Interview 1: Lokelani Alabanza

Loke came into my life several years ago as a client. I could tell she was a superstar from the moment I met her — her ice cream prowess is truly incomparable. But her professional stupendousness has little to do with why I love her. She’s a solid chick. We quickly transcended our work relationship to become friends — and I must say, she’s been a beloved confident and single-lady ally during all this Covid shit. Our long, lingering front porch chats during lockdown are among my favorite memories of 2020 — and I swear to God that that has nothing to do with the fact that she always comes bearing ice cream from SATURATED, her pandemic brainchild. Just wait until you read her cookbook, coming next year.

Where are you from? California 

Where do you live now? East Nashville

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Either a pediatrician or an actress. 

What do you do now? I own SATURATED Ice Cream. We make plant based, CBD ice cream. 

What are some things that are rocking your world right now?

Closet highlights: I bought a rainbow sequin dress from Farm Rio for my birthday this year. The photos hardly do it justice. It is magical in person. Also, my Maison Margiela ankle boots (1). I refer to them as my moon boots.

What I’m eating: My first meal in a restaurant after 15 months of lockdown was at Nashville’s Locust (2). Our reservation was at 5:30 pm and we didn’t leave until around 10:30 pm. It was a spectacular meal with dear friends. It was everything that eating, drinking and being merry stands for. At home, I’m obsessed with making green goddess dressing. I tinkered around and made a recipe for it last spring. It’s simple, easy and delicious.

For my home: Last year, I subscribed to Brother Vellies’ “Something Special” product subscription (3). It's been a wonderful assortment of both ethically and sustainably made home goods.  Lately, I’ve been desiring a Vintage Thomasville Allegro Faux Bamboo Desk (4).

On my nightstand: Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick by Zora Neale Hurston. Also, Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman (5).

Heavy rotation: Podcasts including Criminal | A Podcast About Crime , Malcolm Gladwell Revisionist History and Ear Hustle (6). I’m patiently counted down the days to Adele’s new album, 30 and it was worth the wait! (7).

I like to watch: Insecure. (8) This is the final season and Succession. And I just watched Only Lovers Left Alive (9). Tilda Swinton plays a 2,000-year-old vampire named Eve. 

Nashville is an exceedingly fun and interesting place to live. What are some of your favorite haunts?

Inside East Nashville Antiques & Vintage is a booth that has a well-curated selection of vintage cookbooks. Every time I visit, it's like winning the lottery.

My darling friend Brooke Griffith the owner of Glen & Effie and is one of the local vendors featured in the new May Hosiery Co-Op. Brooke has an incredible attention to detail and her jewelry is all one-of-a-kind and timeless. (10)     

Woodland Wine Merchant. IYKYK. All the employees are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I like to take friends who are visiting from out of town to the East side location. 

Frist Art Museum is one of my favorite places in Nashville. I like to frequent museums alone, mostly for inspiration and stillness. This summer’s Kara Walker exhibit was my first time back at the Frist. It was stunning and emotional. (11)

Gardens of Babylon. The staff at this garden center taught me a lot about potting soil for my container garden this summer. Turns out, it was Fox Farm Potting Soil, Ocean Forest that did the trick. (12)

A word or phrase that describes my personal style:

Intuitive. I have always felt drawn to the things I like, whether it's a piece of clothing or furniture. 

Favorite piece in your closet:

I have a Loeffler Randall clutch made out of color-block shearling. Anytime I carry it, people think it's a small dog. So far it has been a great conversation starter. 

Most beloved space in my home:

My living room. It’s warm and vibrant and there are wonderful things hanging on the walls that bring me joy. (13)

My dream road trip:

If there is anyone that ever needs a road trip partner, I am your girl. I don’t know what it is about driving that I find cathartic. Watching scenery pass you by, there is something really special about it. Before the pandemic, I had plans to sojourn to Gee’s Bend (14), Savannah and Charleston. 

The best gift I’ve ever given:

Giving someone my time. 

The best gift I’ve ever received:

Receiving someone's time, something I deeply cherish. 

The best style advice I’ve ever received is:

Knowing what is in your closet makes it easier to edit. 

Wild card! What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate Malted Crunch from Thrifty Ice Cream. (19)