57 minute read
Learn how to just breathe again at The Retreat: SF
BY ERIN HUNT MOORE HauteWELLNESS
Twilight View from the Penthouse Suite, Casa al Mare
DAY TO BREATHE - THE RETREAT: SF
Shifting hearts, minds, and spirits, one leader at a time
JUST STEPS AWAY FROM SAN FRANCISCO’S ICONIC LAND’S END Trail and its beautiful labyrinth, the sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin headlands across the Bay lies a special retreat destination with a singular mission: to offer a haven of peace, reflection, and restoration for leaders facilitating social and environmental change, locally and around the world.
Although the past tumultuous year has offered some of us opportunities to slow down, we live in a culture where being in a constantly busy state is often seen as an indicator of importance or success. Jennifer Carolyn King and husband Timothy Fredel founded The Retreat: SF in Sea Cliff and its sister property, The Retreat: ME in Kennebunkport, Maine as sanctuaries for body, mind, and soul, where guests can breathe, embrace the surrounding nature, and turn inward to mindfully realign with purpose. Through what they call “Day to Breathe,” a curated day of contemplation and renewal, they have welcomed a range of impact influencers to their spaces—from diversity and inclusion pioneers at major companies and B Corp founders to documentary filmmakers, authors, and climate champions, among others. We spoke with Jennifer about the inspiration for these day retreats, the impact leaders they serve, and what is on the horizon for them.
Walking the Labyrinth at Land's End
Guests finding renewal
A break to breathe and hike Land's End Trail Renewal and restoration at Casa al Mare
SF Retreat team member, intuitive energy healer
HL: I had the honor of experiencing my own “Day to Breathe,” not only as a writer sharing your story with our community, but also as a professional dedicated to working in the social impact space. I can tell you that I had a lot of very jealous friends and colleagues who saw my pictures from that day and had questions about how to book an immediate visit. This is obviously not a day spa or typical retreat experience, but the mindful nurturing and building of a community of purpose. Tell us more about how you started this journey—on not one, but two, coasts. JCK: I’m so glad that you had the chance to experience your own “Day to Breathe!” As you discovered firsthand, we have a very different model from a spa or most retreat experiences. It’s a special and unique offering to a specific community, one deeply grounded in our own personal journey and mission. Tim and I, together with our now adult children, Jessie and Nik, have been philanthropists for a long time. We have not only financially supported causes and efforts with which we are aligned, but we have also functioned at both the trustee level and as founders of nonprofit organizations. In 2006, we converted our previous home in San Francisco’s Western
Addition into The Thrive House for Youth. It provides a safe space for the city’s at-risk youth and their mentors to connect and cultivate life skills. This was incredibly important work. Through our experiences, we had an epiphany that the best way for us to really impact change on a larger scale was to focus on serving the leaders and changemakers who are committed to a greater purpose and working toward solutions for social/global challenges. We are incredibly blessed to have two beautiful properties to offer, which we call our “sanctuaries for the soul.” These are Casa al Mare in San Francisco (The Retreat: SF) and Asante Sana in Kennebunkport,
Maine (The Retreat: ME). We’ve curated, in both west and east locations,
Casa al Mare, The Retreat San Francisco
Twilight sky from the penthouse deck
Third floor room at Casa al Mare
View of Baker Beach from Casa al Mare The deck outside the penthouse
Room with a view at Casa al Mare
Main floor kitchen and gathering place
The labyrinth at Land's End at dusk
HauteWELLNESS
“Day to Breathe” experiences for leaders, designed to nurture heart, mind, and spirit in environments we like to call “rugged elegance,” which is, incidentally, the name of our umbrella company and our foundation. Both properties offer stunning architectural and design details with luxurious amenities, while providing grounding warmth and comfort and access to the beauty of nature—water, trees, light— which inspire decompression, restoration, and realignment for passionate champions of change.
HL: Tell us about your ideal “Day to Breathe” guests and retreat partners. Whom are you hoping to serve? JCK: Through our Rugged Elegance company and foundation, we are dedicated to serving leaders who are passionate about doing a deep dive on one or more of five areas of interlocking focus: the climate challenge, physical and mental health, racial and gender equity, aging and end-of-life process, and peace. The beauty of how we’ve organized with a dual structure is that we’re able to serve aligned entities and corporate partners already leaning into the concept of purpose, while inviting individual social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders to join us on scholarship, ensuring that they are also able to refuel and connect more deeply with their own commitment to effecting change.
HL: You were just getting started with Rugged
Elegance programming and initiatives at
The Retreat: SF at Casa al Mare when the pandemic hit last year. How has this last year impacted your approach? JCK: First, we want to acknowledge that the pandemic has created so much loss and suffering for so many. It hasn’t been without challenges for us, but we are grateful for the opportunity to pause, pivot, and turn more deeply toward our own commitment to change and the core issues we want to focus on in our work with leaders. Prior to COVID, we had started planting the seeds and testing our model, using our venues as hubs for programs and events addressing
social impact and global change. We held workshops, receptions, and gatherings for discussion and inspiration, centered on important global issues, particularly climate change. It was a beginning and offered some key learnings for us around how to more deeply reach and engage leaders. We realized that engaging minds and hearts was an important starting point, but deeper alignment with purpose happens when you reach the spirit, as well. In our busy world of distractions, that requires self-care and a quiet space, time, and gentle guidance to make that level of shift.
Due to the health protocols and realities of COVID, we had to move away from the group-focused activities we were previously hosting and re-envision a retreat for individual leaders designed to renew hearts, minds, and spirits around purpose. We launched a pilot program early this year in which we invited a small number of guests—individuals or couples—tied to monthly impact themes. In February, we partnered with Mwangi Mukami of MLIFE Foundation to do a deep dive on racial equity while serving BIPOC leaders in honor of Black History Month. In March, together with Deborah Greene, “The Peace Traveler,” we hosted a dozen extraordinary women leaders in celebration of Women’s History Month. In April, we offered “Day to Breathe” to brave, bold, BIPOC leaders who deserve to be honored for their role during April’s Sexual Abuse Awareness Month and every month of the year. In May, we honor mothers, doulas, and Mother Earth. In June, as parents of a transgender son and as members of City Church, SF, an inclusive and welcoming church, we are proudly serving 10 leaders in our community in celebration of Pride Month.
Each guest has had the opportunity to experience the day or an overnight alone or with their partners. We learned that we can provide a powerful experience with just three retreat team members: a meditation guide, our private chef crafting delicious and healing cuisine, and an intuitive energy healer. Outside of planned activities, our guest’s time is open, with suggestions offered for enhancing personal centering— including journaling, walking the nearby labyrinth or hiking trails, yoga and movement, rest, or a bath in our divinely luxurious tub. The feedback and results have been profound.
