State Street Spice
Recently recognized by the Michelin Guide, BIBI JI has been a downtown destination since 2018 for favorites like the murgh tikka and uni biryani.
Owner Alejandro Medina
Written by Charlotte Bryant | Photographs by Sara Prince
Recently recognized by the Michelin Guide, BIBI JI has been a downtown destination since 2018 for favorites like the murgh tikka and uni biryani. The latest additions to the menu, by executive chef Kiran Bheemarao, introduce more tandoor items—the malai kebab, panir tikka, and stuffed naan
called kulcha are must-trys—along with an array of classic southern Indian street foods. Among the latter are Mysore bonda, which are potato-and-pea fritters served with an okra raita, and papri chaat, a salad with house-made crackers, chickpeas, yogurt, chutney, herbs, and a medley of other textures and flavors. The extensive list of low-intervention wines is updated weekly.
Owner Alejandro Medina explains, “Low-intervention wine is not just about farming practices but also wines made without the use of additives or manipulation in the cellar. We strive to educate people to think about where and how their wine is made in the same way they consider food. The beautiful local organic produce and seafood of Santa Barbara deserve to be enjoyed with wines of purpose.” Tables in the pastel-pink dining room and on the lively patios—with a progressive playlist and the smell of signature spices (roasted in-house) in the air—are just as likely to host Gen Z TikTokkers and Los Angeles weekenders as mainstay Montecito residents and celebrities. 734 State St. BIBIJISB.COM.
See the story in our digital magazine
Marvelous Mustique
With its glistening beaches and exclusive party atmosphere, the private Caribbean island of Mustique…
The infinity pool leads to a Caribbean view at Hummingbird, one of Mustique’s luxe villas.
Where to stay and play
Written by Joan Tapper
With its glistening beaches and exclusive party atmosphere, the private Caribbean island of Mustique, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has been beloved by royals and rock stars alike since it was developed in the 1960s. Of course, the rest of us are welcome, too.
There are 80 villas here, designed in styles that range from contemporary to colonial Caribbean and accommodating a couple or a crowd. They generally include private pools as well as attentive staff members like private chefs, housekeepers, and butlers.
The 13 acres of Cotton House take in a pristine beach, superior accomodations, and quaint cottages; Basil Charles presides at his eponymous bar.
For a hotel experience there’s the fabled Cotton House, originally a cotton warehouse and now a chic boutique hostelry set on 13 acres of lush gardens close to Endeavour Bay. The 17 elegantly appointed suites, villas, and cottages are furnished with tropical flair and an appreciation for privacy and comfort. With a swimming pool, spa, and gym, there’s ample space for relaxation, but the heart of the Cotton House is the Great Room Bar, a gathering place for cocktails and conversation decorated with exuberance by theatrical designer Oliver Messel, who left his mark on several of the island’s villas as well.
Eventually everyone finds their way to Basil’s Bar, the legendary watering spot on Britannia Bay. Opened in 1968 and relaunched in 2019 after a two-year renovation by Philippe Starck, it’s a frequent venue for memorable music. This winter it once again hosts the Mustique Blues Festival, from January 26 to February 9. The performances by big-name artists go beyond great entertainment: Proceeds from the festival go to the Basil Charles Educational Foundation. Information at MUSTIQUE-ISLAND.COM.
See the story in our digital magazine
Positive Vibes
Season after season, UCSB Arts & Lectures provides Santa Barbara with an astounding array of cultural events geared to all ages and tastes.
Ballet Hispánico
Season after season, UCSB Arts & Lectures provides Santa Barbara with an astounding array of cultural events geared to all ages and tastes. Programming for the 2021-2022 season, called Creating Hope, is dedicated to experiences that promote emotional well-being and envision positive change.
A few examples of inspiring events you won’t want to miss: Bluegrass wonder Béla Fleck plays the Arlington (Dec. 15); Amanda Nguyen, activist and CEO of Rise, explains grassroots activism
(Jan. 12); Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Andrea Elliott examines homelessness and poverty (Jan. 20); Ballet Hispánico celebrates Latinx cultures through dance (Jan. 21); comedian John Leguizamo tells funny stories (Feb. 2); Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis brings the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (Feb. 4); Kyle Abraham choreographs ballet and hip-hop to R&B legend D’Angelo’s music (Feb. 13); and Bad Feminist author Roxane Gay critiques modern culture (Feb. 25). 805-893-3535. ARTSANDLECTURES.UCSB.EDU
Written by L.D. Porter | Photography by Paula Lobo
See the story in our digital magazine
Dream Weaver
From sunrise to the tiny hours of the night, I am in my studio sewing. Mostly, I am alone, channeling all of these complicated emotions I have experienced into something beautiful and tangible.
