Hidden Hills Magazine • Winter 2022/23

from

the

PUBLISHERS

As2022 comes to an end we embrace the holidays with our friends and loved ones, as we set our sights on the upcoming year in hope of good health, prosperity, and happiness for all our family, friends, and colleagues.

The new year brings with it some changes and we are pleased to announce that the owners of The Malibu Times, Hayley and Nicholas Mattson, have added Hidden Hills Magazine to their family of publications under the 13 Stars Media banner.

The Mattsons bring their resources and years of experience to deliver the Hidden Hills Magazine as readers have come to expect. Joe Bellissimo and Lonna Weber created and produced a special publication, and Hayley and Nic look forward to keeping the good nature of the magazine.

In moving ahead, Lonna Weber will continue her leadership, offering community insight and refined taste to the publication.

"We look forward to keeping to the character and quality you have come to expect, as well as make some improvements where we know we can," Hayley shared. "We appreciate the direction Lonna will continue to provide as a resident of Hidden Hills, as well as the editorial support Britt Aaronson offers. It is our intention to elevate the publication and exceed expectations in the years ahead.”

She continued, “It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, and our intentions with Hidden Hills Magazine will continue as we produce a unique and special publication for a unique and special community. We truly appreciate both Joe and Lonna and look forward to continuing their vision for years to come.”

We wish you all a very happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

CONTRIBUTORS

ELYSE GLICKMAN

Elyse Glickman’s work as a journalist and editor spans the globe andtopics including gastronomy, wine and spirits, wellness, business profiles, interior design and fashion. She served as a Senior Editor for business/ executive lifestyle magazine C-Suite Quarterly (CSQ)magazine, covering food and travel.

ADDITIONAL

CO-PUBLISHERS

Hayley Mattson

Lonna Weber

Editor-in-Chief

Hayley Mattson

Business & Product Development

Nicholas Mattson

Content Editor

Britt Aaronson

Layout & Graphic Design

Evan Rodda

Neil Schumaker Jen Rodman

Advisory Board

Joe Bellissimo Steve Weber

Inquiries

Advertising: lonna@hiddenhillsmag.com Editorial: editor@hiddenhillsmag.com

Hidden Hills Magazine is published four times a year by 13 Stars Media. It is mailed to residents of the city of Hidden Hills, and surrounding neighborhoods in California as well as targeted distribution at commercial and retail locations in the greater Los Angeles and Ventura County areas.

24955 Pacific Coast Highway Suite A102 Malibu, CA 90265 (310) 456-5507

All Rights reserved. No article illustrations photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of the copyright owner (s).

13 Stars Media does not take responsibility for the claims provided herein.

Designed in California • Printed in the U.S.A.

BRITT AARONSON

Britt moved to Hidden Hills in 2008 and quickly became involved in community activities like CERT, the Valentines Musicale, and as a Calabasas Library Commissioner. She practices yoga and meditation daily and loves living adjacent to the Santa Monica mountains where she can be found when she is not walking the bridle trails in the neighborhood.

CONTRIBUTORS: JIMY TALLAL, SAMANTHA BRAVO and JULIE ELLERTON

GODS OF THUNDER Renowned photographer Michael Muller unveils 'Horse Project'

IN GOOD HEALTH With television host, producer and registered dietician, Ashley Hawk

UNCUFFED & FREE Captain Jennifer Seetoo shares how to live free of mental handcuffs

HOLIDAY

LOCAL

DELECTABLE COLLECTIBLES

MEET ARIZONA

GODS OF THUNDER

Renowned Photographer MICHAEL MULLER Unveils 'Horse Project'

Story by Jimy Tallal Gallery Images by Julie Ellerton

MICHAEL MULLER

On the second floor at the end of the Malibu Pier, you walk into the Surfrider Gallery and are immediately surrounded by large, dramatic photos of horses running through water, smoke, and fields of terrain. It is the result of a seven-year-long effort by renowned photographer Michael Muller, and this is the first showing of his "horse project, God's of Thunder" exhibit to the public.

The opening night on November 10, featured a reception with many of Muller's friends, as well as art collectors and clients, including Malibu's big wave surfer Laird Hamilton and professional beach volleyball player Gabrielle Reece.

Muller, 52, has been a highly successful commercial photographer for the past 35 years — since he was teenager — shooting photos for snowboarding, the music industry, advertising, the entertainment industry, movie posters, fashion, and iconic sports figures.

According to his official "bio," Muller's celebrity portraits of Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Jeff Bridges, Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, and hundreds of others have been published in the pages and on the covers of magazines that include Vanity Fair, Elle, Rolling Stone, Harper's Bazaar, Flaunt, Filter, Esquire, Interview, and New York Times Magazine

When it comes to horses, It was love at first sight

Muller has also created advertising print campaigns for a number of major companies, including Samsung, Turkish Air, Speedo, Nike, Aston Martin, Billabong, Oakley, and Range Rover

"I have 28 million photos in my archive," he related in a personal interview.

But this is just his "day job." For fun, Muller is usually pursuing a "passion project" in his spare time.

"I have no client or art director on the side telling me what to do," he shared.

