words by: Carly Kuhn
images by: Monroe Alvarez

Jaclyn Johnson is a very impressive young woman. She's created a successful company Create & Cultivate, been named on The Forbes 30 under 30 for marketing and advertising, and honored as a Woman of Note by The Wall Street Journal. But above all, her company is an inspiring platform for women around the country to gather and learn from one another. See and read below to learn more about Jaclyn and her beautiful office on the east side of Los Angeles. 

  
How would you describe your design style in three words? 
Busy, colorful and eclectic.

What’s a song you’re listening to on repeat right now?
My friend and I had a wine party the other night, and she put on Lil Wayne "A Milli" and I can't stop listening to it. 

Where do you go to get inspired?  
I'm a huge fan of hiking and being out in nature- getting to shut down for an hour, putting my headphones and zoning out. It's such a luxury to have that time. 

What’s your neighborhood go-to food spot? 
Our go-to spot is L&E Oyster Bar. I also really love Bar Covell for a good glass of wine. 

What’s a new Instagram and/or Snapchat you recently started to follow? 
I recently started following @compartes. It's such a colorful and fun account. I know Jonathan the owner- and found he graphic designs all his labels. 

What’s your spirit animal? 
A unicorn. 

If you could live during any historical time period in history, when would it be? 
I have to say now, it’s such an inspiring time for women to live, work and pursue their dreams both personally and professionally. I feel so lucky to have had the path paved for us. 

If you could have dinner with any person living or dead who would it be?
Joan Rivers, Michelle Obama and Ryan Gosling, cause. 

What’s a skill or talent you wish you had? 
I wish I could sing. There are things you just can’t teach. 

If you could go on a month long vacation, where and with whom would you go?  
My fiance since I  we rarely get to see each other with my crazy schedule and Corsica, I hear it's beautiful. Maybe our honeymoon? Fingers crossed.   

When was  a moment you last felt was “delightfully unexpected”?  
I got this card yesterday, it's from an attendee who bought a ticket (for Create & Cultivate). It was so sweet, cute and thoughtful. It's funny when you start a business that people respond to so viscerally- it's such an overwhelming and exciting feeling. 

Lastly, draw a self-portrait in 45 seconds- don't overthink it- just go! 
See below for Jaclyn's self portrait and Carly's of Jaclyn (full disclosure- Jaclyn was an early interview and I only gave her 30 seconds!). 

 

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"Gucci Lips" by The Cartorialist 
Moroccan Throw Blanket (similar)
Leather desk chairs 
Leather butterfly chair
White wicker chair 
White desk 
Console

words by: carly kuhn
images by: roger ellsworth

I am lucky enough to call Ashleigh & Trey Lockerbie my friends. These artists - aka "Sometimes We Sing Together"-  are the epitome of a creatively cool and beautiful couple. Ashleigh spent the better part of five years backing up singers like Rihanna and Selena Gomez, while Trey wrote and performed with artists such as Lenka, Josh Kelley and Lady Antebellum. After some time on the road, they now reside in LA full time, where they run a delicious Kombucha line called Better Booch.  But, music still runs through their veins. As their band name describes: "Sometimes We Sing Together". Soon, they will be releasing their album "Archetypes". To hold us over until then, I wanted to share their first single "Long Long Time"- accompanied by an adorable self made video of the couple. The song and music film perfectly captures the essence of summer and holiday romance. Enjoy below! 

words by: Carly Kuhn
images by: Monroe Alvarez

I have now lived in California for 7 years. As each year passes, I find myself purging items from my closet constantly- with the goal of narrowing it down to one strong Basics collection with a few special items here and there.  The search for the perfect white T, comfortable long sleeve top, distressed jeans- you know, the everyday essentials- continued to live on. Fortunately, my search was salvaged when I was introduced to NSF clothing this summer. Nick Friedberg and Jamie Haller are the creative brains behind the brand. I got to visit them at their office loft in downtown LA. The space was every bit cool, casual and comfortable, just like every piece from their clothing line. See below to learn more about Nick and Jamie and their inspiring work space.  
  
How would you describe your design style in three words?  
Jamie: Personal style - Sloppy, sexy and messy. Home- ecclectic, vintage and mix. 

Nick: Home style- industrial, ethnic, modern.

