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All in a Day’s Work Photo by Slade Howard
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All in a Day’s Work Sophisticated Wedding The Good Life A New Social Landmark Elevates Downtown Lexington The Relais & Châteaux Side of French Polynesia Of Note... Carpool Cool Where the Land Speaks Bibliotaph Vintage Point Pinky Promise Saint John’s Resort Denim Ascends to Haute Couture The Excelsior Experience A Venetian Reverie Hook’em Through the Looking Glass Still at the Table Gathered The Lexington Edit Under the Hammer & Into History Sophisticated Society Calendar Education Builds Hope Ashland Lawn Party Sophisticated Stars Hangar Bash Disaster Blaster Keeneland Concours d’Elegance Summer Gala Sustainers Dinner Albert Couture Runway Tennis Night of the Stars Last Call with Leslie Miller
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EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Bridget Cottrell ______________________________________________ ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Lee Milward ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann CONTRIBUTORS Writers Patti Bailey Jon Carloftis Matthew Cottrell Tracy Cottrell Vicki Denig Kim Hites Claire Williams Joy Yascone Photographers Tony Bailey Tracy Beall Chad Henle Slade Howard Daniel Roberts Erica Sharp Ashley Stinson ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 502.582.6563 ______________________________________________ CEO/PUBLISHER Eric Williams Sophisticated Living is published by Sophisticated Living, LLC, P.O. BOX 1229, Prospect, Kentucky 40059 USA. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Sophisticated Living, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Single copies may be purchased for $5 at select fine retail outlets. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living, PO Box 1229, Prospect, KY 40059. To order back issues or reprints of 100 or more, call 502.582.6563.
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From the Associate Publisher More than ushering in sweater weather, September jump starts a new social season. As summer sojourns fade into the rearview, everything picks up where we left off in June. Summer is lovely and loose, but by September, I’m ready for the routine again, and for the people who come with it. Saturdays belong to Kroger Field. October brings the Keeneland meet, and at the end of the month the Breeders’ Cup returns to the Bluegrass, which is the closest thing this city has to a family reunion with a dress code. September may be my favorite month of the year. We dress up, we gather in our storied places, and our favorite ones, and we remember how much there is to celebrate. The whole calendar is spoken for, and nobody’s complaining. In that spirit, this issue is about coming home and the people who make it worth the trip. In 1981, Debbie Long ushered in a new era of hospitality in Lexington when she opened her restaurant in Dudley’s Square. Back then, she’d tell people that Dudley’s was the “first restaurant you come to when you take a left out of Keeneland.” While that’s no longer the case, forty-five years later, her restaurant is part of the warp and woof of our days, from birthday dinners to Sunday brunches, engagements, celebrations of life, or simply because it’s Thursday. There’s a fete coming to mark the anniversary, and if you know Debbie, you already know it’ll be the kind of night people bring up for years. And just down the street, Coles Arimes has been busy…up to his usual magic. The Vine has a new menu of international tasting plates meant to be passed, along with an alluring new seasonal cocktail menu. Order a little of everything. Trust us. Being on the receiving end of an invitation by Jon Carloftis to visit Botherum is as covetable now as it was when he acquired the property in 2012. Ours came at the height of summer when his carefully planned and lovingly tended garden rooms are a glorious study of abundance. Sprouting from the experience is a new recurring feature—” Gathered,” where Jon will single out one of his myriad collections and share how it found him. Consider it a standing invitation into his wonderland. The garden usually steals the show at Botherum, but Jon’s “Girl-illas” run the place and his two yellow labs star in Sophisticated Pets, and they are, by a comfortable margin, the most photogenic hostesses of the season. Out at Lane’s End, Ande Farish Day has opened the farm up in a new way, including mahjong afternoons, and yoga and Pilates on the lawn, with a come-one, come-all ease that suits the land. Ande’s family sat for us, mini pony and eight-week-old puppy included, and it may just be the happiest picture you see all year, rivaled only by the wedding of Makenna and Frederick Rupp on Bald Head Island. And there’s one night we’re especially excited to feature. On October 28, the Wednesday before the Breeders’ Cup, the Keeneland Championship Sale comes to Central Kentucky for the first time. Taking place at Castleton, the crowning lot of the evening will be the farm itself, all 951 acres in the Iron Works corridor with miles of limestone fence, a covered bridge, an 1840 Greek Revival house, and the Irish round tower that half of Lexington could draw from memory. Keeneland has never offered real estate in its history, and Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty is bringing it to market. Shane Ryan, whose family has been the caretaker of the farm for a quarter century, asked one thing of its next owner: “live here, make it your home.” I haven’t stopped thinking about that. Welcome to Lexington. Our Last Call guest is my dear friend Leslie Miller, the VP of Marketing for VisitLex. Leslie has quietly become one of Lexington’s greatest storytellers. She’s the woman behind the campaigns that bring people all over the world to our city. A thread runs through every issue we create. Sometimes it’s the season, or a set of features that share the same beat. Although the journey varies, the destination is always the same: we want to inspire you by filling these pages with friends and things you love. Fortunately, at this time of year, the assignment is easy… everyone’s back. Cheers!
Lee Milward Associate Publisher, Lexington lee@slmag.net 12 slmag.net
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
At Lane’s End Farm, Ande Farish Day is honoring generations of Thoroughbred tradition while opening the gates to a new era of only-in-Kentucky experiences. Written by Bridget Cottrell / Photos by Slade Howard
Dog devotees are fond of saying that, “in their next life,” they want to be reincarnated as their four-legged fur baby. However, after spending a few hours taking in the barns and pastoral landscape at Lane’s End Farm with farm tour and hospitality manager Ande Farish Day, one would rightfully revise that request as its Thoroughbreds enjoy a luxe life that rivals the most pampered 14 slmag.net
pooch. Here, horses languidly graze in verdant fields, blissfully unaware of the millions of dollars, generations of dreams and storied history their bloodlines represent. It’s a pedigree nearly matched by the land itself. Part of present-day Lane’s End was once Bosque Bonita—Spanish for “beautiful woods”—the Woodford County farm of Confederate general
and prominent 19th-century horseman Abraham Buford. Mannie Gray, dam of the influential stallion Domino, was raised here, while Leamington, sire of Aristides, winner of the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875, stood at stud on the property. That same year, George Armstrong Custer visited Bosque Bonita in search of cavalry horses, just one year before the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
A century later, a new chapter began when Will and Sarah Farish purchased the first 240 acres of what would become Lane’s End in 1979. Over time, the property grew more than tenfold as the farm became one of the most recognizable names in Thoroughbred breeding, significant enough to have a queenly connection: Queen Elizabeth II, a passionate breeder and racing
enthusiast, visited and stayed on the farm a total of five times. For all the trophies, pedigrees and seven-figure sales, however, Lane’s End is above all a family business, with its third generation now stepping in to shape its legacy. Ande Farish Day grew up, alongside her seven siblings, in this idyllic environment, passing down a love of the land and horses to her own
young sons, the oldest of which already displays remarkable confidence in the saddle even though he’s only knee-high to a grasshopper. Following attending the University of Kentucky, Ande spent time living and working in New York City, always knowing that she’d eventually return home. “Lexington just has a draw about it that you can’t stay away for too long,” she explained. slmag.net
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Lane’s End farm used to hold public tours once a month; Ande launched a six-day-a-week program in 2020, with the transport shuttle arriving just one week before the COVID shutdowns. The upside, Ande recalls, is that it allowed the program to “soft launch” as restrictions lifted and to fine-tune the tours to maximize the guest experience. Lane’s End has partnered with the non-profit Horse Country, Inc. (visithorsecountry.com), where Ande is a board member, to serve as the booking platform for their Stallion Complex and Shuttle Experience tours and other special events. The embodiment of a working mother (she was expecting her third child in just a few months at the time of our interview), Ande personally leads all the tours, sometimes with her sons, Walter and BZ, in tow as darling special guests. Her love and appreciation for the land and the majestic creatures stabled here are palpable, providing an intimate and unrivaled insight into the operations of this family farm. Calling on her fashion background from her time in New York City, Ande has spearheaded a comprehensive Lane’s End merchandise program with a wide variety
of branded goods, from quilted jackets to Christmas ornaments that are available in a gift shop fashioned from a Matthew Carter-designed gathering room in the main stallion barn. “Ande’s built a businesswithin-a-business from scratch, and I am so proud of her for that,” remarked her husband, Lincoln. A lush lawn at the center of the stallion complex culminates at a lifesized bronze monument of the legendary Thoroughbred stallion and 1992 Horse of the Year, A.P. Indy, widely considered the defining horse of the farm, profoundly shaping its legacy both on the racetrack and in the breeding shed. C a p i t a l i z i n g o n t h e p l a c e ’s picturesqueness, Ande has formed partnerships with an array of local small businesses to develop a growing series of monthly lawn events intended to attract an entirely new segment of visitors to the farm. Mahjong Lex provides instruction for mahjong newbies; the Sound Healing Center of Lexington conducts sound bath sessions; and Hannah Brady, a Balanced Body certified Pilates instructor, leads guests through a one-hour mat class following a walk-through of the stallion division. In what’s sure to become an
annual event, this past July, BODYROK hosted a special “Ponies & Pilates” event that included a local vendor village. “Only in Kentucky can you do Pilates on a horse farm,” said Ande, adding, “It’s so important that we support local businesses whenever we can.” Looking ahead, Ande is also working to expand their private tours and elevated experiences, from catered lunches to gourmet three-course dinners in partnership with local purveyors. The legends of the horse racing industry may not have a seat at the table, but enjoying an experience in their presence, amid barns likened to equestrian cathedrals, has all the makings of an only-in-Kentucky bucket-list experience. After a few hours at Lane’s End, it’s easy to understand why its horses seem to have won the lotter y long before ever reaching the starting gate. Surrounded by rolling Bluegrass, tended with extraordinary care and carrying generations of history in their bloodlines, they enjoy a life most of us could only dream of. So, when it comes time to make that next-life request, forget coming back as the family dog—I’m putting in my bid for a stall at Lane’s End. sl slmag.net
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SOPHISTICATED WEDDING
FROM KEENELAND TO THE COAST: MAKENNA AND FREDERICK RUPP Photos by Stephanie Alberse
Some love stories begin with elaborate plans. Others begin with a simple introduction at exactly the right moment. For Makenna and Frederick, that moment came at Keeneland during the Spring Meet, where a mutual friend introduced them amid the excitement and tradition of one of Kentucky’s most iconic settings. From the very first conversation, there was an effortless connection. What seemed like a chance 18 slmag.net
encounter became the beginning of a lifelong partnership. Their relationship reached its next milestone on the secluded shores of Bald Head Island, where Frederick proposed with only the sound of the waves and the two of them sharing the moment. The intimate beachside proposal perfectly reflected the relationship they had built together—personal, meaningful, and
centered on what mattered most. It also planted the seed for the location that would later host their wedding celebration. When it came time to plan the wedding, there was never much question about the destination. Bald Head Island had already become woven into the fabric of their story. Returning to the island where they became engaged allowed them to create an unforgettable weekend for
family and friends in a place that had already captured their hearts. Their vision was refreshingly classic: a timeless coastal celebration that felt elegant without excess. Soft shades of blue and sage green set a sophisticated palette, while thoughtful personal touches—including a custom wedding crest, monogram, and even private-label beer cans—added warmth and personality. Every detail was
carefully selected to create an atmosphere that was both refined and welcoming. Faith remained at the center of the day. Following a cherished family tradition, the couple exchanged vows in a church, just as both sets of parents had done before them. The historic Bald Head Chapel provided the perfect backdrop, offering a reverent setting that reflected the significance of their commitment.
The bride’s search for the perfect gown proved surprisingly effortless. While many brides spend months trying on countless dresses, she found “the one” immediately, purchasing the very first gown she tried on. Its timeless silhouette was exactly what she envisioned: a dress she knew she would love just as much decades from now as she did on her wedding day. slmag.net
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Music also played an important role in setting the tone. The bride made her entrance to the majestic strains of The Prince of Denmark’s March, performed on the organ, creating a classic and sacred atmosphere inside the chapel. Later, as newlyweds, they shared their first dance to Justin Bieber’s Lifetime, a song whose lyrics beautifully expressed the lifelong commitment they were making to one another. Although every carefully planned detail came together beautifully, the couple agrees their favorite moment required no decorations or elaborate planning. Choosing not to see each other before the ceremony made their first glimpse down 20 slmag.net
the chapel aisle unforgettable. Surrounded by the people they loved most, it made that moment the highlight of the entire day. Like many newlyweds, they were surprised by just how quickly the celebration seemed to pass. Months of planning—made even more complex by the unique logistics of hosting a wedding on an island—were over in what felt like an instant. Looking back, the bride says she wishes she had spent less time worrying about the weather and other uncontrollable details, and more time simply savoring each moment. Following the festivities, the couple escaped to Ambergris Cay in Turks and Caicos for a honeymoon filled
with uninterrupted time together and breathtaking Caribbean scenery—the perfect opportunity to relax after an unforgettable wedding weekend. From a serendipitous meeting at Keeneland to a heartfelt ceremony overlooking the Carolina coast, every chapter of their story reflected the values that brought them together: faith, family, timeless style, and a deep appreciation for the places and people who shaped their journey. sl Key Vendors: Wedding Coordinator - Deb Cerniglia, BlueWater BHI; Ceremony - Bald Head Chapel; Reception - Bald Head Lighthouse Lawn: Photographer - Stephanie Alberse, Wilmington, North Carolina; Florist - Brunswick Town Florist, Southport, North Carolina; Caterer - Gourmet to Go, Southport, North Carolina; Cake - Nonnies Bakery, Southport, North Carolina; Entertainment - Regal Events DJ, Wilmington, North Carolina; Rentals - Island Event Rentals
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THE GOOD LIFE
At Botherum, Jon Carloftis has cultivated more than an extraordinary home and garden—he’s created a place where stories, hospitality, and a devoted pack of yellow Labradors flourish together.
Written by Bridget Cottrell / Photos by Erica Sharp This was supposed to be a story about dogs. However, within a few minutes of arriving at Botherum, Jon Carloftis’ home, our bouncy conversation spurred a feeling of kinship with the bees buzzing hither and thither in his exquisite gardens—we were both picking up delicious morsels along the way. With boyish good looks that defy his six-plus decades and charm in spades, Jon can spin a yarn to rival to some 24 slmag.net
of the Commonwealth’s most famous orators of yore. L i s t e n i n g t o Jo n s p e a k o f h i s c h i l d h o o d , g r ow i n g u p a l o n g t h e Rockcastle River in Livingston, Kentucky, as “wild and woolly” as his formal foursquare garden in summer, makes one pine for a past that wasn’t even their own. As we wandered the grounds, Jon casually punctuated nearly every observation with an adage, maxim, or epigram while we were
faithfully shadowed by his “Girl-Rillas,” Gertrude and Magnolia. The pair are the latest in a long line of Labradors that, in Jon’s estimation, must be “absolutely always yellow with a reddish tinge.” A full-figured senior wearing the broad, bear-like face that Labrador devotees adore, Gertrude, as queen of the castle, offers a gentile greeting before settling in for a power nap in a shady spot beneath the outstretched arms of a near century old ginkgo tree. On the other hand, Magnolia—better known as “Baby Mags”—is younger, leaner, and perpetually in motion. “She’ll drive you to drink, that one,” Jon quipped as we unsuccessfully tried to persuade her to pause for a photograph beside her cousin. Jon often brings his dogs with him for morning visits to job sites, bringing them back home to avail themselves of the A/C on hot summer afternoons. His legendary genuine and generous mi casa es su casa hospitality means that nothing is too precious to be off-limits, and that philosophy extends to his four-legged companions. While furniture is fair game, chic kilim dog beds are scattered throughout Botherum’s eclectically layered interiors, which serve as a textbook application of a high-low aesthetic. Generous with both his time and treasure, countless non-profits have benefitted from Jon making the property available for all manner of fundraising events.
