Life gets real sometimes and it doesn’t feel good. My mom came back to me once when I was feeling down and said “but your Instagram looks like you’re always having fun…” My response: “Mom, that’s the point of Instagram.” One of the struggles I faced after Kingsley (among many others after pregnancy) was weight ….and feeling like I’d never ever loose it. So yes… I’m 4 weeks out of giving birth to a beautiful boy… My body has done an amazing thing… But it is by no means photoshoot ready. So I purchased some great new dresses I refer to as “bags” …and I’m humbling posting this photo to say… Don’t worry …It won’t last long!!! Second baby and I can confidently post this for all new mothers feeling down. By 8 months later with Kingsley …I was back in a (high-rise) bikini and on the beaches of Ibiza. So post your mom pics without shame. None of us have photoshop in real life. I’m proud of my body and what it can do.

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Belong

missing music… i used to spend hours and hours discovering new songs. two kids and that extra time just disappeared. …

In the early 1900’s, a man by the name of Abbot Kinney dreamed up a grand dream for a plot of swamp land just off Los Angeles’ Pacific Coast. His dream was to transform the land in to a whimsical world of fun and entertainment right by the Pacific Ocean. He would call it “Venice of America” inspired by Venice, Italy.

It was in 1905, Arthur L. Reese came to Venice from New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Reese was an inventor, designer and businessman who built all sorts of businesses for the the city of Venice. His primary job was to decorate the city and design all sorts of masks, floats, gondolas, and color for the town. People called Mr. Reese “The Wizard”.

Arthur was a passionate man who built a friendly business relationship with Abbot Kinney during this time. With his passion brought success, as Mr. Reese became head of the first African-American family to live and work in Venice, California.

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“I’m excited for the bright future of dining in LA and we talk about it everyday at the restaurant. Our beautiful Golden State has an allure like no other, something almost magical. The future of dining in LA lies in the inspired mind of the youth. As chefs and entrepreneurs, we have a responsibly to run a good business and plant seeds to grow a beautiful tomorrow. We like to think we’re making our own small steps toward that with  LEONA” – Nyesha Arrington