Friday Fun: Hummus & The Santa Barbara International Film Festival!

The City of Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera ®.  Given that the Cannes Film Festival takes place on the French Riviera, it is fitting to have a festival here.  The Festival began on January 30th and ends on February 9th, 2014.

With the close proximity to Los Angeles, it is an ideal venue for the 29th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, began yesterday evening  with an opening party and the World premiere screening of Mission Blue, a feature documentary.  This film highlights the work of Sylvia Earle an oceanographer, who has spent more than 6,000 hours underwater.

Preparations for the opening party, yesterday afternoon, at the El Paseo Shopping Center

Among the celebrities expected to appear are those that the SBFilm Festival is honoring, such as Bruce Dern, Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett, Martin Scorcese and Leonardo di Caprio, Robert Redford and David O, Russell.   In addition, seven actors will received the Virtuoso Award the year's standout performances.

The screen cuisine category is interesting to read: Make Hummus Not War, a humorous documentary filmed in the hummus bars and kitchens of Beirut, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and New York, exploring the possibility that perhaps we can have peace in the Middle East via hummus eating.  Hummus is thought to be one of the oldest preparation of garbanzo beans and several countries claim as being the original source.  

Another  is the follow up to A Year in Burgundy, called A Year inChampagne.  This film chronicles four seasons of making champagne.  It portrays winemakers and their families revealing what is behind the scenes in producing the celebratory bubbly.

When you are tired of seeing films and want to explore some of the off the beaten path restaurants who focus on locavore produce and artisans. You can eat at the Lark, or for lighter fare check out Les Marchands, a wine bar with tasty treats to accompany your wine tasting.

Enjoy our town, Cheers Ron & Alexandra

Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-

ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 

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Wishing You All a Very Happy Thanksgiving!

"The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness" Dalai Lama

It is often said that the Thanksgiving Celebration is a quintessential American Holiday.  However, the meaning behind it is universal.  It is a time, when we take a moment to truly thank and appreciate all the goodness around us.  We want to thank and appreciate our subscribers worldwide for taking the time to read our posts.  We wish you a delightful day!  Cheers, Ron & Alexandra

Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-

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The Luxury of White Peach Champagne, Venice, Love and a Great Gift

Yesterday, we were in Beverly Hills bright and early for business meetings.  The conversation turned to champagne as a gift, and we remembered one of our favorite aperitif (cocktail) champagnes-peach champagne.  Inspired by the famed Italian version (the Bellini, which is now the official cocktail of the International Bartenders Association), the French have bottled this wonderful elixir.

The Bellini was invented in Venice by Giuseppe Cipriani  at his restaurant called, Harry’s Bar in Venice, in 1934.  Legend has it that Signor Cipriani made the first Prosseco (Italian sparkling wine) and white peach puree cocktail for his beautiful girlfriend, and named it “Bellini” because it reminded him of a painting by the 15^th century Venetian artist, Giovanni Bellini..  This was the seasonal specialty at this quintessential Venetian restaurant that was frequented by Ernest Hemmingway, Sinclair Lewis and Orson Welles. 

We were first introduced to this delight at a fresh fish restaurant in Paris.  We ordered the sea food platter with oysters, clams, langoustine, and pink shrimp.  Our waiter suggested peach champagne.  Both my mother and Ron laughed at me when I ordered it.  The moment it arrived and I tasted it, I was in love.  When Ron and Mom tasted it, I had to pry out of their hands…they also ordered it.

When we returned to Los Angeles, I promptly called every wine store to find this champagne.  I located it at DuVin in West Hollywood across from the Pacific Design Center.  It is a wonderful wine store specializing in European wines tucked behind a garden.  The owners are a delight and introduced us to many delicious French and Italian wines.  When we lived in Napa, I had them deliver a case to our home for holiday gifts several times.  In a wine savvy community, everyone was absolutely delighted and could not thank us enough for this amazing champagne treat. 

Wishing you all a great weekend, Cheers Ron & Alexandra

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Luxury Real Estate Marketing: America’s Luxury-The New Entrepreneurial Spirit

It is a luxury to live in America. In the spirit of celebrating America’s birthday, we are sharing with you some quintessential American places  (and fabulous people we have met there) during our recent travels to work with some East Coast clients.  The definition for quintessential: is representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.  Quintessential is an essential word to know in the Language of Luxury.

We discovered The Inn at Tabbs Creek on the Internet.  Every online comment about the place was positive.  After a 3-hour drive in traffic from Reagan National on a hot Virginia day, we turned into to an expansive tree- lined driveway and this magnificent view of the Inn appeared (see photo).   We were warmly greeted and shown to our room via the flower gardens lovingly tended by owner Lori Dusenberry. Our room had a view of an inlet of the Chesapeake Bay. (see photo below)

Since it was dinnertime, our greeter, Lori’s brother, gave us suggestions and directions to restaurants in nearby Mathews, a quaint little town.  As we drove out, we noticed a large plot of land with a myriad of vegetables, the domain of owner, Greg Dusenberry, Lori’s husband.  These wonderful organic vegetables would be part of our breakfast for the two mornings we were there.  Lori and Greg exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovative thinking of an American family owned business.  We think this excerpt from their website expresses their ingenuity and their intentions perfectly.

“The main Inn is an 1880's newly renovated farmhouse with a separate cottage housing the luxury suites just across the garden and pool. An eco-friendly and certified Virginia Green lodging establishment, The Inn at Tabbs Creek is just the place if you appreciate the natural splendor of the outdoors yet want the luxury and comfort of a casual B&B. We have also partnered with Carbonfund.org to pay for our carbon offsets, so that you may stay "Guilt Free"! (or at least, Carbon Neutral).”

