Kira Kids

Today, we have the pleasure of showcasing one of Silicon Valley's many entrepreneurs. But in this case, a children's fashion designer instead of an app maker! Christine Tang is the founder and designer of Kira Kids, an imaginative and whimsical line of children's tees, dresses, shorts, cardigans, and sweaters. Christine transformed her living room and garage into an office space + warehouse, and it was so inspiring to sit down and hear her story.

In 2010, Christine put together her love for craft and knowledge of screen printing to create Kira Kids. Christine faced ups and downs, but eventually, she drew success out of her vision. Today, Kira Kids is sold in hundreds of stores and is popular among moms and kids alike. Each Kira Kids piece is made in Downtown Los Angeles. While other brands create their pieces from wholesaled clothing, Kira Kids is made from custom fabrics and non-toxic inks!

In 2011, Christine made the bold decision to leave her day job to focus on Kira Kids. This is one of the struggles of many entrepreneurs - leaving safety for risks. But her decision has been the best yet, she says. Kira Kids is not just a brand, it's a lifestyle. "I want kids to feel like themselves and be happy while wearing Kira. I want them to jump, nap, dance, laugh, and explore comfortably! I would love them to feel inspired to be more creative, have a sense of humor, and not grow up so quickly."

We even had a sneak peek of the AW 14 collection that Christine is working on. It's the pretzel design you see above... We are so excited, because everything looks so wonderful. On top of her amazing designs, Christine is truly inspiring. She works hard, and all she wants to do is to encourage kids to be themselves in Kira.

Now, we are wishing we had a Zooey Kids magazine right about now, because Kira Kids is definitely on our radar.

Silver Lake Adventures with Katie Dean

Today, we present to you... our Silver Lake adventure guided by Katie Dean, a local jewelry designer! Silver Lake is a popular Los Angeles neighborhood that sits on around Los Angeles' reservoir (hence 'lake'). If you're ever heading towards East Los Angeles then these six locations are a must-visit. It's perfect for afternoon strolls, date nights, and sightseeing! We hope you like our mini-tour guide of this beautiful Los Angeles area!

Broome Street General Store: 2912 Rowena Ave, LA, 90039

Broome Street General Store is my favorite coffee spot! Needless to say, their lattes are delicious. But, why I really love going here is because there are also tons of home goods, clothes, greeting cards, specialty candies and goodies everywhere. They make the whole experience so fun! They also have a really sweet courtyard area where I can conduct a brainstorming or networking meeting.

Raven Spa: 2910 Rowena Ave, SilverLake, CA 90039

When you walk into Raven Spa, you feel like you've been transported from the busy streets of Los Angeles to a Bali resort. The ambiance is truly authentic and relaxing. It's a perfect place to unwind after a really crazy week, or it's also a great reward for yourself - perhaps when you reach your latest goal! My personal favorite is the custom massage.

The Res: 1854 To 2246 Silver Lake Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026

I feel really lucky to have a place like the Silverlake Reservoir so close. Since I grew up in Michigan, I love being outside and the “Res” allows me to exercise and catch up with my girlfriends. It's multitasking at its finest!

Flore: 3818 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026

Flore is a great vegan restaurant to grab lunch at. The food is fresh and they have delicious sweet treats (with an assortment of fruit sweetened and gluten free options). You can also sit outside, which I love. My favorite dishes are the Basmati Brown Rice Bowl with tofu and a lightly heated Cinnamon Roll. You can thank me later!

Casbah Cafe: 3900 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA

Casbah Cafe is gorgeous! I have a weakness for anything with a Moroccan feel, and this place is exploding with bright colors and patterns. They also have an outside space with the most adorable sitting nooks surrounded by beautiful vine plants. When you sit down, you feel like you're in a private place where no one can see you. Great for people watching and brainstorming new ideas over a wonderful cup of tea.

Clementine Floral Works: 3936 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA

Lastly, Clementine Floral Works. For me, flowers are an essential part of my creative space. This shop is perfection. When you walk in, you immediately see the expertly curated collection of the most unique and wonderful single stems as well as stunning arrangements.

We hope you are able to visit these six Silver Lake shops! Let us know if you do! We'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for checking out my guide! - Katie Dean

Photography by Amanda Crew Illustrated map by Jess Becker Letterings by Ashley Barlow

Obsession with Cotton & Flax

Our latest obsession this week... Cotton & Flax, a beautiful textile company based in Los Angeles. Erin Dollar is the mastermind behind the designs and products, offering handmade home goods like gorgeous pillow covers, coasters, tea towels, and even postcards. Her designs are so timeless and simply could never go out of style. We are so enamored by her textiles! Our favorite things in her shop are: this DNA pillow cover, this dark gray brushstroke pillow cover, all of Erin's coasters!

What are your favorites from Cotton & Flax?