CVLUX JAN 2023

Spin away the holiday

OUR PASSION

YOUR HOME

Building homes has been our passion for three generations. You’ll feel it the first time you step through the front door, and see it in every thoughtfully considered detail. And like all great passions, it carries on and grows—when a McCaffrey home becomes your home.

Three Home Collections at Tesoro Viejo

enjoy

Living at Tesoro Viejo, feeling free isn’t about getting far away. It’s about enjoying everything right outside your door. Here, you can walk to a farmer’s market and your kids can walk to school—or to the pool. There are fourteen miles of trails to trek or ride, and four hundred acres of open space to explore and enjoy. The neighborly connection of a shared bite, cup of coffee, or glass of wine is just a stroll away, too. All part of a notion that a full life never has to lead to an empty tank. Come see for yourself.

Photos depicted do not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase real property at Tesoro Viejo. Persons shown do not reflect racial preference. Prices are effective date of posting or publication deadline and subject to change without notice. Based on the information presently available, the developers of Tesoro Viejo understand that Tesoro Viejo will be served by the Chawanakee Unified School District. Buyer should contact the Chawanakee Unified School District to confirm the identity and location of the specific schools planned to service Tesoro Viejo, including the TK-8 Hillside School located adjacent to Tesoro Viejo. Obtain a copy of the Public Report as required by Federal law and/or the Public Report issued by the California Bureau of Real Estate and read them before signing any documents. © 2022 Tesoro Viejo Development, Inc.

JOAQUIN RIVER AND RECREATION ACCESS

THE RANCH HOUSE, RESORT-STYLE CLUBHOUSE AND POOLS

SAN

more two-legged getaways.

SOCIAL AFFAIR

AROUND TOWN

Our new community calendar features what’s happening on the Central Valley’s social scene. Take a look to find out top events during the month of January. 30 2023 LUXURY AWARDS

January is the last month to vote for the 2023 Luxury Awards, which will be held in March. Be sure to visit www.cvlux.com to make your opinion count!

36

VIEJO 5TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION

TESORO

This yearly occasion kicks off the holiday festivities for residents and visitors alike in Madera’s Tesoro Viejo.

38 ILLUMINATURE 21+

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is still featuring its zoo-wide light display, but this special night was for adults only.

40

CANDLELIGHT GUILD BALL

Held at The Bankers Ballroom, this year’s soirée donned a “Noël à Monte-Carlo” theme and benefited six charities.

Winning Awards is one thing, taking care of customers is the real pleasure we get in building a business over six decades. On behalf of our entire staff, we thank you for trusting us to be your choice in furniture stores since 1960.

Contents

DEPARTMENTS

42

HIGH PROFILE

Featuring CRŪ Winery’s Winemaker Jose Reyes, get an inside look at how he keeps making one of California’s most recognizable labels even better than the last with every vintage.

44

ELEGANTLY FUNCTIONAL

The NEAT Method will bring organization to your life, and they’re now in the Central Valley. With their tips, tricks, and products, you’ll be able to create stylish, clutter-free spaces.

48

BEAUTIFULLY CONDUCTED

On the cover is Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor of the Fresno Philharmonic. But she’s so much more than that title. Learn how she’s modernizing classical music through advocation.

56

SHAKE+STIR

One of CVLUX’s most beloved features is back and at Max’s Bistro & Bar for a second time. Old favorites and new menu items will leave your mouth watering for one of the best dining experiences in town.

62

REFLECT & RESET

When the calendar resets, with it comes the opportunity to do things differently. But first, it’s essential to reflect on where you are before setting the groundwork for growth this year.

For the January Edition, CVLUX features Rei Hotoda for the New Year Issue.

PHOTOGRAPHER ELLIE KOLEEN FASHION STYLIST ALMA WOLVERTON HAIR ANNA PETERS MAKEUP TIFFANY SIMONS

66

VIVA MAGENTA

Pantone’s Color of the Year is bright and bold. Whatever palette you currently have in your home, this juicy shade can easily be incorporated into any interior décor scheme.

68

EYE TRICKERY

The holidays might have left you with a few extra pounds, but that doesn’t mean you have to break out “those” clothes. Just trick the eye with clever separates.

70

KNITTED DUO

Going back to the office after winter vacation can actually be a comfy transition. These cozy yet professional workwear suggestions will feel like loungewear.

72 COSTARS

Capricorn season bridges the last and new year, so see what’s projected for the near future.

Publisher’s Perspective

A Decade in the Making

As we begin our 10th Anniversary Celebration, I would like to take a moment to thank all our readers, advertisers, editors, contributors, and staff for helping CVLUX reach this pivotal milestone. From humble beginnings around a kitchen table in Fig Garden to where we have evolved today, I never could have dreamed of how remarkable this journey has been. Through the magazine, we have been able to get to know so many of you on a personal and professional level and have relished watching your own businesses grow along the way. Thank you for letting us tell your stories to the community and continuing to believe in the mission and core values of the CVLUX brand.

This year marks the beginning of our full transition into a monthly publication with renewed emphasis on highlighting the Central Valley with additional content. We are so excited to be able to bring even more of a local edge to the publication. A much-anticipated calendar of events and even more social affair pages will be included. We hope you enjoy all the added features and changes within the magazine, as well as our expanding online video content.

Finally, if you haven’t secured your seat for the 2023 Luxury Awards this March, please do so as quickly as possible. There are only a few seats remaining for our signature gala. This year’s event will be black tie formal, so breakout the diamonds and bowties and prepare for what will be one of the most extravagant awards so far.

Cheers to you, and the future to come!

PHOTOGRAPHER ELLIE KOLEEN

FASHION STYLIST ALMA WOLVERTON HAIR ANNA PETERS MAKEUP TIFFANY SIMONS

Welcome to the Issue New Year

Begin Again

Coverwoman, Music Director, and Conductor Rei Hotoda of the Fresno Philharmonic speaks about her work, passion, and advocacy (page 48). This is your last chance to vote for the 2023 Luxury Awards (page 30). Social Affair covers the Tesoro Viejo 5th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration (page 36), IllumiNature 21+ (page 38), and the Candlelight Guild Ball (page 40). Introducing the Around Town community calendar for January (page 28). Reflect on the past year before diving into the next (page 62). Be inspired to use Pantone’s Color of the Year in your existing décor (page 66). Learn how to create elegant yet functional spaces (page 44). Shake+Stir makes its return at Max’s Bistro & Bar (page 56). High Profile is back and features CRŪ Winery’s Winemaker Jose Reyes (page 42). Fashion features a slimming ensemble (page 68) and a knit set (page 70). Capricorn season is kicking off the New Year (page 72).

Embrace Now

This year, let’s ditch the cliché resolutions that seem to be innately linked to the New Year. When the calendar begins yet again, we indeed feel like we get another chance to start over. But what if we viewed that as an opportunity to do and think differently? It’s time to embrace the moment.