What’s a song you’re listening to on repeat right now?
Jamie: Not sure of a song on repeat, I listen to NPR and me and my kids sing "Do Your Ears Hang Low?"..so I guess that's the one on repeat (laughs). 

Nick: "One Dance" by Drake.

Where do you go to get inspired?  
Jamie: For clothing design, I get inspired by the "hunt"- discovering something I found that's cool from an unexpected place - like if I go to an amazing vintage store, estate sale, flea market. A lot of that has to do with getting lost, having the down time to explore. It happens when you don't plan for it to happen.

Nick: I'm an observant person, so everywhere I go is constant inspiration. I can even go back to the same place again and again and be inspired by something different each time.  

What’s your neighborhood go-to food spot?
Jamie: I have a little Cuban restaurant by my house if I don't feel like cooking. 

Nick: Mine is definitely eating at the bar at Republique. 

What’s a new Instagram and/or Snapchat you recently started to follow? 
Jamie: @personalpractice. 

Nick: I'm not on any social media. (laughs) 

Jamie: That's what makes Nick so cool.

Nick: I don't know if it's cool, it's just generational for me I think. Not saying it in a bad way, it's an amazing tool. It's becoming a driving force for business accounts- you can reach the entire world with it. 

What’s your spirit animal?  
Jamie: I think a cat. 

Nick: I think somewhere in the vein of a panther, tiger, or lion. 

If you could live during any historical time period in history, when would it be? 
Jamie: Right now. I love vintage clothing from many eras,  but because I am a woman, I can’t realistically think that there is a better time than now to be alive. Self expression, freedom to be and do what I want, and the ability to have a strong individual and professional voice are all really important to me.

Nick: 70’s, I'm obsessed with muscle cars. Although I don’t see myself rocking bell bottoms, I can grow a mean mustache and I love the Ringer, Varsity Tees. Im also intrigued by what I imagine the Free Living spirit would be like.

If you could have dinner with any person living or dead who would it be?
Jamie: My three best friends Anna, Leslie and Abby. We never get to do this all together anymore. Life gets so busy and we have all gone in different life directions so that would be my top top wish list of all time.

Nick: James Dean, Amy Winehouse, Phil Knight. James Dean was the coolest dude ever and didn’t even have to try. Amy Winehouse I was such a huge fan the minute I heard her voice and think she was one of the most unique, tragic artists of all time. Phil Knight just to learn anything I can on how the Founder of one of the biggest Unicorn companies thinks about business strategically.

What’s a skill or talent you wish you had?  
Jamie: Singing. Who doesn’t want to be a famous singer. 

Nick: I wish I could play guitar.

If you could go on a month long vacation, where and with whom would you go?  
Jamie: My husband. I wish we had the ability to travel the way we did when we were younger and pre-kid.  Maybe in a few years we will get there with kid in tow.,

Nick: My family. The Mediterranean

When was  a moment you last felt was “delightfully unexpected”?  
Jamie: I got a flat tire this morning - sorry, this is boring answer (laughs)- and my husband brought it in to get it switched. When I went to pick up the car and was ready to pay, they responded "It's free- we repair tires for free, tell your friends!". I was like "Wow!"- It made me so happy. 

Nick: I always try to teach my kids to be independent. So when we go to the farmer's markets- I'll give them the money. And this weekend we were at the farmer's market, and my boys went to get a bunch of peaches- ready to pay- but the woman gave them the peaches for free and they came back so excited with huge smiles on their faces. 

Lastly, draw a self-portrait in 45 seconds- don't overthink it- just go! 
See below for Jamie & Nick's individual self portraits along with Carly's of the two.

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"Edie Green Eyes" by The Cartorialist

NSF Clothing

Leather Chairs (similar)

Industrial coffee table (similar)

Love seat sofa (similar)

Floor pillows (similar)

words by: Carly Kuhn
images by: Monroe Alvarez

To some, starting a business with your siblings may seem like a nightmare. To me, that seems like a dream. Jenn (middle below), Kristie (left) and Ashley Streicher (right) are living that dream. The three sisters, Jenn- makeup artist, Ashley -hair stylist and Kristie - eyebrow guru-  decided after years of building their brands individually- to merge their sisterly forces and open the Beverly Hills beauty studio Striiike. Take a gander below to learn more about the girls and why I want to petition to be their fourth sister.

