I must admit it is a real joy to be the client for a change! I am looking for a site for a very special family event..and yesterday, in the hands of my good friend, freelance event planner Dani Farler, I saw what is quite possibly the perfect spot for our celebration in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, California.
Come along on our perfect Monday morning quest and see for yourself!
First stop, San Ysidro Ranch, an incomparably gorgeous place on this planet. Dani knows how much I adore the south of France, and she said this place reminds her of our last trip there together. She thought I would love it. She was right!
could anything be more charming than this little
bench in its Provencal setting?
one of the several restaurants we viewed for
a sit down dinner
the wedding meadow, with rose-covered arches
at each end and a view up the mountains
another utterly charming bench in the garden
one of the living passageways found on the
500 acre resort
with Japanese Magnolia trees blooming
and heaters, we are ready for cool
spring evenings
a view down onto the restaurant I loved the most
all images above taken by me
at San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, California
"heaven on earth"
If you think that this is a breathtakingly beautiful spot to have the family gather for a celebration, you are in very good company. Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier exchanged vows here, and John and Jacqueline Kennedy honeymooned here. I am quite certain lots more of the rich and famous find their way here, named America's Best Hotel by Forbes Traveler in 2009.
If you think that I can afford to have the whole gang come and stay here, and party for a couple of days, you would be quite incorrect! :) I might have a small dinner for ten in the Old Adobe 1825, but the rest of our partying will probably be down at the local crab shack!
***
Next, leaving the Ranch, we headed down to the flower shop Dani likes: SR Hogue & Co. We were hoping preparations might be underway there for a glamorous local event (dinner party at Oprah's, just up the hill?) but found things a little lovely and quiet.
a very lucky Buddha enjoying the garden's bounty
beautiful green pot that Dani loved
stunning lilies
***
Finally, the perfect place to wind up the morning: Jeannine's in "downtown" Montecito. There you can have cafes au lait so big you could take a bath in the bowl! and brunch is anything you can dream of: french toast, steel cut oatmeal, eggs crab benedict, brioche, croissants, tropical fruits. Do you get the picture? Get to Jeannine's, quickly!
just seeing Jeannine's makes me feel..relaxed!
***
what Dani wore (she's really into the nautical thing right now)!
what I wore; hey, we are only a mile from the beach!
nonchalant ease and elegance
all clothes found at
the one and only
Montecito Village
get in there, now!!
.........................................
in 2010, it's:
for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic
Chic Provence Interior Design
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