Sophisticated Living Cincinnati May/June 2014

{Cincinnati’s Finest}

slmag.net

May/June 2014

five dollars

DIGS

DOES 6980 Knoll Road The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gerald B. Tonkens House. Nestled on 4 park-like acres. Impeccably maintained. Separate Guest cottage. www.tonkenshouse.com Amberley Village, $1,788,000

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1135 Carney Street Nothing to do! Live large in this 2 BR/2 BA cottage. Incredible proportions. Every imaginable update. Character galore.

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Mt Adams, $433,000 ON

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3020 Erie Avenue LE

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New Construction Land. 6 Lots Total.

5 Sold. 1 Available. Over ½ Acre Each.

Hyde Park $549,000 to $799,000

The St. James, #803 2 BR/2+1 BA. Designer Renovation.

Breathtaking River/Park Views.

Eden Park $675,000

6820 Hammerstone Way

900 Adams Place P-3 This nearly 5,000 sq ft penthouse has an additional 3,000 sq ft of terrace, accessible from every room. Interiors boast fine artisan details including 4 fireplaces & a conservatory. Designed for grand entertaining & comfortable living. 4 garage spaces. $3,300,000

Meticulously renovated 4 BR/3+1 BA. Heart of the village. Gourmet kitchen open to a large family rm. Exceptional yard.

Mariemont $793,000

2515 Handasyde Court Old-world “bones.” Completely remodeled. Breathtaking CCC golf course view.

Hyde Park $2,825,000

Lori Wellinghoff

David Wellinghoff

Mariza C. Cohen

Jay Peckskamp

President, DIGS Real Estate

Real Estate

Multilingual Relocation Specialist

Real Estate

Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce:Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

3853 Miami Run Mariemont Landing. Pristine betterthan-new 3BR/2+1 BA. River View!

Open floor plan. Mariemont schools.

Columbia Township $289,700 2718 Observatory Avenue Class-A Office Space For Lease. Full Floor/1,700 sq ft. Elevator. Parking.

Hyde Park, $2,275/mo.

513.979.2685 DIGS@comey.com

ANY OR ALL SERVICES, DIGS DOES IT. Find it. Buy It. Sell It. Plan It. Design It. Decorate It. Renovate It.Add-On-To-It. Landscape It.You Name It. DIGS Does It. Our services can be engaged “ala carte” or in any combination to make your home dreams reality. Contact Lori Wellinghoff today.

Marti Schuler Real Estate

Brian Gibson Design

John L. Harrison Design

Annette Askam Project Manager

Tom Allison Construction

Josh Koch Construction

Alissa Groth Controller

Bridget Henson Office Manager

3524 Edwards Road/Hyde Park Square DIGS-home.com 513.533.DIGS (3447) info@digs-home.com

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{Cincinnati’s Finest}

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May/June 2014

May/June 2014

five dollars

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Watch List Jaeger-LeCoultre Heritage, Circa 1930. Ultra-thin “Knife” watch.

Available at Simon’s Jewelers.

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on the cover: Blind Date Te element of surprise is part of the fun when dining at NuVo at Greenup.

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Blind Date

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Some Assembly Required

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RdV Vineyards

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Curating a Lifestyle:

Instant Ancestors

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Worth the Wait

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Bibliotaph

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Of Note… Mommy Dearest

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Of Note… Daddy Dearest

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Off The Wall: Tommy Ingberg

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Watch List

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Beachy Keen

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19th Annual Amelia Island

Concours d’Elegance

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Big Wish Gala

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Club B

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Designer Digs

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Spring Bling

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Tiffany at the Guggenheim

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The Disco Ball

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Mardi Gras for Homeless Children

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Oscar Night Gala

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Spiral Stakes

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Zootini

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Tulip Luncheon

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Montblanc Celebrates

90 years of Meisterstück

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Saks Celebrates 30 Years in Cincinnati

An exhibition of recent works by renowned Southern artist

Stephen Scott Young on view at Cross Gate Gallery from May 22 to June 8, 2014

Stephen Scott Young Dressed for School, Watercolor, 22” x 12 1/2”

Stephen Scott Young was recently profled in Garden & Gun

This will be Scott Young’s frst exhibition in Kentucky and is organized by Cross Gate Gallery of Lexington and Morris & Whiteside Gallery of South Carolina.

CROSS GATE GALLERY 509 E. Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508

MORRIS & WHITESIDE GALLERIES 220 Cordillo Parkway Hilton Head, SC 29928

859-421-3436 | info@crossgategallery.com | crossgategallery.com

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Bridget Williams ______________________________________________ ASSOCIATE EDITORS Kay Matton ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann CONTRIBUTORS Writers Patti Bailey Dr. Matthew Bessen Ellana Bessen Scott Harper Amelia Jefers Jef Jefers Austin Pembroke Photographers Tony Bailey Chad Henle Andrew Kung COPY EDITOR Jennifer Newton ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 502.582.6563 ______________________________________________ CEO/PUBLISHER Eric Williams VICE PRESIDENT Michele Beam

Are you a tastemaker?

Sophisticated Living is now ofering franchise opportunities in select US and international markets.

To learn more call 502-582-6563 or eric@slmag.net

Sophisticated Living is published by SLM Cincinnati, LLC, PO Box 1229, Prospect, Kentucky, 40059 USA. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Sophisticated Living, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Single copies may be purchased for $5 at select fine retail outlets. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living, PO Box 1229, Prospect, KY 40059. To order back issues or reprints of 100 or more, call 502.582.6563.

SLMAG.NET

Sophisticated Living - Now In Five Cities

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{Cincinnati’s Finest}

Lexington, KY

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{Indianapolis’ Finest}

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May/June 2014

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{St. Louis' Finest}

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May/June 2014 five dollars

St. Louis, MO

From the Editor-In-Chief

Rosemary K. Reckers (March 27, 1921 - April 4, 2014) Small in stature yet strong and stalwart, you lived your life in quiet service to your family and your faith. Today, just hearing a single note from Benny Goodman transports me back to a simpler place in time when the dulcet sounds of big band music coming from your HiFi served as the soundtrack for frequent family gatherings at the place you’d called home since you were a toddler. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we clamored for frst dibs on a hot potato pancake during a Friday Lenten dinner or went for seconds (and in my case thirds) of your legendary Tanksgiving stufng?

As the year’s marched on, your omnipresence in so many aspects of my life makes it that much harder to accept that you’re gone.

To this day, whenever I happen to come across your wedding photo, I stop and admire the lithe and elegant young woman smiling back at me. Years after you’d become a widow way too young, I remember how you chuckled as I recounted a determined yet futile attempt to wrangle myself into your delicate silk gown in advance of my own wedding, trying to convince myself that my athletic proportions were somehow compatible with the garment’s impossibly small waistline and narrow back.

I was your frst granddaughter, and it flled me with immense joy when you held my daughter - the frst of your 14 great grand children - for the frst time. Hindsight makes me regretful of the multitude of questions I’d always wanted to ask but never got around to: What was it like living through the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars? What did you think of Grandpa the frst time you met? What was my mom like as a teenager? Did you have a bucket list? Any regrets?

With the sudden notice of your passing so soon after your 93rd birthday, I’m left to cherish the memory of the last time I saw you in person. Tat night, as I was leaving, you gave me a big hug and said in a chipper voice, “I am so happy to see you; I didn’t think I’d get to see you again before I died.” You’d always been there, so I naively assumed there would always be a next time.

I love you and miss you immensely. Until we meet again, give my best to Grandpa.

Bridget Williams Editor-In-Chief

bridget@slmag.net

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CHARITY REGISTER from the publishers of

THE PREMIER GUIDE FOR INFLUENCING SOPHISTICATED GIVING IN GREATER CINCINNATI.

Reserve your space today by contacting Bridget Williams at bridget@slmag.net.

BLIND DATE Te element of surprise is part of the fun when dining at NuVo at Greenup Written by Bridget Williams Photography by Andrew Kung Certain individuals are prone to peeking at presents before Christmas morning or reading the last page of a book prior to laying eyes on the frst, while their counterparts quickly cover their ears at the mention of “spoiler alert”, lest their heightened sense of anticipation be quelled. For these disparate groups, the thought of partaking in a multi-course meal in which each dish is presented as a complete surprise would likely elicit distinctly diferent reactions. As the frst entirely prix fxe restaurant in Greater Cincinnati, NuVo at Greenup manages to win over both groups after the first course by presenting a plate whose appetizing artistry allays fears among the surprise adverse and leaves the rest eagerly anticipating what’s next.

Opened in October 2013 by sommelier Marie Anderson and chef Mark Bodenstein, NuVo at Greenup is located in Covington near the Suspension Bridge on the first floor of a handsome historic brick building that was most recently the site of the Greenup Café. Bodenstein was a founding partner in the original NuVo in Newport, which received a great deal of critical acclaim for its boundary nudging cuisine. Difering visions of the future among the partners prompted Bodenstein to resign his post, and the restaurant closed suddenly and shortly thereafter. While continuing in his craft at other local establishments, he couldn’t quite relinquish the notion of reviving NuVo, so when an opportunity presented itself, he jumped on the chance to be a chef/co-owner.

