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26 May 16:01

This Venice Shop Is Bringing the Best of Brazilian Design to the West Coast

by Vy Tran

This Venice Shop Is Bringing the Best of Brazilian Design to the West Coast

Brazil has a thriving design scene (there’s pages and pages of evidence here) and now for Los Angeles residents, you don’t have to book a ticket down south to see it for yourself. Sao Paulo native Ana Kozak is determined to bring the best of Brazilian design to the West Coast at her newly opened store, Le Magazyn, in Venice, California.

Le Magazyn is the exclusive representative of the prestigious Brazilian furniture Espasso on the West Coast.

Interior designers have been moving away from creating cookie-cutter replicas of catalogue pages these days, mixing vintage with mid-century, contemporary, handmade, local and high-end design. For those looking to add unique, one-of-a-kind pieces to their homes, this one stop shop carries a curated selection of original handcrafted home goods, fashion, table-top accessories, jewelry, furniture and art that are all handcrafted by global and Brazilian artisans. Today we chat with Ana about some of the best selling Brazilian designs in her shop and how the name Le Magazyn came about.

 

Why did you pick this city?

I chose Venice Beach because I identify with this neighborhood. It’s a vibrant, eclectic and inclusive community where you can see and engage with people from all walks of life – anyone can be part of it. Also, as many major cities experience, this area on the Westside is going through a gentrification process which I relate to being from Sao Paulo and having a multicultural background. This diversity feels like home.

Regarding the building, it’s an original construction from 1904 and it was love at first sight! I remodeled, however I was careful to preserve its original structure. It has high ceilings and an incredible natural light.

Where did you get the name for the store? 

The Portuguese word “magazine” means store in an old-fashioned way, it refers to the old shops that used to sell a little bit of everything. In French “Magazin” also means store so I played with the words and merged the two and added a playful “Y” to the mix. For me it is also an homage from the time I lived in Paris, which was an amazing personal experience.

Has it changed much since it opened? How?

Yes, the store has changed quite bit, even though we’ve been open for a little over a year. I feel that the store is settling into its own personality, which sounds funny but it’s true!  The store is more mature from when I first opened doors. When we launched, I had a different idea of what I wanted this place to be and with time and valuable feedback from clients and friends, it has changed shape and grown. The essence of our business remains the same, we aim to showcase high-end Brazilian design and offer pieces that are unique and exclusive from what you’ll find in other stores in LA.

What’s one of the challenges you have with the business? 

As a small business owner, there are so many challenges, that it can be hard to name one. I like to say that in retail, we have to kill a dragon every day! It’s a Portuguese reference, but in all seriousness the retail business has gone through such a transformation and it’s hard to navigate what the future looks like. People shop differently today than they did 20 years ago, there’s been a tremendous shift in the shopping experience and there’s a lot of competition when it comes to retail. Between technology, online shops, instant shops, corporate shops, mass production and competitive pricing it can be a lot to take on as a small business owner.

While it’s extremely challenging to watch a boutique, restaurant or small business close its doors in place for a big chain or corporate brand to fill, it’s more important we stay on top of these shifts in the marketplace. For Le Magazyn, we know that there are many people who appreciate and value a more exclusive shopping experience. The touch and feeling of a product are important to our audience as is the opportunity to be surrounded by handmade, one-of-a-kind or limited-production pieces.

In my opinion nothing replaces this personal interaction. When you can get to know the provenance of the pieces, the story behind each piece and how they are made, or even presented with the opportunity to meet the designer in-person; These are the experiences that we are constantly aiming to offer our customers.

So, while the challenges may seem huge, it’s the enjoyment we receive from our customers who appreciate the in-store experience that is the most motivating and gratifying!

What other stores have you worked in before opening this one?

Believe it or not, this is my first experience in retail. Before opening Le Magazyn I did a lot of research to understand the market, but you never know until you’re fully immersed.

What’s your favorite item in the store right now?

As the curator of the store I love to discover new pieces. Right now, I’m super excited with my latest find, from Brazilian designer Claudia Savelli. Her maxi bijoux pieces have a lot of personality and are handcrafted with sailing ropes in her studio located in the Jardin Botanico neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.

What is this season’s theme/inspiration/story?

At Le Magazyn, we are less focused on trends and more focused on cultivating a unique product selection that is timeless and made to endure the seasons. Each of our products carries its own story and we like to be the storytellers for these brands here in the US.