One of his first passion projects was close-up underwater shark photography, where he invented and patented a special studio lighting system for underwater photos. The result of that work, which took over 20 years, was published in his book "Sharks."

His latest passion project, which he has done for the past six or seven years, is photographing horses. When it comes to horses, "It was love at first sight," he said. A number of his photos were taken locally at Malibu's One Gun Ranch, but he's also traveled far and wide throughout the West to capture images at a preserve for wild horses and wild horses in general.

Muller expects to have a horse book out in about two years, with ambitious travel plans to 25 or 30 additional locations for additional horse photo shoots in Mongolia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Alaska.

Muller, a surfer with a second home on Point Dume, says he's been coming to Malibu for the past 35 years. He's originally from northern California with a primary residence in Los Angeles. He was connected to One Gun Ranch owners and business partners Alice Bamford and Ann Eysenring through an assignment to photograph horses on the ranch. (They originally purchased the 20-acre property in 2008 from Guns' N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum).

The two women also have concessions on the Malibu Pier, including the Ranch at the Pier stores at the end of the Pier. The Surfrider Gallery, part of the Ranch at the Pier complex, where Muller's photos are now being exhibited, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visit mullerphoto.com to view more of Michael Muller's work.

Founder and CEO Mauricio Um basas Managing Partner Emil Valley Sales Manager Jason Ga rdi are proud to welcome Micheal Bloom

IN GOOD HEALTH WITH

ASHLEY HAWK

by Britt Aaronson

Connecting and sharing the dots to good health has been a long and nourishing journey for Television Host, Producer, and Registered Dietician Ashley Hawk. Forming the whole picture of this selfpossessed and accomplished expert includes a childhood that supported females studying science, a career in entertainment that led to an excursion to Central America sparking a desire to support people towards better health. Winning Miss Arizona, a return in front of the cameras, being a devoted daughter, wife, and mother also helped shape the wellness leader she is today.

Growing up in a house with a surgeon father, Dr. Kurt Reinke forged the impulse to learn why and how the body works. Her mother was from England, yet they grew up in Tucson, Arizona because Cat loved warm weather. Ashley “was really lucky to grow up around horses. I like to think I had a nice mix of always being

outside, getting my hands dirty because horses were my favorite thing. Funny enough I would say that led us to Hidden Hills years and years later. There was always a big emphasis on being able to appreciate what our bodies can do and never take that for granted. So if we had an extra hour after dinner when homework was done, it was like: get outside, go play, be around the horses, go pick something from the garden.”

Influenced by dreams of living near the ocean and working in entertainment, Ashley attended film school at Loyola Marymount University where she graduated with a double major in Communications and Screenwriting. In her mid-twenties, she worked at ABC, the E Entertainment Channel, and a production company producing and developing live and unscripted television shows until taking a break from working more than 60 hours a week to move to the small town of Liberia, Costa Rica for six months to teach English.

“Get outside, go play, be around the horses, go pick something from the garden.”

Working and developing relationships with the children and young adults from school emphasized the absence of nutrition in many of their homes. The children were eating foods that weren’t balanced, making it hard for them to focus in class. Hearing cries of “Tengo hambre” by the students stressed that poor nutrition was not caused by lack of willpower, but by lack of education. She started bringing the students healthy snacks that met suggested food group values and concentration increased. This experience taught her that she could improve wellbeing across all ages and economies.

After returning stateside, Ashley began studying for a Masters in Nutritional Science and to be a Registered Dietician. To achieve her personal and professional goals, she competed in pageants winning the Miss Arizona competition in 2019. Soon she was being asked to deliver

on-air nutrition advice on behalf of the Miss Arizona Pageant Organization. In her appearances, she suggested tangible, less intimidating lifestyle changes such as her “Five Ingredients under $5’’ series with low cost solutions influenced by those working with meager resources and budgets, including unpredictable food bank ingredients. Educating about food insecurity issues is a priority because “living in the United States there is absolutely no reason that anyone, let alone a child should go hungry.”

During the pandemic when most work became remote, she was convinced by husband Kenny that they could live anywhere, prompting the move from Los Gatos to Hidden Hills when she was pregnant with daughter Kennedy. There are so many things the Hawk family loves about living in the equestrian neighborhood such as seeing two-year-old Kennedy bond with her older

“Living in the United States there is absolutely no reason that anyone, let alone a child should go hungry.”

siblings Alex, Sophia, Heidi, and Holden. In her free time, you might see Ashley training for a long distance charity marathon, walking dog Phoenix, or riding horses Passion and Olivia on Long Valley Road. They cherish the friends made and the sense of community discovered by volunteering on the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Once back in Los Angeles, an old friend reopened the conversation about returning to television and convinced Ashley to host the Food Network series “How Healthy Happens.” She dispenses easy and efficient tips for people to feel their best in a 30-minute health forward morning show. Viewers discover quick tricks that spotlight the best products for all things food, fitness, and nutrition related. The show’s core values are honest and sustainable practices and products.

Five Simple Lifestyles Tips from

Ashley Hawk

1Drink Half your Weight in Ounces of Water: Chronic dehydration can cause so many underlying health issues and may make you feel tired and sluggish. By simply drinking more water we can stay hydrated and function at our best.