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Although Jon readily admits that his dogs have carte blanche at home, he recalled one memorable occasion when their privileges were curtailed. As we walked through the formal walled garden adjoining the kitchen—where a cozy table tucked into a window alcove doubles as his home office—he pointed to the pea gravel path encircling a rectangular planting bed. It was once home to a koi pond stocked with 43 fish. Shortly after the pond was completed, the dogs let themselves outside through the kitchen’s dog door while Jon was away and proceeded to hunt every last koi. The aftermath included several unpleasant days of tummy trouble and the swift removal of both the pond and the dog 26 slmag.net
door. Today, a lion’s head fountain is the defining water feature, serving as both an elegant focal point and an occasional canine watering hole. Anyone whose truly loved an old house knows that it’s an affair unlike any other. It can quickly become an allconsuming devotion, giving the afflicted the ability to recognize the creak of a particular floorboard as instinctively as a parent recognizes their child’s cry in a crowd. Much has been written about Jon’s affinity for this home, stretching back to his high school years. I’ve been fortunate to see first-hand Botherum’s evolution from a dilapidated shell into a showpiece, surrounded by garden “rooms” that draw busloads of garden clubs from far and wide.
Jon’s role as the consummate host continues a Kentucky tourism legacy begun by his parents, who operated Fort Sequoyah, a beloved roadside attraction of the 1950s and ‘60s just off Old Dixie Highway amid the Daniel Boone National Forest that evolved into the artisan-focused Rockcastle River Trading Company. Today, Jon’s Botherum Vacations includes his two-bedroom poolside carriage house, the adjacent circa-1810 JC Cock House— Botherum’s former summer kitchen, which Jon reunited with the estate after purchasing and restoring it several years ago—and a two-bedroom retreat in the former Rockcastle River Trading Company store. (Jon’s older brother, Buzz, lives on the family compound and shares his sibling’s gift for Twain-esque storytelling.) Thanks to these endeavors, Jon says with earnest enthusiasm, “I wake up wondering who we’re going to meet today!” An ardent bibliophile, Jon didn’t install a television at Botherum until a few years ago at the urging of a friend and still regards it with the wide-eyed fascination of someone encountering a marvelous new invention. Scattered among the stacks of books that spill across tables and line shelves is a collection gifted by his friend, client, and fellow preservationist Linda Bruckheimer, each volume containing a reference to Botherum. Future works chronicling the home’s history will almost certainly place Jon alongside Madison C. Johnson, who commissioned the house in 1851 in memory of his late wife, Sally Ann, in recognition of the extraordinary care Jon has taken to preserve its legacy for generations to come. And in the photographic record of Botherum’s Carloftis era, don’t be surprised to spot a “Girl-Rilla” or two, faithfully following their beloved master through the gardens they, too, have come to call home. sl
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A NEW SOCIAL LANDMARK ELEVATES DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON With globally inspired cuisine, transportive design and a concentration on connection, The Vine offers Lexington a fresh place to gather. Photos Courtesy of The V at The Vine For years, Lexington’s dining scene has steadily matured, with independent chefs and locally driven concepts reshaping expectations of what a night out in the Bluegrass can be. Now, a new chapter has arrived several stories above downtown. Occupying the ninth floor of The Vine, a landmark mixed-use development that transformed a former office tower into luxury residences and lifestyle amenities, The V at The Vine is the culinary centerpiece of an ambitious concept encompassing exceptional food, sophisticated design, and a strong sense of community. For The Vine co-founder Jacquie Meriwether, the venture represents an unexpected second act. Before hospitality, she built a data and analytics consulting firm, solving complex problems, assembling teams, and helping organizations make better decisions. Following the firm’s acquisition, she had the opportunity to retire. Instead, The Vine came calling. “What attracted me wasn’t the restaurant business—it was the opportunity to build community,” Meriwether says. “Data taught me how to understand people through numbers. The club lets me understand people through relationships.” 30 slmag.net
Colorado Lamb Chops
Her former career, people are often surprised to learn, remains remarkably applicable as Meriwether applies an analytical viewpoint to understanding member behavior, enhancing operations, and evaluating what’s working. “The tools changed, but the mindset didn’t,” she says. In her career 2.0, the reward looks decidedly different. Instead of delivering dashboards to clients, Meriwether gets to watch members celebrate anniversaries, host family dinners, forge friendships, or simply unwind over a glass of wine. “For me, success isn’t measured by the meal we served or the drink we poured,” she says. “It’s measured by whether someone leaves feeling more connected than when they arrived.” Building something so personal has presented its own unique set of challenges: learning when to let go. “When you care deeply about something you’ve created,
it’s easy to become the person who jumps in and solves every problem,” she says. “But that isn’t always what’s best for the business—or for me,” Jacquie explained. Meriwether is now working to strike a balance between protecting The Vine’s vision and entrusting its daily stewardship to the team she’s assembled. “Learning when to lean in and when to step back is one of the hardest—and most important—parts of being an owner,” she says. Helping make that possible is General Manager Patrick Kralik, whose background in luxury hospitality and experience as a restaurant owner brought him to Lexington. “What really enticed me about The Vine was the opportunity to be part of something that is still evolving and has so much potential,” Kralik says. “The Vine isn’t just one thing. It’s not just a public-
Butter Chicken
Patatas Bravas
facing restaurant or a private club. We have the opportunity to become a place where people genuinely feel a sense of belonging.” A newcomer to Lexington, Kralik has been equally taken with what he’s discovered beyond The Vine’s doors. “The people,” he says without hesitation when asked what he’s enjoyed most about his new hometown. “Everyone has been so welcoming and gracious. It is such a warm feeling just interacting with everyone and learning how close this community is.” Kralik’s experience as an owner profoundly changed his approach to management, giving him a deeper understanding of both the guest experience and the financial responsibilities that underpin it. “You look at everything more intentionally and responsibly,” he says. “I am a completely different manager after owning my own businesses.”
Shaping the culinary experience at The V is one of Lexington’s most respected culinary figures, Chef Cole Arimes, whose restaurants Coles 735 Main and Epping’s on Eastside have helped define the city’s contemporary dining scene. “Cole already had an incredible reputation in Lexington, and that was a big part of why we wanted to partner with him,” Meriwether says. “He wasn’t just a talented chef—he had a proven ability to create restaurants that became part of Lexington’s dining culture.”
At The V, Arimes embraces an internationally inspired, tapas-style menu designed for sharing rather than traditional courses. The “around the world” concept was developed collaboratively, giving the culinary team freedom to experiment while offering diners a delicious form of armchair travel. “Tasting plates are the best way to eat,” Kralik says. “Whenever people go out and dine together, it’s the most interactive and fun way to dine.” slmag.net
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Ora King Salmon Tostada
More than a stylistic choice, the format provides the chefs with a creative laboratory of sorts. New dishes can be introduced, refined, and evaluated based on how they’re received by guests. “We’re big on the team being involved in all the processes we put in place,” Kralik says. “It gives everyone more of a sense of ownership and, in turn, more pride when putting out the dishes.” Early standouts, according to Kralik, include Butter Chicken, Sweet Corn Burrata, and Ora King Salmon Tostada, while classics such as filet and ribeye satisfy diners inclined toward the familiar. Handcrafted cocktails and an international wine program round out the experience. The globetrotting tasting plates are complemented by handcrafted cocktails 32 slmag.net
and a diverse wine program that Kralik, a Certified Sommelier, is taking his time getting to know before putting his own stamp on it. “I can appreciate every single wine currently represented on the menu,” he says. “There is a great diversification on our wine list as it is.” Still, the possibilities are never far from his mind. During dinner service, Kralik admits his attention occasionally drifts toward the restaurant’s glass wine display as he contemplates what might come next. A recalibration of the list will eventually arrive, but for now, his focus remains on strengthening other aspects of the operation. A spirit of escape extends from the menu to the surroundings. Rather than lean into the equestrian motifs prevalent throughout Lexington hospitality, Meriwether and her team deliberately galloped in another direction. “Lexington does equestrian
beautifully—it’s an important part of our identity, and there are so many incredible places that celebrate it,” she says. “We didn’t feel like we needed to recreate something the city already does so well.” Working with Atlanta-based interior design firm Gather and Grow, the team instead looked to the easygoing elegance of a coastal vacation. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase sweeping views of downtown Lexington, while wraparound terraces blur the boundary between indoors and out. Light-filled and polished without feeling stuffy, the interiors, by design, inspire a vacation state of mind We wanted to create a place that felt transportive, almost like a staycation in the middle of Lexington,” Meriwether says. “You can spend the afternoon by the pool, have dinner, meet friends for drinks, and suddenly feel like you’ve stepped away from your everyday routine without ever leaving town.” The Vine offers something intentionally different—a place to dine, linger, connect, and, for a few hours at least, get away without going anywhere at all. sl
View from the Uaina Bar at Le Bora Bora. Photo by Bridget Cottrell
THE RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX SIDE OF FRENCH POLYNESIA Pearl Resorts creates luxury anchored in tradition. Written by Bridget Cottrell Taking a deep breath before releasing my death grip on the deck ladder of my overwater bungalow at Le Tikehau (letikehau.com) and sliding into the pellucid waters of the South Pacific, I recalled resort manager Stéphane Pons’ words a few hours earlier after I’d mentioned spying a shiver of blacktip reef sharks swimming among the support posts: “Don’t worry, they’re the puppies of the sea.” Though I didn’t venture more than an arm’s length from the ladder, as a lifelong galeophobe, it was a transformative moment that capped off an extraordinary visit to three of four Pearl Resorts’ Relais & Châteaux (relaischateaux. com) properties in French Polynesia. From my Midwestern home base, it took roughly 18 hours to reach Tahiti. Air Tahiti Nui (us.airtahitinui.com) made the long journey feel surprisingly effortless, flying nonstop from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti's capital. Onward travel among the 38 inhabited islands spread across French Polynesia's five archipelagos is managed by Air Tahiti, whose codeshare partnership with Air Tahiti Nui allows travelers to seamlessly book key bucket-list routes like Bora Bora and Rarotonga on a single ticket.
On the final stretch of the journey to our first stop, a 30-minute boat transfer to Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts (letahaa.com), the anticipation built with the force of a champagne cork that’s ready to pop. The resort’s 59 suites and villas are situated on a secluded coral islet off the coast of Taha'a, a fertile, flowershaped, volcanic island that produces eighty percent of the region’s vanilla and whose pristine lagoon is used to cultivate Tahitian black pearls. The heavily tattooed Tavita, Le Taha’a’s cultural ambassador, wearing a traditional lavalava (sarong) and playing a ukarere (a Tahitian version of a ukulele), and the
affable general manager, Laurent Le Seac'h, greeted us at the pier, where we were quick to note a plethora of original art and sculpture paying homage to Polynesian culture. As a 100% Polynesian-owned hotel collection, Pearl Resorts takes a deliberate and reverential approach to illuminating local culture through art, food, music, and by lightly treading on the environment. Crafting a unique sense of place and minding the minutiae is uniquely aligned with Relais & Château’s championing of exceptional fine dining, rich local heritage, and deeply personalized hospitality in unique, intimate settings across its 580 member properties. slmag.net
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This page clockwise from top left: Aerial view of Le Taha’a. Photo courtesy of Pearl Resorts. Marine life milling about below the deck of the End of Pontoon Overwater Bungalow at Le Tikehau. Tavita, Le Taha’a’s cultural ambassador. Photos by Bridget Cottrell
Opposite page clockwise from top left: Overwater bungalows at Le Tikehau, located on Motu Tianoa, a private coral islet in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Entrance to the Royal Suite at Le Tikehau. Photos by Bridget Cottrell. A “Tahitian TV” in the floor of a Pilotis Premium Overwater Bungalow at Le Tikehau ensures that you are always connected to what’s going on in the water. Royal Beach Villa at Le Bora Bora. Photos courtesy of Pearl Resorts
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Le Seac’h escorted our group to a central reception and restaurant building designed to meld with the towering trees. “We want to be discreet in nature, allowing its embrace to help guests disconnect and rendezvous with Polynesian culture,” he explained. Extremely passionate about his work and the first person I’ve met who is fully adept at waxing poetic, Le Seac’h added: “If you have a sensitive soul and are a feeling hunter, you will take something with you when you leave.” That spirit extends to guest relationships, which go far beyond loyalty discounts. Longtime guests have had trees planted in their honor or initials etched into the coral garden so they can track growth with each visit. One repeat guest, Hermès’ in-house perfumer, was inspired to create Un Jardin sous la Mer, a floral-musky eau de toilette. That sense of delight is matched by Pearl Resorts’ gastronomy program, where even a simple pleasure like ice cream is elevated. “It’s not just eating, it’s poetry,” said Le Seac’h of indulging in a sweet treat made with vanilla grown on nearby Taha’a. At the fine dining Tipairua Restaurant, Le Seac’h likens the blind tasting menu to attending a couture fashion presentation. “It’s a show of artistic creation.” At the remote Le Tikehau, dining is an extension of the atoll itself—unhurried, deeply connected to the sea, and rooted in
the flavors of French Polynesia and shaped by French culinary techniques. At Le Bora Bora (leborabora.com), each meal is accompanied by sweeping views of Mount Otemanu and Bora Bora's legendary turquoise lagoon. One of several bespoke dining options, Pearl Resort’s signature breakfast service is delivered to overwater bungalows via a traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe. Accommodations at Pearl Resorts, representing an interpretation of the traditional fare, the vernacular homes that have sheltered Polynesian families for centuries, are chock-full of Polynesian motifs, tapa-inspired patterns, and handcrafted decorative elements. While the overwater bungalows with their expansive terraces and “Tahitian TVs,” glass panels in the floor at Tikehau and in the coffee table at Le Bora Bora and Le Taha’a, designed to incorporate a peek-a-boo view of the cerulean water from the inside, are rightfully the stars of the show, beach bungalows are equally luxurious with powder-sand beaches and outdoor showers. At each property, the entrance to Royal Villas, luxurious and sprawling multi-building compounds (the largest of which, at Le Bora Bora, is nearly 5,000 square feet with an ocean-front pool) are marked by a bright red Tiki sculpture, created by Tahiti-based artist HTJ, one of the island’s early graffiti pioneers.
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Opposite page clockwise from top left: A sculpture garden at Le Taha’a. Opening the towering tiki gate at Le Bora Bora leads to a lush sanctuary where walking paths meander throuhgh dense tropical vegatation dotted with sculptures. Photos by Bridget Cottrell. Dinner at Tipairua. Photo by Ilya Kagan. Te Reka Ika Restaurant at Le Tikehau features a daily-changing menu based on the day's catch. Photo courtesy of Pearl Resorts. At Le Tikehau, an amphitheatre located on a secluded pink-sand beach under the stars is designed to gather guests around local storytellers who share Polynesian legends and the ancient art of celestial navigation. Photos by Bridget Cottrell.