Our breakfasts at the Inn were the culinary highlights of our trip.  We had crabmeat omelets with their fresh crabs harvested that morning, and fresh steamed asparagus. The previous morning we enjoyed a sausage quiche with heirloom tomatoes from Greg’s organic garden. The muffins, filled with fresh local berries, came right out of their oven, piping hot, to our table.

Our hosts graciously invited our clients to join us for our breakfast feasts on both days of our stay. We felt pampered, loved and definitely spoiled. 

The Inn at Tabs Creek is a quintessential American place, with its picturesque setting, its superb cuisine and especially the generosity of spirit that was extended to us. It definitely rivals any of the French or Italian countryside inns that we have experienced.

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Marketing Luxury Real Estate: Happy Memorial Day From Santa Barbara

 

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May.  It was formerly known as Decoration Day, and it is honors US men and women who died in the military Service.  The first Memorial Day was celebrated to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War 1. It is important to take a moment and reflect on all those who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

If you happen to find yourself in Santa Barbara, here is an annual event that is fun and benefits children in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo Counties.

"I Madonnari, or street painters will transform the Santa Barbara Mission Plaza using pastels on pavement to create 150 vibrant and colorful, large scale images.  The festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education offices.  The project serves 50,000 children in more than 100 schools with visual and performing arts workshops and performances throughout."--from the website,"  This event is in partnership with Santa Barbara's sister city in Italy, Grazie di Curtatone.

You can view the art work on the 26, 27, and 28th.  Admission is free. 

We wish you a wonderful relaxing long weekend, Cheers, Ron & Alexandra

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Marketing Luxury Real Estate: The Luxury of Simple Pleasures

One of the subjects that comes up often as we advise our clients in marketing luxury real estate is the fine line between specializing in the top tier of the marketplace and not wanting to alienate previous clients whose home sold in the mid price range, our clients are concerned that they may come accross as too pretentions or aloof.  Inherent in that concern is a misconception of the meaning of luxury, because it is often associated with elitism and conspicuous consumption, whereas we firmly believe that this is a limited perspective because there is luxury in simple pleasures, for example, the luxury of tasting the first crop of sweet corn.

Corn on the cob is a quintessential American food of summer.  The first crop is here at our Farmers' Market in Santa Barbara, It reminds us of Richard Rodgers' song, Oh, What A Beautiful Morning, from the quintessential American musical Oklahoma, written in 1943.  Here is our favorite excerpt about corn.

There's a bright golden haze on the meadow,
There's a bright golden haze on the meadow,
The corn is as high as an elephant's eye,
An' it looks like its climbin' clear up to the sky.

Chorus:
Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Everything's going my way.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, WE WISH THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING YOUR WAY

Cheers, Ron & Alexandra

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Luxury Real Estate Marketing: Guess Who's Coming To Santa Barbara?

On July 9, 2011, Prince William (aka Duke of Cambridge) and his wife Kate Middleton (aka Duchess of Cambridge) will attend a Polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.  The duchess will be presenting a trophy specially designed for the event by Tiffany's who is a perennial sponsor of the Polo Club.  This is the only event open to the public at large.  The event will benefit the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.  The funds support disadvantaged children, conservation and veterans of military families.

Tickets for the VIP tent are $4000 per person.  This will give you access to chat with the royals, seats in the royal couple's section and a three course lunch prepared by Giada de Laurentis  If you are budget conscious, $400 will get you in the grounds and a gourmet box lunch.

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Luxury Real Estate Marketing: Open House At The Beach!

This picture was taken at the lowest of tides.  It is a wall of sea anemones, and it reminds us of all the joy we derive from living near the ocean.  We look forward to the lowest tides several times during the year.  At that time the ocean stages a magnificent open house.  Walls of reef appear encrusted with mussels, clams, sponges and other species.  Some have windows where pelicans and seagulls survey the ocean framed in these new openings.  Some of the reefs look like small hills and carved within them are caves, where crabs and starfish and other sea creatures attach themselves.  The sea lions and seal climb up these mounds and sun themselves

Attached at the bottom of the reef walls are anemones.  These creatures are firmly rooted to the reef walls using their adhesive basal disc.  They stay in the same spot unless the conditions become untenable, then they move on to more hospitable walls.  The anemones in the Pacific coastal waters of Santa Barbara are iridescent turquoise blue and their insides rimmed with green. They have transparent tentacles that keep moving to create motion in order catch their food.  When touched the anemones close up, to capture their prey.

For us the beach is a place of solace.  We often refer to it as our conference room.  We go to the beach to clear our heads to breathe in the salt air, to watch the dolphins play and to marvel at the pelicans flying in formation.  We feel a primal connection to the ocean and the rhythm of the waves.  We love the patterns the water leaves on the sand, the colors and the wealth of life the ocean supports.  We enjoy watching the dogs frolic on the beach, the kids digging channels and building castles, the volleyball games, the surfers, the kayakers, and the paddle boarders walking on water.  We never tire of it, and as we head home, we make plans to return.

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Luxetera, Etc: Orchids -The Gift Keeps Blooming

Here is a suggestion for last minute Santas.  Giving an orchid plant reminds that person of you as the plant keeps blooming and brightening the room.

The orchids pictured above are phalaenopsis/moth orchid.  They are lovely to look at and easy to care for.  Native to the Asian tropics, they thrive in bright forests under the canopies of trees.  They love the great indoors of homes blooming in sunny rooms away from indirect light.  Their ideal  temperature range is 65 to 80F.

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