Gray in his downtown studio.
Written by Gina Tolleson | Photography by Sara Prince
WHO Nathaniel Gray, designer and dressmaker.
WHAT “From sunrise to the tiny hours of the night, I am in my studio sewing. Mostly, I am alone, channeling all of these complicated emotions I have experienced into something beautiful and tangible. Sewing is a way for me to heal, a way for me to express myself, but most importantly, a way to show the world that fashion can be used as a compelling medium to express awareness and feelings. Even if the feelings are difficult to face, I want to present a story of life between every stitch.”
WEAR “In a world of fast, shabby fashion, my goal is to bring back timeless traditions of dressmaking. Each dress, no matter the complexities, is sewn with the utmost care and attention to detail, from the finest fabrics collected around the world. I design lavish dresses for every occasion, including weddings. Every design is one of a kind and sewn to precise measurements—truly unique, just like my clients.”
MASTER CLASS “I never see myself fitting into the standards of modern fashion. I design dresses out of pure love for craftsmanship, holding fast to strict standards of precision. I want everyone who wears my designs to feel powerful and sophisticated, as if they have stepped into my imagination, where everything is vibrant and decadent but also sharp and poisonous.”
LOOK FOR Looks each month to be displayed on @nathaniel_gray_couture and nathanielgraycouture.com. Gray will also be creating designs in collaborative partnerships with artists all over the world.
I am made of boundless emotions, relentless dreams, and a profound wonder for life. A beautiful madness of sorts. And within all of this, I am completely free to express myself as a designer and dressmaker.
S.B. DOS “I work seven days a week, so my time is spent sewing, but in the evenings and late at night, I find myself wandering around the city or casually strolling the beaches. It always feels mysterious and a bit dangerous, but once the fear passes, our beautiful city glows brilliantly and radiates an addictive force that fuels my creativity. Mostly, at night, you can catch me on the wet steps of Thousand Steps Beach, watching the tide roll in.”
EXPRESS YOURSELF “In my opinion, style should be a reflection of your inner self. I love bold colors exploding out from a piece that seems restrictive. In my work, we build dresses for everyone regardless of gender. Dresses are powerful and command the attention of others as they enter the room. Some of my favorite dresses were designed for men. I believe, no matter who you are or your beliefs, dress in a fashion that makes you feel powerful. Life is too damn short not to.”
A muslin takes shape.
See the story in our digital magazine
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes 2022
2022 will be a year filled with welcome and unwelcome surprises, phenomenal discoveries, galactic intensity, and clashes between extreme ideologies.
Written by Jennifer Freed | Photography by Gary Scott
2022 will be a year filled with welcome and unwelcome surprises, phenomenal discoveries, galactic intensity, and clashes between extreme ideologies. It will be an opportunity for each of us to radically change our perspective about what is enough and how to conserve what we have.
Squaring Off
The biggest planetary cycle of 2022 is what we call Saturn squared by Uranus. In the tension of a 90-degree angle, these two archetypes will reveal stress fractures in our political and financial systems. Saturn represents the need for stability, tradition, authority, and conservatism—and sometimes unbridled ambition. Uranus reflects our capacities for rebellion, innovation, and revolution. When these two archetypes face off, we can expect a true conflict between institutional authority and radical revolutionary behavior.
Saturn is currently in the sign of Aquarius, which is about authority within community and tradition within groups and organizations. Expressed skillfully, this placement is about taking responsibility for every single person in our community, regardless of status or identity. The unskillful side of Saturn in Aquarius is a sense of moral righteousness and a dictatorial certainty about who in our community should and should not be honored.
Uranus is in the sign of Taurus, which is about an upheaval in our sense of security and real challenges to rigid, stubborn unyielding tendencies. We are invited to let go of our own material greed in favor of supporting others in having the basics of what they need to survive. The downside of this energy can be destruction of property, materials, even social order—just to feel the juvenile thrill of anarchy.