Water activities formed the backbone of our stay, with the simplest pleasure coming from jumping directly from our bungalow into tepid lagoons. We also snorkeled on-property coral gardens where tropical fish nibbled on coconut flesh right from our hand, and charted a boat at Le Tikehau to snorkel amid majestic manta rays, listen to the deafening calls of thousands of avians who nest at Motu Puarua, and enjoy a beach barbecue lunch where the leftover fish was fed to sharks who seemed to proliferate in the blink of an eye as soon as the first piece of flesh broke the water’s surface. As golden hour approached one evening at Le Bora Bora, we boarded the Okeanos Pearl, French Polynesia's first solar-electric luxury catamaran, and set out on a two-hour cruise to watch the day fade
into a spectacular South Pacific sunset. On dry land there are workshops on Polynesian dance, storytelling and basketweaving, and excursions to nearby islands to learn about the area’s most famous exports: vanilla, pearls and coconut. Quite simply, you could make a day out of appreciating the light. From the cotton candy clouds that glow at dawn's first light to looking up, gobsmacked, from atop the observation tower at Le Tikehau, where the brightness of the Milky Way is a timeless spectacle that has guided Polynesian navigators across these waters for centuries and is a reminder of the scale of the universe. The area’s absolute quiet turns up the volume on a hidden acoustic landscape. On one early morning, I could discern the distant creaking of a sailboat's mast as
Sunset from Le Taha'a's helicopter pad, with the island of Bora Bora in the distance. Photo by Bridget Cottrell
From the observation tower at Le Tikehau, the atoll unfolds in every direction, offering a spectacular panorama of powdery islets and turquoise lagoons by day and a vast starry sky at night. Photo courtesy of Pearl Resorts.
it bobbed to and fro. On my last evening, wanting to soak in every moment, I sat with my feet suspended just over the water, reveling in the ripple of shark fins as they deftly darted in and out of the light beneath my bungalow. While I’ve long championed another French collectivity, St. Barth, as my favorite tropical destination, French Polynesia has since stolen the crown, having all the bougee but with more bounteous beauty. At these resorts, you don’t come for the scene but rather to see and appreciate the land and a culture whose identity traces back to 200 BC, when the Mā'ohi people migrated from Southeast Asia to the South Pacific. Le Seac’h summed it up best one evening, champagne in hand, as we watched the sun fade behind the shadowy peak of Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu. “It doesn't matter what you've done with your life, but in this moment, you pause to consider what got you here and think ‘kid, you did good’.” sl
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Of note...
Taking Care of Business Compiled by Bridget Cottrell As summer gives way to school schedules and fresh routines, these beautifully designed furnishings and accessories create inspiring spaces for productive workdays and successful study sessions.
LAGO Air 1912 Bookshelf and Desk ($16,185; lagodesign.com)
Four Hands Weston Rotating Desk ($3,099; fourhands.com)
BDI Linea multifunction storage cabinet ($2,399; bdiusa.com)
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Madheke Calen Desk (from $14,479; madheke.in) Carl Hansen and Son CH621 Swivel Chair ($3,590; carlhansen.com) Carl Hansen and Son CH110 Desk (from $26,410; carlhansen.com) Sarreid Ltd. Gabriella Shagreen Desk ($2,235; sarreid.com) Baccarat Louxor Pencil Holder ($420; baccarat.com) Taamaa Tino Charging Station ($250; taamaa.us) Aerin Charlton Table Lamp ($749; aerin.com) L’Objet Crocodile Letter Opener ($195; l-objet.com)
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Circu Merida Corner Bed, Kings & Queens Desk, Baloo Chair, Toy Box and Storage Stairs (circu.net) 10. David Michael Furniture Makassar Desk (davidmichaelfurniture.com) 11. AM Living Keen Desk and Still Chair (amliving.com) 12. Ethnicraft Boomerang Desk ($1,929), Bok Dining Chair ($959) and Roller Max Side Table ($589; ethnicraft.com)
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CARPOOL COOL Edited by Matthew Cottrell
Gone are the days when the family car was just a way to get from point A to point B. Today's luxury SUVs turn the daily drive into a first-class experience. With flexible seating, cargo space for backpacks and sports gear, and technology to keep even the pickiest passengers entertained, these vehicles make family life feel stylish. Throw in sumptuous interiors, whisper-quiet cabins, and performance that makes every errand more enjoyable, and volunteering to drive carpool doesn't sound like such a chore after all.
Aston Martin DBX S
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Aston Martin DBX S The Aston Martin DBX S elevates the marque's award-winning luxury SUV with an even sharper focus on performance, craftsmanship, and distinction. Powered by an enhanced twin-turbocharged V8 delivering increased horsepower and quicker acceleration, the DBX S pairs exhilarating speed with the poised handling expected from one of Britain's most celebrated sports car manufacturers. Lightweight materials, refined suspension tuning, and aerodynamic adjustments further sharpen its dynamic character, while the handcrafted interior surrounds occupants in supple leather, carbon-fiber accents, and bespoke detailing.
BMW iX3 The all-new BMW iX3 is the first production model built on BMW's groundbreaking Neue Klasse platform. Designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the luxury SUV fuses sleek, minimalist styling with a thoroughly modern cabin centered around BMW's next-generation Panoramic iDrive display and intelligent digital technologies. Under its sculpted exterior, an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture delivers faster charging, greater efficiency, and significantly improved driving range, while BMW's signature focus on balanced handling and responsive performance keeps the iX3 distinctly driver-oriented.
BMW iX3
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Cadillac Escalade IQL Built on General Motors' advanced Ultium platform, the extended-wheelbase IQL offers expansive three-row seating, increased cargo capacity, and an impressively quiet ride powered by an all-electric drivetrain. Inside, a sweeping pillar-to-pillar LED display, premium materials, and an available AKG Studio Reference audio system create a first-class environment for every passenger, while Super Cruise handsfree driving technology adds a new level of convenience on long highway journeys. Land Rover Defender Vertex Positioned near the top of the Defender lineup, the new Vertex features distinctive
exterior enhancements, including redesigned bumpers, a more sculpted profile, exclusive finishes, and available 22-inch wheels, giving the iconic SUV an even more commanding presence. Inside, premium Windsor leather, sustainable textile options, state-of-the-art climate control, and the latest "Hey Land Rover" AI voice assistant boost everyday comfort while preserving the Defender's adventure-ready spirit. Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 The latest Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 blends the commanding presence of a flagship utility vehicle with the handcrafted refinement expected of the Maybach name. Powered by a 603-horsepower electrified
Cadillac Escalade IQL
Land Rover Defender Vertex
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Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680
V8, it delivers effortless performance while cocooning passengers in superb craftsmanship, from hand-finished leather upholstery and open-pore wood veneers to precisely tailored rear executive seating. Enhanced personalization through Mercedes-Maybach's MANUFAKTUR program allows owners to specify bespoke paint finishes, interior materials, and design details, making each vehicle uniquely their own. Equally at home maneuvering city streets or arriving at a private estate, the GLS 680 embodies the modern definition of luxury—where advanced technology, exceptional comfort, and understated elegance converge in one remarkably sophisticated SUV.
For When You’re Running Late: Ferrari Amalfi Replacing the acclaimed Roma, the new Ferrari Amalfi represents the next evolution of the marque's front-engine grand touring tradition. Powered by a 640-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8, the Amalfi delivers invigorating acceleration while remaining remarkably composed for everyday driving. Its sculpted exterior refines Ferrari's contemporary design language with cleaner, more muscular lines, while the completely reimagined interior places a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship, intuitive technology, and driver connection—including the welcome return of physical controls for key functions. More than simply a successor, the Amalfi is designed to reflect the spirit of la dolce vita, delivering a distinctive balance of supercar performance, long-distance comfort, and unmistakable Italian style for a whole new generation of Ferrari enthusiasts.
Porsche Cayenne Electric With the introduction of the all-electric Cayenne lineup, Porsche is proving that electrification can increase—rather than compromise—the attributes that have made its luxury SUV a global success. Spanning a range of models from refined everyday variants to high-performance S and Turbo derivatives, the Cayenne Electric family is designed to satisfy drivers desiring both utility and pulse-quickening performance. Built on an advanced 800-volt architecture, the lineup delivers rapid charging, extended driving range, and the instant acceleration only electric power can provide, while Porsche's legendary chassis tuning ensures every model retains the finesse and responsiveness synonymous with the crest on its hood. Inside, each Cayenne Electric combines premium craftsmanship with next-generation digital technology, offering spacious accommodations for families without sacrificing the driver-focused experience that defines the brand. sl
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WHERE THE LAND SPEAKS Inside Santa Barbara Wine Country Written and photographed by Jay Gulick When our small group arrived on a sunbaked hill in the sweeping Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, rancher and winemaker James Ontiveros greeted us with a smile and a refreshing midmorning glass of his Native9 Pinot Noir. Wearing rumpled Wranglers, a gleaming, oversized belt buckle and a broad-brimmed cowboy hat, Ontiveros looked every bit the guy who attended Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo thirty years ago on a rodeo scholarship. The Ontiveros family arrived in California from Sinaloa, Mexico during the American Revolution in 1781, making James the ninth generation to farm this fertile valley. In addition to Native9, Ranchos de Ontiveros produces crisp, neutral oak chardonnays under the Rancho Viñedo label. After 30 years in the wine business, Ontiveros is certain that the vintages produced in Santa Barbara occupy a unique and distinguished place in the industry. “There is an energy and freshness in these wines, from A to Zed, that you don’t get anywhere else.” 44 slmag.net
Over three cloudless June days in Santa Barbara, I learned the only thing as vibrant and interesting as the impressive selection of California wines being produced in the region is the passionate and accomplished community of winemakers crafting them—although most of them prefer the focus remains squarely on the wine. “The wine is not about me,” insists Jessica Gasca, founder and winemaker at artisanal winery Story of Soil in Los Olivos. “It’s about the place.” In Gasca’s case, making the wine about the place centers on her conviction that the soil and favorable microclimate in which her grapes are grown allow the land to speak through the elegant, balanced grenache, pinot noir, syrah and sauvignon blanc varietals she produces in small lots sourced from carefully farmed vineyards. Unlike the renowned Napa Valley 350 miles to the north, which produces more than 9 million cases of wine annually, Santa Barbara County produces just 2 to 3 million, depending on the year. Whereas Napa is home to several large corporate owners like Duckhorn and
E.&J. Gallo, Santa Barbara is home to mostly small, independent producers like Gasca, for whom making wine is as much a calling as an occupation. “I really believe wine is more than just wine,” she told me. “Wine is art, science, geology, geography, and philosophy. It’s history but it doesn’t stop there. It’s a glimpse of the past, the present, and the future. It’s cross-cultural. Wine is a connector—connecting us to the land and connecting us as humans when we open and share a bottle.” Known as the “American Riviera” for its stunning south-facing coastline that produces year-round sunshine, its temperate Mediterranean climate, and laid-back lifestyle, Santa Barbara is the epitome of California cool, and its wine community reflects this vibe. Home to seven distinctive American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and more than 300 wineries and tasting rooms, the region benefits from a unique confluence of topographical and climatic factors. This exceptional environment facilitates the cultivation of more than 75 grape varieties, ranging from Albariño to zinfandel. As
Presqu’ile winery. Image courtesy of Pressq’ile.
Phil Carpenter, general manager of the Santa Barbara Vintners’ Association puts it when elaborating on the diversity of the area, “We’ve got like eight world-class winemaking regions in our county.” The Transverse Ranges in Santa Barbara County (Santa Ynez, San Rafael and Sierra Madre) are among the only mountains in the continental United States that run east-to-west instead of north-to-south. This east-west orientation acts as a funnel, allowing cold winds, fog, and the marine layer—a mass of cool, humid air that develops over a large body of water and acts as a container for fog— to flow freely in from the Pacific Ocean. Located 12 miles from the coast, the Santa Rita Hills AVA, with its cool breezes, warm afternoon sun and preponderance of sandy, loamy soil, is particularly hospitable to growing pinot noir and chardonnay. To the north and a little further inland than the Santa Rita Hills, the Santa Maria Valley AVA features one of the longest grapegrowing seasons in the world owing to chilly Pacific winds and fog that settle in the lowlying river valleys. This extended “hang
time” influences the sugar-acid balance of the grapes and helps produce complex pinot noir, chardonnay, cool-climate syrahs, and cabernet sauvignons. Ontiveros explained the interdependent importance of timing and taste to our group by saying, “I want to make wines from physiologically mature fruit, before it gets sugar ripe.” There’s an oft repeated saying in Santa Barbara that for each mile you travel east, away from the ocean, the temperature rises one degree Fahrenheit. Happy Canyon (a nickname earned during Prohibition owing to several remote and joy-inspiring moonshine operations in the area) is the furthest AVA inland and, as a result, the warmest, making it an exceptional place to grow bold Bordeaux varietals like cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc. All the winemakers I met in Santa Barbara, regardless of their place in the enormous 3,800-square-mile county, exp ressed a deeply res pectfu l and symbiotic relationship with the land. None more so than Chad Melville, with whom we met at his family’s eponymous winery in the town of Lompoc. The origin story of Melville Winery begins with Chad’s father, Ron. Following a career in the military, Ron fell in love with wine in the late 1960s, attended viticulture classes at the University of
California, Davis, and bought a vineyard. Melville Winery, under Ron and Chad’s leadership, has been in its current location since 1996 and features 130 acres of organically grown grapes. After touring the vineyard, we sampled a sublime array of Melville’s Santa Rita Hills pinot noir, syrah and chardonnay. During the tasting, Chad told us a story, which quickly took on the quality of a parable. One day, during a bad storm, the Santa Ynez River breached its banks and flooded a large section of the vineyard. Chad was rushing around frantically, trying to stem the rushing water and protect the vines. Ron said to him, “What are you doing?” Chad responded, “Trying to save this fucking place. What are you doing?” “No, you have to let it go,” said Ron. “You have to let it run its course. Then we come in and rebuild.” This exchange between father and son illustrated the greatest lesson Chad told us he had learned in 30 years in the wine business: giving up some measure of control over the process in order to work in harmony with the natural world. “Our business plan, the foundation of everything we do, is tied to Mother Nature. So we need to be able to look her in the eye.”
The author (front right) with winemakers and journalists at Bell’s Bistro in Los Alamos.
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Clockwise from top left: Angela Osborne from A Tribute to Grace Wine Co. Rancher and winemaker James Ontiveros of Native9 Pinot Noir. Winemaker Chad Melville of Melville Winery. Jessica Gasca, founder and winemaker at artisanal winery Story of Soil in Los Olivos.
