Setting the Table at the Manor

This past week was busier than ever with an important showing of our listing in Big Canyon, The Manor; and setting the table for the "lifestyle shots" showing an intimate dinner party for four at the Manor. At the McMonigle Group, Luxury Real Estate is our middle name and our group of 13 agents and an incredible support staff; including notably everyone: from the Monarch Estates construction/developing divison; to the Finance Division, to our incredible Nick Gannon vice president in charge of Strategic Partnerships; Paul Rubino who handles "M Escapes"; to CEO Francoise; to John McMonigle himself who is visionary ,stellar and a leader to respect and emulate, we are all enjoying a remarkable period during this time of economic stress and chaos. We are all staying focused, working very hard and staying healthy so we can work harder and more effectively. One of the pleasures I recently have enjoyed is "setting the table" for the lifestyle shot at The Manor, which will be one of the featured Estates in John's new M Magazine. John asked me to set up a dinner and I selected the venue at the Manor to be outside, by poolside and golf course as an "end of summer" casual supper at sunset. Along with another 4 or 5 featured "lifestyle" listings, these photos will appear in the November issue. In the photo at the table are from left to right: Jim Brashier, Marcia Brashier and our sales associates Paul Benec and Michelle Goldman. The first issue (M Magazine will be published quarterly) hit the streets in late July and has enjoyed enormous enthusiasm and praise. Look for it in the luxury hotels, restaurants and hot spots in Orange County. We can also send one to you if you let us know you would like one.

John's continuing vision of improvement and raising the bar in the marketing of luxury real estate is an exciting ride and keeps us all at the top of our game. Personally, I have never been happier in real estate and feel grateful and thrilled to be with Jim at the McMonigle Group. Please check out the website: http://www.mcmoniglegroup.com/

It will not disappoint !! I would love to hear some comments from you.

Time to set the table again !

I have the privilege of Setting the Table this week at a most fabulous home in Big Canyon, Newport Beach, CA. One of the most classic, beautifully built homes ever. We are doing a "Lifestyle" photo shoot for M Magazine, winter issue, John McMonigle's brain child sharing the beauty of our listings through a traditional magazine format but with clever, enticing photos, articles, etc. Jim and I; two wonderful associates from the McMonigle Group will be a "dinner party for 4", outside on the terrace surrounding the beautiful pool with the golf course as a back drop. Tony Flores of Corona del Mar is the photographer; I am setting the table, using a combination of accessories from the owner and from my collection for the shoot. Once I have some photos that will be taken in 2 days, I will post them here for you to enjoy.

In the meantime, Bon Appetit and think imaginative table scapes for your next dinner party !

Catching Up, Lots of Positive Changes

It has been awhile since I have been able to write in this blog. We have moved our residence to a wonderful gated enclave in Newport Beach; we have joined the stunning and compelling real estate force, the McMonigle Group in Newport Beach. Affliated with Coldwell Banker Residential and Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT. The McMonigle Group, lead by the visionary John McMonigle has been named by the Wall Street journal recently as the #1 Real Estate Group in the nation. The global reach of the company is palatable; the affliations John has created with his far reaching insight has changed the face of real estate practice in Southern California and beyond.

Please visit our website at:

www.mcmoniglegroup.com

I have included photos of only a small handful of homes the Group has listed in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach which includes Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove. The photos of rooms where people love to gather, spend time together over a meal and some good liquid refreshment and create memories together: the kitchen and dining rooms; sitting alcoves; all rooms with a view. No matter if you are in a cottage; a thatched buri in Tahiti, a "petite manior" looking out to vineyards, a cabana with the sound of the sea as your muse, a grand high ceilinged dining room over looking your part of the world, we all are people who love to share time and space; meals and good conversation. So, with the beginning of summer upon us, lets plan some special times to spend with those we cherish; with those we want to know better; with those with whom we can share ideas; even do some business over a glass of wine, creating a deeper understanding of the other person's needs; and, listen. My perceptive son Seth always reminds himself and me that listening is an art. As Jim says, you already know all your own stories; listen to someone elses'. Good advice.