Ideally, the energies of Saturn in Aquarius squared by Uranus in Taurus will promote divine possibilities: inspiring us to come together to invent new ideas of community and to creatively solve widespread economic and ecological problems. Most importantly, we need to focus on empowering the wisdom of elders to help us avoid reckless or impulsive choices and to make value-based changes with the past and the future in mind.
Jupiter Dancing With Neptune
Jupiter will be conjoined with Neptune in Pisces off and on throughout 2022. Jupiter is the archetype of abundance, higher learning and the search for meaning. It also points to spiritual learning, and the quest for compassion and true understanding. Neptune is the archetype of the collective dream; it represents our unlimited and undivided nature. Jupiter dancing with Neptune means a magnification of our capacity to dream a new world into being, together: a world where everyone belongs and has what they need.
Because both these planets will be in the sign of Pisces—a water sign ruled by Neptune—we should expect an outpouring of love and compassion and empathy previously unseen. This combination will also support an outpouring of collective music events and artistic inspirations.
This infusion of tidal energy in the water sign of Pisces will also mean some big news around water and water events.
In Summary
Get ready for a Class 5 river-raft ride! As any of you who have ridden the rapids know, an advanced ride like this one means you need all hands on deck. Everyone must be ready and willing to flow and move with the big waters rushing in. You’ll need to be able to scream and shout and release tension when you’re scared. The trick is to not aim your upset at anyone else and to realize that big feelings need to be acknowledged without adding more drama or trauma to others. You can also aim to feel the rapture and exhilaration that come from being part of a magnificent and thrilling ride of history filled with twists and turns.
We can feel much closer and unified once we move through these epic waves of social change and amplified feelings. If we lean into listening and learning instead of certitude, we can create innovative, wise, heartfelt solutions to many of our existing problems.
There will be a few periods of calmer waters throughout this year. That’s when we will need to hold everyone close in the lifeboat and reassure each other that we can do hard things. Deep appreciation for what each of us brings to this wild journey will provide great solace in 2022.
Jennifer Freed
“I love to write about the planetary cycles and evoke a sense of wonder about our place in this vast and animated cosmos,” says the author and chief content officer of AHA! (an organization providing social-emotional education for teens and educators), who alerts us to the challenges and opportunities of the coming year in “Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes 2022”. S.B. MUST-DOS The Mermaid Cottage on Padaro Beach. • An intimate dinner at Tre Lune. • Swimming at Butterfly Beach, because the sharks are at Santa Claus Beach. jenniferfreed.com @drjenniferfreedSee the story in our digital magazine
Full Moon Magic
Global flavors bring the world to Santa Barbara
Global flavors bring the world to Santa Barbara
Written by Charlotte Bryant | Photography by Sara Prince
Nestled behind Magic Hour in Ojai, IZAKAYA FULL MOON is a true hidden gem, with the loyal following to prove it. Housed in the space formerly occupied by Hip Vegan, the small-plate concept opened just over a year ago with a robust offering of bento boxes for takeout. After initial worry that guests might struggle to find the restaurant, owners Asaka and Yuya Ueno were overwhelmed by the positive response. Fast-forward to this winter, and five cozy patio tables are now available by reservation only; the seven-seat sushi bar—amid a a mixed collection of tokkuri (ceramic sake bottles) and ochoko (cups) and a wash of blue tile from Heath Ceramics—is for lucky walk-ins. Beautiful chopsticks handmade in Fukuoka, Japan, from a soot-colored susudake (smoked bamboo) by Asaka’s father are available for purchase.
After meeting in college, the Uenos dreamed for over a decade of opening an authentic izakaya.
After meeting in college, the Uenos dreamed for over a decade of opening an authentic izakaya (they also own a ramen outpost in Camarillo). They were immediately attracted by the energy of Ojai. The name Full Moon is a dedication to the city (the “Valley of the Moon”) and to the youngest of their three children, Yuzuki—whose name includes the Japanese word for “moon.” Both Yuya and Asaka bring elements of their respective hometown to the menu: the corn kaki-age (an addictive corn tempura) Yuya learned to make at home, and Asaka’s goma kampachi (amberjack sashimi marinated in soy sauce with sesame). Even the soy sauce is a regional version, from Asaka’s hometown on Kyushu, with slightly sweeter notes.