2Move for 15-20 minutes each day. This includes stretching, swimming, walking, and yoga.

Appearing in over 100 television shows has helped bring the message about the importance of healthy eating to a wider audience. With her clinical training and background, Ashley loves being able to take complex information and deconstruct it into what she likes to call “digestible bites.” “I do like to clarify that I am not a chef. I have no culinary training but I like food. I really like to eat food and I prefer to make my own food” based on studies where home cooked meals are proven to be an overall healthier diet versus getting take-out since they contain lower amounts of sodium, fat, and overall calories.

Eliminating barriers in wellness and nutrition spaces and helping people feel more confident through food is Ashley’s mission. She has many to thank for influencing her overall concept of wellness, counting her food scientist grandfather who established one of her favorite pieces of health advice: “Everything in Moderation, including Moderation.”

Try to buy what is in season and local if possible. Produce is higher in nutrients when it doesn't have to travel as far so stop by local Farmers Markets for healthy options.

Fill half your plate with vegetables to avoid unhealthy snacking and load your tummy with useful nutrients.

Consume roughly 10 blueberries each day to improve your brain health. Did you know 1/4th cup of blueberries contains 50% of your recommended antioxidant intake? Watch the most recent

By Captain Jennifer Seetoo

Transcribed by Britt Aaronson Photography by Samantha Bravo

Uncuffed & Free M

alibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Captain Jennifer Seetoo is no stranger to the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys, first joining the station the week of the devastating Borderline shooting and 2018 Woolsey Fire. Well respected and liked for thoughtfully protecting and repopulating the cities of Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Topanga, and Westlake Village, she was subsequently denied a promotion and transferred to the West Hollywood Station.

Never losing her initiative, the 22 year veteran was appointed the first female Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Captain in May 2022. Captain Seetoo is a dynamic Woman in Leadership positively impacting others through reflective strategies that unify and keep our community safe. This excerpt was transcribed from a speech made at the 2022 Malibu Pacific Palisades Women’s Leadership Awards.

I kind of laugh and I tell them when I was younger my dream was to be a Los Angeles Lakers girl. That didn’t work. So I hung up my pom poms, picked up a gun, and somehow it worked itself out. Not really sure how that worked, but it was quite interesting how everyone understood me being a cheerleader and supported that, but the second I decided to pivot and become a cop, I didn’t really get that same support and that started

1

The first key is I started practicing gratitude. I started changing my mindset. I looked for positives in my current situation and I have two little girls, seven and nine, so when everything was going on in 2019, my little girls jumped in bed with me and every night we would say three things that were blessed that happened that day and that would change my mindset.

2

The second key is I wasn’t going to let my current situation define me. Transferring to West Hollywood was really embarrassing and I walked in on my first day to my boss who I never met, Captain Edward Ramirez. He walks in and introduces himself and I look him square in the eye and say, “I am angry and I am bitter, but you don’t deserve that, and the community doesn’t deserve that, so I am going to be positive and I am going to be your hardest working Lieutenant here.” He looked at me and said “Okay.” Today he is one of my dearest friends and now I get to wear his Captain’s badge. It is some of those good things that happen in bad situations.

3

The third key is we all have heard this saying: when God closes a door, he opens a window. I was like, “Ok, where is that window going to be open?” I really started looking. My mentors taught me “Look for that window, Jen. There is a window.” Because of my amazing friends, I started writing a book. I wrote, and I wrote. I laughed and I cried until it was done. Through that process, I healed. Thank you to my good friends.

I want to tell you about five keys that help me unlock the cuffs I put on myself:

“Most people ask when they meet me, ‘you don’t look like a cop, you don’t act like a cop, what happened?’

the process of me allowing people to handcuff me.

4The fourth key is helping others in need. I was so wrapped up in myself and only looking at my circumstances that the second I got beyond me and decided to start looking for opportunities to help others, my world completely changed.

5The last key is to dance every day. That’s it. Dance and laugh every day. I literally laugh and dance with my girls every day. I am teaching and mentoring my girls to be future women in leadership.

And that is the question, how did this all happen in a matter of three years? I attribute it to being uncuffed and unafraid. Once my handcuffs were off, my situation was still the same but my mindset has changed. I am free. I am no longer a prisoner to those cuffs. I will ask you three questions, is someone or something handcuffing you from fulfilling your full potential, are you handcuffing or limiting yourself, and to the amazing women and men in this room, are you mentoring our future generation of leaders to be uncuffed and free? I stand before you as the first female Captain of the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff Station, but most importantly, I stand before you uncuffed and free.”

SERRA Retreat

a secret refuge from the busyness of city life

Serra Retreat was established centuries ago yet remains one of Malibu’s most peaceful spots to visit. Consecrated after Father Junipero Serra, the apostle of California, the estate is located atop a 26-acre knoll with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains.

This home to Franciscan friars offers a serene place to enjoy manicured gardens with various shrines, Stations of the Cross, and fountains less than a mile from Malibu Pier. There is a large cross facing the water that provides a 360-degree viewing area to reflect on Father Junipero Serra’s encouraging statement to “always go forward, never turn back.”