A very Happy Father's Day to all the great Dad's out there and be grateful to your Dad even if he is no longer with you. He helped give you life and that in itself is so much to be grateful for, always.

Quick Spring, Early Summer

As you can see in this Easter Sunday photo, we had a great holiday and early brunch with our warm and delightful family. L to R: Jim, Marcia, Connor(9) Elaine, Dylan,(7) Craig, Seth (blue shirt), Anthony.

The bling on the table was done to 2 of our starfish from our dear friend Debby B. who is the "Bling Queen" ! She enhanced the following "Spring Week" with a fabulous tea at her gorgeous home which included her 3 stunning daughters, all four of them together full of wit, laughter, plenty of smarts, that winning and rare combination of beauty, brains and disarming charm. And, they talk politics with ease .........who can't talk politics and economy these days? As Nikki said, stay informed people !!

Over the weekend the weather turned dry and hot as the Santa Ana winds blew in and spread its hot breath over Southern California. My roses think it is August, so they are blooming like mad. The cats need brushing twice a day as their heavy fur coats are no longer needed. 90 degrees in Newport Beach, CA in April is a record. So, we suggest that if you live in a part of the country that is warm now, or even just "mild", take advantage of it and fire up the BBQ, set the table with your favorite colors and dine outside alfresco under the stars with the fresh scent of newly blooming night jasmine beginning to fill the air. Add some candlelight and the people you love to celebrate these "ease into Summer" breezes. As we say, every day is a gift.

Winter is Behind Us

.........and Spring is here. Beautiful, life affirming springtime, with tulips, daffodils, delphinium, foxglove, the roses budding and opening to the sun. Soft breezes and bright skies filled with billowy clouds. The sound of nature around us coming awake and looking forward to the warm, easy days of summer. Eastertime is so beautiful; full of anticipation. Easter Sunday is always joyful for all the obvious reasons and then some. Being able to see the family and friends you have missed the last few months. Time for ham and butter biscuits; colorful berries on a meringue crust. Champagne in colorful flutes, raspberries bumping against the interior of the glass. A time when you can use squares of young green grass as the anchor to your brunch table centerpiece. Stacking colorfully painted Easter eggs on a big platter, topped with a daisy.
So, time to be creative and set the table ! I am using my bright fuschia place mats with white polka dots ! My lavender colored goblets I hand carried back from France in 2002. Mounds of cookies and treats on the table. We found some great little ceramic buckets full of cookies for our grandsons. Maybe truffles for the adults, each boxed by the plates of our guests.
Take a deep breath and be grateful for each day. The moments add up to memories; and we can carry them with us, always.
Embraceable Spring !

The Only Constant is Change

Reflections that start with the first day of Spring come with a renewal of spirit. For so many people, including us, it is a time to recognize that this Recession and the losses just about everyone has suffered, also can offer a chance to "go back to basics"; to re-evaluate our positions and make the necessary changes for our emotional and economic survivals. It is different for everyone; we each have our own set of dynamics with which to cope. Everyone I talk to is challenged by this economy, one way or another. Very wealthy people have noted huge losses in their portfolios; families are cutting back on unnecessary expenses; professional people are evaluating where to spend their money and on what. Some people are renting out their homes and moving to smaller places. Some are selling, if they can and moving elsewhere. People are getting a 2nd job. Real Sellers are reducing the listing prices of their homes; real buyers make offers on those bargains. It is all relative.

We all still need to eat; to share some quality time with each other, our families and friends. It is so important to stay connected when under stress. This weekend we had dear friends over, just the 6 of us. Maui and Luci (our DIVINE cats/divas) always help. They know by the brisk activity and what the cooking furiously mean ..........more people at home to pet them and play with them. They certainly keep me grounded and calmer. Luci (the Balinese, we think) likes to survey the table when I am done setting it. She was there this past Friday to help me out. Maui (the Maine Coon) was snoozing by the fireplace in his favorite chair, so I had some significant morale support. It was a cold day in Newport Beach that day, so the fireplace in the dining room was lighted and making the day special with that endearing contrast of cold outside and warmth from a fire inside.

