Teen Challenge Arizona

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!  I am truly grateful for my family & friends, and I treasure the time I get to spend with everyone.  The same goes to my CDA Team and the people I work with.  I always want to surround myself with the best team who have the same values and love for life, as I do.  That being said I would like to introduce you to my guest writer, Mathew Grove.  Mathew is one of my many talented and promising Project Managers.  He is heading the project for Teen Challenge Arizona and his passion for this project and foundation is unmatched.  So please enjoy and again, thank you for being a part of Candelaria Design!

(Written By Mathew Grove) Teen Challenge is an amazing national organization committed to helping those that are battling addiction. When Paul Cox, Director of Development for Teen Challenge Arizona, reached out to Candelaria Design for help with their kitchen, we were humbly honored to accept the invitation and set a meeting with him right away.  This was the beginning of a beautiful project . . . 

Background

Upon arrival to Teen Challenge, Paul Cox, Jim Moyer and Jonathon Roe educated our design team about the Teen Challenge organization and all of the incredible contributions they make within many communities around our country. Their Phoenix community alone has a daily average of sixty people (from all age groups) that participate - that is a lot of people to feed! To give you a better idea, the kitchen serves approximately 60 meals/3 times a day each year. This totals about 65,700 meals every year, not including holiday meals which serve up to 120 people each.  While jotting down these statistics, we were led to the kitchen which was noticeably in a deteriorating state – the walk-in refrigerator struggled to reach below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and continually would break down, an old dishwasher that was in constant need of repair (we noted that there was no three-basin dish washing sink to use as a backup to the dishwasher and that there was also a range that had bungee cords holding the oven doors shut), and lastly, a rough concrete floor that was not suitable for a kitchen . . . we had to help! We were told that they were applying for a $100,000 grant so they could have the funds to remodel their kitchen that was in desperate need for upgrades. So we signed on and started putting together a plan and design for their kitchen. 

Before & After of the Kitchen

Getting Started

First, we had to put together a program that contained all the necessary requirements for the new kitchen. In order to accomplish this, we immediately setup our first design meeting with Chef Ward at Teen Challenge. Shortly after, we had a well thought-out conceptual plan.  At this point we contacted a home builder here in Phoenix, Arizona who helped us put together a budget for the new kitchen - his first estimates came in and we realized this project could easily cost over $500,000. We realized this wouldn’t work with the previously disclosed budget of $100,000.

After a year of fundraising and reaching the $100,000 mark, I received a call from Paul Cox who mentioned he had a builder that wanted to help.  At this point we met with President and Founder of CR Commercial Contractors, Doug Terrell, who quickly helped put together an updated scope of work, “wish list” and project schedule to help maximize the $100,000 budget.

Thank fully, much of the team was still focused on making the original concept of the new and improved kitchen a reality for Teen Challenge.  In the initial budget, appliances alone were going to utilize just about the entire budget, accompanied by the new floor, necessary dish washer and 3-basin sink. Pat Julian, from Julian Restaurant Equipment, was kind enough to bring all the new appliances in at whole sale cost! With his generosity, a rippling effect amongst the tradesmen, donors and sub-contractors began, all of whom were kind enough to donate.  Before we knew it, the kitchen had all the wish list items and we were able to accomplish our original design.

**Another BIG THANK YOU to all the contractors for their donations to make this project a reality** 

Phoenix Home & Garden Home Tour 2016

Well it has been a crazy start to November. First you had the Cubs come from down three games to one to win the World Series and then of course President elect Donald Trump’s amazing come from behind political victory. It definitely shows that persistence pays and its never over until it is over. Definitely two of my motto’s for all of my life and surely a mindset you need when you endeavor to design and build a custom home.

Just as in life, it’s never smooth sailing, whether it is a simple remodel room addition or an uber complicated project like some of the projects we currently have on the board or under construction – it is going to take persistence! Hence why you want a great team behind you.

I have been blessed to have been a part of some amazing projects with talented team members. Tomorrow we are proud to have two spectacular projects on the Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine Home Tour which by the way is SOLD OUT!  https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixHomeGarden/

On the standard tour we have a beautiful Transitional Spanish Colonial home we designed in the Silverleaf community of Arcadia. This is truly a family home that we designed on what started as a flat lot but because it was in a flood zone we had to bring in 8’ of fill to raise the pad from the street then build the house! The lot has a unique shape which necessitated a unique design.

Basically, the home is arranged on a central axis that emanates from the corner and on one side of the axis is the adult side of the house and the other side is the family and children’s side of the house. Between the two is a protected courtyard. Sounds simple, but only when you see the house can you appreciate this arrangement.

What was so fun for me on this project was the fact that this was the first ground up project I had the wonderful opportunity to collaborated with my wife, Isabel, and her studio Earth and Images http://www.earthandimages.com. We were still single and dating when the clients hired us! Yes they were a bit worried – what if we broke up???? Well you all know how that story has played out!

Add the talents of Jeff Berghoff of Berghoff Design Group http://www.berghoffdesign.com and my Project Manager, Damon Wake who did a spectacular job on the project and you have the makings of a home worthy of the tour.

So many wonderful memories and of course challenges along the way. One of the best was a weekend that Isabel and I put on our work clothes and chalked out all of the paneling and trim on the unfinished drywall walls climbing scaffolding and getting down and dirty. Definitely worth the time and effort and the finished product is again a testament to persistence. The home was beautifully featured in the October issue of Phoenix Home and Garden and now is featured again for Isabel’s work on the daughter’s room in the current November issue of Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine!

The clients have joined us on our Candelaria Design Tour Italy and we celebrated the completion with a wonderful pasta making party and also a separate paella dinner – which by the way we will be serving to all 800 visitors during the tour tomorrow along with selling our Candelaria Collection Pasta Machines which you can order in time for the Holidays right here….. http://www.candelariadesign.com/candelaria-products

Damon Wake cranking away on the Candelaria Collection Pasta Machine!

Housewarming party - enjoying my Paella!

Phoenix Home and Garden Pasta Party

Then on the VIP Home Tour tomorrow is another special project with a magnificent team and of course client. This home received a 2011 Gold Nugget Merit award for a custom home over 6500 sf and also is the first LEED Home in Paradise Valley, Arizona. This is a very special home in that the husband ~ client sadly passed away just months after the home’s completion. I have so many fond memories and learning experiences in my time with him – he was truly a great man and inspiring figure. The wife ~ client enjoys the home and the memories associated with its creation and she proudly and graciously opens her home up for amazing events raising thousands for various charities in our community.

I was introduced to this client by Jim Smith of Serving the Nation whom we had just finished a project in the Phoenix Country Club with and he said I have a marquis project I would like to introduce you to. I remember exactly where I was when I received that call and it has changed my life forever.