If Bacchus, the ancient Roman god of wine, were looking for a worthy place to hang his ivy crown in 2026, he wouldn’t find a more enchanting or visually striking venue than Presqu’ile Winery in the Santa Maria Valley. Situated high on a hill, with extensive views of the vineyard and ocean in the distance, the modern facility features an energy-saving, gravity-flow design, a butterfly roofline, and an indoor-outdoor orientation that integrates it into the natural landscape. Over a colorful Mezze lunch of gazpacho, stuffed piquillo peppers, salad, chorizo skewers, paella rice, and fresh farmer’s cheese, we sampled aligoté, chardonnay, and gamay varietals and chatted with Presqu’ile’s founding winemaker, Dieter Cronje, and its co-founder and owner, Madison Murphy. Murphy explained that Presqu’ile is a French word for “almost an island” or “peninsula” and was originally a name 46 slmag.net
bestowed on a beloved piece of property the family had owned on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since the 1950s. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Louisiana compound in 2005, but the family took the name as inspiration for the winery, which they started on the site of a former Gladiola farm in 2007. Presqu’ile has since been named “One of the ten most beautiful wineries in California” by Condè Nast Traveler. We gathered on our last evening around a meal of sea urchin, wild Gulf shrimp with apricots, steak au poivre, and a sinfully rich dark chocolate mousse with toasted rosemary, at the French-inspired, Michelin-starred bistro Bell’s in Los Alamos. Our dinner companions were winemakers Will Henry from Lumen Wines and Angela Osborne from A Tribute to Grace Wine Company, as well as A.J. Fairbanks, estate director at Crown Point Vineyards in Santa Ynez. While the server poured Osborne’s 2023 Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard
Grenache, someone across the table asked her how she described this particular wine (the way it was asked made me think the questioner already knew the answer and just wanted the rest of the table to hear it). Osborne answered in her melodious New Zealand accent, “It’s like a woman riding bareback without shoes on, carrying an incense stick.” It was difficult for me to imagine one of the corporate types up in Napa casually dropping that description on one of their $200-a-bottle Cabernets. When I later spoke to Osborne about the challenging conditions in which the Highlands Grenache is grown, her enthusiasm for the site in the Cayuma Valley was clear. “It’s incredible. The vineyard is a mile high. There’s tumbleweed and coyotes and a shock of green. And there’s a 50-degree daily diurnal shift.” The diurnal shift is the temperature differential between the hottest part of the day and the coldest part of the night, and it is highly prized by those seeking to make bold, complex red wines like Grace’s Grenache. Osborne and Gasca, in particular, made a point of talking about the camaraderie and character of the winemaking community in Santa Barbara. In fact, everyone I met on my visit spoke warmly of their colleagues (and ostensible competitors) and stressed what a supportive place it was to work and live. It seemed the years they had collectively spent at the mercy of Mother Nature had engendered a common sense of humility as well as a deep-seated pride of place. The winemakers of Santa Barbara County are a cheerfully irreverent bunch who venerate the sea, sun, and soil that govern the annual fruit of their labors. This fosters an exceptional spirit of community—one that is even greater than the sum of the impressive, delicious wines they each produce. sl
Bibliotaph
Compiled by Victoria Chase Opens the door to twelve extraordinary residences tucked within the American Riviera’s most coveted neighborhoods. From grand estates and meticulously restored historic homes to contemporary retreats and secluded mountain sanctuaries, the beautifully photographed volume showcases the region’s distinctive architectural character and sophisticated interiors. Featuring insights from the architects, interior designers, landscape designers, and builders behind each project, along with behind-the-scenes stories from photographer Margie Grace Lepere, the book offers a rare look at the creative collaborations that shape these exceptional homes. A stunning companion to Private Gardens of Santa Barbara, it is an inspiring celebration of timeless design, craftsmanship, and the effortless elegance of Santa Barbara living. Holly Lepere - Private Homes of Santa Barbara: The Visionaries & Creators - Hardcover, 256 pages, Gibbs Smith This book uncorks the timeless lessons of the vineyard, showing how the art of winemaking mirrors the journey of personal growth, resilience, and transformation. Blending her passion for wine with candid stories of reinventing herself in midlife, Lauren Brynjelsen explores how every stage of the winemaking process— from cultivating the soil to harvesting the grapes—offers wisdom for living with greater purpose and intention. Complete with curated wine recommendations and vineyard destinations in every chapter, this inspiring guide is a perfect companion for wine lovers, book clubs, and anyone looking to embrace change and savor a more meaningful life. Lauren Brynjelsen - I Learned It Through The Grapevine: Wine, Wisdom, and the Art of a WellLived Life - Hardcover, 224 pages, Resolve Editions.
This richly illustrated biography follows Robert Lee Eskridge's extraordinary journey from the studios of Paris to the shores of Tahiti, Hawai'i, Brazil, and beyond, where he chronicled disappearing cultures through luminous paintings, evocative writing, and fearless exploration. Featuring hundreds of rare images, artworks, and archival discoveries, the book celebrates an artist whose curiosity knew no borders and whose legacy offers a captivating window into a world on the cusp of change. C.J. Cook - Robert Lee Eskridge: Affable Artist, Author, and Adventurer in Tahiti, Hawaii, Brazil, and Beyond Hardcover, 344 pages, South Pacific Dreams Publishing Paul Gauguin’s years in Tahiti (1891–1893, 1895–1901) left an indelible mark on modern art, while his bold, luminous paintings conjured the enduring fantasy of Tahiti as a distant, unspoiled Eden in the Western mind. This lavishly illustrated book invites readers into Gauguin’s world, following his passionate quest for paradise through vivid journeys, artistic breakthroughs, and a life as colorful as his canvases. With celebrated works, thoughtful analysis, timelines, and rich historical background, the volume paints a layered portrait of the artist whose imagination forever changed both modern art and the world’s vision of the South Pacific. Caroline Bugler - Art Masters: Paul Gauguin - Hardcover, 96 pages, Sirius Books slmag.net
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VINTAGE POINT Five wines to fall for
Written and photographed by Vicki Denig
Hi there, Sophisticated Living! My name is Vicki Denig, and I’m a wine and travel journalist (and Certified Specialist of Wine) based between New York and Paris. Within each issue, you’ll find five recent wine discoveries that have left me craving more—and if you also have a passion for delicious wines from around the globe, I think they’ll have the same effect on you, too! Feel free to follow along with my travel and tasting journeys on Instagram at @vickidenig or at vickidenig.com. Without further ado, check out this month’s five bottle selections.
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Filipa Pato ‘3B’ Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs NV (Bairrada, Portugal — SRP: $28.00) I genuinely believe there’s never a bad time for bubbles, especially if you happen to be on vacation. Over the summer, my family and I headed to Portugal for a family wedding. As someone who always tries to drink locally while abroad, I was thrilled to find this budget-friendly bottle from Filipa Pato on a restaurant list in Cascais. Produced from a biodynamically farmed blend of local grape varieties (70% Bical, 23% Maria Gomes, and 7% Cercial), the wine undergoes primary fermentation with native yeasts in tank prior to aging for 9 months on the lees in bottle. Crisp, refreshing, and slightly creamy, the wine’s notes of green apple, citrus zest, wild thyme, and sea salt paired perfectly with our bowls of linguine with fresh mussels. Punta Crena Vigneto Ca’ da Rena Pigato 2024 (Liguria, Italy — SRP: $30.00) If you find yourself regularly dreaming of Liguria’s colorful coastline, you’re definitely not alone—and this bottle from Punta Crena offers the perfect mental escape. Crafted from the local Pigato variety, fruit for this wine hails from a 2-hectare parcel of terraced vineyards planted between 300 and 900 feet above sea level, where bright red clay soils and salty sea air create a solid backbone of acidity in the grapes. Although lesser known, the Pigato variety is absolutely worth seeking out. Beloved for its signature flavors of grapefruit, dried sage, and Mediterranean scrub-like undertones, the grape offers a savory, equally satisfying alternative to Pinot Grigio and other Italian varieties. I recently enjoyed it with baked clams at my go-to Italian restaurant in New York. Give it a whirl and let me know what you think! Evening Land Vineyards 'Seven Springs Vineyard' Chenin Blanc 2023 (Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA — SRP: $35.00) Although most famously associated with France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc can certainly shine outside of France; enter this zippy, fruit-forward expression from Evening Land Vineyards. Fruit for this wine comes from Seven Springs Vineyard, one of the most iconic—if not the most iconic—sites in all of Oregon. Fleshy and round, the wine’s fuller body is balanced by ample amounts of lip-smacking acidity, resulting in a satisfying, invigorating finish. Notes of crisp pear, yellow apple, beeswax, and chamomile are layered with honey-driven undertones, which bring an innate warmth to the palate—one that screams early fall. Pair this with roasted root vegetables or pork chops for a seasonally delicious pairing. Fun fact: Only 48 cases of this wine were made, though it looks like you can still snag a few directly from the winery’s website. Le Grappin Hautes-Côtes de Beaune ‘Aux Grandes Raies’ 2023 (Burgundy, France — SRP: $45.00) Le Grappin is making waves across Burgundy thanks to their vivacious, fruit-forward wines made with minimal intervention. Overseen by Emma and Andrew Nielsen, two expats from England and Australia respectively, the pair centers their efforts on well-farmed, lesser-known vineyards across the region, including sites in the Mâconnais and Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. ‘Aux Grandes Raies’ is made entirely from Pinot Noir fermented with partial whole clusters and native yeasts, then aged in used, large-format oak barrels before bottling without fining or filtration. The result is a juicy, vibrantly hued wine with high-toned flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and floral undertones. Drink this one slightly chilled for maximum enjoyment—even better if you’ve got an early fall bonfire on deck. Luigi Ferrando ‘Etichetta Bianca’ Carema 2021 (Piedmont, Italy — SRP: $90.00) Followers of this column know that Nebbiolo is a regular fixture in my glass, so this recommendation should come as no surprise. However, contrary to the majority of Piedmontese Nebbiolos that come from Italy’s Langhe area (the overarching region that encompasses both Barolo and Barbaresco), this high-toned, wildly aromatic wine comes from the little-known appellation of Carema, which sits almost directly on the border with the Valle d’Aosta. Fruit for this wine comes from southernfacing, pergola-trained vines planted at the foot of Mont Blanc and is aged for an extensive 30 to 36 months before bottling. Medium-bodied and delicate, the wine offers generous notes of red cherry, violet, dried rose petal, and a touch of tar, with firm tannins and bright acidity leading to a long, persistent finish. Only 4,800 bottles of this precious wine make it to the States annually, so if you see one, be sure to grab it! sl
Vicki Denig is a wine / travel journalist based between New York and Paris. Her work regularly appears in various industry publications, including Decanter, Food & Wine, and WineSearcher. In addition to journalism, Vicki also works with a handful of wine-focused clients, including Paris Wine Company, High Road Wine & Spirits, and more. When not writing, she enjoys running, indoor cycling classes, petting dogs, and popping bottles on her rooftop with friends.
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Small in scale but big on personality, these statement-making pinky rings pledge to deliver outsized style
Compiled by Bridget Cottrell
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Dating back more than 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, signet rings were used to press a unique seal into wax or clay to authenticate official documents. They went on to be adopted by the Greeks and Romans and later by European nobility, who used them to express hereditary emblems often passed down through generations. Today, signet rings continue to evolve as a bold expression of personal style.
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1. Michael M Orb Stripe Signet Ring. Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Genesis Diamonds in Nashville, and michaelm.com 2. Ashaha Candy Ring (ashaha.com) 3. Alder Fine Jewellery Initial Ring (alderfinejewellery.com) 4. Lagos Pearl Statement Ring. Available through Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Schiffman’s Jewelers in Lexington, Diamond Cellar in Nashville and lagos.com. 5. Chris Ploof (chrisploof.com) 6. Marco Bicego Siviglia Ring. Available through Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Schiffman’s Jewelers in Lexington, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Diamond Cellar in Nashville, and Clarkson Jewelers and Simons Jewelers in St. Louis and marcobicego.com. 7. State Property Alara Tigerlilly Signet (thisisstateproperty.com) 8. Miraki Pavé Heart Signet Ring (mirakijewels.com) 9. Picchiotti RK57 Xpandable Ring (Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Clarkson Jewelers in St. Louis and (picchiotti.it)) 10. Ray Griffiths Crownwork Coin Signet (raygriffiths.com) 11. Statement My Way Ring (statement.paris/en) 12. Seal & Scribe Seal Ring (sealandscribe.com) 13. Nicole Couronne Equinox Ring (nicolecouronne.com) 14. MACADAM Quadra Open Enamel Ring (macadamjewelry.com)15. Ophelia Eve Starburst Ring (opheliaevejewelry.com)
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SAINT JOHN’S RESORT An unexpected partnership of a luxury hotel and life-changing humanitarianism Written by Tracy Cottrell. Photos courtesy of Saint John’s Resort One of my many pleasures when planning a trip is the delightful anticipation and preparation for all aspects of my getaway. Most travelers start by exploring the chosen accommodations and amenities, recommended or planned activities, unexpected options, and overall ambiance. Sophisticated adventurers are also looking for hospitable gourmet dining options, memorable cuisine accompanied by 52 slmag.net
unique cocktails, all supported by the epitome of excellent service. Preparations for my trip to Saint John’s Resort allowed me to easily check off all the above, enhancing my anticipation and growing curiosity about this unusual resort with the storied history and present-day humanitarian ambitions. The gated entrance and the resort’s internal roadway usher guests in,
showcasing the gently rolling hills and immaculately manicured grounds. I was immediately struck by the sheer size of Saint John’s Resort campus. Originally built as a seminary in the late 1940’s, the resort features a low-rise Romanesque style with a vibrant red brick facade and Mission-style terra cotta tile roofing. It is not a tall building, but broad, claiming the landscape and highlighting the
contrasting red brick against the vibrant green of the manicured grounds. The historic elegance of the resort and the 200-acre campus welcome guests with open arms, offering the best of the past and all the amenities of the present. My itinerary included enticing activities, but first on my own list was exploration of this unique resort. I was curious to understand how the resort
achieved its humanitarian ambitions. The answer is multifaceted. Ensuring e xc e l l e n c e i n a l l a s p e c t s o f g u e s t experience has been central to the success of Saint John’s Resort. Beyond the robust assortment of amenities, guest satisfaction starts with the resort itself and is achieved by operational focus and excellence. Equally important is successful, happy staff. These are not unique strategies in the hospitality industry. However, directing all net profits to worldwide humanitarian initiatives is exceptional. Saint John’s Resort is owned by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and is par t of its Humanitarian Hotels collection, which also includes The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island, Michigan, and Hilton Garden Inn Laramie in Wyoming. Through this philanthropic hospitality model, 100% of the hotels’ net profits support charitable causes worldwide. The foundation has invested more than $100 million across the three properties to create luxury hotels where hospitality serves as a force for good. In 2025, it awarded $10.1 million in grants to 221
nonprofit organizations serving nearly 10 million people across 33 countries. Ever yone connected with this outstanding hotel is delighted and eager to share their firm commitment to making the world a better place. The depth of their success across a range of humanitarian efforts is matched by their commitment to every aspect of the guest experience. This is just the beginning of the many qualities that make Saint John’s Resort truly unique. As I continued to investigate the dignified edifice of Saint John’s, I walked through the lushly carpeted corridors and open spaces; the intimacy of each area was unexpected and luxurious. The omnipresence of an eclectic collection of original artwork on permanent display contributes to the resort's pervasive beauty and reflective ambiance. There is no fanfare about any of the artists, allowing the artwork to speak for itself. Perusal of the collection could last for days but is perhaps more enjoyable in brief visits as guests travel from one part of the resort to the other. My attention was caught by multiple pieces, and I succumbed to the urge to stop and enjoy each one. slmag.net
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Clockwise from top left: Doyles Irish Pub. A carefully curated art collection is a focal point of the property’s massive, multimillion-dollar renovation. The Wine Grotto
Excellent gourmet options are around every corner. Five Steakhouse is directly across from reception and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu is sophisticated and the food superb. I particularly enjoyed the Good Morning Smoothies and the Mediterranean Seared Halibut. Doyles offers traditional Irish Pub food and leads enthusiastic games that turn guests into competitive teams, laser-
focused on the win. The Wine Grotto is famous for its wines, of course, but equally renowned for having been the resting place of a deceased Cardinal (religious, not aviary) during the seminary days. The body has since been relocated with all appropriate permissions, but the story makes for excellent cocktail fodder! The undeniable stars of the resort’s campus are the award-winning golf
courses, designed by renowned architect Raymond Hearn. I had the opportunity for a golf lesson while at Saint John’s and will admit I was not enthusiastic. My past attempts to develop any golf skills had been lackluster. The opportunity to try again at Saint John’s won me over. My lesson was a revelation, and I finally understood how enjoyable golf could be. My transformation was attributable solely to my excellent, supportive instructor. I enjoyed the experience immensely. On a tour led by a member of the hotel’s executive staff, details about Saint John’s history, renovations, and operations were shared with great enthusiasm, equaled by a clear dedication to the nonprofit mission. After experiencing the multifaceted Saint John’s Resort and the staff's profound dedication to the mission, the continued success of this unique resort seems inevitable. sl slmag.net
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DENIM ASCENDS TO HAUTE COUTURE
Christelle Kocher and Levi's® prove that America's iconic fabric belongs on Paris' most exclusive runway. Edited by Elliott Greene / Photos by Kayla Connors For more than 170 years, Levi's® has defined the language of American style. From miners and movie stars to musicians and modern tastemakers, the brand's denim has become one of fashion's most recognizable cultural symbols. This July, however, the legendary label took an unprecedented step, making its debut during Paris Haute Couture Week through a striking collaboration with French designer Christelle Kocher. The Christelle Kocher for Levi's® capsule marks a compelling intersection of two seemingly disparate worlds: the rugged authenticity of American denim and the meticulous artistry of French haute couture. The 10-look collection demonstrates that the world's most democratic fabric can also become one of its most luxurious. Kocher, celebrated for her signature Couture-à-Porter philosophy and her role as Artistic Director of Maison Lemarié— one of France's storied couture ateliers—approached the project not as a reinvention of denim, but as an exploration of its untapped potential. Working alongside Levi's® designers and textile innovators, she transformed familiar icons, including the legendary 501® jeans and the classic Type II Jacket, into coutureworthy statements through extraordinary handcraftsmanship. The collection is a masterclass in textile manipulation. Featherwork, hand embroidery, sculptural draping, intricate plissé techniques, floral fabric constructions, leather embroidery, lace applications, and resin-coated denim combine to create garments that blur the line between ready-to-wear and wearable art. Rather than concealing denim's inherent character, these techniques celebrate its texture while revealing new dimensions of softness, movement, and refinement. Among the collection's standout pieces are dramatic black denim gowns that flow with unexpected elegance, sculptural feather capes that create ethereal movement, and layered plissé bustiers resembling abstract floral arrangements. One particularly arresting
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ensemble—a full feather gown paired with a coordinating cape—combines denim, lace, resin, and featherwork into shimmering surfaces reminiscent of fish scales, illustrating just how far the humble textile can be pushed without losing its identity. Accessories continue the narrative, with the Levi's® Baby Brooklyn Bag reimagined as a couture accessory and dramatic feather headpieces adding theatricality to the collection's silhouettes. Together, they reinforce Kocher's vision that craftsmanship extends beyond garments to every element of a complete look. For Kocher, the collaboration is deeply personal. "It was a privilege to bring these two teams together and see this collection come to life," she says. "This capsule reflects my life between the United States and France, two countries that fuel my creative energy." That transatlantic dialogue lies at the heart of the project. American denim serves as the foundation, while generations of French artisanal expertise elevate the material through painstaking handwork. The result is neither American sportswear nor traditional couture, but an entirely new conversation between the two.