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Prix fxe dining, a term coined in France in the late 1800s, is certainly not a new concept, but NuVo at Greenup is avant-garde in its decision to be solely prix fxe, with three, fve, and nine-course options, available with or without wine pairings. For those who can’t relinquish all control, there is a fne selection of wine and beer by the glass for DIY pairings. Letting the experts do the choosing is quite advisable as Anderson is a most knowledgeable sommelier whose poetic terminology for describing each wine’s favor profle conveys her pronounced oenophilia.

One could argue that it takes a certain degree of bravado to open a restaurant based entirely on the prix fxe concept, but in Bodenstein’s case it is more a refection of self-confdence in his ample repertoire of skill and knowledge. With seating for roughly 30 diners, reservations are a must, and when you call, the staf is very proactive in noting any dietary restrictions.

Te chic, minimalist décor of the dining room - defned by crisp white tablecloths, black and white photography, and focked velvet damask drapery – is in contrast to the vivid palette pleasers brought forth from the kitchen. Prior to the start of our fve-course feast (an approximation as the kitchen is prone to sending out a few amuse-bouches in-between courses), we were presented with a sheet listing the ingredients that comprised the evening’s menu. Bodenstein is passionate about deriving the majority of the ingredients as close to home as possible and his list of local suppliers is currently 50 and counting.

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In order to keep prices reasonable (topping out at $100 for nine courses with wine pairings at the chef ’s table), many of the courses are vegetable-based using the best of what’s fresh that day. While the chef may have an idea of what he’d like to prepare based on his knowledge of the season, quality and availability ultimately dictate the menu.

Bodenstein approaches plate presentation with a painter’s eye for composition, and each course is a pleasing palate for the palette. From delicate micro greens placed in situ with tweezers, to a tri-colored and layered composition of green apple gelée, creamy caulifower mousse, and pâté topped with caviar and presented in a miniature mason jar, audible oohs and aahs resound from all corners of the dining room throughout the course of the evening. Particularly dramatic is the fnale, alluded to by the smoky aroma noticed throughout the course of the evening: a cigar box is presented and opened to release wafts of smoke that quickly dissipate to reveal a selection of trufes, chocolates and meringues.

While the ever-evolving menu continues to allure repeat customers, it is lamentable for those who become enamored with a particular dish. To remedy this conundrum, at press time, Anderson and Bodenstein were making fnal preparations to open a second dining option upstairs. Dubbed Nando, the atmosphere will be one of a lively cocktail party, with à la carte small plate offerings often culled from customer favorites at NuVo (my fourth course on a recent visit - delectable short ribs – had been shortlisted for the Nando menu). sl NuVo at Greenup is located at 308 Greenup Street in Covington. Open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, reservations are recommended. For more information visit nuvoatgreenup.com or call 859.415.1308.

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Te sheen on the walls of the study, as seen looking through the living room, come courtesy of 10 hand-applied coats of lacquer.

Some Assembly Required Interior Designer Matt Carter spearheads a two-year renovation resulting in a casually elegant family home Written by Bridget Williams Photography by Lee Tomas Every so often the stars align and even the most daunting renovation project proceeds without a hitch. Given the meticulous scope of the work carried out over a two-year span throughout this historic residence, entire galaxies must have fallen into order. “It was totally worth it. I’d sell my house today and do it all again with the same team if I could,” remarked the wife without hesitation when asked how she fared throughout the process. Much of the credit, she’s quick to point out, falls to interior designer Matt Carter. “Matt kept the ball rolling.

Without him I’d still be showering in a bathroom where I’d get scalded if anyone fushed the toilet,” she added with a laugh.

Originally built in 1924, original rooms within the gracious brick home with 12-foot ceilings and exquisite trim and molding detail on the first floor were left largely intact 24 slmag.net

during the renovation. Before decamping to a home across the street for the duration of the remodel, the active family had lived in the home for some time so they had a good idea of what changes were in order.

Pale Powder from Farrow & Ball graces the walls of the entry foyer. The space introduces Carter’s juxtaposition of formal and friendly; a playful intermingling that is consistent throughout the home. To illustrate his “elegance at ease” concept, he points to the casual hand-woven stair runner chosen for the curved staircase. “There’s enough pattern elsewhere and the character of the architecture is substantial enough to carry the room,” he explained. Tucked underneath the staircase is a powder room with a diminutive nickel sink and basket weave tile.

A cozy sitting room adjacent to the dining room is an ideal place to adjourn for an après dinner digestif.

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Te rafa lined built-in bookcases in the keeping room are flled with a mÊlange of pottery pieces, from treasured children’s classroom creations to fne art pieces.

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Te wall color in the entry is Pale Powder from Farrow & Ball. Te casual hand-woven stair runner chosen for the curved staircase was selected to temper the more formal elements elsewhere in the space.

From the foyer lies a dining room and connecting sun porch to the left and a living and music room to the right. A vibrant antique rug from Dana Kelly anchors the seating area in the living room and served as the jumping of point for the color scheme, which is chock full of patterns that coexist quite harmoniously together and are in-step with the homeowners’ stated fondness for happy colors and motifs.

At frst glance, given the elegance of the formal rooms, one couldn’t be faulted for assuming that the spaces are of-limits to the children and dogs, but the wife says that couldn’t be further from reality. “We really live in every room of the whole house. I don’t want to have anything that’s too precious that I’m afraid to put my feet up on it,” she explained.

One of the most striking pieces in the living room is Magenta, a commanding 72”x 48” acrylic on canvas painting by Ed Nash that hangs above the sofa. Matt said he purchased the piece at the Nashville Antiques and Garden Show with this home

in mind because of the way “it makes a colorful statement in a neutral way.” While the majority of upholstered pieces and case goods in this room and throughout the home are newly acquired, Carter has assembled them in such a fashion that they appear to have been culled over time by a world traveler with a discerning eye. “Tese are pieces they can keep with them forever,” he added.

A chandelier original to the home that Carter felt was too under-scale for the dining room now illuminates the cozy music room and is right at home with the original tiles on the fireplace. A raffia-wrapped Chinese game table ads a contemporary bent to the traditional space.

The sheen on the walls of the study, accessed two steps down from the adjacent living room, come courtesy of 10 hand-applied coats of lacquer. A casual rafa carpet is placed over the original black and white marble tiled foor. Drapery is a hand-blocked Indian print over bamboo window shades chosen to take the formality down a notch. slmag.net

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A vibrant antique rug from Dana Kelly anchors the seating area in the living room. “Magenta” a commanding 72”x48” acrylic on canvas painting by Ed Nash hangs above the sofa.

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Kim Comstock painted the large-scale chinoiserie scene enveloping the walls of the dining room. Te chandelier was purchased in Los Angeles. Furnishings include an English dining table, chinoiserie sideboard, French chairs, an Italian console table, and just a touch of Fortuny fabric.

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Bisque-colored glazed brick tile is a focal point of the kitchen. Interior designer Matt Carter frst spied the pair of tall columns used as plant stands in the adjacent breakfast room while in New York two years ago and was thrilled when he returned on a buying trip for this project and they were still in the shop.

Lexington-based artist Kim Comstock is credited with the large-scale chinoiserie scene enveloping the walls of the dining room. Te oversized motif adds a bit of modernity to a classic design element, another one of Matt’s subtle design traits. In a room illuminated by a crystal and gilt chandelier purchased in Los Angeles, an English dining table co-mingles with a chinoiserie sideboard, French chairs, an Italian console table, and just a touch of Fortuny fabric to maintain formality.

Carter had a band of bark brown painted above the baseboard to “ground the room and keep it from feeling too pretty”.

Lively hand-printed wallpaper with a painted strié border dresses the butler’s hall linking the dining room with the kitchen.

Fretwork details on the cabinet doors and mirrored insets add additional drama to the otherwise utilitarian area. Carter enlisted Comstock’s talents for the second power room, having her carry out an apricot colored strié treatment on the walls. “I don’t like to overuse wallpaper and this is a tongue-in-cheek insinuation of paneling,” he said. A classic rope banister winds its way up the rear staircase, under the watchful eye of colorful antique French military engravings that march up the walls.

The hallway that leads from the foyer and into the combination kitchen, keeping and breakfast rooms boasts a faux

bois paper. Even an elevator added during renovation has been given special treatment: an interior of antique mirror set within French grey painted panels.

An exquisite antique rug from Frances Lee Jasper Oriental Rugs served as the impetus for the design scheme in the keeping room, which is designed as a casual and comfortable space for gathering with family and friends. Te rafa lined built-in cabinets are filled with a mélange of pottery pieces, from treasured children’s classroom creations to fne art pieces.

Carter selected a bisque-colored glazed brick tile for the backsplash in the kitchen as he felt it possessed “the right casual air and texture”. “It’s not too shiny or patterny,” he added. Te room’s painted cabinetry is a mixture of indigo blue and cream.

