marin living september 2021

& e l y r S t agge Sw

© Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc., are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.

A Resort-Like Sanctuary in the Heart of Marin County.

204 Tiburon Blvd., San Rafael $3,250,000

Nick Svenson nick@marinsfhomes.com www.MarinSFhomes.com 415.505.7674 | DRE #01918616

Taking backyard gatherings to a new level 40 Van Tassel Court, San Anselmo $2,495,000

© Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc., are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Nick Svenson nick@marinsfhomes.com www.MarinSFhomes.com 415.505.7674 | DRE #01918616

FILM NIGHT WITH THE SF SYMPHONY TICKETS sfsymphony.org

SEP 22–23 7:30PM

SEP 24–25 7:30PM

DEC 14–15 7:30PM

THE PRINCESS BRIDE— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

APOLLO 13— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

LOVE ACTUALLY— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

JAN 7–8 7:30PM

MAR 16–17 7:30PM

BACK TO THE FUTURE— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

SKYFALL— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

MAR 18 7:30PM MAR 19 2:00PM

TOY STORY— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

DEC 16 7:30PM DEC 18 2:00PM

HOME ALONE— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

JUL 1–2 7:30PM

THE MATRIX LIVE— FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

© The Princess Bride Limited. All Rights Reserved. Apollo 13 is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios. All rights reserved. Home Alone: © 1990 Twentieth Century Fox. © Universal City Studios LLC and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SKYFALL LICENSED BY MGM. SKYFALL © 2012 DANJAQ & MGM. SKYFALL, AND RELATED JAMES BOND INDICIA © 1962–2020 DANJAQ & MGM. SKYFALL, AND RELATED JAMES BOND TRADEMARKS ARE TRADEMARKS OF DANJAQ. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Toy Story: Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. © All rights reserved. MATRIX LIVE—film in concert is a production of EUROPEAN FILMPHILHARMONIC INSTITUTE with courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Agency of production for North America: Columbia Artists Music, LLC

lights. camera. music.

2021/22 SEASON SECOND CENTURY PARTNER

INAUGURAL PARTNER

SEASON PARTNERS

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

M O U N TA I N S TO M A R I N A S , MARIN IS OUR HOME

BOWMAN REAL E STATE GROUP is comprised of professionals specializing in negotiation, marketing, construction, design, law, and hospitality. Our diverse backgrounds enable us to focus on each aspect of the process, creating a detailoriented experience for our clients. Negotiation is the most valuable tool we bring to the table. Ever y aspect of our process has been tailored to provide our clients the best possible price and terms for their sale or purchase.

B O W M A N R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P. C O M

BowmanRealEstateGroup.com @THEBOWMANGROUP

MARIN MATTERS

Providing Marin families more of what they want

I JUST WRAPPED UP A 6-MONTH HOUSING SEARCH WITH THE BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP

AND THIS IS WHAT I LEARNED:

1. I think there are realtors who are just as good; I do not believe there are realtors who are better; and I def initely know there is no other team who I’d rather work with for my real estate needs.

2. When buying a house, who you work with matters. When buying a house during historically low inventory levels, who you work with MATTERS. Realtors cannot make something out of nothing. However, the best ones will put you in the best position for a positive outcome, and that is what the Bowman Real Estate team did for me.

3. A great team prioritizes the clients’ individual needs over their short-term gain. On numerous occasions, we looked at properties that were at the upper end of my budget, and despite my openness to move forward, their counsel to me was “you can do better”. They took their time to learn about what me and my family needed and did not let me compromise. I’m deeply appreciative of their counsel and over the long term, it allowed me to f ind my dream home.

The Bowman Real Estate Group was the perfect partner for me and I’m now left with a bittersweet feeling… I’m absolutely ecstatic over the incredible home they found me. However, I’m going to miss seeing houses with them and learning the f iner points of evaluating and looking at a home. Even though the search process was very diff icult in an unprecedented market, I had an absolute blast and I am grateful that they were my partners. There is no such thing as a perfect home, but I believe they found the perfect home for me. It could not have happened without them.

THANK YOU BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP! — Freddie H.

BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 Team@BowmanRealEstateGroup.com DRE# 01933147

Jessica Cline

Casey Gillespie

CEO jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850

Creative Director casey@marinlivingmagazine.com

Dina Grant

Daniel Jewett

Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.238.2030

Executive Editor dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

ADVERTISING

EDITORIAL

Wine Country Advertising Consultant Chet Klingensmith chet@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.216.1780 Hawaii Region Advertising Consultant Meredith Low meredith@marinlivingmagazine.com 808.388.2644 Advertising Consultant Kim McGinnis kim@marinlivingmagazine.com 415.640.4504

Associate Editor Molly O’Brien Editorial Assistant Sydney Segal Contributing Designers Sarah Goldschadt, Madeleine Hannes, Allan Nacapuy, David Sebo Contributing Writers Keri Bridgwater, Alana Malone, Laura Schooling, Nicolas Stecher

Advertising Consultant Courtney Roberts courtney@marinlivingmagazine.com 415.297.4507

Contributing Photographers Jay Watson

Client Services Manager Casey Hatfield-Chiotti chatfield@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.400.5661

Subscriptions Customer Service 818.287.2940 mlmcs@magserv.com To subscribe, manage your subscription or change your address: marinlivingmagazine.com/subscriptions

Intern Taylor Leslie Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin

Mailing Address Marin Living PO Box 2104 Mill Valley, CA 94941 Office phone: 707.302.0850

To sign up for our newsletter: marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter Marin Living magazine is delivered complimentary to residents of California.

Editorial or Press Inquiries casey@marinlivingmagazine.com, dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

Volume 2, Issue 7. Marin Living magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94941. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2021.

Reproduction of Marin Living is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Five19Publishing Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned.

Marin Living is mailed 10 times a year to homes and businesses in Marin County and San Francisco.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Living magazine, PO Box 16895, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6895.

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

table of contents. september 2021

78

42

going places.

78 land & sea.

Meet the winemaker, pilot and fast driver behind Aileron Estates.

spotlight marin.

18 news.

Recall election, new county budget, Wine Country happenings, the return of Sound Summit and more.

28 local splurges.

82 new digs.

36 eat & drink.

This St. George Spirits gin is made inAlameda, but its flavors are all Marin.

38 take note.

A bevy of bags for fall, all made by local designers.

A new show at the Contemporary Jewish Museum celebrates the music and life of Leonard Cohen.

30 local getaways.

42 fashion.

Boutiques, restaurants and clothing stores rule in Hayes Valley.

10 september 2021 marin living.

Shop local and discover all that San Anselmo has to offer.

Chelsea Andersson, a star on NBC’s Making It, celebrates the beauty of everyday objects.

86 voyager.

Walla Walla is going to be your new favorite sophisticated wine getaway.

96 drawn together.

The team behind Bungalow 44 ushers in the sustainable to-go revolution.

from the team.

14 from the ceo.

16 from the creative director.

Clockwise from left: courtesy of Aileron Estates; Stephanie Mohan; Alex Zyuzikov

36

S E O D E R E H W R U O ?

Y O G NOT IN A LANDFILL.

Keeping stuff out of landfills since 2019.

Your Partner in Recycling, Repurposing and Reusing

www.peaceoutjunk.com chadkmac@gmail.com | 415.571.6275

features.

48

Pretty Little Things For fine jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey, meaning is everything.

52

Fashion-Forward Future These Marin brands are improving lives and bringing good vibes through fashion.

56

Born to Drive

On the Cover Lisa photographed by Jay Watson at CB Skyshare in Novato.

12 september 2021 marin living.

Jay Watson

Meet four Marin vintage automobile enthusiasts who like to put the pedal to the metal.

from the ceo.

IT’S A NEW SEASON and we have so much to celebrate!

First of all, our business is growing — just look at the gorgeous faces of our expanding team. Each of them brings such talent and enthusiasm; they really are spectacular and I’m grateful to work with each and every one of them (this isn’t even the whole team — just those who could break away and join us for a little celebration at Bungalow 44 in Mill Valley). And that’s not all. Did you hear the thud of our magazine as you dropped it on your coffee table? We sure did. The number of people and brands that we call partners has grown exponentially.

It’s true, the Marin Living family has grown tremendously over the summer and is getting bigger and stronger every day.

Speaking of growth, our digital platform and our newsletters have also been flourishing recently. My deepest gratitude for your support not just for our magazine, but for our online offerings as well.

September is not only the start of fall, but it’s the month where the long (and sometimes lazy) summer comes to an end and the routine of daily life sets back in. And as we tackle the fall months, why not do it with a little “Style & Swagger”? This month, we live up to that theme and our pages are packed with inspiration from music legends, local heroes, car enthusiasts and, of course, the community leaders in our “The Luxury of Beauty” special section. Speaking of which, last month I had a little “tune-up” from Dr. Chris Bacchi and I’m feeling 14 september 2021 marin living.

fabulous — the San Rafael aesthetics expert is one of those doctors who really listens to what you want.

And listening to what people want is a discipline that I think you will find at the heart of any good business — especially ours. Last month represented our first full year of publication and we spent all that time perfecting our systems, getting to know the community better, adding to our amazing team and most important — listening to you the reader. You sent notes, made suggestions and provided invaluable feedback. We listened to all of it and used your input to make our product even better. We love what we’ve created using every bit of style and swagger we have and we hope you do too!

Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; www.stock.adobe.com/Alexander Davidovich

Bigger & Better

Part of the Marin Living team enjoying a night out together in Mill Valley

from the creative director.

A candid photo of Dan Macdonald from the Born to Drive photo shoot

AFTER WORKING IN FASHION for a large portion of my career, I never thought I would have embraced the nonfashionness that was 2020. Sweatpants, tie-dye, fluffy slippers — I didn’t use my blow dryer for an entire year. And you know what?

It was kind of great. Without the daily pressure of finding an outfit that makes me feel like I can handle whatever the day brings, it gave me a moment to revisit my personal style. Truth be told, I have moved around a lot — different cities, different states, different countries — and that has a tendency to wreak havoc on one’s wardrobe. It is mostly because the clothes that work really well in, say, New York City don’t work as well in a place like San Diego. Try pulling off a Miami “lewk” in London.

I know this sounds like a small thing, but for someone who considers getting dressed a creative outlet, it’s an issue. (You’ll all be relieved to know that my wardrobe is in order again.)

So, I have been paying particular attention to people’s style as we have emerged back out into the real world. I thought we would cling to the comfy pieces we have donned for the last year, but what I have actually noticed is that people are having fun with their wardrobes again. Even the sweatpants that I prayed would never cross the threshold of people’s front doors have gotten an upgrade. Sweatshirts are being replaced with zip-up cashmere sweaters and, while I never thought it would happen, people are wearing jeans again (or leg prisons as I began affectionately calling them).

High heels, well, that is another story.

16 september 2021 marin living.

With such existential debates going on, it seems our “Style & Swagger” issue has come at exactly the right moment.

When we were brainstorming this issue, we thought style would apply to women and threw swagger in there for the guys. But then we found all these badass women with swagger for days (and more than enough men who fit the bill, too). And nowhere is that more evident than in our feature on vintage cars and their owners. I can’t thank everyone who took part enough — I feel like I gained some new friends on the photo shoot that day and I’m looking forward to attending some of the local meetups soon. I mean, we even managed to get Leonard Cohen into the issue — and as our executive editor, Dan, says: “Who has more swagger than Leonard Cohen?”

Put up your fuzzy-slipper–clad feet, pour yourself a whiskey and enjoy this issue the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Rest assured, we’ll all be doing the same.

Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder

Portrait: Becca Beal Batista; Jay Watson

Style, Swagger and Badassery

Wendy Brayton (art pictured here) is one of the 121 local artists who will be featured in the beloved Sonoma Art Trails exhibition taking place September 18–19 and 25–26. More info on p. 24.

