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!

Q+A with Maker Jan McCarthy | Newport Beach, CA

@by_christineharris

We are thrilled to share this Q + A with Friend / Creative / Artist & Maker Jan McCarthy who we met through a fellow creative (on a lark). Jan is buzzing with a million fun + creative ideas that she puts into action one way or another whether it be product, activity, art, or an amazing adventureā€”and you are bound to be as captivated and excited about as she is. Come along on our adventure as we take a dive ā€œbelow the surfaceā€ with these Proust inspired dinner party questions:Ā 

We love your drive, energy, and ideas! Is this all yours OR a family trait?   

We canā€™t help but be influenced by family traits, but I think it also comes as a natural response to curiosity, exploration, adventure and the constant desire to form community and enjoy life. 

In a world that can be challenging, how do you continue to nurture your curiosity? 

Challenges encourages curiosity. Life unfolding raises the bar to seek a deeper meaning or take things to a higher level. 

You describe yourself as a maker rather than an artist, what is the story behind that statement? 

Maker encompasses everything and that is me. Iā€™m not content to just paint or attach myself to just one discipline. I am drawn to creative expression in any form which could be paintings but fashion, design, style, food, drink, or travel always have a place in my creative expression which is one reason why I instantly gravitated toward LARK dinners. I saw the maker of Lisa (the founder) in her element as she created this social gathering around food, drink and conversation and allowing others to shine and share their creative talents. 

What current project(s) are you currently working on?  

Planning a couple of retreats, workshops, pottery, a book, fashionā€¦ā€¦ā€¦

What projects are you dreaming of? 

I would love to do more licensing or collaborations around dinnerware, (plates and coffee cups come to mind), jewelry (Iā€™m working on some pottery bracelets, and/or fashion ā€“ I would love to design some really creative pieces that elevate the vibrant woman past 50 that feels fashion is only designed for the younger crowd.

Who or what inspires you? 

It sounds a little clichĆ© but everyone and everything inspires me in some form. It could be the textured walls in Guatemala, the shimmering blue waters of the ocean here in Newport Beach, the faces of people I see that hold such incredible expression, the sticks I collect from all over the world to make handcrafted paint brushes, the architectural details I find on old buildings, colors in nature when I walk in the forest, stories I hear or explore from my own memories, the presentation of delicious food, conversations around a dinner table, and quotes Iā€™ve heard or made up on my own.Ā 

What is your most memorable dining experience? 

All LARK dinners hold a special place in my heart, and a few other communal artistic dinners Iā€˜ve had the opportunity to join or host but there is this one place in Ibizia, and I canā€™t even tell you the name, but the food was so fresh and delicious, and it felt like home. The chef prepared our meal, came and sat with us and told us all about the source and inspiration, gave us tastes of wine that he personally selectedā€¦.

Since you love to connect over food & wine, are you the chef at home? 

Yes, but I rarely cook these days. There are so many wonderful ways to dine and enjoy the talents of others, (like going to a LARK dinner hehe). 

If so, what is your most treasured ingredient and/or favorite dish? 

Hmmmm, I always have  lemon, rosemary, a great salt and fabulous olive oil on hand. 

Favorite dish: Spaghetti Al Limone with fresh hot sourdough bread with olive oil and salt and a bottle of orange wine, and Iā€™m good.

If you could dine with anyone in the world, who would it be? 

It all comes back to treasured friends and family, interesting and creative people. Anyone famous might just disappoint me so I would rather keep my potential unrealistic vision of who they are remain intact.Ā 

We know youā€™re an avid reader, any new or favorite books to share? 

Well, I DO love books! If you are joining us for this special LARK dinner, I will happily share my most favorite 23 books that have greatly influenced my life, inspired a million ideas or left me craving more. 

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Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us!

Here we will enjoy drinks + mingling, breathe in the cool ocean air, share an amazing curated dining experienceā€¦and, best of all, partake in the (rediscovered) art of conversation.

Jan McCarthy
Address shared upon RSVP
Newport Beach, CA
(W. Balboa Blvd/38th Street)

Friday August 23 2024
6:30pm-9:30pm
$175. per person, all-inclusive
four course + wine pairing 

Purchase Tickets: Letā€™s Go On A Lark!
(non-refundable / absolutely transferable)

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Welcome Cocktails by mixologist Eric Kassel
Menu by the talented Chef Kyle Powers +
Sous Chef Bryan Barnes

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Open invite. Limited seats. Endless possibilities. 

Q+A with Cleobella | Sunset Beach, CA

Our muse for our 1/25/24 lark at Cleobellaā€™s gorgeous 1920’s seaside cottage can be summed up in two words: Ciao Bella! 