Fresh as dawn’s frst light, the pale turquoise on the ceiling of the breakfast room imbues it with tranquility whatever the weather outside the walls of windows that overlook the terraced gardens. Te simple drapery is embroidered linen with apple green banding. Carter frst spied the pair of tall columns used as plant stands in the room while in New York two years ago and was thrilled when he returned on a buying trip for this project and they were still in the shop. slmag.net

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A lively and largely pink-themed space for the younger daughter features a long window seat with storage that keeps clutter at bay while providing an ideal space for reading or admiring the garden view.

All of the bedrooms are located on the second floor. The restful master suite is designed to function like a luxury hotel suite, with a morning (and evening) bar, his and her closets and a spalike bathroom. In the latter, arched marble door surrounds are designed to mimic the original woodwork on the frst foor. Te application of Waterworks tiles from foor-to-ceiling is a design element that hearkens to the era of the home’s construction.

Largely executed in cream tones with rafa wall covering, a restful ambience is palpable in the guest suite. Drapery is hand painted linen. Carter chose to add a painted desk to the room to keep it from feeling too ethereal. Te ensuite bath is designed around a pair of polished nickel and mirror doors salvaged from the original master bathroom.

Appropriate to their age and interests, a pair of bedrooms for the couple’s children show that it’s never too early to instill a sense of good taste and style. A lively and largely pink32 slmag.net

themed space for the younger daughter features an African headdress mounted over the headboard and a lamp from the 1950s. A long window seat with storage keeps clutter at bay while providing an ideal space for reading or admiring the garden view. Te teal and chartreuse scheme with subtle chinoiserie touches found in the older daughter’s room is indicative of a change in tastes that often occurs during the progression from little girl to young lady. A retro ceiling fxture contributes to the fun and fresh feeling.

Jon Carloftis designed the formal gardens, which culminate at a large conservatory. A shaded lawn tucked behind the garage provides plenty of legroom for children and pets and continues the happy co-existence of form, function and fun that occurs with ease on the inside. “Before, the outdoor areas were totally detached from the home, and now everything functions as a whole,” said Carter. sl

RdV Vineyards

Written by Scott Harper, Master Sommelier

I have had the good fortune of trying many great wines from around the world. I have also had quite a few wines from areas in the United States that I was wildly surprised could actually produce high quality wine. Although wine is now made in all 50 states, California, Washington State, Oregon and New York are considered the leaders in terms of quality in the USA. Perhaps the first great surprise to me was Gruet Winery.

Gruet makes quality, sparkling wines from the most unlikely place: New Mexico. I certainly have had surprising wines from Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas, as well as surprising bad wines from many other states. Last year I had the chance to try a Nebbiolo from the Barboursville Winery in Virginia. Nebbiolo is the grape of Piedmont, Italy, and it reaches its pinnacle in the great wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Nebbiolo is rarely seen outside of Italy, moreover in Virginia, but the wine was very good.

Barboursville made me think about Monticello, Thomas Jeferson’s estate where he attempted to grow grapes in Virginia to no avail. He hoped to produce wines like the great Châteaux of Bordeaux where he traveled when he was the Minister to France.

It seems that Virginia is accomplishing his goal today. I say this not based on the delicious wine from Barboursville, but rather the amazing wines I have tried from RdV Vineyards.

Dutch-born Rutger de Vink joined the US Marines after college and was a venture capitalist before settling on his dream life in the world of wine. He started his eponymous winery in 2004 with a location as improbable as the winemaker himself. As hard as it may seem to believe, both have turned out to be top notch. Like Tomas Jeferson more than 200 years ago, de Vink went to Bordeaux and tried their great wines. He did stages at several of the great Châteaux and interned at a Virginia winery; emulating them was the goal at RdV. Te frst vintages of Rendezvous and Lost Mountain were 2008, and having tried his current releases of 2010, I would say he is achieving his goal in a New World way. While I did not try the wines blind, it would be inconceivable to easily diferentiate them from a top class Napa or Sonoma Cabernet or a Merlot blend. Te wines are not inexpensive, but with the

investment he has made in talent, vineyards, and hard work, how could they be?

RdV makes wine in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Delaplane, Virginia. It seems de Vink has used every available resource to produce exceptional wines. He uses new French oak barrels; he hired Eric Boissenot, the famous Bordeaux oenologist as a consultant; and, he chose the vineyard site for its thin, gravelly, granite soils, which are key attributes necessary for proper draining in the rainy climate of Virginia.

He planted 6.5 hectares with the Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, which he utilizes to make two wines: one is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant and the other is Merlot dominant.

Rendezvous 2010 Virginia 44% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Purple in color, dry and full-bodied with the favors of vanilla, mocha, black plum, and red cherries.

Richly textured for such a full wine, with frst-class integrated oak and delicious baking spices. Very drinkable now but will improve with a few years in the bottle. Te more approachable of the two wines. Pair with a veal chop or pork chops with a savory mushroom sauce.

Lost Mountain 2010, Virginia 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot. Posh, dry, and full bodied with more tannic structure then the Rendezvous. The color is opaque purple. It is a pervasively favored wine that exudes currant, cassis, espresso, sweet tobacco, chocolate, and baking spices, all in a powerful, yet velvety structure. Te more age worthy of the two RdV wines. Drink now, but I hypothesize it will improve with fve-plusyears in the bottle. Pair with a well-marbled grilled steak or roasted rack of lamb. sl A Certifed Wine Educator, Scott is one of 135 professionals in North America and 211 worldwide who have earned the title Master Sommelier.

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Curating a Lifestyle: Instant Ancestors

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Written by Amelia and Jef Jefers

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1) Tis handsome gentleman was portrayed in the painterly and romantic style indicative of major urban centers in the early 19th century. His pleasing look appealed to bidders, resulting in a selling price at Garth's of $645. 2) From a collector outside Chicago who referred to the subject as a “naval ofcer,” this painting was immediately identifed by the specialists at Garth's as acclaimed War of 1812 hero, Oliver Hazard Perry. With heated bidding, the portrait sold at Garth's for $7,900. 3) A copy of a Gilbert Stuart work, this portrait of John Adams by Eunice Makepeace Towle has the remnants of artist’s notes on the back that indicate it was painted in 1840. Tis nice work sold at Garth’s for $4,700.

Before photography, portrait paintings provided an opportunity to preserve – for future generations – a visual image of an individual.

A snapshot in time, portraits dating as far back as ancient Egypt have been invaluable to historians and archaeologists hoping to piece together an understanding of our earliest beginnings. In some ways, portraits have helped to shape history as well. Consider the most famous paintings of George Washington: without the inspired realism of Gilbert Stuart, how would an entire country remember their founding father? Immortalized through Stuart's brush (and recreated by innumerable others), Washington's face is among the most recognized in the world today. Generations of artists in the United States have, since the beginning, documented the important and everyday characters of our nation.

American portrait painters in the 18th and 19th centuries operated within two basic camps: trained artists who catered to aristocracy in major cities and (largely untrained) itinerant painters who traveled the countryside trading their craft for room and board. Trained artists learned the works of their earlier European counterparts, relying on etchings and prints that had made their way across the Atlantic as well as the guidance of seasoned instructors. Te most fortunate had opportunities to travel abroad, returning with the latest and greatest techniques.

Teir paintings refect a softened but studied reality, relying on dark backgrounds and painterly strokes to imply luminescence, lending an air of reverence to the subject. Successful artists in major cities were commissioned to memorialize the most important families and civic leaders of the time.

While itinerant artists lacked sophisticated influence or instruction, they gained commissions through self-taught skills, colloquial interpretation and simple materials that sought to assuage the aspirations of their rural clientele. Also referred to as

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“folk artists,” a disjointed network of itinerant artists during this period developed a uniquely American folk style: subjects were depicted in a fat, almost cartoonish caricature with bright and (sometimes) elaborate backdrops ofering insight into fashions of the day; the addition of accoutrement illustrated interests, loves and family history; and, works were often created on wood panel because it was accessible and afordable.

Many members of the antiques trade and collecting community refer to antique portraits as “instant ancestors.” In many ways, this comedic description reflects the relatively unknown history of most sitters (and artists). Portrait paintings are widely available at antiques auctions, shows and shops at afordable prices. Of course, works by acclaimed artists command a regular, almost “blue book” price, and paintings of famous Americans (even when copied by an “unknown”) generally sell at prices higher than those achieved by anonymous artists and subjects. Other factors affecting value include the attractiveness of the subject, the addition of jewelry and elaborate dress and furnishings, and inclusion of pets or children. Logically, the mood of a sitter can also dramatically infuence price, with the dourest faces struggling for buyers and joyous expressions commanding stronger interest.

Portrait paintings ofer an air of sophistication and reverence for any room. At once interesting and reassuring, the strong jaw, piercing eyes or soft smile of a sitter from long ago evokes a sentiment of longevity and connectedness to our collective past – leaving your visitors wondering about their own history... as well as yours. sl

Amelia and Jef Jefers are the co-owners of Garth's Auctioneers & Appraisers, an international frm located outside Columbus, Ohio.

