconic California destinations, currently including Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and San Luis Obispo.

        Introducing a new standard of understated luxury, Hideaway Santa Barbara is meticulously curated with a casual elegance.  Housed in a 1908 California Craftsman and a secluded Carriage House, the intimate nine-room hotel is comprised of deluxe guest rooms and spacious suites, offering views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the historic Fernald Mansion. The enviable pedestrian-friendly location is just blocks from the beach, harbor, and walking distance to some of Santa Barbara’s best restaurants, the Urban Wine Trail, and the Funk Zone.

“We are delighted to present Hideaway Santa Barbara, our flagship boutique hotel located in one of the most iconic destinations in California,” said Alex Kirkwood, founder & president of Kirkwood Collection. “Hideaway is a highly personal milestone and achievement in the expansion of our collection and we hope the community of boutique travelers will share in our excitement for the hotel.”

The property is designed by Kirkwood Collection’s design director Michelle McClory, who has worked alongside acclaimed designers Jeffrey Alan Marks and Michael Smith.  Delivering a high-end residential, California Coastal aesthetic to a hospitality setting, Hideaway Santa Barbara evokes understated elegance with a modern edge. The governing design principle is use of natural light, which is reflected in the choice of skylights, finishes and artisan materials throughout the property.

A canopy of trees flank the west drive of the hotel, which ushers visitors through a light, bright, and airy entry hall featuring an oversized print of a captivating blue rowboat beached ashore.  To the left, guests enter the sun-drenched solarium and then relax with complimentary champagne in the well-appointed Lounge featuring a welcoming fireplace. The light-filled breakfast room doubles as a co-working space by day, with its triple-height windows and French bistro-style seating.  Beautifully-appointed guest rooms are bright and breezy with contemporary organic furnishings and high-end residential elements that incorporate an overall feel of California coastal whimsy; a nod to the iconic setting where land meets the sea – the American Riviera.

A boutique hotel offering complimentary breakfast, Hideaway Santa Barbara caters to the international traveler and promises its guests a true “home away from home” experience. With thoughtfully incorporated features including Apple TVs and fireplaces, Hideaway guests that book rooms direct will also receive a complimentary glass of champagne upon check-in. Guests can also purchase champagne, wine, or beer at reception to enjoy in the comfort of their rooms. Nightly rates start at $350 and guestroom amenities include French amenity products, luxury linens, and a dual-zone wine cooler minifridge. 

The Kirkwood Collection portfolio is currently comprised of five properties.  Just a mile away from Hideaway on East Beach, Blue Sands Inn features an outdoor pool along with stunning ocean and Stearns Wharf views.  In vibrant Downtown San Luis Obispo, Garden Street Inn is the idyllic vision of historic charm, nestled in central-coast wine country. Plans are in development for an extensive renovation in 2020 to elevate Garden Street Inn to Kirkwood Collection elegance while remaining loyal to its historic roots.  97 Lake Shore offers a glimpse into California’s lakefront living in Rancho Mirage. The Palm Springs Hotel, a joint-venture property, is midcentury modern with new-century passion nodding to the Rat Pack era of Palm Springs. Kirkwood Collection is currently seeking to expand into additional locations such as Napa Valley, Laguna Beach, Santa Monica and Seattle.

To book reservations or learn more about Hideaway Santa Barbara, visit www.hideawaysantabarbara.com or call (805) 965-2333.

Six Ways To Get Your Los Angeles Home Photoshoot Ready

October 5, 2019

Selling your home can be stressful… but selling your home in L.A.? Talk about a mission. We’ve enlisted the help of REX real estate expert, Kara Birkenstock, to give us six tips for making your home photoshoot ready.

Here are six easy ways to make sure your home photoshoot is a success:

Declutter

This simple but often overlooked step is essential when staging a house. A cluttered space distracts from your home’s beauty, so make sure your space is neat and organized. Channel your inner Marie Kondo by picking up toys, laundry, papers, and books. Even small steps like tossing old stacks of magazines or making the bed can transform the look of your home.

Remove Personal Photos 

When a buyer looks at your home, they want to envision themselves living in it. Unfortunately, that can be hard to do when the space is decorated with pictures of someone else’s family and friends. So, save those cute family vacation photos and school portraits for instagram and stick to neutral decor when photographing your home.

Set the Table 

Less is more – except when it comes to tables. Make your kitchen and dining room look more inviting by setting the table as if you’re expecting company. Add a small centerpiece for a special touch and you’ll have a table that is sure to impress potential buyers!

Clean the Bathroom 

Your makeup and hairspray looks great on you, but it doesn’t look nearly as good on your bathroom counter. Use your drawers and cabinets to place your products and brushes out of sight. Don’t forget to clean the mirrors and wipe down the sink to get rid of any soap scum or stains.

Mow the Lawn 

All Southern Californians know that brown, dead lawns are pretty common. Make your home stand out by spending some time boosting your curb-appeal. Before taking photos, make sure to spruce up your law, trim the bushes, and rake up leaves. Add a splash of color by planting seasonal flowers and and add some potted plants by the front door.

Hide the Pets

Your pet may love their bone and dog bed, but the camera does not. Try to hide chew toys, food bags, kennels, litter boxes and other pet accessories when photographing your home. We promise your furry friends will understand!

These tips and tricks are courtesy of experts at REX, a technology platform that uses A.I. and big data to help buyers and sellers navigate the home buying/selling process more efficiently. Thanks to the unique approach taken by REX, homeowners are able to list, discover and purchase homes at the most competitive rate in the market. Rather than the traditional 6% commission fee, REX charges a true fixed 2% commission resulting in thousands saved per transaction. For more information on how REX can help you face the challenges of buying and selling homes, please visit www.rexhomes.com

About REX

REX is the first licensed residential real estate brokerage that uses AI and big data to push past the outmoded business practices of traditional realtors by providing dramatically better outcomes and experiences for both buyers and sellers at a dramatically lower cost. To find out more about how REX saves consumers money and hassles in what’s typically the most stressful transaction of their lives, visitrexhomes.com