Founder’s Journal: My Favorite Places In LA & Other Lore
Hi everyone! Jackie Skye Muller here, the co-founder of Recreational Habits. I’m reorganizing our editorial calendar and felt that it was time to bring back a monthly Founder’s Journal series where you can get a few tidbits of RH happenings and also other fun lifestyle elements. While there are a bevy of other influencer substacks you could read that will fill your void of shopmy/ltk links, I do hope you’ll find this little section of the internet a little funnier, kinder, and maybe more encouraging.
Good Habit Progress // I’ve started to question the validity that 21 days is enough to establish a habit, because I tend to fall off after 21 days pretty easily. A prime example is writing in a gratitude journal, which seems like it would be the easiest thing in the world (literally its only suppose to take 5 minutes), but the entry dates in my journal were consistent for about 30 days and then are super spotty. Sometimes with a month going in between. I’ve convinced myself that my biggest challenge is adjusting my habits to the changes with my kids. Now that its summer, it feels as though our entire morning routine is thrown off which really stresses me out. Sorry James Clear, I’m going to put it out here and say that habits don’t get solidified until after 45 days, or at least until your kids go to college.
Recent Launches // If you haven’t heard, our second Keds collab launched earlier this month. Keds is one of the oldest American footwear brands (second to Converse), so there’s alot of heritage and history there. I love that they were the first company to make an active shoe for women, and they even coined the term sneaker because you could sneak up on someone in the rubber soles. It’s hard to choose my favorite piece from the collection, but I would have to say that the sneakers will get the most wear in my closet this summer. Perfect to wear with cotton dresses, walking farmers markets, and biking to town. Of course, I could not fail to mention the cowboy tees! My daughter Kingsley posed for the campaign - wild! - and I had the most best time visiting prop houses to find the perfect pair of worn in chaps (weird prop house pics below).
Favorite Items // My quest for perfect white summer jeans is not completely over. I did recently buy the Vintage White Re/Done Jeans which isn’t the perfect white denim, but it’s not too bad. I have worn them repeatedly, and they are just the jeans I keep reaching for. I’m not sure if it’s because the color is a nice off white hue, or they are stretchy without looking stretchy, or make my bum look pretty decent - but as I’m writing this maybe I actually do like them quite a bit. I’m still on the fence.
In a recent trip to New York (for a META pop-up), I was forced against my will to participate in a post-red eye run around Downtown NYC. It was hot, humid and incredibly busy on the streets as people were going to work, but wonderful to see some people dressed up to go into an office. I couldn’t help but think of the office siren trend which led me down the mental fixation of securing some new pointed toe kitten heels. I impulsively jetted over to the downtown Prada store later that evening before our dinner and picked up some sling backs that felt very Andy Sachs. I love them so much and think everyone should have a similar style in their closet for sophisticated evenings. Also, I recently heard from Lauren Sherman of Puck that there was a “Picotin epidemic” on the UES which naturally made me curious to buy one. More on that for my next Founder’s Journal.
Lifestyle Component // Now for the juicy stuff, I’m reading Wives Like Us. Which is fun and sarcastic and feels very Fashion with a capital F. Although the book romanticizes the English country side, I’m really happy to be back in LA in the summer. I do miss horse country sometimes, but honestly, the novelty of having a Starbucks down the street is still pretty great for me. Which leads me to my next topic: LA spots! I must add a note before I get into this that my version of “hot spots” are very different to what they would have been in my Manhattanite days. Now my most enjoyable evenings are with my husband and capped off with a full makeup cleansing routine and bed by midnight. Just call me Cinderella. Anyways, lets get into it -
The above pics are from Hand Prop Room which was totally overwhelming and awesome in the best way possible. We were putting together a shoot for our art heist inspired Pre-Fall collection that required some interesting vintage props. I got lost in the food department because… just look at those fish!
Stepped into a stylist’s wardrobe and was completely amazed. Zerina Ackers (aka the genius behind Beyonce’s most incredible fashion moments and creatives) has opened a wardrobe rental company called The Show Must Go On. This is not your average Rent The Runway wardrobe, its custom designer pieces, lots of color and glam, perfect for red carpet moments even if you’re not a bold faced name. She’s truly one of the most talented fashion people of our generation.
The Bar at the Bel-Air hotel is like stepping into Hollywood’s Golden Era. I love coming earlier in the evening like 7 or 8 to listen to the live music (sometimes piano, sometimes a full jazz band) drink a dirty martini and snack on some french fries. I’ve never made a reservation, and have not had any issues getting a table, but smaller groups of 2 seem to be easier to seat. It’s just one of those places that feels so glamorous and warm at the same time. Also, don’t forget to say hello to the beautiful swans that are gliding in the pond below the bridge you must cross before entering the hotel.
Another beautiful spot which is a little bit more of a planned night is the Vibrato which has a pretty storied history if you’re into jazz music. You’ll definitely want to plan ahead, but this place is great for the music and lychee martini, not much for the food. There’s a wonderful Italian restaurant next door if you want to pop over after the show.
My last little hidden gem in LA is all the way in the Topanga Canyons, Cafe on 27. Perfect for those of us SFV folk, but definitely worth the drive in the morning. The restaurant is perched on the side of a mountain with insane views into the Canyon. It feels like Costa Rica or somewhere else very not-LA. Food is pretty good and there’s a bevy of fun woo woo western shops to pop in on the drive back to PCH. Valet recommended.
That’s all for now - chat next month!
