The Joy of Summer Reading!

I love to read so I always am asking people what books they have enjoyed recently.  It is a chance to be exposed to lots of new authors and titles.  I posed the question to the Yala Team, and here are the responses:

 
Caitlin:  Right now I’m reading The Zoo Where You’re Fed to God by Michael Ventura.  An amazing and unpredictable book, published in 1994.  If you’re looking for something recently released, next on my list is In One Person by John Irving.  During the spring I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green which fits in the teen lit genre but offers something for all ages.  It’s an amazing story about three teenagers with cancer- very honest, unflinching and sweet.

 

Kristen: The Historian – written by American author Elizabeth Kostova. The plot blends historical facts surrounding the Ottoman Empire and Eastern Europe with the folklore of Vlad Ţepeş and his fictional equivalent Count Dracula.

 

Naomi: Along with lots of other books about babies (guess why!), I am currently reading Bringing Up Bebe by: Pamela Druckerman –this book offers insight and humor into French child-rearing.

 
Cathy:  I recommend People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - historical fiction showing the intermingling of religions throughout 800 years as it follows one artifact back through time.  For a good summer read - Castaways and/or The Island  by Elin Hilderbrand.   Fun characters that you would want to meet at a party or have as a neighbor.

 

Larry: Lots of science fiction and the 5 book Game of Thrones.

 

Michael: Breaking Barriers, an autobiography by journalist Carl T Rowan who grew up in poverty and became a nationally known journalist.  He shares eyewitness accounts of all the major events in the civil rights movement.

Chelsea: I have been getting into three different series: Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, and a spy trilogy by Olen Steinhauer (The Tourist is the first book).

Amanda:  Finally, I will have a chance to finish the last book from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series!

 
Erica: I’m currently reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (non-fiction).  I've also read this summer: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand.  All three were great and I would recommend them to anyone!

 
And from me, Nancy:  I am telling everyone about The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh which beautifully tells the story of Victoria and how she communicates through flowers.  It is a sad truthful story, which eventually reveals hope.   

I hope everyone has a chance for a leisurely afternoon by a pool, at the beach or in the backyard with a book in hand.  Happy summer!

Until next time, 

Nancy, Yala President 

Yala Maternity!

We have new Yala fans joining our team!  Erica's brand new little one, Rowen Joseph, was born on April 8th.  And Naomi's little one is due in October.  We thought we'd pass along some advice about their favorite maternity and nursing wear- super soft and stretchy BambooDreams® fabric makes perfect wear for expecting and new moms.

“I was thankful to have Yala in my closet, especially at month 9, when comfort was key. Having something soft and fashionable to wear kept my spirits high in those final days.” - Erica, Global Customer Service Rep

Erica in a Kai Top, Infinity Scarf & Laurel Wrap

"Being six months pregnant, I found that my favorite items in my closet are all Yala!  I love my Penelope that I wear as a T-shirt dress belted.  I also love my Short Skirt and Maxi Skirt- I can wear the skirts over or under my belly and they are so comfortable.  For a hot summer day, the Luna and the Bradshaw are a must, they feel soft and light and I think baby likes them too. :)  The Kai Boatneck Top is also a wardrobe favorite, with a longer length it has fit my growing belly perfectly." 
- Naomi, Sales Representative

       Naomi in the Penelope Nightshirt as a T-Shirt Dress       

Erica with new little Rowen and her two daughters.

“Being a new Mom to a 3 month old baby boy, my clothes are the least of my worries. It’s encouraging to know that I have several items from Yala in my closet that I can count on to fit and make me feel at ease in these postpartum days. The Wide Leg Pant and Samantha Gathered Top are perfect for lounging around the house, sliding on to run to the store or to wear to work." - Erica

"As a nursing Mom, I love the Cleo Gown. The built in shelf at the bust and wide straps help to make nursing my little guy so easy and comfortable… even in the wee-hours of the morning. What can I say, I’m a Yala fan!”  - Erica                   

Cleo Gown                                                                          Grace Dress

"In anticipation of my new little one and nursing I purchased the Grace Dress. The soft bamboo fabric and the crossover front is ideal for nursing comfortably for the both of us." - Naomi

More Yala favorites for maternity:

          

Cleo Gown                            Bradshaw Dress                   Wide Leg Pants                            Izzy Dress

Until Next Time, 

Caitlin of Team Yala

Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibit at the de Young

Jean Paul Gaultier is at the de Young, located in Golden Gate Park in San Fransisco!  If you're in the area, or traveling there, be sure to check out this fascinating exhibit of the designer's incredibly influential and eclectic work.