I took this photo of the Sellers Winery vines, laden with fruit when we visited Dani and Ed Sellers in Paso Robles last August. The promise of the grapes is like the promise of Spring: new beginnings, fresh ideas, a time to marvel at life. Watching 60 Minutes last night which also featured Alice Waters, founder of the brilliance behind the legendary Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA was an inspiration too. Intuitively, I am always drawn to the freshest foods available and there is nothing better that the snap of fresh corn just out of the field under your teeth; or that delectable mixture of smell and taste of a brilliant tomato just off the vine. Making fresh pesto yesterday for a topping on the wild salmon dinner last night was relaxing with a delicious result. I am making Shrimp Stew with a twist for Dani and Ed tonight and will use the pesto to top off the bowls. We will serve their wonderful wine with dinner and drink to the bounties of our planet, if we pay attention to keeping it safe. I am using shells from my collection, as the centerpiece as an ode to the shrimp. Like a gift to Neptune for the bounty of the sea.

Each day is a gift, so enjoy what it may offer. I welcome your comments on my blog; I would love to have some to read !!

Same plates, different accents

About 10 years ago, I did a series of hand painted porcelain dinnerware using images of spring vegetables and fruits. This weekend, in anticipation of a dinner party this week, I used those plates as an ode to the beautiful early Spring weather we were having. Starting out with herbs and orchids, I created a tablescape using greenery from the garden. Then I thought it would be fun to try using the same plates, linens and placemats, creating a seascape with the shells and corals I have collected over the years. You can see two samples in the place settings here.

I was also inspired by the colors I used in the painting I did two weeks ago for Alex. Another inspiration was the Mission in San Juan Capistrano this summer. The sumptuous plantings bring texture and color to the beautiful gardens and complement the old California Architecture of this historic place. Fresh green colors are redolent of the spring herbs and budding trees, which I find so refreshing on a table. We expect a bit of much needed rain again this week, but these greens of Spring will help you remember all that we have to look forward to and love.

Play and create with what you have in your immediate surroundings and give your "old" collections new life with a fresh and inviting tablescape.

Winter at the Beach

As a kid and a young adult, I remember sitting on the beach in Laguna or Newport Beach in February. The beautiful weather we are enjoying several days a week here in February of 2009 is as I remember as a kid. We do battle some traffic here in our beach communities and on the freeways, but the trade-off is we are not battling blizzards, icy roads, loss of electricity and all that goes with the white blankets of winter covering so much of the country. Having this clear air at the beach to breathe, the beautiful pounding surf, layering only a top, sweater and sometimes a jacket in winter here is a far cry from the 2 winters we experienced in New Hampshire where temps reached down to 20 below. Yikes. I'll deal with the traffic ! Here are a few photos to whet your appetite for a California Winter. We hope our Eastern friends might be able to visit us someday soon. The surfers are Jim's son Craig and our grandson Connor, cutting quite a swath in the curl (well, sort of in the curl !). The painting with the folded umbrellas above is entitled, York Beach, Maine. I painted it during the winter of 2004 as a blizzard hit New Hampshire. Wishful thinking, in this case, wishful painting. It was inspired by a neighbor's photograph of his beach house there, casting a shadow onto the sand.

And for dinner, how about a variation on the classic chicken pot pie. Instead of chicken, add some Andoille sausage and fresh shrimp. Just include some herbs and a little garlic and now we have a shrimp pot pie ! Serve with a crisp salad and a lovely light wine and it is a perfect supper, after a walk on the beach. Place some of your collection of sea shells, sea fans, sea glass down the center of the table; low white votive candles between the shells, some white napkins, natural straw mats and throw in some white roses from the garden and you have a "beach scape" to complement the dinner. Or, use the pie for dessert elevated on a cake stand and covered with a glass bell punctuated by spring tulips. Either way, it is a welcome table for a relaxing meal.

