Living in LA, the use of a long-lasting, protective sunscreen is paramount—but with all the SPFs on the market finding the right one seemed impossible, until Dermalogica introduced the reformulated Solar Defense Booster SPF 50 ($48). The skincare brand, which operates its sole West Coast flagship in Santa Monica, uses the latest Oleosome technology to ensure the best and gentlest sun protection in one of its most popular formulas. 

Made for even the most sensitive skin, Dermalogica’s Solar Defense Booster SPF 50’s Oleosome molecules boost its active sunscreen ingredients, allowing for fewer chemicals on the skin and maximum time-released sun-protection. The sunscreen’s lightweight, non-greasy formula also makes it ideal to wear alone or under makeup. 1022 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310-260-8682

In an event so exclusive the location won’t be revealed until the day of, the first PopUp Dinner LA brings underground dining to the city on August 25 (5-11 PM). The one-night-only picnic has already garnered great success in San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, and Atlanta, and this time hosts a Great Gatsby-inspired evening under the stars in LA.

Guests are required to wear white cocktail attire, and bring their own tableware, food, and beverages, but can opt for a dinner basket prepared by an up-and-coming LA chef. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Slow Food Los Angeles, which seeks to change the way we see food through reconnecting with the environment and people that help produce it. Tickets are $28 and $78 with dinner basket selection.  For tickets and information, visit popupla.info.

Bring luxury to your breakfast table with LA artist Andrew Lewicki’s Louis Vuitton-inspired waffle maker, complete with the fashion house’s signature logo. An inventive vision for everyday items—Lewicki’s prior projects have included concrete Leggos and an Oreo manhole cover—his new piece is the first to incorporate a couture brand.

The waffle maker, which has earned national attention for its unique design model, is meticulously made using Teflon-coated aluminum, enamel on aluminum sheet, and the requisite waffle maker parts. More of a cultural creation than a functional kitchen product, the Louis Vuitton waffle maker isn’t for sale (yet) but is still a covetable work of art.

Cap off a leisurely afternoon of exhibition browsing with a caffeine break at LACMA’s new café, C + M (Coffee and Milk). More than just an in-and-out coffee shop, the museum’s latest addition offers direct trade Intelligentsia coffee and espresso, gourmet sandwiches, homemade pastries, and organic milk shakes and milk sorbets.

Under the Patina Restaurant Group umbrella, which is responsible for upscale establishments ranging from Manhattan’s Brasserie 8 ½ to Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse in Downtown LA, C + M employs a bevy of top chefs to ensure only top-quality fare. The culinary team of Joachim Spilchal, Kris Morningstar, Josh Graves, and Gregg Wiele works to churn out daily-made bites like oven-baked baguettes stuffed with country ham or gruyere and truffle butter, as well as farmers market peach pies, lemon lavender pop tarts, and mini black velvet cakes.

But it’s C + M’s cold treats that are truly standout. Milkwiches made with creamy sorbets and soft-baked cookies, hand-mixed daily-changing shakes, and spiked milk handshakes crafted courtesy of mixologist Paul Sanguinetti are sure to set the café apart. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA, 323-857-6180

The long-awaited schedule for this year’s Los Angeles Times THE TASTE festival at Paramount Picture Studios has arrived. Top local talent on the bill for the September 1-3 event includes Thomas Keller (Bouchon, The French Laundry), Nancy Silverton (Mozza, La Brea Bakery), Nyesha Arrington (Wilshire), Jason Kim (Forage), Bricia Lopez (Guelaguetza), and Ricardo Zarate (Picca, Mo-Chica).

The Labor Day weekend festival launches with a Field to Fork event featuring a cook-off between Fig Restaurant’s Ray Garcia and MB Post’s David LeFevre, and a local farmer panel discussion. Later that night, premier mixologists will face off in a specialty cocktail competition, Cocktail Confidential. Flavors of LA, a presentation of internationally inspired dishes; a food, wine, and beer pairing special; and a Labor Day picnic round out the event roster. For a complete schedule and more information, visit events.latimes.com/taste. 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood

Creative Asian flavors abound at LUCKYRICE on Saturday.

Hairroin/Urban Outfitters Traveling Salon Launch
Thursday, August 2-Sunday, August 5, 10 AM-10 PM  
Get pampered this weekend when upscale salon Hairroin pops up in the Third Street Promenade Urban Outfitters. In addition to hair services, Thursday night’s kickoff party will feature live music, styling demos, and treats and beverages from Tender Greens. For the complete weekend schedule, visit hairroinsalon.com. 1440 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, 310-394-1404

LUCKYRICE Festival Night Market
Saturday, August 4, 7-10 PM
Presented by sponsors Bombay Sapphire East and Condé Nast Traveler, this celebratory evening of Asian food and culture brings together world-renowned and local chefs and mixologists for the first time in LA. Participating LUCKYRICE chefs include host Sang Yoon (Father’s Office/Lushon), Bryant Ng (Spice Table), Kros Yenbamroong (Night + Market), and Susur Lee (Top Chef Masters and Chef of Lee’s, Toronto). H.D. Buttercup in the Helms Bakery Building will transform to match the featured tastes, with Chinese boudoirs, elaborate chandeliers, and decorative pagodas. Tickets: $50 for general admission and $88 for VIP (VIP is from 7:00 -7:30 PM with all-evening access to the VIP Chefs Lounge). 3225 Helms Ave., Culver City

