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The Journal

Hair tips, loc and braid care, wig advice and what’s cooking. Straight from my chair and my kitchen.

Mz Purple Journal cover: How much do braids cost in Los AngelesPrices

How much do braids cost in Los Angeles? My 2026 price guide

What braids, locs, wig installs and kids' styles cost in Los Angeles in 2026, what changes the price, and how deposits work at Mz Purple.

Mz Purple Journal cover: How to sleep with braidsBraids

How to sleep with braids so they last (even the first night)

How to sleep with fresh braids the first night, what to wrap them in, and what to do if you don't have a bonnet. Simple tips from a Los Angeles braider.

Mz Purple Journal cover: Do braids damage your hairHair health

Do braids damage your hair or your edges?

Can braids damage your hair or your hairline? What causes it, the warning signs, and how a careful braider protects your edges. From a Los Angeles braider.

Mz Purple Journal cover: Boho knotless braidsBraids

Boho knotless braids: how long they last and how to care for them

How long boho knotless braids last, how to keep the curly pieces from tangling, and what they cost in Los Angeles. Care tips from a braider.

Mz Purple Journal cover: How long do kids' braids takeKids

How long do kids’ braids take? A parent’s guide

How long kids' braids, cornrows and box braids take, how to prep your child for the chair, and what to bring. From a gentle Los Angeles kids' braider.

Mz Purple Journal cover: What does a wig install includeWigs & installs

What does a wig install include?

What a professional wig install includes: consultation, customizing the lace, securing the unit and styling. Plus what it costs in Los Angeles.

Mz Purple Journal cover: How long does meal prep last in the fridgeMeal prep

How long does meal prep last in the fridge?

How long meal prep chicken, rice, seafood and pasta last in the fridge, when to freeze, and how to reheat safely. From a food handler certified LA chef.

Mz Purple Journal cover: Hiring a host or bartender in Los AngelesEvents

Hiring a host or bartender for your LA party: what to expect

What a party host or hostess and a private bartender do, what they cost in Los Angeles, and how to plan. From a certified LA event host and bartender.

Janay wearing sleek braids pulled back with face-framing piecesBraids

Box braids vs. knotless braids: which one should you get?

Box braids or knotless? How they feel, how long each one lasts, which takes longer and what they cost in Los Angeles. From a braider with 27+ years in.

A little girl showing off fresh braids with beadsKids

Kids’ braids with beads: styles, how long they last and keeping them neat for school

Kids' braids and beads done gentle, in Los Angeles. Popular styles, how long kids' braids last, how long they take, and how to keep them fresh for school.

Janay wearing a chin-length black locs bobLocs

Starter locs: the stages, and what your first year really looks like

Thinking about starter locs? A Los Angeles loctician walks through the loc stages, the awkward phase, how often to retwist starter locs and what it costs.

Four Mz Purple hibachi meal prep boxes on a wooden tableMeal prep

What’s in a Mz Purple meal prep box

Chef-made meal prep in Los Angeles with groceries included: what's on each menu, how long meal prep lasts in the fridge, and how to order for Oct 18.

Janay wearing a long midnight blue wavy wigWigs & installs

Wig install vs. sew-in: which one is right for you?

Wig install or sew-in? A Los Angeles stylist explains the difference, how long a wig install lasts, and how to pick the one that fits your life.

Janay with shoulder-length locs in a pastel print blazerLocs

How to take care of your locs between retwists

How to wash locs, how often to retwist, and simple daily loc care to keep your locs neat and healthy. Tips from a Los Angeles loctician.

Janay wearing braids with wavy ends and a rainbow knit cardiganBraids

How long do knotless braids last (and how to make them last longer)

How long knotless braids last on natural and 4c hair, how long they take, whether you can wash them, and what they cost in Los Angeles.

Cooking & meal prep

Sample menus

Seasonal, made to order, and prepared fresh in a commercial kitchen. Choose a menu, mix and match, or ask me for something custom.

Everything in The Family Week

Everyday meal prep

The Family Week

$140 for 5 meals10 meals $260 · weekly plan from $125 after your first order

Hearty bowls for the whole week · a chef’s pick rotates in (jerk chicken, smothered turkey wings, butter chicken)

Each meal about 16 oz with 5 oz of protein, sealed and labeled with the date and reheat steps.

