At Home with Heather Sperling

Heather Sperling spends her nights watching people walk through the door. As the owner of Botanica and Bar Basito in Silver Lake, she sees a lot of well-dressed people on any given evening, and when someone shows up in a great shoe–a great boot–it’s the first thing she notices. Her own uniform has to keep up with her: service, school pickup, a dinner reservation, sometimes all in one day. We asked her what it takes to look good through all of it. Famous last words? “I'm ready to tell you everything.”

LAWREN
Tell us what you do for a living?

HEATHER
I am a restaurateur. I'm the owner of Botanica and Bar Basito in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.

LAWREN
And what is your zodiac sign?

HEATHER
I am a Taurus, but I am a Virgo moon, Virgo rising.

LAWREN
How would you describe your personal style in three words?

HEATHER
Comfortable, functional, a little feminine.

LAWREN
What's one piece in your wardrobe that always makes you feel like yourself?

HEATHER
Ooh… A really good worn-in pair of jeans that make my butt look great.

LAWREN
What does confidence look like in the way you get dressed?

HEATHER
I feel confident when I feel comfortable and also a little chic, and I feel like I can go through the day being a restaurateur, being a parent, and still look good while doing it.

LAWREN
Are there any style rules that you completely abandoned over the years?

HEATHER
I have definitely abandoned a low-rise jean, which is coming back, but is never again for me.

LAWREN
What makes something timeless rather than trendy?

HEATHER
Something is timeless when it is made from great materials that become more beautiful as they age.

LAWREN
What's the first thing you reach for when you're packing for a trip?

HEATHER
When I'm packing for a trip, the first thing I reach for is all of my skincare and my vitamins, because I can't look or feel great while traveling without my lotions and my potions. I also always pack a great belt, like my Partlow belt, because it's the easiest way to give a travel outfit a little something extra.

LAWREN
How important is comfort when it comes to style?

HEATHER
For me, comfort is extremely important when it comes to style, because my day is active and demanding, oftentimes a little sweaty, and sometimes I need to go right from a day at work or a day with the kids into a dinner where I look and feel great. So, comfort that's also chic is essential.

LAWREN
What's one item you never regret investing in?

HEATHER
Great shoes, a great belt, and a great watch. That's three, sorry.

LAWREN
What was your first impression when you put on a pair of Partlow boots?

HEATHER
Ooh, I could not believe how comfortable they were and how I felt so ready to go out and do something fun.

LAWREN
How would you style them for a special occasion?

HEATHER
For a special occasion, I love to do them with a dress, mid-calf, but maybe with a slit or a wrap dress so you see a little bit of leg coming out too.

LAWREN
What kind of woman do you think of when you think of Partlow?

HEATHER
Well, I think of Lawren. I think of a woman who's strong and stylish, and very together, but also down for anything and ready to have a great time.

LAWREN
What role does craftsmanship play in the pieces you choose to keep?

HEATHER
Craftsmanship is so huge to me. It's everything in my work, and so it's so relevant in my closet too. As I get older, I only want to buy and wear things that are made thoughtfully from great materials by makers with a strong set of ethics.

LAWREN
What's the difference between luxury and quality?

HEATHER
To me, something is not luxurious unless it's extremely high quality.

LAWREN
Good answer.

HEATHER
Thanks, girl.

LAWREN
What's something you've become more intentional about as you've gotten older?

HEATHER
I feel like as I've gotten older, I've gotten a lot more intentional about materials and also about the companies behind what I'm buying, whether it's clothes, food, skincare, really anything.

LAWREN
Is there a place in the world that has influenced your style?

HEATHER
I think my style is so influenced by Southern California. There's such an easy, laid-back style and vibe here, where you can throw on a great outfit and have messy hair and still be ready to go out and do anything, and I really connect with that.

LAWREN
What does legacy mean to you?

HEATHER
Legacy, to me, is the impact that you've had on your little corner of the world, and it's a huge motivating factor behind the work that I do.

LAWREN
What does authenticity mean in a world that's constantly performing?

HEATHER
I think authenticity is all about having a set of core values and making all of your decisions based on those values.

LAWREN
What's something you've become more intentional about as you've gotten older?

HEATHER
I feel like as I've gotten older, I've gotten a lot more intentional about materials and also about the companies behind what I'm buying, whether it's clothes, food, skincare, really anything.

LAWREN
Is there a place in the world that has influenced your style?

HEATHER
I think my style is so influenced by Southern California. There's such an easy, laid-back style and vibe here, where you can throw on a great outfit and have messy hair and still be ready to go out and do anything, and I really connect with that.

LAWREN
What does legacy mean to you?

HEATHER
Legacy, to me, is the impact that you've had on your little corner of the world, and it's a huge motivating factor behind the work that I do.

LAWREN
What does authenticity mean in a world that's constantly performing?

HEATHER
I think authenticity is all about having a set of core values and making all of your decisions based on those values.

LAWREN
That's Heather. Thank you so much.

HEATHER
That's me. Thank you. I love Partlow.