Have you met Lara Einzig? She's the gorgeous Aussie-raised, LA-based mother of three boys (including twins!) with an incredible fashion industry background (Topshop UK and Goop fashion director no less) and a styling start-up Aquadorium that celebrates summer and beach lifestyle through personal styling, creative direction, content curation and brand collaborations...
Lara grew up free range near the beach in Queensland, Australia, and after years in Sydney and then London, she is now recreating the beachside dream with her husband Dan and three boys, Raphael and twins Flynn and Louis. A big marketing role at Topshop in London, “everything you imagine a London fashion job to be – glamour, travel, fashion shows, amazing artists and designers, big budgets, celebrity parties, interesting collaborations” was followed by a move to be fashion director of Goop. “Gwyneth interviewed me at her home in London six weeks after the twins arrived. I was a bundle of nerves – feeling like I should still be in that post-partum cocoon but so intrigued and excited by the opportunity,” she recalls. “I used so many breast pads that day, terrified that I’d start leaking during the interview! We spent a lot of the interview talking about our birth experiences, and I just knew I had to work for her.” Lara is the kind of spirit mama you want in your corner. Whether it’s her advice on looking your best (“every mum should own that one dress that is super flattering but also offers the necessary smoke-and-mirrors, post-baby”) or just being honest about the reality of motherhood (“It’s not about being mother of the year – sometimes that feeling of just trying to survive is ok. And it’s 100% ok to talk about that”), Lara’s your girl. So make sure you add her monthly feature – Lara’s List – to your reading list. Ready to see what she’s been up to this month?
Falling
On the heels of New York fashion week and decidedly cooler evenings on the west coast, here are the transitional pieces I’m currently falling for…
Going
An inspiring trip to Newport’s Marina (an hour’s drive from LA) unearthed some old and new go-to destinations for fashion mavens and foodies alike…
A’maree’s
A west coast icon since the 70’s, A’maree’s is by far the most stunning and dramatic fashion and lifestyle destination in America, easily rivalling European mainstays, 10 Corso Como and Merci. The mid-century style architecture of this spacious, light-filled, gallery-style space hovers above the water at Newport’s marina and is nothing short of breathtaking. And what happens inside is a joyful discovery of an expertly curated edit of unexpected and unique fashion brands from around the world. Think Daniela Gregis, Gabriela Hearst, Kilometre, Brock Collection, Casey, Too Good, Celine. Such stature would typically feel intimidating, but this family-owned store is renowned for its welcoming and accommodating service. Fashion is the drawcard, but the store also houses an incredible selection of luxurious homeware essentials, art, installations, coffee table books and a fine jewellery edit to rival Dover Street in London. Christmas lists at the ready!
Lido Marina Village
The newly developed Lido Marina Village is a beautifully curated, insta-approved destination for high-end boutiques, cafes and restaurants with a modern, New England ‘Main Street’ feel. My first port of call – Cynthia Rowley for East Coast cool beach/surfwear; Jenni Kayne’s classic luxe pieces and newly designed furniture; Alchemy Works Harbor House for unique gifts; the Malibu Farm shop for earthy homewares; Broken English for modern and vintage jewels; Le Labo for bespoke scents; Clare V. for French-girl accessories; Elysse Walker for the high fashion fix. Nautical O.C denizens can even “dock and dine” on a first come first served basis.
Circle Hook Fish Co
The highlight of our Newport experience was cast off with the “real deal” fish ‘n chips, overlooking the impressive line-up of boats at the Lido Marina – one of which belongs to the owners of the restaurant, hauling in fresh, sustainable seafood daily. We loved the kooky old-school nautical nuances, the impressive menu (blackened fish sandwich, yes please) and the real catch of the day – a very generous pour of rose! If you can’t get a table (no reservations), walk to nearby sister restaurant, Bear Flag Fish Company, for melt in your mouth poke.
Watching
Newtown. This poignant and traumatic film brought me to my knees. The 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut where 20 first-graders and six educators were killed, is never far from my mind as my Aussie/Brit family settles into our life here in America. And on the eve of the mid-term elections, I felt compelled to watch every difficult second of this heartbreaking portrait and spotlight just what’s at stake at the November polls. The film delicately profiles a community struck by the incomprehensible – the tortured families who lost their children (“…there is no closure”), the police officers and emergency crews on site, teachers, doctors and the guilt of the parents whose children survived. I reluctantly learned that during the shooting, 154 shots were fired, all heard through the school’s loudspeaker – the terrified, innocent children and teachers heard every shot, every scream, every cry. My wish is that every person in America watches this film.
Reading
“The Way To The Ocean,” by Joel Harper, is a wonderfully informative kids’ book about the consumption of trash, its journey to the ocean and the irreversible effect it’s having on sea life and the environment. Borrowed from our school library, we read it repeatedly and on our cycle ride the following the day, the kids eagerly pointed out every storm drain and talked at length about how we can protect our oceans from pollution. Lesson learned! And with a thoughtful and passionate foreward by Laird Hamilton, I plan on buying this book in bulk for the incoming slew of kids’ birthday parties that the new school year brings.
Beautifying
Always the ‘wash and wear’ girl, hair products have never really featured in my beauty routine – until I tried cult favourite, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. An excellent ‘dry shampoo’ substitute with zero chalky residue, revealing just the right amount of beach-girl mess (and hold) for a night out. I buy the travel size for extra volume and texture on the run.
Shopping
My love of Scandi style has no signs of abating and while in London recently, I joyfully experienced all things hygge [a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment] at fashion and lifestyle store, Arket, the newest concept in the H&M stable. The aesthetic is of course, distinctly Scandi, falling somewhere between Cos, And Other Stories and Acne (swoon!). A “modern-day market” of classic, effortless womenswear, menswear, childrenswear (the highlight), homewares and a delicious coffee shop. It’s a welcome addition to the British High Street and my internet browser.
Eating
Santa Monica’s newest eatery, The Gables, has won my heart. Fresh, modern California comfort food in a cool, quintessentially Santa Monica beach house setting. It was at The Gables where I received an education on the classic Chilaquiles, a Mexican dish of fried tortillas slathered in salsa Roja, traditionally served for breakfast, but equally delicious any time of day (happy hour with a crisp white included). I also love the grilled steak (A+ chimichurri), the salty-sweet Ballpark ice-cream sundae and the breakfast buckwheat babycake (ask for a side of bacon). Don’t leave without their home-made baked goods like the moist and flavourful olive oil cake and peanut butter cookie crowd pleaser.
Wearing
In an ideal world of never-ending summers, my wardrobe would consist purely of silk and crepe de chine kaftans, maxi dresses, palazzo pants and bikinis. So my discovery of high-end resortwear line, Kalmar back in 2016 was sweet serendipity. I stopped by the Kalmar design studio in London back in August to catch up with Karen Ruimy, creative director, and to view the latest collection. I was welcomed with an exploration of graphic and geometric patterns and prints, vibrant colour blocking and an evolution of my favourite palm and leaf motifs, signature to the brand. Bold yes, but surprisingly calming and sensual as the range honourably denotes Karen’s Moroccan heritage.
