Judy Foreman Knows Santa Barbara

Eat, Write, Shop - Love Thy Differences

Open for just one day before a fire broke out at neighboring stores in the Vons shopping center, the smoke has now cleared and Malia Mills and her designer swimwear and collection of ready-to-wear accessories is open for business!

The chic Malia Mills, assisted by her sister Carol, have opened boutiques across the country.  It all began with one simple idea:  to engineer tops by bra size, to cut bottoms to show off a variety of shapes, and to empower women to stand and stride into the water with confidence.  Malia understands the psychological issues of a good fitting suit, and understands if it does not fit or feel right a woman will not be happy.

“Some of the details that make our suits fit so well are the seaming that gives shape and support and hidden details behind a fun colored lining,” Mills says.  “The winning combination of fabric, lining, elastic, boning, hooks and straps with fashion is a science.”

In fact, Malia earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell in Ithaca, New York, where she learned how to design everything from Maternity clothes to chemical warfare helmets to scuba suits.

I asked Malia to put together essential pieces for me to get out of dodge or for a cruise down to Butterfly Beach.  She suggested the Malia Mills getaway bag; big enough to pack your essentials and sassy enough to go from beach to bar.  Toss in your favorite suit such as their woven Dionne maillot cut in crisp Liberty print, and a pair of strappy sandals from Barcelona.  A beach hat is great for any girl on the go; their double duty reversible hat came from a collaboration between Malia Mills and hat guru Patricia Underwood, combining tow ways to wear a hat to protect your face.

Malia Mills of Montecito is located at 1026 Coast Village Road, call 805-845-2137 or visit www.maliamills.com.

Eat, Write, Shop - Cherrio!

Stepping into Angela Torin’s Hampstead Village is like being transported directly to a tony boutique in the British Isles.  Moving into La Arcada Court in downtown Santa Barbara this month she has renovated the two-story place located between Waterhouse Gallery and Petit Valentien restaurant.

Fixtures with rich wood trim, beautiful glass cases, fabric window coverings and shelves filled with goodies from the U.K. fill the space.  With public parking right next door to La Arcada Court, it’s a breeze to get in and out of downtown without the hassle.

Hampstead Village will trigger nostalgia for food stuffs and noteworthy English lines, some which date back to 1870, such as Penhaligon’s of London perfumes, Taylor of Old Bond Street Gentlemen’s Toiletries (established in 1854), Halcyon Days Enamels of London, handmade teapots by Carter of England, Emma Bridgwater Pottery, Nicholas Mosse Pottery (handmade in Ireland), Galway Crystal Spode china, Corinna Gordon jewelry, and Jill Temkin designs.

I toured around the shop with Ms. Torin, an active supporter of both the Breast Cancer Resource Center and the ADL of Santa Barbara.  With her British accent and enthusiasm for her first-time business, she says the Women’s Economic Ventures program helped her gain the confidence and knowledge to open the shop.  Her inventory includes coffee table books ranging in topic from English country homes to the Beatles, cookery books from Ireland and Scotland, travel guides to the U.K. and much more.

English children’s classics such as “Winnie the Pooh”, “Mary Poppins”, and Paddington Bear are also for sale; in the new year Torin will be reading some of these treasures on Sunday Afternoons in front of her fireplace, a tradition started with her own son Alex, now a student at San Marcos High School.

Cuddly and soft London policeman bears, Scottish pipers and heart shaped “I love London” pillows are scattered around the shop.  And of course what would an English sop be without a huge collection of food from Cadbury’s, Mars bars, Walkers and all the favorite British tea, jams, biscuits, mustards, cakes, puddings and mince pies.

Hampstead Village is located at 1114 State Street, Suite 10.  Call 805-845-3343 or visit her website at www.hampsteadvillageusa.com for more information.

Eat, Write, Shop - All Things Beautiful

I discovered Christy Martin’s new lifestyle store, Encanto, on a first Thursday as she was just dusting off and unpacking her inventory.  Her choices of items from hop furniture, linens, dishes, handbags, small leather goods, jewelry, candles, slippers, table wear, and art are finely choreographed without being over the top.

“After working in the interior design world for the past twenty-five years I thought it might be fun to go beyond interiors and into a little bit of fashion, as I am constantly being asked ‘where do you get that?’” Ms. Martin says.  “Whether it is a dress, a shoe or piece of jewelry, it is really fun to share these things that I love,” she adds.

Some of the new stuff in the shop include Escama Studio bags and purses. 
These beauties are made out of recycled pop tops by women artists in co-operatives in Brasilia, Brazil. Each piece comes with a hang tag, bearing the signature of the person who made it, so you can read more about this person by clicking on their photo on their website. They will even translate a thank you letter into Portuguese should you feel so inclined to write. Helping artists create beautiful wearable art. How much fun is that? www.escamastudio.com. 