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1) Tis portrait of Henry Burroughs in stylish garb by Henry Williams sold for $3,900 at Garth’s. 2) Fifteen-year-old Edwin Holbrook holds his three-year-old sister, Ellen in this wonderful double portrait by Isaac Wetherbee. Te pair sold at Garth’s for $4,700. 3) Selling in at Garth's in May 2014, this important portrait of Kentucky statesman Henry Clay is beautifully painted. Having descended in the Frick family, it is expected to sell for $10,000 - $15,000. 4) A bit folksier than his counterpart shown here, this attractive young sea captain holds his telescope in hand. Accoutrement add value to early painting – in this case, a selling price at Garth's of $1,760.

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Worth the Wait

With the release of its 4C sports car, Alfa Romeo makes a triumphant return to the US market Written by Bridget Williams Alfa Romeo couldn't have wished for a better start to 2014: its 4C claimed the “Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2013” title at the 29th International Automobile Festival in France, and scooped the top spot in the “Importers” sports car category in the “Best Cars 2014” awards presented by the German magazine Auto Motor and Sport. In both cases, the accolades were decided by a public vote.

Designed and engineered by Alfa Romeo and built by Maserati in Modena, the mid-engine Alfa Romeo 4C is powered by a new, all-aluminum 240hp, 1750 Turbo petrol engine and features Alfa Romeo’s latest-generation ALFA TCT transmission and Alfa D.N.A. driving mode selector with a new “Race” mode.

The 0-62 mph sprint takes just 4.5 seconds and top speed is 160 mph, but thanks to lightweight and advanced engine and transmission technologies, the official combined-cycle fuel economy fgure is 41.5 mpg and its CO2 emissions are just 157g/ km. Music to all motoring enthusiasts’ ears, the sound of the engine has been emphasized with low frequencies to amplify the classic roar of the exhaust.

Configured with a pair of bucket seats, the compact dimensions of the 4C make it truly unique among its 36 slmag.net

competitors: just under 12-feet long, 79 inches wide, 46.5-inches high, and with a wheelbase of less than 7.8 feet. With a dry weight of 1,973 pounds; a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution; track-honed double-wishbone suspension and Brembo brakes, the Alfa Romeo 4C is capable of generating 1.1g of lateral acceleration and an excess of 1.2g of deceleration force.

Te unassisted steering is progressive, direct and engineered to convey as much feedback and feel as possible. A steering ratio of 16:2 allows for 90% of bends to be taken without removing your hands from the steering wheel.

Development of the 4C’s exterior was characterized from the start by the need to enhance the style of the car and the technical characteristics, both from a dynamic and aerodynamic point of view. Surfaces were treated as sculpture and engineers worked side by side with the designers to carve all the innovative aerodynamic solutions out of it. Te result of this teamwork led to a car that conveys pure sports style through a union of technology and beauty, which has always been a hallmark for any Alfa Romeo sports car. Additionally, every structural element has been conceived for maximum dynamic efciency, and to help create the downforce needed to ensure maximum grip under fast cornering.

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From the energy-charged rear volume and the two side air intakes spring the two long muscles which lend speed and dynamism to the side, generating the necessary volume at the front end to house the headlights; on the central part, a pair of robust ribs runs along the bonnet, tracing an unmistakable “V” and coming to their natural conclusion around the shield.

This, together with the two side intakes, forms the famous 'Trefoil', a distinguishing trait of all Alfa Romeo models. Te entire tail section, starting from the rear upper profile and the lower profle, is characterized by a large “difuser” with aerodynamic spoiler and air outlets that was subjected to extensive wind tunnel testing to ensure the best possible aerodynamic performance.

Reflecting the spirit of the car and the Alfa heritage, the available exterior color range is limited to red, white, black and grey. Special attention has been paid to technology with the introduction of three-layer colors. Te well-known Competizione Red remains the essence of the Alfa Romeo spirit with its depth, shine and iridescence that shapes the volumes of the car.

Defnition of the interior took on particular importance when configuring the carbon fiber 'monocoque' cell. This veritable 'monolithic core' led to a rational organization of the main construction elements in keeping with the principle of integrating parts and optimizing weights. Initially focused on arranging controls and instruments so they are turned toward

the driver, this approach actually simplified construction in terms of assembly processes and separation into subassemblies when industrializing the project.

The climate control system ducts are integrated with the entire dashboard block, which contains a supporting 'technical spider' structure inside the mold. Consisting of a thermoformed shell like those found on limited-edition supercars, the dashboard is designed to make using functions simple and reaches its zenith in the concept of extreme driverorientation, thanks to digital instruments and gearshift controls located on the appropriately shaped steering wheel.

Te cockpit, which is reminiscent of the world of motorcycle racing and racecars, brings together all information necessary to drive and control the car. The interior space is minimal and largely dark black, embellished only by a few metal details with an aluminum effect. The real protagonist is carbon, which is found both inside and outside the car in an aesthetic continuum that conveys technicality and lightness at the same time.

A harmonious melding of technology, dynamism, lightness, efficiency, and Italian style define the Alfa Romeo 4C, an uncompromising though accessible sports car that ofers precision, agility, and great performance. In short, it is a car to drive and enjoy both on the road and on the track. Te frst Alfa 4Cs to be sent to the U.S. market by mid-2014 and are expected to have an estimated MSRP of $54,000. sl

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Bibliotaph

Sitting at the pinnacle of horticultural perfection, the estate-sized gardens hailing from a variety of climates that are profled in this book are among the most covetable in the world. Luxury Private Gardens, Hardcover, 220 pages, teNeues (teneues.com). Cover photo Š Roland Bauer.

A visually rich guide to creating outdoor spaces of your dreams, from a humble kitchen cutting garden to an ornate parterre. Topics covered include mood, spatial planning, plant materials, decorative accessories and hardscaping. Sally Coulthard - Gardenalia: Creating the Stylish Garden - Hardcover, 224 Pages, Rizzoli (rizzoliusa.com).

Written by Alain Baraton, whose role as gardener-in-chief at Versailles Palace has allowed him to live on the grounds since 1982, this memoir details his passionate connection to the gardens, orchards, and felds of the 2,100-acre property along with anecdotes of overzealous visitors he's encountered over the years. Alain Baraton - Te Gardener of Versailles: My Life in the World's Grandest Garden - Hardcover, 296 pages, Rizzoli (rizzoliusa.com).

Illinois native Michael Devine studied art history at the Ecole du Louvre, French at the Sorbonne and the culinary arts at the Ritz Escofer. As a result, Parisian fair abounds in his frst book, which combines two of his passions: cooking and gardening. Michael Devine (author/ photographer), Charlotte Moss (foreword), John Gruen (photographer) - An Invitation to the Garden: Seasonal Entertaining Outdoors - Hardcover, 192 pages, Rizzoli (rizzoliusa.com).

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bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books For 15 years, Sarah Raven has been leading cooking, fower arranging and gardening courses at a school she founded at her farm in East Sussex, England. Tis experience has resulted in a hefty book of 400 recipes, accompanied by photography that centers on utilizing seasonal ingredients. Sarah Raven (author), Jonathan Buckley (Photographer) - Fresh from the Garden: Food to Share with Family and Friends - Hardcover, 464 pages, Universe (rizzoliusa.com).

Anyone who loves nature will be instantly transported to an alphabetical landscape where everything from azaleas to zinnias bloom all year long via gorgeously rendered full-color and pen-and-ink representations. Robert Zakanitch - A Garden of Ordinary Miracles: An Alphabet Book - Hardcover, 64 pages, Universe (rizzoliusa.com).

Former model, fashion designer, fxture on international best dressed lists, and an overall arbiter of style and good taste, Carolyne Roehm turned her discerning eye and photographer's lens on her personal gardens to highlight the beauty of blooms throughout the growing season. Carolyne Roehm - Flowers - Hardcover, 288 pages, Potter Style (carolyneroehm.com).

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Of Note... Mommy Dearest 1

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1) Amethyst Lipstick art glass sculpture, 8.5"Hx2.5"W ($150) by ร sa Jungnelius for Kosta Boda (kostaboda.us). 2) Te embossed green shagreen heart box ($130) is handmade in Vietnam for Aerin (aerin.com). 3) Te print on the silk robe ($487.50) was created by Hovey Design for kumi kookoon (kumikookoon.com). 4) Prada Nylon Baby Bag ($1,230) from Saks Fifth Avenue (saks.com). 5) English-style garden apron ($70) from RedEnvelope (redenvelope.com). 6) Kapuskasing Tennis Tote ($725), from PARK Accessories (parkaccessories. com). 7) Artisan-made 13-inch multi-colored PillowBall ($325) from Andrew Yes (andrewyes.com). 8) Bond No. 9 New York Swarovski All-Stars Quartet To Go ($700) from Saks Fifth Avenue (saks.com). 9) 32 squares of six dark and two milk Grand Cru chocolates are included in the 32 squares Gift Box ($24.99) from Valrhona (valrhona-chocolate.com).

