Hello, friends…I hope you have all had a great week! Here’s this Sunday’s seven in wine, food, lifestyle, design and travel:
Case Study No. 21
This very cool historic house is for sale – Pierre Koenig’s iconic Case Study House #21. Built between 1956-58, the house was designed on a north/south axis in order maximize sunlight in the winter and screen it out during the summer. It is made of innovative steel panels, and glass walls opening up to the yard. It was restored in the late 1990’s with Koenig himself overseeing the restoration. It can be yours for $3,600,000!
Top 100 Wines of 2018
Wine Spectator is revealing their Top 100 of 2018 on Monday, Nov. 19! Each year, their editors survey the wines reviewed over the previous 12 months and select their Top 100, based on quality, value, availability and excitement. I’ve already been trying to get my hands on the 10, pictured – I found a few bottles of a couple of them available, although they are largely, of course, already sold out. Grrr.
On a similar note, this is wine.com’s top wine of the year and it’s only $15 — Charles Smith’s Substance Cabernet from Columbia Valley, Washington! I’ve linked it here if anyone wants to try it: Wine.com’s top wine of 2018
The World’s Best Islands
Travel + Leisure asked readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated these islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value. Maui and the Cook Islands are expected favorites, and Indonesian islands take the top three spots!
A Holiday Entertaining Tip List
Bronson van Wyck, an event planner whose clients range from Beyoncé to both President Obama, is a party planner extraordinaire. Here he shares his tips on old and new traditions. One of my favorites was his suggestion of magnolia garland—”You put it up for Thanksgiving and it dries and looks great through Christmas.”
Hearts with California
I know many of you, like me, are devastated by the California Wildfires. The latest maps of the Woolsey Fire, which has torn through Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains, shows that the blaze has now covered nearly half of Malibu Coast wine country. If you want to know how you can help, here’s a list of some organizations working closely with survivors:
- California Fire Foundation. Through its SAVE program, the California Fire Foundation is distributing $250 cash gift cards for those who have lost their homes. “Anyone who has suffered a loss of more than 25 percent of their home can get a gift card for $250 per household,” says Carroll Willis, communications director at the California Fire Foundation and the California Professional Firefighters.
- United Way (Greater Los Angeles) and United Way of Northern California is working both with immediate financial aid for survivors and on long-term recovery efforts.
- California Community Foundation, assisting with long-term recovery efforts and people who have been displaced and/or unemployed because of the fires. This organization also supports mental health services.
- North Valley Community Foundation, which is offering grocery and other gift cards available at the Chico Posse Foundation.
- Ventura County Community Foundation allows survivors to sign up and apply for funds.
- AirBNB has anOpen Homes program through which you can donate a temporary living space. This is a very practical way to help if you have a spare room nearby or other property near the impacted areas.
Cheers to Thanksgiving
You all know I think the wine is just as important as the food on Thanksgiving! As this article and video show, you should leave the big “C”s in the cellar that day—Cabernet and Chardonnay don’t pair well for Thanksgiving, but, many others do! This article suggests a few bottles for you to try with your Thanksgiving feast, and as well, I posted my own list earlier this week. Cheers!
Roof Skiing, Anyone?
Well, ski season is pretty much here, and if you’re serious, you need to check out this hotel that will let you ski down its roof! The Audemars Piguet Hôtel des Horlogers opens its doors in 2020, and guests will be able to ski down the hotel roof straight on to the ski trails below! The ambitious design from architects Bjarke Ingels Group blends the top of the building seamlessly into the snowy surroundings of the Vallée de Joux in western Switzerland. How cool is that?!
I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing rest of your weekend!
xx—BB
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