Don’t miss the creamy uni maze-soba or a decadent special-menu bite of nigiri topped with A5 Wagyu beef from Miyazaki and Santa Barbara uni. 928 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. FULLMOONOJAI.COM.
See the story in our digital magazine
True Colors
Local creatives who amaze and inspire us
Local creatives who amaze and inspire us
Written by L.D. Porter | Photography by Sam Frost
Row upon row of large prickly pear cactus paddles hang from a wood frame on the wall of textile artist PORFIRIO GUTIÉRREZ’s studio at the Bell Arts Factory in Ventura. From these paddles the artist will extract tiny insects—cochineals—to produce the beautiful carmine red dye that enhances his extraordinary weavings. The deep blue hues in his work come from indigo, a plant-based dye that also requires effort to reveal its beauty. In fact, every color he uses has a natural source and a laborious process behind it. It is also a sacred tradition. For Gutiérrez hails from a long line of indigenous Zapotec weavers and textile makers centered in the village of Teotitlán del Valle, near Oaxaca city in Mexico, and he is dedicated to preserving the knowledge of his ancestors.
“My work reinterprets the traditional textiles and redefines the techniques of natural dye and the designs as well.”
But he is also an artist, not a copyist, and his interpretation of traditional Zapotec iconography (often referencing intricate patterns adorning the ancient Mesoamerican site of Mitla) is a truly contemporary one. “I wanted to create a language that specifically expresses my understanding as a contemporary indigenous artist, and as a Zapotec Mexican American as well,” he says. “So my work reinterprets the traditional textiles and redefines the techniques of natural dye and the designs as well.” This includes the form of his signature woven into each of his pieces: It’s a stylized G that turns into a P, with a tail that calls to mind the Zapotec symbol for the cycle of life, a geometric spiral of steps, each representing a stage of life.
Gutiérrez travels widely giving lectures and demonstrations, and recently co-curated the exhibition “Wrapped in Color: Legacies of the Mexican Sarape,” currently on view at the Arizona State Museum at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He also holds dye workshops at his Ventura studio. PORFIRIOGUTIERREZ.COM.
See the story in our digital magazine
Holiday Must-Have
Montecito locals Alex Dessouky and Seth Epstein are making a play to bring relaxation back to midday with their new Ysidro grapefruit sake spritz
Montecito locals Alex Dessouky and Seth Epstein are making a play to bring relaxation back to midday with their new Ysidro grapefruit sake spritz, which is light and refreshing enough for a lunch break but sophisticated enough to slow down and savor. Drinkysidro.com. J.A.
Ysidro is available at Bettina and Merci at the Montecito Country Mart, as well as a subscription delivery online.
Cinema Paradiso
A new tome for cinephiles
A visual slice of All About My Mother, 1999, directed by Pedro Almodóvar
A new tome for cinephiles
Cinema in Flux by Roger Durling, $100, or $250 for an autographed copy.
Written by L.D. Porter
It takes courage and ingenuity—not to mention an ironic sense of humor—to pluck joy from a worldwide pandemic, but that’s exactly what the indefatigable Roger Durling, executive director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), has achieved with his new book, Cinema in Flux: A Year of Connecting Through Film. What began as Durling’s daily email blast to SBIFF supporters recommending films to watch during the COVID lockdown, has morphed into a must-have coffee-table tome. Director Max Barbakow, whose film, Palm Springs, is profiled in the book, penned the introduction.
It’s a cinema master class in book form, containing a year’s worth of choices culled from every imaginable genre, including black-and-white classics, indies, horror, adventure, animation, documentary, rom-com, and more. Of these, 126 films receive thoughtful commentary combined with history, stylistic insights, and cogent revelations only a dedicated cinephile and film teacher like Durling could possibly arrive at. While acknowledging that some picks may not be an easy watch, Durling stresses the importance of confronting difficult themes, such as those in the late John Singleton’s groundbreaking 1991 film, Boyz n the Hood (which garnered Singleton an Academy Award nomination, the first such nomination for a Black director): “There are films that are ultimately so well-made and filled with so much truthfulness and artistry that despite the harshness of their subject, their experience becomes essential.” Bravo! Available at Sbiff.org.