PHOTOGRAPHER DON DIZON

DAVID MANNING

Publisher, Sole Owner

EDITORIAL

Editorial Director LAUREN BARISIC Interiors Editor ERIN MELKONIAN Features Editor ELISABETH ROSS

Features Contributors ALEXANDRA FRANCO, CHRISTINE ROSE and ANN T. SULLIVAN WHITEHURST Astrologer SHARI SCHOPP

ART

Design Director PHENG MOUA Graphic Designer SAMANTHA DEATHERAGE

Contributing Photographers DON DIZON,TORREY FOX, ELLIE KOLEEN, HALEY THRUONG DIANE TJERRILD, MARTIN VECCHIO, CRŪ WINERY, DAVID JON PHOTOGRAPHY FRESNO ART MUSEUM and FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOO

BUSINESS

Regional Marketing Director CAROL DEFENDIS Sales Executives CAROLINE HOWARD and EMMA TOSTE Accounting Director DEE ANN LINKER Legal Counsel GONTORWON BORH

Please submit all advertising inquires to information@cvlux.com.

Letters To The Editor: We want to hear from you. Please submit letters to: CVLUX, 7797 N. First St. #172, Fresno CA, 93720 or e-mail to information@cvlux.com. Letters must be signed and deemed appropriate for our readership to be considered for publishing. Letters are subject to editing and may be cut for length.

Story Queries: Are you a writer? Please send story queries to lauren@cvlux.com. Please allow six to eight weeks for a response. CVLUX is not responsible for unsolicited material.

CVLUX is published twelve times a year by Modern Living Publishing LLC, 7797 N. First St. #172, Fresno CA, 93720. Copyright 2014 by Modern Living Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Every effort has been made to ensure the information within this publication is complete and accurate at the time of publication. CVLUX does not warrant such accuracy or the claims of its advertisers. All materials, articles, reports, original artwork, and photos published in this magazine are the property of Modern Living Publishing LLC and cannot be used or reproduced without permission in writing. Modern Living Publishing LLC is not responsible for the opinions expressed within the publication. Prices quoted in advertisements are subject to change without notice.

The BETTER THAN-ROSES Diamond

Contributors

New Year

Alma Wolverton Fashion Stylist

Alma is an editorial stylist, closet editor, personal shopper, image consultant, and boutique owner, based in California’s San Joaquin Valley. A small-town girl, she was raised with an impeccable work ethic and determination to achieve her dreams. Today, Alma owns and operates Pum Bum Society in Fresno, where she takes enormous pride in bringing the latest and most exclusive looks, brands, and trends, that both celebrities and fashion experts alike are wearing, to the Central Valley.

Alexandra Franco Features Contributor

Alexandra, owner of NEAT Method, Fresno, is on a mission to bring organization to everyone’s life. Color coding is her love language, making closets her favorite space to organize. She believes even a junk drawer can be beautiful. A true California gal at heart, she returned home in 2014 after living abroad in Scotland for eight years, where she obtained her Master of Arts in Business Management. Alexandra opened the NEAT Method in Fresno in 2021 to share her love of decluttering with the Central Valley.

Ellie Koleen

Photographer

Ellie is a lifestyle, wedding, and brand photographer based in Fresno, California. An artist behind the lens, her trademark airy, light-filled style and masterful camera angles make her work easily recognizable. She uses her love for all things design related as inspiration for her work, and you can find her traveling any opportunity she gets to capture stories for her clients. The Fresno Bee named Ellie Best Photographer for the People’s Choice Awards four consecutive years in a row.

Contributors

Christine Rose Features Contributor

Christine is a yoga instructor and journalist. As a community healer, she spreads compassion through yoga, bringing people together through the practice to inspire, empower, and connect. It is an honor for Christine to serve the community, where she cultivates peace and encourages each person to become the best version of themselves. She is also grateful for the work she does as a writer for ABC30, which allows her to learn from and connect with so many of the amazing humans that live in the Central Valley.

Erin

Melkonian Interiors Editor

Erin runs a collaborative design firm, EMID Design Group, specializing in healthcare, hospitality, and residential interior design, in Fresno, California. Seeing the world through an artistic lens has allowed Erin to experiment in a number of different styles. Everything she does with a space is deliberate. Every piece has a purpose and has been thought about (from color, to position, to scale) in order to create the most unique and personal spaces for her clients.

LUX locale Community Calendar

JANUARY

Around Town

Select dates in January IllumiNature

Fresno Chaffee Zoo www.fresnochaffeezoo.org

IllumiNature is a Fresno Chaffee Zoo cultural spectacular. This new experience features handmade Chinese lantern displays illuminated throughout the zoo, many of which are designed to imitate various animal shapes and sizes. Although it is a rain or shine event, guests may get a “rain check” if requested. Nine viewing nights are scheduled for the month of January.

January 7th Closing

Reception

for A Queen Within Fresno Art Museum www.fresnoartmuseum.org

A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes has been in Fresno since summertime, and now its time in Central Valley is coming to an end. So, head down to the Fresno Art Museum for a final look at the exhibition that explores new femininity and storytelling in boundary-pushing fashion. This farewell evening event will include food, drinks, music, and a drag show featuring Leilani Price.

January 10th to 15th

Dear Evan Hansen

Saroyan Theatre www.fresno.broadway.com

Broadway In Fresno presents Dear Evan Hansen. Directed by four-time Tony Award® nominee Michael Greif, the Tony® and Grammy® Award-Winning

Best Musical has struck a chord with audiences and critics everywhere. Head to the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center to see the deeply moving and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.

January 16th Free Entrance Day

All National Parks www.nps.gov

Each year, the National Park Service offers select free entrance days, and the first one in 2023 will be held this month. There are over 400 National Parks in the United States, and all those that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission for the day, although this does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special hours.

January 22nd Bird Tales

Fresno Philharmonic, Saroyan Theatre www.fresnophil.org

Take flight with the Fresno Philharmonic! Be transported into the textural world of a bird’s attempted flight to the sun. The concert begins with Aghaei & Jacobsen’s Ascending Bird. Saint-Saëns’ The Swan and Cello Concerto No. 1 feature Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan. Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite will close the program.

January 28th Gala of Wishes 2023

Make-A-Wish Northeastern & Central California and Northern Nevada, The Painted Table www.wish.org/canv Witness Make-A-Wish’s transformative power of wish-granting for Central Valley children with critical illnesses. Come and contribute to their mission at the annual Gala of Wishes, held in Fresno. It promises to be an exciting evening with great friends, good food, and delicious cocktails. Become a part of the inspiration and help them change lives one wish at a time!

January 28th to 29th Shen Yun

Saroyan Theatre

events.fresnoconventioncenter.com

The heavenly gift Shen Yun is coming to Fresno. This boundary-pushing theatrical performance blends stunning costumes, high-tech backdrops, and an unbelievable orchestra. Experience classical Chinese dance and see legends come to life. The show invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China, whose culture was divinely inspired.

