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From Kim:

Finally we have sunshine again! After one too many of our chilly damp days, I was ready to high tail it to Palm Springs and stay at the über cozy and chic Hotel Lautner in Desert Hot Springs.  If you can't own one of John Lautner's  iconic architectural 

masterpieces, this is a rare way to experience his vision and style through an extremely thoughtful, 21st century renovation. Each room sports a private garden, a svelte kitchen and cool decor.  Fall is a magnificent time to visit the desert with Joshua Tree National Park nearby and there are fantastic restaurants, shops and cafes such as Birba & Cheekys in Palm Springs proper.

Made exclusively with natural oils and extracts, Sarabecca's two fragrances, "Day" and "Night" are a true product of nature. "Day" has notes of jasmine, tuberose and muguet and "Night" includes notes of bergamot, ginger and patchouli.  Housed in an etched bottle from France and packaged in a beautiful box with artwork by local artist Carin Gerard, you will want to enjoy both fragrances for yourself as well as to give as gifts.

From Kim:

Today, a perfume made with real plant extracts and natural oils is a true rarity.  But for eons before the 20th century, all fragrances were naturally derived, often from plants tended to in European cloister gardens.  One of the most spectacular institutions dedicated to medieval art and architecture is that of "The Cloisters", a branch of the the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  Spectacularly poised in Fort Tyron Park above the Hudson River, a patische of European cloisters create a serene and fascinating impression of medieval monastical life.  It is a wonderful escape for an afternoon, where you can relax in the porticos of the cloisters, peruse the plants in the gardens and marvel at the mystique and majesty of one of the most famous pieces of art in the world, The Unicorn in Captivity a 15th century tapestry depicting the ever elusive Unicorn amidst a field of flowers.

From Kim: 

​​A visit to the El Encanto Hotel, one of the newest jewels in the crown of Orient-Express, is the perfect "stay-cation" for those of us who live in Santa Barbara. It's also one more stunning option for those visiting and needing lodging. The expanded terrace of the original 1918 building designed by Winsor Soule takes full advantage of the extraordinary view toward the sea with the Channel Islands grounding the horizon line in the distance. The hotel is aptly named, "The Enchanted", and I find that I am too, sitting here on a balmy, summer evening. 

I recommend an early supper outside at a bar table, the fresh ahi salad and a grapefruit/elder flower cocktail topped off with a stroll around the property before crossing the street to see a great film at the adjacent  Riviera Theater. Vive el verano!(Long live the summer!)

From Kim:

At the end of your sunny day, enjoy a sunset stroll on the exquisite coastal path leading to the Santa Barbara Four Seasons Biltmore and indulge in their divine lobster salad and a nice cocktail on the outdoor patio.  I've been a patron of this charming hotel since I was two, celebrating many special events there, as well as casual spontaneous occasions over the years.  In our ever-changing world, this property remains a serene, classic place of awesome beauty and uniqueness in the world.  Standing in the gardens, looking past the glowing "lighthouse" tower of the Coral Casino surrounded by swaying palms and out over the sea to the islands is forever an enthralling and magical experience.  I keep these views, vistas and memories close to my heart.

From Kim:

Point Reyes National Seashore is a bountiful, beautiful terrain with a long rich history, beginning with the Native American Coastal Miwok people who made northern Marin and this peninsula their home.  Fast forward to 1962, when John F. Kennedy signed legislation passed by Congress establishing Point Reyes as a National Seashore, forever preserving this rare coastal ecosystem for the publics inspiration and exploration. Shown left is a shot taken at the stunning Limantour Beach last fall. Here you can walk the brisk beach as well as the trails through the amazing grasslands surrounding the estuary. After a day in the sun and wind, relax at Manka's and dine at their new sister property Sir and Star at The Olema.

From Kim:

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

The site of this indigo blue, late summer night sky was my reward for taking the red eye to New York this past June.  I so miss our precious little adobe airport, however I'm tickled we still get to walk to the plane on the tarmac! There is something wonderfully retro and charming about that.  It would have been even more perfect if Duke Ellington's 1930, beautiful and timeless had been playing in the background.

MAISON K owner, Kimberly Phillips, discusses her travels and inspiration.