Barn Raising
Lompoc’s latest lure is one for wine and design buffs alike
Backen & Gillam Architects and L.A.-based interior designer Amber Lewis collaborated on the restoration of The Barn at The Hilt
Lompoc’s latest lure is one for wine and design buffs alike
Written by Jessica Ritz
We’re in the wine business because we love to share our passion,” says Armand de Maigret, estate manager of Jonata and The Hilt. As of this past summer, THE BARN AT THE HILT ESTATE offers a distinctive experience in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. Howard J. Backen and Silvia Nobili of noted Backen & Gillam Architects helmed the restoration of the barn that dates from 1914. Also new is a sumptuously appointed tasting room by in-demand L.A. interior designer Amber Lewis and a 50,000-square-foot winemaking facility. The 3,600-acre site south of Lompoc is ideally located “for the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay we want to make—wines with elegance, with presence, with personality,” de Maigret notes. Now The Barn at The Hilt expresses those values in its physical environment, too. By appointment only. 2240 Santa Rosa Rd., Lompoc, 805-564-8581, THEHILTESTATE.COM.
Tailor Made
When Ryan Shand couldn’t find pieces that suited the sensibilities of a not-yet-30 female in a senior management position, she created her own.
Limited-edition pieces made with upcycled vintage fabrics
Written by Charlotte Bryant
When Ryan Shand couldn’t find pieces that suited the sensibilities of a not-yet-30 female in a senior management position, she created her own. “As a young professional, I am constantly looking at who inspired me,” explains Shand, 29, who had held positions at both Saatchi Art and Honey. SHAND’s eponymous women’s wear line—designed in a home studio and crafted in Los Angeles—features pleated vintage men’s trousers, altered to fit women, with silk paneling, antique military buttons sourced from around the world, and boxy blazers with oversize shoulders. The details are all indicative of how the designer herself wishes to be perceived—bold and brave with presence and power, like the women who have influenced her designs. The Hall, a mustard suit, is named for an ABC executive, and others in the collection honor celebrated designer Nina Freudenberger and Shand’s mother, Susan. Originally from Santa Barbara, Shand pursued her career in Chicago and Los Angeles before she realized that any professional limitations she had placed on life here were mental. The influence of the Central Coast’s natural surroundings is evidenced in her warm color palette, while her garments’ sophisticated tailoring harks back to Santa Barbara’s old Hollywood connections. Shand also casts an eye toward sustainability, with her use of dead stock, upcycled fabrics, and reworked vintage pieces from around the world. Available online and at The Shopkeepers. SHANDLA.COM.
Lindsey Nobel
Lindsey Nobel’s artwork invites your eyes to dance
Lindsey Nobel, Five People Just Got Out of the Pool (Gridded People series), 2020, acrylic and charcoal on canvas, 50 x 66 inches.
LINDSEY NOBEL’s artwork invites your eyes to dance. The expression of movement in her work is palpable; her Gridded People series packs a serious gestural punch, and her bronze sculptures exemplify suspended action. Nobel graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a BFA in painting and also attended Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts and London’s Royal College of Art. She was one of five artists chosen this year for a residency at the Lucid Art Foundation in Inverness, California, and her work has been exhibited throughout the United States. Relocating her studio from Los Angeles to Carpinteria during the pandemic profoundly impacted Nobel’s work, especially her color palette, which now includes greens and browns, reflecting her more natural surroundings. “I feel much calmer and peaceful and more focused being in nature,” she says. LINDSEYNOBEL.COM. L.D.P.
Seed to Shelf
We’re not just a brand, we’re farmers first and foremost. I love that we are nurturing plants to their full potential.
Sara Rotman at her Buellton farm
“We’re not just a brand, we’re farmers first and foremost. I love that we are nurturing plants to their full potential.”
Full-spectrum CBD/THC capsules in three signature restore, relief, and relax formulas; most Wellfounded products are available at Farmacy Santa Barbara. For more information, follow @wellfoundedbotanicals, or visit WELLFOUNDED.COM.
WHO Sara Rotman, cannabis farmer and plant-based wellness CEO.
