Q+A with Stylist Christina Peterson | Huntington Beach, CA

Lark has always been ā€œtalent forwardā€ whereas we work shoulder to shoulder with like-minded creatives to make things happen. We love to invite people to put their own spin on the larkā€”and that leads us to introduce Curator + Stylist Christina Peterson. Take a dive below the surface to learn more about her with these Proust inspired dinner party questions: 

Christina Peterson captured on a guerrilla lark/creative sesh in Corona del Mar by James (Huddy) Huddleson

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Cerritos, California (shout out to C-Town!) and spent my early adulthood in Los Angeles. I later settled in Surf City aka Huntington Beach.

Have you always liked style & design? 

Absolutely! Iā€™ve been obsessed with style and design ever since I tried to coordinate my crayons by color as a kid. Letā€™s just say, my coloring book was the most fashionable one in the class!

Any early memories in this realm that tie in with lark? 

Iā€™ll never forget the days of transforming my bedroom into my makeshift cafe, complete with menu options written in crayon. Nowadays, lark dinner parties are a bit more sophisticated, but the spirit of fun still remains.

Are you the chef at home?

Absolutely! I’m the head chef, sous chef, and the dishwashing staff too. My kitchen, my rulesā€”unless someone else is cooking, then it’s their domain.

What is your prize ingredient? 

Itā€™s always better with butter. 

Has the way you entertain evolved based on your experience with lark? 

Iā€™m all about those homey vibes and throwing dinner parties that are a mix of pretty and totally unexpected ā€“ just like a lark! 

Any favorite food memories? 

One of my fondest food memories is watching my mom expertly craft lumpia, a beloved Filipino dish that holds a special place in my heart. 

Can you describe your perfect day? 

Going to watch a Dodgers game.

Who would you like to dine withā€”if you could choose anyone in the world? 

Issa Rae

What inspires you? 

Architecture and real, down-to-earth conversations with genuine people light me up. Beautiful buildings and authentic vibesā€”my favorite combo of inspiration.

What is your most marked creative characteristic? 

Fashion is where I leave my most vivid creative footprint, expressing myself through color and style with every outfit.

Christina Peterson captured by @candacerockphoto on a lark at The Sunlight House in Newport Beach

How does one benefit from attending a lark?

Attending a lark offers not just a meal, but a rich social connection, shared experiences, and newfound friendships.

What advice do you give someone wanting to throw their own dinner party? 

My top tip? Set the vibe! Your energy sets the tone, so keep it fun and easygoing. The food matters, but the good times you create matter even more!

Christina Peterson captured by @candacerockphoto on a guerrilla lark in CdM

Any fun or interesting stories to share behind-the-scenes lark? 

There were so many comical mishaps and funny moments BTS of larks that trying to remember them or even list them all would require an entire evening of storytelling and laughter.

What alternative occupations have you entertained, real and imagined? 

From lifeguarding to coaching swimmers to navigating the choppy waters of advertising, Iā€™ve done it all. Now, as a full-time Mom, my days are a whirlwind of school runs, sports practices and games, and navigating the joys and challenges (and boy, are there challenges!) of parenting through the teenage years.

We know you love music, whose first on your playlist? 

John Mayerā€˜s music is like a musical embrace for my soul. 

What is your motto? 

Love + Learn.

Christina Person captured on a super fun (& delicious) lark at The Salt Horse in Laguna Beach by @missmphotography

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Christina is always up for a lark and can give us fashion inspiration weeks in advance OR on-the-fly. Her staple advice? Wear what makes you feel goodā€”and add bold lip!

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us! 

Sign up for our email list to be the first-to-know about our next lark!

On a lark with VoyageLA! | Los Angeles, California

November 13, 2018

Many thanks to the VoyagerLA for reaching out to us and sharing our story!

Here is a link to the article:

http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-lisa-gutierrez-martinez-lark-huntington-beach/

We hope to see you on a lark soon! xo~l

Lisa Martinez on a lark at The Hood Kitchen Space in Costa Mesa

 

 

Orange Coast Magazine: Off-The-Grid Dining Events

Thrilled to be featured in Orange Coast Magazine’s “Hidden” Issue (Oct. 2018) . Here’s the story behind the image, if you want to know more, you’ll have to come on a lark with us!