HL: What does the future hold? JCK: As health mandates allow, we will begin to open our spaces to small groups looking for an enriching, impact-driven leadership team or collaborative group experience. We will also continue to provide these opportunities for select individual leaders seeking that deeply personal opportunity to realign, renew, and recharge. We’re also excited about a new synergy with a strategic impact partner and group of investors, which will lead to the launch of a global online network of aligned leaders: a worldwide soulful movement committed to effecting significant and positive change.
HL: How can people connect with you? JCK: Please visit us online at theretreat-sf.com or theretreat-me.com for more information and to send any questions or queries. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to host you for time for renewal and impact.
Thank you for this opportunity!
Penthouse Solarium Suite at Casa al Mare
Luxury TRAVEL REVIVAL
Experts Take a Look into the Crystal Ball
CONTRIBUTORS: FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER, MISTY MILIOTO, ROSANNA STEVENS, LAURIE JO MILLER FARR
Some call it travel revenge. Others simply call it recovery. Whatever the nomenclature, it boils down to a strong desire to make up for lost time.
Thoughts of sleek yachts, private jets, and mountain hideaways inspire us to dig out and dust off the passport. To find out more about the adventures that await, Haute Living contributors talked to the owners, founders, and CEOs of several luxury travel enterprises. We asked them to polish off that propitious crystal ball and tell us what’s in store for 2021 and beyond.
And who better than Francis Ford Coppola to start the conversation?
Francis Ford Coppola
BLANCANEAUX LODGE IN BELIZE
Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola made an almost accidental entry into the hotel scene in the early 1990s. He now boasts an international collection of “The Family Coppola Hideaways” in addition to his wineries, restaurants, and high-end cannabis business.
The portfolio of six stylish Hideaways includes Jardin Escondido in Argentina; Palazzo Margherita in Italy; La Lancha in Guatemala; and Turtle Inn, Coral Caye private island, and Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize. All are luxurious, serene, and eco-friendly retreats with their own individual characters and environments that one would expect from such an expert in world class lifestyle.
Haute Living, San Francisco asked about Coppola’s early travel memories, how he came to discover the Central American country of Belize, home to his first Hideaway, and the pandemic rebound.
HL: What brought you to Belize and what were your first impressions?
FFC: I went because I had grown fond of the jungle of the Philippines when making
Apocalypse Now. I stayed at a curious place called Hidden Valley, which had natural spa pools and a lovely tropical setting. I was trying to discover something like that closer than nine hours away by plane.
Blancaneaux Lodge, the first Coppola Hideaway in Belize
HL: Once you had found it, what prompted you to open up Blancaneaux Lodge in the
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in
Belize as a hotel?
FFC: I enjoyed the forest pine ridge along with my boys and, eventually, it became what it is now. I never intended it to be a hotel.
But when I added various conveniences there, I realized I needed some caretakers, or it would all disappear. When Caracol, the
Mayan archaeological site, was discovered,
Blancaneaux Lodge was the nearest accommodation to it. Thus, it evolved into a hospitality business.
HL: What are your formative memories of travel?
FFC: My first memories of travel are the experience of our family of five driving across the country from the East to the West Coast.
My father would always write a song about the state or city we were crossing, and we’d sing them together in the car. We’d stay in the typical motels one found back then and eat at the various roadside places. It’s not that my father was miserly, but as my mother would say, “Whenever he’d walk through the forest, the birds would sing ‘cheap, cheap.’” management of tourism, they controlled the spread of the virus effectively and better than many popular Central American destinations. They deserve the blossoming return of tourism that they are enjoying. Also, of course, our Hideaways always eschewed closed, air-conditioned spaces and featured naturally cool, fresh air flowing through the spaces. Thus, we were already an optimum style and setting to avoid contagion. — RS
thefamilycoppolahideaways.com
Read more about Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize on page 58.
HL: In a post-COVID world, why should travelers come to Belize first?
FFC: Belize deserves a compliment for how effectively they’ve managed the pandemic.
Because of their scrupulous rules and
Kristin Karst
AMAWATERWAYS
Slowly touring along leisurely, scenic routes to beauty spots with easy access for onshore excursions has enormous appeal. Much smaller and more intimate than ocean voyages, luxury river cruises exploded onto the scene several years ago.
Kristin Karst, a native of Dresden, Germany— right on the Elbe River—is executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways and a leading voice in the river cruise industry. In 2002, with Rudi Schreiner and Jimmy Murphy, she co-founded AmaWaterways, an awardwinning river cruise company offering voyages throughout Europe, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Egypt. Karst’s extensive knowledge of the world’s rivers, cultures, and traditions, and her commitment to providing top-notch customer service enable her to effectively shape the products and services of AmaWaterways and communicate to world travelers the benefits of river cruising.
HL: What are you thinking about pent-up demand? How is tourism recovery looking in the short-term?
KK: We remain incredibly optimistic about international travel returning very soon, and as the only US-based river cruise line with actual experience sailing with protocols in 2020, guests can trust us to provide the wonderful experiences they crave. Our 2021
Christmas Market and holiday cruises are already more than 50 percent booked, and based on demand for 2022, we have opened our 2023 season earlier than ever—nine months ahead of schedule. Many people have unused vacation time and budgets and are looking for ways to make up for missed travel experiences and celebrations with loved ones, which were postponed last year, so I believe that we will see tourism recover quickly as vaccine distribution continues, case numbers drop, and a sense of hope and optimism rises in the world. With people demanding more intimate, safe experiences in less crowded destinations, river cruising is set to be one of the first tourism segments to recover.
HL: Looking into your crystal ball, do you have any predictions to share about travel over the next few years?
KK: Once travel restrictions are lifted, I expect many will look for more intimate ways to travel with exclusive and safe experiences that will immerse them in new cultures and allow them to slow down and enjoy the people,
AmaMagna on the Danube in Passau, Germany
cuisine, and beauty of the destinations they visit. I believe people will look for ways to support the communities they visit through destination stewardship.
I also expect to see more multigenerational and skip-generational travel as people look to make up for those missed milestone birthdays and anniversaries with a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will bring the whole family together. People have a new appreciation of the value of family, and at AmaWaterways, we have chosen to remain inclusive to all ages and have seen an uptick in the numbers of families booking river cruises together.
HL: Any other river cruise trends you’ve spotted?
KK: The final trend I am particularly excited about is the demand for longer journeys. We have seen many travelers booking combination river cruises—sometimes staying on the same ship on a different itinerary, but often changing ships and rivers completely. As a seamless extension to their river journeys, we have also seen an uptake on our pre- and post-cruise land packages, allowing guests to slow down as they take in everything that each destination has to offer.