WHAT Wellfounded Botanicals launches its first full-spectrum tinctures, signature capsules, and a luxury fragrance.
WHERE At Rotman’s Buellton farm, the cannabis in Wellfounded products is sun grown, and her wellness/beauty line is developed with native California ingredients like safflower oil and antioxidant-rich pomegranate oil.
LOOK FOR A much-anticipated collection of high-end topicals for head-to-toe self-care including body balm, face oil, body splash, and body oil later this year.
Full Moon Rising
A historic family farm ushers a fresh take on life.
In restoring the farm buildings, Leanne Schlinger brought back the original forest green and white color palette.
A historic family farm ushers a fresh take on life
Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer | Photographs: Lauren Maeve Photography
Leanne Schlinger, who owned and operated Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals for 15 years, has moved from managing multiple properties to focusing on just one. When her mother passed away two years ago, she inherited the 10-acre family farm in Santa Ynez Valley with its pre-stagecoach-era roots and immeasurable sentimental value. While grieving—and pregnant—Schlinger spent months restoring the place, honoring its heritage with historic paint colors while modernizing the outbuildings from cottages to chicken coops. Between planting crops and raising animals, she is bringing Full Moon Farms to life. “At first I didn’t even know where the key to the tractor was!” she says, adding that it’s been a learning curve from day one. “I had to YouTube how to use a John Deere.”
Aside from a couple of zaps by the electric fence and a few equine escapees (all safely returned), the farm has quickly become a respite for her family and visitors seeking a dose of country life. Locals buy fresh eggs and produce, guests attend intimate gatherings on everything from wreath making to crafting elderberry syrup, and shoppers frequent the online mercantile for locally made sustainable goods. In the future Schlinger envisions more collaborations and children’s programming, but for now the farm is home—a place to raise her budding family and bring the simple joys and lessons of farm life to others. “There’s always something to do or look after. Once you paint the last fence post, it’s time to start over again,” she says. “It’s a bit like going back in time.” FULLMOONFARMS.COM.
Beyond the Blogs
What happens when two bloggers become good friends? A collaboration, of course.
A Wrel Living table set with Good Kind Work plates, Rough Linen napkins, and other made-in-California homewares.
Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer
What happens when two bloggers become good friends? A collaboration, of course. WREL LIVING is the brainchild of Samantha Wennerstrom and Alicia Lund, named after their children (Willow, Rex, Elin, and Lila). “We’ve been friends for over 10 years, living parallel lives, blogging, getting married, having kids,” Wennerstrom says. “The last couple years we’ve enjoyed our time at home making things extra special, swapping recipe and tabletop ideas.” In launching an online shop, they’ve curated “favorite finds,” while tapping into their network of makers and brands to collaborate on one-of-a-kind pieces. The California-inspired capsule collection of lifestyle goods include pitchers, bud vases, dinnerware, and more dreamy items that represent their entertaining aesthetic and friendship. Adds Wennerstrom: “It’s all about bringing friends and family around the table.” WRELLIVING.COM.
Faded Glory
Award-winning photographer Mike Eliason turns his eclectic journalistic eye on all corners of the county…
A timeworn sign at a drive-in movie theater in Lompoc evokes cinematic images as fleeting as the puffy clouds in the blue valley sky.
Photography by Mike Eliason
Award-winning photographer Mike Eliason turns his eclectic journalistic eye on all corners of the county in Santa Barbara and Beyond: The Photography of Mike Eliason ($40, Beach Ball Books). A native of Carpinteria known for everything from sports images to feature photos, Eliason includes the offbeat and exotic along with the iconic shots of land- and seascapes, the natural world, architecture, and people, while also serving as public information officer for the SB Country Fire Department. Available December 1 at local bookstores and at SHORELINEPUBLISHING.COM.
Whoa, Alli!
Alli Addison, of the lifestyle brand Milton Menasco, rounds up her top picks for fall with western flair and a dash of cowgirl spirit.
Alli Addison, of the lifestyle brand Milton Menasco, rounds up her top picks for fall with western flair and a dash of cowgirl spirit
Addison is the great-niece of late American artist Milton Menasco.
Written by Gina Tolleson | Photography by Alli, Elizabeth Hay
ONE TO WATCH
WHO Alli Addison, 37, mother of two, designer, equestrian, and the face behind the Instagram brand @miltonmenasco.