For more information, contact event organizer as events may be subject to change.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRESNO ART MUSEUM

LUXUR Y·AW ARDS

Voting Now Open

CVLUX Magazine is pleased to present the 2023 Luxury Awards. Each year, CVLUX recognizes the Central Valley’s favorite businesses with Luxury Awards. Nominations were submitted in July 2022. The top five in each category have made it to this year’s ballot. The winners will be announced at the Luxury Awards.

Voting is open until Tuesday, January 31st, 2023—each email address may only vote once and all emails are authenticated at the end of the voting period.

Come celebrate the 10th Anniversary of CVLUX Magazine at this year’s Luxury Awards!

Tickets and Sponsorships now on sale.

Holy Trinity Ballroom & Lounge 2226 Ventura Avenue Fresno, California 93721

Friday, March 10th, 2023 5:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.

DRESS CODE: BLACK TIE FORMAL

BEST COSMETIC/ PLASTIC SURGEON

Hedieh Arbabzadeh, MD

Women’s Plastic Surgery

Carl Askren, MD, FACS

Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Pavilion

Maziar Bidar, MD Eye Medical Center of Fresno

Mark Chin, MD, MPH

Valley Institute of Plastic Surgery

Kaye Riolo, MD, FACS

Riolo Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

BEST DERMATOLOGIST

Kathleen Behr, MD

Behr Laser & Skin Care Center

J. Scott Boswell, MD

Boswell Dermatology

Carlos Paz, MD, PHD Paz Dermatology

Gregory L. Simpson, MD

University Dermatology Associates

Leslie Storey, MD

Valley Skin Institute

BEST ALLERGIST

A.M. Aminian, MD Allergy Institute

Malik Baz, MD

Baz Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center

Praveen Buddiga, MD, FAAAAI

Buddiga Family Allergy, Skin and Immunology

Richard S. DeMera, MD

DeMera Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center

Rabinder Sidhu, MD Sidhu Allergy

LUX award Nominees

BEST DENTIST

Michelle Asselin, DDS, FAGD, FACD, FICD

Fresno Dental Professionals

Hugo Coronado, DDS

Cosmetic Dentistry, Implants & Orthodontics

J. Art Mirelez, Jr., DDS, FICOI, FAGD

Mirelez Wellness Dental Sam Namdarian, DMD Fresno Smile Makeovers

Kathryn A. Siemens, DDS Kathryn A. Siemens Family Dentistry

BEST HOSPITAL

Community Medical Centers

Kaiser Permanente Kaweah Health Medical Center

Saint Agnes Medical Center

Valley Children’s Healthcare

BEST MEDICAL SPA

Aspire Medispa Body del Sol Aesthetics Esteem Med Spa Kiss Me Med Spa LaserAway

BEST SALON + SPA

Adrina Martins SALON INTRINSIC Muses Day Spa

PREEN a boutique salon

The Spa & Hungry Hair Salon at Fig Garden Village

BEST FITNESS

Fightgirl Fitness

Fort Washington Fitness George Brown Sports Club

Orangetheory Fitness, Fresno

BEST SHOPPING CENTER

Fig

BEST BANK

Central

BEST DEALERSHIP

BEST JEWELER

BEST BOUTIQUE

BEST FINE GIFTS + DÉCOR

BEST HOME FURNISHINGS

Ammons Design & Home Décor

Brick & Mortar

Fashion Furniture

Hemisphere Home Noble House Design

BEST COMMUNITY

Copper River Ranch

Harlan Ranch

Old Fig Garden Riverstone Development

Tesoro Viejo

BEST BUILDER

Bonadelle Neighborhoods

De Young Properties

Gary McDonald Homes McCaffrey Homes Wathen Castanos Homes

BEST CONTRACTOR/ REMODELING SPECIALIST

Dodson Builders Construction Inc. Henry Gatewood Construction J & J Quality Construction Inc.

Nelson-Dye Remodeling Specialists

Trademark

BEST MORTGAGE LENDER

Emmanuel Chavez

Universal Lending

Elias Delgado

Guaranteed Rate

Michelle Glass

Vero Mortgage

Adrienne Romero-Williams

Alameda Mortgage Corporation

Kathy Stypula

Change Home Mortgage

LUX award Nominees

BEST REALTOR

Alexandra Cetti

Premier Valley Realty Ivette Chavez Park Place Real Estate Lena Marie Fisher London Properties

Laura Mather

The Mather Method at London Properties Victoria Sherlock Sherlock Homes Real Estate Group

BEST CASINO

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino Club One Casino Mono Wind Casino Table Mountain Casino Resort Tachi Palace Casino Resort

BEST BAR

Annesso Pizzeria Elbow Room Bar & Grill Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar Pismo’s Coastal Grill

BEST DINING

The Annex Kitchen Cracked Pepper Bistro Max’s Bistro & Bar FIVE Parma Ristorante

BEST HIDDEN GEM

Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant

NEAT Method, Fresno

Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater

The Lash Lounge, River Park Fresno Coin Gallery, The Showroom

Thank You Sponsors

SOCIAL affair

TESORO VIEJO 5TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION

Photographer David Jon Photography

Tesoro Viejo’s 5th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration took place at the Town Center on Friday, December 2nd with approximately 400 people in attendance. Madera County Supervisors Brett Frazier and Tom Wheeler flipped the switch on the 35-foot tree, which donned hundreds of lights and a giant star. Hillside Elementary School students performed holiday songs and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus were available. There was snow falling, horse drawn carriage rides, caroling by Fresno State Quartet, and seasonal treats from AXIS Coffee Bar + Eatery along with food trucks.

For more information about Tesoro Viejo, please visit www.tesoroviejo.com.

Tesoro Viejo Christmas Tree Lighting

SOCIAL affair

IllumiNature 21+

ILLUMINATURE 21+

Benefiting Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Photographer Fresno Chaffee Zoo

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s IllumiNature 21+ event was held on Friday, December 9th. Though the exhibit, which features illuminated handmade Chinese lantern displays throughout the zoo, has been open since November, this special event was for adults only and attracted some 1,360 attendances. The evening included curated food trucks from Fresno Street Eats, complimentary beverage tastings from local breweries and wineries, and live entertainment.

For more information about the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, please visit www.fresnochaffeezoo.org.

SOCIAL affair

Candlelight Guild Ball

CANDLELIGHT GUILD BALL

Benefiting six charities.

Photographer Don Dizon

The Candlelight Guild Ball returned to The Bankers Ballroom on Saturday, December 10th after a hiatus during the pandemic. The Noël à Monte-Carlo theme was black tie formal and featured cocktails, dinner, and dancing. A casino, silent wine auction, and raffle was enjoyed by just under 200 guests. Approximately $XXX,000 was raised, which benefited six charities: Nick Kauls Foundation, Fresno Police Activities League, City Without Orphans, Zachary Horton Foundation, Breaking the Chains, and Make-A-Wish Northeastern & Central California and Northern Nevada.

