I HEART COSTA MESA | Samantha Chagollan

Fine Art, In Stride: ArtSteps Costa Mesa

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Feb 10, 2020 | Art, Articles, Learn

Hilary Key has always seen the world through an artistic lens. “My whole life, I drew. I got to take a few art lessons here and there,” she explains. “I remember in junior high, I suffered from some really low self-esteem. I hung onto that thought, knowing, ‘I can draw.’” Hilary believes lots of kids need to draw. “It fills something that won’t be filled any other way,” she says. “So I deeply understand what they are connecting to, when they sketch.” Hilary is the director and owner of ArtSteps, an art studio here in Costa Mesa…

Karen Ellis: Costa Mesa’s Pilates Nerd

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Jan 17, 2020 | Articles, Style, Sweat

Karen Ellis knows a lot about Pilates, but she pushes to keep learning more. In fact, she loves it so much you could call her a Pilates nerd. Karen has owned Prana Pilates on East 17th Street for almost 18 years. But her infatuation with Pilates started long before, when she was a dancer captivated by the strength and stability the practice brought her. “The first time I did Pilates, I really fell in love with it,” Karen says. “It was like, ‘where have you been all my life?’” Karen has a musical laugh, and a warm smile that instantly puts you at ease…

Magic Touch: Skin Transformation by Vanessa

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Dec 28, 2019 | Articles, Care, Hire

Which is maybe how Vanessa came to open her own business in Costa Mesa. Living on the Westside, she was inspired by all the innovation happening around her. So, about a year ago, she decided it was time to jump into the ring. Vanessa studied cosmetic chemistry at UCLA, and has more than 15 years of experience as an aesthetician. Having worked previously as certified master educator for a skin product line, she has taught, and worked, her way through five-star spas around the world…

Take The Heat: Perspire Sauna Studio

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Dec 12, 2019 | Articles, Sweat

Surely you’ve heard that saying, “don’t sweat the small stuff.” But what if…you did sweat out the big stuff? Like toxins and stress, for example. As a fan of hot yoga, I’m no stranger to sweat. And I had heard of the benefits of infrared saunas before. But it sounded like something extra fancy that I’d have to go to Beverly Hills to try. Turns out you can turn up the infrared heat right here in town, at Perspire Sauna Studio. While they have grown to offer locations throughout the country, Perspire’s flagship location is right on the corner of 17th and Irvine in Eastside Costa Mesa…

Urbanism: Fully Furnished

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Nov 27, 2019 | Articles, Style

Hands up if you’ve been by the Quonset huts off of 17th, behind Trader Joe’s? While there, you may have caught a glimpse of Urbanism Furniture: a giant warehouse, neighboring the huts, and full of unique, beautiful furniture. The motto at Urbanism is “short hours, sweet prices” and it’s worked well for them – going on 25 years, now…

in stitches: sarahjane goods

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Nov 21, 2019 | Articles, Design, Style

Sarah Jane Goodman loves to learn. So much so, in fact, she taught herself to chain stitch on a 90-year-old sewing machine. Her passion for this lost art began way back when… at the Happiest Place On Earth. Sarah remembers going to Disneyland’s The Mad Hatter hat shop as a kid, watching them embroider her name on a pair of customized, Mickey Mouse ears. She thought it was just about the best thing she’d ever seen…

Outside Is In: Molly Wood Garden Design

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Sep 19, 2019 | Articles, Design, Hire

Molly Wood wants you to step outside. “The fresh air, the breeze — this moment is all we have!” she says, with a twinkle in her eye that reflects a true love for the greenery surrounding her. I’ve poked my head into Molly Wood Garden Design before. It’s hard to resist the cute, little, garden shop, just off Orange Avenue, that’s home to its namesake landscape designer and shopkeeper. Everywhere I look there’s something beautiful or interesting…

Up To Scratch: Ciao! Deli and Pizzeria

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Aug 24, 2019 | Articles, Eat