Beautiful Days Doing our Jobs

It has been a very busy week with social events, real estate, design clients and friends. For example: celebrating a 30th birthday for a remarkable young man, Alex ; attending a beautifully prepared and lovingly organized baby shower for a dear friend expecting her first baby at 39; and caring for a sick husband. There is a nasty flu going around, so I can only suggest you watch that you eat very nutritous foods, hydrate, eliminate or minimize your alcohol intake, get lots of good sleep. With all the stress out there, we must take good care of ourselves.

About that Birthday Party: given by my dear friend Alison and her stunning daughter Meredith, for Meredith's excellent boyfriend Alex. Alison gave me all of a week to paint something for him, for this special occasion. It was wonderful to dive in last weekend and paint for 12 hrs. straight one day and 4 more hours 2 subsequent days. It was joyful for me to see how happy he was when he opened the box. The painting is still drying, but at least he could see it. Soon it will grace his walls and we have yet another connection of great memories.

I have the good fortune of working with some excellent clients in both real estate and my design business. Everyone is feeling the challenges of this historic time in America and it seems even more important that we do our jobs very well; that we treat our clients, family and friends with respect and calm. My son Seth has said since he was a teenager, that if everyone would "simply do their job, 90% of the problems would disappear !" So true. Going bonkers is not the answer. It seems that the grass roots level of individual efforts is going to help us all survive and get through these economic challenges with some dignity left and hopefully we can all spend our hard-earned, remaining dollars with forethought and prudence. This brings me to spending time at home with yourself, your pets, your mate, your family, both immediate and extended. Spend quality time together making a "potluck" style dinner in one home, maybe yours, with everyone bringing some ingredients for the dinner and chipping in to prep those fresh ingredients for a comforting meal. Make a homemade sauce for the pasta, and you will feel calmer just going through the process. The smell of it cooking is worth the simple effort ! Set your table with a bowl of red, yellow and orange sweet peppers, use your big, colorful napkins and see the smiles of contentment at your table. And add a great wine to that table. Go to Dani and Ed Sellers Winery blog at: http://edwardsellerswines.blogspot.com/

Every day is a gift; let's use it !

Seizing the Moment

On Thursday I enjoyed opening our home to family, friends, collegues and their guests for my Annual Painting Soiree. The day was clear, like this wave and with a sapphire sky. We were gathered to view my most recent body of work: paintings completed in 2008. It was wonderful to prepare the house, the nibbles and refreshments, the flowers, choosing the best spot for each painting. I had a total of 15 new paintings and sold 12. Dear friends who have been collecting my paintings over the years, again stepped to the plate with a smile as the painting(s) they chose gave them joy. New friends bought and old friends added to their collection. Each painting has a story behind it because I paint where I have been or where I would like to be. My darling friends, Janet, Mary Jane, Nancy, Debbie, Candace and Marian all bought paintings. I was touched and grateful to each of them for their kindnesses, their grace, the laughter they bring every time I am with them. Janet has collected my work from the beginning. One of the most heartfelt reactions I had with her display of my work, was when I spent a weekend with her in her graceful home in Pauma Valley. The guest room walls only held my paintings, all hanging at the same (eye) level, one after another like a circle around the room. I was so touched, it brought a tear to my eye. I slept in that room that night comforted by my surroundings ! A few days after the Soiree, Alison commissioned me to do a painting, needed next week so I have been painting for 12 hours straight today and it has felt wonderful to commit an entire day to painting and all that goes with it; intellectually, imaginatively and technically. At the Soiree, Jim took over the cocktail duties; Seth and Anthony worked the crowd and brought one of their friends and client, Barbara. In the next few days I will add some photos of the paintings for you. And again, my heartfelt thank you to all who attended and participated in a wonderful day.