For more information about the Candlelight Guild, please visit www.candlelightguild.com.

HIGH PROFILE

JOSE REYES

CRŪ WINERY

Features Editor Ann T. Sullivan Whitehurst Photographers Diane Tjerrild & CRŪ Winery

CRŪ Winery is one of the Central Valley’s most glittering gems, and Winemaker Jose Reyes is the man behind its impeccable varietals. Although Jose’s wines consistently receive 90+ point scores from Wine Enthusiast magazine, the man is as down to earth as his grapes. “It’s something I love. It’s my passion. It’s something I enjoy. I like that I’m not just sitting at the desk,” the winemaker shares. The passion Jose exudes for his craft is as captivating as the vino he bottles.

Originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, Jose first came to the wine business (and California) some three decades ago, and got his start at the historical Bargetto Winery in Santa Cruz—he used to ride past it on his bike. One day, he met the owner and began working there the next day. “My inspiration comes from the beginning,” Jose speaks of that first winery job, where he cleaned tanks. He moved over to harvesting, which is where he became more hands-on with the fermentation process.

It was then that Jose first started thinking of how the wine would turn out, given all its variables. He has no formal viniculture or viticulture education—everything Jose knows has been learned first-hand and on the job, both under the guidance of others and by his own trial and error. In Santa Cruz, Jose recalls tasting the wines and noting the differences between varieties, educating himself along the way. “That’s when I began learning about winemaking and started to work in production.”

The winemaker is a lifelong student of his craft, and is always working toward a better product. “I always try to do something different, to create something different, to make it more special,” he shares. Jose and his family had moved to Los Banos in 2007, which prompted him to look for work close to where they lived. “So, that’s when I drove by and saw the sign up there on the wall that said ‘CRŪ Winery’ and I thought, ‘Hmm, maybe I should stop by and see if they have any open positions.’” That was in 2009, and he’s been there since.

Jose started out as Cellar Master, moved up to Assistant Winemaker, and was named Winemaker at CRŪ in 2018. Today, he works closely with Cellar Master Robert Arroyo, who manages the day-to-day operations at the cellar. Jose is also assisted by Winemaking Assistant & Cellar Hand Juan Reyes, his second of eight children. The winemaker is meticulous about preparation, yet he also welcomes obstacles. “I tell them, ‘I like problems because if I don’t have problems, I can’t learn from them!’” he optimistically states. “We always move forward and work together very, very hard.”

One component Jose has been keen on developing is the use of different barrels for aging. “Each wine varietal from this area requires specific barrels,” he explains. It used to be that CRŪ wines would age approximately nine months. However, under Jose’s direction, the wine now barrel ages at least 15 months. “I’m trying to finish the wines exactly the way I want,” he imparts. Aging those wines in barrels for a longer time allows Jose to achieve his desired outcome: deeper profile, fuller flavor, and more character.

Becoming CRŪ’s winemaker has allowed Jose the opportunity to show the world his passion on a new level. “There’s a special feeling in my spirit when making wine,” he says of the process, noting that he learns something new every year. As the winemaker, “now I can play the game how I’ve always wanted. This is the way I want to achieve this process to make the exact wine I’m aiming for … It opens the door for me to show it: who we are and what we are trying to do at CRŪ going forward.” Jose is cultivating the wine he loves, and the scores his bottles receive are proof that he’s doing something right.

From CRŪ’s past year, there are a handful of wines Jose is especially pleased with. The 2021 Rancho Real Vineyard Late Harvest Viognier from the Santa Maria Valley yielded an extremely limited 600 bottles—served slightly chilled, it’s perfectly suited as a meal finale. “This last year was the first time we made a traditional rosé solely from grenache,” referencing the 2021 Jose’s Rosé of Grenache from Paso Robles, which sold out—those wishing to obtain a bottle of the 2022 varietal should sign up for CRŪ’s mailing list to received first access to its release in May of 2023.

It’s also the first time CRŪ has made a single vineyard Syrah. “Syrah is one of my favorite wines,” Jose professes. “I liked really making this one special,” he shares of this particular vintage. “It’s something new for us. What we tried to do is move forward and create something different.” Already, Jose has been thinking of ways to create the Syrah differently to further improve it. Consider how the cycle of growing and harvest seasons require the winemaker to plan far ahead, in addition to the fermentation and aging processes.

Harvest season is Jose’s busiest time of the year. “I cannot sleep because my babies need me!” laughs Jose, affectionately referring to the grapes. His day starts with coffee at 4:00 AM, then Jose heads out to whichever vineyard needs his attention. He needs to check the fruit early in the morning, as the temperature at the time of picking is vital to the winemaking process. Jose walks down three or four rows picking the berries for testing. Needless to say, he spends a lot of time driving around the Central Coast—CRŪ wines come from vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Arroyo Seco, Paso Robles, and Edna Valley.

During the harvest season, Jose stays close to home. “I say to myself, ‘You know, it’s only a couple of months, dude. You can do it!’ It’s very restrictive to be on top of everything because you don’t want to miss any part,” especially considering how timing is critical in winemaking. The long, hard days are inevitable. “But it’s something that makes me feel happy. I like the smell of the fermentation. I like to taste it when it’s going forward, and to finish it the way I want,” which includes stopping the fermentation and starting to press at Jose’s direction.

Although he is around wine everyday, Jose divulges his favorite time to imbibe in the fruits of his work is with family. “That’s when I enjoy drinking wine. Then I share all my special wines!” But he’s not the only one bringing interesting bottles to the table. Two of Jose’s brothers also work at wineries, although they can’t agree on which chardonnay is best! Jose tends to gravitate toward red wines; nevertheless, he loves the Sierra Madre Chardonnay and Pinot. “Those are two of my favorites right now!”

This year, Jose is working hard with two wines: the Albarino from San Luis Obispo and a new barrel aged Viognier. “These are two of my favorites” Jose shares. “This is new for us; also … I want to see and show I can make them even better than our previous vintages. So, this is a challenge I have for myself.” He’s sourcing fruit from new places, which brings about a full circle moment for him. Jose is especially excited about getting pinot noir grapes from the same vineyard at the winery in Santa Cruz, from where he started. With Jose Reyes at CRŪ Winery, we surely have much to look forward to with each new release, as the winemaker strives to make each vintage even better than the last.

Elegantly

FUNCTIONAL

Features Contributor Alexandra Franco, Owner of NEAT Method, Fresno Photographer Martin Vecchio

Cheers to 2023! Close your eyes and imagine this: everything in your home has a designated area, your clothes aren’t packed into your closet, your children’s artwork isn’t mixed in with your mail, and there’s a peaceful corner for you to indulge in a Colleen Hoover publication. You can think clearly and take a deep breath. Thankfully, 11 years ago NEAT Method was founded by Ashley Murphy and Molly Graves, two incredibly driven women who were passionate about functional yet elegant spaces, and taught others their methods for achieving that.