Are you carrying any new products and/or undiscovered gems you’re particularly excited about?

Almost everything we carry is still an undiscovered gem, and we can say that because much of what we offer are exclusively available in the US at Le Magazyn! We are proud to be a destination for the LA Market that specializes in Brazilian design. That said, here’s some highlights from the store – it’s hard to choose one piece.

Manus Studio with their Buddha Collection

Thais Costa jewelry – She’s a molecular biologist turned jewelry artist that works with the effects produced by fire and different manual movement

Heloisa Galvão’s liquid porcelain vases

What’s been a consistent best seller?

Everyone loves Paula Ferber’s sandals and handmade bags and the Flavia Del Pra tile tray are always a huge hit (we’re the exclusive carrier of Flavia’s trays and ceramic tiles in the US). We always have new patterns and styles, but these are probably our best sellers and what most people look for when the walk in the store.

Does the store have its own line?

Not yet, however we did just introduce a limited-edition of tile trays with the Brazilian designer and ceramicist Flavia Del Pra. The exclusive print for Le Magazyn is called the Balcony Print and not only are they offered in trays, she’s also doing tile so our cash wrap features her print – it’s beautiful!

Any special events/exhibits/pop ups/collaborations coming up?

Yes! We always have revolving exhibitions in the store and it’s our goal to bring in the designers and artists so that our customers and clients have the opportunity to meet the creatives behind the products. Coming up this month – September 13th – Brazilian fine art photographer, Betina Samaia will showcase her “Amazonia” series. Betina’s work mixes stunning night photos with light painting, she’s extremely talented and she tends to photograph places that normally do not lend themselves to photographs, places that are full of mystery and abundant of possibilities. Her work has been influenced by the Impressionist painters: subtle lines and contours, strong colors, images that go beyond what we see – combining reality and imagination. The exhibition will be her unique vision of Amazonia using an infra-red lens.

Do you have anything from the store in your own home?

Yes, I do have many pieces! I have the liquid porcelain vases from Heloisa Galvão, a tile tray from Flavia del Pra, pieces from Manus studio, and I have an amazing photo from Claudio Edinger’s “Venice Beach” exhibition, that we hosted last year. Ah, I almost forgot, I also have a JZ tea trolley by the great Jorge Zalzsupin.

What’s next for you and your store? 

My passion is for curating and using my knack for design to produce interesting and unexpected results. My challenge is to stay away from the obvious and to transform Le Magazyn into a must-visit destination for high-end Brazilian design as well as produce engaging content and divulge the works of these amazing artists and designers.

Looking ahead, we want to focus on collaborations and bringing new and emerging designers and artists to Le Magazyn.

What’s one lesson you’ve learned since opening your store?

My first and most valuable lesson was involving inventory management. In the beginning, I bought too many of the same pieces, but thank god at the end of the day we sold through everything. The second most important lesson that I live by every day is that you must innovate constantly.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to follow a similar path to yours, what would it be?

I don’t want to sound cliché, but follow your gut and don’t be afraid to fail. Falling and getting back up is part of life and has an important role in any learning process. We all celebrate the winners but I’m sure they all passed through a lot of difficulties to finally succeed. So, for that reason, my only advice is persistence, persistence, persistence! Do not give up easily!

Every path is different and unfortunately there isn’t a recipe for success. I wish I had it to share and for myself!

Visit Le Magazyn at 904 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291.

13 May 12:18

Foodie-For-Hire David Ma’s Food Films

by Pinch Food Design

Foodie-For-Hire David Ma’s Food Films

We came across David Ma’s Food Films recently… and couldn’t help but smile. This foodie-for-hire cleverly creates recipe instructional videos in the style of four famous directors: Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, Alfonso Cuarón, and Michael Bay. Take a look.

14 Feb 12:25

vibrations

by Jenny | Aubrey Road

Vibes on repeat.

18 Jan 16:38

Art Quarterly No.3.1 from Society6

by Vy Tran
Bocanegraerika

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Art Quarterly No.3.1 from Society6

We’ve shared lots of great art from Society6 here on Design Milk but did you know that it also publishes an art magazine? The latest issue of the Art Quarterly No.3.1 just arrived and it’s jam packed with 230 original works from 25 Society6 artists. With this quarterly, you also get the first ever issue of Flipside, a themed art zine just by flipping the magazine over! It features 25 new original works curated from a community collaboration call of 25 different artists. There’s only a limited edition print run of 100 copies so get your copy today!