Levi's® sees the partnership as a milestone in the brand's ongoing evolution. "Bringing Levi's to Paris Haute Couture for the first time is a major moment for us," says Mathilde Vaucheret, Vice President of Europe Marketing & Brand Experience. "With over a century of history behind the brand, partnering with Christelle Kocher felt like a natural fit. She brings a distinctly Parisian perspective with a modern edge that complements our denim heritage. Her Couture-à-Porter vision is the perfect way to elevate the craftsmanship of denim." Presented during Haute Couture Week, the capsule represents far more than a fashion collaboration. It challenges long-held assumptions about denim's place within luxury fashion, proving that craftsmanship—not material alone—defines couture. The collection also signals Levi's® expanding role beyond everyday apparel, positioning the brand within the worlds of performance, red carpet dressing, and cultural expression. At a moment when luxury i n c re a s i n g l y va l u e s a u t h e n t i c i t y alongside artistry, Christelle Kocher and Levi's® have created a collection that honors both. By allowing American denim to speak fluently i n t h e l a n g u a g e o f Pa r i s i a n couture, they demonstrate that innovation often comes not from abandoning tradition, but from viewing it through an entirely new lens. sl Designer Christelle Kocher
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Opposite page: Hotel Excelsior boasts 139 rooms and 19 luxury suites divided between Villa Odak, the original sand-colored villa, and a mid-century modern tower. Adriatic Luxury Hotels’ five-star properties design modern, seasonal menus that feature dedicated vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes across their fine-dining and beachfront restaurants. Vegan dessert from Sensus at Hotel Excelsior. Bathed in golden light, Dubrovnik’s historic rooftops frame the elegant bell tower of the Dominican Monastery, with the formidable walls of Fort Revelin rising above the Adriatic—a timeless portrait of the city’s layered architectural legacy. Photo by Marko Todorovic. This page, bottom: Starting at sunrise, a steady procession of kayakers glides out from the Old Town port, weaving their way between Hotel Excelsior and Lokrum Island.
THE EXCELSIOR EXPERIENCE
At Dubrovnik’s iconic Hotel Excelsior, restorative rituals, Adriatic flavors, and timeless design redefine the luxury of checking in. Written by Bridget Cottrell
In all my years of traveling, it never occurred to me to book a spa appointment on the day of my arrival when it falls well before standard check-in time. That was until it was recommended to me during my visit to Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Although I was still bleary-eyed from an early morning touchdown, stepping into the glass-walled lobby, outfitted with iconic midcentury modern furnishings, and taking in the elevated view of the Adriatic and the Old Town of Dubrovnik had the same effect on me as a double shot of espresso. I left my luggage with the valet and headed straight to the hotel’s 9,000-squarefoot spa and wellness area. There, I slipped into a plush robe and settled into a heated deck chair amid this piscine palace, complete with a 65-foot-long pool, Jacuzzis, a Roman bath, and a Finnish sauna. The soothing sound of bubbling fountains shepherded my speedy slide into a restful catnap before a delightfully restorative massage, instantly establishing a new favorite travel hack for eradicating jet lag and getting in sync with the local time zone. Built in 1913 on a promontory that endows it with beguiling views of the medieval walls surrounding Dubrovnik’s Old Town—instantly recognizable to Game of Thrones fans as King’s Landing—the five-star Hotel Excelsior, part of the Adriatic Luxury Hotels group (ALH), boasts 139 rooms and 19 luxury suites divided between Villa Odak, the original sand-colored villa, and a midcentury modern tower. Rooms in Villa Odak deftly toe the line between traditional and modern, with box-trimmed walls and marble bathrooms, while the tower rooms, like the public areas, embrace Bauhaus design with clean lines, warm wood tones, and a neutral color palette. Most accommodations offer sea and city views from a balcony or terrace. slmag.net
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Any time I stood on the balcony of my spacious tower room, I found myself transfixed by the scene. Below, a linear arrangement of striped umbrellas at the water’s edge sported a shade of teal discernible among the mosaic colors of the Adriatic. Children splashed in the hotel’s natural seawater outdoor rock pool, carved directly into the limestone cliff and replenished by the sea. Starting at sunrise, a steady stream of kayakers set out from the Old Town port at sunrise and travel between the hotel and Lokrum Island (lokrum.hr/en). The lush, carfree nature reserve and botanical garden is home to the ruins of an 11th-century monastery, an ostentation of roaming peacocks, and an official naturist beach on its southeastern edge. Every summer, all-electric hydrofoil RaceBirds go headto-head along this same stretch of water as part of the E1 Dubrovnik GP (e1series. com/Dubrovnik), the world’s first allelectric raceboat championship. Just steps from the water, Prora Restaurant occupies an intimate alfresco terrace, where tables are nestled beneath towering limestone arches that frame the view. Overhead, unique chandeliers made from r uste d mariners’ cha ins allude to a menu highlighting the best of Mediterranean cuisine, with seafoodfor ward offering s created under the direction of Executive Chef Peter Obad, a native of nearby Konavle. Common across ALH’s collection of Croatian hotels and villas is a strong
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commitment to showcasing local cuisine, olive oil—consistently ranked among the best in the world—and wine. Oenophiles will enjoy discovering new varietals, including the comic-sounding Grk, an extremely rare indigenous white grape that yields dry, robust wines with notes of melon, herbs, and white pepper. During dinner at Hotel Excelsior’s sleek Sensus fine-dining restaurant, I paired Dalmatian pašticada, Croatia’s famous slow-cooked beef stew, with a glass of Plavac Mali, the undisputed king of Dalmatian red wines. At Hotel Kompas’ Suton restaurant (adriaticluxuryhotels. com/hotel-kompa s- dubrovnik), we shared small plates of Dalmatian spe cialties while our ser ver poure d Malvazija Istarska, the flagship white grape of the Istrian peninsula. “It’s like tasting Dubrovnik,” she remarked. One of Hotel Excelsior’s greatest advantages is its location: a five-minute downhill stroll to the Ploče Gate of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Anyone who has spent time traveling through Europe
is familiar with the prevalence of graffiti. Dubrovnik, by contrast, is notable for being exceptionally clean—so much so that exploring the Old Town, whose origins date to the seventh century and whose defensive walls were largely constructed between the 13th and 17th centuries, feels like stepping onto a film set. In addition to Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and Robin Hood (2018) used the historic city as a backdrop. Sadly, the city’s pristine appearance is partly attributable to tragedy. The brutal seven-month siege by the Yugoslav People’s Army in 1991 left more than 60 percent of the buildings within the UNESCO World Heritage Site damaged. To get a bird’s-eye view of the area, you can either take the easy way—the Dubrovnik Cable Car (dubrovnikcablecar.com), located just outside the Old Town, makes for a quick ascent to the summit of Mount Srđ and its 19th-century imperial fortress—or, as I did, hike a zigzagging 3.4-mile out-and-back trail. While the route gains nearly 1,000 feet in elevation, the most challenging part was the
Opposite page: The beachfront at Hotel Excelsior. The indoor pool at Hotel Excelsior. Photos by Bridget Cottrell. Clockwise from top left: The Piano Bar at Hotel Excelsior. Photo by Marko Todorovic. Common across the Adriatic Luxury Hotel porfolio is a commitment to highlighting Croatian cuisine and wine. With more than 5,400 stone steps, stairs are ubiquitous in Dubrovnik, and any street branching off the main thoroughfare quickly turns into a steep climb. Known as Dubrovnik’s "oldest citizens", stray cats are legendary residents within the ancient walls. Brought in the 13th century to combat plague-carrying rats, they now roam the alleys and sunbathe on stone steps as iconic, unbothered felines. Photos by Bridget Cottrell.
seemingly endless series of stairs required to exit Old Town and reach the trailhead. With more than 5,400 stone steps, stairs are ubiquitous in Dubrovnik, and any street branching off the main thoroughfare quickly turns into a steep climb. Similarly, walking the entire 1.2mile loop atop the Old Town’s walls (citywallsdubrovnik.hr) entails plenty of steep, narrow steps but rewards the effort with picturesque vistas and several bars worthy of a pit stop. Don’t miss popping into a bakery for a burek, a flaky pastry made with crisp layers of phyllo dough
stuffed with savory fillings such as minced meat, cheese, or potatoes. For those who count shopping as their cardio, leave the central boulevard and wander through the narrow lanes to discover boutiques offering handmade filigree jewelry, hand-braided Adriatic coral jewelr y, and intricate Konavle embroider y. The latter, traditionally stitched onto women’s folk costumes, is celebrated in the nearby village of Čilipi, which hosts a traditional folk-dance experience every Sunday morning from Easter through the end of October in the
square in front of St. Nicholas Church (visit.cavtat-konavle.com/en). While Dubrovnik’s coastal location made it the premier maritime power of the eastern Adriatic for centuries, today it provides leisure travelers with ample opportunities for aquatic exploration. The concierge at Hotel Excelsior can arrange a yacht charter to explore the nearby Elafiti Islands, where you can bob in the Blue Cave on Koločep Island, relax in the sandy bay of Lopud, and enjoy a seafood lunch on Šipan, one of just three inhabited islands in the 13-island archipelago. slmag.net
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Clockwise from top left: Each room at Hotel Supetar Cavtat is unique in its design. Photo by Marko Todorovic The Wine Bar at Hotel Supetar Cavtat. Photo by Bridget Cottrell. Supetar Cavtat is located on the waterfront in the charming village of Cavtat, just over 13 miles from Dubrovnik. Photo by Marko Todorovic. Vapor Restaurant terrace at Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik. Photo by Marko Todorovic
You can also travel by boat to Hotel Supetar Cavtat (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/ hotel-supetar-dubrovnik-cavtat), ALH’s 16-room “boutique villa,” housed in a threestory former private mansion 13 miles from Dubrovnik in the charming seaside town of Cavtat. The nondescript stone façade, built atop the remnants of the ancient city of Epidaurum, belies the playful, art-infused interiors, where each room is unique. The property was awarded one MICHELIN Key in 2025. Scuba divers should note that the surrounding waters are home to one of Croatia’s most notable underwater archaeolog ical areas, with numerous shipwrecks to explore. Another ALH property, the fourbedroom Villa Agave (adriaticluxuryhotels. com/villa-agave), is situated between Hotel Excelsior and Villas Orsula and Argentina. The 96-room Villa Argentina (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/villa-argentinadubrovnik), one of Dubrovnik’s original f i ve - sta r l a n d ma rk h o te l s , re c entl y reopened after a multiyear renovation. Around 14,000 plants, predominantly Mediterranean species, create a verdant oasis on the Garden Terrace, uniting the communal spaces from Villa Argentina’s pool deck to the boutique 13-room Villa Orsula (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/villaorsula), originally built in the 1930s. Like its neighbor Hotel Excelsior, Villa Argentina’s spa is designed as a wellness sanctuar y, with indoor and outdoor pools, comprehensive thermal therapies, a 62 slmag.net
state-of-the-art fitness center, and highly personalized treatments. Dramatically carved into a rugged 100-foot cliff above Miramare Bay, less than a mile from the Old Town, ALH’s Hotel Bellevue (adriaticluxuryhotels.com/hotelbellevue-dubrovnik) is home to Vapor restaurant, consistently ranked among the best restaurants in Croatia. The terrace, which overlooks a pebbled beach, lends the feeling of dining aboard a luxury yacht, while the tasting menu, under the direction of Chef Mate Matić, layers fine-dining techniques and global influences onto classic regional ingredients and dishes.
