The first house that Bozoma Saint John bought in Los Angeles was a condominium in Marina del Rey.
“It was the first time that I bought anything on my own, and it was a great boost to my trust,” said the businessman, marketing executive and star of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” “It has been an interesting place for me from the real estate point of view.”
On Sunday Funday, the people of Los Angeles give us a play per game of their ideal Sunday in the city. Find ideas and inspiration about where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on weekends.
Saint John called Los Angeles home for 11 years, having moved from New York City after her husband died in 2013. “She felt her as a new and exciting shelter,” he said. “It is where I have found myself in a second act.”
This month, San Juan was one of the tens of thousands of people who lost their homes in the devastating Palisades fire. When we register with her after destruction, she said: “My God, I feel that I am in purgatory.”
Santa John acknowledged that he has the privilege of having a second home, but the loss remains extremely significant for her, since this house in Malibu was one of those that had “prayed.”
“I struggled for every centimeter of that property: from the process of obtaining it, which is its own terrible story, up to 25 years of work so that I could pay it,” he said. “Nothing that I possess has given me. In addition to that, I was intentional with the house in how I renew it and I decorated it so that it was not only mine, but really for my people. “
Usually, in the column of Sunday Funday, the notable people in Los Angeles share a play per game of their ideal day in the city. But this week, following the fires, we had a conversation with Saint John about his recent reflections on Los Angeles and the meaning of “home.” In the form of Sunday Funday, we also talked about their favorite places in the city. Because, as she says, “that's too house.”
This interview has been slightly edited by length and clarity.
How was it moving from New York to Los Angeles?
Los Angeles felt at home immediately. Maybe it was because of my mentality that I had here. I am not ashamed to say that I was fleeing something. I think people often say you shouldn't run away from something to go to something. And I say: “Why don't the hell?” As, yes, I escaped and found the angels, and said: “I'm going to do this home.”
What made you want to establish yourself in Malibu? How was it a black? female homeOwner in Malibu?
I wanted to be in Malibu because I love water. And Malibu feels that he is a world of distance, although he is close enough to escape and have a sanctuary without having to reserve a flight or drive three hours. Somewhere where I didn't have to pack a bag.
And it was very, very, very difficult to get it. First, I think we all know that inventory is not [vast]Especially if you want to live on the west side of the Pacific coast highway. The second thing is that there is not much diversity when it comes to houses in that particular strip. I had faced situations in which I put an offer above asking and rejected me, so I knew I probably had to find another way of being accepted. I had to put the offer in a trust inside a trust to buy that house, so it was not [obvious that it was] I, and that's how I got it.
I know it's early, but what do you plan to do? Do you expect to rebuild or establish yourself elsewhere?
Man, I don't even know. All those questions are in my head right now. There is a part of me that is a fighter. I am someone who does not take for an answer, and it seems that someone was trying to tell me no. It's like, “well, I will fuck you.” And then there is the practical side of me, which is like: “Girl, you don't want to go through this.” But where is it sure? Where can I go to where there will be a guarantee that nothing happens? And that is the kind of life I want to live? I do not want to make decisions based on my fear that something tragic happens, so my instinctive feeling is that I will rebuild.
What do you like the most and less to live in Los Angeles?
I'm going to sound [like such a] Coloradan and New Yorker, but I love the weather. You cannot overcome the climate in the whole year, I don't have to worry about using a coat too often. I can wear open shoes whenever you want. I can't overcome that. It is so fantastic.
What do I love less? Traffic. That is why I always try to triangular where I live, work and where my daughter goes to school, so I don't have to get involved in too much traffic.
So, living in Malibu and being a girl who doesn't like cold, did you ever get into the water?
Let me tell you something: no, no [laughs]. I will enter to my calves. But that is the beauty of living in Malibu, your house is your home. As, I don't have to use the water because there is no expiration date. When you visit a place, because you are there for a short period of time, you feel like: “Oh, I have to jump because if I do not, I will never have another opportunity to do it.” But before this, he always said: “Ah, next time I will enter.”
If you had a perfect Sunday of Los Angeles, What would you do where would you go?
I would probably start going to Repairs Club. I love all kinds of books, but at this time historical fiction based on women's stories. The last book I read was “The Memoirs of Cleopatra” by Margaret George. It's like 700 pages. And I love it because I think everyone has an opinion about who Cleopatra was, and this makes him a little on his head. You really see the woman, the mother, the warrior.
So I would probably like to eat something [at the restaurant] Issa Rae alone [opened], Somerville. It's Sunday, so I'm drinking immediately. I like the bubbling of Issa, who feels like a good drink on Sunday. And then I would probably want to hit the All Chill Hip Hop Ice Cream Shop For dessert. I am a vanilla ice cream girl. Maybe you can throw some chocolate sauce there, maybe some nuts, but only two tablespoons of vanilla are good for me.
And then maybe a wine place like 1010 wine. And then, after all this, I would probably like to take a nap. I'm using what I used [out] And I'm sleeping on the couch. There is no blanket [laughs]. You can't take a nap with the blanket because otherwise you know you are going to sleep.
Then, he would definitely reach the gym: Fuerte fieta of the house; I shout at the owner of the gym, Jerry Housey. It is amazing. And because it is Sunday, it is probably a cardio day. So I'll run on the running tape. Actually, I will probably run away from my house, but it's not far away, so they can't impress you.
And it would probably end in a spa like Elle Marie Spa With a facial or something to cheer up my face. I don't want leather layers or anything like that. I want one that massages, something that feels soft and relaxing that can take me to the night just after this full day where I have worked.
After that, I'm going home and I will prepare for Monday. I am grateful to be in a position where almost everything in my calendar I chose to be there. So I like to see what is coming, what I need to prepare. Maybe hitting people on Sunday like: “Hey, I'm very excited to gather with you this week.” That always feels good. I like to put good energy in meetings. When people feel they are looking forward to seeing them, the meeting ends up being better. Maybe they were feeling the Sunday Scaries, but now they don't feel it.
