Bits n Bobs

a week in review

Hi guys!

Today’s letter is a bit of a ramble. Bits n bobs from my week plus a few things that are getting me excited right now! Imagine us catching up over a glass of wine, this is what it would be like. We’ll be covering the important stuff like my trip to The Post Montecito, rosé season, Ojai openings, Love Island, dinner parties and more!

Hotel El Roblar

We spent last weekend in Ojai which is always a joy. It is definitely getting hot up there, but like my husband pointed out, no hotter than Italy during the summer! There seem to be a lot of fun new things popping up in town… Perhaps most anticipated is the Hotel El Roblar, brought to you by the team behind The Bowery Hotel and now open on Ojai’s main drag! It’s brand brand new, (opened 3 days ago) so they’re still putting a few finishing touches (property photography and finishing the restaurant!) But from the outside it looks gorgeous. We’ll definitely be checking in for a staycation there and to use the pool! Another fun spot we need to check out is called Radio Roma. It’s a hi-fi listening bar serving mezcal and tacos. I hear it’s very vibey and feels like Mexico City. Plus it's a late night spot!! Huge for Ojai! Can’t wait to go next time. We also popped by the new outpost of Highly Likely in the old Beacon space. Solid lunch spot and a good place to work or take a meeting. If you’re thinking about a getaway here, check out my Ojai Guide for all my fave spots.

On Tuesday, I was invited to a dinner celebrating the opening of the new Jamie Haller shop at The Post in Montecito. I’ve been seeing such cool brands like Shop RLT and Janessa Leoné opening here, so it was a great chance to check it out. It’s a beautiful little shopping center with gorgeous brands you may know from online that really makes the argument for why brick and mortar matters. For example, I’ve long been a fan of Jamie’s shoes, but her shop was stocked with so much more ready to wear than I knew she made! (All of it, extremely covetable btw.) Her pieces are so luxe and effortless, I don’t know if you can really tell how special everything is IRL when we are mindlessly scrolling online! I like the idea of, when you feel shoppy, being able to go in and fall in love with something. Top of my wishlist were her white loafers and this Baggy Linen Trench. The dinner was stacked with female founders I admire and wonderful creators. In her toast, Jamie spoke about how some early support from

Megan Alida Strachan

and

Marlien Rentmeester

meant so much and allowed her to see her future as a business owner and designer. It was emotional and inspiring to so many of us out there hustling! As co-hosts Meg and Janessa said, running and growing a business is a hard and often lonely venture, but you never know how an IG story can change everything! It really got me even more excited to share and support small brands that I love as well as energized me to get out there with Lorenza more! All in all, it was a beautiful evening connecting with women and I left feeling seen, supported and inspired!

Scenes from Jamie Haller's store opening

Back in LA, it was time to catch up on Love Island USA - nothing gives me endorphins like this show. I don’t know what it is about it, but I am HOOKED and really enjoying watching it live (there’s a new episode every night except Wednesday). This week was extra fun because they had my queen Paige deSorbo of Summer House and Giggly Squad fame guest hosting! World’s colliding! Then, there was a ton of drama between Jeremiah and Huda, which I hope is done and dusted so we can all move on. Then ANOTHER guest star, Megan Thee Stallion! If you weren’t already in love with Megan, you are now. In the words of RuPaul, she’s got Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. Thursday’s episode had us all screaming for the girls vs boys twerkathon. If you’re feeling the summer blues or just need a new show, go ahead and tune in because this is great pop entertainment and water cooler fodder. You’d be surprised who’s tuning in! ;)

new cutie dress for summer

I’ve finally broken out of my cooking rut as of last night. Despite all the beautiful produce, I just haven’t had the energy or inspiration to cook. But my bestie Sam has been requesting a summer dinner al fresco and who am I to deny her!? I decided on something simple and seasonal that’s been sitting in my saved folder for a while now! Julius Robert’s tomato and ricotta tart. When I rolled out the puff pastry it ended up looking pretty small, so I made another tart with a zucchini as well! It was pretty easy and quick to make, and turned out delicious! Served alongside a simple arugula salad, roasted carrots with honey and harissa and a checkerboard of watermelon and Castelvetrano olives. And of course, we had to celebrate the release of our 2024 Lorenza Rosé! It was a beautiful, low pressure evening to kick off summer and get me back in the kitchen.

In other news, I’ve noticed that the chic and affordable Spencer’s Spa from NY has opened in Weho! Gonna check that out soon, if you go, lemme know what you think! Thanks for being here as always! Toodaloo!

xx

Michèle

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