Interior Designer Donna Vallone and our team quarterback Jim Smith 

Jim Smith was our project quarterback and he pulled all of the team together from Jerry Meek of Desert Star Construction http://desertstarconstruction.com , who along with his father built the first project I ever worked on back in 1982, Donna Vallone and Niki Saulino of Vallone Design who masterfully appointed the interiors, to Jeff Berghoff of Berghoff Design Group http://www.berghoffdesign.com who meticulously sculpted the gardens, to Walter Spitz of Creative Designs in Lighting http://www.cdltg.com who brought the magic to the project. Then add the long list of trades, suppliers, and vendors all who were intimately involved in this project. Finally, I would be totally remiss if I did not say special thanks to my Project Architect on the project, the humble but most talented, Jeffrey Kramer http://www.candelariadesign.com/meet-the-team/ who spearheaded the project for Candelaria Design from start to finish!

This home is definitely one of my marquis homes and everyone who participated on this project has such love and respect for each other…. It is truly a highlight of my professional career and I am so happy to share this home on this year’s VIP Tour!

I guess it is easy to see why this home is then so special. The whole four year process it took to design and build this home during a very tough time in the economy and in my personal life again shows the persistence it takes to achieve great things.

Ok a couple final notes – please stop by and enjoy an evening of photography at my show Captured Moments & Inspirations featuring some of my photography on the Scottsdale Art Walk this Thursday, November 17th at 6pm at my wife Isabel’s studio Earth and Images. Isabel and I will have sangria waiting!!!!

Let me know what your favorite photo is??????

https://www.facebook.com/events/1080435822073373/ 

Candelaria Design - Giving Back!

Happy Halloween to everyone – I think it is eventually going to cool off….we’ll see! Thank you to you all for the wonderful birthday wishes over the last month – I am so blessed by you all.

Well it’s definitely been busy and we are so appreciative of all the amazing projects we are working on and more importantly the fun and creativity we have with our clients.

We are also so proud to be a part of so many opportunities to give back and we are so intensely involved in some wonderful projects that contribute to those in our community – and trust me there are many – who are in need. It is so easy to just write a check or go to a dinner or ball and be done – and all of those contributions are so appreciated and necessary - but to physically participate with sweat and effort when you can’t write the big check is just as rewarding.

I have never been able to write the big check but throughout my life I have found ways to do my best to make a difference – even if it’s a small ripple in the pond….it can transform one life and become a sunami! I have seen this in action for myself. I love seeing this become an integral part of our Candelaria Design culture and the young members of my firm embrace this spirit of giving back.

In fact tonight, my Project Manager, Mathew Grove is attending a grand opening for the Phoenix Teen Challenge http://teenchallengephoenix.com  where we donated our time and energy to create the plans for their new kitchen. Teen Challenge helps members of our community making their way back from drug and alchohol addiction.

Last Monday, I had the honor at the invitation of Jimmy Walker, Founder and CEO of Celebrity Fight Night http://www.celebrityfightnight.org to speak at the Monday morning breakfast  at St. Vincent DePaul https://www.stvincentdepaul.net and 600 homeless people. What a humbling experience and honor that was, to give a speech about Not Giving Up….. an easy topic for me to talk about that is for sure. The magnitude of people who are in need right under our doorstep is eyeopening and it definitely puts things in perspective as we worry about how we are going to squeeze ten more feet into a closet or figure out how to add just two more garages onto a home.....The fact of the matter is it really should not take that much to make us happy and give us what we really need especially when there are so many others who just need the basics. My talk however was not about giving a man a fish but teaching a man to fish which I totally believe - again its easy for those on the fed side to just hand over an extra fish but it takes time, effort and love to tach a man to fish. The focus in this country has been just giving the fish and that needs to change. 

Meanwhile, Project Manager, Tim Mathewson, and his team are making great progress working with founder and our amazing client, Charles Keller, on the Colten Cowell Foundation Crime Fighting Cave https://coltencowellfoundation.org !!! We are getting excited to be breaking ground soon and we will be inviting our entire repetoire of clients and design/construction community to help out! This will be an amazing facility and we have donated all design services for this state of the art Bruce Wayne Manor.

At the same time, our Project Manager, Damon Wake, is diligently designing along with my wife Isabel and her team at Earth and Images http://www.earthandimages.com on donating our design services for the new addition to the Gigi’s Playhouse http://gigisplayhouse.org/phoenix/ we designed a couple years ago in Scottsdale. This will be spectacular and such a fabulous addition to those families dealing with the needs of children with Down’s Syndrome.

Finally, I am now on the Board of Habitat for Humanity and we are working on our Spring Gala where we are hoping to host a wonderful evening at one of our projects to raise money for this fabulous organization! Let me know if anyone is interested in hosting about 200 to 300 guests for this wonderful evening.

 On a final note, the earthquakes continue in our beloved Italy. Please go to our Community Page and make a donation to the Red Cross on behalf of the Italy earthquake victims. At this moment they just need funds for blankets and housing for those whose homes have been destroyed. 

Well that’s a complete list of projects to keep any office busy and these are just our “give back” projects and yes they take time, effort, and dedication along with the normal pressure and stress of any project but it’s what you do when you are part of a community and have a talent and service that can serve others.

I strongly urge all of you to help out – even if it’s a donation of money or time to any of our efforts and causes. Trust me we can find a place for you where you will instantly make a difference but more importantly experience first hand, the joy and grace of making a difference…….Text, email, or call me and we will plug you in to a spot where you can instantly impact our community. Who is in????

Candelaria Design Client Appreciation Party

I want to thank our clients who made it to our Client Appreciation Party on Friday night! What a fantastic evening and it was so great to see so many of you there – especially some of you I had not seen in some time!

We are so blessed to be a part of your lives and create something as personal as your home. What amazing memories and experiences we share and it is so gratifying to know that so many of you live and experience our creation every day….that is what makes what we do so motivating to us as architects.

Evelyn Jung, Stacey Payne and Vivian Ayala - the ladies who run the Candelaria Design show!

I want to thank my staff and especially Evelyn Jung who spearheaded the event and put it all together. I hope those of you who came walked away with one of our farewell party favor bags and our invite to my Photography show set for November 17th at 6pm at Isabel’s store and studio, Earth and Images. I will be featuring a series of various photos from my travels during the Scottsdale Art Walk.

So – the rest of this blog is a look back as some of those memories with our clients over the years. In the 17 years of Candelaria Design we have designed over 1000 homes all across the country and we currently have projects in design or under construction from Long Island to the coast of Oregon. We have been blessed to work and design homes for rock stars, athletes, Hollywood stars, politicians, restaurantuers, CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies, and just moms and dads and their families.