Cleobella has outgrown their gorgeous boutique, on PCH in Sunset Beach, and the time has come for release but not without gratitude and a proper goodbye.

In the beginning the boutique served as an oasis where the dream + determination behind Cleobella came together as one. And over the years has delighted the community with itā€™s style + vibe and has also hosted many gatherings. 

Because founder Angela Oā€™Brien loves to create, collaborate & elevate, our gathering is an opportunity to honor the idea of chasing oneā€™s dream and paving a path that empowers others.  

We are thrilled to set our communal table with Cleobellaā€”and we invite you along as we dive below the surface with our (ode to Proust) dinner party questionnaire with ā€œAngeā€: 

Cleobella’s Founder & Creative Director, Angela O’Brien

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up Huntington Beach, California. 

Have you always been into fashion & style? 

Yes! Ever since I can remember I loved dressing up, whether it was dolls, my brothers or myself.  Itā€™s when I feel most aliveā€¦I step into a creative portal and I get lost.  My high school days were spent modeling and that exposed me to the fashion world and travel and gave me a deeper appreciation for the art of fashion.  I am an avid vintage shopper, and I find inspiration in decades from the past, its like a history lesson for me.  I often describe it as a treasure hunt to spend the day searching for something that sparks the next design detail on our latest collection.  I pinch myself that this is my job:-)

Can you remember your earliest inspiration (people/books/places/experiences)?

My earliest inspiration is shopping with my Grandmotherā€¦sheā€™s a professional shopper ;-)ā€¦sheā€™s always down for the hunt and she does it with so much joy!  When I was 18 I got an opportunity to have a modeling contract in Tokyo for 6 months and thatā€™s when my true love for travel inspiration started.  It was then that I was bitten by the travel bug and that has continued to be a source of inspiration for all of Cleobellaā€™s collections.

What is your most marked creative characteristic? 

I lead from the heart. Intuition drives my creativity. The journey of entrepreneurship is such a journey of self, and tapping into the truth of who we areā€¦give us wings to fly!!! 

Who are your hero’s? 

My mom, Cleobelle. This is also my great grandmotherā€™s nameā€¦I have a long lineage of Irish women in my family who possess this unique duality of feminine//strength and they inspire me daily. 

Would you say food & fashion go hand in hand? 

100%!  Iā€™m very sensitive energetically, and I believe in the value of creating meaningful experiences when all the senses are thoughtfully curated. The smells, the community, the atmosphere, they all raise the vibrations. I believe food should be equally beautiful and delicious and should awaken all your senses. This is why Iā€™m so excited to partner with Lark as I know we share the same values.

We know you love a good dinner party, are you the chef at home?

Iā€™m the chef and my husband does the dishes:-). Our daughter, Indigo, loves to cook with me. She also loves to set up a beautiful tableā€¦she has such an eye for creativity and she thoughtfully designs our dinners with fresh flowers, candles and our handmade Cleobella block printed napkins.  We bake together because we love dessert!

What is your go-to meal OR most prized ingredient?

Our backyard is an edible garden. We grow herbs like sage, lavender, rosemary, and thyme. I visit our local farmers market on Sundays with the kids and pick out whatā€™s fresh and that helps determine our meals for the week. I enjoy making soups and I love to use spices from our travels. We recently made a curry soup using spices that our team in India sent us.  Iā€™m not much for using recipes, Iā€™m a lazy chefā€¦.I throw it inā€¦cook for taste and serve:-)

We have always loved the look and feel of your boutique in Sunset Beach, can you tell us how you discovered it?

When my husband and I started Cleobella, we were doing business out of our home and we were spending half of the year in California and half of the year in Bali, Indonesia. At this time, our oldest, Keenan was just a baby. I wanted a separation of the work and family life.  When I found this 1920ā€™s cottage it was a grow house for marijuana and looked like a halfway house inside.  I had a vision and I knew if I could renovate it, if I could sell enough handbags in the front then I could afford an office space in the back. Within 2 years we tripled our sales and outgrew the space and moved our offices to our current headquarters and design studio and fulfillment center just down the street in Huntington Beach. Our wholesale and online business began to grow and it was a dream come true. 

What dream was in your heart at the time you moved in?

The dream was to build a sustainable lifestyle fashion brand that created jobs for our artisan partners and build a life that is rich in experience and travel as this is our passion.

Was there anyone instrumental in helping you transform the cottage into a dreamy + well styled boutique?

My husband, Jim O’Brien. He has always been such an amazing supporter.  I have also had so many friends and family along the way who supported us from the early days when I was selling my designs at farmers markets and out of the trunk of my carā€¦.I believe in the philosophy of growing a business for good. Aligning our personal values with our professional values to support our family has been a dream come true. WE now support more that 1,200 artisan partner around the world, where we have an office in India with a talented team who brings our vision to life.