10) Carmen Object & Bookend ($375/pair) from Lunares (lunares.net). 11) For the mom with a wicked sense of humor: needlepoint throw pillow ($165) from Jonathan Adler (jonathanadler.com). 12) Blossoming of Life fgurine on base (11x13.75", $3,300) by Marco Antonio Noguerรณn for Lladrรณ (lladro.com). 13) Boomerang Rocker from Hancock & Moore is shown with Biscay Aqua abstract print embossed leather on the exterior (to the trade; hancockandmoore.com). 14) From Vetro Vero, each hand-blown 'Fiore' vase ($330$650), available in 11 colors, is accented with a thick glass band decorated with 24K gold leaf (vetrovero.com).

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Of Note... Daddy Dearest 1

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1) State inspired cufinks ($150-$250) by Jackie Kaufman (custommade.com). 2) David Oscarson Les Quatre Couleurs fountain pen ($5,400) in translucent azure blue, ruby red and opaque black hard enamel (davidoscarson.com for retailers). 3) Kilian Musk Oud 1.7oz refllable spray ($395) from Saks Fifth Avenue (saks.com). 4) Jil Sander grained Italian leather briefcase ($2,060) from Saks Fifth Avenue (saks.com). 5) Big Blue Leather Head football by Paul Cunningham ($135) for Bespoke Global (bespokeglobal.com). 6) Tod's Ferrari Driving Shoes in Suede ($565; store.ferrari.com). 7) Chess King ($620) from Herend (herendusa.com). 8) Gift box from Mantry, an American Artisan Food-of-the-Month Club based in New York City (mantry.com). 9) Louis Vuitton tailor-made carbon fber luggage set (price upon request) for the BMW i8 (bmwusa.com). 10) Te silver jug, glasses and ice-cube dish that comprise "Bar Set" 2013 by Tomas Alonso have a corrugated base to correspond to the groves on the tray. Available from Stillfried Wien (stillfried.com).

11) Richmond armchair from Bentley Home (bentleymotors.com)

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Of Te Wall: Tommy Ingberg Photos courtesy of the Saatchi Art

"Army" limited edition photograph.

Born in Sweden in 1980, some of Tommy Ingberg’s earliest memories involve sketching and a fascination with cameras. His frst “real camera”, a Praktica with two lenses, no autofocus and faulty metering, provided him the freedom to experiment with various aspects of photocomposition.

Trough endless hours of trial and error, Ingberg became quite adept technically, but readily admitted that a dearth of self-confdence left him lacking on the artistic side. “I did not do what I wanted to, but what I thought you ‘should’ do,” he said. In the same vain of doing what was expected, he put photography on the backburner in his early adult life while he earned a degree in computer science and then went to work as computer engineer, a job for which he felt little passion.

After hitting an emotional rock bottom, Ingberg rediscovered his connection to art and what it meant to him. “I stopped trying to make what I thought was ‘art’ or ‘good photography’ to others and made pictures just for me, because I needed to,” he explained. Today, Ingberg works with photography and digital image editing, creating minimalistic and self-refecting surreal photomontages dealing with human nature, feelings and thoughts.

Working in an environment free from any self-imposed artistic constraints has resulted in Ingberg creating body of work that has been lauded on a global scale, including awards and honorable mentions from competitions such as the 46 slmag.net

"Stone Part One" limited edition photograph.

International Photography Awards (profled in the March/April issue of Sophisticated Living), Prix De La Photographie Paris, and the Sony World Photography Awards. In 2012 he won the prestigious Lumen Prize, which recognizes the world’s best fne art created digitally by emerging and established artists.

Reality Rearranged, Ingberg’s latest series, examines his perception of reality via surrealism. “During the two-and-a-half years I have worked on the series I have used my own inner life, thoughts and feelings as seeds to my pictures. In that sense the work is very personal, almost like a visual diary,” he said.

Rebecca Wilson, Chief Curator of Saatchi Art, who recently selected Ingberg as a Saatchi Art One-To-Watch artist commented, “In the last two years, Ingberg has received international recognition for his surreal photographs, which he says try ‘to explain something abstract like a feeling or a thought, expressing the subconscious with a picture.'"

After years of living without purpose, Ingberg is grateful for rediscovering himself through art. “In this work I found something I loved doing and something I could be proud of,” he stated. “I found a purpose, and with that purpose a way to start climbing upwards out of the hole I spent so much time digging.

It has not gone straight up, and it has not been an easy journey, life seldom is, but I’ve kept on climbing.”

Tommy Ingberg’s limited edition photographs are available for purchase at saatchiart.com/tommyingberg. sl

"Tink" limited edition photograph. slmag.net

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Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands” ($11,100, iwc.com).

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1) Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Edition Lady Arpels Zodiac Virgo Extraordinary Dial (vancleefarpels.com). 2) Richard Mille RM 50-01 G Sensor Lotus F1 Team Romain Grosjean (price upon request; richardmille.com). 3) Piaget Rose Passion watch (price upon request; piaget.com). 4) Breitling Transocean Chronograph in rose gold ($15,000; breitling.com). 5) Tonda Pomellato from Parmigiani Fleurier (price upon request; pomellato.com). 6) Rolex Oyster 42mm yellow gold Sky-Dweller (price upon request; rolex.com).

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1) India Manuscript from the Métiers d’Arts Fabuleux Ornaments collection by Vacheron Constantin (price upon request; vacheron-constantin.com). 2) Jaeger Le Coultre Grande Reverso Ultra Tin Tribute to 1931 ($8,150; jaeger-lecoultre.com). 3) Classic Fusion Tourbillon Night Out 2014 from Hublot ($87,000; hublot.com). 4) Montre Panthère Ajourée de Cartier (price upon request; cartier.us). 5) Longines Hydro Conquest ($1,450; longines.com). 6) Baume & Mercier Clifton 30mm (price upon request; baume-et-mercier.com)

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Ralph Lauren Stirrup Petite-Link timepiece in white gold with a full-pavĂŠ diamond setting on both the case and bracelet (price upon request; ralphlaurenwatches.com).

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Bovet by Pininfarina "Sergio" split-second chronograph (price upon request; bovet.com).

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1) Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 ExoTourbillon Rattrapante (price upon request; montblanc.com). 2) Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Ajourées watch (price upon request; vacheron-constantin.com) 3) Te Hommage Automatic in pink gold with diamonds from Roger Dubuis (price upon request; rogerdubuis.com). 4) A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase (price upon request; alange-soehne.com). 5) Hamilton Khaki Navy Pioneer ($1,095; hamiltonwatch.com). 6) Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Power Reserve Automatic Bronzo (price upon request; panerai.com).

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Originally constructed in the 1850s, restored slave huts can be found at two places near the salt fats of Pekelmeer on the island of Bonaire.

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Beachy Keen

Discovering all that glitters above and below the water Written by Bridget Williams Tis is a tale of two distinct island destinations: one that appeals to glitterati who prefer their toes in the sand and bottle service at the ready, and the other for adventure seekers that still like luxury but prefer tank service and the riches found under the sea.

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Aerial view of Gustavia, the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy. Photo by Laurent Benoît.

ST. BARTH En route to Le Sereno Hotel on the island of Saint Barthélemy, my husband and I learned that Victoria’s Secret houses its models at the luxury property during its catalog shoots. He immediately set about hoping - fervently praying was more like it - the place would be crawling with bombshells. As it is hard enough to don a bikini under normal circumstances, and absolutely unfathomable in the presence of the genetically gifted, I planted myself squarely on the opposing end of his wish and hoped the only delicate shells I’d encounter were of the sea variety.

St. Barth’s infamous small airport, with a single short airstrip located at the base of a downward slope that terminates directly on the beach, is unable to accommodate large commercial aircraft, meaning the majority of visitors (i.e. those without their own mega yacht) arrive via St. Maarten and then either take a 15 minute fight on a prop plane or a 45-minute high speed ferry ride. Be advised the latter option is defnitely not advisable for those prone to seasickness!

Less than 10,000 fortunate souls are year-round residents of this eight-square-mile-speck of steeply peaked land ringed by white sands and protected, shallow reefs easily visible under azure waters. As an overseas collective of France, the language, cuisine, and culture are distinctly French, lending a unique twist on a typical Caribbean sojourn. English is widely spoken, 56 slmag.net

though at some establishments it can be quite rudimentary, which, at least for me, makes the destination seem that much more exotic and endearing.

Le Sereno is situated on the Grand-cul-de-sac, one of 22 public beaches on St. Barth. Located on the windward side of the island, the long crescent-shaped beach borders a shallow, protected bay that is popular among kitesurfers and windsurfers.

Boasting enviable privacy for those desiring to be near the action without being in the midst of it at all times, the 36 suites and three four-bedroom villas that comprise the hotel hug the steep hillside that terminates at the tranquil bay.

Te purposefully restrained interiors in all public and private spaces were orchestrated by Frenchman Christian Liaigre, an A-list interior designer on a global scale who recently opened his frst U.S. outpost – a fagship in an Upper East Side townhouse in New York. His notable clients include Karl Lagerfeld, Larry Gagosian, and Rupert Murdoch.