One evening , I gazed out from my balcony as the Old Town basked in the golden glow of sunset, the limestone walls glowing with the energy of centuries past. My thoughts wandered to the medieval builders, imagining their astonishment at the sight of mega yachts moored like modern-day invaders outside the ramparts the y once built to defend. Now, the drawbridges are lowered, and the imposing gates are beacons of welcome, inviting a lively tide of tourists, each one irresistibly drawn like bees to honey. Staying at Hotel Excelsior made this visit to the “Pearl of the Adriatic” even sweeter. sl
A VENETIAN REVERIE Artemest brings Italian craftsmanship to life during Homo Faber in Città 2026 Edited by Elliott Greene Photos courtesy of Artemest
Few cities embody craf tsmanship as completely as Venice. Its canals, palazzi, and handblown Murano glass all reflect a culture where artistry has long been a way of life. This September, that legacy finds a striking new expression with Ca' Riflesso, Artemest's immersive installation transforming a historic Venetian residence into an exquisitely imagined collector's home as part of Homo Faber in Città 2026 (homofaber.com/en), the internationally acclaimed celebration of contemporary craftsmanship organized by the Michelangelo Foundation. Ca' Riflesso embraces this year's emphasis on light, materials, and the human hand. Visitors exploring Venice during the month-long festival will discover exhibitions and artisan experiences throughout the city, with Artemest's installation among the most immersive destinations. Under the creative direction of Artemest co-founder Ippolita Rostagno, the installation inside Casa Sanlorenzo in Venice's Dorsoduro district embraces the quiet poetry of everyday living. Rather than presenting objects in the familiar format of a gallery exhibition, Artemest invites visitors into an experience that feels intimate and deeply personal. The
exhibition unfolds room by room, where crafted furnishings, lighting, decorative objects, textiles, and works of art appear as though they have been thoughtfully acquired over a lifetime. The effect of this living narrative is cinematic, allowing guests to imagine inhabiting these extraordinary design vignettes. The exhibition’s name reflects the spirit of the project. Derived from the Venetian word Ca', meaning "home," and the Italian Riflesso, meaning "reflection," Ca' Riflesso explores the dialogue between memory and modernity, craftsmanship and innovation. In each room of the restored late-1940s residence, reimagined by architect Piero Lissoni, Venice's ever-changing light illuminates handcrafted surfaces, reinforcing the central theme that exceptional craftsmanship is meant to be lived with rather than merely admired. More than fifty Italian artisans and celebrated brands are contributors to the installation, representing disciplines ranging from Murano glass and sculptural lighting to bespoke furniture, ceramics, textiles, and decorative arts. Together, their body of work forms a layered portrait of Venice's creative heritage while showing how traditional techniques continue to evolve through
Clockwise from top left: Contemporary glass artisan Simone Crestani of Atelier Crestani. Micheluzzi Glass is designed by Elena & Margherita Micheluzzi and handcrafted in Murano. Founded in 1957 near Venice, Argenteria Schiavon produces works where classic motifs and modern designs are created by master silversmiths using age-old artistic techniques. Photo by Andrea Piovesan.
contemporary design. Historic Rubelli fabrics, long synonymous with Venetian luxury textiles, provide the exhibition's drapery. Open to the public from September 1–30, 2026, Ca' Riflesso promises to be one of the standout design experiences of Venice's cultural calendar, offering visitors an opportunity to step inside a world where the artistry of Italy is beautifully lived. sl slmag.net
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Hook
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Bold curves, natural beauty, and sculptural style converge in jewelry that's impossible to resist.
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Compiled by Bridget Cottrell 1. 2.
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Carolina Bucci Florentine Finish Corno Pendant (carolinabucci.com) David Yurman Cornicello Amulet. Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers and Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Schiffman’s Jewelers in Lexington, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Diamond Cellar in Nashville, Clarkson Jewelers in St. Louis, and davidyurman.com. Hermes Maillon Necklace in Metal and Horn (hermes.com) Jacquie Aiche Pave Horn Tusk Charm (jacquieaiche.com) Zadeh Buffalo Horn Rio Bracelet (zadehny.com) Chan Luu Oasis Horn Ring (chanluu.com) Lizzie Fortunato Milano Horn Necklace (lizziefortunato.com) Harwell Godfrey Unicorn Drop Huggie Earrings (harwellgodfrey.com)
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Mid-20th c French sunburst mirror
Through the Looking Glass
ANTIQUE MIRRORS
Written and photographed by Kim Hites, proprietor of Kim Hites Antiques in the Thoroughbred Antique Gallery
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most sophisticated of them all? The mirror is one of the most important elements when designing interior spaces. We can’t even imagine existing in spaces without mirrors. The history of creating “reflection” with glass is quite fascinating. The plate glass mirror emerged in 16th-century Venice, where glassmakers perfected the technique of coating flat panes of glass with a tin-mercury amalgam. They quickly became highly coveted luxury items among European royalty and nobility. Plate glass mirrors originated in 17th-century France, when King Louis XIV lured Venetian glassworkers to Paris to break the monopoly and uncover the secrets of the craft. French glassmakers developed an innovative technique of casting molten glass on a flat iron table, thus allowing for the creation of huge, flawless panes of plate glass. This technology culminated in the construction of the famous Hall of Mirrors at the palace of Versailles in 1682. The 19th century saw the chemical revolution when, in 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig invented the silvering 66 slmag.net
process, which coated glass with a thin layer of silver using silver nitrate. This allowed for mass industrial production and replaced the highly toxic mercury glass. Historically, mirrors fell into these categories: • Pier mirrors (17th c Europe): Tall, slender “pier glasses” designed to hang on narrow wall spaces and built to bounce daylight and candlelight around dark rooms. • Table mirrors (Late 17th c): Also called dressing or vanity mirrors, they were smaller, portable-looking glasses placed on chests or lowboys for grooming and featuring pivoting stands. • Regency convex mirrors (1811-1820): Circular, outwardly curved glass housed in round frames with fluted or beaded decoration, often with a signature detail of a carved spread eagle at the very top. They were originally designed so butlers could survey an entire dining room without moving. • Girandoles (17th c France): A type of round wall mirror with attached candle arms on either side, which helped highlight the reflection.
Stylistically, some of the most sought-after and widely used variations in mirror frame decoration emerged with changing furniture styles and periods. • Rococo (1730-1770): Curvy and fluid in nature, frames are carved from gesso on wood and gilded with sweeping scrolls and motifs inspired by nature. • Neoclassical/Louis XVI (1774-1792): This style embraces crisp geometry, straight lines, and symmetry, featuring architectural motifs and medallions. • George II/Chippendale (1750-1785): These were heavily influenced by English, Chinese, and Gothic motifs, often featuring highly pierced or fretwork designs with elaborate carved-wood frames. • Sunburst: With design roots in the Middle Ages and Versailles, it became identified with Louis XIV, popularly known as the “Sun-King” in the 17th century. • Trumeau: Originating in 18th-century France, they feature a rectangular glass plate paired with an upper carved or painted panel. They were built to reflect candlelight between windows or above a mantel.
French Louis XVI mirror 19th c English convex butler’s mirror
19th c Swedish painted trumeau mirror with original 2-part glass
• Louis Philippe (1830-1848): These originated during the reign of Louis Philippe in France and are characterized by rounded top corners and square bottom corners. Being simple in design, they often have subtle geometric or floral patterns etched into their gold- or silverleaf-finished frames.
19th Danish Neoclassical burled walnut mirror
19th c English round mirror
Antique mirrors remain popular in interior design and are sought after by discerning collectors. They offer character and a distinctive depth to wall décor. Valued for their craftsmanship and uniqueness, antique mirrors provide timeless sophistication, offering beauty and functionality in today’s contemporary homes. sl slmag.net
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STILL AT THE TABLE Forty-five years after opening Dudley’s, restaurateur Debbie Long reflects on taking chances, weathering change and creating a Lexington institution. Written by Bridget Cottrell Photo by Erica Sharp
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The year was 1981. Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. MTV launched. Dudley’s restaurant opened. Charles and Diana lasted 15 years; MTV no longer plays music videos; but Dudley’s, under the capable direction of owner Debbie Long, is still thriving. A Louisville native, Debbie turned what she’d planned to be a short stint in Colorado into eight years, working in restaurants the entire time because, as she puts it, “that’s what you did.” While it was a great life, she had a nagging notion that she needed to get a “real” job. She pursued her real estate license, but before hard launching that career, she had an “aha!” moment. “I realized that, in the restaurant industry, I was always happy to come in to work.” Pursuing that passion led her to Lexington and an opportunity in the new Dudley’s Square development at South Mill and Maxwell streets. She invited friend and seasoned restaurateur John Shea to take a look with her. “It was just a shell of a space, and John took out a legal pad and wrote a list of things we’d need from the developer in order for us to open,” Debbie recalled. “I was thinking, ‘No way,’ but they agreed to everything, so we found ourselves in business.” In those days, Debbie recalls Lexington having a small but “very cool” restaurant scene. She’d tell people that Dudley’s was the “first restaurant you come to when you take a left out of Keeneland.” As a result, the horse lover and equestrienne says they drew a significant clientele from the Thoroughbred industry, with lunch service often outpacing dinner. Saying she experiences a significant life shakeup about every decade, Debbie eventually decided to buy John out of the business. It was a move made more to challenge herself than as part of a long-range plan, which she generally avoids making for fear of disappointment. Then, amid the Great Recession of 2009, Dudley’s lost its lease. Scouring the city for a new home, she homed in on the former Northern Bank Building, built in 1889. Eight-foot ceilings, dark, cubicle-lined corridors and a total lack of character greeted Debbie on her first visit. As an independent female restaurateur, she found bankers weren’t exactly lining up to offer her a loan. She enlisted four investors to help purchase the building but still needed funding renovations. “Luther Deaton at Central Bank saved the day,” said Debbie, recalling his proposal for a hybrid bank and SBA loan to get the job done. Debbie called on interior designer—and next-door neighbor— Matthew Carter to lend his discerning eye to the interiors. Over the course of five months, they stripped away decades of patchwork modifications made as the building’s use changed over the years. Matthew’s impeccable design sense, coupled with Debbie’s practical knowledge of how an ideal restaurant should flow and function, resulted in a venue that has become a hallmark of approachably upscale dining in Lexington. One of Debbie’s favorite spaces is Dudley’s intimate rooftop. Enveloped by a profusion of potted plants laid out by Jon Carloftis and offering peeks at the neighboring historic buildings, it’s a peak alfresco dining experience in the heart of downtown.
The horse racing industry remains an important segment of Dudley’s clientele. Debbie says she knew she’d “made it” when, walking into the lobby of a hotel near the Deauville-La Touques racetrack in Deauville, France, she spotted a longtime European customer wearing a Dudley’s polo she’d given him as a thank-you for his loyalty over the years. Way back in 2010, Sophisticated Living published a feature on Dudley’s shortly after it reopened, which read in part: Looking fresh faced and fashion forward, Debbie Long buzzes from table to table in the dining room of her four-month-old establishment and chats up customers with the familiar ease of a seasoned restaurant veteran. Watching her work, it’s not hard to imagine the secret of her success: sweat equity. Proprietress of Dudley’s on Short, a reincarnation of the original Dudley’s Restaurant that operated in historic Dudley’s Square as a beloved fixture on the Lexington dining scene for 28 years, Debbie’s enthusiasm for her enviable new location at Cheapside Park is absolutely infectious. Debbie remains remarkably upbeat for someone who has spent more than five decades in an industry that can easily beat you down. In an era when every voice has a platform via social media, there’s little room for error. Debbie reads it all and takes a pragmatic approach to correcting course when warranted. “The thing in this business is that you’re only as good as your last meal, so you can’t even rest on your laurels,” she explained. As a front-of-house person, Debbie firmly believes bad service can ruin a good meal and works hard to impress that philosophy upon her staff. “Over all these years, there’s been a consistency to who we are and what we do,” she said. With more than 55 employees, Debbie remains a fixture at Dudley’s, putting out fires and holding weekly meetings with her management teams. Saying she has an “old-school” way of running the business, she never bemoans the hours she’s put in because they’ve allowed her to meet people that she now counts among her closest friends. And it’s the people who keep her in the game. “Every time I think I’m done, someone will tell me how they celebrated a milestone here, and being part of people’s special memories draws me right back in.” Looking back on a 45-year career, Debbie readily admits she’s glad she didn’t know then what she knows now. “There’s something beautiful about being a little in the dark…still open and not jaded and working really hard to figure it out,” she mused. A lot has changed since 1981. Lexington has grown from the “small but very cool” restaurant scene Debbie remembers into a bona fide culinary destination. Through it all, Dudley’s has endured—not by chasing trends, but by evolving without losing sight of what brought people through the door in the first place. Forty-five years later, Debbie is still showing up, still figuring it out and, most importantly, still happy to come in to work. Perhaps that’s been the secret recipe all along. sl slmag.net
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GATHERED Seldon Bybee Pottery Jon Carloftis on the things we collect, the people we gather, and the art of living well.
Anyone who knows me knows I am a collector. I collect things because I love them, not because someone tells me I should. And, most importantly, I use and enjoy my collections every single day. Nothing at Botherum is waiting around for a museum curator to arrive with white gloves. If I have something beautiful, I want to see it, live with it and enjoy it. That is certainly the case with my collection of Seldon Bybee pottery. There is something earthy, honest, and wonderfully handmade about it. Once I learned its history by going straight to my books and, of course, “the Google,” that was it. I was hooked. Kentucky has a rich pottery tradition, particularly around Bybee in Madison County, where generations of potters took advantage of the region’s clay and turned everyday objects into something much more enduring. Early Bybee and Cornelison pottery from the 1920s and ‘30s survives in those wonderful moss greens, blues, browns, and other distinctive glazes collectors still seek today. Auction records continue to turn 72 slmag.net
up pieces attributed to this Kentucky pottery tradition, including Seldon Bybee examples dated to 1927. The S eldon Bybe e potter y that especially interests me dates from that brief 1922–27 period. And isn’t that part of what makes collecting so fascinating? We’re talking about objects made roughly a century ago over a relatively short period, yet they’re still out there. Every so often, one appears in an antique shop, an estate sale or an auction, just waiting for someone who recognizes it.
These aren’t precious little objects that demand their own spotlight. They’re substantial and sculptural, with wonderful shapes and glazes that give them enormous presence. You’ll find handled vessels, jars, vases and other forms, and the variations are part of their charm. A surviving 1927 Seldon Bybee cobalt-blue jar, for example, has appeared at auction, while other examples include three-handled vessels and pieces in rich green and even unusual uranium glazes.
