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South-Asian, Female-Owned Clothing Brand, Bandit Queen, Debuts All-New Collection Celebrating Powerful Women

March 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Photo Courtesy of Bandit Queen Brand

Fashion and luxury loungewear brand, Bandit Queen, is pleased to announce the debut of the Back to the Basics Collection, an all-new line of classic, staple pieces essential for any wardrobe. Featuring stylish, comfortable apparel, this collection includes five new lightweight clothing pieces and unique jewelry. Pieces from the Back to the Basics Collection start at $29.99 USD and are available for purchase on BanditQueenBrand.com.

“Like all of our collections, each one is designed with a purpose. As a new mother to a young daughter, I wanted this collection to remind women of all ages, and all walks of life, that there is fierceness and strength in simplicity,” shares Sepali Vakil, Bandit Queen Founder and CEO. 

Vakil continues, “Life gets busy and in the midst of the day-to-day routine, sometimes you just need to go back to the basics. For me, that means drinking enough water, getting plenty of rest, and 80% of the time eating and living a healthy lifestyle. This collection echoes how simple loungewear can be used for the on-the-go lifestyle, in a chic way.” 

Bandit Queen is a South Asian, female-owned brand inspired by women of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This new collection was designed to further empower the spirit of women. Standout pieces from the Back to the Basics Collection include super soft, squat-proof and breathable leggings and a “basics” dress- perfect for hitting the tennis courts or grabbing coffee with the girls. 

Designed to be worn year-round, this all-new collection aims to empower women to perform at their highest potential – from sprinting, stretching, lifting, or simply living comfortably. Along with limitless wearability, the entire Back to the Basics collection is available in a variety of sizes including S-XL. 

The all-new Back To The Basics Collection includes:

I received samples of the Basics Leggings and the Basics Crop and Jessica Crop and love the quality and style! They are so comfy!

Bandit Queen was founded in 2019 with the mission to create clothing that inspires individuals to embrace confidence and “feel like royalty”. The brand’s latest Back to the Basics Collection continues this mission by empowering women to celebrate feeling strong, fierce, and powerful. Other popular collections include the South Asian-inspired Truth Collection and the Athena Collection, which debuted in Fall of 2022. To purchase the Back to the Basics Collection, view other items, or for more information from Bandit Queen, visit banditqueenbrand.com. 

Instagram: @banditqueenbrand

Facebook: Bandit Queen Brand 

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Books of the Month of March!

March 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment
New LGBTQ+ Picture Book LINUS

Linus is trying his very best to stay in line, but everyone in Linneopolis is bent out of shape because he isn’t square enough for them. When he’s sent to an overnight camp to straighten out and build some character, Linus decides he’s had enough. He’s going to run away and find shapes that aren’t so set in their ways. But what happens when he starts to miss home? Can he convince the population of Linneopolis to open up instead of shutting down? Or are they too boxed in to hear him out?

I love this children’s book because it has such a great message for young children.

Stuart’s debut picture book Linus is fundamentally a story about self-love. Despite the world around him telling him that he is wrong for being colorful, loud, and clumsy, Linus is confident and assured in what he likes and who he is, a lovely example for young ones still figuring out who they are. Find out where to buy here.

ERIC LOVES ANIMALS: (Just Like You!) (The World of Eric Carle, on sale February 14th, ages 2-5)

Who doesn’t love Eric Carle books?! As a Preschool Teacher, I know just how popular The Hungry Caterpillar is! The 3-4-year-olds in my class are obsessed with the story! Actually, I am a big fan of many of his books so I was quite delighted to hear about this new one! On February 14th, The World of Eric Carle published the most complete collection of the beloved artist’s animal illustrations to date, ERIC LOVES ANIMALS (JUST LIKE YOU!) (Hardcover, ages 2-5). The book, an interactive, alphabetized guide to the animal kingdom, features 176 pages of sketches, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and collages, including dozens of unpublished pieces from Eric’s collection, narrated simply yet elegantly in Eric’s own words. Fan-favorites, like the famous Hungry Caterpillar and Grouchy Ladybug, sit alongside never-before-seen hippos, ostriches, and jellyfish. Peek-through holes, gatefolds and other surprises make ERIC LOVES ANIMALS the perfect gift for budding young readers, nature and art fans, and anyone who grew up with Carle’s timeless characters.

About The World of Eric Carle

The World of Eric Carle is based on Eric Carle’s beloved picture books including The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  The brand’s mission is to nurture a child’s love of literature and learning, encouraging imaginative play and exploration. Trusted by parents, teachers and librarians and beloved by children worldwide for generations, the The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other timeless storybooks come to life in colorfully creative books and products designed to inspire very hungry young minds.

And, yes! The first thing I did when I received the book was to look for The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

ERIC LOVES ANIMALS

(Just Like You!)