Our room, a Grand Suite Plage, was a large, terraced space with a four-poster bed overlooking the bay on the upper level and a comfortable sitting area oriented to the water two steps down from the sleeping level. Te efect of looking through an expanse of white – on the walls, the vaulted ceiling, the bed canopy and linens - to the terrace, the mosaic blues of the bay, and variegated greens of the enveloping hillsides beyond was quite spectacular.

Yatchs in Gustavia harbor.

Photo by Laurent BenoĂŽt.

Le Sereno Restaurant

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Te Spa at Le Sereno boasts the island’s only true waterfront treatment cabana.

Te absence of visual clutter – i.e. no art on the walls, no rugs atop the wide plank hardwood floors or fussy window treatments - helps mitigate any lingering mental muddle that would otherwise impede a speedy adoption of a vacation state of mind. While Liaigre’s soulful scheme is an exercise in purposeful and exquisite restraint, it is not completely devoid of fourish: opening the doors to a large lime-washed armoire reveals an interior of cherry red.

Terraced on the hillside above the guest suites, a trio of villas, completed in 2010 and each offering more than 7,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, appeal to those seeking the ultimate in privacy and oceanfront luxury. With interiors as striking as the panoramic views, the villas boast four en-suite bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a private pool with expansive terraces, landscaped gardens, a pair of rental cars, and personal butler service.

A nice option for guests needing more than the standard suite but less than one of the hillside villas is the Villa Du Pecheur, a 900 square-foot room boasting an ultra private oceanfront pool and garden and can be interconnected with adjoining rooms at either end.

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Debuting at the height of the winter 2013 season, the 100-seat open-air Le Sereno Restaurant is the latest dining destination by celebrated husband and wife restaurateurs Jonas and Alexandra Millan, who are well known for their St. Barth restaurant, Bonito, and Miami’s James Beard Award-winning restaurant, Juvia. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, patrons can expect a culinary journey that refects the island’s bounty of fresh seafood as well as the diversity of its cosmopolitan clientele. From a Yuzu Hollandaise Benedict at breakfast to an Open Face Tuna Steak Sandwich with caramelized onions at lunch to an assortment of charcoal skewers “a la robata” including baby lobster, octopus, and beef tenderloin at dinner, Le Sereno Restaurant has quickly established itself as a destination in its own right.

Te Spa at Le Sereno is the island’s newest, full-service luxury spa that utilizes products made on the island from natural ingredients by Ligne St Barth and boasts the island’s only true waterfront treatment cabana, stealthily nestled among the waterfront suites. No typical piped-in flute music was needed during my 60-minute St. Barth Chill Out massage, as the sounds of the wind rustling in the palm trees,

Grand Suite Plage.

View of the Grand-cul-de-sac from the sitting area in a Grand Suite Plage.

Each of the three 7,000-squarefoot villas at Le Sereno ofer panoramic views from all rooms.

the clinking of warm clam shells used for portions of the massage and the undulating waves were enough to induce a deep state of relaxation. I knew that my sunset treatment was coming to a regrettable end when a chorus of crickets joined nature’s symphony.

STAY // Le Sereno Hotel (lesereno.com) SEE// Governeur Beach – Postcard perfect with white sands and crystal waters, it’s little wonder that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich paid a reported $90 million for a 70-acre estate that abuts the beach.

Grand Fond Beach – The rocky and remote coastline ringed by jagged peaks dotted by cacti is unique to the island. Popular among surfers and body boarders, it is also ideal for shell hunters.

Saline Beach – Tackle the short hike along a rocky path and over a sand dune to reach Saline Beach and you’ll be rewarded with a magnifcent view. While au naturel sunbathing is ofcially forbidden on the island, rumor has it that this marquee beach is favored among those who eschew tan lines. DRINK & DINE // Dõ Brazil (dobrazil.com). – Dine with your toes in the sand at this bistro and bar on Shell Beach owned by former tennis star Yannick Noah. L’Isoletta Pizza (lisolettastbarth.com) – By the

slice or by the pie, this “Roman style’ pizzeria in Gustavia was so superb we ate there twice during our short stay! Le Select – Urban legend has it that this popular laidback burger joint in Gustavia was the inspiration for Jimmy Bufet’s ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’.

Le Ti (letistbarth.com) – Le Sereno Manager Sammy Ghachem says the raucous, but far from raunchy cabaret nightclub is a must visit. Make your way past the heavy red velvet curtains and into a cabinet of curiosities where you’ll likely be dancing on the tables with the entertainers by the end of evening (or early morning ).

L’Esprit – Open for lunch and dinner, the chic spot is owned

by Chef Jean-Claude Dufour, formerly of the Eden Rock Hotel.

M&P – Short for Meat & Potatoes, this dinner only steakhouse on the road to Saline Beach hosts a burger party on Tursday nights.

Nikki Beach (nikkibeach.com/stbarth) – A daytime hotspot on St. Jean beach for limelight seekers, a magnum order is delivered via a quad runner outftted with sparklers (and a gaggle of beautiful young ladies trailing not too far behind). SHOP // There are some 200 boutiques on the island. While the usual luxury outposts like Hermès, Cartier, and Chanel are here, you’ll score the most interesting fnds at shops that are hidden down side alleys and up above street level in Gustavia. slmag.net

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BONAIRE Considered one of the best places to dive in the world, the tiny island of Bonaire, a special municipality within the country of the Netherlands, is located 50 miles north of Venezuela and in proximity to the islands of Aruba and Curaçao. While its airport can accommodate larger aircraft, a lack of major chain hotels means that many US visitors fly into Curaçao and transfer to Bonaire via turboprop on Insel Air. With a varied ecosystem encompassing sand dunes, beach areas, mangroves, dry forest, and saliñas (salt marshes), the entire northwest part of the island is given over to the Washington Slagbaai National Park. Within the preserve is the island’s highest point - Brandaris (784 feet)- that offers panoramic views. At the opposite end of the island, the tallest peaks are manmade pyramids of salt that are part of the Pekelmeer salt beds and home to one of the hemisphere’s largest populations of famingos. Lac Bay on the eastern side of the island has given rise to a number of world champion windsurfers, while Atlantis Beach on the western part of the island is the designated kite surfng area.

Ringing the island is a coral reef with numerous access points; the entire coastline, an area of 6,672 acres, was declared a National Marine Park in 1979. Finding a shore diving or snorkeling site is as easy as looking for one of 60 bright yellow 60 slmag.net

painted rocks with names like Oil Slick Leap, 1000 Steps (there’s only 72 in actuality), and Alice in Wonderland.

Situated on four beachfront acres just 10 minutes from the airport, and directly across from Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited 1,500-acre island with 20+ diving and snorkeling sites, is Harbour Village, the island’s only full-service luxury resort. An idyllic, laid-back retreat, the hotel is ideal for divers and their non-diving companions, who can enjoy a full complement of services, including a spa, two swimming pools, a white-sand beach (a rarity on the island), a First Class 5 Star PADI dive and water sports center, ftness center, a tennis facility, and La Balandra Beach Bar & Restaurant. A short walk from the hotel is a paved promenade that runs along the ocean into the capital city and main port of Kralendijk.

With just 14 guest rooms and 16 suites, the resort can be completely booked (as it was during our recent visit) and you’ll still often have the beach all to yourself. Te only exception is early evening, where guests gather en masse with drinks in hand to toast day’s end and watch as the sun gets smaller and smaller until it disappears behind Klein Bonaire.

An army of attendants tends to the manicured grounds, lush with tropical foliage and fowers. Te most spacious suites (9691292 square feet) are those that face the ocean. Ranging from one to two bedrooms, each suite is outftted with Caribbean and

With just 14 guest rooms and 16 suites, Harbour Village can be completely booked and you’ll still often have their white sand beach - one of only a handful to be found on Bonaire - all to yourself.

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Harbour Village is the only full-service luxury resort on Bonaire.

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plantation colonial-inspired décor, teak furniture, European tiled floors and bathrooms, claw foot or oversized soaking tub and separate shower, and a private lanai or terrace. Beachfront premier suites include fully equipped kitchens with Bosch appliances.

Te expansive spa facility is home to massage, facial, and salon treatment rooms, a ftness center with a full lineup of cardio and weight training machines, and the ultra-private Spa Cascade pool.

Tough plans are in the works to expand, at present, all of the spa treatments are administered by an army of one. While this may seem strange, I’ve been to spas both near and far with a lot more bells and whistles whose therapists were much less adept.

Operated by Mark and Muriel, a husband and wife team of expats from Minnesota, Great Adventures Bonaire, the onsite PADI 5 Star Resort facility, ofers diving instruction and equipment, boat dive services, snorkeling equipment, and sea kayaks. As a frst time diver, Mark made sure that my resort course experience went off without a hitch. Near the end of our dive, which took place in the waters adjacent to the resort, we were able to explore a shipwreck some 40 feet below the surface. Even if you aren’t interested in diving, be sure to pick up some snorkeling gear, as it is possible to see a dozen or more diferent species of fsh just steps from the comfort of your beach hammock.