HL: Are there any silver linings or positive learnings and useful takeaways that came out of travel’s extended shutdown?
KK: I truly believe that out of challenges come opportunities! My husband, AmaWaterways’ president Rudi Schreiner, and I have decades
of experience between us. Since launching AmaWaterways 19 years ago, I am proud of the many challenges we have overcome and how we have remained a strong, debtfree company while continuing to innovate and grow. The pandemic has challenged our teams’ creativity and opened up new ways to use technology to stay connected with our valued travel advisor partners and guests.
I am very proud of the speed and positive way our teams have adapted to a work-fromhome environment as we developed new tools to stay engaged and provide important information in the constantly changing travel landscape. Over the past year, we have hosted over 2,500 fun, virtual events including Sip & Sail Cocktail Hours, Virtual Cruise Nights, and Webinar Wednesdays. It has been inspiring to see our travel advisor partners and past guests from around the world join these events as we reminisce on past experiences and look forward to new ones together. Ama means love and, at AmaWaterways, we continue to pour love into everything we do as we prepare to set sail again very soon.
HL: Aside from health and safety protocols, in what ways will people find the
AmaWaterways experience different than it was pre-COVID?
KK: AmaWaterways is known for delivering unparalleled experiences with a very personal touch, and I am confident that, with our extraordinary crew, our guests will find their experiences as memorable as ever post-COVID. Aside from enhanced health and safety protocols, we look forward to meeting the demands of our guests for more personalized vacations with longer journeys, new dining options, and new itineraries that will take guests to some of the most soughtafter destinations in the world. We continue to move forward, build sustainable ships, and provide immersive experiences and exclusive dining experiences. I can hardly wait to be back on board with our guests! — FEM
Amawaterways.com
Stefanos Makrymichalos
IYC
Off-the-beaten track solitude or a high-octane, glamorous destination? “The world is your oyster” is a cliché, but it certainly applies to yacht charter vacations. On board, you’ll enjoy impeccable service and cuisine, a charming crew, knock-out views, and unencumbered access to beautiful spots. The two remaining questions are “Where to?” and “For how long?”
With a fleet of luxury superyachts more than up to the task of fulfilling your dreams—anywhere on the face of the earth—Stefanos Makrymichalos, CEO of IYC, shares his optimism about 2021 and beyond.
IYC Yacht Tatiana Interior
IYC lazy days
HL: How does the recovery look for luxury charter yachts?
SM: We have high expectations for summer 2021.
We are receiving a high number of inquiries from clients around the world who are eager to go on a vacation, and vaccinations are expected to make international travel possible again in time for the season. We are already seeing numerous bookings for the summer season in the Mediterranean and the Bahamas. Over the past few weeks, New
England has also started to get booked up.
HL: And your predictions over the next few years?
SM: The travel industry will quickly recover, and yacht charters will continue to grow their market share as the preferred type of vacation for certain income groups. We expect the number of first-time charterers to increase steeply as more people realize that yachting is one of the safest types of vacations that provide travelers with unlimited options. We also expect to see an increase in charters in Southeast Asia. The region will become increasingly popular, and the number of quality yachts positioned in that region will proportionately grow.
HL: Was there a silver lining from our extended shutdown?
SM: Yachting was the least affected sector of the tourism industry and is probably one of the wisest investments for those who are looking for an exceptional vacation experience.
The pandemic excelled the rate of maturity among all yachting professionals and forced the industry to revisit many of its practices and policies. People who are looking to go on vacation will always find a way to make it happen. For example, yachts began chartering in areas that were not traditionally popular yachting destinations.
HL: Are there any ways that people may find the yachting experience different than pre-
COVID?
SM: They will not find major changes to the experience: it was wonderful and still remains wonderful. With many people looking to socially distance on a yacht, charter guests might find that captains have more “hidden gems” and remote destinations to recommend visiting, and there are more entertainment options on board. — MM
Tom Smith SET JET
Avoid TSA and fly aboard a luxurious Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft to Cabo San Lucas. The membership-based jet charter flight program bridges the gap between commercial and private. Converted from a 50-seat configuration to a VIP cabin of just 13 to 19 passengers, the new weekly nonstop service was launched from Los Angeles in April, also offering direct service for San Francisco-based members with a brief LAX layover. The one-way Los Angeles-to-Cabo fare is $1,699.95, plus $490.95 for San Francisco-toCabo. Set Jet CEO Tom Smith talked to Haute Living about the new service and the larger travel trends he’s seeing.
HL: What are your views on travel and tourism recovery in 2021?
TS: In the short-term, Set Jet feels confident in a swift recovery of the tourism industry.
Our flight occupancy and utilization rates have continued to climb, exceeding our prepandemic levels. During the pandemic, many
SetJet departure
turned to private jet memberships in order to fly in a safe and private manner. It’s clear that people have had enough of the lockdowns and are thrilled at the opportunity to safely travel again. For example, our flights from Scottsdale to Los Angeles and Las Vegas were virtually empty until recently, and they are now selling out on a regular basis.
HL: Let’s look into the crystal ball and ask about your predictions for the future of travel over the next few years.
TS: Based on our data, we have every reason to believe that the future of travel is optimistic— likely increasing quickly over the next couple of years until it normalizes. People are itching to travel again, and the market will likely mirror that sentiment.
SetJet interior
HL: Sounds great. Were there any positive learnings or useful takeaways that came out of travel’s extended shutdown? HL: In what ways will people find today’s private jet experience different than it was before the pandemic?
TS: For private jet charter companies like ourselves, we learned that our mode of travel is overwhelmingly safer than other options. With private terminals, fewer crowds, and 13 to 16 seat, ultra-VIP configured Challenger 850 aircraft that are perfect for social distancing, the pandemic showcased Set Jet’s safety measures and the benefits of private travel. Another takeaway we’ve seen is that this pandemic and the lockdowns have illustrated how much travel—particularly vacationing and visiting loved ones—is critically important to our society and is an integral part of a healthy mental state, something that will be much more appreciated and cherished as travel becomes possible once again.
TS: Frankly, I believe we are all adaptive and resilient people. Just like we adjusted and accepted the new normal in aviation post9/11, we will also do the same post-COVID-19. The good news is we at Set Jet are making flying private available at an affordable price, and that will certainly give folks who are on the fence about flying peace of mind to travel again sooner than later. — LJMF
Anthony Tivnan MAGELLAN JETS
“Consistent and predictable, yet personable and comfortable” is a compelling description of the private jet charter experience. Loyal fans say that once you try it, there’s no going back to commercial flights. Magellan Jets members also get flexibility and convenience, selecting from 10 of the most popular aircraft, including light jets like the Phenom 300 and other top jets like the Citation X, Challenger 300/350, and Gulfstream 450. Anthony Tivnan, co-founder and president of Magellan Jets since 2008, shares his thoughts on travel recovery and pent-up demand.
