in case you were wondering…

Posted on May 18, 2012 by alexis

A snap shot of the best pools of the valley…

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photo credits: indian springs, auberge du soleil, solage, bardessono, meadowood

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juicy summer sale thru monday!

Posted on May 17, 2012 by alexis

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i collect taureans…

Posted on May 16, 2012 by alexis

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The end of April, through most of May is a crazy-busy time for me… Why?  Because just about every person near + dear to me is a Taurus: My son/ husband/ mother-in-law/ aunts/ cousin/ and most of my closest friends are all Taureans, and always have been. In my life, the stretch from the 4th- 19th of May is crawling with them.

I bump into Taureans EVERYWHERE:  on the plane/ at the hairdresser/ in court/ at the vet… And it makes sense– I read somewhere that Taurus is the most populated sign in the Zodiac. Most people born under the Taurus moon were conceived during the twilight of summer during the month of August– thus, during good/ happy/ frisky times. Taureans are people loaded with conviction, brains + humor. I love their earthy, steadfast + stubborn ways.

These people are like magnets to me. And after being surrounded by so many BULLS, I surrendered and embraced them as a category long ago.  ”What is your birth sign” is usually the first question I ask a potential hire/ stranger/ doctor– I know it is very California/ new agey of me, but I am always shocked by how often the response is “TAURUS”!  And when they respond with something else, I immediately reconsider my options. It is a good thing to stick with what you know + what works!

PS: I am also someone who doesn’t like to make decisions/ sign contracts/ plan travel during the periods in which Mercury is in Retrograde.

Happy birthday, so! J’adore.

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the modern-day apothecary

Posted on May 15, 2012 by alexis

 

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Who isn’t entranced by an outpost specializing in tinctures + elixirs in little black medicinal bottles; dry herbs in glass jars; crystals of every shape + color; magic wands made of gilded bamboo; exotic teas + remedies defending the heart/ soul/ throat/ anxiety/ twitchy eye and books on healing/ reinventing/ spells???

I certainly am.

I stumbled upon Scarlet Sage Herb Co. a while ago, when I was on the hunt for bundled white sage… the kind that protects + wards off every manner of bad spirit when smudged around the perimeter of your sacred dwelling. Sage bundles are the backbone of so many of my special-delivery care packages, such as:  the heartbreak kit; the housewarming kit; the lucky you kit; the birthday kit, and lastly the thankyouthankyouthankyou kit.

After calling upon many of the usual suspects whom I thought would carry bundled sage– and don’t– someone tipped me off to a little “witchy store” at the end of Valencia street.  Just the thought of a “witchy store” delighted me beyond. But nothing compared to what I saw in person and/or the endless possibilities/ inspiration/ learning had.

For inspiration, check out the heartbreak kit– click here.

photo credit: nicole mcintosh bruce

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final danielle steel post for all mothers to enjoy…

Posted on May 11, 2012 by alexis

spacer Danielle Steel is the best selling author alive, with over 800 million books sold– her rivals include Shakespeare, Dickens + Agatha Christie.  She is also a mother to 7 children… Those 2 facts alone, are breathtaking in today’s time. I emailed Danielle recently and asked her if we could do a Q + A discussing such topics as:  how did you stumble on your career; best daily practices; precision organization; work schedule management; required sleep, daily uniform, women + men; why her books/ characters resonate so deeply with her audience; definition of the modern-day hero; and lastly which gender has it easier…

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Juggling the demands of family and work is a challenge for all of us, and some days you manage it better than others. When my kids were little, I only worked at night, and was with them in the daytime, with rare exceptions. Once they went to school, I worked while they were in school, and again at night, and was with them from the time I picked them up at school until they went to bed, or had settled down for the night. Now my kids are grown, and most of the time, my time is my own. (I still have one daughter at home, in college, but she has a busy life of her own). So I am not as pulled in ten directions as I once was, but it’s still a challenge sometimes, when one or several of them have a problem or need my attention, and I have a tight deadline to deal with too. All you can do is the best you can, and try to stay calm about it. You can usually get everything done you need to, if you dont panic about it!!! It’s amazing how we, as women, find the time for everything. Some days I even surprise myself, and I’m sure you do too, with all I deal with in one day!!!  I also take time off in the summer, and I used to not work during all their school vacations. I still keep myself free in the summer and try not to work, so I can spend time with them—-if they have time to in their busy lives!!! Working at night always worked well for me, and still does, with fewer interruptions, no phone calls, and when they were younger, it allowed me to be with my kids during the day. (And I never get to lock myself in my office—but the idea sure is tempting!!!)

