Today, Alice + Olivia kicks off summer by hosting a surfside family picnic at the Malibu Lumber Yard, and neighbors Tory Burch and Intermix are chipping in on the festivities offering kid face-painting, balloon art and jewelry making.
To get the party started, Alice + Olivia is handing out complimentary lunch boxes, decorated by designer Stacey Bendet, and packed with healthful sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit and a beverage. Kids can design their own lunch pail, complete with shovel and sunglasses, then snack on Yogen Fruz frozen yogurt or decorate a Crumbs cupcake.
Of course, shopping is encouraged, with 10% of proceeds from Alice + Olivia and other participating stores benefiting the EB Medical Research Foundation ( www.ebkids.org), which funds research and treatment for the debilitating skin disease epidermolysis bullosa.
Shoppers will find Alice + Olivia beach-ready gear, including $154 shorts, $297 jumpsuits, $198 embellished T-shirts and a $330 puff-sleeved "poet" dress that can double as an apres-beach coverup. Little girls can try on a $330 froufrou party dress named after Bendet's daughter Eloise. Picnickers can pick up a $505 cashmere blanket for a fancy throw down.
Bendet says that after she saw "kids running around the courtyard" during the opening of the Malibu Lumber Yard, she surmised the open-air mall would make a great place for a picnic. "Picnics remind me of family time, and I want to share that," she adds.
3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. Noon to 5 p.m. (310) 775-8375. www.aliceandolivia .com
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SALES
Agent Provocateur Thursday through Aug. 2: The U.K. lingerie brand, known for its saucy styles, throws its annual summer sale in time for seasonal weddings. Popular looks on sale include a $150 "nude" stretch wet-look bodysuit (regular price $290) and bra and brief sets, including pink tulle ($110 bra, $80 thong), Swiss-embroidery ($70 bra, $40 brief, $50 garter belt) plus red and gray leopard-print silk ($130 bustier, $70 brief).
7961 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 653-0229. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Bloomingdale's at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (714) 824-4731. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
The Circle Today: The Silver Lake outlet has a weekend sample sale featuring beachwear. The majority of styles will be $60 or less. The sale features collections from Wren, Daftbird, Myne and Peonie Swimwear. Major credit cards accepted.
