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- Cathy Waterman“My absolute perfect day in L.A. would start with a great cup of coffee at Caffe Luxxe and a visit to one of the Santa Monica farmers markets.”
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WHITEbIRD represents independent designers from all over the world, all of whom are closely attached to the city in which they design. For this first City Guide by WHITEbIRD, three of our Californian designers - Cathy Waterman, Brooke Gregson and Christina Magdolna, give you the Best Things to do in Los Angeles... Enjoy!
How would you describe a perfect day in L.A.?
Cathy Waterman
My absolute perfect day would start with a great cup of coffee at Caffe Luxxe and a visit to one of the Santa Monica farmers markets. Then, if it's a beautiful day - or even a foggy day, a visit to the Getty Museum in Malibu with its beautiful views and exquisite and serene galleries always makes the day better, calmer. Lunch at the Malibu Country Mart or on the Malibu Pier like you're escaping the city. A twilight walk on the beach and a home-cooked meal complete my perfect day.
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Brooke Gregson
A perfect day for me is doing a 15 minute meditation in my garden and then a walk with my dogs to the Venice Boardwalk. We then meet up with friends at the best local coffee shop called Groundwork on Rose Ave. After that we (my partner and I) will drive to the Santa Monica Airport Flea Market where we can find everything from Vintage clothing to African Beads and Furniture. If we are feeling up for the drive we will head to Hollywood for an afternoon hike up Runyon Canyon.
We will then reward ourselves with a great margarita and authentic Mexican food at El Compadre on Santa Monica Blvd.
Christina Magdolna
The perfect sunny L.A. day would consist of taking the convertible up the Pacific Coast Highway, to spend the morning at the Getty Villa in Malibu browsing through the endless collection of sculptures, ancient jewelry, and paintings.
It would be followed by picking up some lobster rolls from one of the neighboring seafood restaurants like Malibu Seafood or Broad Street Oyster Company, and taking them to a hidden gem of a beach, El Matador, for a picnic.
The afternoon would finish with a glass of wine in hand at Rosenthal Wine Bar, watching the sun set over the ocean.
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What are your favorites spots to eat in the city?
Brooke Gregson
By far, my favorite place to eat is Gjelina on Abbot Kinney in Venice Beach. Most of the food prepared is locally sourced and seasonal and so delicious. It’s also located on one of the few walking streets in LA so it’s the perfect area to people watch and get a sense of the pulse of a great beach community. Another great hang out spot is Venice Beach Wineson Rose Ave in Venice. You can do wine tastings and eat light bites while eating at the communal tables. I always end up meeting new people when I’m there.
A great spot to eat and drink in Hollywood is El Coyote where the staff has been serving since I was hanging out there in the 90’s before a big night out at Chateau Marmont. Lastly Chateau Marmont is still one of the great Hollywood spots where the drinks match the old Hollywood atmosphere. On Tuesdays and Fridays you can hang out in the lounge style living room and listen to piano while spotting celebrities.
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Christina Magdolna
Whenever I am craving the satisfying, saucy, family-style nature of Italian cuisine, I head to Oste for their light, yet addictively doughy Roman-style pizzas, or Milo & Olive for everything that bakes in their woodfire oven. For delicate yakitori cuisine, I enjoy Nanban-kan and up until the owners recently retired and returned to Japan after two decades in Little Tokyo, I would go at least once a month to Komasa. The sushi created by Chef Minoru was always generous, buttery, and beautiful, and will be missed!
Bavel is the destination when I am looking for creative, satisfying and familiar dishes. Located in Downtown Los Angeles in the Arts District, this is a Middle-Eastern style menu with a modern backdrop, close to the fabulous art, architecture and design bookstore, Hennessy & Ingalls.
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Your favorites places to take a walk in L.A.?
Christina Magdolna
There is an undeniable buzz on Abbot Kinney Avenue with the boutique shops and bustling restaurants. I like walking around here when I want to be surrounded by fun people and hear the languages of the travelers coming to visit.
When I am craving a moment in nature, on the other hand, I enjoy walking around my own neighborhood in Playa Del Rey - along the beach or around the lagoons, where if you’re lucky, you can spot seals, herons, or even wild parrots in the palm trees.
Brooke Gregson
The best place to walk in LA is Abbot Kinney which has a mix of locals and international people. There is an eclectic mix of shops, bars, and restaurants and it’s a great street to people watch. I also like walking on Beverly Blvd in West LA where there are some of the best design shops alongside great restaurants and you can pop into one of the greatest perfume shops ever which is called The Scent Bar
Cathy Waterman
My favorite walks are along the shore in Santa Monica as well as the hiking trails in the hills above Sunset Boulevard, Paseo Miramar particularly.
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Where do you go to escape from the city?
Brooke Gregson
We are actually headed to Palm Springs as I write this. It’s only 2 hours from LA and a place where you can relax and also enjoy great hikes and night life.
We like to go for a drink at and spend the weekend heading to the Palm Springs Art Museum which is in a Brutalist Building and has an incredible collection of Modern and California Impressionist Art. The rest of the weekend is spent swimming, reading, and relaxing by the pool!
Christina Magdolna
It’s about an hour drive, but absolutely worth it. I sneak away to Laguna Beach whenever I need a colorful and peaceful escape. It’s a slower paced town, further down south along the coast towards Mexico, with incredible turquoise beaches like Treasure Island Beach. I also like to take the opportunity to stop by the Seaside Growers Nursery - which feels more like a botanical garden than a nursery - to bring home unusual plants and cacti, and on occasion, little fruit trees small enough to fit in the car!
Cathy Waterman
A great escape from the city is a drive down to Laguna Beach with lunch at Taco Loco, and a chocolate covered banana on Balboa Island.
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Whitebird
38, rue du Mont Thabor Paris 1
+33 (0)1 58 62 25 86
boutique@whitebirdjewellery.com
7, boulevard des filles du calvaire PARIS 3
+33 (0)1 40 24 27 17
boutiquemarais@whitebirdjewellery.com
62, RUE DES SAINTS-PÈRES PARIS 7
+33 (0)1 43 22 21 53
boutiquesaintsperes@whitebirdjewellery.com
Boutiques
opening hours
Mon: 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tue-Sat: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Our Californian's designers are available online and in our 3 shops.
Christina Magdolna is exclusively available in our Marais shop and online.
Cathy Waterman is available in our Saint-Germain and Mont Thabor shops and online.
Brooke Gregson is available in our Marais and Mont Thabor shops and online.
Our favourite addresses in the Marais
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