We have designed 60,000 sf homes down to 650 sf Guest Houses, whole house remodels and something as simple as a courtyard ramada. We love them all but what we love most are the people behind these projects and their unbelievable stories. We have so many fabulous projects on the boards or under construction now and we look forward to the years and projects and most importantly, friendships, ahead. A special thanks to my Mom and Dad who many of you met at the party. I know they had a fantastic time with everyone. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives and for being a part of ours!

Introducing the Candelaria Collection®

Welcome to October – definitely one of my favorite months of the year. I think we all love the change in weather – the end of the heat….Ok so it was 97º yesterday but it is amazing how after five months of 100º heat anything under 100º feels cool.

What I love most about the fall and spring months here in Arizona is you can open things up and I love making a fire, having a game on and doing some cooking. Anyone who knows Isabel and I – we both love to cook, especially together. And we have some cooking on the calendar this spring including the start of the Mark and Isabel Supper Club which we will say more about in blogs to come.

Of course Isabel and I both love design and we are having so much fun working together both on design and in the kitchen. Design of course takes months and many times, years, while cooking can be accomplished in a few hours. Both are about beauty, taste, and bringing delight and when we can do both cooking and design with a project it is absolutely heaven. I love the reaction we get to our cooking posts and I get it – not everyone can live in a Candelaria Design home, or go on a Candelaria Design Tour to Italy, but everyone can enjoy a Candelaria Design meal!

With that concept in mind we are proud to announce our new Candelaria Collection®!!! Our Candelaria Collection® is nothing more than a way to share our passion for good living in a way that is attainable and affordable for everyone. It is our way to share our recipes that we have learned from our travels, our clients, family and many friends who own marquis restaurants across the country.

So what would we start the Candelaria Collection® with but one of my favorite gadgets in the kitchen – a Pasta Machine! Ok I know – its just so much easier to just grab a bag of pasta, dump it into a pot of salted boiling water and in 9 minutes your pasta is done…..and that’s it – it’s done. The experience is over. Very American – 9 minutes and its over. It is no different that grabbing a magazine filled with floor plans off the rack at Safeways and starting construction – done. No, making pasta is about the experience – both making it, tasting it, and enjoying it. There is nothing like the taste and delicacy of fresh pasta.

Our pasta machine is beautiful and practical as the attachments for fettuccini and spaghetti are permanently attached to the main pasta roller. Like anything, the more I make pasta the better I get at it and the more comfortable it becomes which then pushes me to try more and more spins on the basic recipe. As with everything in life, the more you push the boundary the bigger the horizon gets.  Pasta making is endless. What I love about making pasta is how it gets everyone involved – especially kids. They love it – it’s like a big playdough party that you get to eat!

Isabel and her Earth and Images team and Damon Wake and I from my office all got together to use the Candelaria Collection® Pasta Machine at the kitchen and home we designed in Silverleaf. The entire afternoon and dinner was captured in the October issue of Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine currently on the newsstands. What fun to make pasta and share the experience with our clients, their friends and the team from Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine! What a wonderful afternoon and magical evening. Our Pasta Machine is now available and can ship in just days just in time for the Holiday season. You can order yours now at http://www.candelariadesign.com/candelaria-products and it makes a fantastic gift.

So once you have your machine how do you make pasta???? Well here is a recipe adapted from several recipes but mostly the recipe from my good friend, chef and author, Elizabeth Wholey. https://www.amazon.com/Sustenance-Food-Traditions-Italys-Heartland/dp/8890746106 Enjoy!!!

Making the pasta:

4-1/2 cups flour
6 eggs

The chef’s in Italy at our farmhouse like to make the pasta with two flours: two-thirds (Type 0) white floor and one-third semolina flour, made from durum wheat.

The ingredients are simple: flour and eggs. The quantities of flour to eggs will be adjusted as you go so you must mix the pasta by hand. The idea is to create a dough that doesn’t stick to your hands or the board you’re working on. If it’s too dry you add another egg; if it’s too wet you add more flour. Always dust your pasta board and your hands with floor so the dough does not stick to your hands or the board. You will use this technique all the way down the line.

Fill a large pot at least 5 inches deep with water. Cover and put on the stove to boil; add one heaping tablespoon of coarse salt.

To make the pasta, start out with 4-1/2 cups of flour and six eggs. On a large flat board pour out the flour and shape into a mound. Make a valley in the middle of the mound – create a volcano! Break the eggs into the volcano and beat them with a fork. With a fork, begin to cover the eggs with flour, and continue little by little mixing in just enough flour so that the dough eventually sticks together uniformly. Flour your hands and knead for eight minutes until it is shiny and elastic. To test its readiness, stick your finger into the middle of the dough. If it comes out clean, the dough is ready for the pasta machine. If the dough is still sticky, knead in a little more flour.

Important: let the dough rest for at least 10 – 20 minutes. It can also be wrapped well and refrigerated at this point to be rolled out the next day.

I then cut the dough ball into quarters or slices which then are easy to roll. Start with the dial on 1 and keep rolling the dough through adjusting the setting higher and higher until you get to the pasta thinness that feels right for whatever you are making.

Once your sheets are made to your desired thinness then you can either mover forward making ravioli or run the sheets through the fettucine cutter or the spaghetti cutter. Flour the cutters before you use them so the dough does not stick. Do not let the pasta sheets dry before you use the fettucine or spaghetti cutters. Once your fettucine or spaghetti is cut you can swirl them in mounds on a lightly floured tray.

Once made you can drop the pasta into the boiling water and the fresh pasta will cook quickly – about 3-4 minutes and it will be done. Don’t overcook – you want to pasta to be firm but cooked – el dente. Drizzle with olive oil and or butter and grate some parmigiana-reggiano cheese and you have the basics….. from there you can endlessly explore. Trust me you will be in pasta heaven!!!!

I will be adding more recipes in the weeks and months ahead from raviolis to special recipes from freinds, and chefs so stay tuned.

http://www.candelariadesign.com/candelaria-products 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy September 2016 - Our Day In Florence

Well I’m already back from our September 2016 Tour Italy and now I am catching up the blogs – only because we had such a great trip and packed so much in. Each trip gets better and better and this one topped the charts. Our 14th trip and what a journey and experience it was.

First and foremost, I want to thank my Associate, Evelyn Jung, who puts this trip together each year. WOW what a fabulous itinerary featuring a number of new venues and experiences. Second, I want to thank all of my September 2016 travelers – you were fantastic! The friendships and bond we created over the course of these 14 days will last a lifetime. I love how everyone already is organizing get togethers…..that’s more of what this trip is about than just the travel.

So I will catch the blogs up as we go through the next few weeks. I think my travelers will enjoy this format better anyway as it will give them a chance to relive the adventure.

A Day in Florence

So we departed on Wednesday and arrived on Thursday and finished that long day with the fabulous meal on the terrace at the Villa la Vendetta. Not a bad start and as it turned out that evening was one of the favorites of my travelers during the trip.