One of the things I love most about Seldon Bybee pottery is that it refuses to belong to any particular decorating style. Put a piece on an 18th-century Kentucky sideboard, and it looks right at home. Put another on a sleek contemporary table, and suddenly it becomes sculpture. Mix it with silver, old books, paintings, baskets, flowers, or a fabulous piece of modern art, and it holds its own. At Botherum, I have Seldon Bybee pottery displayed in several rooms rather
than grouped together. I like things scattered throughout a house. Moving from room to room, you encounter them almost as old friends. One piece might be tucked among books, another sitting on a table, and another anchoring a grouping of objects I’ve gathered over the years. Sometimes they hold flowers. Sometimes they don’t need anything whatsoever. That is also how I believe you should live with antiques. Somewhere along the way, people got the idea that collecting means
putting things behind glass and worrying about them. I couldn’t disagree more. The wonderful thing about old objects is that they have already lived a life before they came to us. Someone made them. Someone bought them. Someone used them. Someone cared enough to keep them. And, if we’re lucky, they eventually find their way into our hands, and we’re caretakers for a while. I think that’s why they work so beautifully at Botherum. This house has seen a lot since it was built in the 1850s, and I never wanted it to feel frozen in one moment in time. It is layered with things I love, such as inherited pieces, Kentucky antiques, art, objects picked up while traveling, family treasures, and things that caught my eye. The Seldon Bybee pieces slip naturally into that mix. The good news for anyone whose collecting instinct I’ve just awakened is that these pieces can still be found. Seldon Bybee continues to surface in Kentucky antique auctions and estate sales, sometimes alongside other important examples of regional pottery. That’s half the fun. Keep your eyes open when you’re antiquing. Look underneath. Learn the shapes, glazes, and markings. Ask questions. Do your homework. Never undervalue the dusty object sitting on the bottom shelf in the back corner of an antique store. With that said, don’t buy a piece simply because somebody says it’s collectible. Buy it because you can’t stop looking at it. Buy it because the color makes you happy. Buy it because you know exactly where you want to put it before you’ve even paid for it. That’s how every collection should begin. A century after these pots were made, Seldon Bybee’s work still feels honest, handsome, and completely at home— especially here in Kentucky. And I intend to keep enjoying mine every single day. sl slmag.net
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The Lexington Edit
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1) Juliska Country Estate Harvest Tray ($88) Available from LV Harkness (lvharkness.com) 2) Bella Rose Caro Midi Dress ($695; bellarosestyle.com) 3) BDK Parfums Impadia Eau de Parfum ($290; us.bdkparfums.com) 4) Cimento Wines’ limited-edition 2022 Cimentare Malbec Magnum with custom bottle bag by Pendleton Woolen Mills ($500; cimentowines.com) 5) Sweet Turns Finn Scarf ($75; sweetturns.net) 6) Sand Ginette Pointy Tweed Blazer. Available from Carl Meyers ($650; carlmeyers.com) 7) House of Dagmar Asymmetric Shirt in Antique Cream ($430; houseofdagmar.com) 8) Classic Trolley Bag from Pineider ($2,500; pineider.com) 9) Taamaa Tesoro Watch Box ($195; taamaa.us) 10) Noah Angus Sunglasses ($288; noahny.com)
Sergio Soldano F/W 2026-2027 (@ sergiosoldano.official)
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph 007 First Light ($10,000). Available through Schiffman’s Jewelers (schiffmans.com)
Santa Maria Novella’s Melograno in Scented Terracotta ($95) is handcrafted in the shape of a pomegranate and infused with the house’s Melograno fragrance (us.smnovella.com)
Pomegranate Cactus Flower Placement ($68/4; pomegranateinc.com)
Nia Light Brandy Tall Boot from Fiabesca Luxury Shoe Boutique ($441; fiabescashoes.com)
Marc Cross Romy Clutch ($1,890; markcross.com)
Flamingo Estate Candle. Available through France M ($64; @shopfrancesm)
Patou Butterfly Sleeve Midi Dress in Marginalia Print ($1,500; patou.com)
Chan Luu Tulip Feather Lapel Pin ($490; chanluu.com)
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112 Clay Ave. Lexington, KY 40502 859-255-3188 peggysgifts.com
UNDER THE HAMMER & INTO HISTORY
One of Kentucky horse country’s most iconic estates becomes the unprecedented final lot of the 2026 Keeneland Championship Sale. Castleton photos courtesy of Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty
In Kentucky, a great horse farm is never simply a collection of acreage, barns and fences. It is a repository of drive and achievement, its past written in pedigrees, stone walls and the hoofprints of champions. Few places embody that idea quite like Castleton. On October 28, as the international Thoroughbred community descends on Lexington for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland, the historic 951-acre estate will enter an extraordinary new era. For the first time, the Keeneland Championship Sale, an official Breeders’ Cup event, will be held in Central Kentucky, taking place at Castleton and culminating with the offering of the farm itself as the evening’s final lot. 80 slmag.net
It is an unprecedented pairing of two icons of Kentucky’s horse country. M a r k e t e d b y B l u e g r a s s S o t h e b y’s International Realty and sold by Keeneland’s auction team, Castleton represents the first real estate offering in Keeneland sales history. “Every year, we ask ourselves how we can push the Championship Sale forward, giving our guests an unforgettable event and buyers something they can’t find anywhere else,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We are excited to work alongside Sotheby’s on this once-in-ageneration offering.” For prospective buyers, that offering extends far beyond an exceptional piece of real estate. Castleton is a working piece of
Kentucky history—land that has produced Derby winners, world champions and generations of equine excellence while passing through the hands of some of the sport’s most influential figures. “Castleton is one of the most significant properties to come to market in recent memory,” said Riley Kirn of Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty. Situated in Lexington’s historic Iron Works corridor, Castleton encompasses 951 rolling acres distinguished by miles of limestone fencing, tree-lined drives, historic barns, ornate gates and a covered bridge. An 1840 Greek Revival mansion presides over the estate, while its instantly recognizable Irish stone round tower has become an architectural
hallmark of the Bluegrass. Widely regarded as one of the region’s most photographed farms, Castleton even had a star turn on the silver screen in the 2005 Disney film Dreamer. T h e b e a u t y, h o w e v e r, i s o n l y part of Castleton’s appeal. Its history stretches back more than 230 years and encompasses an extraordinary distinction: the farm has been home to champions in Thoroughbred racing, Standardbred
harness racing, and the American Saddlebred show world. Founded in 1793 by John Breckenridge, who would go on to serve as a U.S. Senator and Attorney General under President Thomas Jefferson, the property was originally known as Cabell’s Dale. The Castleton name arrived in the early 19th century, when Breckenridge’s daughter, Mary Ann, inherited the property and married David Castleman. The couple built the Greek
Revival mansion in 1840, which remains the centerpiece of the estate today. By the late 1800s, Castleton had entered one of the most celebrated chapters in American Thoroughbred history under financier and racing leader James R. Keene. His stewardship transformed the property into one of the country’s premier breeding farms, associated with such influential names as Domino, Colin, Ben Brush, Peter Pan, Kingston, Sysonby and Sweep. slmag.net
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Each generation of ownership has contributed to Castleton’s storied legacy. After David Look acquired the farm in 1911, Castleton turned its attention more intently to Standardbreds, and he added the limestone fencing that remains a defining feature of the property. In 1945, automotive heiress Frances Dodge purchased the farm and, with husband Frederick Van Lennep, built Castleton into a stronghold of Standardbred and Saddlebred breeding and competition. Among the horses associated with their tenure was Wing Commander, the sixtime World Grand Champion regarded as one of the greatest five-gaited American Saddlebreds of all time.
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Thoroughbreds returned to the f o re f ro n t i n 2 0 0 1 , w h e n a v i a t i o n pioneer and Ryanair founder Dr. Tony Ryan acquired the farm and renamed it Castleton Lyons. Among the standouts of this modern era was Gio Ponti, the threetime Eclipse Award winner whose career earnings exceeded $6 million. The Ryan family has served as Castleton’s steward for a quarter century, writing their own chapter of a story that has survived changes in ownership, disciplines and generations. “We have been blessed to be part of Castleton’s history, and I would welcome whoever takes over those reins to wrap their arms around this place and truly enjoy it,” owner Shane Ryan said in
announcing the sale. “If possible, live here—live here full-time. Make it your home and enjoy every moment of it. It’s only when you spend even a little time here that you begin to understand what makes it extraordinary.” Now entering its third year, the invitation-only sale is held on the Wednesday preceding the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the most visible week in international racing. It has rapidly distinguished itself with exceptional Thoroughbred racing and breeding opportunities that rarely come to market. A sales event unlike any other, the numbers suggest the concept has found its stride. The 2024 inaugural sale grossed $4.325 million, led by a $2.5 million share in Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Flightline. In 2025, gross sales climbed to $7.675 million, with an average of $1.096 million. A $3 million share in leading sire Not This Time topped the sale, while a 25-percent interest in Bentornato brought $1 million—three days before his owners celebrated a Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory. For more than two centuries, the names have changed, the breeds have changed, and the horses have come and gone. The land has remained. When the auctioneer calls for bids on October 28, the final hammer won’t merely signal the sale of 951 acres. It will mark the passing of a landmark from one steward to the next— and the beginning of yet another chapter in Castleton’s remarkable story. sl
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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY
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Community Housing Charity Gala, 6pm,The Carrick House 20th annual An Evening in the Gardens for the Fayette Alliance & UK Markey Cancer Center, 6pm, Mt. Brilliant Farm Big in the Bluegrass, 6pm,The Burl 20th annual Bluegrass International Polo Cup, Mt. Brilliant Farm UK. Healthcare Memorial Tennis Party & Auction, 1pm, 410 Redding Road Dream Factory 6th Annual Golf Scramble, 11:30am Champions Trace Restoring Hope Gala, 6pm, 177 N. Upper St. 5th Annual Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame Gala, Central Bank Center Rise from the Ash Bash, 5pm, Red Mile Gaming & Racing Friends of the Poor Walk, 9am, Cathedral of Christ the King
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UK Mining Engineering Gala, 6pm, UK Gatton Student Center Keeneland Fall Meet Lexington Leadership Foundation Annual Celebration Fundraiser, 6pm, Central Bank Center Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 1:30pm, Lexington Sporting Club JustFundKY Obsidian Ball, 7:30pm, Harper Hall The Keeneland Championship Sale at Castleton 43rd Breeder’s Cup World Championships, Keeneland
Is there an event you’d like us to cover? Send an email to bridget@slmag.net with the details.
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Photos by Daniel Roberts
Picnic with the Pops
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A beloved Lexington summer tradition returned to Keene Meadow at Keeneland on August 8 for the sold-out 2026 Picnic with the Pops. This year’s theme, “Pops Goes Country: Country Hits—Songs from Nashville,” featured the Lexington Philharmonic, led by Music Director Mélisse Brunet, alongside Nashville-based guest artists performing symphonic renditions of country favorites made famous by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Miranda Lambert and more. Guests embraced the theme with boots, hats and plenty of country flair while enjoying elaborate picnics under the stars. The evening’s popular table decorating, costume and themed cocktail contests added to the festive atmosphere of the more than fourdecade-old Lexington tradition. sl 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
John Walters, Billie Walters, Joe Rudder, Caroline Fields, Chris Reynolds, Christi Reynolds, CJ Cunningham, Adriane Cunningham Gina Nolfo, Fran Nolfo Mary Day, Zac Day, Joann Rodes, Susie Rodes Yasmine Ostrander, Ericka Ostrander, Sawyer Tuvek, Griffin Shively & Friends Sarah Hancock, Brandi Simon, Tisha Mante Debbie Taylor, Bill Meck
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Photos by Daniel Roberts
Education Builds Hope The Hope Center’s 14th Annual Education Builds Hope Luncheon brought community leaders and supporters together at The Carrick House in Lexington on June 25 to benefit One Parent Scholar House. Presented by the Cathy Jacobs & Don Jacobs Sr. Charitable Foundation with support from Ball Homes, the annual event celebrated the power of education to transform the lives of single-parent families. One Parent Scholar House serves 80 single parents pursuing full-time postsecondary education, providing families with affordable housing, counseling, workshops and other supportive services designed to help parents achieve self-sufficiency while creating brighter futures for their children. Through the generosity of sponsors and attendees, Education Builds Hope continues to champion parents working toward college degrees while raising their families, underscoring the lasting, multigenerational impact that education, stability and a supportive community can provide. sl 1.
Courtney Cole, Jen Brown-Murphy, Michael Swartzentruber
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Lucas Shepherd, Randy Craft, Dana Davis, Janie Greer, Jacob Hyde
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Ashland Lawn Party
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Sponsored by Suzanne Elliott of Berkshire Hathaway de Movellan Properties, the Junior League of Lexington Sustainers Dinner was held as part of Legacy Night du ring the 90th annu al Le xin g to n Junior League Charity Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. The evening celebrated the generations of women whose service and leadership have shaped the organization, while the always-entertaining stick horse races added a playful dose of friendly competition as participants galloped for glory aboard their pintsized “mounts.” The festivities offered a spirited start to a milestone week for the historic horse show, which has raised more than $4 million for charitable and civic organizations throughout Central Kentucky since its founding in 1937. sl 1.
Nancy Thomas, Glenn Womack
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Gil Dunn, Dr. Cecelia Housen, Chris & Lynn Roty
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Mark Lyons, Bruna Segantini, Deirdre Lyons, Donna Maloney
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Blake Wright, Geoff Groenke
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Shannon Wheeler, Alexandra DeMoss-Campbell, Candace Smith
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Elise DeCamp, Neel Joshi
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SOPHISTICATED STARS
Written by Joy Yascone Elms MA
Happy Birthday, Virgo and Libra! The New Moon in Virgo on September 10 will be an amazing one, bringing excitement and new developments not only for Virgos, but for every sign in a different area of life. This beautiful New Moon offers an opportunity to initiate something new, plant seeds for the future, and create positive change in the area of your chart that Virgo rules. October, however, is a bit of a different story. With Venus retrograde beginning October 3 and Mercury retrograde later in the month, there will be plenty of cosmic dust to sort through. October is a good time to slow down, become more meditative, listen to your spirit, and trust your inner guidance. Focus on unfinished business from the past that still needs your attention and be intentional about maintaining a high frequency in your thoughts and attitudes. What you focus on matters, especially when the cosmic weather gets a little intense. For more on how this energy will affect you, see your September and October Sophisticated Stars below. Aries (March 21 – April 19) Aries, the New Moon in Virgo on September 10 is a perfect time to establish new daily routines and begin a fitness, health, or wellness regimen that will set you up for success. If you have been wanting to get healthier, this is the time to initiate a new lifestyle. Good routines and healthy habits can spill over into every area of your life, helping you become more successful overall. This New Moon may also bring a new work opportunity. With Venus going retrograde October 3 and Mercury following later in the month, there will be plenty of cosmic dust. Scorpio rules your eighth house of shared money, finances, investments, and resources, so much of this may be rewritten and revised during this period. You may reconsider how you approach your finances, financial partnerships, sales, and business. October is a time to review and revise rather than rush.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Dear Gemini, September brings a lovely New Moon in Virgo on September 10. You may find yourself making an offer on a property you love and that could bring you many years of joy. You may also receive wonderful news involving your parents or family. This is an excellent time for positive developments involving family, real estate, and home. In October, there is plenty of cosmic dust to sort through as Venus and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, governing your sixth house of health, work, wellness, and daily routines. You may revisit a field of work you had previously given up on, and opportunities connected to it may return. You may also reassess your health, wellness, and daily routines. Consider which work opportunities you want to keep in your life and which ones you want to edit. For now, assess and review.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Dear Taurus, the New Moon in Virgo on September 10 will ignite a sense of fun and encourage you to romance your life. You may welcome a new romance, hear wonderful news from your children, or, if you are trying to get pregnant, discover that you are expecting. The fifth house, where this New Moon occurs, also rules creativity, so this lunar energy can help move a creative project forward. With Venus going retrograde October 3 and Mercury following later in the month, both in Scorpio and your seventh house of marriage and partnerships, you may begin reconsidering what you need in a business partnership or marriage—and what will truly make you happy. This is a time to review your relationships, your values, and what you need from the people with whom you choose to partner.
Cancer - June 21–July 22 Cancer, September begins with a lovely New Moon in Virgo on September 10. This can initiate potential contracts you have been waiting for and may even bring interesting or fun news from your siblings. If you have been wanting to buy a new vehicle, you may do so at this time. And if you are a writer, this is a wonderful period in which you might receive a contract for a book or another writing project. October is filled with cosmic dust as Venus and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio and your fifth house of love, romance, children, and creativity. You may find yourself reviewing matters involving a romantic relationship, your children, or a creative project. This is the time to review, reflect, and gather information so you can make a wise decision once the cosmic energy begins moving forward again.
Sapphire is September’s birthstone. Marco Bicego Africa Mixed Sapphire Necklace. Available through Schiffman’s Jewelers (schiffmans.com)
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Leo - July 23–August 22 Leo, you have been very fortunate recently as Jupiter, the planet of blessings and benevolence, has moved into your sign. Consider this an extra layer of cosmic protection as we move through the next few months, particularly October, which may feel slightly off the rails. The good news is that September brings a wonderful New Moon in Virgo on September 10, lighting up your second house of earned income. You may be offered a new income-producing opportunity, or another goal may come to fruition that improves your financial well-being. With Venus retrograde in Scorpio beginning October 3 and Mercury following later in the month, you may reconsider where you want to live. If you are under contract on a property, you may rethink certain aspects of it. If you are not, you may reconsider a property or location you previously passed up. Let the information come in without making quick decisions. There will be plenty of cosmic dust in October, so watch, review, and once again, be the Buddha in the eye of the storm. Virgo - August 23–September 22 Happy birthday, Virgo! With the New Moon in your sign on September 10 lighting up the sky, you will have a wonderful birthday season that gives you the magic to create the life you want. Use this New Moon to initiate your plans and focus on what you need most to feel secure and fulfilled. It is possible that you may merge with another in love or business. If your birthday falls within approximately five days of September 10, you may feel even more flow and luck coming your way. In October, Venus and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, ruling your house of communication and siblings. You may see your siblings more frequently, while communication itself could go off the rails. Observe carefully and soften your approach so you are not misunderstood. This is a better month to listen and learn.
