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How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Victoria Monét

BBG News

As a busy mom juggling my career and family life, much like many others, I treasure every moment I get to spend with my precious 4-year-old daughter, Hazel, whom I co-parent with my former partner, the fitness guru John Gaines.

This L.A.-based R&B artist, known for hits such as “Thank U, Next” by Ariana Grande, “Ice Cream” with Blackpink and Selena Gomez, and “Do It” by Chloe x Halle, has also contributed songs to her debut album “Jaguar II,” like “On My Mama.” Lately, she has written a heartwarming children’s picture book titled “Everywhere You Are,” which is set to release on June 24.

During a recent conversation, Monét shared the source of her latest book’s ideas. (She is set to talk about her upcoming book at Malik Books this coming Saturday, and will also be there alongside Gabrielle Union at the Reparations Club on Sunday, where tickets are needed.)

In her words, “As a parent, it’s tough not to notice those crucial instances when kids experience separation anxiety at work. It’s significant for kids to understand why this happens. I aimed to provide comfort and convey a vital message: Everything will turn out alright.

Music

Stepping into the limelight after crafting chart-topping tunes for artists like Ariana Grande and Blackpink, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on Victoria Monét‘s debut album ‘Jaguar II’ and her upcoming solo tour. This is an exciting moment, as she showcases her unique talent centerstage!

Even with a busy workload, Monét consistently manages to set aside high-quality moments for Hazel. In 2023, when Hazel was just two years old, she made history as the youngest Grammy nominee ever, thanks to her singing contribution in “Hollywood” alongside her mother. Recently, during Beyoncé’s opening night of the “Cowboy Carter” tour at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Monét took Hazel to her very first concert. A perfect Sunday in L.A., which Monét affectionately refers to as “me time,” would consist of outdoor play, a family fun center visit, savoring vegan desserts, and reading “Everywhere You Are” together before bedtime. Here, Monét invites us to join her for a delightful Sunday spent with her daughter.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

8:30 a.m.: Awake with gratitude

On Sundays, Hazel and I usually sleep in a bit later due to staying up late the previous night, unless I have work. Our morning routine involves journaling our gratitude, where she sketches while I write. Next, we take care of ourselves by brushing our hair and teeth. After that, I head downstairs to cook Hazel’s favorite character pancakes with chocolate chips or Fruity Pebbles cereal in them.

Following that, we could embark on creating some artwork. She has a passion for sketching, and our home boasts an attractive art studio equipped with various tools such as crayons, markers, scratch-off art materials, watercolors, and vibrant paint sets.

10 a.m.: Dance, dance, dance!

On weekends, I’m all about relaxation, but during the week, I’m quite the whirlwind of activity! I’ve got dance instructors coming to my home for lessons, and so far, I’ve danced ballroom, ballet, and tap. For a while there, I even tried out gymnastics. Now, I can’t wait to continue my dance journey at To The Pointe Dance and Pilates Centre, where I’ll be learning ballet and tumbling!

Books

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She takes delight in spending time outdoors, whether cycling or visiting parks. During the workweek, she plays soccer not once but twice. What appeals to her is that it’s still casual. It’s primarily an opportunity for amusement. They practice techniques on how to kick and run simultaneously. When you ponder upon it, it can be challenging.

12 p.m.: Indulge in fresh pasta at Uovo

Since Hazel adores pasta, we frequently visit Uovo Pasta, a chain with multiple outlets in Los Angeles. The restaurant is renowned for its authentic al dente noodles made fresh daily and overnight-shipped from Italy. Our go-to dishes are the pomodoro (not overly spicy) and cacio e pepe (a rare treat due to my mostly plant-based diet). Interestingly, Hazel often chooses what I order. During my pregnancy with her, I had a craving for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos almost every day, and now she enjoys them too. Post-lunch, we usually return home because Hazel takes her afternoon nap around 1 p.m.

2:30 p.m.: Jump for joy at Off the Wall

Following her afternoon rest, let’s head to Off the Wall in Woodland Hills – a haven for trampolines! It’s a spot where you can jump higher than planned. They’ve got rock climbing walls, an arcade, and food options too. The basketball court is inflated and has a soft floor beneath, making it perfect for those slam dunks without the fear of injury. There are party rooms hidden at the back, which Hazel adores, especially the trampoline area. She enjoys me chasing her around, so I get a good workout while we’re there. By the time we leave, I’ll be dripping with sweat!

4 p.m.: Sample sweet treats at Happy Ice or Magpies

As a devoted fan, Happy Ice is my go-to when it comes to satisfying my sweet cravings, particularly during those scorching summer days. It’s not just the best slushy snow cone around; it’s downright heavenly! You can find them in Northridge and Hollywood, but on Sundays in downtown L.A., they park their truck at Smorgasburg. For Hazel’s birthday bash, we had the pleasure of having the truck roll up to our very own doorstep. Just like me, she loves the Rainbow Rocket – a delightful blend of all their Italian ice flavors. Truth be told, she’ll happily take anything on offer!

Magpies Softserve is another sweet sensation we can’t get enough of. Their vegan honeycomb soft serve is pure heaven, and Hazel adores their soft-serve pies.

Travel & Experiences

Looking for a tranquil coffee shop serving café de olla or a place to belt out tunes in karaoke until the wee hours? Or perhaps you’re after the ideal vantage point for stunning Downtown Los Angeles skyline views? Our guides will lead you to these hidden gems.

6 p.m.: Tapas-style dining at Joey

Recently, Hazel has become more selective with her choices, but if we were to have dinner together, I’d recommend Joey’s in Woodland Hills. They cater to a diverse crowd, offering an extensive menu that appeals to many tastes. As a fan of tapas-style dining, I prefer sampling multiple dishes such as guacamole, tuna and avocado crunch roll, Korean fried cauliflower, and perhaps the sake-glazed Chilean sea bass for myself. For Hazel, I’d suggest ordering pasta.

Since we prefer staying at home, an alternative dinner idea would be preparing a meal and having fun activities such as swimming and cooking together. We particularly enjoy making vegetable and tofu tacos as a family. Food that can be eaten with the hands is always entertaining for kids, which is why they love s’mores. On occasion, we also prepare pescatarian dishes like grilled salmon or other types of fish.

8 p.m.: Watch “Moana 2” … again

At dusk, we’d settle down with a movie and some light Skinny Pop popcorn. Likely as not, Hazel would rewatch “Moana 2” if given the chance. We caught it in the cinema, and she has phases where she prefers certain films, but she’s expressed a desire to have a “Moana 2” themed party for her fifth birthday. I thought she might prefer something else by then, but she envisions 20 Moanas at that party!

10 p.m.: Read “Everywhere You Are” before bed

At night, Hazel frequently requests me to read “Everywhere You Are” to her. She’s a bookworm and relishes being read to. I’ve recited it so many times to her that she can now recite it herself. She even recorded a piece of the audiobook with me, and was thrilled to listen to it afterwards in the recording studio. As I read the book to her, I understood that missing a parent is similar to losing a loved one. Although they’re not physically present, you can still sense their presence. Love serves as a bond that connects people regardless of distance. Even when they can’t see us, children need to know that we’re still here and will always be with them.

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2025-06-27 13:31

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