HL: Is pent-up demand real?
AT: As more and more leisure destinations began opening up, the volume of flight activity has been increasing rapidly. This past March, there was a distinct surge in the volume of flights going to Mexico, the Caribbean,
Aspen, Vail, Montana, and, of course, Florida.
HL: Crystal ball predictions for the longer term?
AT: Over the next several years, I believe tourism will see record levels. This past year of the world being restricted to our homes has many people seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences and reconnection with family and friends. Many will not put off travel opportunities the way they did in the past. The lockdowns have caused us to feel that we took for granted the opportunities for connection and experiences.
HL: What about silver linings that may have resulted from tough times?
AT: I believe a major silver lining from this past year is our appreciation for human connection, lifetime experiences, and quality
Magellan Jets
time with family and friends. I believe packages that encompass unique destinations and experiences will thrive, as the pandemic has caused a reset in our thinking about the value of time.
HL: How might things have changed from our shared pandemic experience?
AT: Aside from health and safety protocols, I believe guest experience levels will increase as many brands are focusing on the customer and providing outstanding customer service.
When something is taken away from you, you learn to appreciate it that much more when it comes back. I also think many companies truly miss working with their customers as well as their own employees. There is greater sensitivity and a deeper human connection as a result of COVID-19, and this will be felt at all levels as we’ve all been fighting through this together. — MM
BY OLIVIA DECKER HauteRESIDENCE One Thousand Museum redefies Downtown Miami skyline
ZAHA HADID’S ONE THOUSAND MUSEUM RESIDENCES
ONE THOUSAND MUSEUM RESIDENCES, SOUTH FLORIDA’S MOST prestigious new residential tower, is redefining Miami’s skyline. The tower shifts the center of gravity for high design and ultra-luxurious residences to Downtown Miami. This harmonious fusion of art, architecture, and design comes from the prolific imagination of Pritzker Prize-winning architect, the late Dame Zaha Hadid, her first and only residential skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.
Rising 62 stories above Downtown Miami, One Thousand Museum offers its residents unique design, an unprecedented level of service, unrivaled amenities, and breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Pushing the limits of architectural innovation, Zaha Hadid created a new artistic space for vertical elevation, optimistic design, and uncensored hybrid living. Hadid’s visionary architecture was built to impress, boasting landmark design and featuring a private collection of 84 residences.
Conveniently located on a gorgeous property next to Museum Park, this uniquely privileged building sets the bar high. Zaha Hadid revolutionized architecture for more than 30 years and is globally known for her curved designs. Reflecting Hadid’s mastery of curves, One Thousand Museum creates a flowing atmosphere between Downtown Miami and the exquisite interior design of each residence. The limited collection of museum-quality homes consists of half-floor residences, ranging from 4,600 to 4,755 square feet, with 10-foot ceilings. Full-floor residences exceed 9,900 square feet and have 12-foot ceilings. The 8,344 square foot duplex townhomes each feature a flow-through floor plan, a floating staircase, 20-foot ceilings, library, loft, 5 bedrooms, smart-home technology, and custom closets crafted by design powerhouse B&B Italia. Countless buzz-worthy buildings carpet Downtown Miami and each claims its own piece of the Miami skyline. One Thousand Museum stands out above them all.
Miami’s only private residential helipad at roof top of One Thousand Museum tower
The exterior
More than a condo, One Thousand Museum is an experience for all your senses. The serene atmosphere is translated into every corner of the residences. The smooth bathroom design is based on spa-quality elements, from unique faucets to European cabinetry and countertops with personalized colors. Kitchens feature elegant European details, top-of-the-line appliances, and tailored finishes, including Italian cabinetry by ItalKraft, fine quartz countertops, steam ovens, microwaves, and integrated coffee makers by Gaggenau. The fixtures contribute to the minimalist concept of the residences and enhance One Thousand Museum’s personalized design.
The latest home automation technology is integrated into the residences at One Thousand Museum. The ultra-modern system by Creston allows residents to manage lighting, heating, air conditioning, audio, video, and other home features right from your tablet or smartphone. The residences’ open layouts feature large terraces structured with the gracious curves of the emblematic exoskeleton. The results are magnificent tableaux that capture the natural light dynamic. Residents can modify the light to match their moods and achieve a perfected ambiance for different types of entertainment without compromising the privacy that the bedroom lighting conveys.
The spa floor
COUNTLESS OTHER AMENITIES INCLUDE:
• First-in-world partnership with Forbes
Travel Guide • Curator of hospitality • Director of culinary • Miami’s first private residential helipad • Private South-of-Fifth Beach Club • 1km Wellness & Spa • Juice bar • Golf club partnership • Haute Living partnership • VIP boat-setter services • Museum-edition house cars fleet • Exclusive Stampd clothing collection • Landscape architecture by Enzo Enea • Functionally integrated security and technology program • Sunrise and sunset pools located on the 8th floor • Scenic glass elevator • Secure on-site valet parking • Full-service spa and fitness center • Concierge • On-site security personnel • Illumination designed by Uli Petzold • Integrated home automation by
Crestron • Custom designed kitchens by Gatto
Cucine with Gaggenau and Sub-Zero appliances • Three to four parking spaces per unit • Two levels of additional amenities on the 60th and 61st floor with: - Indoor aquatic center - Private event space - Indoor recreation and sun deck - Sky lounge
Mayi de la Vega, owner of ONE Sotheby's International Realty and her development sales division, exclusively represents One Thousand Museum. The building is near sold-out, with only 12 residences remaining, offering a final opportunity to own a home in this bespoke building.
For further information, contact: Olivia.HsuDecker@SothebysRealty.com
HauteRESIDENCE
Breathtaking view of Miami skyline on Biscayne Bay
The Sky Lounge The indoor pool
BY TIM LAPPEN
TheHAUTE LISTAuto
FERRARI ROMA
La nuova dolce vita–bravissimo!
WHEN THE GOOD FOLKS AT FERRARI TOLD ME THAT I COULD borrow the new Ferrari Roma, the company’s latest offering, so many feelings hit me that it took a while to sort them out. First, “Ferrari” with no other modifier always gets my interest—and why not? The hot-blooded Italian with a stallion always is a delight to drive. Add “Roma” to it and I am immediately transported to Rome, thinking of pasta and the Coliseum and maybe even a short visit with Sophia Loren (or a maybe “just” Audrey Hepburn on a Vespa, but still …). Funny enough, I wrote these lines before I noticed the tagline on the Ferrari Roma website, “La Nuova Dolce Vita,” so even the ads promised a new, sweetened life.