How long has the boutique donned the Cleobella sign?

11 years!  Keenan, my son, was a baby and now he’s a teenager…how time flys by…when you’re having fun :-0!

We know due to time and circumstance you will be letting the space go, do you want to share more about this transition?

Cleobella is in over 500 retailers across the country including Nordstrom, Shop Bop, Revolve, Anthropologie.  We are focusing on building our e-commerce business and delivering timeless, sustainably made collections. Our company has grown tremendously over the last 5 years and we have some very exciting projects ahead of us.

What is your current state of mind? 

Joy. My focus is moving with flow and ease.  My currency is freedom and I continue to have this as the forefront of my decision making.

Business school, yay or nay? 

Nay for me, personally. Growing Cleobella has been business school for me. We started this brand with $12,000 and have grown it grass roots, and always stay curious and open to the wisdom we learn from others.  This has been my business school. 

What is one thing people most often donā€™t realize about Fashion?

I would say the time it takes to build a collection. Typically, it takes about 12 months. From concept to sketch review, then to producing and perfecting samples, from there to selling, then production. Then comes the behind the scenes stuff like marketing, telling the story, then finally the product is brought to the customer. We are always working on future collections about a year ahead. We just launched our Spring ā€˜24 collection while currently designing for Spring ā€˜25.

What advice do you find yourself most often sharing with other female business owners? 

Entrepreneurship is such a journey of self when youā€™re curious and open hearted you will thrive. Believe in yourself and donā€™t compromise your values and life will happen for you in the way itā€™s meant to beā€¦trust the journey. 

What is your motto? 

I have an optimistic point of view and I always have, it’s in my nature.  I believe it’s a muscle and the more you lead with love…the more meaningful your life will become. Iā€™ve always seen life through rose colored glasses, which is something I learned from my grandma.  A positive mindset is so important to me. Sure, this is a trait that can get me into situations that I have to learn to work my way through, but that is the beauty in it. It keeps you learning and growing and for that I am forever grateful and humbled by this beautiful Cleobella world I have created with my husband, he’s my best friend and business partner. As well as our beautiful community of talented and hardworking people that have supported this dream come true.

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Thoroughly inspired, we are looking forward gathering around the communal table to enjoy a delicious chef curated meal, be warmed by each others company, andā€”best of allā€”partake in the (rediscovered) art of conversation.

Although our Thursday 1/25/24 Lark at Cleobella w/the talented Chef Matthew Roberts is sold out, we invite you to come along through our images and stories!

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

Create. Collaborate. Elevate.

Action leads to opportunities.
Persistence pays.
The key is collaboration.

Yes, yes, we are super down for creating well styled dinner parties, the look & feel, the gathering of people, the delicious food, fun with fashion, but thereā€™s a little more to our story. 

Lark is the culmination of talented people who come together to share what we are passionate about. We put our vision into action and invite e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e into the fold: the host, guest, chefs, sommelier, stylist, illustrator and the unknowing (soon to be delighted) bystander. 

In our collaborative approach we change the dynamic of the typical hierarchal relationship in the kitchen and in the dining room. A leveling of the field so to speak; where everyone invests and benefits from the experience. 

There is a purpose and through line to what we are creating. We are encouraging the good vibes and working this from all angles. This is because we are chasing a feeling that occurs when the energy in the room is in sync and the incremental unfolding of the evening feelsā€¦right. A playful lifting of mood and endless possibilities. A collective belonging, even if just for the moment.

And when all the elements come together it is like the formation of a star, bright and beautiful. With the ever evolving landscape the results feel kismet. We walk away, bellies and hearts full, knowing there will be positive ripple effects and that the next lark will be just as great. 

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us!

Q+A with Mama Bijoux! | Costa Mesa, CA

We admire how this 3rd generation jeweler, Kathryn Miller of Mama Bijoux, brings beauty, energy and meaning to art of adornment. It’s the best feeling to walk into her gorgeous atelier, peruse the dainty heirloom offerings and become inspired.  We invite you to our communal table, where you can get to know her more, with these fun dinner party questions:

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Los Angeles, specifically the West Side. 

As a 3rdĀ generation jeweler are there any early day stories you can shareā€“with the grandparents?Ā 

My mom took me everywhere growing up as she was building her business – downtown Los Angeles where she manufactured, jewelry trade shows, and diamond dealers’ offices. I remember when she first started. She opened a small jewelry case in a clothing store in Pacific Palisades. At first it was just a fun hobby and passion. From there, she grew to owning and operating 4 jewelry store locations on the west side of Los Angeles. Her desk drawer in our home office was filled with jewelry molds and waxes and I remember being fascinated by the process of making jewelry. Every step takes a skilled artisan. I was so proud when she came to speak to my 5th grade class about how one single piece of jewelry is made and how many steps it takes from design concept, to wax molds, casting, setting, and polishing. While there have been technological advances in the industry since, so many of the original techniques are still required to make a piece of jewelry today. 