Serving breakfast and an all-day club menu until 10pm, the architecture of La Balandra restaurant was designed to resemble an antique Spanish ship, with the main dining area positioned on a jetty over the water; at night schools of fish, both large

and small, congregate around the lights at the end of the pier, creating quite a popular show for diners. Our favorites included the grilled shrimp gazpacho at lunch and a grilled Caribbean lobster tail at dinner.

To make sure you get the most of your Bonaire visit, be sure to consult with the most helpful front-of-the-house staf, all of whom serve as concierge and are ideal for discovering hidden gems you might otherwise miss.

STAY // Harbour Village Beach Club (harbourvillage.com).

PLAY // Bonaire Kite School (bonairekiteschool.com) – Owner Lars van der Laan has thousands of teaching hours under his belt.

Bonaire Windsurf Place (bonairewindsurfplace.com) – Even if you aren’t interested in taking a lesson, it’s worth a visit to watch the parade of colorful sails as they zigzag across the tranquil cerulean waters. SEE // Cadushy Distillery (cadushy.com) – Located in the historic town of Rincon, the small distillery produces the world’s only liqueur made from the island’s abundant cacti. Owners Eric & Jolande Gietman, who came to the island on their honeymoon and ended up making it their permanent home, possess a contagious enthusiasm for their unique craf. Salt Lake / Pekelmeer – Located in an area devoid of development except for gleaming white pyramids of drying salt rising from pink salt pools. Two sets of oceanfront slave huts, built around 1850, are architecturally striking and serve as grim reminders of the island’s history as a plantation belonging to the Dutch West Indies Company. sl

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19T Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Written by Bridget Williams Photography by Neil Rashba

Te manicured fairways of Te Golf Club of Amelia Island drew 330 of the world’s finest automobiles and motorcycles along with approximately 29,000 spectators as part of the 19th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

A 1937 Horch 853 and 1958 Scarab garnered the coveted Best of Show honors: the Concours d’Elegance award and the Concours de Sport award respectively. “Both cars are excellent examples of unique pedigree and provenance and are well deserving of their awards,” said Bill Warner, Chairman and Founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “We worked hard to bring the best in automotive elegance and sport to this year’s event, and judging by our winners and the crowd I think we achieved our goal.”

Owned by Bob and Anne Brockinton Lee of Sparks, Nevada, the fully restored 1937 Horch 853 is one of only two Horchs ever to have been bodied by coachbuilder Voll & Ruhrbeck, which 64 slmag.net

created custom coachwork for Bugatti, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Cord, among others.

Te Revs Institute for Automotive Research of Naples, Florida presented the 1958 Scarab on behalf of its owner Miles C. Collier.

The car was built by Troutman and Barnes for Lance Reventlow in an attempt to contest the road courses of America against the great European marques such as Ferrari and Maserati. Reventlow originally tried an Ofenhauser engine, designed to run on alcohol, in this car, but it was never successful running on gasoline as required by the sports car ruling body. Te car was then ftted with a small block Chevrolet V-8, which proved to be ideal for the American road and airport circuits of the late 1950s and early-1960s.

Te 20th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance will be held March 13-15, 2015. Since its inception, the show’s Foundation has donated over $2.25 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Inc. and other charities on Florida’s First Coast. sl

Society

May 1 1 1 1 3 4 6 7 7 8 8 10 10 10 11 14 15 16 30 31

The Art of Making Memories Gala, 5:30pm, Horseshoe Casino; alz.org/cincinnati A Springer Celebration!, 6pm, Springer School & Center; spring-ld.org Light Up the Night, 6pm, Elements Conference & Events Center; womenhelpingwomen.org EACC Annual Gala Dinner, 6pm, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center; europe-cincinnati.com SCPA’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, Corbett Theater; scpafriends.org Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon; fyingpigmarathon.com United Way Leaders & Legends 2014, 11:15am, Duke Energy Convention Center; uwgc.org Assistance League Books & Brunch, 10am, Receptions Eastgate; assistanceleaguecincinnati.org Bethesda Lyceum Speakers Series: Captain Mark Kelly, Horseshoe Casino; bethesdafoundation.com Go Red Luncheon, 9am, Duke Energy Grand Ballroom; cincinnatigored.heart.org Cincinnati Horticultural Society Ladies Day, 9:30am, Kenwood Country Club; cincinnatihorticulturalsociety.com/ladies-day/ Camargo Hunt Founders’ Ball, 6pm, Orchard Farm; camargohunt.org JDRF Cincinnatian of the Year Gala, Duke Energy Convention Center; jdrfswo.org/events/cincinnatian-of-the-year-gala Cincinnati Preservation Assoc. Spring House Tour, 1pm; cincinnatipreservation.org/events/spring-house-tour-2014/ 45th Annual Duveneck Memorial Art Show, 12pm, George Rogers Clark Park; bakerhunt.org YWCA Career Women Luncheon, 12pm, Duke Energy Center Grand Ballroom; 513.241.7090 Taft Museum Dragons in the Garden Gala, 6pm; taftmuseum.org CAC 75th Anniversary Party, 9pm, Contemporary Arts Center; contemporaryartscenter.org Zoo La La, 7pm, Cincinnati Zoo; cincinnatizoo.org/events St. Joseph Orphanage Gala, 6pm, Paul Brown Stadium; sjokids.org

June 5 5 6 7 8 19 21 21 66 slmag.net

Apple Award Gala, Netherland Hilton Hall of Mirrors; 513.421.4469 Taste of Duveneck, 6pm, Cincinnati Art Museum; cincinnatiartmuseum.org Cruisin’ for a Cure Dinner & Live Auction, Drees Pavilion; ohioconcours.com Ault Park Concours Hangar Party, Executive Jet Management hangar; ohioconcours.com Ault Park Concours d’Elegance, 10am-4pm, Ault Park; ohioconcours.com Purses for a Purpose, 6pm, Elements Conference & Event Centre; aubreyrose.org Cincinnati Horitcultural Society Secret Garden Tour, 8:30am; cincinnatihorticulturalsociety.com/secret-garden-tour/ 10th Annual Celestial Ball, 6pm, Duke Energy Convention Center; giving.cincinnatichildrens.org

BIG WISH GALA

Held at Music Hall, the BIG Wish Gala featured cocktails, a gourmet dinner and stories of inspiration from local wish kids. Honorary wish kid Henry, 10, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia, shared the experience of having own wish come true: meeting the cast of his favorite television show, Animal Planet’s Tanked.

Funds received through ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, silent/live auctions and Raise the Paddle will help make more wishes come true for local wish kids.

Rhonda & Harold Messer

Linda & Drew Mehas, Pam Larsen

Heather Snell, Aaron Ingram

Chad & Emily Bray

Shawn & Kendall Jones

Mark & Shawna Kinsel

Julie Baird, Maria Bustamante

Photography by Tony Bailey

Ryan Jost, Emily Christian

Holly & Eric Goedde

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CLUB B

Photography by Tony Bailey

Te Cincinnati Ballet celebrated its 50th anniversary in a big way with a bash at the Cincinnati Ballet Center, the entirety of which was turned into a celebratory venue.

Guests donned the recommended colors for the evening – black, white and hot pink – and enjoyed attractions dubbed Te Disco, Te Viewing Deck, Te Grotto, Te Patio, Te Nutcracker Studio and Tip-toe Trough the Tulips, each with distinct drink and dining options.

Ginger Johnson, Tamar Wiener, Andrea Newman

Drew Klein, Corrie Loefer, Kenneth Wright, Tracey Conrad

Allie Honebrink, Rick Startton, Matthew Selker

Megan & Nathan Alley, Abigail & Lee Morwood

Spencer Johnston, Michelle DeGrandis

Daniel Wagner, Mackenzie Dessens

Lee & Abigail Morwood, Stephanie & Paul Betz 68 slmag.net

Kadi & J.R. Anderson

John Fowler, Peter Lafoon, Tamara Welk

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DESIGNER DIGS

On April 5th a black-tie dinner party was held at the home of Maryellen & Tom Cody at The Ascent in Covington, KY to celebrate DIGS |Real Estate|Design|Construction| Principal Designer, John L. Harrison’s 50th year designing beautiful spaces for fabulous people in Cincinnati. Te event was hosted by the Cody’s and Dianne & David Rosenberg, Mark Boire & Peter Quinnan and Lori & David Wellinghof.