  • Carne Asada Bowl
    Carne Asada Bowlmarinated steak, cilantro-lime rice, black beans, pico, limeFree of major allergens
  • Beef & Broccoli
    Beef & Broccolitender sliced beef, broccoli, savory garlic-ginger sauce, white riceContains soy, wheat, sesame
  • Philly Cheesesteak Bowl
    Philly Cheesesteak Bowlshaved steak, peppers and onions, provolone, garlic riceContains milk, fish (Worcestershire)
  • Smash Burger Bowl
    Smash Burger Bowlseared beef, cheddar, pickles, onions, burger sauce, crispy potatoesContains milk, egg
  • Chicken Fajita Bowl
    Chicken Fajita Bowlseasoned chicken, charred peppers and onions, Mexican riceContains milk
Everything in The Hibachi Box

Teppanyaki-style, ready to heat

The Hibachi Box

$175 for 5 meals10 meals $330 · weekly plan from $160 after your first order

Every meal with hibachi fried rice, zucchini and onions · yum yum sauce on the side

Each meal about 16 oz with 5 oz of protein, sealed and labeled with the date and reheat steps.

  • Steak Hibachi
    Steak Hibachiseared steak, garlic butter, soy glazeContains soy, wheat, egg, milk, sesame
  • Shrimp Hibachi
    Shrimp Hibachigarlic butter shrimp, lemon, sesameContains shellfish, soy, wheat, egg, milk, sesame
  • Chicken Hibachi
    Chicken Hibachiseared chicken, teriyaki glazeContains soy, wheat, egg, milk, sesame
  • Steak & Shrimp Combo
    Steak & Shrimp Comboseared steak and garlic butter shrimp, the best of bothContains shellfish, soy, wheat, egg, milk, sesame
  • Hibachi Fried Rice
    Hibachi Fried Ricesteak, shrimp and chicken tossed through egg fried riceContains shellfish, soy, wheat, egg, milk, sesame
Everything in The Catch

From the coast

The Catch

$195 for 5 meals10 meals $370 · weekly plan from $180 after your first order

Seafood all week · cooked fresh, eaten within 3 days

Each meal about 16 oz with 5 oz of protein, sealed and labeled with the date and reheat steps.

  • Shrimp & Grits
    Shrimp & GritsCajun cream gravy, sharp cheddar grits, green onionContains shellfish, milk, wheat
  • Blackened Salmon
    Blackened Salmonlemon herb rice, roasted asparagusContains fish, milk
  • Seafood Gumbo
    Seafood Gumboshrimp, crab, andouille, dark roux, white riceContains shellfish, wheat, pork
  • Garlic Butter Lobster Tail
    Garlic Butter Lobster Tail5 oz tail, Cajun garlic butter, garlic rice, charred cornContains shellfish, milk
  • Baja Mahi Tacos
    Baja Mahi Tacoscrispy mahi mahi, cabbage slaw, chipotle crema, limeContains fish, wheat, egg, milk
Everything in The Garden Table

100% plant-based

The Garden Table

$155 for 5 meals10 meals $290 · weekly plan from $140 after your first order

Vegan · no meat, dairy or eggs · just as hearty

Each meal about 16 oz with 5 oz of protein, sealed and labeled with the date and reheat steps.

  • BBQ Jackfruit Bowl
    BBQ Jackfruit Bowlsmoky pulled jackfruit, cilantro-lime rice, black beans, pickled onionsContains soy, wheat
  • Coconut Chickpea Curry
    Coconut Chickpea Currysweet potato, spinach, jasmine riceFree of major allergens (contains coconut)
  • Crispy Cauliflower Wings
    Crispy Cauliflower Wingsbuffalo or lemon pepper, dirty rice, vegan ranchContains wheat, soy
  • Smothered Mushrooms & Rice
    Smothered Mushrooms & Riceseared mushrooms, onion gravy, rice, garlic green beansContains wheat, soy
  • Lentil Bolognese
    Lentil Bologneseslow-simmered lentils and tomato, pasta, fresh basilContains wheat
Everything in Date Night for Two

Dinner for two, done for you

Date Night for Two

$95 for twoAdd a second dessert +$10

Delivered ready to heat · perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays

Serves two. Delivered chilled in one box with simple reheat steps.