How do your childhood memories around the jewelry business tie into your grown-up life? 

I can admit now that there are so many ways. My mother always took time in the morning to get ready for her day to go into the stores and be the face of her brand. I watched her put on her makeup, spray her perfume, dye her eyebrows and do her hair. Her outfits were classy and elegant and embodied the look of a jewelry designer. I think about those moments when I get dressed for the day to walk into my atelier. She was very meticulous about how her jewelry was displayed in her cases. If an employee put all of the jewelry out that morning, she would take an hour to rearrange it. Even the smell of windex takes me back to being a little girl watching my parents clean their store cases. It’s wild!

How did the name Mama Bijoux come about? 

Mama and Bijoux (Bijoux, meaning jewelry in French) are two worlds that tell my store. My most important job is being a mother to three little children (Ella (6), Charlotte (4), Noah (2)). 

I wanted to incorporate a french word into my brand name because I grew up going to a French school in Los Angeles – Le Lycee Francais. I lived in Paris for over a year in college. I’m a Francophile through and through and the name just felt right, and felt like me. 

Is there anything you hope your children to appreciate about this family tradition? 

I hope my girls know they can accomplish anything they set their mind to. When I first started Mama Bijoux, I had just lost my brother a year prior (4 days after my 2nd daughter was born). It was the hardest year of my life. I was home at that time with 2 little girls under the age of two. I realized that I needed something for myself and a purpose outside of the home. My passion saved me in a way. I love every second of being creative and I love that my girls get to witness that passion. I love that they know and can see exactly what mommy does. When we drive along 17th street they yell out the window “That’s mommy’s atelier”! Making them proud let’s me know I am doing something right. 

What is your most memorable jewelry market experience? 

I was 12 years old when my parents brought me along to Las Vegas for the largest jewelry trade show in the world. The rules state that no child under 16 is allowed to enter. My parents made me a business card and dressed me in something “mature”. We got to the registration desk, they took one look at me and said “She’s not old enough to attend”. I was crushed. I had to wait it out with my grandmother in the hotel room. I couldn’t wait for my parents to return to show me all the treasures they sourced!

Do you have any sage advice when it comes to wearing jewelry? 

Jewelry should tell your story. My most precious pieces were those I made or were gifted to me to mark a special occasion. For example, my Toi et Moi (You and Me) ring (a pear and heart diamond set side by side) was given to me by my husband following the birth of my son, my last baby. The pear diamond was passed down from my grandmother, and the heart diamond represents my baby, my heart. My Mama Bijoux signature birthstone bracelet represents each person in my family – Diamond for my daughter born in April, Blue Topaz for my 2nd daughter born in December, and Emerald for my son and husband who both have May birthdays. Most pieces are very sentimental and meaningful and will be passed down to my girls and son when it’s time. 

We love that you incorporate fashion into your brand, any favorites to share? 

For me jewelry and fashion go hand in hand. There is a difference between wearing your clothes and styling your clothes. Jewelry allows me to style my looks. No outfit is complete without the right accessories. I really love to mix high and low end lines. A Zara skirt with Prada shoes and all gold and diamonds. Can’t go wrong! 

Are you the chef in the family? 

My husband and I both love to cook. Tim, my husband, has a few signature dishes – he makes the most amazing steak, better than a restaurant and a few pasta dishes that are out of this world. He’s a rule follower in the kitchen and loves to follow a recipe. I’m more of an intuition and experimentation cook.

What is your most memorable meal (one you made or one you’ve had)? 

Spaghetti alla Nerano from Da Vincenzo in Positano

Are you always up for a dinner party? 

ALWAYS. I love hosting and I love sharing a meal with people I love. I’ve found the best conversations happen after a nice meal and a full glass of wine. 

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

Being on a boat in the middle of the mediterranean and jumping off into the sea. Followed by a nice cold spritz! 

What do you find yourself saying when people ask what it’s like to have your own business? 

It’s the best decision I’ve ever made but also filled with challenges. It’s never as easy as it looks and when it’s really hard, I remind myself I’m on the right track. Nothing amazing has ever been easy. 

Where do you find inspiration outside of the jewelry business? 

Travel is by far when I am most myself and most inspired. I love that all of my senses are engaged when I travel. There is more of an opportunity to be in the present rather than thinking about the past or future. 

If you could change one thing about how people think about jewelry, what would it be? 

