A few weeks ago, I got my first byline on the West Coast for Bella LA Magazine. And now my piece about The Renwick and Bedford & Co. is live for the east coast regional magazine Resident (p.104).
If you are following me – you know that I stayed at The Renwick back in December and a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of staying at The Gregory (the sister hotel). Be sure to check them out when you are in the city!
ELENA:)
Filmmaker and Author Leslie Zemeckis‘s new book, entitled Goddess of the Love Incarnate: The Life of Stripteuse Lili St. Cyr gives an extensive account of history’s most famous stripteaser – Lili St. Cyr.
Not knowing anything about the art of burlesque, I was interested to A: read the book (review coming soon) and B: learn a bit about the author herself (who, yes – is married to famed Producer/Director Robert Zemeckis). Here is 5 minutes 5 questions with the talented Leslie Zemeckis:
1) How long have you lived in Santa Barbara?
15 years.
2) What is your biggest lesson you have learned about writing someone’s biography?
To remove myself. I am there to tell a story, the person’s story – not my pov about her or her life. But to relate the “facts” in a way that the audience will understand (whether they like or dislike the person) who they are and why they are the way they are.
3) What’s your advice to getting out of writers block?
Write. I don’t have writer’s block. I have a million stories I want to tell. Just power through the first (many) terrible rough drafts. Be passionate about something.
4) What draws you to the art of burlesque?
The people who were involved. No one has covered this era and talked to the performers themselves (most dead now) it is from where all our art today comes from, Johnny Carson, Saturday Night Live, Carol Burnett, yet it continues to be dismissed and likened to pornography.
5) What do you think Lili St. Cyr’s top three characteristics on her Love List would be (characteristics or qualities she was looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?
Tall, dark and handsome. That was it. She wasn’t after money or fame.
Don’t forget to follow Leslie on Twitter: @LeslieZemeckis and ‘Like’ the Facebook page: Goddess of the Love Incarnate and Leslie Zemeckis.
ELENA:)
Check out my first Travel article on THE STYLELINE with beautiful illustrations by Courtney Anne Nagy! And you guessed it; it’s about Paris. Read it here.
ELENA:)
When I finished grad school, I vowed to
upgrade certain well-utilized belongings that screamed undergrad/high school
student. My laptop sleeve was one of these items. Months passed as I searched
for something that was C-suite worthy and combined both fashion and function.
Alas, I could not find anything that I loved without breaking the bank (Chanel
came out with a great notepad holder which I thought could serve dual purpose –
but the price tag made me feel queasy).
As an avid traveller, I find myself appreciating
the dual function of items; like a laptop sleeve that could also serve as a
clutch. If you’re a shopper like myself, you know that having extra room in
your luggage for new purchases is key. In the case of my Paris trip – this
meant my new jacket, shoes, sunglasses and gifts for colleagues/friends could
easily fit in my luggage and I did not have to say a small prayer when my
luggage was placed on the scale at Charles de Gaulle.
Orox Leather Co., owned and operated
by the Martinez family in Portland, Oregon handcrafts beautiful leather goods. The
name Orox, is derived from the fusion of the Martinez family’s origin from
Oaxaca, Mexico to Oregon. I had the opportunity to take an Orox laptop sleeve
and a couple cord minders on my recent trip to test out the quality
craftsmanship first hand.
When the products arrived at
my house pre trip, I was blown away at the oil tanned tan leather. To say it is
beautiful is definitely an understatement and like most things, I expect it to
get better with age. There is something
to be said when your flight neighbour in 14C asks you, “Where did you get
that?!?”
Classic and elegant, the
style of the laptop sleeve is so timeless and clean – I couldn’t help but to
double it as my clutch as I roamed the streets of Montmartre. It served well,
both protecting my laptop throughout the trip and giving my shoulders a rest
from my cross body bag. I was so impressed that when I got home, I immediately
checked out the belts and other fabulous accessories.
Speaking of accessories, the
cord minders proved to have multiple uses as well. A solution for those unruly computer/phone
chargers; the cord minders are so strong you can even secure a dress or pants
to hanger (using the clothing straps) after a steam. Brilliant.
It’s safe to say the Orox
Leather Co. offers something rare in the mass production of leather goods –
quality products perfected with rich traditional techniques, which will, just
like the Martinez family last for generations to come.
Be sure to follow Orox Leather Co. on Instagram/Twitter/Tumblr: oroxleatherco and ‘Like’ them on Facebook.
ELENA:)