18 september 2021 marin living.

Wendy Brayton

spotlight marin.

news.

It’s Time to Vote California’s Gubernatorial Recall Election will take place on September 14 and every resident who is registered to vote will receive a ballot by mail (mailing started mid-August). There are two parts to the ballot — selecting “yes” or “no” to remove Gov. Newsom, and selecting an alternative candidate. If the majority of the voters answer “yes,” then the recall will be considered successful, and Governor Newsom will be removed from office. The candidate who receives the most votes will then be elected to office for the remainder of the term (through January 2, 2023). Traditional polling places will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ballot drop boxes are now available at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. —Alana Malone

By the Numbers After a three-day hearing, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a new county budget for the 2021–22 fiscal year. At $683 million, the budget reflects a 10 percent increase over the previous year. Here is a look at the proposed spending for federal stimulus funds. —A.M.

Racial Equity Initiatives

$5,000,000 Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise Projects

$5,000,000 Project Homekey 2.0/ Permanent Supportive Housing

$5,000,000 Fire Department Facility Improvements

$4,000,000 Childcare and Early Education

$1,000,000 $500,000 Emergency Prep/ COVID Response

$1,636,958 20 september 2021 marin living.

www.stock.adobe.com/sheilaf2002

Nonprofit Partnerships

How to Take the Leap to Love Innovative Match founder Cassie Zampa-Keim offers tips on how to find the perfect match.

How do you decide which photos to include in your online dating profile?

Five to seven images are best. This gives the viewer an idea about who you are while still leaving enough room for their imagination to take over, urging them to make the first move. Your online dating photos should tell your story, just as your write-up does.

Are you choosing faith or fear when dating?

Dating involves making choices, and not only about who you date.

Having faith in a higher power can help you have faith in yourself simply by allowing you to feel like you’re not alone in the choices you make. Faith can be the strongest support system you have, which is helpful since dating is a game of chance in which there’s always a risk of getting hurt.

How will you know if you’ve found the one?

There’s no such thing as a perfect match, so you shouldn’t look to date someone who’s just like you. Everyone is unique, and part of being in a relationship is loving and accepting the differences between you and your partner.

When should you delete your online dating profile?

When deciding, consider the following: how you feel about the person and why, the length of time you’ve been together, why you want to become exclusive, and whether there’s mutual agreement that this will be the next step for both of you.

For more practical dating tips, visit Cassie at the Innovative Match blog www.innovative-match.com/blog.

Innovative Match, Ross | 415.259.8714 | www.innovative-match.com

news.

Equator Coffees’ (www.equatorcoffees.com) newest retail location is in the landmark Art Deco outpost Round House Cafe, offering spectacular near-360-degree views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay. It’s a great place to gather with the local community, enjoy a coffee and learn about the history of an iconic Bay Area destination.

This location joins other Equator locations on Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy sites in the city, including Fort Mason and the Warming Hut at Crissy Field. —Molly O’Brien

22 september 2021 marin living.

What’s New in Mill Valley From September 9 to October 3, Marin Theatre Company presents the West Coast premiere of The Sound Inside by Adam Rapp, an Obie Award–winning playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist. The production was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick and nominated for six 2020 Tony Awards — including Best Play — in addition to being listed “Best of the Year” in numerous publications including Time, Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times. Those craving a great night out can check out the new The Rock & Rye restaurant at Sweetwater Music Hall in the heart of downtown Mill Valley. With an expansive 50-seat outdoor patio and 18-seat indoor classic cafe, guests will encounter a tasty combination of South American and New Orleans–inspired dishes from the seasonal menu.

There’s also a bar program that showcases a collection of craft cocktails named in tribute to independent music venues. —M.O.

Courtesy of Equator Coffee (bottom); Sham Hinchey (top)

Equator Coffees’ (Historic) New Location

Playwright Adam Rapp

news.

Be Well in Larkspur Need a dose of wellness and community? Then you won’t want to miss the Floramye x Smudge Wellness firelight sound healing and chakra clearing event on September 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sip on CBD-infused herbal drinks while taking part in a guided sound healing. A local acupuncturist will offer ear seeding and guests will enjoy using Project Full’s organic meditation cushions during the event. Space is limited; email for reservations (help@floramye.com), $111. 270 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur —Alana Malone Floramye

Music lovers can attend a classic story of comedy, heartbreak and romance onstage at a Concert of Songs production of Rex Pickett’s Sideways: The Musical, which will be debuting at Buena Vista Winery (www.buenavistawinery.com). The show will feature 10 out of 18 never-performed-before songs, including “The Life of Wine,” “Drink a Memory” and more. North Bay art lovers will unite and explore at the 36th annual Sonoma Art Trails event (www.sonoma countyarttrails.org), highlighting the works of 121 local artists in a special open-studio event. Start the journey at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts preview exhibition before embarking on a curated self-guided tour across Wine Country. Cliff Lede Vineyards (www.cliffledevineyards.com) is hosting a unique tasting experience for lovers of classic rock and fine wine. The property’s Backstage Tasting Lounge is displaying a collection of rotating artworks from legends like Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane and Elton John’s longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. —Molly O’Brien

24 september 2021 marin living.

Evan Marie Petit (top)

Wine Country Artistry

news.

Sound Summit Returns to Mount Tam

Marin Arts Organizations Get Pandemic Aid Twenty-nine Marin County arts organizations have received federal aid totaling more than $17 million. The funds will assist in efforts toward recovery from the loss of revenue and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, including closures and limited capacity restrictions.

“Running an arts organization is always challenging, both maintaining funding and creating vibrant programming that serves our communities; in addition to the logistical challenges, the pandemic added a level of personal stress that has made us focus on personal care and support,” says Lesley Currier, managing director of the Marin Shakespeare Company. “Government pandemic aid has allowed us to maintain and expand our staff; this has allowed us to provide virtual and some in-person programming for schools, students and prisons.” Some venues were used for Covid-19 testing centers or care facilities, while others were forced to close their doors to the public — both of which created a void in the local art scene’s cultural and educational opportunities. Organizations receiving aid include a Petaluma-based company, which runs the Fairfax Theatre, as well as the Marin Symphony, Marin Civic Ballet Association, California Film Institute, the Lark Theater and the Sausalito Art Festival Foundation. —Molly O’Brien 26 september 2021 marin living.

Jay Yamada (top); Jay Blakesberg (bottom)

Marin Shakespeare Company

On Saturday, September 11, Sound Summit returns to Mount Tam at the scenic and historic Mountain Theatre (www.soundsummit. net). The annual celebration serves as a fundraiser for the Mount Tamalpais State Park by Roots & Branches Conservancy, which is dedicated to the conservation of natural resources. The diverse lineup of music artists will feature a collection of talent, including Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and indie sensation Father John Misty.

Tickets for the daylong festival are $115 for adults and $65 for 12 and under (with children under two years old admitted for free).

—M.O.

local splurges.

It’s in the Bag New season, new bag? Support a local designer and spruce up your fall ensemble all at the same time.

1

By Casey Gillespie 2

3

5

1. If you are looking for something truly special, Harper the Label’s Wildest Part Backpack in Saddle definitely fits the bill. From the chrome-free luxe leather to the fashionable and travel-friendly style, this bag is at the top of our wish list. We also love the poetry that is lovingly hidden on the back. Available at www.harperthe label.com, $695

2. Founded by a group of material scientists, engineers and designers, Moshi makes bags that are as stylish as they are functional.

The slim silhouette packs flat for easy travel and can fit a 13-inch laptop. We especially love the RFID Shield pocket that keeps credit card information safe from sneaky hackers.

Pictured here is the Aria Slim Lightweight Tote in Bahama Blue. Available at www.moshi.com, $99.95

28 september 2021 marin living.

3. Citrine’s Happiness Hobo Leather Bag (shown here in blue) is the very definition of minimalist chic.

The buttery leather, assortment of small interior pockets for keeping everything organized and magnetic closure are sure to make this your new go-to for day or night, around town or globe-trotting. Available at www.citrineca. com or Citrine (485 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur), $335

4. San Francisco– based Jill Harrell is the founder and designer of Scabby Robot bags, and her Wedge Bag is a thing of beauty.

Unlined in cashew bull hide, it has a (customizable) brown leather strap finsihed with double screws and an interior key ring. Available at m a d e Contemporary Craft (3448 Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach) and www.scabbyrobot.com, starting at $280

5. Whether you need a carry-on or an overnight bag, Copia’s The Getaway tote is a closet staple. Handcrafted in Argentina, each bag is made from the finest leather and completely unique.

We love the extrawide opening, which comes in super handy for toting a laptop or stashing snacks and everything in between. Available at www.copiabags.com, $349

Courtesy of Harper the Label; Moshi; Laurie Bell Bishop; Scabby Robot; Cameron Cressman

4

5

local getaways.

A Day Out in Hayes Valley

Clare V

30 september 2021 marin living.

Courtesy of Clare V

By Casey Gillespie

When all you’re after is perfection....

WhenInterior all you’re after isArea perfection....

Furnishings.

Design.

Rugs. Lighting.

Furnishings. Interior Design. Area Rugs. Lighting.

S U N R I S E S U N R I S E

H O M E H O M E

www.sunrisehome.com

831 B Street San Rafael CA 94901

415•456•3939

www.sunrisehome.com

831 B Street San Rafael CA 94901

415•456•3939

local getaways.

If you need a fashion fix, look no further than San Francisco’s Hayes Valley. This quaint little corner of the city is bustling on the weekends and offers plenty of cafes, restaurants and coffee shops (both Blue Bottle and Ritual Coffee are in the area) to keep you fueled for a day of boutique browsing. So whether you are looking to freshen up your fall wardrobe or shopping for a gift, Hayes Valley is a style maven’s dream.

Alla Prima Lingerie & Swim 539 HAYES STREET

www.allaprimalingerie.com Luxury European lingerie lovers, this is your spot. Alla Prima offers some of Europe’s favorite brands — La Perla, Wolford, Bordelle and Fleur’t, to name a few. But the swimwear shouldn’t be overlooked; stylish one-pieces and vacation-ready bikinis await.

Buck Mason 568 HAYES STREET

www.buckmason.com One of two locations in the city, this brand specializes in modern American classics for men. Rumor has it that these may be the best tees on the market — and they are available in an array of solid colors with and without a chest pocket. And the best part? The shop is now selling women’s tees, too.

Chez Maman West 401 GOUGH STREET

www.chezmamanrestos.com While there are many eateries in the area to choose from, we were immediately drawn to the outdoor French bistro seating, bustling crowd and quintessential French menu here. And if the wait for brunch is anything to go by, this is a favorite among locals as well.

Clare V. 344 LINDEN STREET

www.clarev.com Francophiles will love the chic Frenchinspired aesthetic of Clare V. From graphic sweatshirts to girlie dresses with cinched waists and accessories galore — this store will make you feel like you have dropped into a Parisian boutique. Don’t miss the Gjenmi Jewelry trunk show on September 17, 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Earthbody Spa www.earthbody.net

Rails

32 september 2021 marin living.

A serene oasis in the middle of the bustling city, this spa is the perfect stop before or after a day of shopping

Courtesy of Rails

534 LAGUNA STREET

YO U R H O M E I S H E R E If you have fallen under Marin County’s spell and think living anywhere else would be settling, you’ll want a realtor who feels the same way.

Whether you’ve set your heart on a house with a view in Mill Valley, a midcentury modern in San Rafael or a ranch in West Marin, you’ll want Joe Hosni by your side.

Joe’s calm, collaborative approach to real estate sets him apart. But more importantly, it gets his clients the homes they’ve been dreaming about.