Education! There is such a HUGE difference between Fine jewelry and Fashion jewelry. Some consumers aren’t aware of why/how price differences are so wide. 

What is your current state of mind? 

I’m feeling excited about all the things to come as we near the end of the year!

What words or phrases to you overuse? 

Yadda yadda yadda, like, so…blah blah blah.

What makes you feel the most alive? 

Living my passion and living in the moment when I can mentally get there!

What is your motto? 

Always step outside your comfort zone! It’s where the real growth happens. 

https://shopmamabijoux.com/

Although our 10/3/23 lark with Mama Bijoux + Chef Taylor Elam is Sold Out, we are thrilled to invite you along through our images and stories!

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

Q & A with the talented Sean Woolsey of the California cool + refined Sean Woolsey Studio ā€“ Costa Mesa, CA

Image credit: Sean Woolsey Studio

Q & A with the talented Sean Woolsey of the California cool + refined Sean Woolsey Studio ā€“ Costa Mesa, CA

The vibe of the showroom and workshop emanates a creative and refined energy. You might think this is what lead us to Sean Woolsey Studio, and you are right, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. It is really about recognizing and respecting the journey of our fellow dreamers. Layers of inspiration to be discovered in the following Q & A session from youthful enthusiasms, to disciplined lifestyle choices, to admired artists + writers:

Q. Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Orange County (in Yorba Linda to be exact) and grew up skateboarding, surfing, playing baseball and constantly making things.Ā 

Q. Did you ever make anything out of wood/other materials as a child..is there a golden thread here?

I grew up always skateboarding and making skate ramps, always making artwork, and sewing my own clothing. I was a very hands on kid, heavily influenced by skate and surf culture and my dad who made amazing stained glass pieces for a living.Ā 

Q. What motivated you to make furniture + game tables?

At first a desire to make things for myself, the ping pong came first after woodworking for a few years, for us just to have at the shop to play some games while at work. 

Q. When it comes to your current work, what is your most treasured possession?

Probably the Neo Pool Table that we make as a product. It is the most difficult to make, and with that comes great rewards. 

Q. College/Trade School, yay or nay? 

Took several woodworking classes, and did a short apprenticeship for a woodworker. 

Q. From whom did you inherit your aesthetic? 

A mix of my mom, dad, traveling, my wife, and my friends. 

Q. What is your favorite journey?

My wife and I traveled around America for 8 weeks in a Westfalia van one summer. It was a bucket list item and was an amazing experience. 

Q. Who are your favorite artists or writers?

Soooo many. In no particular order: Sam Maloof, Finn Juhl, Wharton Esherick, George Nakashima, Robert Rauschenburg, Jean Michel Basquiat, Joseph Eichler, and writers Chuck Palahniuk and Ayn Rand.

What do you find yourself saying when asked about your work?

I love what I do. I am obsessed with making things and constantly learning. 

What is your motto?

Attention to detail is the religion of success. 

Does your skillset travel to the kitchen? 

Yeah, I love cooking. 

What is your most prized ingredient or go-to meal?

Go to meals would be pizza in our pizza oven at home or spaghetti and meatballs, or handmade pasta. 

When it comes to design + dining, what comes to mind?

For me both cooking and designing/making are similar in that good ingredients (whether it be produce on a farm or wood from a mill) produce beautiful finished products, and I love food and design that tells a full story. Lark is a great example of this as working with local chefs using in season produce to create a culinary experience that is very unique. 

Woodworking @seanwoolseystudio
Image credit: Sean Woolsey Studio

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

Friday, May 5, 2023 w/the talented Chef Taylor Elam

Sean Woolsey Studio
770 W 17th St Unit 1
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(17th & Placentia)

More details, including the menu, here

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

Q + A with Chefs Jim Sullivan + Alex Bolar of San Diego & Los Angeles

So thrilled to find our way back to collaborating with people who are passionate their craft. 

Weā€™ve known the talented San Diego Chef & Photographer Jim Sullivan for since our early lark days and through the culinary connection haven known as The Hood Kitchen Space in Costa Mesa.

Chef Jim Sullivan

Chef Sullivans love for food + film have led him to various kitchens around the world from sandy surf shacks to Michelin Star restaurants. His energy and enthusiasm are contagiousā€“ā€“and itā€™s just what we need at this moment. 

Chef Sullivan introduces to Chef Alejandro Bolar who comes from a background of his own supper club Eclair in Atlanta, Georgia and who currently finds his way creating delicious meals in various kitchens throughout Los Angeles and surroundings via kala

Chef Alex Bolar

We are looking forward to creating a super fun (& delicious) lark with these two chefs, who will be taking full creative control of the menu. 

We invite you along for the ride through this introductory Q & A:

Q. How do you two know each other?

Jim: Iā€™ve known Alex for some time now. We originally met one another while cooking at a friend’s restaurant in Atlanta a few years ago.