World of Eric Carle | On Sale 2/14/2023 |Ages 2-5

Hardcover | 9780593224366 | $29.99

Find out where to buy here.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of the above books to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

  Experience the Magic of Broadway in Long Beach with Musical Theatre West’s “An American In Paris,” April 14 – 30

March 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment
An American in Paris. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton/The Observer

Musical Theatre West (MTW), Long Beach’s premier theater company, will make musical magic with its spring show, An American in Paris. Known for its Broadway-caliber productions, MTW is excited to debut the latest rendition of the 1951 movie musical for the first time on the West Coast. Audiences can experience An American in Paris on select nights from April 14 – April 30, and are invited to celebrate the official opening night on Saturday, April 15. Tickets range from $20 – $125 each and are available by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org.

“Our goal at Musical Theatre West is always to bring the brilliance of Broadway to our local community and beyond, without having to travel to New York,” said Paul Garman, Executive Director and Producer of Musical Theatre West. “Our production of An American in Paris is going to be a classic silver-screen musical come to life- mixing theater, jazz, ballet, and more for one phenomenal performance.”

Originally a jazz-influenced orchestral piece by American composer George Gershwin that was first performed in 1928, this version of the An American in Paris musical is inspired by the Academy Award-winning hit 1951 movie of the same name that starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. An American soldier, an alluring French woman, and an indomitable European city each yearn for a new beginning in the aftermath of World War II. MTW’s An American in Paris will feature an enchanting score by George and Ira Gershwin, a fresh, sophisticated book by Tony nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Lucas, and stunning choreography from tap to ballet that will sweep audiences off their feet!

MTW’s production will be helmed by Jeffry Denman as both Director and Choreographer, who has worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and regionally on both traditional and more experimental works for over 20 years as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and choreographer. His credits include the cast of CATS, The Producers, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and more. Denman has previously led award-winning productions of An American in Paris in Ogunquit, Maine in 2018 and Wichita, Kansas in 2019, and will bring his dazzling direction and captivating choreography to life on the West Coast for the first time. Music Direction will be provided by David Lamoureux, who has been creating music and theater on stages and in recording studios around the globe for over 20 years. Lamoureux’s MD credits include Spamalot (3-D Theatricals), Once (California Center For The Arts), and multiple previous Musical Theatre West productions.

“With a production like this I can’t imagine having a separate director and choreographer because the dancing is so much a part of the piece,” said Denman. “It is so infused into nearly every moment they become very hard to divorce from each other. I find that the vision all coming from one source makes the piece consistent.”

The Carpenter Performing Arts Center is designed for every seat to have a great view, so audiences can stay on budget and still experience the grand magic of Musical Theatre West’s An American in Paris. With tickets starting as low as $20 and $15 rush tickets available for all students, MTW is accessible, affordable, and delivers Broadway-caliber performances on par with the top theater companies across the nation.

“An American in Paris is a beautiful, enchanting story and appropriate for all ages, so we encourage people from all walks of life to enjoy an extraordinary experience at the theater,” continued Garman. “Even if you’ve never been to the theatre, ours will be a great first experience. Everyone is welcome at MTW!”

Musical Theatre West’s production of An American in Paris will premiere at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on select dates, April 14 – April 30, 2023, with a special ASL Interpreted Performance on Friday, April 21. Tickets start at $20 – $125, and are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office 1 hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

An American in Paris by Musical Theatre West

April 14 – April 30, 2023, select dates

Carpenter Performing Arts Center

Tickets $20 – $125, Purchase here

Student Rush tickets $15 at Box Office

Credit: MUSICAL THEATRE WEST.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Events

Three New Exhibitions Opening at Laguna Art Museum March 2023

March 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Shepard Fairey, Make Art Not War, 2019 Ed. 1/19 from Facing the Giant – Three Decades of Dissent: Shepard Fairey

Laguna Art Museum will present three new exhibitions opening in March, Facing the Giant – Three Decades of Dissent: Shepard Fairey, Unseen Ties: The Visual Collection of Sherman Library & Gardens and Outlook/Insight: The LCAD Effect. 

“Our team has created three exciting opportunities to experience California as a place where cutting-edge artists uphold the values of our shared culture. These experiences range from the socially conscious and impactful work of globally renowned artist Shepard Fairey, to the creative and intellectual surge of a new generation of artists from the Laguna College of Art and Design and, in partnership with Sherman Library and Gardens, discovering a little-known collection of artworks that speak to how artists in the first half of the 20th century interacted with and conceptualized the significance of coastal Orange County,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum.

Opening on March 11 and on view until June 4, 2023, Facing the Giant – Three Decades of Dissent: Shepard Fairey features a selection of key works that highlight how Fairey has developed an intentionally accessible visual style that speaks broadly by pulling from visual history to address critical issues. The show is a celebration of Fairey’s 30 years as an artist featuring works that range back as far as three decades. Many of the works depict the struggle of oppression as a human experience. 

The title Facing the Giant references the giant of Fairey’s early stickers of Andre the Giant, which generated over a million copies distributed around the world. The title also references the giant issues and forces he confronts through his art. 