JOE HOSNI.com

JOE HOSNI

Lic. #02009324 joehosni@compass.com 415.465.4955

local getaways.

Outdoor Voices

Metier

without. Don’t miss the selection of homeware items — all at irresistible prices.

Outdoor Voices 555 HAYES STREET

A curated collection of antique, estate and modern jewelry awaits in this jewel box of a store. From bracelets to charms and pendants to wedding and engagement rings, it’s a brilliant destination no matter the occasion.

Oak + Fort

Peak Design

567 HAYES STREET

529 HAYES STREET

www.oakandfort.com

www.peakdesign.com

Oak + Fort is giving us all the cool girl (and guy) vibes. Some of our favorite pieces are oversize blazers, puff-sleeve midi wrap dresses, kitten heel slides and a trench coat no closet should be

This store is a commuter’s dream come true. Thoughtfully designed backpacks, messenger bags, duffels and organizational pouches are this brand’s sweet spot. Photographers will love

www.metiersf.com

34 september 2021 marin living.

Rails 541 HAYES STREET

www.railsclothing.com

www.outdoorvoices.com Taking inspiration from San Francisco teahouses, this outpost of the beloved yoga wear brand is a destination in itself. While the exterior seems a little lackluster, the interior is inspired with a plant alcove, a central, skylit bench, a built-in water feature, and coastal cabin–like fitting rooms.

546 LAGUNA STREET

the extensive collection of professional camera accessories.

Offering trendy styles for both men and women, the brand is known for its effortlessly cool pieces and high-quality fabrics. We love that all the mix-andmatch separates are super comfortable yet polished enough for both a day in the office and a night out on the town.

Reliquary 544 HAYES STREET

www.reliquarysf.com This store gives us all the vacation feels — flowy mix-and-match pieces in neutral tones, oversize dresses and chunky sweaters. It offers both women’s and men’s styles, and the men’s jewelry selection is oh-so-cool. Be sure to also explore the collection of vintage clothing, accessories and pieces for the home.

Courtesy of Outdoor Voices

(or morning of brunching). The minute you walk through the door you are transported to a quiet place of deep relaxation and healing. The focus is on massage and bodywork here, and you will not be disappointed.

By George!

Artisanal distillery St. George Spirits may perform its magic in the East Bay, but Marin County inspired one of its most coveted spirits.

By Nicolas Stecher

36 september 2021 marin living.

ALAMEDA’S ST. GEORGE SPIRITS was launched in 1982

by Jörg Rupf, a young judge who moved to UC Berkeley on assignment from Germany’s Ministry of Culture. Raised in the Black Forest, where distilling eau-de-vie (essentially brandy) is the stuff of life, Rupf quickly fell in love with Northern California’s nascent produce-rich culinary scene and began distilling pears, raspberries, cherries and even some experimental kiwi batches in his backyard. Then in 1996 an eager ex–nuclear engineer named Lance Winters knocked on his door. Disgruntled by a lack of joy in his career, Winters decided to switch lanes to pursue his distilling destiny after trying (and becoming enamored with) Lagavulin single malt.

“Jörg is a guy with amazingly exacting standards, which is really important if you’re going to be in this industry,” explains Winters of his early tutelage under Rupf. “It can’t just be something that fits the standard of the category and that’s good enough — you really have to knock it out of the park. And that’s what Jörg did for the first 15 years before me.”

Together they evolved St. George into a globally respected enterprise, and in 2004 the company moved into their current

Alex Zyuzikov

St. George Spirits Distillery

eat & drink.

Although it’s located in the East Bay, in St. George’s cabinet of spirits

Alex Zyuzikov (top); Jason Tinacci

none mean as much to Winters as the one inspired by Marin County.

Alameda HQ located in some 65,000 square feet of a retired naval air base hangar. In 2010 Winters took over the master distiller mantle when Rupf retired, but not before the duo assembled a vibrant spectrum of spirits — everything from green chile vodka to bitter aperitivos, and from umeshu barrel-finished single malt whiskey to kombu seaweed distillate. In fact, St. George was the first to produce verte Absinthe in America when absinthe was fully legalized in 2007 because they’d already been distilling with wormwood for years (previously it was illegal to sell, not manufacture, real absinthe — a loophole Rupf and Winters took full advantage of).

“We employ a different point of view from other distillers: we look at categories as a conversation,” reveals Winters. “You don’t want to say what someone else has said. If I’m going to make a gin, the last thing I want to be known for is being the local version of Sipsmith — then all I’ve done is rip off Sipsmith, and I haven’t accomplished anything of my own.”

This hard-won philosophy bulwarks one of their most popular expressions: the aptly named Terroir Gin. Although it’s located in the East Bay, in St. George’s cabinet of spirits none mean as much to Winters as the one inspired by Marin County.

The early muse struck one warm summer day when Winters drove high in the hills of Mount Tamalpais to pick up his son from camp. “Oh my god, this place smells amazing!” Winters recalls of the unexpected epiphany wafting in from his car window. “I really want to distill something that smells like this!”

Originally the idea was to make eau-de-vie, but the concoction quickly evolved into gin. He wistfully recalls the thick fragrance hanging in that hot Mount Tam air — the literal apex of Marin County, covered with bay laurel, wild fennel, Douglas fir and coastal sage. “Those are the notes that make up the heartstrings of that gin’s aroma,” he says, and describes how he wanted to capture the “forest floor earthiness.” Obviously unable to distill dirt, Winters namechecks a litany of ingredients he experimented with: orris and angelica roots for their earthy characteristics; orange and lemon peel for brightness; cinnamon for the dusty, sunbaked trails; wok-roasted coriander and, of course, juniper berries, which not only define gin, but also convey their own sense of landscape.

“When people ask me do I have a favorite spirit of all that we make — and this is really crazy because I got into distilling for whiskey —there’s something about the intentionality of composing a gin,” states Winters of his Terroir. “With a gin you start and stop based on what it is you desire, and it’s my favorite thing to drink.”

And his favorite way to drink his Terroir Gin, you might ask?

“Oh that’s easy: neat in a martini,” he says with a chuckle. “And I’ll go out to West Marin to Tomales Bay and get some oysters.

And I will sit on the beach and drink that gin with oysters, and I’ll do it as long as the oysters hold out … and as long as the gin stays cold. And that to me is the perfect day.”

Master distiller Lance Winters

Terroir Martini 2 ounces St. George Terroir Gin 1 ounce dry vermouth 2 dashes orange bitters

Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, then strain into a chilled coupe.

Float a sage leaf on top to garnish.

marin living. september 2021 37

take note.

George Fok’s Passing Through, pictured here at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, 2017–2018, can now be seen in San Francisco.

A new exhibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum seeks to peel back the many layers that make up complex musical icon Leonard Cohen — and artist George Fok’s immersive video installation helps set the stage.

By Daniel Jewett

38 september 2021 marin living.

Courtesy of George Fok

I’m Your Man

Off the

Beaten Path a collection of images from the open countryside

EXHIBITION Aug. 18 – Nov. 14, 2021

If the beaten path is a routine, a well-worn route, then stepping off of it must be an intentional act.

Collectors’ Photography Gallery 105 Corte Madera Town Center Corte Madera, CA 94925

FEATURED A RTI S TS

www.collectorsphotographygallery.com 415.891.8368

Mark Citret (Daly City) Beverly Conley (Benicia) Tamara Danoyan (Mountain View) Jon Krotinger (San Rafael) Lois Tema (Greenbrae)

[LEFT TO RIGHT] © Mark Citret Great White Throne, Big Bend, 2019. © Lois Tema Choya Cactus. © Beverly Conley Horses Given a Wash. © Tamara Danoyan # 11 from Watermarks. © Jon Krotinger Lucas Valley Hillside, San Rafael, CA.

take note.

The connection he felt to Cohen deepened when a friend and mentor in the design world, John Zeppetelli, became the artistic director at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and knew he needed a piece to set the stage for a new touring show that would focus on Leonard Cohen’s life. “They wanted something to open the show that everyone was familiar with, all the archival footage, and I was selected because of my filmmaking and documentary experience,” Fok says.

“This is actually the first piece of immersive work that I had done and it became my seminal work, which I am now known for.”

What lay ahead before the show could begin touring in 2017 was an arduous task — even for a serious Cohen fan. Fok, who had access to much of the singer’s video archive and all of the music tracks from Sony, began to watch what he had and then research on YouTube and Amazon for more, for six months straight. Then he watched it all again with an assistant and started making notes.

“We are looking for common threads. What is an interesting moment? What is he doing and what

Leonard Cohen

40 september 2021 marin living.

George Fok

line is he singing?“ Fok recalls about this process. The exhibit engulfs audiences as they sit surrounded by video screens depicting images from different points in Cohen’s five-decade career. The piece is a continuous hour-long loop and viewers can enter or exit at any time.

“It’s very interesting when we found stuff that would make the piece special, but it is not chronologically aligned.”

For example, Fok talks about finding performances of the classic song “Suzanne” from every decade between the ’60s and 2000s. “That song has been interpreted many, many times and why did he choose to perform it that way — it’s probably very meaningful to him,” Fok says. “I tried to identify what the journey is like for an artist who has had a five-decade career: from a young Leonard, to the old, and on his last album, coming to terms with God.” Fok says the experience of making the piece was a revelation of sorts as he came to understand Cohen better — even identifying some of the lyrics clearly inspired by the corner of Montreal they shared for a brief time.

“As an artist, Leonard is brutally honest, up-front about who he is and that’s what the fans love about him,” he says. “You’re witnessing this honesty and frankness and you feel the personality of who he is.

Capturing that was a monumental task but I guess in some way, I succeeded.”

Experience Leonard Cohen can be seen at the CJM. The show includes exhibits by George Fok and Judy Chicago (through January 2) and Candice Breitz (also part of MAC’s Cohen tour) and Marshall Trammell (September 18–February 13).

Courtesy of George Fok (top); courtesy of Old Ideas, LLC (bottom)

IN 1997, NEW MEDIA ARTIST George Fok, who was a young kid at the time, immigrated with his family from his birthplace, Hong Kong, to Montreal. It wasn’t until many years later that Fok would realize the serendipity of moving to the same part of Canada where singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was born.

Fok (www.georgefok.com), who is one of four solo artists participating in the Experience Leonard Cohen exhibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco (CJM; www.thecjm.org) this fall, began to discover the power of immersive video arts when he worked at a design agency located right next door to Cohen’s house in Montreal.

The artist first encountered Cohen’s charismatic personality and intimate music in Hong Kong when he noticed that his favorite bands, groups like R.E.M. and the Pixies, were covering songs by the influential songwriter, and was able to pick up a copy of I’m Your Man at one of Hong Kong’s few record stores. “This singer has a very dark, seductive voice and it’s very, very interesting,” he thought. “It’s as if a higher power drives my life and I end up immigrating to Montreal.”

Now open as a Funeral Home! All of your needs at one location On-Site Crematory Natural Green Burial & Traditional Crypts & Niches Chapel & Reception Center Pre-Planning Available A Member of the Community Since 1960 We now offer Natural Green Burial in our Garden of Tranquility.

Our grounds stay green year round, as we use Recycled Water.

Payment Plans Available — Pre-Arrangement Planning for Future Funeral Expenses and Cemetery Property

VALLEY MEMORIAL PARK IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

0 20IN2 NER W

COA377-CR206-FD2295

415.897.9609 | www.valleymemorialpark.com 650 Bugeia Lane, Novato, CA 94945 info@valleymemorialpark.com /valleymemorialpark

@valleymemorialpark

fashion.

Shop and Stroll

Every day is a good day to #ShopSanAnselmo.