Photography by Tony Bailey

L to R : David & Lori Wellinghof, Tom & Maryellen Cody, Pete Quinnan, Annette Askam, Honoree John L. Harrison, Mark Boire, David Askam, Dianne & David Rosenberg

Lori Wellinghof & John Harrison

David Hoguet, Jef Tomas, David Rosenberg

Annette Askam, Lori Reed, Meg Fiora

Joyce Elkus & Jack Rouse

Maryellen Cody & Linda Miller

John Harrison

Melody Sawyer-Richardson & John Harrison

Jennifer Damiano, Stephen & Sandra Jofe

Dianne Rosenberg, Mark Boire, David Herriman

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SPRING BLING

Photography by Tony Bailey

Breast cancer survivor and nurse Rosalyn Mathie was honored with the 2014 Wings Award during the annual Spring Bling luncheon, to benefit the I Have Wings Foundation. Held at Horseshoe Casino, the event was emceed by Liz Bonis, Medical Reporter and Weekend Anchor for WKRC-TV with a keynote presentation by Kevin Murphy, author of Surviving Cancer After Surviving Cancer: Coping with the Emotional Side of Cancer.

Ali Reeves, Rose McCarthy

Debbie Seward, Joy Wilson

Maryan Hahn, Sheila Horan, Linda May

Linda Nixon, Karen Sacksteder, Sheila Baker, Joyce Dickman

Terisa Harrington, Liz Bonis, Sandy Garrison, Rama Mamidi

Peggy Eisenmenger, Janet Chambers, Holly Ruschman 70 slmag.net

Kevin Murphy

Janet Chambers, Roselyn Mathie

Jessica Dauley, Dan Bell, Deborah Boschert-Davidson

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TIFFANY AT THE GUGGENHEIM

Celebrating with all the glamour of its great heritage, Tifany & Co. unveiled its 2014 Blue Book at an event that transformed the Guggenheim Museum into a Photo by pantheon of colors that flled the museum’s soaring rotunda. Te approximately Mike Coppola & Neilson Barnard/ 300 guests, including Jessica Biel, Kate Bosworth, Katie Holmes, Hilary Rhoda Getty Images for Tifany & Co. and Jessica Jofe stepped into an atmosphere sparkling with gems of pure, saturated color—vibrant blue and green, sunny yellow, fiery red, pink and purple— handcrafted in designs as diverse and exuberant as nature itself.

Kelly Framel

Alexi Ashe, Seth Meyers, Ariel Ashe

Sean Avery & Hilary Rhoda

Frederic Cumenal, President of Tifany & Co., Katie Holmes, Jessica Biel, Michael Kowalski, Chairman of Tifany & Co., Kate Bosworth

Nora Zehetner

Katie Holmes, Francesca Amftheatrof

Michael Polish & Kate Bosworth

Constance Jablonski

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THE DISCO BALL

Photography by AJ Waltz Photography

A crowd of over 250 Kindervelt supporters dressed in polyester assembled at Kenwood Country Club for the Kindervelt #50 Disco Ball. To the musical spinning of Jon Jon and direction of emcee Jef Tomas - both of Q102 - guests danced under the disco ball, dined, bid on fabulous silent auction items and competed in a rafe, all to raise over $55,000 to beneft the Kindervelt Neurodevelopmental, Educational and Learning Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Julie Hill, Beth Wright, Mindy Ellis, Rhonda Logeman, Sheila Sanders & Rita Chin

Julie Hill & Peter Hill

Alicia & Brooks Gerlinger

Patti Foster, Simon Foster, Sheila Miller, David Rattigan, Rhonda Logeman, Lisa Schneider

Mike & Toni Nevins

Marcus & Kristie Sheanshang

Ana Brown, Christiana Stephens 72 slmag.net

Shawn & Lynn Carson

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Mike & Tamara More

MARDI GRAS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN

This 23rd annual culinary celebration was held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center on Fat Tuesday to benefit area homeless children’s shelters, Bethany House Services, Brighton Center’s Homeward Bound, Mercy Health-St. John and Welcome House of Northern Kentucky.

Jerry Neiheisel, Donna Arlinghaus

Bobby Spann, Jean-Marie Lawson

Donna Eggemeier, Bob Mitchell

Stephanie Ward, Laura Evans

Brad & Julie Kirkpatrick

Aaron & Chelsea Bowman

Photography by Tony Bailey

Laura Cardosi, Holly Dickman, Jenny Brallier, Chris Nesbitt

Chip Heidt, Julie Heidt, Bill Butler, Rob Heidt

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Photography by Tony Bailey

OSCAR NIGHT GALA

Hometown Hollywood: Totally ‘80s was the theme of the annual Oscar night gala to beneft People Working Cooperatively. Held at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland, the event was chaired by Mike Calvin and Jody Aschendorf and emceed by WCPO’s Brendan Keefe and Tanya O’Rourke.

Jock & Deborah Pitts

Jere & Lyn McIntyre, Misha & Chris Bell

Kameron Mogadam, Lisa Yasbeck

Jamie & Kevin Canafax

Jong Son, Aaron Grant

Donald & Elizabeth Swain 74 slmag.net

Christina & Jason Maudlin

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Laconia & Mike Smith

SPIRAL STAKES

Unseasonably cool weather wasn’t able to chill the enthusiasm among race fans at the, the 2014 Horseshoe Casino Sprial Stakes at Turfway Park. Jockey John Velazquez rode We Miss Artie to win by a nose over Harry’s Holiday. Ofering 50 points to the winner toward Kentucky Derby qualifcation, the win placed We Miss Artie at the top of the Derby list with 60 points and $544,000 in non-restricted stakes earnings.

Janna & Mike DeMarsh

Photography by Tony Bailey

Emily Hurtt, Maryanne Schmitt

Jim & Heather Kennedy

Kim Fahlbush, J.S. Collier

Amy & Christian Kirchen, Nate Rosha, Kim & Kevin Kline

Brenda & Caleb McClinton

Elmer Hensler, Bethany Grzeskowick, Arthur Hensler

We Miss Artie winner of the 43rd Running of the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes

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Photography by Tony Bailey

ZOOTINI

It was a dark and stormy night… but that didn’t deter the sold out crowd who turned out for Zootini – A Toast to the Wild at the Cincinnati Zoo. Guests enjoyed a variety of zoo-inspired martinis, live music, animal encounters, and light appetizers provided by local restaurants.

Denise Ruwe, Kim Garman, Margie Dupps

Jessica & Lee Searcy

Laura Franklin, Amy Remley

Steve Kline, Allie Brandt, Jake Gunzenhaeusel

Cameron Woodruf, Boris Vanovsky

Marissa Lapinsky, Jim Busch

Shelley Cooper, Mark Hofman

Pamela Kurtz, Monique Frecker

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TULIP LUNCHEON

Held in the Peacock Pavilion at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, guests at the 7th annual Tulip Luncheon were treated to guided tours through 100,000 blooming tulips, one million daffodils, flowering trees and vibrant shrubs.

Following the plated lunch there was an exclusive plant sale of distinctive items pulled from the Zoo’s nurseries.

Photography by Tony Bailey

Gay Bullock, Bunny Barattieri, Sharon Maiman

Deborah Cribbs, Kim Halbauer, Carlen Kline, Maura Kelly

Barbara Sutphin, Jeanie Afatato, Jo Macke

Linda Como, Ann Howard, Debbie Valido

Fleming Ackermann, Allison Gibbs, Dede Persson

Amy Lutz, Bizzy Driscoll

Rita Picton, Robin Armstrong, Paula Ott

Julie Webster, Laurie Nippert Leonard, Ellen Sole

Laura Karnes, Karen Husky, Pam Middendorf, Sue Blum

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Photography by Larry Busacca and Dimitrios Kambouris /Getty Images for Montblanc

MONTBLANC CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF MEISTERSTÜCK

Montblanc marked the 90th anniversary of its iconic fountain pen with a gala celebration at Guastavino’s in New York City where the company unveiled its Meisterstück Collection of leather goods, timepieces, jewelry and new writing instruments.

Edward Norton

Madalina Ghenea

Penn Badgley

Alicia Quarles, Stephen Baldwin, Rosario Dawson

Chanel Iman

Tyson Beckford, Rosario Dawson

Olivia Palermo & Johannes Huebl

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Alek Wek, Jerome Lambert, CEO of Montblanc International

For business men and women who value time and recognize the importance of face-to-face meetings, Home Tonight provides excellent value using aircraft “right sized� for the mission. We will get you where you need to be and back to where you want to be, on your schedule and without the lines, gate changes, or overbooked fights.

Get There, Get Done, Fly Home Tonight htaviation.com Home Tonight Aviaiton is an FAA-certifcated air carrier, Certifcate No. 1HMA946M.

Photography by Tony Bailey

SAKS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN CINCINNATI

Saks Fifth Avenue hosted an intimate in-store luncheon for a valued group of clients, friends and associates to mark its 30th anniversary in Cincinnati. General Manager Kevin Shibley made a brief presentation about exciting changes happening at both the corporate and local level, including the store’s move to Kenwood in 2016.

Kevin Shibley, Diane Favors, Laurie Acklen, Amie Wersching

Waka Blanchard, Sandy Richter

Joyce Jackson, Susie Brennan, Setsko LeCroix

Kevin Shibley, Sonya Rumpke, Tracy Darlington

Stacy Edwards, Waka Blanchard

Amie Wersching, Lauren Davis, Kevin Shibley, Nancy Clagett, Joyce Elkus

Melissa Schroer, Etta Monnie

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In a Class

By Itself