Let’s be honest: clutter happens, and it’s natural, especially since the pandemic has transformed homes into multi-purpose spaces, and the previously separate areas of life, work, and school have picassoed. As we leave 2022 behind, it’s time to note the things we want to elevate, one of these being our homes. Whether it feels like a total disaster all the time or it just could use a little TLC, NEAT Method, Fresno is here to help. Our goal is to make the space in your home clutter-free while also being elegantly functional.

Prior to embarking on any project, we conduct an in-person or virtual consultation, during which we walk through spaces that overwhelm clients and ask what their dream would be for such a space. NEAT Method, Fresno then provides a white glove service where our clients can go about their day without lifting a finger, and come home to a clutter-free environment.

Our fabulous American-made products are designed in-house, and are intended to be multi-purposeful. For instance, we have storage baskets and bins that can be used in a pantry, laundry room, and closets, and as you move to different spaces or have lifestyle changes, you can keep these

products and adjust where they are used within your home. Aesthetically, NEAT Method offers a variety of elegant materials including cane, reed rattan, and galvanized metal. We not only want our clients’ homes to be organized but beautifully elevated as well.

I always encourage my clients to edit their space, and this is not some secret sauce or special recipe; simply, the less you own, the less you need to clean, organize, and maintain. I am passionate about helping others, and this is the reason I chose to bring this incredible service to Fresno and the Central Valley. Having organization in your life will bring a sense of peace, calm, and joy, and it can change people’s lives overnight!

The look on my clients’ faces when we do the final walk-through reveal is emotional in so many wonderful ways, and my incredible team and I are so grateful to be part of these moments and provide these tools to our community. So, choose the NEAT life. You can achieve an elegant yet functional environment with very small steps. Whether your space is a 375-sq.ft. studio in San Francisco or a 10,000-sq.ft. chateau, it’s all possible! When in doubt, call NEAT Method, Fresno. We can’t wait to help.

New Year starter tips to creating a more elegant & functional space:

Start Small

Pick one area—don’t overwhelm yourself. Pull everything out, start creating categories, keep what you want, and then contain.

Pick a Category

If it’s clothing, take everything out. See what you have and want to edit out. Donate the items you’re not using or have a surplus of. There are amazing organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Hinds Hospice, Salvation Army, just to name a few in our community.

Let Things Go

In the wise words of Anna and Elsa (my daughters’ favorite Disney characters), “Let it go.” If your goal is to create a more functional space, it’s OK to let it go. I understand it’s easier said than done, but it’s a must. Start using a “transition bin” to avoid re-cluttering your clean space. This bin can contain anything from kitchenware to a library book that needs to be returned, or baby items your kids have outgrown that you need to donate.

Use NEAT Method Products

They are all designed to specifically create a more spacious, elegant, and functional area. They do an incredible job of elevating any location of your home, from the pantry all the way to junk drawers. With beautiful color palettes and quality sustainable materials, there is a product for everyone, and it’s worth the investment.

Editorial Director Lauren Barisic

Photographer Ellie Koleen

Fashion Stylist Alma Wolverton

Hair Anna Peters

Makeup Tiffany Simons

you don’t know who Rei Hotoda is, you should. The Fresno Philharmonic’s first female music director and conductor is turning preconceived notions of the traditional classical music-going experience on their head. Music isn’t just an affinity for the conductor, pianist, and advocate; “It’s been part of my life since I can consciously remember,” Rei speaks of her musical love affair. “It’s like in my DNA.” Hers is a story of a lifelong devotion to music. The passion that she consistently pours into her work never ceases—in fact, it only amplifies. For the Central Valley to host such an outstanding woman as a cornerstone of cultural significance is something to be celebrated.

Rei’s journey to Fresno started in Tokyo. As she grew up, music was always a significant aspect of her family life—her father was a visual artist and would play classical music; her mother was a music major and educator. At merely three years old, Rei began playing piano, her mother being her first teacher. “She’s been my role model all my life,” Rei shares. “This powerful, single mom. Kind of like a tiger mom in the sense that she had high ambitions and was the stage mom.” From the age of seven, Rei was doing piano competitions at her mother’s initiation and loved it.

At age five, Rei moved to Chicago with her mother after her parents’ divorce, and the Windy City was captivating for them. “She would take me to all the arts that were accessible to us, and it was a great upbringing,

in that I was surrounded by music all the time.” Rei fondly recalls going to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, hearing world-renowned pianists, and attending off-Broadway musicals with her mom. In high school, she played in the orchestra and took up the violin in her sophomore year. By her senior year, Rei was sitting next to the concertmaster—the second seat from the top level.

In college, piano performance became Rei’s sole focus. She went off to the Eastman School of Music for her undergraduate before attending University of Southern California (USC) to obtain her master’s. “After graduating USC with a Doctorate in Piano Performance, I did go to the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland for graduate studies in orchestral conducting for two years. Immediately after my studies there, I got my first professional break as the assistant conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Canada.”

Although her resume is quite extensive, Rei is quick to acknowledge that the people who have supported her career have played a huge part in her success. “I’ve had such great mentors,” Rei says. “Women mentors, like my mother,” who ran a Japanese restaurant for many years when the duo moved to Chicago, making her a multi-hyphenate businesswoman, entrepreneur, chef, and bookkeeper, all while being a single mom and fostering Rei’s natural talent and fervent passion.

Besides her mother, Rei’s teachers and mentors included Gustav Meier and Thierry Fischer, as well as Jaap Van Zweden (Music Director of the New York Philharmonic), who mentored her for three years. Rei counts herself lucky to have Marin Alsop (Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Chief Conductor and Curator of Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, and former Music Director and Conductor Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) in her corner for nearly two decades after winning Alsop’s Taki-Alsop Conducting Fellowship in 2006. “She has been my mentor for my entire conducting career.”

The conducting bug bit while Rei was at USC. “I was able to conduct a small ensemble and I felt like this was my calling,” she reflects on it. “My years as a musician, as a pianist, led me to this and to embark on a conducting career.” Rei was fortunate to win audition after audition, leading her to conduct major orchestras and symphonies all over, such as in Canada, Dallas, and Salt Lake City.

One such audition was for the Fresno Philharmonic. In 2017, Rei earned the position of Music Director and Conductor, and her reception there has been so phenomenal that her contract has been extended until 2025. “Being the Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic is really not a job for me—it’s such a passion for me to be a musician. It is what I live and breathe for. I could not imagine myself doing anything else other than to share music with everyone, because I just feel like it is so ingrained in my DNA.”

In 2023, Rei will have been conducting for 17 years. “For me, 88 keys were not enough sound,” Rei speaks of the piano. “I wanted the sound of a full orchestra. There is a huge shift from a performer to a conductor, and that shift was something that I was willing to go through. But it is like learning a new instrument and wielding 73 professional musicians is very different from wielding 88 keys that are completely under your control.”

