Education

College Admissions 101

Getting into the Ivy League takes more than just good grades and top test scores—here, Command Education’s guide to admissions success at every stage Article by the Editors “One of the most common misconceptions about the college application process is that sheer prestige—an elite private school, a competitive summer program, a big-name internship—will make you stand out to top colleges,” says Grace Lee, managing director at Command Education, a boutique college consulting firm that is the...

Education

Making its Mark

Brentwood Presbyterian Church Preschool brings warmth, guidance and character to the early childhood years Article by Amanda Eberstein For more than 75 years, Brentwood Presbyterian Church Preschool has been a cherished part of the Brentwood community. Established in 1948 as a traditional preschool program within Brentwood Presbyterian Church, it has evolved into a non-denominational school that runs independently and is known for its warm atmosphere, wonderful staff and families and...

Life + Culture

My Town: Samantha Gutstadt

Article and Photography by “I wear many hats—business founder, content creator, writer, actress—but ultimately I am a storyteller at heart,” says Brentwood resident and mother-of-three Samantha Gutstadt. A native of Toronto, Canada, Gutstadt first moved to LA to pursue an acting career before eventually using her natural comedic talents to create branded and original sketches and series across her popular social media platforms that include Instagram, Tik Tok and even podcasts. But of all her...

Arts + Culture

On Point

With the founding of her namesake studio Sophie Dance, Sophie Pierce is not only fulfilling a childhood dream—she’s inspiring the next generation  Article by Patricia Taft | Photography by Trish Alison Sophie Pierce’s dream of running her own dance studio began in early childhood. “In kindergarten, I started creating this imaginary dance studio in my house, and I would run imaginary classes,” she says. “I would take attendance, create schedules and had lots of—invisible shows. I loved it.” ...

Food + Beverage

It Takes Two

A pair of Japanese-style casual dining spots, Nikó Sando and Malou Coffee, have taken over a once-quiet corner in the heart of Brentwood Article by Carole Dixon Nikó Sando and Malou Coffee are connected through an interior doorway, but the two places could not offer more different experiences. Nikó is a tiny walk-up counter where guests can order Japanese sandwiches through a self-serve kiosk while waiting for the order to magically appear from behind a traditional noren fabric divider and...

Home Services

Hire Learning

The Help Company’s tips to finding the perfect nanny Article and Photography by For many young families, there are few decisions more important—and nerve-wracking—than finding a nanny. In ideal situations, these caregivers become beloved and integral parts of the households for years to come. Locally, there is perhaps no better expert than Claudia Kahn, founder and CEO of the Help Company, the premier staffing agency in Brentwood Village. For Kahn’s cohort of specialists, which range from...

Education

Tackling Time Confetti

What is “Time Confetti”?Similar to confetti, which is made of shards of paper, ‘time confetti’ is a concept that symbolizes broken up pieces of time, fragmented by continued interruption—most often personal down time, or leisure time.  For parents, the interruptions causing the ‘time confetti’ are most often categorized in their mind as ‘obligations’ or  ‘responsibilities’  that justify or affirm the pattern of pulling attention away from a focused goal or shared familial...

Shopping

What to Pack for a Warm-Weather Getaway

Nicole Kirwan of Permanent Vacation offers her sartorial advice Article and Photography by With its expert curation and impressive assortment, Permanent Vacation is a one-stop shop for any trip. So, what are Kirwan’s personal packing tips? “I like to lay out my outfits in looks to make sure I am covered for each day, night and planned activity. I also find it super helpful to stick to a color scheme so that your accessories can work with everything—shoes and bags take up so much space!” she...

Real Estate

The Right Stuff

Equity Union founder and CEO Harma Hartouni is helping shape Brentwood’s real estate market with transparency, innovation and community-driven values  Article by Carole Dixon Since launching in 2022, Equity Union has quickly become one of the region’s fastest-growing real estate companies, with twelve office locations throughout Southern California, including Brentwood, prominently situated across from the Brentwood Country Mart on San Vicente. Founded by industry veteran Harma Hartouni—who...

Shopping

Worldly Goods

Whether planning a visit to an exotic locale or searching for the perfect everyday piece, Brentwood boutique Permanent Vacation is the ultimate one-stop shop  Article by Amanda Eberstein | Photography by Trish Alison  Nicole Kirwan’s sartorial sensibilities run deep. “I have always been interested in fashion,” she says. “Early letters to Santa included such specific items as dolphin shorts, a ‘French’ bikini—I think this was ‘80s speak for high cut?—and a pink angora sweater with lavender...