If scarves and silk is more to your liking she carries Avani Wild Silk scarves.   These hand woven shawls and scarves are completely handmade, from the  spinning and dyeing of the wild silk to weaving the finished product.  Made by artisans of the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, these Avani textiles have won the UNESCO Seal of Excellence.  www.tilonia.com.

Christy also sponsors and hosts events.  On January 6^th she hosted a Dale Kern of Milbesos Trunk Show the First Thursday Artwalk (part of the downtown Santa Barbara scene).  The trunk show featured gorgeous handmade jewelry by Montecito resident Dale Kern.   15% of sales were donated to the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara.

The next event will be, January 21^st when Encanto and Saks Fifth Avenue Santa Barbara will be hosting "AGELESS DRESS" given by top stylist Sherrie Mathieson at 2 PM. Sherrie has written two Random House books: "FOREVER COOL" and "STEAL THIS STYLE". www.sherriemathieson.com.

Encanto is located in La Arcada Court, 1114 State Street, Suite 22, call 805-722-4338 or visit Ms. Martin’s design website, www.studioencanto.com.

Fabulous Fibula Finery

On Saturday, October 20 Laura Givertz held an open house in her Montecito Fibula Studio with the art work of Blakeney Sanford.  With the holidays in mind,  the studio was filled to capacity and refreshments by C’est Cheese were served on her adjacent patio.  Based in downtown Santa Barbara for 15 years, Laura also owns a gallery in Maine and travels to New York City for trunk shows; earlier this year she opened a Montecito studio with all the same wonderful creations she featured in her downtown location.  Her colorful tapestries and wood cases are the perfect backdrop for her South Sea pearls that she has set in gold and white gold which can be used as earrings, pendants, bracelets and rings.  She also carries white gold and diamond celebration jewelry, and other colored stones and fine creations that she designs.

 

See the jewelry by appointment 805-962-8551. or visit www.fibulajewelry.com

What's new at kate on Coast Village Road?

All American Santa Barbara girl and former NYC runway model Kate McMahon has re-merchandised her Coast Village Road women's clothing boutique to carry antiques and home furnishing items as well. According to Kate the response has been outstanding. She already has to replenish her stock, which ranges from cowhide club chairs to books, vintage fabrics, wrought iron screens, armories and small mid-century end tables. Local celebs Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi stopped in after eating lunch at Tre Lune Italian eatery and carried home a ton of goodies. In addition to Kate's best buttery soft t-shirts and her hand knit sweaters, the shop is filled with fresh cut wild flowers designed by Eileen Avolio.

Breath of fresh air!

kate
1137 Coast Village Road
805-967-8500
www.kateboutique.com

Want to Do It Five Ways?

Packing for a summer trip has never been easier when you take along an Abi Ferrin satin charmeuse top in dreamy summer prints that hint of the sea, and solids like hot pink, lush green, and breezy ocean.  This versatile silhouette  is featured at Susan Pitcher's Dressed Boutique on Coast Village Road in Montecito's fashion row. Top can be worn five different ways, from very sexy off the shoulder with jeans, to a chic and sophisticated pairing with dress slacks.  Perfect for day to evening, it’s a piece that will become one of your favorite items for in town events, and will take up very little room in your suitcase. Top off with a great pair of earrings from Azaara, and you’re ready to do it five ways or maybe your own way!

 

Dressed/Ready
1253 Coast Village Road
805-565-1253
www.dressedonline.com

Jano Stack! The Wrapper of Montecito, California

Jano Stack is not Queen Latifah but boy can she wrap!  Wrap you up she will in one of her delicious and luxurious 'one size fits all' Waterwave cashmere throws which are a generous 51 by 65  inches plus 6 inch fringes which come in over 30 amazing colors. Trying to buy just one is really the problem! The range of shades from pistachio to chocolate brown, orange, coral, turquoise, buttery yellow, royal blue and hot pink to name a few  sound more edible than wearable. Throws can be used over a formal gown, at a rock and roll concert, plane trip, holiday party,football game or chilly night on the beach or for just being "cozy bozy" in your own Casa.

At $225.00 each piece can include free monogramming and Jano's signature formal or kitschy gift wrap and card plus she mails nationwide!  It is the 'necessary accessory' that never goes out of style and will be 'thee' cherished birthday , Christmas, wedding,  teacher appreciation, house warming, anniversary. new Mom or baby heirloom for generations to come.

P. S. For the greenies in your life she carries bamboo throws at $125.00 which at half the price  of cashmere , is machine washable and can be monogrammed  too. Think college kid!

Jano's studio is located on a magical tree lined lane in the historic  hedgerow district of Montecito( just around the corner from Oprah).

Wrap on sistah!

janostack@earthlink.net
or 805-570-5027
by appointment only