Rei likens conducting to driving a luxury car. She explains, “I’m conducting with this less-than-an-ounce baton in my right hand, but the sound and the power behind it is incredible, and you have so much control … with just very small gestures. So, like when you’re driving a Ferrari, just a little touch of the gas and you’re already at 60 miles an hour! It’s very exciting in that way. But it’s also very sensitive, and so you have to be able to maneuver everything … very delicately. It’s an incredible feeling, and I get such a high from conducting every time I’m on the podium.”

Being a conductor is multifaceted; however, Rei pushes her abilities to another level. Once a year or so, she will simultaneously play piano or harpsichord while conducting. “It is using all of my senses and all different parts of my body, including my head and the tip of my head … Sometimes I’ll play with my left hand and conduct with my right hand. Sometimes I will use my face as gestures. The Fresno Philharmonic especially are such great musicians that they’re able to follow me.” This style of playing is called chamber music. “That’s a really intimate form

of making music together where we’re relying on each other … I find it’s such an honor to do that with my musicians because it is a way for me to be with them musically playing, as opposed to being on the podium.”

Rei is known for using her platform to advocate for modern, living composers, and to amplify marginalized voices. “What we’re doing with the Fresno Philharmonic are innovative projects with commissions.” Rei explains that commission is like creating a new work. “We work with young, exciting composers, and we try to work with California composers. And the thing is, classical music has this stigma of not being accessible; of playing dead White men from Europe. We’re trying to change that whole perception.”

For example, this June, the Fresno Philharmonic will be pairing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Justice Symphony by Damien Geter (a living, African American composer) on the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s Address on Civil Rights. “I think it’s really telling when there is a story behind Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and a similar story written parallel, but in our context,” in reference to Geter’s piece about civil rights songs.

“I think it’s important to bring out the challenges to our contemporary social engagement,” believes Rei, referencing daily life, politics, and our country. “It’s important that music and the arts should reflect what’s happening in our culture, not just what’s happened in the past.” Those are the connections that make the arts so relevant to modern society. “It’s exciting because our loyal patrons are also on-board. They see that storyline; they hear the connections. And for them, it’s not just eye-opening, but they are expecting it now. So, we’re bringing in new and younger audiences, but we’re also continuing this tradition of great symphonic music.”

The movement to modernize classical music with greater inclusivity and acknowledgment of living composers might seem like a trendy oxymoron. Indeed, it has seen an uptick since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread social issues that have come to the forefront in recent years. “But it is something that we have been doing since 2017!” Rei is proud to say, “We are gaining national attraction from other organizations. People are tracking us, the Fresno Phil, and my programs, what we’re doing across the country. What I’m doing.”

Showcasing said diversity has been on Rei’s mind for a while. “I was delighted to see the diversity of this community,” Rei reflects. She was familiar with Southern California because of her college years, although she really got to know the Central Valley when she joined the Fresno Philharmonic. “I was just thrilled to see, to witness … that there is this wonderful diversity of immigrants and of farmers and the agricultural community. It is really an incredible story to tell, and I felt that we, as the Fresno Philharmonic, could really highlight that.” Having the support of the community has empowered Rei’s mission—pushing something that’s been in the back of her mind to the forefront, to reality.

Being the Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic is really not a job for me—it’s such a passion for me to be a musician. It is what I live and breathe for. I could not imagine myself doing anything else other than to share music with everyone, because I just feel like it is so ingrained in my DNA.

Rei has worked tirelessly to build first-time and unique connections with the Fresno community with an eye toward reaching different audiences. The Bitwise shows are one such example of this, as getting the Fresno Phil out of the Saroyan Theatre and into the community is imperative to its evolution. She has reimagined the pre-concert and post-concert experience with the creation of the ever-popular Green Room (an online series where people can get to know the musicians) and Stay Tuned (a behind-the-scenes talk-back session led by Rei with guest artists and Fresno Phil members after the Masterworks concerts).

One of the events Rei is most excited about for the 2022-2023 season is the return of the Farm to Fiddle Dinner Party, which will again be held at the San Joaquin River Parkway barn. “This is a great way for us to be in the community,” she shares of the reimagined family-style dining experience that unites the Central Valley’s signature highlights, food and music, as well as local wine and craft beer. The performance for the evening features all fiddle music. “It is really a fundraising event for music programs and education programs that the Fresno Philharmonic does,” which Rei is proud to say reaches 11,500 students throughout the Central Valley yearly.

In this New Year, Rei has some very exciting debuts with other orchestras as a guest conductor. “It’s amazing to work with different orchestras across the country because I get to see what they’re doing and what their organizations are doing, and then bring it to Fresno.” Considering that the Fresno Phil’s 70th anniversary is just around the corner, “I’m programming some really great projects that are coming up, especially in the next couple of years … Right now, we’re in our 68th season.”

Rei’s work takes her all over, making for an unusual schedule. However, in her family, she’s not alone in that. “My husband’s a musician. He’s also a conductor; so, our schedules are insane,” shares Rei. She and her husband, Brian Dollinger, have two children: Sophie and Constantine, who are also musicians. “They have been so amazingly supportive of my career, especially my husband,” Rei gushes. “We love hiking and one other thing that I love to do when I travel is find local restaurants that are amazing and eat locally and discover new places like that.”

Although there is a preconceived image of conductors/music directors as old, gray-haired male figures, it is not a gender-specific position. “It is who is on the podium that counts, right?” says Rei. “Women belong in these positions and it’s not because they’re women, but because of their knowledge and expertise. I am so thrilled to be in Fresno and to be the Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic. I’m honored they chose me—that already says a lot about this community and the forward-thinking of this community. And I think they trusted me to bring the best out of this orchestra, this organization, and I’m doing everything I can to honor that.”

“Being the Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic means this is my orchestra. I want this orchestra to not only succeed but to grow, and that means I have to grow, too,” understands Rei. The greater Fresno area gets to benefit from her desire to never stop learning, to always be better. “We want to continue to enrich and transform lives of the residents of the Central Valley. It’s very important to me through live performances of great music. To me, music really brings us together. I mean, the orchestra is a community in itself, but we can’t perform without our audience. So, the audience is part of our family. I want to keep growing our audiences and keep growing the family in this community.” Come see the Fresno Philharmonic, and experience the musical magic that Rei Hotoda is creating in the Central Valley.

SHAKE +STIR

Features Editor Elisabeth Ross

Photographer Don Dizon

Hosted at MAX’S BISTRO & BAR

As we usher in the New Year, we’re welcoming back one of CVLUX’s favorite features. For the return of Shake+Stir, we headed to Max’s Bistro & Bar, owned by restaurateur JJ Wettstead. Editorial Director Lauren Barisic was joined by Tracy Kashian, Laura Thompson, Kelly Lilles, Lisa Bonadelle, Alma Wolverton, and Paloma Clark, for a leisurely late afternoon enhanced by three craft cocktails and five sumptuous seasonal menu items.