Nick Misani is the featured cover artist for this quarterly edition. Check out how he created this “fauxsaics” here – it’s pretty impressive.

Get your copy of the Society6 Art Quarterly / No.3.1 here.

In an ongoing effort to support independent artists from around the world, Design Milk is proud to partner with Society6 to offer The Design Milk Dairy, a special collection of Society6 artists’ work curated by Design Milk and our readers. Proceeds from The Design Milk Dairy help us bring Design Milk to you every day.

04 Feb 22:16

Carrot Pesto Pasta

by A Beautiful Mess

Carrot Pesto Pasta (via abeautifulmess.com)If you're like me, then you are likely drawn to any recipe that contains the word "pasta" in it. I pretty much am always willing to say yes to pasta. :) This is a fun one though as it's got some unexpected flavors for a pasta dish, plus it is SUPER quick and easy to make. I think you're gonna like it. 

Carrot Pesto Pasta (via abeautifulmess.com)    Carrot Pesto Pasta (via abeautifulmess.com)  The carrot pesto is a little bit savory, a little bit sweet, and still has some delicious creaminess going on due to the Parmesan. Mmmm. Plus the only "cooking" you really have to do is throw stuff in a food processor and boil water. Pretty advanced stuff. Here's the recipe if you want to give this one a try, and I totally recommend you do soon. 

Carrot pesto ingredientsCarrot Pesto Pasta, serves four

3 large carrots (8 oz.)
1/3 cup pine nuts
2 cloves of garlic
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon salt plus more for the top
1/3 cup olive oil
1 lb. pasta (I used ziti)
1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
pepper
1 lemon

Peel the carrots and give them a rough chop so they will fit in your food processor or a good blender. Then combine the carrots, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon salt in the processor. 

Carrot pesto recipeGrind, then slowly add the olive oil while the mixer is on if that's an option. If not, just add it in 2-3 small batches. Once the pesto is the consistency of creamy hummus, taste and add more spices or salt if you think it needs it. 

Cook the pasta according to the directions. Drain, then toss with the pesto. 

Carrot Pesto Pasta (via abeautifulmess.com) Sprinkle a little more Parmesan on top along with some salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Just before serving, squeeze the lemon juice over each serving for a bright pop of flavor that I think goes well with the carrot pesto. Enjoy! I don't have any additional notes for this recipe except just a reminder that you can swap out the pasta for a whole wheat or gluten free pasta of your choosing. Do your thing.

And if Carrot Pesto Pasta just doesn't sound like the right pasta for you, check out our pasta archives. We've also shared a number of from scratch pasta making posts over the years as well. Happy pasta nights to you! xo. Emma

Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with the NEW A Beautiful Mess actions

07 Nov 01:17

10 Must-Read Books for Women in Business

by Grace Bonney

10 Must-Read Books for Women in Business

All summer long I devoured business book after business book, looking for some last-minute inspiration and motivation as I hit the road to celebrate our new book, In the Company of Women. There are so many incredible business books on the market, but I really enjoyed focusing on books that were meant to address some of the unique issues facing women. Whether it was a firsthand account from a mother who had given birth and headed back to run her company the next week, or the stories of women who work to overcome and combat sexism in the workplace, their stories gave me the courage and strength to head out this fall and talk about all of these issues across the country with some of the most inspiring women I know in business.

So today I’m sharing 10 books I think any woman in business should have (whether you’re an established pro or are just hoping to launch one day) on their shelves or pick up at their local library. Here’s to more women in charge of their own amazing businesses! xo, grace

*Some of these books are older, some newer. Some are business-focused and others are more outside of the box, but I promise you’ll find inspiration in each one.

23 Jun 01:43

8 Awesome Podcasts

by Lexi Mainland

Best Podcasts 2016

Have you been listening to any great podcasts lately? A year ago, we rounded up seven favorites, and since then I’ve gotten into many more, including a few that started recently.… Read more

The post 8 Awesome Podcasts appeared first on A Cup of Jo.