So when you have time to follow your passion, do it. Even if is a few minutes a day. That moment is like this transparent wave photographed by Scott Brashier. Treasure its beauty, the time spent because it is quickly gone, but never forgotten.

Weekend in Review

Taking advantage of the overcast skies by embracing the changing cloudscape: rain, no rain; bursts of sunrays through puffy thunderheads inspired me to brighten up the dining room with winter's citrus bounty. This weekend I set our table for the family with a bright yellow and purple toile tablecloth and took lemons off our trees in the backyard and put them on Aunt Ruby's old pressed glass cake plate and covered them with a bell jar from the garden. Using the simple starfish from a decorating accent I made this summer, I placed them on top of the toile napkin on a set of Bobby's unique dessert dishes I wanted to use as salad plates.

This all set the stage for a rejuvenating look that brightened the eyes of the family, as the needed rain poured down outside. The kitties always help me by moving the tablecloth into the right position. If you don't have the tablecloth you want, go to the fabric store and get some fabulous print or color and use a big swath on your table. It doesn't have to fit; if it is too small for your big table, crinkle it up and use it as an accent going the width of the table, not the length and let the extra length fall on each side of the width. Add accent colored napkins unfolded as your placemats on "the diamond" instead of squared on the table. Little things mean a lot in this case. Add tiny vases filled with leaves, herbs, flowers for miniature bouqets in the vases at each place setting.

The photos

Rain has arrived at the Beach

Everyone thinks of California as the land of fun and sunlit days of endless surfing; but did you know the "State Dance" is the Rain Dance? Yes, we have days on end of stunning sunlight, but our corner of the earth still rejoices when the sound of rain hits our roofs and gardens. Yes, Californians by and large don't know how to drive well in the rain. It takes a lot longer to get home. But when you do, all the living parts of the garden seems to be turning upward in thanks. While most of the country is buried in ice and snow; my sweet peas are beginning to make the climb to the clouds their blossoms looking much like their destination. Even our cats, Maui and Luci love to go out for a minute and feel the rain; shaking their paws with each step.



I mentioned 4 days ago I was going to write about the famous "Bobby" in our lives. We met Bobby and his partner Clive, in the wonderful antique shop they owned in Laguna Beach in 1978. We fell in love with a Queen Anne English Highboy with burled walnut drawers. They had lived with it too, in England and no longer had a use for it in their cottage in Laguna. So, they delivered it to us, joined us for cocktails and our friendship began. Bobby is one of those remarkable raconteurs who can keep one captive for hours (it seems like 15 minutes) with stories of his exuberant past. Dancing with Ava Gardner with her natural enticing personality; one of his great friends, Bumble, was the Edith Head of London Theatre. Through her and other pals he met all the greats of film and stage; and writers, producers, directors too. Bobby and I fell hard for each other. He tells me now, he knew instantly we were soul mates when we walked into his cottage for the first time and I said, "Oh, that must be tarragon and thyme on the lamb that I smell". Jim loves him as much as I do. The incredible sets of porcelain chinas, the hand painted crystal goblets and cordial glasses and so much more come from Bobby. When he presented the first remarkable set to me from his long relationship with the Baron, he explained that we are all just the caretakers of these beautiful things and to pass them on to those who will use and appreciate them as we do. Over the years, he has given me rare and valuable pieces, which I do use. I have some hanging on my walls around an antique mirror in the dining room. I have the luscious 19th Century green and white tea set on my mantle during the holidays and into Springtime. They are there now. Silver chargers from Bobby accent many of my table settings. His mother's handmade lace tablecloth is used often. You can see every stitch and loop. Only one of my friends has ever met Bobby, not because I don't want to share him, but because of his schedule. Everyone close to me knows about Bobby and I give him all the credit for my table settings. There is a photo here of Bobby and me in the foyer of our home. He is 94 years old and going strong. His mind never halts or waivers, the legs may need a rest after a bit, but the mind never stops. Writing about him in this blog is an ode to him. There will be others.