Food can bring people together, and that is exactly what this gathering did. “It shouldn’t be a cold experience,” counseled JJ, welcoming the group and sharing his excitement about the occasion ahead. “We should be dishing out food and enjoying each other,” he believes of the dining experience. That is what you, too, will receive at Max’s.

JJ set the tone for the evening with a fan-favorite champagne toast. The Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut is a delightfully crisp selection that gives sippers an exceptional bubbly experience at a moderate price point. It’s perfect for holidays or special moments and would make for an excellent hosting gift year-round.

Max’s Signature Fries (candidly referred to as the “fry trio”) followed. Options include Sweet Potato with jalapeño-arugula aioli, Truffle with fresh parmesan, and Eggplant with siracha aioli. Guests may order a cup, basket, or all three together. They’re one of Max’s most beloved appetizers and have stayed with the menu throughout its evolution. “I can’t believe this is a vegetable!” exclaimed Paloma, pointing especially to the eggplant.

From left to right Tracy Kashian, Lauren Barisic, Laura Thompson, Kelly Lilles, JJ Wettstead, Lisa Bonadelle, Alma Wolverton, and Paloma Clark.

The first cocktail of the evening was the Au Pear. A vodka cocktail featuring St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, Lillet Blanc, and fresh-squeezed sweet and sour, this pale concoction is served in a lowball glass with a lemon twist perched on the rim. Nutmeg grated across the floating ice cubes creates a multi-sensory experience with every sip. “It wants to be a spring drink, but the seasoning makes it festive, too,” felt Alma. “An unexpected twist to a fun flavor.”

Mini-burgers are always a hit, but the Lulu Sliders are in a league of their own. Three little sandwiches are presented atop micro greens. Pickle slices are sprinkled along the plate edge as optional added fixings. Patties composed of both lamb and beef are layered between palm-size brioche buns with pickled red onions and a spreading of roasted red pepper aioli. “I love the onions!” gushed Kelly. “They add a whole new texture.”

If you’re a potsticker fan, the Spicy Lamb Potstickers are a must-try. These are flatter than the traditional fried dumpling, making them even more crispy and easy to dip as finger-food. “I enjoyed the crunch and texture,” Laura shared. “The spice perfectly complemented the meat.” They’re served with ponzu sauce.

Gin-lovers, “cheer” for the GinGin!, which takes its name from the “chin chin” toasting phrase. Bombay Sapphire, Yellow Chartreuse, Spirit Works Sloe Gin, Giffard Vanilla De Madagascar, and fresh lime juice together make a peachy liquid that comes in a martini glass with a lime slice garnish. Undeniably fragrant, it goes down easy. For Kelly, “This cocktail is so refreshing and tastes absolutely delicious paired with the yummy sliders!”

Max’s knows bread, so it’s no surprise that their seasonal Sausage & Apple Stuffing is outstanding. The holiday-favorite dish features sausage with roasted apple and sage sourdough bread in house-made mirepoix. The stuffing’s deep flavor profile is enhanced by masterful texture, moist but not soggy. Lisa admitted, “I typically do not care for stuffing, but this sausage and apple stuffing is fantastic!”

Bourbon enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the Clouds Rest. Like a whiskey sour but pinker in color, the frothy topping feels like drinking a cloud at sunset. It’s composed of Jasmine Green Tea infused Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Giffard Abricot Du Rousillon, maple syrup, fresh lime juice, and Fee Brothers Fee Foam. “This one will take you down!” Tracy proclaimed of the elevating libation. Slightly sweet with no bite at all, it was the perfect closing cocktail.

Before the night drew to an end, though, an even sweeter finish was in store. To everyone’s delight, JJ proudly presented Max’s infamous Pumpkin Cheesecake. A thick, caramelized graham crust serves as the base for creamy, fluffy pumpkin and cream cheese filling with a sour cream topping that is to-die-for. “This pumpkin cheesecake is the perfect dessert for the holiday season!” raved Lisa.

Shake+Stir has a way of bringing together old friends while also creating new friendships. With 2023 underway, it was exciting to learn that there was a common thread in the ladies’ resolutions for the new year: embracing their best version of self. From feeling great in your own skin to being okay with needing to buy larger pants, it is all about accepting where we are in life while evolving for the better. After a hectic holiday season and crazy past couple of years, let’s toast to making 2023 the year we really embrace everything that comes our way, discover new perspectives, and support those who are most precious to us.

REFLECT and RESET

Wake up, scroll the ‘gram, eat (maybe), work, scroll a little more, have an FT chat or two, then clock out before going home to make dinner and eat. At the end of a day like that a reset is necessary… But we are all also recovering from the force known as the holiday season.

The daily stressors at work, in relationships, and other elements like our health and finances are amplified during this time of year. It’s a time to welcome energy exchange with loved ones. So, as we ring in the new year, and as the dust settles on a year of hectic activity, it is the perfect time to reset. But what does that look like for you?

My view on what a reset looks and feels like, and even when to do it, has evolved through the years as my life experiences changed. In a perfect world, I would shut down my laptop and go into a spiritual retreat with DND for a couple of days, whenever I needed a break from the grind. Unfortunately, this isn’t always an option for me.

When I’m on the go and need to give my body and mind a break, I simply close my eyes and turn inward. Focusing on my breathing

helps. Visualizing my inner landscape allows me to take it further. The objective is to get back in touch with yourself by reflecting on where you are at that moment.

Mindfulness practice is the key to turning away from our outer world to become more aware of the sensations our body is experiencing. It allows us to be aware of patterns of moods and emotions, and the thoughts which arise with them. I’ve found that creating a sacred space for solitude promotes such awareness.

When you carve out the space and time to get comfortable with yourself, you achieve greater clarity. You’ll start to notice the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that emerge. Not that such discovery cannot happen when you’re not at peace, but it is far more difficult to translate or decipher those messages when there are distractions drowning those messages out.

The act of tuning IN and observing your inner landscape is the best gift you can give yourself. This opens doors to self-awareness and self-knowledge. When done right, this helps you create a personal route map, which can help you lay the groundwork to live the life you deserve.

Features Contributor Christine Rose

RESETTING

can be as simple as closing your eyes and can be done literally anywhere. But when you are mindful about the space you create for yourself, you can harness the powers within in a deeper and more meaningful way. Take some time to find a cozy, quiet corner in your home, and after preparing the area to clear the energies there, set the tone for this personal time using these accessories.

1. Meditation Pillow

Sitting on a cushion like this will improve your sitting posture by lifting your hips. This allows your hips to roll slightly forward, which supports the natural curve of your lower back. And with proper spinal alignment, the rest of your body follows, naturally. The more at ease you are, the more you’ll be able to focus.