Ciao! Deli and Pizzeria feels like a neighborhood joint. Because it is! And as I came to find out, we’re really lucky it’s in our neighborhood. Owners Carmina and Ray Casso want you to feel right at home, and from the minute you walk in the door, you feel welcomed. Today, Ray is manning the front counter and he greets me with a cheerful hello. He introduces himself, and invites me to check out the menu. There’s some groovy blues playing, and I notice the tap behind the counter with cold IPA just waiting to be poured…

Toggle The Mind: Behind The Lids Collective

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Aug 16, 2019 | Articles, Learn, Play

“Have you ever tried breathing?” asks Frankie Salazar, co-founder of Behind The Lids, a new meditation studio and healing collective in the heart of Costa Mesa. Sounds like a silly question, right? Breathing is something we do without having to think about it. Every day, all the time, even when we’re sleeping. But what Frankie is talking about is something different. When you’re stressed, when you’re feeling anxious, when you’re overwhelmed—have you ever tried breathing to help you get through it?

Clean Plate Club: Nourish Ayurveda Cafe

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Jul 27, 2019 | Articles, Eat

Simple, wholesome, nourishing food is all that’s on the menu here at Nourish. The menu changes every day, depending on what produce looks good and fresh to the chef, Prakash Jagadappa. They try to choose local, organic and biodynamic ingredients whenever possible, and every dish is made with thought and intention. That’s the Ayurvedic way…

New ArtWalk On The Block

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Jul 15, 2019 | Art, Articles, Play

The City of the Arts has a new monthly gig that lives up to its name. The Costa Mesa ArtWalk is now a free monthly event, held on the lawn in front of the library. If you thought we already had a free art walk, you would be right—it’s a self-guided tour through the city featuring the most notable sculptures in town. This ArtWalk, however, is different…

Prism Boutique: Free-Spirit Fashion

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Jun 23, 2019 | Articles, Style

Have you been shopping at The LAB lately? I stopped by recently to see what’s new at the iconic Anti-Mall, and found a sweet surprise: Prism Boutique. Just like its namesake, Prism Boutique at The LAB captures all of the light and separates it into a gorgeous array of colorful goodness. Each display shows off a carefully curated story of unique and delightful items—from chic clothing and funky shoes to quirky stationery and jars of delectable bath and body products. It feels more like you’re in your cool, free-spirited and fashionable best friend’s closet. And that’s by design.

A Brush With Beer

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Jun 9, 2019 | Art, Articles, Drink

Chris Kent is a unique kind of a guy—he can tell you all about the perspective and symmetry of a piece of art while also educating you on the “hoppiness” and mouthfeel of your favorite craft beer. All with said beer in hand. (Now that’s talent.) Chris is the “Head Dude” at Craft & Arts, an arty, hop-filled experience that he likes to describe as, “not your average paint night.”

Volcom: Not So Fast, Fashion.

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | May 28, 2019 | Articles, Learn, Style

Do you know how your clothes are made? Or where? And here’s a better question… why should you care? I keep hearing about “fast fashion” – and maybe you have, too. In a nutshell, it’s kind of like fast food – quick, cheap, and makes your mouth water – but choosing it has lasting implications that leave you a bit queasy…

Molly’s Music: Born To Sing

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | May 20, 2019 | Articles, Learn, Play

The last time I sang vocal scales, it was the mid-90s and I was likely wearing Doc Martens and a plaid flannel. It’s not the quite the same as scream-singing Alanis Morissette in your Nissan Pulsar as you cruise down Harbor Boulevard. Vocal scales are straight-up scary. But I’m surprisingly non-terrified as I find myself standing in a vocal studio on a breezy spring afternoon, dutifully sliding up and down scales, across the piano from local music maven, Molly Webb.