The point here is that, for me, the mention of a Ferrari Roma triggers some great feelings and visuals, so I couldn’t wait for the delivery. And it was well worth the wait.
“Mine” arrived in Blu Corsa paint with nero (black) leather interior and carpeting. In the Ferrari family, think of it as a car that would fit between the Portofino and the F8 Tributo. Despite its gorgeousness, it’s actually now Ferrari’s least-expensive model. It’s a hardtop coupe, a two-plus-two, meaning that it has two front and two back seats (not clear who can sit back there, but so be it). It’s sensuous—no surprise there—with the traditional Ferrari long hood and short tail, a design language made possible by the front-engine placement (technically, it’s a “mid-front engine,” as the motor is set back behind the front wheels, giving the car better weight distribution and improved handling). With standard 20-inch wheels, the car has a beautiful stance.
The twin-turbo 4-liter V8 more puts out 610 horsepower, so the 3,245-pound car can move: 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. The new interior styling and the svelte body with the great-looking
taillights add greatly to the experience. With a high-performance car capable of hitting close to 200 mph, the need for a rear spoiler was evident; but Ferrari didn’t want to spoil the fluidity of the design, so they cleverly added a “mobile rear spoiler,” which usually sits flat against the body and raises automatically at high speed to provide the necessary downforce. (I’ve often wondered: if my high-speed spoiler is deployed, can I get arrested for speeding without having the right to plead the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination? Can I get my car to sign a non-disclosure agreement?)
If the Roma were a person, most of us would swipe right (that’s the “I-WantIt” direction, right?). It’s beautiful, fast, responsive, comfortable, and more; and, at a base price of under $220,000, it’s at the lower range of supercar pricing. Of course, “mine” was loaded with enough options to buy another nice car, about $100,000 of extras which I suspect most Ferrari buyers can’t live without, such as the awesome “Magneride Dual Mode Suspension” ($5,568), plenty of carbon fiber add-ons (like the rear diffuser at $11,812), the beautiful carbon fiber steering wheel with the inlaid LEDs ($5,062), and more.
Was I smitten? Of course—it’s a Ferrari!
A lifelong petrol-holic, mechanic (cars, motorcycles, boats), and automotive journalist since penning a column for his high school newspaper, internationally recognized attorney Tim Lappen is a partner at a major Los Angeles-based law firm, where he chairs the firm’s Family Office Group and its Luxury Home Group and is, of course, a member of its Motor Vehicle Group. He can be reached at tlappen@gmail.com or visit LifeInTheFastLane.org
BY TIM LAPPEN
TheHAUTE LISTAuto
BENTLEY BENTAYGA V8
Elegant practicality
EVER SINCE BENTLEY JOINED THE SUV FRAY BACK IN 2016, IT HAS created one of the best sports utility vehicles around and certainly one of the most popular. A combined package of luxury and performance with the chops to perform well on road and off, I’ve always enjoyed my time behind the wheel of a Bentayga, whether the SUV was motivated by a W12 motor, a hybrid powertrain, or the newest iteration of the Bentley Bentayga engine, the V8.
It’s a little challenging to compare the three, since I had the W12 for a week in September of 2016 and drove it in my hometown in Southern California. I enjoyed experiencing the hybrid on the roads around Silicon Valley and out to Half Moon Bay at the press launch of the car in June of 2019, and, more recently, I enjoyed the current V8 model for another week in the South Bay region of Los Angeles.
A few facts: did you know that the name “Bentayga” comes from a big rock formation in the Canary Islands, the Roque Bentayga? Did you also know that the Bentayga has become the best-selling Bentley model since production began in 2016? And did you know that all Bentaygas have a front engine and are full-time all-wheel drive? You can also get your motivator in several flavors: the W12 was no longer offered after 2020, but the twin-turbo V8 (542
hp, 568 lb-ft of torque), the hybrid (443 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque), and bad boy of the family, the Speed Edition (with a higher-performance twin-turbo V8, with 626 hp and 664 lb⋅ft of torque) are available.
As part of the Volkswagen family, there is a familial relationship between the Lamborghini Urus, the Audi Q8, and the Bentayga; but, having spent substantial time at the wheel of all three, I can tell you that they’re all quite different and the family ties are not readily apparent, because each was designed for a different mission.
One of the most consistent hallmarks that I love about all Bentleys is their attention to detail, especially with the interiors and the switchgear. Virtually everything you see or touch in the Bentayga seems like it was designed with no concern for cost. Knurled metal knobs abound. Even if blindfolded, I could tell I was in a Bentley. Beautiful, diamond-stitched leather seats is another Bentley touch. And let’s not forget how the car rides in silent elegance (until you stomp the go pedal, at which time it lets loose with a terrific, yet stately, roar).
Bentley made a big upgrade push to the Bentayga’s current model, leaving only the door panels unchanged. Yet, this luxury SUV is instantly recognizable as the changes were more evolutionary than revolutionary. And why change course when you’re ahead? The Bentayga accounted for 45% of Bentley’s worldwide sales in 2019; but, now that it’s been out for several years, it was time for a “freshening” with a new look for the instrumentation and a large touch-screen and Apple Car-Play. The nose and tail were redone, most notably with a tailgate that goes all the way across the back. The newer Bentley look, with their elliptical taillights, was added to the Bentayga, too.
At over 5,300 pounds, the car feels heavy, but I mean that in a good way. It seems to flatten out the road, providing a firm but very pleasant ride. However, those weight numbers disappear completely when acceleration and cornering are factored in, as the Bentayga goes and turns ... and stops! Some of that performance is, of course, thanks to 542 horsepower and 568 pounds of torque mentioned above, but it’s the finesse with which the car handles that power that makes the Bentayga such a joy to drive. Am I a fan? Absolutely! As a die-hard V12 (or W12) fan, I wasn’t sure that a 4-liter V8 would cut it, even with a twin-turbo boost. I needn’t have worried, as the V8 Bentayga is well up to any task.
BY KELLY E. CARTER
HauteAMBASSADOR Wine Country
Kelly E. Carter is the director of communications at Alpha Omega winery on Napa Valley’s Rutherford Bench. The former editor of Haute Living San Francisco previously enjoyed a lengthy, award-winning career in journalism writing about sports, entertainment, and luxury lifestyles for various media outlets. Kelly co-authored New York Times bestseller Come to Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors, and Other Visionaries on How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession with Venus Williams and penned The Dog Lover’s Guide to Travel for National Geographic Books. She has traveled to more than 40 countries and territories on six continents and called Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Italy home. Visit Kelly at: www. kellyecarter.com Alpha Omega ERA Elite lunch
WINE O’CLOCK
Travelers show it’s time to return to Napa Valley
NO SOONER HAD I RETURNED TO NAPA VALLEY IN MARCH AFTER A glorious, 9-day escape to the Caribbean island of St. Martin—my first time leaving Northern California in more than a year—that I began to notice tourists had invaded Wine Country. I’m not talking about out-of-towners from San Francisco and Silicon Valley up for the weekend, but tourists who had boarded airplanes for the first time since the pandemic began. Welcome back!