With a good night sleep – our first in Italy – at the Hotel Brunelleschi, we were up early the next morning to go on my morning walk. I love starting my tour with this walk as it gives my travelers a great little lesson for all of their trips to come – a morning walk before all the tourists arrive gives you the opportunity to virtually own the city and see it in a still, calm and quiet light. It gives you a chance to experience a busy place one-on-one. I love it and I had a big group and we explored quite a bit of the city from the Duomo, to the San Lorenzo Market, to the Santa Maria Novella church to the Arno River and the St. Regis Grand Hotel and the Westin Excelsior Hotels…which we would revisit at the end of the day…..the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi and the Palazzo Vecchio. Great way to start the day.

Then it was off to the hotel for a nice breakfast and then I debated – nap or climb Giotto’s Bell Tower at the Duomo…..well my travelers….namely Jim Steg – convinced me to keep going and climb the tower, which we did and which I always enjoy. What a spectacular view of the city of Florence.

Now – I was able to go back and snag a power nap with Isabel!!! Definitely another key to travel – get those power naps in and stay hydrated!!!

With the power nap done it was pizza time and so off we went to the San Lorenzo Market and the new Mario Batali Eataly http://www.eataly.net/it_en/shops/florence/ up on the second floor. Ok this was the second Eataly I had now been to in a month – the one at the World Trade Center in New York and now this one in Florence! Yes, I am a Mario Batali fan! I just love the sounds and smells of this place. We enjoyed a delicious pizza and a cold beer and then we did some more shopping and exploring of Florence. While the ladies shopped I enjoyed the sights and sounds of the street.

Theresa and Jim Steg, Walter Spitz and Michele Watts

Kimberly Banach, Theresa Steg and Isabel in Firenze

With a second power nap in it was time for cocktails at the hotel bar and then a fabulous dinner on the street at the Buca San Giovanni Ristorante http://www.bucasangiovanni.it right in front of the Duomo. Anyone who has been on my trip knows what a special and fun evening this is. From the lavish pomp and circumstance of the dinner the first night we relax and unwind with dinner on the street the second night…..again I love experiencing and exposing my travelers to the contrasts here in Italy. The food and atmosphere were fantastic and I was able to silence the street and get a nice applause for some of my opera signing! Finsih things off with a little limoncello, grappa and a cigar - What fun!!!

Part of the crew dining on the streets in Firenze

Walter Spitz serving the vino in Firenze

Phil Giltner, Walter Spitz and Renee Giltner in Firenze

From there we walked across town to the Arno River and back to the Westin Excelsior rooftop bar where we enjoyed a night cap, fun stories, and laughter under the star filled sky of Florence. 

Isabel, Kenny Moskowitz, Kimberly and Rob Banach

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Sept 2016 - Departure for Italy

We are officially off and on our way to Italy as we begin our 14th Candelaria Design Tour Italy!

I love this trip especially when I get to introduce some newbies to the experience of travel. I have a couple first timers to Europe and Italy which is the best. Watching their eyes and expressions as we arrive in Firenze and come upon the Duomo for the first time.

We have a wonderful group for our September trip. All of my travelers this trip are from the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. I have five repeat travelers and the Wedgie Media team who will be filming and droning our trip and the beautiful sights we will see for our new show Design and Romance - Italy. So 21 travelers in total. Some of my repeat travelers are enjoying their third and sixth trips!

So what adventures will we be embarking upon on this trip??? I have added several new venues this time including the Antinori Winery and a truffle hunt and picnic at a nature preserve in Tuscany.

Follow our journey right here on my blog as I will upload posts during the course of the trip. I will be posting a lot of pictures and videos here, on You Tube, Facebook and Instagram so you can enjoy this wonderful trip. I am very excited to start this trip with this group. I’m sensing some good times ahead for sure.

Here is our basic itinerary so join us on our adventure:

Sept 7th Departure from Phoenix

Sept 8th Arrival in Firenze with dinner at the picturesque Villa La Vedetta

Sept 9th A day in Firenze with dinner in front of the Duomo

Sept 10th Drive to Umbria with a stop at the Antinori Winery then our welcome dinner at the Farmhouse.

Sept 11th Sunday Brunch at Villa Piazzano then to Cortona for afternoon shopping and a fabulous dinner in a cellar.

Sept 12th Assisi followed by a wine tour in Umbria and dinner alfresco.

Sept 13th Wine tours in Umbria with our wine guide Pino.

Sept 14th Farmer’s market in Umbertide followed by antiquing at Lacole then our cooking class at the farmhouse.

Sept 15th San Gimignano and Siena

Sept 16th Truffle hunt and picnic in Tuscany and farewell dinner at the farmhouse

June 17th – Drive to Positano and the Amalfi Coast

June 18th – June 19th Positano and Capri

June 20th – time to come home L

Ok Here we go!

Arrival in Firenze

When you travel for nearly 34 hours between getting ready, getting to the airport, flying and then arriving and checking in…..you are in somewhat of a dream state. I guess they call that jet lag!

18 travelers and a three man film crew, with travelers arriving via NYC and Croatia and we all made it! Not one lost piece of luggage. Amazing.  Well we checked in and all got settled one by one at the beautiful Hotel Brunellschi located in the heart of Firenze http://www.hotelbrunelleschi.it We have been staying here since 2004 and it is one of my favorites. The staff if outstanding and very friendly and have been the same crew throughout the years. It makes you feel like you are staying with good friends or family and they treat you accordingly. 

We all got settled, some of us arrived just before noon and we had some time to do a little exploring and/or get a quick power nap in. Of course, my objective was to get that first Italian espresso…..that definitely helps take the edge off the jet lag.  We later then met at the hotel lounge for cocktails before we made our way to the spectacular Villa La Vedetta http://www.villalavedettahotel.com in the hills above Firenze for our welcome dinner. This is our first time at this venue and it was nothing short of spectacular.

The ladies of the Candelaria Design Tour Italy at the Villa la Vedetta

Of course everyone is in this jet lag state of being and all of a sudden you are enjoying a Prosecco on the terrace overlooking Firenze with the sun setting in the distance …..well like I said dreamlike for sure.

Michelle Watts and Walter Spitz at the Villa La Vedetta

Michelle Watts, Walter Spitz, Phil Giltner, and Isabel

We start with cocktails and appetizers on the terrace - which was absolutely lovely as we watched the sun set over Florence. This was followed by a spectacular dinner with a set menu that we had created ahead along with the wine pairings so my jet lagged travelers did not have to make a single decision this evening – just relax and soak in the experience. The stories and friendships were beginning……

Fabulous evening and a wonderful start to our journey!

The September 2016 Candelaria Design Tour Italy is Ready to GO!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! I know I am enjoying at least a hint of cooler temps. The early morning hours are perfect already!

