A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

One-of-a-kind Marilyn Monroe necklace dazzles in exclusive 2-day event at posh Post Oak jeweler

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio getting on plane

DiMaggio's baseball diamond gift is on display at Zadok.

Photo credit: “The Pearl Necklace” by Assouline Publishing

Although Marilyn Monroe famously sang that diamonds are a "girl's best friend" in the 1953 hit Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, her nicest and reportedly most sentimental piece of jewelry was a pearl necklace. Legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio gifted her the necklace during their 10-day honeymoon in Japan, later saying it was "the happiest time" of their short marriage.

Monroe, who primarily wore costume jewelry, loved the necklace so much that she wore it to the Santa Monica, California courthouse along with white gloves and a black coat when she divorced DiMaggio just nine months later.

The famous 16-inch strand of cultured Akoya pearls will be on display at Zadok Jewelers in celebration of their new Mikimoto boutique-in-boutique concept. The new space will showcase high jewelry designs alongside an assortment of classic cultured pearl jewelry and new collections. The traveling High Jewelry collection consists of one-of-a-kind pieces that will be in Houston on November 8 and 9.

Each piece will be offered for sale, except for the Marilyn Monroe necklace, which after 80 years, is still in pristine condition – a testament to the quality of Mikimoto's pearls. Mikimoto was founded by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893 and led the way in the cultivation of Akoya and South Sea pearls.

“In celebration of the new Mikimoto boutique at Zadok Jewelers, we’re honored to display for a limited time the very strand of Mikimoto pearls that baseball legend Joe DiMaggio gifted Marilyn Monroe,” Segev Zadock, partner at Zadok Jewelers tells CultureMap. “The Mikimoto boutique inside of our new store now allows us to showcase a broad selection of Mikimoto pearl jewelry.”

The necklace is available for viewing by appointment only on November 8 and 9. Those interested should visit Zadok Jewelers to schedule an appointment.

LEGGINGS + LATTES

Athleisure giant Lululemon opens Houston flagship with in-store cafe

Photos courtesy of Lululemon

Hundreds of shoppers lined up for the grand opening of the first-ever Lululemon x La La Land Kind Cafe store opening in Highland Village on December 19 .

Athleisure giant Lululemon is back where it all started. The brand has opened a massive new Houston store at Highland Village, returning to the shopping center that launched its Texas retail run in 2007. This time, however, it is not a small boutique. It is a full-scale flagship store with the first-ever La La Land Kind Café inside, giving Highland Village one more reason to draw a crowd.

The cult-favorite café serves exclusive drinks created just for this location, including a Double Chai Latte and Coconut Cloud Matcha. In-person shoppers can score drinks at 50 percent off through January 4 and via the app through January 16.

La La Land Kind Café also joins Lululemon’s Partner Perks program tied to Lululemon Membership, giving members access to select benefits. It makes it easier for shoppers who treat errands like a routine to use coffee as a delicious reward.

Lululemon x La La Land Texas-based artist Kyle Steed adds to the local appeal of the new Highland Village store. Photos courtesy of Lululemon

The new store is directly next door to the brand's first Texas outpost, which made Highland Village ground zero for Lululemon's growth in the state. At 9,400 square feet, the outpost is among Lululemon’s largest in the country. The space, previously owned by Smith & Wollensky, traded steaks for elevated sweat-sesh style.

Shoppers can expect a light, bright, and spacious shopping experience with a full range of products for both women and men. The store features branded apparel from the Lululemon x La La Land Kind Café collaboration, as well as a limited-time sweatshirt designed by local graffiti artist Donkeeboy, available as a gift with purchase (over $300, while supplies last). Adding to the local appeal, the store features a mural by Texas-based artist Kyle Steed.

Here's a tour of the store courtesy of popular influencer Marfisa Fiala

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A post shared by Marissa Fiala | Houston, TX (@houstonhotspots)

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Lululemon x La La Land Kind Cafe, 4007 Westheimer Rd, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77027. Store Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7 am - 7 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm.

Photos courtesy of Lululemon

Hundreds of shoppers lined up for the grand opening of the first-ever Lululemon x La La Land Kind Cafe store opening in Highland Village on December 19 .

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