JENNIFER WEISER, FOUNDER & DESIGNER JENNI JANE, IN LOS ANGELES
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Jennifer Weiser is the creator behind Jenni Jane, a great casual-chic L.A.-based brand of bags and clutches for trendy city girls.
But it's in Paris that it all started for this 36-year-old French-American woman. There she grew up, worked, and gave birth to her two boys. It is also mainly in Paris that Jennifer, inspired by her grandfather, a Parisian shoemaker, developed her taste for creativity, style and fashion. Many years later, during her second pregnancy, things suddenly fell into place: "One morning I woke up with the obsessive need to create something and all my creativity unconsciously flashed back to childhood and the smells of leather; Jenni Jane was born."
Jennifer went to live in L.A. for the first time at the age of 23. 10 years later, she returned as a happy and fulfilled mummy, head full of ambition and dreams.
IN LOS ANGELES WITH JENNIFER WEISER
A few words about Los Angeles. L.A. is a city of dreams, hopes and creation. A great energy comes out from this city because of its sunshine. Its light is extraordinary. It is also a melting-pot of nature, concrete, electric wires, palm trees, flowers, giant and ancient redwood trees ... and still, everything is in harmony. I feel at home here.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of poverty in this city and it is sometimes very violent. There is a lot of disillusionment, in a somewhat fake and glamorous city. It is a place with two facets like everywhere else.
Eating out with the kids. Our 3 favorite restaurants are:
Back on the Beach Café, in Santa Monica. We can have lunch with our feet in the sand, with a breathtaking ocean view, or on Malibu Pier.
Nong La Café, on Sawtelle Bvd, a very fresh Vietnamese restaurant. Service is fast and we usually sit at the bar.
ROC, also on Sawtelle Bvd, a Chinese restaurant. Famous for its steamed dim sum soups and everything being freshly made. Their glazed kitchen is a significant attraction for the little ones who cannot wait! Children love it.
Grabbing a snack. We love to go to Pain Quotidien on Melrose Avenue or to the one on Larchmont Bvd for their delicious brioche, breads, and jams.Otherwise, on weekends, a small family trip to the "bakery" of the French bistro Bouchon in Beverly Hills delights our taste buds (try the baguette coated with butter churn!)On sunny days. The beach of course! Our favorites are Hermosa and Manhattan. We also happened to choose a hotel close by and enjoyed their swimming pool.
On rainy days. We do a lot of board games at home. Otherwise, we like to go and paint in the magnificent LACMA drawing room. It’s free for children and you feel so good after!
C for Culture. LACMA and its artistic and playful facilities. Children love them.
I also recommend a family visit to La Brea Tar Pits, a fossil deposit dating back to the Ice Age, where you can see prehistoric animals. The deposit is situated in the heart of Los Angeles, in the Miracle Mile neighborhood.
The Skirball Cultural Center. Exhibition and cultural Jewish center offering family programs and activities for children.
Finally, the unmissable Getty Center. It has a little train that takes you up the hill, magical gardens, 360° views of the city and open-air concerts during the summer.
Nap time - peaceful spots. The beach is our best place to rest, but we also like to go hiking. Among our favorite spots: Franklin Canyon Park, Fryman Canyon Park, Les Switzer Falls dans le canyon historique de San Gabriel, and Will Rogers State Historic Park for a picnic or a beautiful walk on the heights.
Shopping for the kids. Among my favorite shops:
Plastica on 3rd street in West Hollywood offers a variety of lovely items and little gifts (games, books, accessories).
Eggy, near Plastica. A tiny little kids shop with pretty, uniquely selected items. You will want to buy everything!
Burro Goods on Abbot Kinney in Venice. Accessories and nice gifts for all ages.
Sleeping in L.A. with the kids. The Loews Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, although pricey, is great for families.
Getaways outside L.A. Ojai, for the nice walks among the orange trees and the open-air bookstore. It's a very simple place where we can spend time reading on a patio under the palm trees.
The Palos Verdes Peninsula for walks near the lighthouse and watching whales come down towards Baja California.
Huntington Library in Pasadena for its gardens and green spaces; it's a quiet and peaceful place. Carpinteria for the huge and calm beach.
Useful information. "The Red Tricycle" website is very useful for finding activities and recommendations for families and kids.
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Go discover Jenni Jane. Beautiful & fun, chic & casual, Paris & L.A....
@jennijaneparis
(Coming soon on jennijane.com: her own L.A, Paris and Dallas city guides)