In 1802 Joseph Tapia was granted permission by the commander in Santa Barbara to graze cattle on Rancho Malibu. The Rancho Malibu land grant comprised over 100,000 acres, extending north and south from the Pacific Ocean to the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains and east and west from Topanga Canyon to Hueneme. The property passed from the Tapia family through many owners until May 1942 when the Franciscan Friars of Santa Barbara purchased the property for $50,000 to establish a seminary.

Since 1942, the center has hosted thousands of groups who use the facilities for retreats, meetings, or conferences, either for a day or overnight. Situated within a guard gated community, the Spanish Mission style buildings house offices, six conference rooms, a friary, and 64 fully furnished bedrooms that can accommodate 120 people. The Dining Room, Chapel, many patios, and outdoor sitting areas offer sparkling views of the coast. A main attraction is the Santa Rosa Labyrinth designed by Lea Goode-Harris where guests can wind through the symmetrical stone circle or sit on the benches near the shade of the bell structure. The grounds are full of vibrant flowers, a lush array of pine and eucalyptus trees, and structures are adorned with devotional art and 20th-century Malibu tiles.

Serra Retreat is a secret refuge from the busyness of city life to those who discover its glorious grounds offer sweeping views of canyons, mountains and the sea surrounded by untamed nature, secluded resting places and serpentine walking paths. The Franciscans combine their ministry of hospitality and inspiration with the wonder of sky, gardens, and beautiful weather. Whether you visit for a day or a week you are sure to leave renewed and refreshed.

Serra Retreat is located at 3401 Serra Road, Malibu. For reservation and additional information email reservations@serraretreat.com or call (310) 456-6631.

A PARIS

HOLIDAY

A beguiling history, increasingly interesting gastronomy, captivating shopping, and an endless array of ingredients make a recipe for a deliciously unforgettable vacation.

Story and Photography by Elyse Glickman

The perfect way to make Paris your own is to allow your personal passions and a dash of common sense to drive your itinerary. Its reputation is solidified by centuries of history, an always-vibrant fashion scene, and of course, the gastronomy. However, to savor Paris as the locals do, it’s always good to be open to newer eateries and retail powered by those respecting old traditions yet pushing French cuisine and design in new directions.

Besides booking a hotel, the best way to start planning ahead is to invest in a multi-day Paris Museum Pass and a multi-day RATP Metro Pass that can be pulled out in a moment’s notice for less fuss, more enjoyment, and keeping your wallet safe while absorbing everything the city offers the senses. While the museum pass pays for itself in three

museums, it also offers the luxury of shorter entry lines (especially with reservations required or strongly recommended).

While it’s fun to spend an evening in a picturesque brasserie people watching (there are many good ones), strolling the city’s most exclusive shops and grand avenues, you’ll have bragging rights if you check out places operated by a new generation of restaurateurs, chefs, and retailers generating a buzz with the locals. Regardless of your reason for planning a Paris getaway, you may want to approach it as a multi-course experience—mixing and matching favorite destinations with the kind of spontaneity that will allow you to discover something that’s “only in Paris” in the here and now.

First Course: A Grand “Entree” to Paris

Some travelers argue hotel rooms are merely places where one sleeps between visits to different sites. Others will scope out an opulent room inside one of the many “modern luxury” boutique hotels blossoming out of revitalized old homes and repurposed buildings. However, when a four- or five-star hotel is a microcosm of the city where it sits, it can expand every day you’re in town into a fully immersive experience. The Intercontinental Hotel Le Grand is one of those hotels, and has been a draw for 120 years, along with its equally legendary Cafe de la Paix for many good reasons, from its refined but personable service, to historic spaces and decorative antiques throughout the building, to its centralized 9th Arrondissement location.

With all of that going on at the InterContinental Paris - Le Grand, guests will certainly get their bearings in Paris very quickly. Its very existence is rooted in the city’s history, which in turn whets the appetite for what Paris represents for so many people. Designed by Charles Garnier (the architect behind the landmark opera house bearing his name), it was part of a complete reconstruction of Paris supervised by Baron Haussmann during the reign of Napoleon III. After decades of political instability, its opening in May 1862 marked a transition into a new golden age. It’s a mindset that still resonates with discerning travelers a century and a half later.

Some of the hotel’s best rooms overlook the opulent Opera Garnier, and those staying on the first floor are treated to dramatic high ceilings that offset simple but striking décor bridging the Belle Epoque and this century. Even with all of its sophistication and refinement, the property is family friendly as well as a perfect site for destination weddings, honeymoons, and business conferences as the people-watching in the cafe and the sparkling glass-roofed lobby attests. Although several restaurants are right outside the door, signature restaurant Cafe de la Paix’s versions of the most French of lunch and dinner dishes are some of the best in the city. Executive Chef Laurent André and his team keep things interesting with several distinctive original dishes based on whatever is in season and what’s going on in town. The breakfast buffet, meanwhile, is straightforward, prolific, and consistent in terms of quality.