  • Surf & Turf for Two
    Surf & Turf for Twotwo 8 oz New York strips, two garlic butter lobster tailsContains shellfish, milk
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Asparagus
    Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Asparaguscreamy whipped potatoes, roasted asparagusContains milk
  • Chocolate Lava Cakes
    Chocolate Lava Cakestwo warm molten chocolate cakes with berriesContains milk, egg, wheat
Everything in The Cookout

Grill catering for 25 or more

The Cookout

$34 per guest25-guest minimum

Fired up and delivered hot · ready to serve

Catering is food only: delivered hot in disposable trays. Plates, utensils, chafing dishes and servers are not included.

  • Sweet Soy Short Ribs
    Sweet Soy Short Ribssweet soy glaze, charred on the grillContains soy, wheat, sesame
  • Grilled Chicken Quarters
    Grilled Chicken Quarterscitrus-garlic, smoky charFree of major allergens
  • Carne Asada
    Carne Asadaseared marinated steak, chopped to orderFree of major allergens
  • Hot Links
    Hot Linkssnappy grilled sausagesContains may contain pork, milk, soy, wheat
  • Cookout Sides
    Cookout Sidesmac and cheese, baked beans, buttered corn, potato saladContains milk, wheat, egg; beans may contain pork
Everything in The Seafood Boil Party

Now booking events

The Seafood Boil Party

$45 per guest15-guest minimum · snow crab +$12

Cooked hot on site · Cajun garlic butter on everything

Food only: cooked hot on site and served in disposable trays. Plates, utensils and servers are not included.

  • Shrimp & Lobster Boil
    Shrimp & Lobster Boilhead-on shrimp and lobster tails in Cajun garlic butterContains shellfish, milk
  • The Fixings
    The Fixingshot links, sweet corn, red potatoes, boiled eggsContains egg; hot links may contain pork
  • Snow Crab Add-On
    Snow Crab Add-Onsnow crab clusters, extra butterContains shellfish, milk
Everything in The Taco & Bowl Bar

Build-your-own for 20 or more

The Taco & Bowl Bar

$30 per guest20-guest minimum · add a protein +$6

Served hot · tacos or bowls, guests choose

Catering is food only: delivered hot in disposable trays. Plates, utensils, chafing dishes and servers are not included.

  • Al Pastor
    Al Pastormarinated pork, charred pineapple, onion and cilantroContains pork
  • Pollo Asado
    Pollo Asadocitrus-garlic chicken, grilled and choppedFree of major allergens
  • Carne Asada
    Carne Asadaseared marinated steak, chopped to orderFree of major allergens
  • Mexican Rice & Charro Beans
    Mexican Rice & Charro Beanstomato rice, slow-simmered pinto beansContains beans contain pork
  • The Salsa Bar
    The Salsa Barwarm corn tortillas, salsa roja, salsa verde, pico, guacamole, limesFree of major allergens (cotija optional: milk)

How ordering works

  1. Order by Thursday for Sunday or Monday delivery, or pickup.
  2. Your first order is a one-time order. After that, you can switch to a weekly subscription: it repeats automatically, and you can text by Thursday to change or skip a week.
  3. I confirm every order and your total by text.
  4. Share any allergies when you order. Allergens listed are from our recipes; dishes are made in a kitchen that also handles shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, wheat, soy and sesame.

Groceries included · Order by Thursday for Sunday or Monday delivery · Delivery $15 within 10 miles, $25 up to 25 miles, free over $300 · Catering is food only, delivery $75 · Catering orders under 72 hours +25%
Photos are serving suggestions. Menus rotate and portions may vary.

Mz Purple meal prep and catering flyer

The flyer

Share it, print it, post it

Every menu and price on one page. Text it to a friend, pin it up at work, or post it for your next event.

Flyer for printing (PDF)Instagram size (PNG)
Download the full menu (PDF)

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Service

Tell me what you need and I'll get back to you, usually the same day.

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