17 Feb 01:28

Printable Freebie: Holiday Garland

by Garrett Fleming

Printable Freebie: Holiday Garland, Design*Sponge
Penelope Dullaghan is one of those graphic designers whose work simply makes you smile. The cheery watercolor and linocut illustrations — inspired by her nature walks — are irresistibly eye-catching, and people are taking note. Oprah Magazine, The New York Times and Starbucks have all tapped the talented artist for help in beautifying their work. That’s an impressive roster, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that today, Design*Sponge joins those ranks! Each morning this week, we’ll be bringing you a free holiday printable sure to keep you smiling all season long. To kick things off, Penelope has gifted us this fantastic paper garland, perfect for a fireplace (or anywhere, really). I particularly adore the less-traditional holiday color scheme of this joyful decoration, and I hope you do, too. Click here to download, and get to decking those halls. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography by Penelope Dullaghan

Printable Freebie: Holiday Garland, Design*Sponge

22 Nov 07:50

The Model-Off-Duty Way To Wear A Brocade Jacket

by EB
Le Fashion Blog Street Style Model Sunglasses Brocade Jacket Dark Tee Sweater Gunmetal Watch Snakeskin Bag Skinny Jeans Green Monk Strap Shoes Via Collage Vintage
Photo via: Collage Vintage

Crushing on this model-off-duty street style look, especially her whimsical metallic brocade jacket and statement green monk-strap shoes.

Get the look:
+ Miu Miu Sunglasses
+ Raoul Metallic Brocade Blazer
+ ZAC Zac Posen Crossbody Eartha Envelope Snake Embossed
+ Cheap Monday Spray High-Rise Skinny Jean
+ Marni Monk-Strap Moccasins


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18 Nov 02:16

A Downtown Cool Way To Wear A Teddy Coat

by Le Fashion
Le Fashion Blog Fall Winter Style Teddy Coat Blush Shaggy Faux Fur Coat Leather Pants Zip Knee Ankle Boots Black Beanie Via Fashion Landscape
Le Fashion Blog Teddy Coat Blush Shaggy Faux Fur Coat Black Beanie Pronza PS11 Bag Leather Pants Ankle Boots Fall Winter Style Via Fashion Landscape
Photos via: Fashion Landscape

Textured teddy coats are still going strong this season, and Laura shows a downtown cool way to wear her own with a beanie, leather pants, and ankle boots.

Get the look:
+ 1717 Olive Purl Knit Slouch Beanie Hat
+ ASOS Paisie Fluffy Teddy Bear Coat
+ Proenza Schouler PS11 Small Leather Bag
+ SP Black Zip Detail Faux Leather Skinny Pants
+ Topshop Magnificent Bootie


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14 Nov 03:07

15 Ways To Style Your Hair With A Circle Clip

by Le Fashion
Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Loose Wavy Half Up Do Gold Floral Print SS15 Via Celine
1. Popsugar

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Half Up Do Bun Chunky Chain Bracelet Coat Via Maison Ellis
2. Maison Ellis

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Wavy Double Ponytail Via Nasty Gal
3. Nasty Gal


Thanks to the Céline S/S 2015 show, circle hair clips are popping up everywhere. These shots show just how the chic the simple accessory looks with a variety of hairstyles.

Click below to see more...

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Half Up Do Long Straight Hair Jacket Coat SS15 Via Celine
Céline

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Loose Wavy Half Up Do Brooch Plaid Shirt Via Asos
ASOS

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Sleek Blonde Ponytail Gold Harpers Bazaar Netherlands Via Wikkie Hermkens
Wikkie Hermkens

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Messy Ponytail Crop Top Kaarklemme Via Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Half Up Do Bright Print Dress Celine SS15 Via Popsugar
Popsugar

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Half Up Loose Waves White Strap Dress Celine SS15 Via Vogue UK
Vogue UK

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Half Up Do Soft Waves Double Circle Tie Via Asos
ASOS


Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Ponytail Sleek Via CR Fashion Book
CR Fashion Book

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Half Up Do Straight Blonde Hair Orelia Via Asos
ASOS


Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Loose Half Up Do Auburn Hair Silver Margot Via Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Tie Ponytail Blonde Via Asos
ASOS

Le Fashion Blog 15 Ways To Wear Round Circle Hair Clip Pin Accessory Hairstyle Loose Wavy Half Up Do Gold SS15 Via Celine
Céline

Get the look:

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14 Nov 03:01

Anine Bing Masters a Comfy, Yet Stylish Airport Look

by EB
Le Fashion Blog Blogger Anine Bing Masters Airport Look Sunglasses Turtleneck Sweater Skinny Jeans Croc Tote Via Anines World
Le Fashion Blog Blogger Anine Bing Airport Style  Round Sunglasses Comfortable Turtleneck Sweater Cropped Skinny Jeans Croc Tote Fringe Booties Via Anines World
Photos via: Anine's World

Anine Bing shows how to travel in style without sacrificing comfort with a cozy turtleneck sweater, luxe croc tote, skinny jeans, and fringe booties.