Another side of the triangular building faces out toward the flagships of Paris’ department stores, including the Galleries Lafayette Haussmann, which occupies three buildings on facing corners, including a food emporium, a free-standing men’s store and the main locale with its opulent ceiling covering familiar departments as well as the innovative “(Re)Store,” an eclectic expanse of resale featuring current brands (CrushOn, Monogram), vintage sellers (Culture Vintage), and original new garments crafted from upcycled fabrics and notions (Les Récupérables, Studio Rosalie, Petite Chineuse) which not only taps into today’s sustainability zeitgeist but also the desire to invest in a timeless Paris original that makes a statement no matter the taste or budget.

Cafe de la Paix’s versions of the most French of lunch and dinner dishes are some of the best in the city.

Carefully-sourced raw materials are required to bring great ideas and great work of art to life, and the Marais District, whose landmarks include the Center Pompidou and Paris City Hall, exemplifies this. Like other museums, the Pompidou boasts a destination restaurant (Georges V) as well as boutiques with art books and clever gift items, toys, and gadgets. Beyond that, it is famously the home of some of the city’s best rooftop views as well as an eye-popping assemblage of modern and postmodern art from notables like (list artists here). The building also has a cool upstairs outdoor lounge with pillows and deck chairs as well as a theater and performance space.

Sightings of all things modern and thought provoking extend out to the Pompidou’s colorful front yard populated by street musicians, peaceful political and social demonstrations, picnicking families, artists, and university students. The side streets flowing out from Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and the Rue Vieille du Temple abound with a variety of businesses that are “alternative” in the best sense of the word.

The area covering parts of the 3rd and 4th Arrondissements is a wonderland of thrift store shopping (Kilo Shop Kawaii, Kiliwatch, Hippy Market) that democratize Paris street chic, beading and crafting stores, and French specialty food shops and restaurants with decidedly

global twists. Among the most noteworthy are the recently-opened Janet by Homer, a stylish rethinking of New York City delis (including its now world-famous pastrami) made with top grade kosher meats, and Homer is noted for its takes on New England lobster rolls, tuna melts, and more. The brainchild of Moïse Sfez, these Forbes, Vogue and Elle-acclaimed eateries prove some of the very best and most innovative dishes in Paris can be affordable and family-friendly.

Although the usually busy Champs-Élysées (which reads like a melange of Beverly Hills’ Boulevard-Rodeo Drive intersection and New York City’s Times Square) is touristy to the hilt, it’s always worth a visit after peak business hours for the Arc de Triomphe, several larger-than-life designer emporiums, and even a spotless McDonalds offering baguette sandwiches, croissants, macarons, and canele d’aquitaine alongside the regular staples and interesting vegetarian sandwich options.

Restaurant Le Drugstore, at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, has been around since 1958, but feels as fresh as ever, with its muted jeweltoned mid-century modern décor and inventive menu of appetizers, desserts, and photogenic cocktails (that are as good as they look). Along with a smart outdoor section, it also features an adept DJ later in the evenings, an always-entertaining open concept kitchen and an adjoining pharmacy that’s probably the most playful and elegant drugstore you’ll experience in town.

Second Course: Peak Boho Chic and Real Local Flavor

Main Course: Culture on the Seine

The 7th Arrondissement, the gateway to the Left Bank, is where substance meets style...and one will get a lot of mileage out of the Paris Museum Pass. The city’s top museums and landmarks (Louvre, D’Orsay, L’Orangerie, Musee D’Orsay, Jardins Tuileries, Place de la Concorde) line up like the stars in a lucky astrological reading. Although you may need more than a Sunday to thoroughly shoot for those stars, you can break up visits with a picnic in the park or a stroll down Rue St-

Dominique and be completely surrounded with history and the joie de vivre that defines the city.

The Latin Quarter, Paris’ academic hub, is quieter, yet no less dramatic, with Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Sorbonne, and those romantic riverside promenades below the bridges that have turned up in so many different movies and television shows. Brasseries serving traditional, well-executed classics, such as Le Rotisserie d’Argent, are the real deal thanks to rich aromatics and a mostly local clientele.

Dessert: Fashion Confectionery for Wardrobe, Home and Soul

La Gallerie Dior, the newest museum drawing lines and requiring reservations, is the shining star of the 1st Arrondissement. It is pure fashion heaven with its fantastical layout, captivating displays, and arrangement of Christian Dior’s original creations as well as those from current era designers he has influenced. It also adjoins one of Paris’ most beautiful multi-level Dior boutiques. While this neighborhood is known for being filled with exclusive fashion ateliers, Rue du Faubourg SaintHonoré turns up the volume of luxury fashion to eleven with sparkling outposts of top French and international designers. Side streets such as Rue de Cambon are lined with exquisite jewelry, home, and fashion accessory shops, along with fragrance salons with some of the most alluring perfumes and scents you’ve never heard of.

St. Germain de Pres, a small island in the middle of the Seine, is known for its exquisite home design studios, higher-end food retailers (1883, Richart) and small fashion ateliers. It converges Marais artsiness with the refinement of Faubourg St. Honore, and is dotted with private art galleries and historic churches. If you had a 24-hour layover in town, the 6th arrondissement would probably be the ideal neighborhood to feel like a local. On the other hand, it’s probably best to plan for the entire meal.