October 2018

Last winter we were fortunate to dine with friends ā€“ old and new ā€“ soaking up the hip vibes at the beautifully understated and modern aesthetic of Isles Interiors in Newport Beach while enjoying conversation between spoonfuls of piping hot Mortadella + Lobster Chowder.

The timely cold weather transported us home to simpler times. Thanks to all who gathered at the communal table to make this an evening to remember including @lunareececeramics + @theurbanspring. Special thanks to Maria & Max Isles.

Photo credit to MB.Maher.com

+ + + + +

Four Course Menu crafted by the talented Chef Kyle Powers of Fork In the Road Catering and Wine Pairing by wine aficionado Tyler Rodriguez.

Starters:Ā  Spicy mango shrimp on avocado toast
Welcome drink:Ā Corn Whiskey Old Fashion

On the table + Paired with WineĀ 

1/Shaved mushroom salad w/pecorino fennel cilantro and onion vinaigretteĀ 2/Mortadella & lobster chowderĀ 3/Advieh spiced lamb chop, braised lamb, with melting Yukon potato & fried greensĀ 4/Pistachio ice cream in cinnamon tart, saffron apricot culi & spicy pear

>>>Veggie Option <<<

1/Shaved mushroom salad w/pecorino fennel cilantro & onion vinaigrette
2/Chili broth w/Farro & Beans
3/Roasted cabbage wedge w/melting potato and fried greens

On a super fun lark at Isles Interiors in Newport Beach

Lark: The What & The Why | Creating in Huntington Beach, California

The conceptualization of lark happened when, at the prodding of a friend and the impending acquisition of a photography company where I held my favorite job coordinating photo shoots, I examined, introspectively, how I wanted to live my life and what things truly mattered.

What is success to me? Doing the work I love. Producing allows me to pull together the pieces of a big puzzle and create something new altogether. It’s the creative process that feeds into so many layers: meeting new people, seeing new places, learning new things, growing from experiences.

What are things I yearn for? What does it truly mean to live?  Actively engaging with others, discovering new places, enjoying amazing food and so on (it’s a long list) — but mostly sharing these experiences. Why? To evoke happiness, interest, excitement, conversation, meaning, hope and inspiration.

How could I bring what I’ve honed professional into what I love personally? How do I break down walls between the two and invite everyone a part of these nurturing and unique experiences?

Lark bloomed with the opportunity to work side by side with a talented chef and setting our first communal table. We took the idea of pop up social dining and elevated it by applying our creative spin adding style, design, fashion, music – whatever may be inspiring us at the moment. We love the idea that we are both malleable and progressive. Not knowing where this adventure would lead, but knowing it would be both daring and fun, we called it a lark.

Drawing from personal experience, we operate on the firm belief that giving and sharing your gifts is the best – and when you work with others whose talents you can embrace and lift up (and vice-versa) the combination sets things on fire. Lark puts out a positive vibe and a good energy that is about continually taking the next intentional step towards the things we love, which we hope you have the opportunity to experience. Lark is growing and changing, but its foundation will always be about inspiring others.

Images captured by the lovely & talented @taliadecoite

Chef Kyle Powers and Lisa Martinez on a lark at Urban Americana ~ Summer 2018

On a super fun lark at Urban Americana ~ Summer 2018

Lisa Martinez on a super fun lark at the ultra hip Urban Americana in Long Beach ~ Summer 2018

You know that thing you’ve always wanted to do? You should do it. | Dreamers & Doers in Bolsa Chica, California

We often visualize communal tables in spaces where people can gather, be themselves and connect with others. Our biggest inspiration has always been Mother Nature; hence we decided to feed our creative vibe with a small ā€œguerrillaā€ lark at the gorgeous Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve in Huntington Beach, California. This expansive space provided us the most amazing opportunity to think out loud about lark, as is our motto: Do, Reflect, Refine, Do Again. We are excited to continue our journey by deliberately embracing and gravitating towards the things we loveā€¦.good conversations, gatherings involving amazing food & drinks, chefs with passion, style, design, photography, art, books, inspired spaces, and, of course, one of the things we love is sharing our adventures with you! Come on a lark with us! xo~l

Images by MBMaher.com

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