Although, I must admit, it was frustrating to see a long line of people waiting to get in Bouchon Bakery in Yountville in the middle of the week when I just wanted to run in quickly and grab a croissant made with imported French butter or a ham and cheese baguette, as I had done many times while Yountville was a ghost town. However, it was fantastic to see the culinary capital of Napa Valley alive again with people strolling the streets day and night.
The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil
Silverado Trail
Monaco Maison at Auberge du Soleil
Chef Thomas Keller reopened his three-Michelin star The French Laundry, La Calenda, and Bouchon Bistro. Bistro Jeanty unlocked its doors. The beautiful people flocked again to the terrace at the stunning RH Yountville, with burgers that, I think, are some of the best in the valley. A new restaurant at the comfortably chic, 20-room North Block Hotel softly opened in the old Redd Wood space and quickly became the talk of town with locals because its chef, Nick Tamburo, is an alumnus of New York City’s famous Momofuku. He’s created a mouthwatering menu of meat and vegetarian dishes infused with raw and smokey elements.
In the hills of Rutherford, there is another reason to stay at the luxurious Auberge du Soleil. The Restaurant, the hotel’s iconic, Michelin-starred eatery, reopened on April 1, marking the return of fine dining on the terrace and the best dining views in the valley. Up the road in St. Helena, Meadowood Napa Valley, which has been closed since being partially damaged in last fall’s fires, is expected to begin welcoming guests again this summer and is already accepting reservations. Continuing north to Calistoga, Solage underwent a $30 million redesign that includes new suites and a new restaurant. Last, but not least, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley is expected to debut mid-year.
Bachelor and bachelorette parties in Napa Valley have resumed now that people feel comfortable traveling. Wineries are bustling again. At Alpha Omega in Rutherford, experience ambassadors happily pour wine and share the winery’s story with an increasing number of out-of-state wine lovers who say they are traveling for the first time in more than a year. This month, Alpha Omega puts on a small, exclusive lunch for the ERA Elite, its top tier wine club members. Some of them will fly in for the event to be held in the courtyard at Tre Posti in St. Helena where chef Nash Cognetti will show off his culinary skills.
It’s just a matter of time before wineries can host their own in-person events again, giving travelers another reason to visit Napa Valley. With its low population density, dreamy landscape, abundance of fine dining restaurants with outdoor seating to appease those who are still leery about eating indoors, and world class wine, it’s no wonder that Napa Valley has become the destination of choice for many people coming out of hibernation.
I hope to see you in Napa Valley soon!
Napa Valley sign at sunset
BY LYDIA GRAHAM
HauteAMBASSADOR Health & Wellness
Lydia is a passionate advocate of healthy living. She has launched and positioned many health and wellnessrelated companies, products, technologies and organizations receiving more than 100 awards nationally and internationally. Her focus in the health sector is specifically on life sciences, aging and longevity. She is a partner and investor in several recognized national brands. She sits on the board of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging whose mission is to eliminate the threat of agerelated disease for today’s and future generations. It is the only independent research organization globally dedicated to extending the healthy years of life. Like the scientists at the Buck, Graham envisions it will be possible for people to enjoy life at 95 as much as at 25. To support Buck’s mission, please visit www.buckinstitute.org.
FIVE WAYS TRAVEL MAY MAKE YOU HEALTHIER & HAPPIER
Even a weekend getaway helps
AFTER A YEAR OF STAYING HOME, YOU ARE PROBABLY considering taking a long-awaited vacation—especially domestically. You are not alone. Due to pent-up demand and barring unforeseen future developments, travel is predicted to experience an uptick over the next 12 months. According to Trip Advisor’s recent research report, “The Year of the Travel Rebound,” an enthusiastic 80% of US respondents plan to take at least one overnight domestic leisure trip in 2021, and just over a third (34%) are planning at least three domestic trips this year. Forty-five percent of US travelers are planning to travel internationally in 2021.
Whether the “trip” is long or short, the benefits can be long lasting and sometimes even life changing. Here are five ways travel may make you healthier and happier.
1. RESET AND DE-STRESS
Vacations provide a wonderful opportunity for reflection. “A chance to recharge your batteries, and remember what brings you joy in life, is a powerful tool for mental and physical wellbeing,” says health psychologist Dr. Adriana Hayward.
The benefit of having something pleasurable to look forward to is motivational in and of itself.
“Getting away offers new experiences that allow the body to relax and rejuvenate, dramatically reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels. New experiences can also foster gratitude, happiness, and self-confidence, which enhance resiliency,” continued Hayward.
However, when it comes to de-stressing—it turns out not all vacations are created equal. Of course, factoring in cost and affordability is a given, but careful planning is critical to lowering stress while traveling. To minimize stress, reflect on your travel style and personality; i.e., do you enjoy sitting on a beach and reading books or do you prefer a fast-paced trip? It is important you and your traveling companion(s) are compatible and agree before you book that vacation destination. After a year of deprivation, travelers are planning more than ever. That’s a good thing. This year, according to the Trip Advisor report, “Three quarters (74%) of travelers surveyed globally say they will spend more time choosing a destination this year, including 65% of travelers in the U.S. Sixty-four percent of U.S. travelers will spend more time reading reviews, 63% will spend more time selecting their accommodation, and 70% will spend more time finding things to do.”
Harvard Business Review (HBR) contributor, author, and speaker Shawn Achor and happiness researcher Michelle Gielan from the Institute of Applied Positive Research partnered to conduct a study based upon a 34-item survey of 414 travelers. Addressing insight gleaned from survey responses, Achor’s HBR article, “When A Vacation Reduces Stress—And When It Doesn’t,” states, “The overarching finding was that taking time off from work can make you happier, healthier, and more productive when you return, but only specific kinds of travel produce these results. In other words, most of the happiness gleaned from vacation is dependent upon the stress level of the vacation. Poorly planned and stressful vacations eliminate the positive benefit of time away. The less the stress, the more likely you will experience a positive benefit from the time off. A positive, well-managed vacation can make you happier and less stressed, and you can return with more energy at work and with more meaning in your life.”
It turns out short getaways can be just as effective in reducing stress as longer vacations. A 2018 Austrian study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found among German managers, even “one single short-term vacation, independent of the mode, (had) large, positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being. … The effects (were) still detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (well-being and strain) post-vacation.”