Two of our own from the Yala team went down to the bay area last weekend and saw these designs first hand.  These were their favorite pieces from the exhibit- beautiful, striking designs:    

 

"I believe Gaultier has been the most influential designer of our generation. He has always pushed the boundaries of fashion and art. Creating ideas that twenty or thirty years later have gone from completely avant-garde to familiar in everyday life. I love him,  the exhibit was mind-blowing and extraordinary, a must see for any SF excursion- especially 

if you want to get the creative juices flowing."  

- Tif of Team Yala

"It’s hard to express why this piece stood out to me so much. It’s a wedding gown that he designed. It’s a really powerful piece. And to me it represents raw, gorgeous feminine: a deeply rooted in the earth, tribal gown of a goddess. It’s what you would wear to marry a god."
- Rachel of Team Yala

“To be honest, my idea about beauty is like there is no one type of beauty.  Always I felt that there were many different types.  I always tried to show it.” - Jean Paul Gaultier.  

To hear more from the designer, watch this video interview courtesy of the de Young.

Gaultier is also known for his classic sailor stripe designs.  Classic stripes are back in fashion- check out Gauliter himself donning the blue and white, two of his nautical-inspired stripe designs.  

Jean Paul Gaultier

      

Two of Gaultier's Classic Stripe Designs

Even Yala owes Gaultier some homage to this design tradition.  Our ever popular Kai Boatneck Tunic comes in Navy/Natural nautical-inspired stripes, and in your favorite BambooDreams fabric.

Kai Boatneck Top

Until Next Time, 

Caitlin of Team Yala

Four days only! 20% off all dresses and tunics with exclusive coupon code SUNNY20

Spice up your nights with Isis, Julia, Piper, or Sia - Yala Dresses that go from daytime to dinner. Never a need to sacrifice comfort in Yala's silky soft BambooDreams or Cotton Voile.

Feeling a little Cleopatra? Skip the black eyeliner and go for exotic drama in our Isis MaxiDress. Now available in two hot new colors for summer - Paradise and Navy. Sleeveless with gathered shoulders and a sweeping ankle-length fall from braiding at the empire waist, the Isis Maxi turns heads as a party dress or a beach cover-up.

The BambooDreams® Julia Dress flatters every figure with its crossover bodice, elastic waist and faux wrap skirt that floats around your knees in our silky BambooDreams® fabric. The feminine fit of our Julia Dress will keep you feeling lovely all day and into the night.

Form-fitting and flattering – rarely can one dress claim both of those descriptions, but our Bamboo Dreams® Piper Dress is that rare specimen. Our secret? Gathering along the side seams caresses your curves in just the right way to accentuate but never exaggerate. Empire waistline, short sleeves and above-knee length make this the perfect summer pull-on-and-go dress for all occasions from dressy to casual.

Simple and sweet, Sia will become a wardrobe staple as the temperatures rise. An Indus inspired floral dress with a beautiful hand-stitched detail at the bust and side seam pockets. Our woven organic cotton voile fabric is so light you’ll live in it all summer long. Pull it on over your swimsuit or dress it up for an evening outdoors. The Sia is extremely versatile and always stylish.

Until Next Time,

Amanda of Team Yala 

Yala VP Chelsea Morgan on her Travels to Paris and Corsica!

My husband and I just returned from our trip to Corsica.  Corsica was a dream come true.  The people were so welcoming and excited to share their country with us.  The landscape was OUTSTANDING.  We’ve never experienced such varied landscape – from turquoise water and white sandy beaches, to huge granite cliffs and dense forests, to towns that dotted the hills.  Part of what made Corsica feel so magical was how untouched it felt.  We didn’t meet any other American tourists the whole time we were there!

We spent a few days in (one of) the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris! before flying to Corsica. 

 

We flew into Bonifacio.  What an amazing city perched on the edge of a huge cliff overlooking the water. 

From Bonifacio we worked our way up the east coast, through Porto Vecchio, and stayed in Pinarellu.  This drive was incredible as each bend in the road lead to another jaw dropingly gorgeous beach.  

From Pinarellu we headed inland to the Aiguilles de Bavella.  Just a short drive inland you are met by these huge granite peaks. 

We spent our third night in the town of Propiano.  From our hotel window we could look out at the harbor, lined with restaurants and filled with huge yachts.

From Propiano we drove inland once again.  It was our longest driving day, heading over the mountains, through Corte, before we ended in Evisa.

Gulf de Porto is a UNESCO world heritage site and reserve.  The natural porphyritic rock masses were breathtaking!  We took a boat ride to take it all in.

 Our trip came to a close in Calvi.  Au revoir Corsica!  Good bye for now, we’ll be back!

 

Until Next Time, 

Chelsea Morgan - Vice President