Alex: We met in Atlanta at a restaurant called Better Half and then on a subsequent trip to California we met up again. Weā€™ve been wanting collaborate for a while, definitely looking forward to creating some magic.

Q. What led you to lark? 

Jim: Iā€™ve always admired the Lark events and have worked with Lisa a few times in the past, both as a chef and photographer.

Alex: Jim said had a friendā€¦he showed me your instagram and I was in.

Q. How did you arrive in the culinary scene?

Jim: I basically grew up in the restaurant industry, starting at the age of 14. After having a long career in the medical field I decided to go back to school. I graduated from culinary school in 2007. Since then I’ve been doing pop ups, staging and being part of the restaurant industry as a professional food photographer.

Alex: My brothers and I are super competitive from who can catch the most or biggest fish to seeing who make the best burger.  During these times I noticed that cooking was fun and I had a natural gravitation towards it. During a semester off from college worked Silver Star deli and that introduced me to the commercial kitchen.

Q. Yay or nay to culinary school?

Jim: I did graduate from culinary school and while it was a great experience, I donā€™t think it’s necessary to become a great cook/chef. If a young person is motivated and can gain knowledge/experience under a great chef then I would suggest that route.

Alex: I went to culinary school and I met cool people along the way, but restaurants teach much more. For someone with a late start, they should consider a schoolā€¦ but if you have the time, working in a restaurant is the school of hard knocks ā€” youā€™ll have no choice but to learn. 

Q. What is your most treasured memory when it comes to food?

Jim: For me that would be working as a young adult/teen at an Italian restaurant in my hometown. This is where I spent my formative years learning the ins and outs of the industry.

Alex: Fierce competitive cooking with my brother Kyle Bolar. 

Q. Can you share an impressive elevated dining experience?

Jim: I really like what Outstanding in the Field does. Jim Denevan travels around the country working with local farmers and local chefs. Together they create a fantastic dining experience. I’ve had the pleasure of both eating and working with his team a few times and I absolutely love what they do.

Alex: Atomix in New York City offered a 16 course meal. Korean fine dining. Also, Wolvesmouth in Hollywood was pretty amazing. 

Q. What advice do you have for people who want to become chefs?

Jim: Do it because you love it. Don’t do it expecting accolades, money or fame. Do it for the passion, love of food. I realize that sounds cliche but honestly it’s the truth. 

Alex: Always be willing to learn something new. With food, there is so much to learn. 

Q. What is your most treasured ingredient?

Jim: It used to be fresh seafood like uni or abalone. But as time goes by I’m learning to appreciate and use vegetables more.

Alex: A squeeze lemon on everything! 

Q. What is your go-to dish when cooking for yourself? 

Jim: Fried rice or Congee, using anything that’s left in the fridge.

Alex: Rice with soft egg and chili crunch.

Q. What is your go-to dish when cooking for others?

Jim: That would depend on the season and what is currently inspiring me. Recently it was using stone fruit.

Alex: Always something chicken based because itā€™s more familiar to people and there is no variation when it comes to cooking, i.e. raw, seared, etcā€¦.

Q. Who are your heroes?

Jim: Alex Bolar (wink wink)

Alex: My parents who are both self-employed, I am witness to them creating a life and lifestyle. 

Q. What phrase or word to you use too often?

Jim: F*ck

Alex: ā€œMy Manā€ā€¦ an ode to Denzel Washington! 

Q. As we are now navigating new seas, do you have any thoughts on the future of dining?

Jim: Man, thatā€™s a tough one. I think the way restaurants are going to run for the foreseeable future has changed. Considering the rising costs of ingredients and the pandemic restaurants are dying off or barely hanging on. I see restaurants pivoting to more of a fast casual model, or dining halls. No longer are you going to fine dining or upper echelon restaurants unless you’re willing to cough up $300 or more per seat.

Alex: Restaurant owners will adapt to meet the needs of their employees. The gap is closing between fine dining and comfort food. Fine dining chefs are creating burgers and comfort food has become more acceptable. 

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Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Come on a lark with us!

3/26/22 at our favorite designer playground known as Urban Americana in Long Beach.

Menu + More TBA!

Q+A with Laura of Laura Brophy Interiors in Newport Beach, California

Laura Brophy captured by @missymphotography at her studio in Newport Beach.

We are thrilled to set our 55th communal table at Laura Brophy Interiorsin Newport Beach on Friday 9/10/21 with the talented Chef Kyle Powers. We love her energy, eye for design and enthusiasm–and that she is always up for an adventure. Although our lark communal dinner has sold out, we invite you to come along with this brief dive ā€œbelow-the-surfaceā€ into her beautiful world of design.