By Sydney Segal

THE SAN ANSELMO AVENUE merchant community is unique, exuding neighborly love through the good times and bad. And this fall is definitely going to be a good time for the area because all of the fashion boutiques will roll out their latest offerings and creations.

Every Friday and Saturday evening until the end of the month the main corridor will host a concert series with “On the Avenue” pedestrian-only access. Go with friends and support your local businesses! Nothing’s better than a full heart and a full shopping bag, especially when you know you are keeping it local.

Jewels and parties and discounts, oh my. We love Belinda Wickwire year-round — she gives new sparkle to antique heirlooms. However, we’re getting extra excited for September 18 when, from noon to 7 p.m., BWJ will be celebrating one year on the Avenue. Check out her super stackable band rings and other one-ofa-kind pieces before they sell out. www.belindawickwirejewelry.com, 526 San Anselmo Avenue

Blanc Between the warm staff and cuttingedge women’s fashion items, sourced from California to Europe to Japan, Blanc makes it hard to leave without adding something (or 10 things) to your wish list. Whether you’re looking for a new bag, hat, dress, jacket, jeans, shoes or shapewear, Blanc has it all. www.blancboutique.com, 514 San Anselmo Avenue

Colláge

Madge & Me black Milan wheat straw top hat

42 september 2021 marin living.

Calling all boss ladies! With unique and high-quality clothing from across the European continent, Colláge has what you need to update your sophisticated, casual wardrobe. You can never have too many neutral colors or pieces of statement jewelry, after all, especially

Stephanie Mohan (made in collaboration with and available at Atelier Des Modistes, S.F.)

Belinda Wickwire Jewelry

fashion.

not when longtime personal stylist Ottilia Treadwell says so. www.collageboutique.weebly.com, 380 San Anselmo Avenue

Fig Garden While it’s primarily a gift shop with curios and cards for every occasion, Fig Garden’s collection of women’s clothing is just as diverse and thoughtful — from handbags to shoes, and brands like Smateria and The Landmark Project. When you visit the Avenue this fall, be sure to stop into this centrally located and lively store. www. lesley-madison.squarespace.com, 421 San Anselmo Avenue

Kismet boutique

Kismet

Lea Couture Lea Ditson has been designing women’s clothing for more than 20 years — and the brand is stocked at upscale retailers, like Bergdorf Goodman, nationwide. Using colorful silks, laces and other fabrics from around the world, Ditson is unmatched in her ability to reveal each client’s unique feminine beauty in her wardrobe. www.leacouture.com, 237 San Anselmo Avenue

Longway Shopping just got more addictive for all ages and genders. This flagship store is not only home to the Longway clothing brand and other makers who believe in slow, ethical and sustainable production; it’s a cozy coffee shop as well. Grab a bite, add a new basic to your closet 44 september 2021 marin living.

and keep an eye out for the brand’s first-ever men’s line coming soon. www.longwaycalifornia.com, 641 San Anselmo Avenue

Madge & Me Hats

Named after her beloved furry sidekick Madge, Laurie Berliner’s shop offers service that is as dependable and adventurous as human’s best friend.

One of her hats, a wide-brim wheatstraw boater, will even be featured at Palma de Mallorca Hat Week this month. www.madgeandme.com, 506 San Anselmo Avenue

Mar-Chet Jewelers What would a full-service jewelry shop be without a resident jewel dog? At Mar-Chet Jewelers, you’ll never have to find out. Beyond the resident furry friend, Mar-Chet has a beautiful selection of classic pieces and prides itself on its custom and bridal work. With 17 years on the Avenue, they certainly know what they’re doing. www. mar-chet-jewelers.gaaq.net, 326 San Anselmo Avenue

Reflections Fine Jewelry No one knows gemstones or San Anselmo Avenue like the Randall family,

who having entered the turquoise business in 1973 and then opened a colorful Marin shop in 1987. Each piece, from sterling silver to 22-karat gold, is designed in-store and created locally.

No matter the piece, Reflections will undoubtedly have it, make it or repair it. www.reflections-fine-jewelry.com, 425 San Anselmo Avenue

Sage & Stone Wellness Collective & Shop What at first may seem like an ordinary gift shop is actually full of magic and mindfulness. With tarot readings, meditation classes, events and pop-ups from local artisans, Sage & Stone offers everything wonderful you didn’t know you needed — not to mention the stylish, feel-good women’s clothing and handbags it also carries. www.sageandstonemarin.com, 570 San Anselmo Avenue

San Anselmo Optix With service by appointment only, San Anselmo Optix personalizes every part of the eye care and eyewear processes so that you find the perfect lenses, contacts and frames. The familyowned-and-operated office even launched a luxury glasses line exclusive

Taylor Leslie

Fall is here, and Kismet is ready to rumble — with exciting new lines from Nation and Ulla Johnson and fully shoppable web and Instagram pages.

Or, better yet, visit the boutique in person for the team’s superior styling advice. Don’t be surprised if you come home with one of everything, dressy and casual; you can’t argue with fate. www.shopkismet.net, 601 San Anselmo Avenue

fashion.

to Marin recently, adding to their vast collection of global brands. www. saoptix.com, 611 San Anselmo Avenue

Sax Consignment Owned by two sisters who grew up in town and revamped a 30-plus-year-old store they loved as teens, Sax Consignment radiates San Anselmo spirit through and through. Always rotating its inventory to stay in touch with the latest looks, Sax is ready for fall with everything from top-of-the-line bags to everyday essentials. www.sax.business.site, 629 San Anselmo Avenue

SeeSaw Children’s Consignment Shop With Halloween around the corner, look no further than SeeSaw Children’s Consignment Shop for your kids’ costume inspiration. Fall and winter consignments start this month, ensuring that you will find everything you need for a back-to-school wardrobe and more — from play clothes to sleepwear to upcycled toys. www.seesaw4kids.com, 722 San Anselmo Avenue

Toss Designs Now that fall is here, so is Toss Designs’ newest collection, complete with goods for women and the home that will add color to your life. With gorgeous sweaters and wraps, decorative trays to hang on the wall and distinctive handbags, Toss makes gift-giving easy and fun. www.tossdesigns.com, 343 San Anselmo Avenue

Longway

46 september 2021 marin living.

With 30 years of optical experience between owner Frank and optician Jenny, the pride and care that goes into fitting each customer with the perfect pair of glasses is clear to see.

Most products are handcrafted by artisans in Japan, Italy, France and the U.S. — like the designer brand Jacques Marie Mage, which specializes in micro-production. www.sunglasscity. com, 623 San Anselmo Avenue

Taylor Leslie

Wink Optics San Anselmo

PR ET T Y LIT TLE

FROM TALISMAN STACKING RINGS TO TOTEM PENDANTS CRAFTED WITH SACRED SHAPES AND INLAID WITH PRECIOUS GEMS, EACH SCENE-STEALING PIECE BY FINE JEWELRY DESIGNER LAUREN HARWELL GODFREY IS RICH WITH MEANING.

By Keri Bridgwater

48 september 2021 marin living.

art credit

THING S

Tricia Turner Studio

Lauren Harwell Godfrey

marin living. september 2021 49

so if I see something I like, even if I don’t have a plan for it, I will buy it and hold it until I find something to do with it. The stone often inspires the work,” says Lauren Harwell Godfrey, the art-director-turned-designer behind her self-titled fine jewelry line, Harwell Godfrey. After debuting at Paris Fashion Week in 2017, just four short years and several collections later, Harwell Godfrey’s exquisite creations have been touted as “heirlooms in the making” by the likes of Vogue.

Channeling an inherent eye for design into a successful ad agency career that spanned more than 15 years, she swapped creating campaigns for culinary school, followed by an externship at SPQR and stage at fabled Bar Tartine. After she did not quite find her voice in the food world, crafting sculptural fashion pieces for friends from leather and crystal later served as the creative outlet that charted Harwell Godfrey’s course as a jewelry designer. “The idea of making jewelry engaged me, but fine jewelry especially appealed because of the beautiful materials you get to use. So, I reached out to an old friend, Randi Molofsky (co-founder of brand development agency For Future Reference), who took me under her wing.

And the rest is history,” she says.

Lauded for maximalist style and bold color language, sacred geometry and African textile patterns are Harwell Godfrey signatures. Anchored by totem pendants and eye-catching earrings inlaid with emeralds and black onyx and studded with diamonds, the Cleopatra’s Vault collection is an elegant nod to the queen of ancient Egypt. Perhaps the ultimate symbol of feminine empowerment, crescent moon medallions delicately finished with mother-of-pearl and turquoise, among other gems, from the Valley of the Moon collection were inspired by the birth of Harwell Godfrey’s son and subsequent November 2016 supermoon.

“For me, fine jewelry has a specific point of view that’s a little more effeminate and lovely. I think my work can reflect that, but it’s definitely got a bit more of an edge to it.” As a woman of color, Harwell Godfrey also notes that while her designs often draw influence from the African diaspora, she always puts her own interpretation on mystical motifs she finds empowering. “At the start, I looked around to see what was going on. What was being designed and what didn’t exist yet. I become my own muse sometimes, too, and design things 50 september 2021 marin living.

I would want, and then I find that other people come to want them as well,” she says.

Working with small gem dealers who ethically source stones from around the world, lately Harwell Godfrey has been favoring tanzanite (only found in northern Tanzania) along with diamonds from ethical mines in Botswana and Muzo emeralds from a sustainable mine in Colombia. “I spend a lot of time at the Tucson gem fair and like looking for stones there and talking to people. It’s interesting and part of what I love about this world — the constant learning,” she shares.

Harwell Godfrey’s first diamond-only collection, Stardust, launched in April as an homage to the “night sky and roaring ’20s”, but when pressed on her current go-to, she says the Charity Heart pendants have been on heavy rotation.

“This collection is a favorite right now because it’s doing something good, and they are all just so pretty,” she says of the four heart-shaped talismans that come in rainbow gemstone, black onyx, malachite and chalcedony (and sales of which have raised more than $174,000 combined for the Human Rights Campaign, NAACP, World Central Kitchen and Futures Without Violence). Another fan? Vice President Kamala Harris, who wore the black onyx heart to the D.C. Pride parade in June.

With ideas and designs constantly in the works, Harwell Godfrey says her latest and greatest include two capsules that debuted at the COUTURE fine jewelry trade show in August. A “very HG” maximalist collection of rings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces and earrings featuring beadwork and faceted stones alongside a gender-neutral collection in 22-karat gold with no gemstones and a more minimalist aesthetic.

Also new is the Harwell Godfrey atelier, which opens this month in Corte Madera. Primarily serving as a workspace, it will also be open to clientele by appointment. She tapped Bay Area designer Noz Nazawa and artist Caroline Lizarraga, celebrated for creating eclectic interiors and custom wall treatments, to conceptualize and craft this dazzling new “Harwell Godfrey universe” where special events and trunk shows will be the hottest ticket in town.

The Harwell Godfrey Atelier is coming to 211 Corte Madera Avenue, Corte Madera.

Tricia Turner Studio

“I’m kind of a stone hoarder,

art credit

The designer modeling her own jewelry.

marin living. september 2021 51

52 september 2021 marin living.

art credit

époque évolution

@lumaxphoto

Two Marin fashion brands are bringing strong feel-good vibes to their work by making fashion not only about what you wear but about the lives it can improve along the way. By Laura Schooling

“WE SOMETIMES JOKE it’s as if Lululemon and Theory had a baby,” says Nancy Taylor, co-founder, along with Hannah Franco, of the Larkspur-based womenswear brand époque évolution (www.epoqueevolution.com). As many people begin to return to office settings after many months at home, there is a desire to put the joggers away and wear something a little more sophisticated, while not entirely losing the comfort of couch days gone by. “You don’t need a separate wardrobe for everything,” muses Taylor. “You can have a wardrobe that transitions from working out to the office and then dinner. You should be able to go to work and get up from your desk to do a yoga stretch, or wear our pants on a red-eye flight and go straight to a meeting and still look great.”