How would you describe your design style in three words?

Kristie: Personality, fun and clean.

Jenn: Modern, clean classic and playful.

Ashley: My style in general- effortless, clean and modern (laughs) she stole mine!

Kristie: And Stiiike’s style – light, bright, welcoming, clean, modern but also warm…natural, effortless, fun…kind of all of our styles combined. 

What’s a song you’re listening to on repeat right now?

K:  Tilted- Christine and the Queens 

J: I’ve been listening to a lot of Kurt Vile recently. 

A: The new Santigold album. 

K: I’m surprised no one has said Justin Bieber…

Where do you go to to get inspired?

K: The woods, the forest.

J: I like to travel a lot, outside the United States. But I love to go to Northern California, wine country. Even walking around the streets in San Francisco.

A: Museums, or watch Netflix..really into the “Africa” series. The nature depicted in the film is insane. David Attenborough narrates it and the detailed up close shots they were able to get are incredible.

What’s your neighborhood go-to food spot?

K:  I love Go Greek- just went there- love the Dodoni with extra spicy peppers. 

J: I could eat Mexican food every day- El Compadre has amazing margaritas. 

A: We all love Mexican food. Escuela Taqueria is great too. 

J: We live in Laurel Canyon- Pace is a go-to spot- it’s on our way home from work- we love to sit at the bar. I just love cheese and wine. 

What’s a new Instagram and/or Snapchat you recently started to follow?

K: @jr  is my current favorite. The artist’s true identity is actually a mystery, but this dude hangs out of helicopters, dangles off cranes while transforming public locations into challenging and interesting pieces of art.  His art is sometimes serious with a the sense of fun, and the "behind the scenes” making of it is nearly just as inspiring.

J: I just started following @MunichandtheMountains. They document the most beautiful images of nature- lakes, mountains. 

A: I love the beautiful food grams of @ful.filled. I also LOVE all the great hair inspo of @losthairdressers. 

What’s your spirit animal?

K: A cheetah…running.

J:  Mountain lion. Californian mountain lion.

A: A moth…just kidding. I don’t really subscribe to one.

J: Maybe you’re a cat.

A: I guess I’m like a cat…first seem a little bitchy, but then they’re soooo nice (laughs). 

If you could live during any historical time period in history, when would it be?

K:  Live as an adult during the 70’s-  everyone was so eclectic and free…free love.

J:  It’s hard for me to choose, I love History. The 1800’s - but you’d want to be in with the royals or else you’d be living a really hard life…Also, Paris at the turn of the century.

A: I’m going to the say the Future man..(laughs)….honestly, I don’t think I’d want to go back….maybe as Marie Antoinette! But, only Kristen Dunst playing Marie Antoinette. (laughs)

If you could have dinner with any person living or dead who would it be?

K: Justin Bieber, I just want to know what happened between him and Selena.  

J: Queen Elizabeth the First.

A: The Beatles (all of them together).

What’s a skill or talent you wish you had?  

K: The ability to speak every language. Can you imagine how amazing traveling abroad would be!?!

J: The ability of good conversation.  Especially with strangers.

A: I wish that I was organized slash able to keeps things in order. 

If you could go on a month long vacation, where would you go?  

K:  New Zealand and Iceland.

J: Paris.  Paris is always a good idea.

A: I'd go to Vietnam. I've never been and am really into the culture and food. I feel like I'd love to be immersed there for a good month!   

When was a moment you last felt was “delightfully unexpected”?  

A: That we all went away this past weekend and all got along. (laughs)

J: I’d have to say, something having to do with my son (Arrow). My husband sent me a song he did with Arrow, who’s 3, and they sang “Blackbird” by The Beatles.  I think having a child in general... there are a lot of delightfully unexpected moments.  

K: The moment I walked into my house (after traveling for 24 hours) to a fortieth surprise birthday party!!  I had been away on holiday for two weeks and really missed my sisters, co-workers and friends and there they were, at my house to greet me with a cold and delicious glass of rosé to wish me a happy birthday! 

Lastly, draw a self-portrait in 45 seconds, quick- don't over think it! 

See below for the girls' self portraits and Carly's portrait of the sisters as well!

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"THE FACE" Print  by The Cartorialist