Shop OC

Max Mara’s JBag, The New ‘It Bag’
07.26.13
Max Mara, the luxe Italian brand that predates Gucci and Prada as the first ready-to wear house in Italy has chosen a celebrity to be the face of an international campaign. The new JBag, named after Jennifer Garner, is now available at Max Mara at South Coast Plaza for Fall 2013 in calfskin in tobacco and black for $1390. Arriving soon will be multi-color and ostrich JBags.
It’s no surprise that Garner, a mother of three and talented hardworking actress was chosen to represent the line. "Jennifer Garner is a real woman, not a cover girl, not a starlet, and she has different interests, a family and values," Luigi Maramotti, Max Mara’s chairman said in WWD. "She is a real woman and embodies the Max Mara woman, she perfectly reflects our image."
The JBag is an ideal bag for multi-faceted women, as Jennifer Garner said in a Max Mara press release, "I like the size of the JBag. I like that it's big enough to carry anything you want to stuff in there, but it's small enough that you won't lose your keys!"
We love the JBag for its sophisticated design, handcrafted details and its understated glamour for day and night.
Open 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.
Level 1, outside of Macy’s, MaxMara South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. 714.754.7900
Fashion

Beach Bag Essentials
07.25.13
Are you beach ready? I don't know about you, but each summer I arm myself with the essentials to make every summer day the best it can be. Whether your escape is to the beach, a lake or your local pool, a well-stocked tote is crucial. Keep these items in your bag all season long and you’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
First, you’ll need a roomy carry-all bag. Because you soon will fill your tote with all your surfside must-haves, look for one with interior pockets and sturdy straps. Canvas and mesh bags abound in department stores this time of year, or you can never go wrong with a classic straw tote. Invest in a quality bag now and you’ll take it to the beach for years to come.
Next, assemble the perfect poolside ensemble. The only attire you really need (aside from your swimsuit, of course) is a fabulous hat, a comfortable cover-up and a sensible yet chic pair of shoes. Although ball caps and fedoras provide adequate protection from harmful rays, a colorful floppy hat adds a touch of timeless elegance. Pair it with a fun romper to achieve that breezy summer style. And to protect your tootsies from the heat of the pavement or sand, complete your look with a pair of strappy sandals.
Then gather your protective gear. When frolicking in the summer sun, it is important that you make applying sunscreen a priority. According to the American Melanoma Foundation, you should apply sunscreen before going outside and reapply about every two hours. In case you do get burned, be sure to keep some aloe vera close by. Hint: Store aloe gel in the refrigerator for an especially cooling effect.
Finally, toss in your miscellanea. A big, fun beach towel is a staple in any well-packed summer bag, perfect for lounging in the sand or drying off after a swim. To stay hydrated and fend off hunger, bring your water bottle and snacks like dried fruits, granola bars and nuts. And what woman braves the beach without quality summer reading?
Leslie Christen writes "Wear to Where" for pacific-creative.digital each week. She is the owner of Leslie Christen | LifeStyling a business that does personal shopping, fashion styling, closet edits and organization. For tips on What to Wear and Where to Buy view her website at LeslieChristen.com and contact her at Style@LeslieChristen.com.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 06.10.25 – Catalina Museum for Art & History Presents Work by Sonia Romero
- 06.09.25 – Ninth Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival to Celebrate Stories of the Sea
- 06.09.25 – Anaheim Hills Festival to Host Bubble Poppin’ Fun Event June 14
- 06.08.25 – Topside Roof Deck Launches Sunday Brunch Club
- 06.08.25 – RJB Restaurant Group Expands Parlor and Olea Footprints
- 06.08.25 – Father’s Day Weekend at The Ranch: Steak, Lobster, Bourbon
- 06.03.25 – VEA Newport Beach Partners with Orlebar Brown for Stylish June Pop-Up
- 06.02.25 – Coming Soon: Miami City Ballet’s Swan Lake June 20–22 at Segerstrom Hall
- 06.02.25 – Open Studios at Cannery Artist Collective This Weekend
- 06.01.25 – Celebrate Juneteenth at Musco Center
- 05.30.25 – Newport Beach TV Fest Awards ‘Landman’ Outstanding Drama
- 05.25.25 – Beckman Arts and Science Family Festival Returns to Segerstrom Center
- 05.25.25 – Woody’s Wharf Marks 60 Years with Music and Giving
- 05.24.25 – Chef-Driven Farmhouse Opens at Descanso Gardens
- 05.24.25 – Georgia’s Introduces New Weekday Lunch Specials
- 05.21.25 – CasaDamí Introduces Weekend Brunch and Golden Hour in Newport Beach
- 05.20.25 – HomeAid OCLA Hosts Annual Diaper Drive May 30 at The District at Tustin Legacy
- 05.20.25 – Sammy Hagar Day Hits Cabo Wabo Beach Club in Huntington Beach
- 05.14.25 – Summer Starts May 17 at Wild Rivers With New Mermaid Cove
- 05.14.25 – Adam Brody, Kate Hudson, Jason Segel, and Sam Rockwell to Be Honored at Inaugural Newport Beach TV Fest
More Daily Doses
- 06.10.25 – RELISH Food, Wine and Spirits Experience Debuts in Newport Beach June 27-29
- 06.09.25 – E-Commerce Favorite Dressin Launches First OC Store
- 06.03.25 – Hilbert Museum and Pageant of the Masters Partner for 2025 Celebration of California Art
- 06.02.25 – Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO in Laguna Hills – Free Kids Tickets This Week
- 05.26.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi to Debut Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar This Summer
- 05.25.25 – Lido House Launches ‘La Dolce Vita’ – A Taste of Europe in Newport Beach
- 05.21.25 – A Catalina Day Trip: Ocean Views, Island History, and Memorable Stops
- 05.20.25 – Pendry Newport Beach Kicks Off Summer with New Experiences
- 05.15.25 – Cinq à Sept Opens First California Boutique at Fashion Island
- 05.14.25 – Meet Atome Bakery: Sourdough Without the Stress
- 05.14.25 – Newport Beach TV Fest Launches June 5-8, 2025
- 05.11.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 05.09.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Strawberry Café in Newport Beach
- 05.08.25 – Mom-Worthy Dining in Orange County
- 05.05.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style Across Orange County
- 04.29.25 – Mother’s Day Dining and Experiences in Orange County
- 04.24.25 – Monaco Italian Kitchen Brings Neapolitan Pizzas and Housemade Pastas to Irvine
- 04.23.25 – South Coast Plaza Celebrates 35 Years of Southern California’s Premier Garden Show
- 04.20.25 – The District at Tustin Legacy Hosts Earth Day Celebration
- 04.17.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Dana Point