Tacori Blue Sapphire Eternity Band. Available from Rivard Jewelers (rivardfinejewelry.com)
Common Era Virgo Alchemical Zodiac Signet Ring (commonera.com)
Aurelia Demark Grand Libra Pendant with Mini Natalie Chain (aureliademark.com)
Opal is one of October’s two birthstones. Australian Boulder Opal Elongated Ring, availble from Schiffman’s Jewelers (schiffmans.com)
Libra - September 23–October 22 Libra, the Virgo New Moon on September 10 will occur in your twelfth house of healing, spirituality, solitude, and secret angels and VIPs working behind the scenes. It is the perfect time to begin a new wellness or spiritual practice. Start the initiatives you have been putting off; they could be the secret sauce for creating an even better birthday season. In October, Venus goes retrograde in Scorpio, affecting your second house of earned income. You may return to a past employer, renegotiate an incomeproducing opportunity, or revisit a previous career endeavor and find fulfillment there. You may also begin questioning what you truly value and which aspects of your life you want to keep. With Mercury retrograde later in October, this month brings plenty of cosmic dust. Get centered in your spiritual focus, reconnect with your goals, and go inward. The trine of Saturn in Aries and Jupiter in Leo has been helping you over the past month. The world being topsyturvy can certainly be seen in the stars but remember to be the Buddha—peaceful in the eye of the storm—and mindful that we create our own reality. Scorpio - October 23–November 21 Scorpio, the New Moon in Virgo on September 10 is a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends, start a humanitarian cause, expand your community, or even see a social media post go viral. Venus retrograding in Scorpio will make you rethink your values, wants, and needs. This could affect how you view yourself and others, and you may decide you want to change several aspects of your life. With Mercury going retrograde later in October, this is a good time to rewrite, review, and assess what you need. With both Venus and Mercury influencing your sign, this can become a deeply personal period of reflection. Meditation will be especially important this month. Get quiet and listen to your spirit speak.
Sagittarius - November 22–December 21 Sagittarius, the New Moon in Virgo on September 10 signals a wonderful promotion, career victory, or professional development worthy of celebration. This is an excellent time to see progress toward a career goal or watch a dream come true. Plant seeds on September 10 and watch them grow. Let the universe know what you would like to see happen in your career. In October, Venus and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio and your twelfth house of health, healing, spirituality, and solitude. You may naturally find yourself retreating from some of the noise around you. This is a time to pause and reassess, to heal and allow. With both Venus and Mercury retrograding through the same Scorpio house, October can become a prelude to things to come. Assess, reset, and go within. Let the world go crazy while you decide what you would like your future to look like from the inside out. Capricaorn - December 22–January 19 Capricorn, the New Moon in Virgo on September 10 signals a time of travel and emphasizes higher education, publishing, media, and opportunities that expand your world. You may see a deal come through or an opportunity return that you thought was no longer in play. Something you believed had passed may suddenly come back around, giving you another chance to consider it. In October, with Venus retrograde in Scorpio in your house of friends and Mercury following later in the month, you may hear from people from your past. Because this house also rules humanitarian causes, groups, communities, and social media, you may decide to change your social media strategy. Review your ideas and strategy during this period. Once Venus and Mercury move forward again, you will have greater clarity about which ideas you want to present to the world.
Aquarius - January 20–February 18 Aquarius, the New Moon in Virgo on September 10 lights up your eighth house of funding, shared resources, investments, and big financial dreams. You may take on a new partnership, and with Jupiter, the planet of benevolence, in Leo and your house of partnerships and marriage, you may see some sort of financial windfall around this New Moon. If you are seeking funding for your business or looking to increase sales, you may make a notable sale or receive an important financial opportunity. In October, Venus and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio and your career house. You may find yourself reconsidering your professional direction, revisiting an opportunity you once passed on, hearing from people connected to your professional past, or even returning to a previous employer or role. This is a good time to meditate. Let information flow in and give yourself time before making major decisions. Pisces - February 19–March 20 Pisces, the New Moon in Virgo on September 10 will give you a new start in a committed relationship. You may decide to make a partnership more formal through an engagement, marriage, or deeper commitment. The September 10 New Moon emphasizes partnerships and marriage, but you may instead decide to formalize a business partnership. Both are favored. With Venus and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio during October, you may reconsider a long-distance trip or a relationship with someone who lives far away. You may also rethink plans to travel overseas, pursue higher education or publishing, or relocate. This retrograde period will be helpful for reevaluating your plans and ultimately making a decision that supports your well-being. Listen to your inner guidance, allow information to come to you, and give yourself the space to see what feels right before moving forward.
Sophisticated Stars Astrologist Joy Yascone Elms MA is the author and founder of The Power of Divine Timing; an annual sign by sign guide based on astrological timing helping readers to find and nurture their blessings and starve their challenges!
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Au t o m ot ive e n t h u si a sts ki cked o f f Keeneland Concours d’Elegance weekend in high style on July 17 at the annual Hangar Bash, presented with the support of sponsor Germain Motor Company / Porsche of Louisville at R.J. Corman Hangar #2 in Nicholasville. This year’s Miami Vice-themed celebration brought together an impressive display of vintage, luxury and exotic automobiles alongside dining, dancing and plenty of automotive camaraderie. The lively evening served as a festive prelude to the following day’s 23rd annual Keeneland Concours d’Elegance, which featured Ferrari as its guest marque. More than a celebration of exceptional automobiles, the Hangar Bash supported the Concours’ philanthropic mission, with proceeds benefiting UK HealthCare’s Kentucky Children’s Hospital. sl
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Photos by Daniel Roberts
Hangar Bash
Photos by Daniel Roberts
Disaster Blaster
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The American Red Cross Bluegrass Area Chapter marked a milestone on August 7 with its 30th Annual Disaster Blaster at the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate. This year’s theme, “Pearls of Courage: Celebrating 30 Years of Igniting Hope,” brought together community leaders and supporters for an evening of dinner, entertainment and spirited auction bidding, with WKYT’s Amber Philpott serving as emcee. Presented by Commonwealth Credit Union, the annual fundraiser supported the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign and the organization’s broader lifesaving work. Funds raised through Disaster Blaster help the Bluegrass Area Chapter provide disaster response, preparedness education and assistance to individuals and families affected by emergencies such as home fires and floods. Three decades after its debut, Disaster Blaster continues to pair a festive night out with an important mission, rallying the Lexington community around the volunteers and resources that allow the Red Cross to respond when disaster strikes. sl
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Come for the view. Stay for the happy hour. Three tasting plates, $30 Tuesdays through Thursdays, 4:30 – 6 PM
at The Vine t h e v a tt h e v i n e l e x . c o m • (8 5 9) 7 9 5 - 8 4 6 3 1 0 6 W Vi n e S t re e t L e x i n g t o n , K Y 4 0 5 0 7
Photos by Daniel Roberts
Sustainers Dinner
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Sponsored by Suzanne Elliott of Berkshire Hathaway de Movellan Properties, the Junior League of Lexington Sustainers Dinner was held as part of Legacy Night du ring the 90th annu al Le xin g to n Junior League Charity Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. The evening celebrated the generations of women whose service and leadership have shaped the organization, while the always-entertaining stick horse races added a playful dose of friendly competition as participants galloped for glory aboard their pintsized “mounts.” The festivities offered a spirited start to a milestone week for the historic horse show, which has raised more than $4 million for charitable and civic organizations throughout Central Kentucky since its founding in 1937. sl 1.
Leslie Ann Asbury, Kelsey Carter, Abigail Brotherton
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Vicki & Sam Reed
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Marlena Stephens, Judo Aitkin
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Opa Owiye Johnson, Tamara Davis, Melissa Hammer, Katie Ward
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Laura Eaves, Suzanne Elliott, Emily Biggins
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Polky Ashford, Julie Young
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Lexington’s fashion set stepped out in style for the Albert Couture Fall Collection 2026 Fashion Show, held at The Vine. Presented by Lexington-based designer Albert Lukonga, the evening celebrated the intersection of fashion, culture and contemporary luxury with a runway presentation showcasing the house’s signature precision tailoring, bold silhouettes and refined details. Guests arrived via red carpet before mingling over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, then turned their attention to the runway, around The Vine’s rooftop pool deck, for a first look at the Fall 2026 collection. An after-party kept the celebration going, capping an evening that showcased both Lukonga’s distinctive creative vision and Lexington’s increasingly sophisticated fashion scene. sl
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Photos by Daniel Roberts
Albert Couture Runway
Photos by Daniel Roberts
The Lexington Open
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The Lexington Open brought two weeks of world-class professional tennis to the University of Kentucky’s Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex. Celebrating its 31st year, the USTA Pro Circuit event welcomed rising stars and established players from around the world. More than a showcase for professional tennis, the Lexington Open benefits Golisano Children’s at UK as well as the University of Kentucky men’s and women’s tennis programs. sl 1.
Kelly Nicol, Holly Howard
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Shannon & John Peck
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Julie Cashman, Taylor Fister
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Chaney Stuart, Ashley Backer, Melissa Combs
Night for the Nest
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The Carrick House welcomed supporters of The Nest – Center for Women, Children & Families for A Night for The Nest on August 15. The organization’s premier annual fundraiser brought the community together for an elegant evening featuring a seated dinner, live and silent auctions, music and dancing. Proceeds support The Nest’s free programs providing early childhood education, family assistance, parenting education, counseling and advocacy for children and families throughout Central Kentucky. More than 7,500 children and families turn to The Nest each year for safety, support and essential services, making the annual gala an important source of funding for the organization’s work. sl
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Kaelyn Query, Grayson Casy, Bailey Milam
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Will Martin, Kristen Martin, Emma Dupre, Faith Campbell, Jarrett Rose
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Halie Bohn, Debbie Green, Emily Bartley
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Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) turned back the clock for its 23rd annual Night of the Stars on June 27 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. With a spirited “Giddy Up & Get Down to the ’80s” theme, guests donned cocktail and decade-inspired attire for an evening of cocktails, dinner, pony meet-and-greets, riding demonstrations and silent and live auctions. As CKRH’s signature fundraiser, Night of the Stars supports the nonprofit’s equine-assisted services for children and adults facing physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional challenges. Funds also help CKRH serve military veterans and active-duty service members, high school students who benefit from an alternative learning environment, and women in custody developing emotional-regulation skills—demonstrating the transformative connection between horses and people. sl 1.
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope Staff
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Larry Aikers, Brenda Stewart, Judy Myers-Feck, Steve Feck
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Darby Paschall, Hannah Steele
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Alexandra & Khanh Tran
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Carl Houston
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Night of the Stars
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Amuse-Bouche On July 17, Lexington-area media and influencers gathered at The V at The Vine for an exclusive preview of the restaurant’s newly reimagined dining experience ahead of its reopening the following evening. Guests sampled Executive Chef Cole Arimes’ new menu, which pairs traditional starters and entrées with globally inspired tasting plates designed for sharing, along with handcrafted cocktails. Set on the ninth floor of The Vine overlooking downtown Lexington, the intimate dinner offered guests a first taste of the restaurant’s new culinary direction while showcasing the sophisticated setting and skyline views that have made The V a distinctive addition to the dining scene. sl 6.
Cate Short, Elliott Pennell
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General Manager Patrick Kralik with team members Bri, Griff and Stefanie
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Martina Barksdale, Susan Lay, The Vine co-founder Jacquie Meriwether, Julie Jensen
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Last Call Leslie Miller
Illustration by Katie Morrison
As Vice President of Marketing for VisitLEX, Leslie spends her days finding creative ways to tell Lexington’s story—and she’s clearly one of the city’s biggest fans herself. For our latest Last Call, Miller shares what keeps her grounded, the virtue she’s learning to loosen her grip on, her weakness for perfume and Herend bunnies, and why the perfect ending to the day involves a very cold, slightly dirty martini. What secret second life career would you choose if your current one hadn’t found you first? I think I’d always gravitate towards something that provides a creative outlet. I love the process of taking an idea and turning it into something people can see, experience or connect with. I also genuinely love working with people, collaborating and learning from them, so I’d have a hard time doing anything that required me to sit alone in a room all day. I suppose that means I’ve already found my dream job. If you could live anywhere else, where would it be? This probably isn’t the most exciting answer, but I really do love Lexington. I feel most like myself here, and that’s a hard feeling to give up. As much as I love going somewhere new, there’s always something really comforting about coming home. You simply can’t beat that descent into Blue Grass Airport, especially during golden hour. So, if I could live anywhere else? It would just be temporary, and I’d always come back home. Where in the world do you feel most like yourself ? The Gasparilla Inn has been a place my sister and I return to with our families every year. She’s my best friend, so sitting on the beach with her, a glass of wine in hand, watching our children run around together feels like heaven, it’s one of those moments when everything feels exactly as it should. It’s probably the closest thing I have to a reset button. Which artist/historical figure do you most identify with? I’ve always loved Diane Keaton. She was such a trailblazer in both her talent and her fashion, but what I love most is how completely comfortable she se eme d being herself. She exuded so much joy and confidence, never took herself too seriously and was so damn funny. I really admire that combination. What is your idea of perfect happiness? My family is happiness personified for me. They ground me in the best possible way, and some of my favorite moments are the completely ordinary ones like making Christmas cookies together, listening to music and dancing around a messy kitchen. In those moments I’m fully present to appreciate them, and to me, that is perfect happiness. What is your greatest fear? Camping. I love nature, I just prefer to experience it from a hotel with air conditioning, and a comfortable bed. What traits or characteristics do you most value in others? There is a reason grace is a virtue, and it goes a long way. And then there’s humor. I love people who don’t take themselves too seriously. Life is too short not to laugh at yourself every now and then, and probably even
better if you can laugh at yourself first. What is your greatest regret or the road not taken that still lingers? I wish I had studied abroad in college. I’ve traveled a lot since, but I think there would have been something pretty special about being 20 years old, living somewhere completely unfamiliar and figuring it out as I went. Which living person do you most admire and why? It’s hard for me to choose just one. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have strong, talented women shape my career and my perspective. Jenn Larkin, Christy Hiler, Christa Marrillia and Mary Quinn Ramer immediately come to mind. I’ve learned so much from watching how they lead, collaborate, take risks and make room for others to succeed. What is your most unrepentant indulgence? Perfume and Herend bunnies. Which words or phrases do you most overuse, or what your friends would say is your go-to? The word “divine.” It can describe almost anything! A truly incredible dining experience or, honestly, the blueberry muffin I grabbed at The Greenery. I’m actually surprised I haven’t managed to work it into one of these answers yet. Which talent would you most like to have? Who doesn’t want to be able to sing? What is the one thing you’d recalibrate about yourself, given the chance? I’d probably recalibrate my perfectionism and the feeling that I must do everything myself. Not everything deserves the same level of attention or energy. I’m still a work in progress. What do you consider the achievement you’re proudest of ? Easy: becoming a mother. My heart is so full because of my girls, and I’m proud of them beyond belief. Watching them grow into their own people has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to be their mom. What is the virtue everyone praises that you find overrated? I have high standards, and I’m not planning to lower them, but I’ve learned that perfectionism can become pretty limiting. Sometimes you just have to be brave enough to start, keep going and be okay with a little imperfection along the way. It allows you to stay curious and learn what works. If you could be reincarnated as a person or things, what would it be? My favorite book as a kid was The Runaway Bunny. The mom keeps becoming different things to be with her little bunny, so I’d be wherever mine are. What is your most treasured possession and why? Definitely family photos—and a gold signet ring my dad had made for me on my 16th birthday that matches his. I love that we share something that’s uniquely ours. What is your signature pour? A VERY cold, slightly dirty Grey Goose martini with plain olives. No fuss. But if it’s not martini time, it’s a glass of Sancerre. slmag.net
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