This Wednesday, September 7th, we will depart on our 14th Candelaria Design Tour Italy. This time we will start our trip, as we do all of our trips to Italy, in Florence but we will finish on the coast in Positano. What is exciting about this trip is that we will be accompanied by a three person film crew from Wedgie Media for our new show Design & Romance - Italy! Wedgie Creative may share a few clips during the trip on social media but the episode will not likely air until the Holidays or this coming Spring. Meanwhile catch our Seasons 1 and 2 of SKETCH on https://www.thedesignnetwork.com/series/sketch/

Mark and daughter, Tiffany in Umbria

We have a wonderful group of 18 travelers joining us this time with eight of us being repeat travelers. I also have a few first time travelers to Europe and Italy which I love. We have many new venues and adventures for this year’s tour including a trip to the Antinori Winery http://antinorichianticlassico.it/en  and truffle hunting followed by a picnic on a nature preserve in Tuscany! Fourteen days and each one filled with amazing sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that we will do our best to capture in our show. I am so excited to share so much more of this trip with our fans.

Antinori Winery in Tuscany

Our two trips planned for 2017 are already reserved. We have our first trip to Spain filled for June 2017 and our September 2017 trip for Italy is also booked. So for 2018 we are open for some new destinations….. what do you think????

When we return from our trip we are excited to have the home from one of our 2015 travelers featured in the upcoming October issue of Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine. This Formal Spanish Colonial home in Silverleaf is one of the first collaborative efforts of Candelaria Design and my wife, Isabel, and her studio, Earth and Images. www.earthandimages.com  What is exciting, is that in addition to featuring the design of the home the magazine will feature one of our favorite things to do, cook for our clients in the completed home. This time with our new Candelaria Collection Pasta Machine with which we made homemade raviolis for 15 including the Phoenix Home and Garden photographer, writer, and editor along with friends and family of our client’s.

Jennifer Gage and Isabel

Damon Wake and MC

Yum.... Homemade Ravioli

MC with Phoenix Home and Garden Editor Karol Dewulf Nickell

So – here we go – off to Italy! Follow our tour right here on the blog, on Facebook and on You Tube. Ciao for now!

Our new Pasta Machine will go on sale this week as we will be taking orders on our website. Stay tuned for more details and recipes to follow.

My Love of Travel

We have made it halfway through August, and for all of us living in Arizona summer cannot end soon enough. Most of you who live here are returning from your summer escapes as many of the schools are now back in session. Our winter snowbirds won’t start flying in until late October or early November.

My least favorite month here is September. I am just ready for summer to be over and so that’s the month I like to escape – hence our Candelaria Design Tour in September when it’s perfect in Italy. We will be departing on our 14th Tour on September 7th.

On our way to the new Eataly

Meanwhile, now is the time where Isabel and I come to NYC for the market and to enjoy the city. We come every year this week and we both love it. We racked up 10 miles of walking just yesterday which gave us the guilty free lunch at Mario Batali's new Eataly in lower downtown New York and then our finish to the day at one of our favorite indulgences, dinner at Mario Batali’s http://www.babbonyc.com. Always fantastic and this year was no exception. We always make reservations months in advance but eagerly give our table up if we find room at the bar upon our arrival which was the case this year. We love dining at the bar and meeting people from across the world, which of course we did this year. Fabulous food, wine and interesting conversation. Love it!

Vivian, MC and Evelyn 

So…. MC and travel….. why do I do it so much and do I really even work or am I checked out and not watching the ship or running the show!?! I quietly hear this question all the time and I know my competition loves to whip this into a frenzy. The truth is I do travel a lot – most of it for work as we currently have projects all across the country. My team and I have projects underway in Kansas City, Denver, California, Idaho, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, and here in New York. I have the best team out there, many have been with me over ten years and some over 15. They are in their prime and blow the competition away. My executive assistant, Stacey Payne, keeps me on track and helps me in so many ways! My associates, Vivian Ayala and Evelyn Jung keep things moving every day. We usually start our mornings at 5 am texting and planning the day or weeks ahead, We do our Candelaria Design Tours, two this year to Italy – both sold out, and next year we will be adding an annual trip to Spain – also already sold out. I am starting to get offers to speak about our homes, travel, cooking and lifestyle and so those now sometimes require travel.

Candelaria Design home in design in Cherry Hills, Colorado

Candelaria Design home just ready to break ground in Kansas City

Just completed renovation in LaJolla, CA

Nonetheless, what is amazing with the technology today, I can really work and connect with my team and clients from anywhere. Most of the time it’s my clients that are somewhere else and we are connecting with them, but many times I’m on the road connecting in. All of our work and drawings are in “the cloud” so I can access them from anywhere. I love my new Ipad Pro and use it to sketch right over the top of drawings and can instantly send them back to my staff when they have questions. It’s quite amazing how we have embraced this connectivity and I love it.

Editing and redlining and designing on my IpadPro

You see I pretty much work all the time. Architecture and Living is what I do and fortunately I am married to a woman, Isabel, who is in the same business and shares this same passion for design and living. We pretty much eat, breath and sleep design and the two of us are on the go constantly. That is what inspires us and allows us to be so creative with our clients and projects. It is our FUEL!!!!

Mark and Is - Night on the town in NYC

How can an architect or designer have new ideas by just sitting at the office and maybe delving through Pinterest images or magazine clippings and truly understand the soul, the atmosphere, the context of a space or image they see on Pinterest….. The fact is you can’t. All of our clients travel and see the world and so it is important for me and my team to do the same. How else can you be on the same level of experience and understanding as your client? And how fortunate that with our Candelaria Tours many times I share those experiences simultaneously with my clients and staff as I bring a member of my team with me on each trip. What an experience and reward for them.

Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2015

We create and sell a dream a lifestyle – our focus is Inspiring Living. You cannot do that behind a desk. Our whole business model, both internally and externally, is about Inspiring Living and our mission is to work with a staff that is inspired to live and clients we can inspire to take living to an entirely higher level. Mark is not slowing down – I am transitioning into pursuing more of my other interests – writing, painting, photography, travel, cooking, product design, music -  along with continuing design with my Candelaria Design Team. We are having our best year ever in our 17 years at Candelaria Design so our model is working just fine!

Our new Candelaria Collection Pasta Machine coming this Fall!

And so I am going to enjoy the weekend here in New York and will likely snap 1000 more photos and sketch several details that I will soak up in my ten mile hikes each day. And I will enjoy a fabulous dinner every evening at some fantastic restaurant that a client has referred me to with my lovely wife, Isabel. We will hit some galleries, meet some fascinating people, listen to some jazz, and yes maybe enjoy a martini and a cigar here or there on occasion……

Mark and Isabel with marketing maverick and NYC socialite Marguerite Brown in NYC

You see Living and Working are all the same for me…. Every moment of my life I am working and living. 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Our Finish at Lake Como

Isabel and I on our wedding spot at Villa d'Este, Lake Como, Italy

Villa d'Este

One month from today we depart for our 14th Candelaria Design Tour Italy and our second Tour this summer! So – I need to close out the June Trip and we did that in style at Lake Como and the spectacular Villa d’Este.