2. RENEWED CREATIVITY, ENGAGEMENT & PERSPECTIVE
While plenty of logistics are involved in planning a getaway, to do it well, one could argue is itself a creative process. First, we must consider where we want to go and what to do—a bit of blue-sky thinking is involved; i.e., we must dream a little.
Routine kills creativity: our brain gets accustomed to familiar neural pathways. Changing our physical environment interrupts these patterns with new visual, auditory, and other sensory stimuli. For example, plenty of research supports that time spent in nature contributes to improved well-being. This might be especially true for someone living in an urban environment. Or, someone living in a nature setting might enjoy the stimulation of a city.
Travel provides us with new perspectives. When traveling, if we are open, we become aware of how others experience life. Embracing different cultural perspectives increases our tolerance and flexibility, encouraging us to be more understanding and accepting of views, lifestyles, and cultures vastly different from our own. Embracing tolerance and acceptance (vs. judgment and anger) positively benefits our body’s hormones, nervous system, heart, and blood pressure. Plus, it’s just a more enjoyable mental attitude.
Cross-cultural experiences are particularly noteworthy, especially international ones. Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School who has authored several studies focused on international travel and its impact on creativity, told The Atlantic, in particular “foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms.”
“The key, critical process,” he continued, “is multicultural engagement, immersion, and adaptation. Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.”
For years, I traveled often to the Fiji Islands. Although by American standards, many islanders I met there would be considered “poor,” their generosity of spirit, hospitality, and eagerness to share what they had was uplifting. I miss them dearly. I always returned home with a greater sense of community and appreciation for life’s simple things.
One of my most memorable trips was traveling for a month in India. Although the staggering extremes of poverty and wealth were, at times, hard to take, I had never been to a culture so old, so steeped in history, and so laced with so many different religions.
Upon returning, especially from a long break, we often see the world with fresh eyes. Getting away provides a healthy detachment from our former fixed patterns, whether physical or mental.
3. CONNECT WITH OTHERS
It is the quality of time we spend with others that counts, not the quantity. The benefits of deeply connecting with others can renew your spirit and are good for your overall well-being.
Without life’s daily interruptions, we can enjoy quality time with our partner, our kids, the friends with whom we travel, or the new friends we meet along the way. Having fun together is essential to all healthy relationships. Too, there is the bonding that comes from indulging in common interests and activities and discovering new places and things together. Disengaged from work and routine, we can rediscover the lost art of conversation over long slow dinners or lunches. When things do not always go as planned, travel encourages us to adapt and live in the moment.
4. CREATE NEW MEMORIES
Our travel experiences become significant memories that punctuate our lives. A couple I know, celebrate their milestone birthdays living large with destination birthday celebrations traveling with friends. Being the fortunate recipient of their generosity over the decades, I mentioned how much I admired their taking time to plan these trips. The husband responded how these celebrations punctuate their lives with wonderful memories; otherwise, each year would simply blend into the next. Travel gives us an opportunity to celebrate life. His comment really stayed with me.
I read once the memories children remember and value the most are from family vacations, large or small. They contribute to the collective history of who we become. After all these years, I still remember vividly my first family vacation—one to Florida as a very small child.
Says Dr. Hayward, “Memories post-travel can carry us forward and help us to find balance in our everyday world, leading to higher life satisfaction.”
New memories also slow down our perception of time’s passage. In 2005, researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich surveyed 499 participants, ranging in age from 14 to 94 years. “[W]hen asked to reflect on their lives, the participants older than 40 felt that time elapsed slowly in their childhood, but then accelerated steadily through their teenage years into early adulthood.” According to psychologist and BBC columnist Claudia Hammond, “The reason? Our brain encodes new experiences, but not familiar ones, into memory, and our retrospective judgment of time is based on how many new memories we create over a certain period. In other words, the more new memories we build on a weekend getaway, the longer that trip will seem in hindsight.”
Hammond dubbed this phenomenon, “the holiday paradox, (which) seems to present one of the best clues as to why, in retrospect, time seems to pass more quickly the older we get. From childhood to early adulthood, we have many fresh experiences and learn countless new skills. As adults, though, our lives become more routine, and we experience fewer unfamiliar moments. As a result, our early years tend to be relatively overrepresented in our autobiographical memory and, on reflection, seem to have lasted longer. Of course, this means we can also slow time down later in life. We can alter our perceptions by keeping our brain active, continually learning skills and ideas, and exploring new places.” This is the perfect segue to our last point.
5. LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Lifelong learning infused with engagement, purpose, and passion has been associated with greater well-being, happiness, and longevity.
Learning vacations provide an invitation to experiment, try new things, and discover or dive deeper into one’s passions. They are especially great options for solo travelers (as many learning adventures provide social interaction) or for families who want to bond over an activity.
“Novelty and learning create new neural pathways in the brain, which are important for healthy aging, problem solving, and creativity,” adds Hayward.
More and more tour organizers offer these types of trips. It is a growing trend and the sky’s the limit. There is practically a vacation to suit every interest, ranging from career or personal and spiritual development to special interest (culinary and wine, literary and creative endeavors, cultural interests such as art history and architecture, languages and cultural immersion, and wellness and sports).
The good news about a learning vacation is not only do you come back recharged and a little smarter, but the skills and benefits you bring home can last a lifetime. Wishing you safe travels!
BY NINA ERICSON
HauteAMBASSADOR Life Coach
Nina Clark Ericson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with a practice in Palo Alto. Dr. Clark Ericson helps people live more empowered, happier lives through psychotherapy, life coaching, dating coaching, and Equus Coaching (coaching with horses, not riding). Her areas of expertise include anxiety and depression, difficult life transitions, and emotional eating.
FINDING THE VOICE OF YOUR INNER WISDOM
DO YOU EVER ARGUE WITH YOURSELF? I BET YOU DO—YOU are human!
I’m not talking about the classic argument between your angel (ego or “good” self) and your devil (id or “bad” self). Rather, I refer to the battle between your inner negative voice and your inner wisdom voice. Most of us can easily identify our inner negative voice: it is often critical and filled with self-doubt, fear, and/or perfectionism. When we listen to this negative inner voice, we don’t follow our gut feelings or our inner knowing, and our lives don’t reflect our true selves. When we quiet and transform this negative voice, we can be centered in our authentic selves.
Staying centered is a powerful skill that helps us navigate any situation in life—from something as simple as choosing a movie to more complicated and consequential decisions, such as choosing a job. However, the negative voice can easily drown out the voice of our center.
Self-limiting thought patterns we have learned from life experiences, our stories, and the messages we receive can knock us off our path. When we keep centered within ourselves and listen to our inner wisdom, we know where to go and what to do. When we manage that self-destructive chatter and replace it with realistic thoughts that serve us, we create a purposeful life that leads to fulfillment and greater happiness.