The inspiration for époque évolution hit longtime friends Franco and Taylor, who met when they were co-workers at Athleta, when Franco showed up on a Moroccan vacation with nothing more than a backpack. “She managed to ride camels through the desert and go out for dinner while always looking chic,” marvels Taylor. They got to thinking, “Life is too crazy; we can at least simplify our wardrobes.” They also had a passion to make fashion more responsible — both for the environment and for the people making the clothes. To that end, when shopping the site, the consumer is rewarded with an education; each article of clothing includes a description about the material and where it’s produced. And for the curious among

Future

FashionForward

marin living. september 2021 53

54 september 2021 marin living.

art credit

YEMA

It was the idea to create a scholarship to educate children in

Courtesy of YEMA

Ethiopia and Kenya that sparked their fashion endeavor.

us, the site goes on to give an even deeper level of knowledge about the fabrics — some of which are upcycled. Nothing requires dry cleaning and everything is designed to last.

“There’s not a single factory we work with that we haven’t been in, seen the conditions, met the people,” Taylor says. Many of the high-quality items are produced in Portugal, but some are produced in San Francisco at the D.A.D. Sewing House, a nonprofit that transitions people with employment barriers like homelessness, incarceration and mental health issues into apparel manufacturing.

Don’t be fooled into thinking eco-fashion wardrobe essentials equals boring. The brand is true to its name; it is au courant (époque means “a moment in time”), but it’s also timeless. It offers an edited collection of staples that will last a decade in your closet — organic cotton button-down shirts, machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant pants, just-right leggings, a wrap dress — plus a few more trendy items that may creep in and out of rotation.

The clothes are shot on dancers to highlight their quality of movement, but even if you’re not crop-top ready, there is something for most people (sizes range from XS to XL).

Another Marin-based fashion brand looking to amp up the social — and style — quotient is the Tiburon-based YEMA (www.yemacalif.com), whose tagline is “good joyful human.”

This is a gentle reminder to themselves and their community to follow humanity’s kinder instincts and to “spread love,” says co-founder Hawi Awash.

A vibrant, sporty, casual brand for women, men and children that riffs off traditional Ethiopian design motifs may not sound like an obvious fit for Tiburon’s Main Street. And that’s exactly the point.

“When we first opened the shop, a woman in her 90s came in and told me that when she walks around town, all she sees is white, black and gray. But when she came into our store

it was full of color and life,” says Awash. Celebrating life is at the core of the brand, which she says is as much about fashion as it is about art. People have such big reactions to the clothing — coming up and touching the fabric, starting a conversation — that the brand proclaims on its website: “If you love style, comfort and compliments — then welcome home.”

It’s easy to imagine standing out in the crowd while sporting a fishtail parka, graphics printed down the back, or a bright-orange split-leg track suit. YEMA previews its collections at an annual fashion show in Nairobi, with products rolling out in four seasonal refreshes. Online orders pour in from all over, but the YEMA team is most passionate about strengthening connections in the community and demonstrating diversity and equity close to home.

YEMA was co-founded by husband-and-wife team Yema Khalif and Hawi Awash, who met while studying at San Rafael’s Dominican University. Though both were interested in fashion from an early age (Awash started modeling in her teens and Khalif has long pursued acting), they were on very different paths. Khalif had a master’s degree in business and Khalif was premed.

“We are social entrepreneurs,” Awash says. “Education gave us so much and we wanted to give back.” Awash left Ethiopia as a young child and Khalif left Kenya to come to the U.S. for college. And it was the idea to create a scholarship to educate children in Ethiopia and Kenya that sparked their fashion endeavor. Families are able to apply online, and applicants are vetted by Khalif and Awash as well as by local partners in Africa. Students who are accepted have their tuition, clothing and meals paid for with funds sent directly to the schools.

Twenty percent of all proceeds from YEMA go to fund the scholarships and the brand’s fans donate additional dollars on the website. What new fashion purchase could make you feel better than that? marin living. september 2021 55

BORN to DRIVE

56 september 2021 marin living.

Marin’s car club community is a tight-knit group of enthusiasts, and when it comes to their autos, a deep-rooted sense of pride is a given. Meet four Marin residents whose love of vintage vehicles spans the decades.

By Casey Gillespie // Photographed by Jay Watson // Shot on location at CB Skyshare

CB Skyshare, 351 Airport Road, Novato, www.cbskyshare.com

marin living. september 2021 57

art credit

58 september 2021 marin living.

Lewis Specker

art credit

1953 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe City: Greenbrae

What did you do before you retired? I was a dentist, researcher and international lecturer.

How long have you had the car?

My father purchased the car new in Philadelphia in 1953.

Fun facts? However, he didn’t maintain the car, so I did the restoration in 1968 — body, paint, electrical, wood refinishing and mechanicals. The car has been in many 1,000-mile rallies since 1995, especially the California Mille.

Are there other cars in your collection? Yes, a 1966 Jaguar E-Type open two-seater (I’ve had it since 1980, and it is one of nine cars built for the 1967 Geneva Auto Show) and a 1968 MGB-GT. I’m the original owner.

Any advice for someone who wants to buy a vintage car or start collecting? Know the true value and potential appreciation, and then add the cost of a new engine to determine if this is what you really want.

What is it about your cars that brings you the most joy?

Knowing everything about how the car works.

Any can’t-miss car events? The only get-together I look forward to is Biscotti and Cars, which takes place the first Saturday of every month at Poggio’s in Sausalito. It’s a great group of gearheads.

If you could have any car that you want what would it be? I had my dream car — a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB — for many years and I sold it.

Susan Royce 1955 Ford Thunderbird City: Novato

What do you do for a living?

After working for two major financial printing firms in San Francisco for more than 15 years, I decided to start my own business, Royce Printing, in 1997. Still going strong, we primarily serve the public finance industry by electronically posting and printing municipal bond issues.

Tell us something interesting about yourself. In 1975, I got my pilot’s license. The next year, my mother — who started flying airplanes in the mid-1960s — and I competed in the last Powder Puff Derby, an all-women air race, from Sacramento to Wilmington, Delaware. In 1978, we competed in the Angel Derby, another all-women’s air race, from Dallas to Freeport, Bahamas. I currently own and fly a Cherokee 180.

Any curious facts about the car? The car was stolen back in the late 1950s and recovered in Nevada. When located, the police department wrapped a chain around the back bumper and towed it back to the station. The scratches on the back bumper are still there.

Do you have any advice for someone who is considering buying a vintage car? Be prepared to spend lots of money on repairs and have a backup vehicle if you really need to get somewhere.

What do you love most about your car? Hearing the V-8 engine fire up, the dual exhaust and just driving her.

Dream ride? 1955 MercedesBenz 300 SL Gullwing in silver.

60 september 2021 marin living.

marin living. september 2021 61

Dan Macdonald 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster City: Novato

What do you do? Architect How long have you had the car? I’ve owned this car for three years. Although I have a 1959 Porsche 356A coupe that I have had for 48 years, and a 1965 Porsche 356C coupe.

Any fun stories about the car? This Speedster was turned into a race car around 1966 by Peter Buschbaum. He enlisted the help of a well-known Bay Area Porsche shop, Lukes and Shorman, to build the car. Peter raced all over California and in 1967 he won the SCCA Regional Championship in E production. He then sold the car to Robert Herman, who raced the car throughout 1968. With this Speedster, Herman and a fellow driver, Harry Shorman, won the very first event ever held at Sears Point Raceway in 1968.

Any advice for a budding collector? Buy the car of your dreams, and get the best one you can afford.

What do you enjoy most about your car? Driving it. I love the early Porsche engineering: air-cooled engine, unibody construction, torsion bar suspension, low center of gravity. It’s made for going around corners.

Any can’t-miss car events? We always attend North Meets South. The old Porsches gather in San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Paso Robles or Morro Bay once a year. The cars from Southern California meet up with the cars from Northern California for a few days of camaraderie, a Concours d’Elegance, fun drives, and good food and drink.

62 september 2021 marin living.

art credit

marin living. september 2021 63

64 september 2021 marin living.

Lisa

1973 BMW 2002 City: Novato Day job? Car enthusiast Fun piece of trivia about you?

I was on Jay Leno’s Garage with my 1967 BMW 1600 in 2017.

What drew you to this car initially? I love the design of these cars. They are simplistic, yet intrinsically engineered.

The design of the car is timeless and the driveability is a thrill!

Tell us more about your car.

The name of this car is “Tesoro,” which is a term of endearment meaning “treasure” in Italian.

This particular build has a dozen or more treasures, such as the Hirschmann Red Tip Antenna; the original BMW Recaros, which have been refurbished in Ferrari leather and Porsche Alcantara suede; custom BBS wheels; original Euro dash. It was featured on Petrolicious, where I am driving through the backroads of Marin. It has won multiple first place awards at the Legends of the Autobahn during Monterey Car Week. Tesoro was also one of the exhibits at the BMW Museum in Spartanburg, South Carolina, as a BMW ICON vehicle.

Do you own any other vintage automobiles? A 1965 BMW R60/2 motorcycle with sidecar and a 1967 BMW 1600.

Annual auto events? There is the Bay Area 2002 car show every year in Brisbane where 2002s from all over the states gather. I also love the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance.

Others include Monterey Car Week, Carmel Concours on the Avenue, Legends of the Autobahn and the Pebble Beach Concours. marin living. september 2021 65

Marin Living magazine is honoring the Bay Area’s top purveyors of beauty. These people and businesses exemplify beauty through their treatments, products, home design solutions, fashion and jewelry. Meet the industry leaders.

www.stock.adobe.com/ elnariz

Luxury of Beauty

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Chris Bacchi, M.D. A welcoming, yet results-oriented mindset sets Marin Medical Aesthetics apart.

Why is it important to feel beautiful?

Now, more than ever, we have all really become aware of the importance of self-care. Communicating over a screen has brought a heightened sense of attention to our appearance. Marin Medical Aesthetics offers a wide range of cutting-edge solutions tailored to achieve your pre-juvenation, corrective and maintenance aesthetic goals. It is a place where you can relax and allow yourself to be cared for.

What separates your business from the pack?

Amazing customer service with us means that you will have the inimitable patient experience. Clinicians deliver

“wow” results utilizing combinations and layering of treatments with the industries’ leading innovative technology for both body contouring and skin care.

Today’s technology allows us to literally turn back the clock on aging, delivering not only a more youthful appearance, but also healthier skin.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business?

My family and I have been volunteers for Guide Dogs for the Blind of San Rafael more than 10 years. We have welcomed and loved two guide dog breeders. We have raised three litters of puppies, and one of our dogs has sired more than 120 pups.

Marin Medical Aesthetics | 807 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.785.460 marinmedicaloffice@gmail.com | www.marinmedicalaesthetics.com | @marinmedical.aesthetics

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Dr. Faye Jamali As we open back up, Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine wants you to feel confident and refreshed.

Why is it important to feel beautiful?

When your self-confidence is increased, your mood lifts and your energy levels improve. Feeling good about yourself has the power to boost your overall health and wellness, and create a generally positive outlook.

Psychologists have found an intrinsic link between subjective well-being, health and beauty. Therefore, people should view their personal care less as a guilty pleasure and more as an aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

Christophe Testi/creativeshot.com

Now that people are starting to go out again, how are you helping them feel better?

As restrictions have lifted, we have seen a major influx in new and returning patients that want to feel refreshed and resume their self-care.

Whether it be with Botox, fillers, BBL Hero, CoolSculpting Elite or facials, we have everything our patients need to give them that “10,000-mile tune-up” they are seeking.