It is quite a contrast to leave the quaint and rustic farmhouses in Umbria and then check into the Villa d’Este. http://www.villadeste.com/en/13/home.aspx

So we got up early and enjoyed one more quiet morning in the Umbrian countryside and then it was off to make the journey northward across Italy to Lake Como. Of course there is always time to stop at an Autogrille for a fantastic roadside lunch.

Lunch selections at the roadside Autogrilles.

Isabel Wedding Day 9.16.13

Nothing quite like checking into the Villa d’Este! Wow – what elegance and the staff is so friendly – of course they remember Isabel and I and our surprise wedding there in 2013 just two days after singer John Legend married Chrissy Tiegen at the same spot.

Isabel and Sandra Wilken at the Villa d'Este Gardens

Isabel checked in at the Hotel Villa d'Este

The beautiful rooms at the Villa d'Este

By this point on the trip everyone seems to do their own thing but we did all meet for cocktails on the terrace and some went into town for dinner while we joined two of our guests for a fantastic dinner at the hotel.

Cocktails at Lake Como at Harry's Bar. 

Dinner at the Villa d'Este

Dinner at the Villa d'Este

On the road to Switzerland

The next morning it was off to Switzerland for a day on Lake Lugano. What a beautiful place and now I need to spend some time in Switzerland!!! We just kicked back enjoyed a fabulous parade and had a leisurely walk through the park along the lank and a relaxing lunch in town.

MC making friends in Switzerland

Isabel making friend in Switzerland

Lago Lugano

The ladies at Villa d'Este

After a nice afternoon in Switzerland it was back to the Villa d’Este to relax and get ready for dinner high up the hill at the Il Gatto Nero. http://www.ristorantegattonero.it/en This restaurant is fantastic, with a view that is unparalleled. The road to the restaurant is not one you want to drive – especially later after dinner and vino. We enjoyed a fantastic evening watching the sunset and the romantic lights twinkling around the lake.

Fantastic view from the Il Gatto Nero

The ladies at Il Gatto Nero.

Philip and Martha Weiner at the Il Gatto Nero

Diane and John Whittaker at Il Gatto Nero

Dinner at Il Gatto Nero

Finally, it was our last day and for me it was a day to just relax and enjoy the grounds and gardens of the hotel. The girls went shopping and I napped, enjoyed lunch by the pool and caught up on my projects as it was Monday morning!

One final evening and so Isabel and I decided to go back to the Il Gatto Nero for a quiet evening – just the two of us. So nice to spend a quiet evening with the woman who has made every trip so special for me and our travelers.  We celebrated our wedding from 2013, gave blessings to the wonderful gifts we have enjoyed since, and looked forward to all that lies ahead.

The trip had come to a close….or so we thought. It was 10:30 at night and we were getting up at 4am for our early morning departure from Milan so we were done….As we made our way back to the hotel and entered the lobby we could hear a lot of commotion at the grand stair. We turned the corner to find one of our travelers collapsed on the landing. Her shoe had apparently gotten caught on the carpet runner and down she went….an entire flight of stairs. We rushed over and first made sure she was conscious which thank God she was. Then we checked to see if anything was broken, and fortunately all seemed ok there. So we helped her to a wheelchair which the hotel staff had brought over and we were able to get her in and then to her room. From there, Isabel was able to apply her reiki technique on her shin for nearly an hour. We calmed her down, got ice on her injuries, and left her to get some sleep. https://www.google.com/#q=reiki.

OK now this trip 13 was over….all I had to do was get everyone to Milan and home which we did with a little lost luggage and a few missed connecting flights…… Now Tour 13 was complete!

Amalfi Coast - Candelaria Design Tour Italy September 2016

So it’s off to Candelaria Design Tour Italy number 14 departing on September 7th! What adventures lie ahead???? This Tour we will start in Florence, spend our week in Umbria and then finish on the Amalfi Coast in Positano! Next year, we will do the Tour Italy in September with the finish in Venice! We still have a few spots left for that trip but it’s nearly sold out so don’t wait.

Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2017 - Venice

Ok ciao for now. 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 10 - Last day in Umbria

Wow – what a busy week this was! This coming week we will keep the travel going as we are off to LaJolla, CA tomorrow to start filming season 3 of SKETCH!  We will be filming a beautiful makeover just a block off the beach!

LaJolla Makeover coming too Season 3 of SKETCH

Then its off to Newport Beach for a three day management and strategic planning seminar I will be attending with my two new partners, Vivian Ayala, and Evelyn Jung! Our spouses will fly out on Friday and we will enjoy next weekend on the Coast.

Ok – well I got so busy when we returned from the June Candelaria Design Tour Italy that I never finished off the June trip…..so here we go – let’s flashback to June and our last day in Umbria. Here is where we left off:

http://www.candelariadesign.com/blog-content/2016/6/26/candelaria-design-tour-italy-june-2016-day-9-san-gimignano

Our farmhouse compound in Umbria

So I had five of my travelers taking off for Lake Como and another couple already in the Chianti region visiting friends so we were down to sever travelers left in Umbria. Friday is our free day so after our morning coffee we all received an invite by our farmhouse chef and writer, Elizabeth Wholey, for a tour of her private residence restoration. Very cool and it was so fun to see her pride which is definitely well deserved.

Here is the link to her book which I highly recommend:

https://www.amazon.com/Sustenance-Food-Traditions-Italys-Heartland/dp/8890746106/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469983854&sr=8-1&keywords=sustenance+umbria

Elisabeth Wholey in her Umbria Farmhouse restoration.

Gicela Dulcich, Elizabeth Wholey and Isabel 

It was about noon now and so we all decided to head to the lake to do a little exploring. Lake Trasimeno is beautiful lies on the western edge of Umbria, not far from the border with Tuscany. In all my time in Umbria I just have never taken time to explore the villages along the lake so this was the year. Our choice this year was Castiglione de Lago on the west shore of the lake. Wow – what a surprise…..as is always the case in Italy….it’s endless. I cannot believe this lovely village, with a castle of course, had been sitting right under my nose for all of these years.

We wondered through the Porte Senese and then down the Via Vittorio Emanuele and found a fabulous restaurant, the La Cantina, http://www.ristorantecantina.it, and its lovely terrace where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch overlooking the lake. Our waiter was fabulous and so friendly as are most people in Italy. We took our time – which is easy to do in Italy – and just took in the lovely afternoon.

Martha, Philip and Rebecca at the Ristorante La Cantina at Castiglione de Lago, Umbria

Lake Trasimeno from La Cantina

From there we went and explored the town and the castle which was spectacular. We made our way back through town and stopped for a spritz and then made our way back to the Farmhouses.