Get the look:
+ Los Angeles Sunglasses
+ Grey Turtleneck Knit
+ Cropped Jeans with Slit
+ Downtown Croco Tote
+ Sienna Fringe Boots 


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14 Nov 02:35

Cuyana Bags

by A Cup of Jo

Cuyana Bags

Two years ago, we discovered Cuyana, the California-based company started by two friends whose motto is “fewer, better things.” Their leather totes and travel bags are ideal for work, play and weekend getaways, and it has been exciting to watch their company grow…

Cuyana Cinch Bag

Cuyana Cinch Bag

Their new cinch shoulder bag is one of our favorite things they’ve done.… Read more

The post Cuyana Bags appeared first on A Cup of Jo.

14 Sep 03:02

Orange You A Cutie Valentines.

by dandee

Valentine's day is right around the corner and since citrus season is still going strong I thought it would be fun to turn everyone's favorite easy to peel snack into a valentine. My kids LOVE cuties so I knew they would be on board for this idea too. 

The supplies for this project are so easy to find! Just gather cutie oranges, small clear plastic treat bags, green card stock, twine, a small hole punch and scissors. After you download the tag printable simply print the tags onto your green card stock and cut. Have your child add their name and then tie the tags onto the bags with your cutie already tucked inside. I trimmed the tops of my clear bags a bit so there wasn't a bunch of plastic left over at the top. I think it gives them a nicer look.



You can download the Orange You A Cutie Valentine tag printable here.

Download Tips: All of my free downloads are for personal use only. They are Adobe PDF's. If for some reason you have trouble downloading the file, it may be helpful to update your Adobe software. You can do that right here.

You can find more of my original Valentines ideas here:

30 Jan 01:24

6-week beginner running plan

by BODIEandFOU concept store


























































As promised to myself, as soon as I arrived in New-Zealand, I started the good habits again: drinking 1.5 lt of water/day, eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid eating gluten and start running again.
Each day I run I feel excited, hopeful and scared at the same time....
Excited to run again and doing something positive for my well-being, hopeful that soon I will feel better and scared that I will feel as down as I felt last November when I got hit by depression but at the same time, I know that if I keep eating healthily and work out regularly, I will be fine.
My sister sent me this running plan for beginners that is really good. It's for beginners and although I used to run 10K a while back, I haven't run for over 12 months so rather than going for a 20 min run straight away and ache, I decided to do it gently.
Each day I run, I feel great. 
The plan is in French so I've translated it for you. It's normally over 6 weeks but I'm doing it over 6 days just because I know I can, I want to and I gave myself 3 weeks in NZ to put myself back on tracks before heading back to London.

WEEK 1
Run 1:
Walk 10 min then run 6 x 2 min and walk 1 min between each run.

Run 2: 
Walk 10 min then run 5 x 3 min and walk 1 min between each run.

WEEK 2
Run 3:
Walk 8 min then run 4 x 4 min and walk 1 min between each run.

Run 4:
Walk 8 min then run 4 x 5 min and walk 1 min between each run.

WEEK 3
Run 5:
Run 2 x 6 min then 2 x 5 min and walk 1 min 30 between each run.

Run 6:
Run 2 x 8 min then 3 x 4 min and walk 1 min 30 between each run.

WEEK 4
Run 7:
Run 12 min, 10 min and 8 min and walk 2 mins between each run.

Run 8:
Run 2 x 10 min and 2 x 5 mins and walk 2 mins between each run.

WEEK 5
Run 9:
Run 15 min and 3 x 5 mins and walk 2 mins between each run.

Run 10:
Run 20, 10 and 5 min and walk 2 mins between each run.

WEEK 6
Run 11:
Run 25 min and 2 x 5 min and walk 2 mins between each run

Run 12:
Run 30 min. Congratulations!!! You've made it!!

(C) Image from Good Health Choices New-Zealand magazine

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