WHAT “Milton Menasco was established in 2019 as a lifestyle brand to honor the work of my great uncle and the ranching lifestyle of my ancestors—but brought up to date. The result? An inclusive and unique collection of art, wearables, and goods for the modern-day horse girl and horse boy.”
WEAR “Fall on the coast has me yearning for vintage knits, rustic denims, a neutral palette of creams, tans, rust, and black, with added sterling embellishments. I’m looking for feminine accents combined with masculine scale, celestial details, and subtle western nods. This, of course, extends into the home, with intoxicating fragrances, sensory experiences, well-curated coffee-table books, and a range of artworks that create a relaxed, simple, yet elegant space.”
LOOK FOR “This fall I am launching a new collaborative mini capsule with Tenlea Hunter that’s overflowing with space-cowboy, horse-girl energy that will leave you wanting to shoot for the stars and lasso the moon. Our exclusive Starry Night felt hats in black and bone were crafted for us by our friends at Stetson, and it feels like the beginning of something truly epic.”
APPLE DOESNT FALL FAR “My family has lived in the area for seven generations, in Santa Barbara and on the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Nipomo, living a life rooted in ranching, farming, and trade. Simply riding the horses in the same hills as my great-great-great-grandparents, driving between Santa Ynez and Los Alamos—which served as my family’s trade route—or walking the steps of the Old Mission gives me a sense of place that is hard to describe. While my father’s side of the family is tied to this community historically, my mother’s side of the family has its own story: My great-granduncle was the famous equestrian artist Milton Menasco. His classical equestrian elements—particularly an exacting eye for both the confirmation and disposition of the horse—all became heavy influencers of my own personal style and passions.”
UPCYCLE 101 “Vintage goods with equestrian and western flair will always be a mainstay at Milton Menasco, as we believe in sustainable, locally sourced, ecofriendly, and handmade goods. And we certainly believe in second chances. Even for garments! With many items 40, 50, even 70-plus years old, the condition is typical of their age, but their story continues with a new generation of horse lovers.”
PICO, 805-344-1122, in Los Alamos is our go-to date night restaurant choice. I recommend the subtly spicy Lost Almost margarita.
Also in Los Alamos, SISTERS GIFTS AND HOME, 805-720-1110, @sistersgiftsandhome, has some of the best local equestrian and western antiques and collectibles in the valley.
Absolutely requisite for any local horse folk, JEDLICKA’S, 805-688-2626, in Los Olivos encompasses the best of both worlds, with everything needed for the western or English rider.
FAVOUR, 805-693-8998, in Santa Ynez can do no wrong when it comes to contemporary women’s wear in the valley.
Heading East
Where to stay and play in Palm Springs
Views of the 65-foot saltwater pool at The Colony Club.
Where to stay and play in Palm Springs
The desert beckons as autumn in Palm Springs promises warm days and cooler nights. Special events highlight the signature style and sports of the area, including Modernism Week’s Fall Preview (October 14-17) and the BNP Paribas Open (October 4-17). Of course, you can always simply laze at the pool.
Hotelier, design guru, and Montecito resident Steve Hermann has completely renovated the venerable Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows into a stylish 57-room getaway with bold patterns and a fresh new look. Built by Purple Gang member Al Wertheimer in the 1930s, the hotel was a longtime favorite of L.A. celebs. Today it’s a luxe adults-only oasis with lush gardens, an inviting spa, and the sleek Colony Club restaurant. Says Hermann, “We looked to old Hollywood as well as the French and Italian Riviera of the 1930s and ’40s for inspiration.”
“We looked to old Hollywood as well as the French and Italian Riviera of the 1930s and ’40s for inspiration.”
Morocco meets the Mediterranean at the Korakia Pensione. Behind the wooden doors of the grand Moorish entrance are two historic villas with bungalows, rooms, studios, and suites arrayed around two pools and each individually appointed with antiques and handcrafted furnishings. What could be more relaxing than breakfast in the courtyard, afternoon tea in the art-filled library, massages in the indoor-outdoor spa lounge, and vintage movies under the stars. Add sound baths, yoga sessions, and a meditation practices for a truly serene stay.