spacer  I’m lucky that I dont need a lot of sleep. It’s a family trait. My father and grandmother slept very little too, as do some of my children. It allows me to get a lot done, with long nights at my disposal. 5 hours is a big night for me. I often get by on 4 hours, and can manage on 3 hours sleep if I have to. I’m happy with 4 or 5 hours a night.

spacer Do I have a daily uniform? Oh dear. I always admire people who look ‘nice’ every day, look all put together, wear make up every day—-and lipstick. Early on, when I started writing, and working at home, I decided that getting dressed up when you work at home is a huge time waster, and I’m usually rushed, with a lot to do. I just cant see the point of spending an hour getting all dressed up when no one is going to see me and I’m going to work an 18 or 20 hour day. So I am very bad about dressing up to work at home, and even worse when I’m writing. And I have to admit, one’s morale is better when one looks pretty, but I rarely take the time. When I’m writing, my ‘uniform’ is an ancient cashmere nightie. The rest of the time it’s jeans and comfortable sweaters. And I only get dressed up and wear make up when I go out. It’s naughty of me, but there it is. (And I hate getting dressed up and going out when I’m writing, and rarely do. It’s a huge time waster and distraction. By the time I get dressed, go out, do whatever I was supposed to do, and come back, I’ve lost the thread of the book and have trouble getting back into it, so I rarely go out or see anyone, and do nothing socially when I’m writing.)

spacer Style icons, good question. I will return the compliment my children often give me: my children. Three of my daughters work in fashion and are very chic. Other than that, I loved the way Audrey Hepburn looked, she was always so beautifully put together. Diana Vreeland, a long ago (before my time) editor of Harper’s Bazaar, she was older and had her own style, she wore some wonderful costume jewelry, which she usually wore with black. She was so bold and daring. And my favorite quote of hers was “Never be afraid of being vulgar, only boring!!”. Historically, Coco Chanel, another bold, brave woman. It’s very rare to see a truly chic woman today, who can just throw on some clothes, put the right accessories with it, and make it look terrific. I love the way young people today mix things, wear something vintage in just the right way, with modern clothes. Some of them just have a knack for throwing it together and having it look right, and interesting. It takes courage and imagination today (more than money) to look interesting and have style. French and Italian women always seem to pull it off.

spacer My most treasured possessions are the things my children have made or given me. I love them all (the kids, and what they give me. I still have things they made for me all over my house.)

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Do my readers enjoy reading about a woman who has it all? probably not, because that’s not real. No one has it all. Life is the great equalizer. It gives and takes, blesses and wounds. Just when you think you have it all, the bottom falls out of your world when someone you love gets sick or dies, or you have some enormous challenge to face, or something happens to one of your kids, or you lose your job. Life is about that give and take. Who we are is about how we handle it, which is what fascinates me in what I write. No one has it all. Life just doesnt work that way. Even if you have all the fancy trappings and a ‘have it all’ life, Life is going to get even with you, and take something away. I think people would much rather read about that, because that’s real and what’s happening to them too.

Read posts 1 and 2.

Art credit: Mrs. Lilien

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downtown st. helena

Posted on May 10, 2012 by alexis

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Photo courtesy of Sharon Cisco Graham.

To learn more about vintage Napa photos click here.

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screw flowers on mother’s day

Posted on May 9, 2012 by alexis

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Get it here!

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calling all brides/ friends of the bride

Posted on May 8, 2012 by alexis

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presenting the 24-hour napa itinerary for the FOODIE!

Posted on May 4, 2012 by alexis

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jane on fillmore

Posted on May 4, 2012 by alexis

 

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Amanda Michael has taken San Francisco by storm,  slavishly lavishing Pacific Heights with damn good coffee + pastries, as well as a spectacularly tight breakfast + lunch menu that scratches all kinds of itches. Amanda serves old-school fare made with a modern hand… Things like egg sandwiches on sour dough, Italian salads with red wine vinegar dressing, and mozzarella/ pesto/ tomato grilled panini.

But here is the catch: everything there is made with LOVING HANDS.  And one can instantly see/taste food made with loving hands the same way you can taste food made with angry hands/ no love. Food made with loving hands is practiced/ thoughtful/ chosen/ seasoned/ dressed/ presented with the highest of care. My mother taught me the high value of food made with loving hands as a child and, more importantly, how to sniff it out.

For anyone craving + obsessing about the perfect coffee/ espresso/ french press/ iced coffee– the baristas here mean business + take their craft very seriously, all day long. My wet cappuccino is a lather of perfection– in weight, texture, richness, temperature and beautiful foam art– an intricate part of my daily ritual– thank you, Tom!

photo credit: nicole mcintosh bruce

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Posted in my beat, naughty food | 2 Comments

sip shoppe on a friday

Posted on May 4, 2012 by alexis

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Thank you, Danielle!