Q. Where do you call home? 
I reside in Southern California, but home to me is wherever I have family and right now we have an opportunity to be nomads,o  I feel like that could be anywhere. 


Q. When did you decide to open your own business? What factors came into play?
Oh gawd, that is a loaded question. Come to dinner and I’ll tell you about it. But really, I eventually got “over the fear” and just went for it. It is the best decision I ever made. 


Q. Is your interior style influenced by anyone…any heroes out there?I am constantly inspired by fashion and feel that this influence of design can play anywhere, even in interiors. Kelly Wearstler is a great example of funky and cool, constantly translating her fashion aesthetic into the homes she designs. 


Q. By the local businesses in your area, your studio location straddles both the old and new in creative conquests. How does this influence or inspire your work (or day)?Being connected to TToes on the Noseis a dream situation. Love their vintage fashion vibe and would love to see this play into the California home lifestyle. 


Q. The mood in your studio is so positive, do you a have work style/management philosophy? I like people to thrive at what they are great at. We have a group of people whose individual skills all contribute to a group effort and that makes all the difference. 


Q. We know your taste + love for beauty and style is expansive, has the world of design always been a part of your life?Yes, growing up I went to fashions shows with my parents and they also exposed me to Interior Designers. I got an early view of the creative process and became inspired. 


Q. What is your favorite question to ask a potential client? How creative can we get on this project? 


Q. What three things do you love about being a Interior Designer?

  1. How personal this business is… working on homes, you become intimately involved in a client’s life..
  2. I really enjoy being able to source things and meet really interesting people.
  3. I get to do what I love. I consider it a gift knowing not everyone finds what they are passionate about.

Q. Can you share a bit about The Next Layer? Yes, it’s something we offer our clients and it’s a great way to transform a home quickly and make a space look personal without doing a huge remodel. 


Q. We always ask our chefs about culinary schoolā€“ā€“ is design school necessary? Yes, just to gain confidence and extra knowledge. Honing in on portion and scale AND the why behind things is an important aspect when designing a home.  Once you have a solid understanding of design, well, that is when you can break the rules. 


Q. Who or what currently inspires you?Instagram, there are so many amazing great amazing people on there. You can connect with people you admire easily. 


Q. What is your favorite culinary pleasure?Chef Kyle’s food! Going on larks! I like interesting experiences — things that are different.

 
Q. How did you hear about lark? I heard about it from Lisa on “the downlow” while we were both working in similar industries…. I followed her on Instagram for year before I made the leap and fell in love.


Q. We have collaborated on many occasions, want to share a quick, fun story about lark?  Well….there was this one occasion when Lisa almost got swept away by the ocean. It was a guerrilla lark in Corona Del Mar and it was absolutely the hardest set up and breakdown…we scaled our tables, chairs and food over craggily rocks to arrive at our perfect location. We dined with our feet in the water. It was so different and so fun!

Super fun times on. guerrilla lark in Corona Del Mar. Image captured by The Delauras.

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

New dates to be announced soon!

Q+A with Maria Isles | All Things Design in Newport Beach, California

Maria & Max Isles + Izzy, Photo captured at Isles Interiors by the talented @lanedittoe

We love Maria’s style, the way she connects so easily with others, and her sense of adventure. We are thrilled to set our communal table at her gorgeous + well-curated atelier in Newport Beach on Saturday 2/29/20. Although our lark communal dinner has sold out, we invite you to come along with this brief dive “below-the-surface” into her beautiful world of design.

Q. Where are you from–and where do you live currently?

A. I grew up in Pasadena and currently live in Laguna Beach. I have also lived in Santa Barbara and abroad in Singapore.

Q. What was your favorite subject in school?

A. Definitely Art!

Q. What was your most favorite occupation?

A. Obviously Interior Design.

Q. When did you realize you had a knack for Interior Design?

A. When I was about 4 or 5 years old. My dad had a construction company and I used to go in his warehouse and make doll houses for my weeble wobbles out of scrapes of wood, metal and glass. I was also obsessed with my moms Architectural Digest from a very young age. 

Q. What is your favorite and/or most ideal project?

A. My ideal project would be a new build in Montecito, a modern version of a Spanish Colonial. That would be my dream house. Clean and timeless with lots of wood, dark metal and Spanish decorative tile, my absolute love. My favorite project is my own ongoing house. We live in an adorable tiny 1936 cottage in Laguna Beach. It is the quintessential beach cottage. 

Q. You go on “buying trips” what are some of your favorite places? 

A. My favorite place to go on buying trips is of course England where my husband Max is from. I love the old country antiques that we find there. They are timeless and the craftsmanship is amazing. 