What separates you or your business from the pack?

At Belle Marin we provide very personalized treatment to every one of our patients. We offer complimentary consultations and are not pushy when it comes to suggesting treatments. I perform all medical injections, lasers and microneedling myself.

Belle Marin Aesthetic Medicine 250 E. Blithedale Avenue, Suite B Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.481.3010 | hello@bellemarin.com www.bellemarin.com | @bellemarinca /bellemarinaestheticmedicine

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Karron Power, M.D., MPH, ABAARM PowerMD can help you achieve the look that better aligns with how you perceive yourself.

Why is it important to feel beautiful or surround yourself with beauty?

Beauty is more than just superficial, on the contrary, it is a key part of our lives and transcends the way we interact with ourselves and even one another.

That’s why we believe it’s important to both look and feel your best to better engage with the world around you.

during this time. Often, our patients found that the physical image they were presented with was not in alignment with their perceived mental image of themselves. We were able to help our client’s come closer to achieving their beauty goals and desired physical appearance through our services.

How are you helping clients feel refreshed and energized about themselves?

We noticed our clients were spending more time in front of their cameras, mirrors or in Zoom meetings.

Subsequently, people became more aware of their physical appearance

What separates you or your business from the pack?

Beauty without wellness is only half of the equation to looking and feeling your best. PowerMD stresses the importance of an inside-out approach. We believe that form needs to meet function in order to produce the best results.

PowerMD | frontdesk@powermd.com 415.785.7995 | www.powermd.com | @power__md

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Michael Rex Architects wants to bring architectural beauty and joy into your life.

How do you bring beauty into clients’ lives?

We do it by designing architecture that has timeless integrity and good proportions; that honors the site and

expresses its virtues; that combines spacious with cozy; that is kept simple, but warm; that is filled with light; and that opens out to beautiful gardens, vistas and captures all one’s senses.

How can that not be beautiful?

What separates you or your business from the pack?

With more than 35 years of experience and a staff who has been working together for an average of 17 years, we have the experience and skill to plan a project well, so it goes smoothly. We are known to be a strong advocate for our clients, providing the necessary leadership to guide them through the complex planning process.

Michael Rex Architects, Ltd. | 1750 Bridgeway, Suite B211, Sausalito, CA 94965 415.331.1400 | rex@michaelrexarchitects.com | www.michaelrexarchitects.com

Hopscotch Interactive (pool image)

Michael Rex

Why is it important to create beauty?

When people ask what we do, I tell them as architects, we design beauty and create joy. It really says it all.

When you find yourself in a beautiful environment, particularly a space that is meaningful to you personally, you feel content and happy. Beauty is often underrated, considered by some to be frivolous or a luxury. But beauty is essential for the soul, and fundamental to our sense of well-being.

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Susan Van Liere This Compass Realtor enhances the beauty of her listings and sales to maximize results.

How has the pandemic changed people’s attitudes toward beauty in the spaces they occupy?

In the last year and a half our homes became the centers of our universe.

Quite often, however, homes became cluttered, cramped, and overrun with adults and children. As a result, people began rethinking their living situations and looking to find more beauty, tranquility and space indoors and out. This is one of the reasons our real estate market has been so robust in the last 15 months.

What makes you a leader in your field in beautifying a home to prepare it for the market?

A big part of my job is to make sure my sellers’ homes showcase the beauty and versatility of their indoor and outdoor spaces. I have years of experience helping clients add, literally, hundreds of thousands of dollars to their homes’ worth at a fraction of that cost. I can also help buyers make updates that will enhance the value (and beauty) of their new home purchases.

How do you help your clients see the results of your work to enhance the beauty and value of their homes?

When our prep work is completed, I implement a comprehensive and visually beautiful marketing program, at my expense, with professional photos, videos, plus online and printed materials to maximize buyer interest.

Susan Van Liere, Realtor Compass 490 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939 415.302.7173 susan@susanvl.com; www.susanvl.com @svanliere; /susanvanliererealtor DRE #01323865

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Stacey Templeton Kaplan Bella in Marin will help you find the perfect clothing, accessories and gifts.

What makes you a leader in beautifying people?

At Bella we believe that every customer should have an inviting and personal experience when they shop at any of our three store locations. We love to make people feel special and help them find clothing, accessories and gifts that they can’t live without.

How are you staying ahead of the competition?

At Bella you will experience exceptional service, in a fun and beautiful environment with well-priced, quality items at your fingertips.

What separates you or your business from the pack?

Bella has grown to three store locations around Marin.

Our goal is to expand even more in the next few years, bringing the Bella experience to many around the bay.

Bella in Marin | Three Locations: Pacheco Plaza in Novato, Red Hill Shopping Mall in San Anselmo, and Strawberry Village in Mill Valley www.bellamarin.com | @bellaboutiquemarin | #bellaboutiquemarin

Steven J. Magner Marin County Photo will capture the beauty of your space in an unforgettable way.

Why is it important to create beauty in a home or project?

Creating beauty in a home or project is essential in this industry because you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Accurately capturing and, if need be, enhancing the beauty in a space is the difference between leaving someone in awe of your project for months or it slipping entirely out of their train of thought.

What makes you a leader in capturing beauty?

As a California-based photographer and filmmaker with an extensive background in real estate and design, I believe I have a unique perspective on the industry and this aides in the process of accurately capturing the beauty held in the places where we live and work.

Marin County Photo | steven@marincountyphoto.com www.marincountyphoto.com | @marincountyphoto

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Kim Manley KM Herbals Skincare harvests its own plants to produce naturally nourishing beauty products.

How has the pandemic changed people’s attitudes towards personal beauty?

Our experience with customers, friends and family is that simplicity and nourishing products are at the forefront of their daily needs. A focus on clean ingredients that promote balance, while allowing the skin to breathe and letting hair grow naturally, have changed people’s personal care regimens.

What do you want people to know about your business?

At the heart of our company is a dedication to honoring the timeless wisdom of plants. We grow and harvest herbs from our 200-acre permaculture garden in Dillon Beach that forms the foundation of our botanical formulas. All of our products are handmade fresh to order, from farm to doorstep.

KM Herbals Skincare | 707.878.2980 | shop@kmherbals.com www.kmherbals.com | @kmherbals

Kiana Melendez Papaia will help you feel confident in your body and ready to take on the world.

What are you doing in business that nobody else is?

Papaia is the first store of its kind. We focus on destigmatizing women’s health and providing an empowering and positive environment for purchasing quality eco-friendly, nontoxic products for all your down there care, skin care and self-care.

What new products do you offer?

We offer a variety of products but some of our offerings include leak-proof underwear, natural PMS relief, masks for your face, butt and vagina, self-care journals, empowering candles and so much more

Papaia | 111 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925 415.466.3637 | shop@papaia.co | www.papaia.co | @papaia.co

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Bonnie Powers and Jeffrey Levin Poet and/the Bench provides customers with a happy and comfortable experience.

Why is it important to feel beautiful or surround yourself with beauty?

Our approach to beauty starts with “atmosphere.” In our framework, atmosphere is all about sinking in. Sinking in to the moments inbetween. It’s about giving ourselves time to be idle and awake to what’s around us. It’s that delicious ability to recognize the space of just being.

What are you doing in business that nobody else is?

Our role at Poet and/the Bench is to ensure the atmosphere you create starts with “healthy” ingredients — selecting designers and artists founded in generous values and narratives that enhance our daily lives.

Poet and/the Bench | 11 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415.569.4383 | hello@poetandthebench.com www.poetandthebench.com | @poetandthebench

Allison Tryk Floramye welcomes all to come in and explore the store or attend an event.

Why is it important to surround yourself with beauty?

We need art and beauty in order to live a creative and stimulating life. We wanted to create a beautiful and inviting shop environment where everyone feels safe, welcome and cared for. People have been treating themselves to our vintage jewelry, which they should. One-of-a-kind conflictfree jewelry can deliver daily self-expression and joy.

What are you doing to stay connected with the community?

We have beloved customers who visit regularly We also host community events. Whether created for families or for a little adult time, we offer something for everyone. Collaboration is always the most fun, and we have a great group of favorite local companies we work with. Email or see Instagram for updates.

Floramye | 270 Magnolia Avenue, Larskpur, CA 94939 800.484.0124 | www.floramye.com | @floramyeCBD

PROMOTION

the luxury of beauty

Belinda Wickwire Belinda Wickwire Jewelry wants to help you celebrate the beauty in life.

Why is it important to feel beautiful or surround yourself with beauty?

There is something magical that happens when I watch a customer put on a piece of jewelry that makes them immediately smile. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that I brought a little beauty into their day.

How has the pandemic changed people’s attitudes towards personal beauty or beauty in the spaces they occupy?

Surrounding ourselves with beauty has helped ease the mental weight of the pandemic.

How are you disrupting your industry?

Staying active on Instagram has put my little storefront on the map and made it a travel destination for many of my followers.

Belinda Wickwire Jewelry | 526 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 | 415.785.7519 | info@belindawickwirejewelry.com www.instagram.com/belindawickwirejewelry

Bay Area Design In the October issue Marin Living will honor the Bay Area’s top designers, architects, art galleries and home goods providers. This advertorial feature will provide readers with an inside look at design industry leaders, and it’s the perfect place for Bay Area designers of all types to showcase what sets them apart in the industry. We will spotlight their unique talents, projects and merchandise.

Our readers are design consumers and this is the perfect place to reach them. Your exposure will be enhanced with a sponsored article on our website, a newsletter promotion and social media posts.

For more information contact Jessica Cline, 707.302.0850

follow us on social @marinlivingmag + subscribe to our newsletter at www.marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

going places.

The Walls Vineyards in Walla Walla, Washington

76 september 2021 marin living.

One-of-a-kind Wine Country adventures, a Walla Walla getaway not to be missed, and a new takeout recycling program sweeping Mill Valley and beyond.

Ben Lindbloom

Autumn Awaits

Creating and defining your identity is our passion.

What your business needs is an aggressive marketing plan to separate you from the competition. Now is the time to put your plan in place. We can help.

Communicating and delivering your strategic message is the difference between winking in the dark and actively wooing customers to your business.

Let us develop a full creative and marketing strategy for your business.

About Us We are a group of talented creative and marketing professionals who have turned decades of experience into a new Marin County media company. five19 | publishing includes Marin Living magazine and five19 | brandstudio.

Contact Jessica Cline at 707.302.0850 or jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com to get started.

Brand Identity and Development Branding Logo Creation Copywriting Photography Marketing Plans Media Buying Event Production

land & sea.

Planes, Vines and Automobiles

Returning to a life of adventure has helped winemaker Shannon O’Shaughnessy experience life to the fullest.

By Daniel Jewett

A SERIOUS ILLNESS in 2009 at age 39 changed Shannon O’Shaughnessy’s perspective on what it means to be alive.

That pivotal event led her to where she is now — flying vintage airplanes, driving fast cars and making wine.

“Prior to having kids, I was a dive master, an avid hiker; I did all of those things. There was nothing better I’d ever done in my life than being a mother, but I’d lost myself in that a little bit,” O’Shaughnessy says, pointing to a life-changing leap off a tall rock in a river between surgeries that changed her point of view. “I made a commitment that I was going to do the things I hadn’t done. Am I going to take the shortcut? Or am I going to figure out a way to make it meaningful and live my life with intention and teach my kids to do it that way, too.”

Her dad had already instilled a fondness for planes — she still remembers sitting with her two sisters in the back of his plane with their Barbie dolls — and the German cars the family admired. But her parents — moving from Minneapolis to Napa and purchasing property in Oakville in the 1990s — instilled something else: a Midwestern sense of hard work as

O’Shaughnessy leans on a 1960 Porsche 356B with a PT-17 Stearman biplane in the background.