Sidebar: A second helping of seine

Longer stays in Paris demand several days dedicated to day trips. Subway lines can easily get you out to Versailles as well as lesser-known but equally impressive palaces-turned-museums like Château de Malmaison and Château de Chantilly. Viking Cruises, Ama Waterways and several European river cruise lines, on the other hand, offer several France itineraries that make exploring other highlights of the country a breeze. The idea of swapping a car rental and the necessity to figure out several hotel reservations for one floating hotel along the Seine is particularly appealing, especially if you’ve not visited northwestern France before, or been there in a while.

Viking Cruises “Paris and the Heart of Normandy'' itinerary is an engaging and rich road trip alternative not only for older travelers, but also younger generations thanks to excellent guides with serious storytelling skills and much care put into the planning of activities and choice of destinations. Both the U.S.-focused and British Commonwealth World War II excursions are intense, deeply moving, and filled with gorgeous rural vistas on the routes between different places. The small but substantial museums between the landmark battle sites (beaches) and cemeteries make history jump from the page of your high school and college history courses and textbooks. While the chefs explain how to source ingredients at every port for different meals (including an extraordinary “Taste of France” extravaganza at the seven-day trip’s midpoint), most days are planned with plenty of free time to allow for visits to local restaurants, bars, and retailers.

SHOP LOCAL

Lumber + Linen

GOZNEY OUTDOOR PIZZA OVEN ($2,000)

Professional grade outdoor oven engineered to work effortlessly for beginners and exceptionally for chefs. Enjoy the convenience of propane gas or the tradition of wood fired cooking with dual fuel Dome. Pizzas are cooked in 90 seconds!

Lumber + Linen HEATSAIL DOME ($7,000)

Luxury and stylish lighting with a built-in heater that is ideal for a patio, terrace or pergola. Designed and made in Belgium, Heatsail uses FAR-infrared thermal technology that supports detoxifying, antiinflammation, stimulates circulation and boosts immune function. Soak in the light, healing, warmth and relaxation.

LUMBER + LINEN

TOM DIXON ELEMENT COLLECTION CANDLES ($255)

Available in four scents of individual character that reflect their elemental names of Fire, Air, Earth and Water. Designed and made in the UK, these large Tom Dixon candles burn up to 70 Hours.

UNIVERSAL APPLIANCE and KITCHEN Center

THE TYENT UCE-13 PLUS SR WATER IONIZER

The healthiest water on the planet at the touch of a button.

UNIVERSAL APPLIANCE and KITCHEN Center

LA CORNUE LE CHÂTEAU 150

The Château 150 is the perfect balance of symmetry, design and function. With two standard vaulted ovens, one gas and one electric, the nearly 60" unit offers nine rangetop configurations to meet any culinary need.

Château ranges are available in a variety of standard enamel or metal body finishes, and can also be customized in a one-of-a-kind color.

Polacheck’s Jewelers

18K ROSE GOLD PAVÉ ($12,550) diamond curbed link bracelet 4.95ctw

STUDIO CT

THE EMMA DINING CHAIR

The Emma Dining Chair evokes a graceful air of whimsical ease. Wrapped in plush fabrics, the chair's seamless three legs form the base of its unique silhouette, while its curved frame creates a soft, organic feeling. Add elevated ease to your sitting room or den with this cozy, contemporary design.

LUMBER + LINEN

GARDENER FOLDING SEAT WITH TOOLS ($105) This lightweight and sturdy gardening kit includes all-steel narrow and broad face trowels, a garden fork, a cultivator rake, and a weeder. It makes a fantastic gardening gift.

ON THE ROCKS

LUMBER + LINEN

SMOKED COCKTAIL KIT ($95) Harness the fusion of wood smoke and spirits for the creation of a perfect environment to infuse the flavor with the least amount of effort. Includes transparent black borosilicate glass stopper and carafe, glass smoking stand, smoking pellets, and recipes.

BONjour FETE

EARTHY BAMBOO ECO-FRIENDLY LARGE PLATES ($7)

This neutral-colored plate set is perfect for anything from birthday parties to brunches. They are crafted out of naturally renewable bamboo, so they are sustainable and can be reused time and time again!

• Contains 6 plates

• Size: 9.75 x 9.75 inches

• Dishwasher safe

• Made from eco-friendly materials

BLACKBIRD GENERAL STORE

MODERN COCKTAILS BOX

This classic bourbon cocktail box is the epitome of sophistication and taste. Perfect for the whiskey drinker, cocktail aficionado, or the person who has everything. Filled with a Modern Cocktails Book, Bourbon Intemperance Bottle, set of 2 Whiskey Old Fashioned Glasses, Cocktail Ice Tray, Bennet Bitter and Brown Butter Bourbon Caramels, beautifully wrapped up in our branded Blackbird Gift Box. Of course, we can customize any Blackbird Box for a uniquely curated gift for any occasion.

LUMBER + LINEN GLUGGLE JUG ($120)

An original Gluggle Jug made in the United Kingdom, the sound emanating from the fish’s mouth when liquid is poured has brought entertainment and novelty to dinner tables for nearly 150 years. Available in Copper, White, Blue, Green and in multiple sizes.

