Arts + Culture

My Town: Patricia Taft

Article and Photography by As a commentator, writer, interior designer and entrepreneur, Patricia Taft carries forward the legacy of her family name with a distinctly modern voice. The great-granddaughter of President William Howard Taft and granddaughter of Senator Robert A. Taft, she has carved out her own space at the intersection of politics, culture and contemporary life, serving on the Membership Nominating Committee for the National Women’s Suffrage Monument and on the boards of both...

Beauty

Glow Into the Holidays

Article and Photography by The holidays bring a whirlwind of parties, family gatherings and festive photos—and nothing feels better than stepping into the season looking radiant and confident. At Svoya Beauty Studio , located in the heart of Brentwood, sisters Maryna Trylevych and Iryna Moser have created a cozy, family-run beauty destination that blends European expertise with the latest technologies. “At Svoya, we believe that beauty should feel effortless. It’s about enhancing your natural...

Life + Culture

Guiding Light

With steadfast leadership and a spirit of giving, Rick Caruso helps bring joy—and tradition—back to the Palisades this holiday season Article by Amanda Eberstein On that fateful night in January when the flames swept through Pacific Palisades, Rick Caruso stood not only as a civic leader, but as a father and neighbor. The devastation was personal—his own children lost homes, cherished places were reduced to ash and the community that he had poured so much of himself into was left broken. “Like...

Food + Beverage

French Jewel

La Monique brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the Oceana hotel Article by Carole Dixon Santa Monica has seen its share of glamorous restaurant openings in the past year or so—from Muse in Rustic Canyon to Orla at Regent Santa Monica Beach to the buzzy westside outpost of San Vicente Bungalows. Now, La Monique—a gorgeous jewel-box French brasserie with the air of an intimate Riviera private members’ club—has entered the scene. The restaurant is located within the Oceana Santa Monica—an...

Shopping

Merry and Bright

Celebrate the spirit of the westside this holiday season with local treasures handpicked for everyone on your list Article by the Brentwood City Lifestyle Editors For Her Festive dresses, cozy knitwear, elegant evening bags and dazzling jewelry make the perfect statement—long after the celebrations end. 1. Dôen Lennon blazer in English herringbone | $598 | Dôen, 225 26th St., Suite 4 | shopdoen.com   2. Gwyn Paloma cashmere tank | $425 | Goop, 225 26th St., Suite 37 | goop.com 3...

Home Services

The Perfect Match

With The Help Company, Claudia Kahn has spent decades connecting families and caregivers with compassion and community Article by Amanda Eberstein | Photography by Claudia Unger Walk through Brentwood Village and it’s almost certain someone will stop Claudia Kahn to say hello. “It really does feel like a small town, and I feel so lucky to be part of it,” she says. As the founder of The Help Company, Kahn has been the one families call when they need the best—nannies, chefs, assistants, estate...

Education

The Role of Executive Function Skills in Supporting Students with Dyslexia

Create an article.The Role of Executive Function Skills in Supporting Students with DyslexiaColorful leaves.  Autumn celebrations.  Anticipation of holidays!  The arrival of November brings excitement to many, with anticipation of Thanksgiving, and holiday plans! For us, at New Agenda, we too are excited with the blast of fall colors and seeing the joy in communities with the preparation of the holidays!   At the same time, we have been busy partnering with...

Life + Culture

My Town: Dr. Zelana Montminy

Article and Photography by Long known as a leading behavioral scientist and bestselling author, Dr. Zelana Montminy’s work took on new meaning after the Palisades Fire. “It was such a devastating experience that words can barely contain,” says the longtime resident and mother-of-three. “Every place we cherished as a family in this little bubble we were so lucky to call home was obliterated. When you lose your community all at once, you lose the rhythms, rituals and familiar spaces that give...

Arts + Culture

Child’s Play

For cousins Jedd Gold and Jeff Lipp, Artkive is more than just a business—it’s a way to help families hold onto their most cherished memories Article by Patricia Taft When cousins Jedd Gold and Jeff Lipp were growing up on the east coast—in Westport, CT and Westchester, NY, respectively—their hometowns nurtured a sense of community and instilled a value for childhood defining artifacts. Later in life, when they both found themselves in Los Angeles pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors, they were...

Life + Culture

Divine Inspiration

With her new book, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt draws from her childhood—and idyllic life growing up on the westside Article by Amanda Eberstein Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt is about as local as it gets. The eldest child of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Pratt grew up on the westside in Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, where she currently resides with her husband, actor Chris Pratt and their three little kids. “I loved it so much I never left,” she laughs. “The reason I am...