78 september 2021 marin living.

Celebrating the Beauty of Organic

land & sea.

Sauvignon blanc at the Coombsville property

80 september 2021 marin living.

the future). “These planes are historic and majestic and slow, but unbelievably powerful. It’s this visceral thing. This giant radial engine creates all of this wind, then all of this noise,” she says about the experience. “I feel almost a little opportunistic taking people on this really cool experience and then saying, ‘taste my wine.’ If you love the biplane experience, then you’re going to think the wine tasting is pretty cool, too.”

And her passion for vintage cars has led to a new obsession: driving on a racetrack. “I’m a little afraid of how exciting I think it is to drive on a racetrack. Flying doesn’t seem overly risky to me, but driving on a racetrack might because I am so competitive: ‘I can drive faster than that person,’ ” she says.

As for vintage cars, O’Shaughnessy explains that the appeal is similar to that of a well-aged wine. “It’s a bit nostalgic. It is such a simple machine, but it’s miraculous what it is, what they had created that’s now 60 years old.”

Aileron Estates gift set

All images courtesy of Aileron Estates

they built up the venerable O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery (www.oshaughnessywinery.com) from nothing, and where Shannon began to experience “the valley and the magic of what it is.”

After her illness, O’Shaughnessy returned to flight school — she had quit earlier in life — and at 40 finally earned her pilot’s license. “When you get in the plane there isn’t any space, especially when you’re learning, for anything else in your mind,” she says.” All you are is fixated on one thing, and the satisfaction of working hard to be able to accomplish something.”

O’Shaughnessy continued with that focused mindset, purchasing a Coombsville property then owned by acclaimed winemaker Andy Erickson and his wife, Annie Favia, that featured organic, dry-farmed sauvignon blanc vines planted by the couple. “I got wind that the house might be for sale and bought it the next day,” she says. “When I bought that in 2014, it kind of opened up the winemaking possibility again, because now I had an anchor piece of property for making wine.”

And just two years later, the limited-production, boutique label, Aileron Estates (www.aileronestates.com) — named for the hinged surface on the edge of an airplane wing — was born. Soon after, her mom gave her an evergreen contract to buy cabernet sauvignon from the family’s Rancho Del Oso vineyard on Howell Mountain, and she purchased another cabernet sauvignon vineyard boasting rocky red soils in 2019 at the top of Napa’s Atlas Peak AVA. About Howell Mountain O’Shaughnessy says, “That was meaningful to me because it was the piece of property that I was really active in when we bought it, cleared it, planted it and started building the winery during the years that I was there.”

And now she is able to combine two of her favorite things.

Just this year O’Shaughnessy partnered with Vintage Aircraft Company in Napa’s Carneros region on a program where their pilots would take guests up in World War II vintage Boeing PT-17 Stearman biplanes followed by a tasting at her estate (the program was so popular that it became unwieldy and is no longer offered, but will be coming back in some form in

KARL The Store A place where everything has a story.

Opening KARL in 2017 gave Dennis Green the opportunity to bring his vision to life and open a local shop with global appeal.

Uniquely curated furniture, rugs, art, clothing, home goods and even homemade pies are available. Everything in the store is for sale and everything has a story. This is a place where locals can stop by to visit and chat, and people from out of town feel welcome.

1201 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 www.karlthestore.com | 415.729.9009

Chelsea Andersson

Tiny Designs, Big Future

One of the stars of NBC’s Making It season three, Chelsea Andersson, is winning hearts by celebrating the beauty of everyday objects in her perfectly precise miniatures.

By Laura Schooling 82 september 2021 marin living.

All images: Evans Vestal Ward/NBC, courtesy of NBC Universal

new digs.

Caption Here

Watch Making It: Season 3 on NBC or stream it on Peacock.

SPEND FIVE MINUTES WITH Chelsea Andersson and you’ll understand what led the producers of Making It to select her for season three of the hit show hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. The show is full of pep and can-do attitude that is emblematic of Poehler’s brand, and Andersson oozes both, along with an authentic humility that makes you want to root for her from the start. “I had never gone to school for art, never pursued it as a full-time job,” she says. “I always wanted to know if I could do it. When Making It came out, it was so different from anything I’d ever seen. I thought — this is my chance to see if I can do it.”

Early on, she proved her merit by winning a “Faster Craft” patch for an edible miniature glamp-site made primarily of fondant and cookies, inspired by summers spent with her father’s family in Sweden. “Winning a patch was a dream come true,” says Andersson. When judging Andersson in the competition, Simon Doonan, famous for designing the windows at Barney’s, compared the beauty and craftsmanship of Andersson’s project to an Hermès Birkin bag and a later craft to Frank Gehry. “To hear someone like Simon elevate your work to that level,” says Andersson, “was incredible.”

Andersson’s warmth, humor and vulnerability radiate from the screen and create plenty of opportunities for Poehler and Offerman to banter and riff. “The show has encouraged everyone to be the truest version of themselves, and I think they’ve done a really good job of capturing that,” she says.

Her formal training as a licensed landscape architect is evidenced in the precision of Andersson’s designs. When you visit her online store (www.chelseamakes.com), it’s impossible not to be wooed by the elegant simplicity of her dollhouse kits and accompanying furniture, which are all intentionally ageand gender-neutral. “I didn’t want anything to be too precious that a kid couldn’t enjoy it. The kits require some construction and I want girls to know construction is not just for boys, just like dollhouses are not just for girls.” The purposefulness of her designs extends to every material she uses. The lumber is all FSC certified and American processed. The packaging

Simon Doonan compared the beauty and craftsmanship of Andersson’s project to an Hermès Birkin bag and a later craft to Frank Gehry. for her projects is sourced from other small businesses. And it was only on the heels of Making It that she left her job as a landscape architect to become a full-time maker.

Though Andersson recently returned to her hometown on New York’s Long Island, she lived in Marin for seven years and her product line and Instagram posts are full of the projects inspired by the region. “I wouldn’t be the maker I am if didn’t live in Marin. The level of beauty and design here is unlike anywhere else. I’ll think about Marin’s natural beauty for the rest of my life.” The whimsy and optimism of her work can be seen in her “Tiny Highways” project on Instagram where she reimagined highway signs for local destinations in miniature and installed them along various roadways. “It was my love letter to Marin,” she says.

Though Making It shone a light on Andersson, she’s not packing it all in for Hollywood just yet. “I’m focused on making things that make me happy and sharing them, as well as celebrating other makers. The ethos of Making It is lifting people up, and that’s what I’m all about.” marin living. september 2021 83

join o ur

r i c c le. r e n n i

let’s be friends.

For an inside look into our obsessions and adventures in Marin County and beyond, subscribe to our newsletter at www.marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter.

follow us on social @marinlivingmag

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

dipsea r

e

a

l

t

DipseaRealty.com

y

We're excited to introduce you to Dipsea Realty, sister company to the 48-year-old, family-owned and operated Seadrift Realty of Stinson Beach.

Join us as we venture over the Dipsea Trail to our own backyards in the greater community of Marin.

We can’t wait to work with you!

Betsy, Ashley, Katie, Ali & Jordana Be

(415) 323-0814 | @dipsearealty DRE#01862089

seadrii a t

S t i n s o n

Seadrift.com

(415) 868-1791 | @SeadriftRealty DRE#01862089

Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small lots of handcrafted, single-vineyard designate Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Our mission is to assist you in enjoying one of life’s greatest pleasures, the union of good food, good wine and good friends.

Land of Plenty

Remote Walla Walla, once known for sweet onions and apple orchards, has evolved into one of the West’s most sophisticated wine getaways.

By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti

86 september 2021 marin living.

Courtesy of Seven Hills Winery

Seven Hills Winery

voyager.

THE WALLA WALLA VALLEY and the town of Walla Walla are not conveniently located next to any big city. It’s a four-hour drive from Portland and slightly longer from Seattle, but the isolation is part of the charm. The fertile countryside with golden rolling wheat fields and a downtown Main Street lined with family-owned businesses feel like a time capsule.

Daily one-hour flights from SEA have made it possible for travelers to get to Walla Walla without much difficulty and the region has changed tremendously since the Walla Walla American Viticultural Area was established in 1984. (The history of winemaking in the region actually dates back to French Canadians who settled in the Eastern Washington valley in the early 1800s.) Walla Walla has become known more for refined and robust Bordeaux varietals like cabernet sauvignon and syrah than Walla Walla sweet onions. Celebrity-owned wineries and luxury resorts dot the countryside

while swanky tasting rooms and chefdriven restaurants are mixed in with the funkier vintage shops and bookstores.

Fun fact, a gold rush helped make Walla Walla the largest city west of Minneapolis and north of San Francisco for a few years in the late 1800s, and it enjoys more grand and eclectic architecture than towns of similar size. Don’t miss ogling the facade of the white terra-cotta facade and red roof Liberty Theatre downtown.

Visit Walla Walla (which means “many waters”) in the fall when the vines are heavy with ripe fruit, and the summer’s sizzling temperatures and tourists are gone, and it’s easy to understand why an entertainer once proclaimed Walla Walla “the town so nice they named it twice.”

Where to Stay Walla Walla’s most recognizable landmark, the stately 1920s-era Marcus Whitman Hotel (from $154; www. marcuswhitmanhotel.com), is a classic

and central place to stay. (If you stay here, we recommend requesting a room in the old tower where guest suites have unobstructed views of downtown and the countryside beyond.) In the last five years, an influx of new hotels, including wine country resorts and modern stays in the heart of town, have expanded travelers’ options.

The owners of the new FINCH hotel (from $159; www.finchwallawalla.com), in between downtown Walla Walla and Whitman College, reinvented the 1967 motel’s Streamline-era architecture with black-and-white wall paintings by regional artists in guest rooms and multiple communal spaces like an outdoor fireplace, pétanque court and an area for food carts. Each morning, staff members serve complimentary coffee from Walla Walla’s Livit Coffee Co. and pastries in the lofty adventure-themed lobby.

Founded by the owner and winemaker of Va Piano Vineyards, The Eritage Resort (from $369; www.

Ben Lindbloom

Passatempo Taverna

marin living. september 2021 87

voyager.

eritageresort.com), on 300 bucolic acres, brought a new level of luxury to Walla Walla when it opened in 2017. Ten luxury suites and 10 lakeside bungalows have views of the Blue Mountains and manicured vineyards and features like fireplaces, private decks and patios, as well as king beds with Garnier-Thiebaut linens. James Beard Award–winning chef Jason Wilson showcases the best local ingredients from family-run farms in dishes like dandelion flower fritters and Jidori chicken with apricot cream.

Abeja (from $514 a night with a two-night minimum; www.abeja.net), a working winery and 100-year-old farmstead-turned–luxury-inn (only children over the age of 13 can be accommodated), offers the valley’s most immersive wine country experience. Suites are located in farmhouse buildings, including a chicken coop and carriage house. The Kitchen at Abeja, which opened in July, celebrates the bounty of the Pacific Northwest through five- or seven-course prix fixe menus. Executive chef Elodie Li spent 88 september 2021 marin living.

two years cooking in Michelin two-star restaurants in Provence, France, before returning to her home state.

Abeja’s wines, created by talented husband-and-wife winemakers, include an elegant cab franc with flavors of huckleberry and cigar and a citrusy chardonnay.

Larger groups should look into the Yellowhawk Resort (from $425 a night; www.yellowhawkresort.com).

Eventually, it will be developed into a bigger resort with cottages, but accommodations at the moment include an eight-bedroom Estate House and a Pool House that can sleep four.

Yellowhawk operates as a private club, but resort guests can rent cabanas and time by the sparkling hilltop pool.

The resort’s winery, which specializes in bubbles like a sparkling sémillon, is open to the public.