Gaiam Halfmoon Round Meditation Cushion $86.00 from www.gaiam.com

2. Yoga Mat

This extra-thick cork yoga mat can be added cushion underneath your meditation pillow for further support.

Gurus Roots Premium Cork Yoga Mat $119.00 from www.ilovegurus.com

3. Incense

Aromatherapy has been used for millennia to help people overcome various health issues. It is thought to work by stimulating small receptors in the nose, which eventually lead to activating the part of the brain which controls emotions. Burning incense is a great way to elevate your experience, and the best scents to relieve stress or anxiety are lavender, ylang-ylang, and rose. Chakra & Luck Incense $5.99 each from www.eastmeetswestusa.com

4. Candle

An alternative to lighting incense is to burn a scented candle; the candle’s flame will also serve as a point of focus throughout the experience.

Joy’s Velitas Round Concrete Candle in Sage + Lavender $32.00 from www.joyalvarado.com

5. Crystals

Crystal healing can be used for grounding and energizing. Ancient writings show that crystals have been powerful tools of healing for thousands of years. Each contains its own energy. You can meditate with a crystal in your right hand, or you can incorporate your body with them by laying stones on the areas connected to different chakras (energy centers). Stones you may want to meditate with include Celestite, Mookaite, Amethyst, Tourmaline, and Rose Quartz.

6. Sound Healing Instruments

Sound healing has been used to heal and bring balance to many aspects of our lives. There are several ways you can use different sound healing instruments to help yourself and others. Singing bowls are just one way to balance your body’s chakras and eliminate stress.

Shanti Bowl Tibetan Singing Bowl $94.50 from www.shantibowl.com

Viva Magenta

Interiors Editor Erin Melkonian

Source Unsplash Photographer Haley Thruong

$95.00 from www.saksfifthavenue.com

Add a pop of wow to your home with Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta. Viva la vida loca with this sometimes red, sometimes violet, and sometimes pink hue. But don’t worry if you are not a fan of in-your-face colors. This confident shade can be pint-sized. Dried and fresh florals as well as minimal throw pillows are great ways to accent any space. Another fun way to add this pop of color to your home is simple art with clean lines. For the more daring among us, beautiful drapery panels or an entire seating arrangement upholstered in this raspberry adjacent shade will add spice to your life. So, try it out! Whether you are a simple minimalist or an energized eclectic, you are sure to love the passionate, velvety vibe of Viva Magenta

Artfully Walls Zodiacs Wall Art in Scorpio $158.00 from www.anthropologie.com

Terrain Faux Seasonal Leaf Spray in Pink $18.00 from www.anthropologie.com

Assouline Ibiza Bohemia Illustrated Hardcover Book

eye trickery

LUX looks Fashion Trends

knitted Duo

Baby, it’s still cold outside, but your professional attire doesn’t have to stay stiff. Workwear can be comfortable, too. Try a cozy knit coordinated set with minimalist lines for maximum impact. Kudos if you dare to rock winter white. For this draped silhouette, synch your waist with a statement belt that matches your accessories. Layer on the timeless jewelry and take a bucket bag in hand. Sky-high platform Mary Janes will elevate both your stature and mood.

1. Zara Soft Asymmetrical Top in Ecru $35.90 from www.zara.com 2. Zara Soft Dart Pants in Ecru $39.90 from www.zara.com

Streets Ahead Greg Studded Leather Corset Belt $378.00 from www.neimanmarcus.com

See by Chloé Mini Leather Bucket Bag in Black $395.00 from www.nordstrom.com

Valentino Garavani Tan-Go Platform Pointed Toe Pump in Ono Nero $1,200.00 from www.nordstrom.com 6. Monica Vinader x Kate Young Onyx Dome Ring in 18ct Gold Vermeil On Sterling $225.00 from www.nordstrom.com 7. Monica Vinader x Kate Young Onyx Small Hoop Earrings in 18ct Gold Vermeil On Sterling $295.00 from www.nordstrom.com 8. Monica Vinader x Kate Young Gemstone Bangle in 18ct Gold Vermeil On Sterling $850.00 from www.nordstrom.com 9. Monica Vinader x Kate Young Bangle in 18ct Gold Vermeil On Sterling $750.00 from www.nordstrom.com

LUX lifestyle

COSTARS

Astrologer Shari Schopp @shari_starlight www.eyeonastrology.com

Capricorn

December 22nd to January 19th

The new year starts with an earthy desire for stability and security. The Seagoat symbolizes the quest to attain new heights; however, the climb goes beyond the visible to the spiritual. Saturn, Cap’s ruler, has cardinal energy that derives a sense of purpose from past accomplishments with the discipline to overcome delayed actions, and taking some downtime gives momentum for refining and tweaking projects. For optimal health, go for a walk or hike, or try a Swedish massage, followed by a body-moisturizing treatment.

Aquarius

January 20th to February 18th This year, you are being asked to not give up on your dreams. Clear some space and take time to remove what no longer works, and show the world what you care about. Then, the opportunities will follow.

Pisces

February 19th to March 20th Trust the process of trial and error. Being brave helps you overcome your fears and take the lead as a trendsetter, and your accumulated experiences encourage the hard work that comes with rewards.

Aries

March 21st to April 19th Having and accepting new information is your theme this year. There may be delays at first. Focusing will help you move forward. Positive reinforcements will be available when you let others help.

Taurus

April 20th to May 20th

There are changes that shift you out of your comfort zone. The challenge is to trust your intuition and deepen your understanding of what drives you subconsciously, and relaxation helps the process.

Gemini

May 21st to June 21st

Expand your network this year with a balanced approach to energetic exchanges in communications. To avoid burnouts, take time to stop and rest. Regain confidence with the knowledge of your limitations.

Cancer

June 22nd to July 22nd

The challenge this year is to be objective and practical while taking things slow. This re-orientation journey helps your evolving self to expand at your own pace, and staying realistic keeps you on track.

Leo

July 23rd to August 22nd

A priority for the year is to cultivate how you want to be perceived in the world. It’s a time to develop or release aspects of your personality and then integrate these changes into manifesting dreams.

Virgo

August 23rd to September 22nd

Excitement is gained this year by a willingness to grow and find your passion. Trust your adaptable nature to push aside the old habits of how things are done, for you to have transformative benefits.

Libra

September 23rd to October 23rd

The topic for this year is relationships. Let your partnerships develop over time to allow space for personal growth. It is important to have friendships along with romance, but do not overextend yourself.

Scorpio

October 24th to November 21st

Having acceptance with where you are now, both literally and figuratively, helps to solidify a home base this year. If you feel the need for a drastic change, make sure it aligns with what you truly desire.

Sagittarius

November 22nd to December 21st

The focus this year is on reinventing your style. The universe has plenty to offer; so, think out of the box. It’s time to be bold, creative, and fashionable. These new experiences uplift all around you.

Dr. Namdarian is a member of the Frontier Institute where he now