Blackbird General store

SQUARE TABLETOP FIREPLACE

Create the perfect ambiance anywhere you go with this indoor/ outdoor, clean-burning tabletop fireplace. Transform your space into a s’more roasting, cigar lighting, warm and cozy environment. We love pairing this with a plush blanket and an artisan s’mores kit for a memorable gift anyone is sure to love!

Chandeliers and Tulips

ABSTRACT SHAKTI BODY ($370)

The feminine sculpture has a playful flowing energy , she is creativity, kind, full of abundance

Sculpture is made of hand poured cast concrete.

Dimensions: 7"W x 10"L x 21.5"H

• Weight: 26.6 Lbs

• Material: Concrete

• Food Safe: No

• Watertight: No

• Imported

• Made In: Mexico

• Prop 65: This product may expose you to chemicals which are known in the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

• Care : Wipe with soft, dry cloth

Studio CT Representing

STEVEN LYONS PHOTOGRAPHER

($1,500 - $15,000)

“Chris Cornell Paris 2005”

Bonjour fete

HAZEL GARDINER FLOWER CHRISTMAS CRACKERS ($26)

Party crackers will bring a pop of excitement to any celebration! Featuring delicate tissue paper flowers and gold foil details, these crackers make the most stunning table decoration– and more importantly, they’re filled with tiny treasures for guests of all ages to enjoy.

• Contains 6 party crackers

• Size: 2 x 10.75 x 2 inches

• Each cracker contains a joke, a gold paper hat, and a wooden brooch with gold foil detail

STUDIO CT

THE PARKER TABLE Hand Crafted Locally entirely from Natural White Oak

This beautiful, bold dining table would make an inviting statement in any dining room.

• Material : Select White Oak Wood

• Showroom Sample Natural

• Custom Colors available

Dr. Milo

DR. MILO RELIEF LOTION ($49)

Dr. Milo’s Topical Relief

Lotion is a natural alternative to pain relief that utilizes a full-spectrum plant-based formula. It absorbs into the skin within seconds, works within minutes, and lasts approximately 6-8 hours. We use a waterbased blend with nano full-spectrum hemp for higher potency as well as Arnica Montana for deeper absorption into the muscles. Dr. Milo works by targeting pain receptors in the nervous system. Our unisex essential oil-based scent won’t stain your clothes. Use anywhere & everywhere. We like it on the insides of our wrists to soothe anxiety and on our temples for migraine relief. Massage into your aches and feel the relief. Sustainably sourced ingredients and packaging. NO: animal testing, synthetic ingredients or fragrance, parabens, harsh sulfates, or phthalates Size: 2oz/60ml

Chandeliers and tulips

BLEACHED TEAK ROOT PARTS COFFEE TABLE 39’’ x 39’’ x16’’

Round tabletop

Cross-cut teak pedestal base

Bleached natural finish

Lumber + Linen

lumberandlinen.com

Whizin Market Square 28918 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 597-9574

Universal APPLIANCE and KITCHEN Center The Summit at Calabasas 26767 Agoura RD, Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 880-0011

Polacheck’s Jewelers

18K ROSE GOLD DIAMOND ETERNITY BAND ($11,000)

1.24ctw with .84cts diamond halo Blackbird

Chandeliers and Tulips

CLOUD BED

Cal King Bed

• Color: Ivory

• Wood: Beechwood

• Material Type: BIRCHWOOD

• Base: UPHOLSTERY

• Dimensions: 84 × 92 × 59 in

SPARKLE & SHINE

General Store

Love & Peace Leather Jacket Say goodbye to that plain leather jacket with this updated version adorned with one of Blackbird’s mantras…Peace & Love. Made from genuine lambskin, this studded jacket has adjustable waist belt details, a full zip front closure, and 2 hand warmer pockets. Wear to your favorite concert, dinner with friends, or that much needed date night in the city.

Bonjour Fete The Commons at Calabasas 4732 Commons Way STE G, Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 854-6288

Blackbird General Store 23504 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 805-9205

91301

444-1586

Polacheck’s Jewelers

Dr Milo Topical Relief Lotion drmilohemp.com

Photo by Ye Rin Mok

by Elyse Glickman

Delectable

COLLECTIBLES

rt and fine wines have blurred the lines between luxury goods and commodities for generations. However, premium spirits producers and master distillers have caught up in recent years and upped their game with exclusive offerings that are truly tasteful. And if you have somebody in your life who covets the finest spirits for his or her home bar as well as statement-making design, you’re in luck this year.

Inspired gift ideas for the connoisseur that blur the lines between spirits and fine art

In 2019, Jeremy Kasler traded his cache in the global fine art market for the creation and launch of CaskX (caskx.com), a company converging his passion for whiskey with his extensive expertise in pioneering innovative new investment platforms… and not only for the most elite connoisseurs. This year, the Australian-born and Los Angeles-based businessman hopes to bring the art of investing in fine whiskeys and bourbons to a larger audience and teaching them how spirits can be investments beyond one’s personal bar and desire to make a good impression when entertaining at home and at work.