Clay + Community: Costa Mesa Ceramics

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Apr 17, 2019 | Art, Articles, Play

Can working with clay lighten your load? Yes, says a recent study profiled in Psychology Today. Researchers found that people who worked with clay were less depressed, and they discovered an improvement in their overall sense of well-being. They also have marked improvements in motivation, mood, and decision-making. Where can you get some of this mood-boosting clay time, locally? Right over on the Westside, at Costa Mesa Ceramics…

Melissa Brown: Big Picture

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Mar 26, 2019 | Art, Articles

It’s a gorgeous Saturday afternoon to be taking pictures. And that’s exactly what Melissa Brown is doing. She’s shooting product shots for her friend and client, Andrea of Luna Reece Ceramics. We’re in Andrea’s Eastside backyard, with a backdrop pinned up against the fence and a collection of colorful ceramic pots around us. I wasn’t planning to participate in this photo shoot, I just wanted to see Melissa in action…

Winsome Wire: Laurane Elisabeth Designs

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Feb 18, 2019 | Articles, Style

…you can’t blame me if I’ve garnered a new(ish) obsession: gorgeous earrings. I’ve refined my taste over time, and while I love some big, bold designs, I can also appreciate a simple hoop. Recently, I discovered Laurane Elisabeth earrings, and I’m obsessed all over again! Clean, simple lines, high-quality, and made-by-hand right here in Costa Mesa. I think I’m in love…

Banding Together: Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Michoacana

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Dec 27, 2018 | Articles, Learn

As I pull into the parking lot, I can already hear the music. A cacophony of trumpets, violins and guitars greet me as I walk up to the small strip mall space on the Westside of Costa Mesa. Araceli Ceja, the founder of Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Michoacana, greets me with a huge smile. “Welcome, thank you for coming!” she says, and ushers me into a little room just outside where the kids are already playing…

Coming Home To Brew

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Nov 27, 2018 | Articles, Drink

The first time I walked into Windsor Homebrew Supply Co., I didn’t know the difference between a hop and a hopper. I mean, I love a tasty craft beer as much as the next Costa Mesan, but I had no idea how it was made. My husband, however, had recently taken an interest in brewing at home. He had been talking about it forever, and I wanted to give him a gift that showed I’d been listening. A friend told me about the greatest little homebrew shop right here in Costa Mesa, just off Randolph Street. “The owner is so friendly,” she said. Sure enough, I stepped into Windsor and my lack of hoppy knowledge was all but forgotten…

Sunday Funday: Westside Market

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Nov 10, 2018 | Art, Articles, Play, Style

Sunday is for all kinds of things. Some of us like to relax and chill, either on the couch with Netflix or football or by heading outside to the beach or the park. Some of us like to get stuff done on a Sunday: check tasks off the to-do list and get a head start on the week ahead. But did you know there’s a place right here in Costa Mesa, where on the second Sunday of every month, you can relax and chill AND do something productive too? It’s just around the corner, on the Westside…

Natural Beauty: Eclectic Ox Designs

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Oct 16, 2018 | Art, Articles, Design

In theory, I love all my neighbors. Don’t you? But that doesn’t mean I know them very well. I always wave and smile, but we don’t have in-depth conversations or spend a lot of time together. But there’s one exception in my neighborhood. And I met her about 100 miles away from here, even though she lives just down the street. That’s Molly Croteau: maker, designer, naturalist, wife and mom, and… my neighbor.

Sowing the SEED of Love

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Oct 8, 2018 | Articles, Style

The party is tonight. And you STILL don’t have a cool gift. Or even a card. You’ve got nothing. What do you do? Don’t panic. I know just the place. SEED Peoples Market. No question, every time, I can find something for anyone on my list. And probably discover a couple of things I can’t live without, too…

Clay For Keeps

Posted by Samantha Chagollan | Sep 10, 2018 | Art, Articles

Walking up to the Eastside garage studio, I feel a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. It’s been awhile since I was around this much clay, and the fine gray dust that sits daintily on top of everything reminds me how much I love ceramics. I’m also fangirling a bit over meeting Andrea Luna Reece, the artist behind Luna Reece ceramics. I first saw her work at the Patchwork Show in Santa Ana, and I’ve been an avid follower of her Instagram feed ever since. She welcomes me warmly, dusts off a stool and invites me in for a chat…

Author: Samantha Chagollan