Martha, Philip and Rebecca exploring the castle.

Lake Trasimeno from the castle in Castiglione de Lago

After a little regroup and some rest at the farmhouses it was time for dinner and again I wanted to explore a spot I have been wanting to go to for years. My good friend and past traveler, Larry Peery, had been telling me of a restaurant he and his girlfriend, Gloria had discovered on one of the free days on their trip, the Ristorante Simone Corsetti ai GIrasoli di Sant’Andrea! http://www.ristorantegirasoli.it Ok another gem – two in one day!

We dined al fresca on the terrace and watched the sun set for the last time on the hills of Umbria.  The Ristorante Girasoli is a winery and restaurant and was absolutely divine. Definitely one of the best steaks I’ve had in Italy and definitely an add to our trip going forward and I know right when to work it into our trip!

And so we ended our time in Umbria and it was time to make the trek to Lake Como. I will cover Lake Como in another blog as there is so much to share!

Ciao!

Alaska - Cusacks on the Kenai

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I love to travel. With today’s technology and the great team I have with me at Candelaria Design, I can virtually work wherever I go. And as my team knows, that’s what I do – I work from everywhere during all times of the day and night. From my office and studio at home, from Italy to the Kenai River in Alaska! I love it and I have found the constant change of scenery and experiences serves as a springboard for endless inspiration in design and in life.

This week I took my first visit to Alaska, at the gracious invitation of Dr. Tony and Jenny Hedley, clients and now good friends of mine whose home my team is designing in Arcadia back in Phoenix. My daughter, Isabella is good friends with their daughter, Alexis so Bella came up a couple weeks ago and my youngest daughter, Sophia and I came up this weekend to bring her home.

What a great trip and now another door of exploration has been opened. Alaska is simply amazing. I know many of you have been here and know words cannot describe it as it is boundless and endless – it is truly the last frontier. We spent our time, four days – albeit long days as the sun never seems to set – with the Hedleys at their amazing lodge on the Kenai River! http://cusacksonthekenai.com

Such a beautiful spot set right in the middle of the Kenai peninsula. Their lodge is majestic with direct access right to the river with everything you need to snag some beautiful salmon.  We had a wonderful time just fishing and relaxing and taking in the fresh air and 60º temperatures…..not a bad place to unwind from the 115º heat of Arizona in July. Jenny Hedley and her sisters make the whole experience feel like home.

With the sun virtually setting at midnight and twilight at the end of the day merging into twilight of the next morning the kids wind things down at about 4am with tales being spun around the firepit and fishing ongoing day and night. I would wind things down around 1am and get up around 8am to complete silence as no one but the hardy fishermen would not move until about 2 or 3 pm. Perfect!

I would fish for a few hours, then come back and enjoy my coffee and get a couple hours of work, fish some more, then work for a bit, then squeeze in a nap before anyone even woke up! We even worked in some time to review their plans!

Then to top it all off they invited me into the kitchen where we made reindeer raviolis, fettuccini and spaghetti with my new Candelaria Collection pasta machine which has now traveled with me to Italy and Alaska. Yes most people bring their fishing and hunting gear….I brought my new Pasta Machine which we will be selling soon on our website. Making pasta is always an undertaking and tonight we went big as we had about 30 people here so after starting at about 5pm we wrapped the pasta making up at about midnight - but boy was it good. Add a delicious reindeer sausage ragu and the crew here at the lodge were in for a treat.

The fishing is amazing and there is nothing better than eating fresh salmon. But the time to sit and reflect and refresh was the best. My girls loved it and it and I know I am coming back with the whole Candelaria clan next summer as we start to explore more of this spectacular place. 

Special thank you to Dr. Hedley and his lovely wife Jenny and their entire family who made us feel like we were a part of their family! 

Italy - Design & Romance

Isabel and Mark at Marcellino's 

Enjoying time with my friends in Assisi, Italy

It seems like every blog starts with sending prayers for someone, or something, or as with this week, for a nation. I send my prayers to all of the victims of the heinous attacks in Nice, France. As an avid traveler who loves having lunch on the street, enjoying farmer’s markets, and all of the wonderful sights and sounds of any place, whether here in Scottsdale or in France, this event really upsets me as it is an attack on our way of life.

St. Mark's Square - Venice

Farmer's Market - Venice

As I write this blog and am watching the Sunday news shows, we have another shooting of officers in Baton Rouge.....the hatred continues.....

Chef Marcellino

Despite these horrible acts, we must live our lives and spread goodness and so Friday night we kicked off our 14th Candelaria Design Tour Italy with our Pre-Trip dinner at Marcellino’s http://marcellinoristorante.com  Yes – our trip and tour will continue. Will we always be keeping an eye around the corner, and aware of our surroundings….most definitely! Unfortunately, it is a fact of life in this unpredictable world….whether in Italy or in Scottsdale. So we won’t give in and my travelers are not either as we had a full house and have 18 travelers joining us on our September 2016 trip which will depart on September 7th.

Chef Marcellino on center stage!

What is exciting about this trip is that we are bringing our SKETCH film crew and we will be filming a 14 episode series, Italy – Design and Romance, featuring our entire Tour. The crew of Wedgie Creative http://www.wedgiecreative.com  will follow the trip with 5k footage including drone footage of our travels. The series will not only be about the tour and its picturesque beauty, but will include the thoughts and experiences of our travelers, and the romance and love this trip has brought Isabel and I and many of our travelers.

Matt and Jennifer Gage with Isabel and Mark in Florence

So we kicked things off Friday night and I have a wonderful group of travelers joining us. This time all of my travelers are coming from the Phoenix metro area, although their backgrounds are from a broad spectrum including clients who are originally from Croatia and Poland and now summer in Calgary and winter in their Candelaria Design home in Litchfield Park. We have several repeat travelers – seven this time, a couple builders and their wives, a stone fabricator and his wife along with two of their friends, a lighting designer and his girlfriend, a couple clients who love our trip and are joining us on their third trip, and finally my associate, Rob Banach and his wife, Kimberly!

Pre-Trip Dinner for Trip 14 Candelaria Design Tour Italy

Follow our journey right here on our blog and then later on The Design Network https://www.thedesignnetwork.com with our new Series Italy – Design and Romance!!!

A little romance at Lake Como - Wedding Day September 16, 2013

Time Square NYC

Ok summer is half over and we have an exciting second half of the summer coming so follow our blog as I depart for Alaska this Wednesday, followed by filming another one of our Candelaria Design homes in LaJolla, CA, followed by a Candelaria Design management retreat in Newport Beach. Then it’s off to New York, Santa Fe and then our Tour Italy! So yes we will be busy and I’ll be sharing some great sights, and dining spots along the way. Have a great summer everyone and thanks for the shares and VOTES!!!