With just 11 adults-only accommodations, Dive Palm Springs offers the intimacy of a boutique resort with the retro aesthetic of the 1960s French Riviera. Each room has its own vivid color theme, while the image of Lulu (the hotel’s neon diving girl artwork) unites it all. Enjoy an aperitif in the Peacock Lounge, where the curated playlist features music by Françoise Hardy and other Gallic notables. C’est si bon.
Desert to-dos
Toast to the artistic vision of Cecil Beaton—legendary British photographer and designer—at Bar Cecil where chef Gabe Woo’s sybaritic menu includes The Fifty Dollar Martini.
At Soukie Modern, founded by “rug addict” Taib Lotfi, you’ll find not only vintage Moroccan floor coverings but also unique bags, kimonos and caftans, candles, pillows, and poufs.
Kick up your heels at Pappy + Harriet’s, the historic BBQ restaurant, bar, and music venue in nearby Pioneertown where Modest Mouse takes the stage on September 24.
Hit the Road
The tastiest food trucks, trailers, and carts to track
The tastiest food trucks, trailers, and carts to track
Written by Anush J. Benliyan
Fess Parker Winery recently introduced the MOBILE BUBBLE SHACK, a moveable version of its charming Bubble Shack in Los Olivos. The converted 1969 Fireball trailer serves up Fesstivity sparkling wines—Sta. Rita Hills blanc de blancs, brut rosés, and blanc de noirs—by the glass or bottle on the grounds of the winery on Saturdays and Sundays. Los Alamos farmer Carla Malloy stocks her mobile ELDER FLAT FARM stand with organic produce like artichokes, heirloom tomatoes, swiss chard, pomegranates, and melons, as well as gorgeous blooms (including edible flowers), fresh eggs, and Sideyard Shrubs. Check her Instagram to know when she’ll be parked at Bell’s next. Malia Christensen and Makena McGinley are the sisters behind the adorable vintage mobile bars you might have spotted around Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. THE PETITE FLEET of transformed trailers and mail cars are perfect for parties, pouring delectable libations—wine, bubbly, beer, and handcrafted cocktails—and nonalcoholic beverages like lavender lemonade kombucha. For your next java fix, stop by the pint-size NEIGHBORS COFFEE CART, parked in front of Global Eye and Four Brothers Wine in Los Olivos. The electric mini coffee truck focuses on Central Coast roasters like Dart Coffee Co. and Dune Coffee Roasters. Chef Clark Staub’s new FULL OF LIFE FLATBREADS truck—a refurbished 1952 Chevy cab-over—offers a mobile version of the beloved Los Alamos eatery, firing up fresh artisanal breads and flatbreads loaded with locally sourced ingredients like whole-milk mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, and caramelized onions. Also available for “field bakes” for private events, the Full of Life truck will be cooking up a storm this fall, with a schedule of ticketed dinners, including “In the Heart of Harmony,” Table & Vine Supper Club’s family-style meal in the tiny town of Harmony (September 30), and an Outstanding in the Field dinner with Lompoc’s Ampelos Cellars (November 1). And don’t miss Nicholas Priedite’s moveable feast behind Bell’s in Los Alamos at his eponymous PRIEDITE BARBECUE pop-up. The budding pit master is celebrated for his modern take on old-school brisket, ribs, house-made ranchero sausage, and pulled pork, all of which he smokes over local oak.
Photographs by Elder Flat Farm, Collin Dewell; the petite fleet, Lacie Hansen, Neighbors Coffee Cart, Sara Prince; Priedite, @troxphotos (John Troxell).
Car Crazy!
The Montecito Motor Classic returns on October 10 with a fleet of rare and unique vehicles.
The Montecito Motor Classic returns on October 10 with a fleet of rare and unique vehicles.
“I love cars,” says Dolores Morelli Johnson, founder of the Montecito Motor Classic. Her absolute favorite—a rare white 1963 Rolls Royce—will be on display on October 10 at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, along with a cherry red 1967 Mustang, a 1956 Jaguar XK140 Drophead Coupe, a “Rita Hayworth” concept car, and some 150 other jaw-dropping examples of automobile artistry. Entrants’ fees go to support the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (SBPAL) and the 911 At Ease International foundation, while visitors attend free. Start your engines!
Written by Joan Tapper