Where to Eat Walla Walla’s restaurant scene, fueled by top chefs from Seattle and elsewhere, rivals any big city’s. (Acclaimed

Where to Taste and What to Do One of Walla Walla’s pioneering wineries, L’Ecole 41 (www.lecole.com), was founded in 1983. It still makes some of Walla Walla’s most acclaimed wines from treasured vineyards like Seven Hills and Estate Ferguson, a high-elevation vineyard planted on a ridge of

Walla Wall Bread Co.

Walla Walla Bread Co.

Seattle chef Maximillian Petty announced he will open a bistro in the brick Whitehouse-Crawford building later this year.)

A former cigar bar, the excellent Italian restaurant Passatempo Taverna (www.passatempowallawalla.com) boasts a chic industrial indoor space and a bamboo-lined patio. Order a pile of prosciutto with local cantaloupe, any handmade pasta on offer, like saffron-accented casarecce puttanesca, and the slightly spicy mozzarella pizza (chefs make the dough with flour from a local farm) washed down with a seasonal cocktail or a glass of peppery local tempranillo.

On W. Main Street, Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen (www.saffron mediterraneankitchen.com) is a little way outside of the heart of downtown, but worth the walk. Italian and Spanish fusion, the menu is a mix of tapas, constantly changing flatbreads, pasta and entrees like adobo-marinated hanger steak with almond-andcaperberry salsa.

Once located in a working gas station, AK’s Mercado (www. andraeskitchen.com) has relocated to more rarefied digs on Main Street, but the mouthwatering dishes inspired by chef Andrae Bopp’s love for Oaxaca and New Orleans, including tacos, smoked meats and other street food, remains.

Walla Walla has two excellent but very different bakeries. At Walla Walla Bread Co. (www.w2breadco.com), co-owner Michele Pompei, a finalist on Food Network’s Best Baker in America, bakes crusty sourdough loaves and serves bagels, paninis and Naplesstyle pizzas. Off of Main Street, the more French-inspired Colville Street Patisserie (www.colvillestreetpatisserie. com) pastry case is filled with flaky croissants and danishes topped with local stone fruit each morning. Head back in the evening for scoops of creamy gelato.

HalfPage_Horizontal_Master.indd 4

7/21/2021 8:30:25 AM

SUMMIT PROFESSIONAL BUILDERS, INC.

Creativity · Collaboration · Craftsmanship Serving the Marin and Napa communities with quality construction projects since 1999.

Gregg Foster President, Director of Construction

1010 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 201, Kentfield, California 94904 Office: 415-454-3280 | gfoster@spb-inc.com | www.spb-inc.com

voyager.

The Inn at Abeja

90 september 2021 marin living.

Canyon and L’Ecole 41 are on Highway 12 near the Frenchtown Historic Site.

Stop there to learn more about the valley’s tumultuous history, which includes stories of early settlers and conflicts between cavalry officers and the native Cayuse, Palouse and Yakama tribes.

Located in an industrial area just northwest of downtown, The Walls Winery and tasting room (www. thewallswines.com) isn’t surrounded by vineyard-covered hillsides, but the excellent wines are some of Walla Walla’s most addictive. Sample Burgundian-style whites like the 2018 lemon meringue–like McAndrew Chardonnay, well-balanced reds and the West’s most refreshing rosé. A recent renovation transformed the nonde-

script warehouse into a beautiful place to taste with plenty of floor-toceiling glass and a large patio with a pizza oven.

Walla Walla is known as the road cycling capital of Washington; the Blue Mountains nearby offer steep climbs, and paved trails run through historic neighborhoods, past wineries and over rolling hills. Allegro Cyclery (www. allegrocyclery.com) rents road bikes, hybrids, cruisers and more.

Families and those in search of shade and plenty of green can head to 40-acre Pioneer Park, designed in part by the nephew of Frederick Law Olmsted (who designed New York’s Central Park). It has a duck pond, walking paths and a free-to-visit aviary housing exotic birds.

The Inn at Abeja

ancient lava flows. The 2017 L’Ecole 41 Estate Cabernet is savory and structured with notes of espresso and herbs.

Another reason to visit is the winery’s tasting room in an early 20th-century schoolhouse with chalkboards, fir floors and ornate moldings. L’Ecole also has a wine bar in the Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Next door to the schoolhouse, another one of Walla Walla’s original wineries, Woodward Canyon (www. woodwardcanyon.com), is worth a visit for age-worthy cabs, Bordeaux blends, merlot and chardonnay. Woodward Canyon’s owners, a longtime Walla Walla farming family, established the “Artist Series” in 1992 to showcase Washington state’s finest vineyards.

The 2018 iteration has notes of licorice and bitter chocolate. Woodward

How’s the Market?

RealEstateInMarin.com Scan with Phone to Listen In:

Patricia Oxman 415.461.4100 Patricia.Oxman@sir.com Lic.# 01103895

#1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2020 Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

FOOT

FOUR

B U I L D E R S

Synchronizing beauty and functionality.

530.331.5040 | FOOTFOURBUILDERS.COM

PROMOTION

Community Minded

For the Love of Design At Buttercup Home we have a true love of creating beautiful and comfortable spaces where families feel at home. Our goal is to listen to what our client’s need and create the room they have always dreamed of, from planning to implementation. We are unique in offering home staging and design services with a full Design Studio and Shoppe for folks to browse and become inspired.

Come see us!

Buttercup Home I www.buttercuphomestyling.com Pacheco Plaza I 366 Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, CA 94949 415.506.4444

Giving Back Through Food For Dee Coleman, founder of Dee’s Organic Catering, love and nourishment are intertwined. When Dee put her catering company on pause during the pandemic, she didn’t hesitate to show love for her community. She started helping Conscious Kitchen, a nonprofit that has been serving fresh, local and organic school meals to students since 2013. Over nine months, Dee and one other employee made 25,000 from-scratch meals for families. Dee also took on a pilot program feeding breakfast to kids in Marin City from February to June 2021. Although Dee’s Organic Catering, whose motto is Soul Food for the Soul, is once again making soulful cuisine with healthy ingredients for clients, she will never hesitate to lend a helping hand.

Dee’s Organic Catering I www.deesorganic.com 1545 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 94903 I 415.484.3491 info@deesorganic.com I @deesorganic

How’s The Market?

So many factors go into the decision to sell or purchase residential real estate. The stability of the financial markets, the current interest rate, the competition for homes at your price point — the list goes on. Want an easier way to feel confident about the decisions you make about your most valuable asset? Check my website regularly and listen to my review of changing conditions and the factors that drive our market. Your reliable source for real estate information: www.RealEstateInMarin.com.

Patricia Oxman | www.RealEstateInMarin.com patricia.oxman@sir.com | 415.461.1400

CORTE MADERA LIONS EV & CLASSIC

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12, 2021 11:00am – 3:00pm THE VILLAGE AT CORTE MADERA (OVERFLOW PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM NORDSTROM)

ILLUSTRATION OF 1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING BY ROB BLUMENAUER

PRESENTED BY CORTE MADERA LIONS PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT LOCAL CHARITIES

SPONSORS:

LIVE MUSIC FOOD | WINE & BEER cortemaderalions.com FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SHOWCASE YOUR CAR

FREE ADMISSION

Let’s plan for your future,

TOGETHER

INVESTMENTS & WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Our team of CFS* Financial Advisors are dedicated to providing personalized service to help you achieve your financial plans and goals.

Retirement Planning Education Planning Asset Allocation Risk Management

SCHEDULE A NO-COST FINANCIAL REVIEW AVAILABLE VIA VIDEO OR IN-PERSON

1 (800) 895-7610 | redwoodcu.org/investments *

NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. The credit union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to credit union members.

advertise with us.

RED HILL SHOPPING CENTER

Summer is Here Be at the center of it all Bella Marin Chase Bank CVS Get In Shape For Women Jillie’s Wine Bar and Shop High Tech Burrito Hot Wok JOLT! Marin Humane • Kitty Korner Lark Shoes Mathnasium Peet’s Coffee and Tea Pet Food Express Pizzalina Precision Hair Salon Red Hill Cakes Red Hill Holiday Cleaners Safeway Sophie’s Nail Salon Subway Swirl Frozen Yogurt The Hub

Let us help evolve, grow and promote your brand.

West America Bank

For more information, contact Jessica Cline at jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.302.0850

follow us on social @marinlivingmag

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

834-916 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

San Anselmo www.redhillshoppingcenter.com @redhillshoppingcenter

drawn together.

The Reuse Revolution Mill Valley’s Bungalow 44 is leading the way in a new effort to make reusable containers ubiquitous in the county.

By Daniel Jewett

LAST YEAR, AS TAKEOUT ORDERS surged, Bungalow 44 (www.bungalow44. com) co-owner Peter Schumacher read an article in the San Francisco Chronicle that caught his eye. It talked about a new female-owned S.F. company called Dispatch Goods that was providing a different kind of takeout container to local restaurants like Zuni Cafe and others. So, he got in touch.

“The company is run by two really smart, energetic women,” Schumacher says. “And they provide all the containers, stainless or glass with lids and they are all reusable.”

96 september 2021 marin living.

The way it works is that customers who go for the option — and most do, says Schumacher — pay $2 more per order (the restaurant pays an additional $3 per order for the service) and then picks up the food in reusable containers placed in insulated blue bags. Later, people either bring the containers back to the restaurant and place them in a drop-off box or call or text Dispatch Goods and just leave them on the curb for pickup.

“The customers really like it. I think they feel good about it. They don’t feel guilty about having all the garbage and

they love the presentation,” Schumacher says, adding that the containers keep the food warmer and with the clear tops make the meals look great. “I think we’ve all been there over the last year and a half: ‘I’d love to do takeout, but I feel so bad because there is all this garbage.’ ” And customers aren’t the only ones who like it. In July, County of Marin planners held a workshop as they began considering a proposal to require grocery store food counters, delis, bakeries, farmers markets, food trucks and carry-out vendors in unincorporated areas to use reusable or compostable fiber-based containers for packaging — with a big emphasis on the preferred reusable options.

The women behind Dispatch Goods (www.dispatchgoods.com) certainly agree with this plan. “We see that there is a consumer misconception about what happens after they throw items away, as well as the enormous impact and resources single-use takes to be created,” says COO Maia Tekle.

“The good news is that it’s not all doom and gloom. There are parts of the system that work really well, and those are the ones we’re taking and building off of.”

Schumacher says he sees a real change coming for the way his industry handles takeout. “What if everybody uses the same containers in all the restaurants and to-go places? And the more people that use them, the more that will be in circulation being washed, sanitized and reused,” he says. “And in the end, there won’t be any to-go packaging. I think it’s definitely going to go that direction.”

Portrait: Taylor Leslie; courtesy of Dispatch Goods

Peter Schumacher (left) and Bungalow 44 managing partner and general manager, Jason Sims

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY. CONTINUING THE LEGACY.

Since 1970, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars has showcased Napa Valley’s amazing wines to the world. We invite you to our estate to enjoy acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon from our historic vineyards and continue the legacy with us.

Scan to explore our luxury experiences

StagsLeapWineCellars.com

@StagsLeapCASK23

@StagsLeapWineCellars

StagsLeapWineCellars 1561780 ©2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Napa, CA

BE A WINEMAKER FOR A DAY The Barrel Blending Experience® at Conn Creek is an opportunity to explore, taste, and blend Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a guided tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon from distinctly different areas of this famed wine region.

After learning blending techniques and strategies, you’ll experience what it’s like to be a winemaker and craft your own custom blend to bottle and take home.

Reservations are available Thursday through Monday at 10:30am and 2:00pm

CCK 1561756 ©2021 Conn Creek Winery, St. Helena CA, 94574