Isabel in Santa Fe, New Mexico

http://azbigmedia.com/vote-ranking-arizona

Happy 4th of July - from San Diego!

I hope everyone had a fantastic 4th of July Holiday and week. Its definitely one of my favorite holidays for sure. The events of the week in this country definitely are troubling and I pray for our country especially with the upcoming political campaigns – it seems like everyone in this country is on edge and we all need to chill and keep the dialogue open and ease up on the hatred.

With that said, I am very honored and happy to have been selected and appointed to the board of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona http://habitatcaz.org. I firmly believe that a lot of the problems out there are due to poor housing and the lack of opportunity that many face. As a community of whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. we can come together on projects that are productive and bring families and people together – building versus destroying! http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/06/how-a-house-can-shape-a-childs-future/489242/

I am so excited to be a part of this group and hopefully can bring more of the design and building community to this amazing forum.

Tiffany, Isabel, MC, Bella and Sophia at Eddie V's.

I know I live a wonderful life and I am so blessed with a nice home, and beautiful family, supporting wife, fantastic career and business, and work with a talented staff and have the dearest clients. During this 4th of July week I had some time to reflect on all of this. First – thanks for the time to spend with my family and get away! The 4th of July is always great because nearly all of my clients take the week off too so it was definitely quiet and calm. Very appreciated!!!

So this 4th of July I packed up the troops and we rented a beach condo in Ocean Beach in San Diego! Just like the last few 4ths I had all of my girls. My oldest Tiffany flew down from Denver, my wife Isabel flew over from Phoenix, and my two youngest daughters, Sophia and Bella, and I all piled into the Highlander along with a friend each and we were off on our 4th of July adventure.

Road Trip!

Arrival in Ocean Beach

The Gov!

What a great week! Of course you cannot go to San Diego over the 4th without running into clients and friends from Arizona. In fact, I think half of Arizona including Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, were all enjoying some down time and cool air in San Diego.

My clients are so wonderful and treat me and my family so graciously. From a fantastic beach party with our clients and good friends, Don and Sharon Ulrich along with Dave and Melissa Mullard and their family and friends, to an evening on the Charles Keller yacht, Just Sit Right Back in Coronado who made the trip down from Marina del Rey with my associate, Tim Mathewson and his fiancé Amber, to running into more Italy travelers, Gicela Dulcich and Julie Horne at the Marine Room in La Jolla http://www.marineroom.com, to finally a relaxing evening at the La Jolla courtyard casa of Erika and Russell Dickey – we were treated like royalty!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Isabel at the Hotel Del

Night Yachting on the Just Sit Right Back

MC and Charles Keller in Coronado Bay

Chilling in Ocean Beach with Gicela and Anthony Dulcich

The Candelaria Girls at the Marine Room

Gicela and Isabel at the Marine Room

Dinner at the Marine Room in LaJolla

Russell and Erika Dickey in LaJolla

Such a wonderful week, from time on the beach, eating fish tacos and my share of oysters on the half shell, enjoying some margaritas and vino, the Coronado parade, some one-on-one time with the girls including a fund day at Balboa Park with Tiffany, and even squeezing in some time to make homemade pasta with our new and soon coming to market Candelaria Collection Pasta Maker. Nothing better than homemade raviolis!

Tiffany at Balboa Park - San Diego

MC and Tiffany at Balboa Park

Balboa Park - San Diego

Balboa Park - San Diego

Pizza party on the Beach in La Jolla

We made it home last night in time for my good friend and amazing lighting designer http://www.cdltg.com , Walter Spitz’s 60th Birthday. 60 – seriously!!!! Well, all I can say is what a joy it was to be back in time for a wonderful evening at Avanti’s! http://avanti-az.com

Walter Spitz and Michele Watts at Avanti's

What fun and good times – now its back to it – second half of the year here we go!!! Let’s all do our best to share love, tolerance and generosity and let’s all try and make a positive difference. 

American WWII Vet at breakfast at Margarita's Restaurant in Ocean Beach

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 9 - San Gimignano

Well I thought I would continue with some more from our Candelaria Design Tour Italy – Trip 13 now that I am back and have a few moments with my morning coffee out in the garden!

As you likely figured out by reading the blogs from the first eight days of our journey we were definitely celebrating Trip 13 and Day 9 continued the saga! Today we usually go to San Gimignano and then Siena but rain was in the forecast and both towns require a fair amount of driving from our remote farmhouse location in Umbria.

So we got up and set our google pins in everyone’s phone or gps to my favorite parking spot in San Gimignano – which no matter when I have come is always packed and full and this year even with the threat of rain the lot was full when we arrived.

The drive as you approach San Gimignano is always so picturesque as you occasionally get a far off vignette view of the towers of this medieval treasure with farm or sunflower fields as your foreground. It’s quite magical.

Using teamwork we were able to get the four parking spaces we needed. From there is was a short walk of course uphill to the village. San Gimignano is always one of the favorites of my travelers and it is a wonderful place to experience any time of the year as we were also here during the Holidays with my girls who loved it.

We made our way down the main thoroughfare to our lunch spot, the Ristorante - Bel Soggiorno http://www.ristorante-belsoggiorno.it/new/ which I discovered while exploring on last year’s trip. Of course they were not quite opened even though we had called ahead for reservations. I had all but two of my travelers, who chose to catch up with some friends traveling in the Chianti area. As we waited, of course the rain came…..We pitched our umbrellas and waited for the restaurant to open.

The view from the Bel Soggiorno restaurant is spectacular only to be outdone by the food which again was off the charts. From our nice lunch we did a little shopping and the rain just kept coming harder and harder.

We reconvened the group to make our way back to the cars where we contemplated our next destination, Siena….but I could feel my travelers had had it with the rain and driving and if we went to Siena we would not get out of there until late therefore likely driving in the rain in the darkness….The decision was made – we would head home and back to the farmhouses for a relaxing evening….or so I thought!

The drive home is about an hour and a half and the rain was coming down pretty good but we all made it safely home and I was looking forward to a quiet evening as it was nice to be home early and enjoy some time in the country houses. Well so I thought…..

The ladies traveling as a group had enough of the country and the rustic nature of being out in the Umbrian hills, the rain, and the driving and they were ready for the ambiance and services that would be provided by the Villa d’Este on Lake Como. Problem is we still had one more day in the country – but the woman were ready to go now!

So with some calls and research on the website we were able to get rooms a day early for the ladies and they would drive off the next morning. So I had two travelers off with friends in the Chianti area, and now five more would be leaving so I was now down to seven of 14 travelers! Well that’s the beauty of the trip – you have your own car and can choose to create your own itinerary and this group definitely embraced that opportunity!

The rest of us made use of our left over, made a fire and enjoyed the quiet of the country.