Facing the Giant – Three Decades of Dissent: Shepard Fairey was organized by the Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA, in association with OBEY GIANT ART. This exhibition has been generously supported by The Segerstrom Foundation and Lori and Harley Bassman. 

On March 18, the museum will present Unseen Ties: The Visual Collection of Sherman Library & Gardens. A special partnership between Sherman Library & Gardens and Laguna Art Museum brings the legendary collection out of the library for the first time. Each artwork in Sherman Library’s fine art collection is an opportunity to make connections between past and present, tell a tale of local lore and notoriety and see the ties that weave California’s coastal and artistic communities together. Unseen Ties correlates the culture of Southern California with its storied history of art collecting, featuring artists Rex Brandt, Phil Dike, Anna Althea Hills, Clarence Hinkle, Edgar Payne and William Wendt. The exhibition will be on view until June 4, 2023. Unseen Ties: The Visual Collection of Sherman Library & Gardens is presented in partnership with the Sherman Library & Gardens and is organized by guest curator Meg Linton and Director of the Sherman Library Jill Thrasher.

Opening on March 25 and on view through May 21, Laguna Art Museum will present Outlook/Insight: The LCAD Effect, a sampling of the artwork from the 2023 Master of Fine Art graduates from Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD). Outlook/Insight implies that mindful engagement with the outer visible world builds personal insights. These artists skillfully express, not only how things look, but also what they can make you feel. Both the rational and the poetic are made apparent to the viewer who takes time to observe and reflect. Outlook/Insight: The LCAD Effect is presented in partnership with the Laguna College of Art and Design.

For more information about Facing the Giant – Three Decades of Dissent: Shepard Fairey, Unseen Ties: The Visual Collection of Sherman Library & Gardens and Outlook/Insight: The LCAD Effect at Laguna Art Museum, visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Linda, March 16th Pet of the Week

March 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment

You might be thinking, “Why is Linda surrounded by pumpkins when it’s almost Easter?” Answer: to show that she’s been in the shelter at least since October—in fact, she entered in the middle of an August night when a couple of Long Beach Animal Care Services officers found her and another dog tied up at the main entrance gate! Linda’s been at the shelter for the better part of a year, and this is no fate for such an adorable, friendly girl. As you may have heard, our shelter is literally overflowing with dogs, and some of them may not make it out of there at all. So please, consider this girl! She deserves you! Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). You can email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process for adopting or fostering Linda. Ask for ID#A682262.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Filed Under: Pet Corner

GoodPop launches “dipped” dessert bars are a must-try!

March 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment
These are delicious!

Looking for delicious non-dairy ice cream dessert bars? GoodPop has you covered! These are so good that the samples I received did not last more than a week in my house!

 GoodPop®, the award-winning better-for-you frozen treat brand that exists to do good in the world, continues its mission to “clean up” classic frozen treats by launching its first line of fudgy oatmilk-based frozen dessert bars.

The four new treats—Fudge n’ Vanilla Crunch, Double Chocolate Fudge, Fudge n’ Caramel Crunch, and Mint n’ Fudge Chip—are either dipped in chocolate fudge or include fudge chips. Creamy and indulgent, these bars are just like the classic ice cream truck favorites but are non-dairy and gluten-free, Non-GMO Project Verified, 130 calories or less, and made with organic and fair trade ingredients.

It wasn’t easy to pick a favorite but if I have to select one it would be the Fudge n’ Vanilla Crunch! I will definitely be buying this the next time I go to the store!

GoodPop’s fudgy bar lineup includes: 

·  Fudge n’ Vanilla Crunch: Nothing “vanilla” about it, this creamy oatmilk bar is a classic combination with smooth, decadent vanilla filling dipped in an irresistible chocolate fudge shell. Topped with organic cacao nibs, this frozen treat delivers a satisfying (and allergen-friendly) crunch.

·  Double Chocolate Fudge: Silky, chocolate oatmilk filling gets dipped into a rich, fudgy chocolate shell for a dairy-free treat that’s nothing short of indulgent. And hint: serving size is two pops for double the goodness. 

·  Mint n’ Fudge Chip: This 80-calorie pop was “mint” to be! Sweet and minty,  made with organic peppermint leaves, this creamy mint oatmilk dessert bar has fair trade cocoa chips in every bite.

·  Fudge n’ Caramel Crunch: Take a beat and dive into the salty-sweet decadence of this chocolate and caramel oatmilk pop. Creamy salted caramel filling sweetened with fair trade molasses and organic cane sugar gets covered in a super fudgy coating, dotted with crunchy organic cacao nibs.

The bars come with four in a box and the suggested retail price is $5.99. They are available now at Sprouts Farmers Market, Publix Super Markets, and online at GoodPop.com. The bars will roll out in Whole Foods Market and other natural and conventional retailers across the country in the coming months. For a local store locator, click here.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week