Kasler explains that Scotch and bourbon casks are an ideal gift for anybody curious about top-tier spirits or alternative forms of investing. Furthermore, by working directly with distillers, CaskX is able to secure more lucrative and secure opportunities for investors. Barreled bourbon, for example, has shown exceptional stability and consistency in performance over the long term, making casks an important holding for strategic investors set on diversifying their portfolio with an asset with unparalleled resilience across economic cycles. Since 2010, bourbon cask prices have appreciated on average 13.85 percent per year on average, depending on the distillery and age. In comparison to other asset classes, bourbon has outpaced nearly every other category and is statistically been uncorrelated to the stock and bond markets.

Scotch and bourbon casks are an ideal gift for anybody curious about top-tier spirits or alternative forms of investing.

CaskX creator Jeremy Kasler

“By offering unparalleled transparency and advanced technology, we’re ushering in a new era of investment into the whiskey industry through our unique business model,” continues Kasler. “I launched CaskX with the goal of bridging the gap between distilleries and investors to bring the financial benefits of whiskey investment to the global stage,” continues Kasler.“At the same time, we aim to help our top market distilleries withstand the cash flow pressures that are inherent in whiskey production. Things have moved fast since we launched, as we’re now serving investors and distilleries through offices in Sydney, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong.”

While The Glenfiddich scotch portfolio appeals to whiskey fans with its reliable go-to libations, the distillery sometimes rolls out exclusive offerings with its Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whiskey core range. The newest limited production expression is The Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish ($54.99), a lively single malt available in both the Florida and California markets.

The spirit is matured in traditional American and European Oak casks, and finished in rare Amontillado Sherry casks for a distinctively rich and refined taste. Amontillado is a distinctive sherry crafted in the Spanish sherry region of Jerez and considered to be one of the four major dry sherries that still displays sweet flavor. This lends to a beautifully sweet, fruity notes intensified with rich oak, cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of baked apple, apparent in the new liquid. It joins the Core Range alongside Glenfiddich’s 12 Year-Old Original, 14 Year-Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve,15 Year-Old Solera, and 18 Year-Old Small Batch.

For those who are as caught up in NFL football action as they are with quality whiskey, a new offering sired and inspired by NFL legend, broadcaster, and entertainer Terry Bradshaw could prove to be a winning holiday gift choice. Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($40), created in the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country, is already a strong contender in competitions, earning a phenomenal 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and a gold medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It was also chosen second in a blind taste test of top bourbon brands by world-renowned whiskey authority Fred Minnick. Anybody well-versed in football trivia will recognize that its proof (51.9% ABV) is a nod to the NFL Hall of Fame quarterback’s career passing record.

Hedonistas de la Fe, a new bespoke small-batch range of artisanal mezcals, brings something new, unexpected, and luxurious to the agave spirits category. The collection of four rich, sophisticated, and complex mezcals introduced to the U.S. this fall range in price between $55.00 to $300/bottle as they are crafted from proprietary recipes and 500 year-old traditions handed down through the Santiago family of Matatlan, Oaxaca. Adding to the range’s value is the fact that the process—from the harvest of the agave to the distillation—is non-mechanized and created in one distillery. Each expression makes a specific flavor statement, from the cultivated ESPADIN (Agave Angustifolia) to the wild agave plants used in the bold TOBALA (Agave Potatorum), the elegant CUISHE (Agave Karwinskii), and the complex TEPEZTATE (Agave Marmorata).

Returning to the art world, gin producer Bombay Sapphire and the Basquiat Estate will be rolling out its 3rd Annual Special Edition Bottle ($23.99) following collaborations with fellow art visionaries Hebru Brantley (2020) and Steven Harrington (2021). This year's Special Edition bottle, which pays homage to cultural icon and prolific artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, draws inspiration from Jean-Michel’s time in Los Angeles. The bottle is enrobed with one of Basquiat’s earliest works, “Untitled (L.A Painting),” which has never before been licensed and has only been displayed to the public once in his second-ever show. The piece combines a defined L.A. vibe with key motifs associated with his work: the crown, the bird, the coin, and the skull, which are all beautifully collaged over soft hues of blue.

Muddle Sugar and bitters together in a glass, add Ice and Bradshaw Bourbon, then stir until satisfied. Strain out ice and replace with large ice cube if desired, then garnish with cherry and orange peel and enjoy!

Meet Arizona

Spanky's Pet Pics

Lisa Miles loves horses and can’t imagine a day not being around them. She recently welcomed Arizona, an eight year old registered Paint horse from Phoenix to her barn which already includes LaBelle & Olaf. An American Paint Horse is a breed of horse that combines both the conformational characteristics of a western stock horse with a pinto spotting pattern of white and dark coat colors.

Lisa is committed and passionate about her family, the

equestrian lifestyle, and the lifelong friendships she has made. Sarah & Mozaun McKibben made the purchase of her dream horse easy and fun by offering a versatile and skilled creature. Whether it’s a partner in the show pen, a solid ranch gelding that can do a day’s work, or a confidence builder that has been there and done that, the McKibben’s delivered a solid, sane and sound horse with extensive training in the arena, yet comfortable and confident on the trails and streets too.

“A great horse will change your life. The truly special ones define it...”