Let me give you a simple example. Recently, I joined some friends on a ski trip. Most of the trip was about as covid-safe as you can get, until late afternoon on the last day. My friend suggested that we enjoy an après-ski drink. The day was sunny and warm—for a ski resort—and maskless skiers happily mingled on the lodge deck. It looked like a blast. But as I studied the crowded, joyous scene, my gut felt tense and my chest tight. My center was telling me, through these constrictive sensations, that this could be a covid super-spreader event; however, my people-
pleasing inner critic urged, “Don’t be rude and hurt her feelings.” My inner critic won and I joined my friends. Because this crowded situation didn’t feel safe, I spent the whole time thinking about how risky it was and watched the seconds pass until I could leave. I had given in to the people-pleaser part of me rather than doing what my gut knew was right. Thankfully, I didn’t get covid, but had one more experience in which my negative voice won over my intuition. That didn’t feel good and could have resulted in really negative consequences.
Recently, a young woman I coach—let’s call her Niki—presented a dilemma that was truly a battle between her inner wisdom and her inner critic. Niki was about to accept a high level job at an impressive company. She had earned an MBA from a prestigious business school and felt great pressure to take a job considered “worthy” of her education by her schoolmates and family. However, Niki wants to open a juice bar. She shared her idea with some of her business school friends and her parents. Everyone scoffed and thought her idea ridiculous and a waste of her degree.
Niki’s gut instinct keeps nudging her towards her juice bar dream. When Niki talked about the juice bar, she became vibrant and excited. Her face beamed. Her intellect fired up and produced lots of great ideas. When she talked about the job she was considering, Niki described feeling like a wet blanket was on top of her; she felt dread at the thought of accepting the job offer.
Niki’s gut was speaking loud and strong and she listened. Niki has courageously decided to open her juice bar. Her enthusiasm about her decision is infectious. She is confident that her business degree will help her make this endeavor a success. No matter what happens, Niki is happy that she is living from her center and is excited to see what she creates.
Learning to identify the voice of your center is a practice. Martha Beck, Oprah Winfrey’s favorite life coach, created a great exercise to identify the voice of your inner wisdom. Beck suggests thinking of a challenging circumstance and asking yourself:
• What would calm do now? • What would peace do now?
Because I also believe that our gut gets excited about a centered choice, I add this question:
• What would excitement/expansiveness do now?
I also recommend doing the following brief meditation in centering your inner wisdom to help you make a decision:
• Breathe deeply. • Be still and close your eyes. • Quiet your mind. • Imagine the option you are considering. • Notice your body sensations, your emotion. Often, if an idea is aligned with your inner wisdom, your body says “yes” with sensations of lightness, openness, expansiveness, and maybe peacefulness or excitement. If your inner wisdom is saying “no,” then you may feel a tightness or a heaviness.
Living from your authentic center has challenges: it requires great courage. Glennon Doyle, author of the sensationally successful book Untamed, advocates living from your gut and says: “Brave means living from the inside out. Brave means, in every uncertain moment, turning inward, feeling for the Knowing, and speaking it out loud.” Go ahead and practice listening to that voice of your inner wisdom. You may be surprised by how peaceful, joyful, and purposeful you become when you live from your true center. nina@ninaclarkericson.com
Dr. Ericson is grateful that the aforementioned clients have given her permission to tell their stories, without identifying details, with the hope of helping others.
California Lifestyle Collection
8 Beds | 6 Baths | ±4,451 sq. ft. | ±0.52 acre $4,388,000
Located on the at and wide private Buckeye Road, this ±4,451 sq. ft compound consists of a ±3,685 sq ft 6 bedroom, 4 baths main house with a ±400 sq ft carport and a ±766 sq ft. 2 bedroom, 2 baths, kitchen and living room guests house with a ±360 sq ft 2-car garage. The lower oor of the main house has two legal units for in-laws, nannies, o ces or a rental apartment. Located between Golden Gate Ave and Bayview overlooking Belvedere Lagoon, Tiburon and Angel Island, the site is mostly at and walking distance to downtown Tiburon, the ferry, the Belvedere park, the bike path and 2 world class yacht clubs. Enjoy the large at gated front garden and spacious back view deck all with privacy. First time for sale since the main home was custom built in 1958, guests house was built later year and new roof and deck in 2015. Photos, Matterport 3D Tour and oor plans are at: 10BuckeyeRoad.com
California Lifestyle Collection
Contemporary Masterpiece of Epic Proportions Los Gatos, California
8 Bedrooms | 9 Baths | 2 Half-Baths | ±12,109 sq. ft. | ±52 Acres Price Upon Request
Towering above Silicon Valley and Los Gatos hills, the Aztec Estate o ers a pool with spa, a tennis court, ridge-top 360-degree panoramic views, incredible scale and unrivaled quality, all in one of the most exceptional settings in Northern California. Secluded in a private enclave at the end of a gated drive, the residence features soaring ceiling atrium, modern open oor plan, sweeping entertainment decks and sliding glass walls that bring phenomenal views to the forefront of the living experience. The main residence features superior quality and resortlike amenities throughout the extraordinary living space, linear designs, and prominent contemporary styling. Engineering and utilitarian elements play into the timeless design of George Foy, with materials like glass, stone, and steel used liberally in construction to showcase the natural beauty of this estate and the nest selection of materials and nishes, exquisite interior design and exterior landscape. The gourmet chef’s kitchen, with large center island and topof-the-line appliances, features large butler’s pantry, full size indoor grill, and over-sized custom glass windows. Secluded in its own private wing, the luxurious master suite is surrounded by sweeping panoramic views. An opulent marble bathroom boasts amazing ceiling heights and custom walk-in closets. With an o ce space, oversized replace and sitting area, sliding doors lead to a sprawling outdoor lounge overlooking the pool below and sunset on the horizon. This gated estate o ers total privacy, steel frame construction, wine cellar, billiards room with wet bar, two custom o ces, and state-of-the-art technology. The estate’s resort-like grounds are as impressive as the residence, o ering the versatility to retreat in serenity or entertain with lavish events. Features include an in nity pool, spa, tennis/basketball court, outdoor bar and grill, re pit, manicured gardens, various terraces and seating areas, fountains, waterfall, and wrap-around decks with endless views. As seen on HGTV’s Extreme Homes, Forbes magazine and DuPont Registry, this stunning private enclave, just minutes from the heart of energetically charged Silicon Valley, maintains a retreat from the bustling lights below while sharing the neighborhood with several of Silicon Valley’s elites. Aztec Estate is truly a unique combination of privacy, serenity, panoramic views, and luxury amenities, all in a one-of-a-kind modern masterpiece. Photos and video on: AztecEstateLosGatos.com