So when you are ready to set your table for an intimate dinner, a family or friends gathering, make it special. Use the leaves, herbs and flowers from your garden; use those special plates that are in the high cupboard. Each day, each moment is a gift and is also an opportunity to create.

Monday Evening Quarterbacking

Even though my sports are limited to my workouts and watching the occasional sporting event, the spirited Superbowl Game of yesterday between the Steelers and the Cardinals, was quite the nail biter. I waited until after the game to give myself a manicure.

Thoughts wander however, during those internable minutes with the "clock" at 2 minutes left in the game, when you know it will be at least in real time, 30 minutes. Mine wandered to the enjoyable evening the night before with my son Seth and his partner Anthony and our always interesting conversations they encourage. I know I will leave the evening having learned something new, like setting up this blog with Seth's help that night. Which brings me to food, entertaining and "Setting the Table".

We are all busy; we all have excuses, however excellent. But when it is time to share a meal with your mate or friends and family, why not make it a visual treat. It really only takes a few extra minutes. I have always thought that I can serve you a glass of water and a peanut butter sandwich, but why not set the "tablescape" so there are interesting things to look at besides your plate and each other. The tablescape becomes part of the larger environment, but can be its intimate centerpiece. The water can be in a pretty glass with a spring of mint; the peanut butter sandwich can be served on a vintage plate of milk - glass. Taking off from that simple fare, why not take it a few steps further and throw down your elderly Aunt's vintage tablecloth from the 40's; some fresh white daisies from the garden in your grandmother's syrup pitcher; that old bakelite silverware you bought at the flea market in college and make a statement to all, that yes, not only do we learn from the past, but we borrow its "visuals" too and make a humble snack a moment to remember. Each piece becomes an opportunity to expand the quiet conversation and speak of moments we all remember. After all, isn't a large part of life made of memorable moments?

I look in my cupboards; I iron old linen tablecloths; I see a basket of strawberries in my refrigerator and I remember picking them when linen sheets on the clothesline were creating shadows in my grandmother's backyard when she lived in Bakersfield and I was a little girl. There is nothing like that crisp, fresh strawberry smell, with the berry not seconds off the vine. I ate so many I got a rash on my behind and my grandma thought I was allergic. I didn't care, I have continued to eat them all my life and remember that moment in her garden each time. When I made dessert this past Saturday night a fresh berry cobbler, I remembered her garden again. And of course I remember her. Lilly.

So, when I stage a house; or freshen up my own; or set the table for another fun dinner, I know how lucky I am to have some history in my cupboards and drawers and even luckier to share them with people I love and treasure. In staging a home for a client, I like to start with using what people already have, then edit. Severely. I seem to breathe fresher air as a home begins to change and really show its light, angles and perspectives. It is lovely to see the relaxed surprise of the owners, to see how their very own things can transform a space into something more "au courant" and ultimately, "more them".

Setting the Table - Redux

This has been an exciting opportunity to be part of my mom's most recent outreach with her business "Setting the Table." She has taken remarkable artistic vision that I have had the pleasure to observe for years and share it with you and her many clients. Way to go mom!

It is a rare opportunity when a child has the chance to make a difference in the business life of a parent - by in large we are too young, inexperienced or simply without sufficient insight to bring value to their business. My mom has been kind enough to allow me, and my partner Anthony to share what we can with her blog. Take ideas, insight and feel free to comment to share your own thoughts with her. I know she would appreciate it!

Welcome to Setting the Table!

I have started on this journey to create a blog. Being a mother and an artist, I know that the effort involved in creating something (or someone!) of value is challenging, joyful and rewarding all at the same time.

I have decided to embark on this journey with my husband, Jim to showcase not only my creativity in tabletop design, but from a life long love of entertaining, cooking, gardening, painting, celebrating and the "joie de vie" within all of us. Table top couture design in entertaining allows us to share our personality and our sense of the world with the things we already possess in our cabinets & cupboards.