Q. What was your first trip like?  Did someone take you–or did you venture out on you own? 

  1. We always find time when we go back to England to venture out and source. Its so inspiring over there, whether we are in London at some cool old shop or in the countryside at a car boot sale. I have always just ventured out on my own. I have had tips from locals but its fun to wander and discover. 

Q. Any regrets on an object you might have passed up?

A. I just passed up an antique Oushak runner a few weeks ago, and now its gone, it was the perfect size, color and price! But my worst regret is an antique Gustavian dresser that I found at an estate sale up by Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. I purchased it but sold it in my shop. I think about it all the time and how I should not have sold it!!!  

Q. We love that you like to host/entertain is this something you’ve always done? 

A. I think I started to entertain about 16 years ago when we bought our little cottage. We have an amazing front yard with 22 fruit and nut trees. Its small but its perfect for having intimate dinner parties or summer lunches in the garden. Its pretty magical. 

Q. What is your most memorable meal?

A. I donā€™t know if I could say what is my most memorable meal, but I love food and my husband Max and I are vegetarian so when I find amazing vegetarian restaurants or meals I really remember them. 

Recently we went to Double Zero in Venice and I had the most amazing vegan spaghetti bolognaise or as my husband calls it spag bol. It was made with mushrooms and walnuts and so incredibly delicious. I found a similar recipe, its take a long time to make it but soooo worth it! 

Q. We feel food, conversation x design go quite well together, do you have any thoughts on this intersection? 

A. Good food and design are both so creative and appeal to your senses. So of course they both individually and combined make great conservation! It’s the perfect mixture. 

Q.. Do you have a favorite quote?

A. “Gratitude creates abundance’.

Q. Who Inspires you?

Q. Some of my favorite designers are:

Amber InteriorsShe just rocks it

Nickey KehoeThe perfect duo

Lauren LiessLove her timeless sensibility

Kendall ConradHer fashion sense

Q. How do you envision your future of Isles Interiorsā€“what direction do you most want to go? 

A. For Isles Interiors we envision continuing with our full scale interior design studio. Expanding on our new builds and full remodels. We are also in the process of designing a new line of furniture by Max, 5 or 6 signature pieces, that we canā€™t live without! I would love to open a studio in Santa Barbara and eventually London. 

Create. Collaborate. Elevate. Come on a lark with us!

Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Hello Kestan in Irvine, CA {details TBA soon}!

Lark on the {Video] Line…. | Chasing our Brightest Light in Huntington Beach, California

What would you do if you could do anything?

Thrilled to share our first ever video interview of owner + creative director & (most importantly) mother Lisa Gutierrez Martinez sharing how she arrived to take us on a lark!

https://mompreneurnextdoor.blogspot.com/2019/11/creative-and-stuck-behind-desk-time-to.html?m=1

Image captured by MBmaher.com on a super fun lark at Costa Cabana in East Side Costa Mesa. Black linen jumper hand-made by our talented friend in the wolf pack @lupothelable

Super thankful to Mompreneur Next Door for creating a platform to inspire other people to chase their brightest light!

Here’s a fun Q & A to compliment the video:

Q. What did your life look like when you started your business?

A. I had carried the idea of having my own business for so long, that when it came to fruition, it felt like breathing a dream. 

Q. Why did you choose what you did?

A. I want as much control of my life as possible. I want to live intentionally. I was, and am, seeking an interesting and well-lived life.  

Q. How has being a mompreneur has changed your life?

A. It gave us, myself and my family, a freedom I had once only imaged. 

Q. What is your biggest challenge?

A. Not having a set schedule has been challenging, but I love to work on lark every chance I get. Some days I am fully immersed. Other days I have to be satisfied with the smallest step forward. 

Q. How do you set boundaries when working from home?

A. I, by intention, donā€™t have boundaries. I love my work and I love my family and I don’t mind them spending time together.

Q. What are the benefits to doing this and what the most surprising one has been?

A. I love being able to pursue the things that interest me; including the opportunity to collaborate and learn from people I respect and admire. 

Q. Any advice you would give to your younger self?

A. Take smart risks, donā€™t hesitate too long. You have to jump in to learn how to swim.

Q. Two or three actionable items/tips that you can share with the listeners that they can implement immediately.

A. Three things: 1) Action creates opportunity. 2) Persistence pays. 3) Collaborate; we (all) rise by lifting others.  

Q. Anything you are currently reading/listening to that you would recommend?

A. For podcast, I suggest ā€œSecond Lifeā€ by Hillary Kerr. For books, I have threeā€¦ get them in paperbackā€¦mark off, highlight, write notes, so you can pick them up again and again and be inspired:

1. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert 

2. You Are A Bad Ass by Jen Sincero 

3. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott 

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