George Barris Book Signing for Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words: Marilyn Monroe's Revealing Last Words and Photographs
Saturday, August 4, 4-6 PM
To honor the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s passing (August 5), her dear friend, celebrity photographer George Barris, will hold a special book signing at the Hollywood Museum. Barris, author of Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words: Marilyn Monroe's Revealing Last Words and Photographs was the last to photograph the iconic starlet before her death. 1660 Highland Ave., 323-464-7776

Susie Otero, Montblanc’s managing director of jewelry, is just as lovely as the pieces she creates. A veteran in the high-end jewelry market, the Paris-based designer has brought her exquisite style and design talent to luxury labels such as Cartier, Tom Ford, and as of 2011, Montblanc. Otero’s vision produced the Montblanc’s Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco, a tribute series to Hollywood icon and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly.

A compilation of pendants, rings, earrings, bangles, and bracelets, the collection's two separate lines—Pétales de Rose and Pétales Entrelacés—are timeless, elegant, and stunning. We caught up with Otero at a preview event at The Soho House West Hollywood.

How did the Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco come about?
SUSIE OTERO: Initially a partnership was created as a foundation (Grace Kelly Foundation- USA) to help young artists in the States. Montblanc participates by giving a percentage of sales to the foundation. We presented [Grace Kelly's] son, Prince Albert, all the designs because he approves everything. He said to us, because initially there was no jewelry planned, 'why don’t you create a line of jewelry in the name of my mother?' So we created the jewelry and he liked the collection very much. By the way, his wife, Princess Charlene, wears a pair of earrings from the Pétales de Rose collection.

How did you come up with the concepts for the two lines?
SO: Pétales de Rose is inspired by a specific rose that Prince Rainer created for Princess Grace as a wedding gift. It’s a dark pink rose that's named the Grace Kelly rose—she was so emotional when she received it, and that’s why the collection is around the rose petals. It’s in pink gold, not red gold; it’s softer, very delicate. Even if you want to mix [it] with white or yellow, it fits. The [Pétales Entrelacés] is the imagination of two petals interlaced together, like love, in pink gold with diamonds. It is very easy to wear. The idea is that you can put it on in the morning and keep it on through cocktails or dinner. It’s not too much.

Any plans to expand the collection?
SO: The collaboration will continue for three to five years, so we are going to develop more. Even in the silver collections, we have new pieces coming next year. It’s very easy to create for the top-end jewelry because you have no limits in the terms of prices and mix of stones, so you can be very creative. I want to treat the silver in this way. My purpose for Montblanc is day-to-day wear—ladies today don’t have time to change, even me, and you have to find jewelry that you can take from day to night, which is what I aim to create.

The complete line is available at the Montblanc flagship in Beverly Hills. 323 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-275-3665

Premiering August 31, Sundance Cinemas introduces Sundance Sunset Cinema in West Hollywood. In conjunction with Robert Redford’s Sundance Group, an organization dedicated to the indie film genre, the new movie theater will showcase films similar to those screened at The Sundance Film Festival. American independents and foreign language titles will be brought to life on the theater’s new digitally projected big screen, surrounded by comfortable rockers, tablettes, and reserved stadium seating. Other renovations include rustic-chic décor, an upstairs lounge, an outdoor patio, and a Bar Bistro set to sell beer, light bites, wine, and more in addition to traditional theater refreshments.

Before opening day, Sundance Cinemas will hold three events to honor local organizations—Sundance Institute, Outfest, and Heal the Bay. For more information and to purchase tickets to these events (held August 27 through August 29), visit sundance.org/sunset, outfest.org, or healthebay.org.

To add a little luck and style to an ensemble, slip on this pave diamond wishbone ring ($2,500) from LA-native jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer-Maguire's Jennifer Meyer line. Made of 18-karat gold and delicate pave diamonds, the wishbone-shaped ring stays in line with the brand’s California-cool aesthetic and knack for understated glamour. As Meyer-Maguire (who is also the wife of actor Tobey Maguire) was recently announced as a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, she may want to wear the good luck charm herself. barneys.com

Have a sweet tooth but tired of the gourmet cupcake craze? Turn to Beverly Hills Brownie Company’s first-ever brownie boutique, now open in the heart of Beverly Hills. The store, a brick-and-mortar version of the brand’s popular nationwide delivery service, serves up decadent artisan brownies with a rich, gooey iteration for every taste.

The dozen-plus flavors include everything one might expect from a 90210-raised brownie—poppy seed Blondie, cream cheese chocolate chip, red velvet, and peanut brittle. Even the space itself is sunny and inviting, making it a pleasant place to stop and sample the sweets. 315 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-275-1295