Auction Napa Valley 2012

You are cordially invited to the most extraordinary wine event in the world...

Auction Napa Valley has come and gone but I couldn't resist highlighting the decadent wine filled weekend that raised $8 Million for charity! My mom and I attended Saturday’s iconic Live Auction Day at Meadowood Resort where we hosted a table, poured Ceja Vineyards wines & participated in one of the live auction lots.

The over-the-top live auction was held in a huge white tent where, for more than three hours, 800 bidders, vintners and media socialized, cheered and chose to bid on more than 40 extravagant live auction lots. Why should you bid? Since its inception in 1981, Auction Napa Valley has given more than $100 million to dozens of Napa County health, youth development and affordable housing non-profits – pretty awesome!

Top Three Live-Auction Lots

1. Chappellet: $720,000

• A 12-day African safari for four, dinner for 10 at the winery and four large-format bottles. Winning bid was $360,000, paid by two separate bidders.

2. Chappellet, Chateau Montelena, Gargiulo, Raymond, Shafer and Silver Oak: $460,000

• A private concert for 28 people with Lady Antebellum, two-night trip to London and six large-format bottles.

3. Antica Napa Valley and Dalla Valle: $300,000

• Three-night excursion in Napa for four, 10-night trip to Tuscany for four and 16 large-format bottles {Yay Maya!}.

If that still doesn’t quite do it for you, the food just might. Famed chef, Thomas Keller kicked off lunch with Ad Hoc’s fried chicken and Gotts Road House stand served over 700 burgers during the live auction. Emeril Lagasse hosted a sunset dinner on the lawn that included salmon crudo and roasted Colorado lamb rack accompanied with more than 200 Magnums of wine to pair. Doesn’t get much better than that! Ole!

P.S. I'm heading to San Diego today with my EMBA class to sail with the USA Women's America's Cup team. More info later! Have a fabulous weekend!

Spring Bridal Shower

This past Sunday my closest friends and I threw one of our best gals a Spring Bridal Shower! The day turned out to be beautiful and our bride-to-be was positively glowing. It was the perfect afternoon as we sipped mimosas, chatted anxiously about the upcoming bachelorette party, feasted on delicious bites and played some hysterical bridal games.

My core group of friends have known each other since the 7th grade so it was amazing to celebrate such a special moment with all of them. With so much excitement and love in the air the countdown to her wedding {and bachelorette party} is on! I can't wait to be part of this special day and for Kendall to marry the man of her dreams. 

Life Is a Picnic

Solemio Dress, Furla Belt, J Crew Hat, H&M Bracelets

I’m a sucker for picnics. The way to my heart definitely includes some prosciutto, Humboldt Fog cheese, Sicilian olives, cherries, figs, a sour dough baguette & a bottle of bubbles! Oh yes, and let’s not forget my main squuuueeeze. This past Sunday afternoon we went on an impromptu picnic to Lake Berryessa. It was a stunning afternoon with highs in the 80’s. Lying in the grass with our shoes off felt like heaven. When was the last time you went on a picnic? 

p.s. I was invited to be on a panel for the Women for WinesSense Grand Event at the CIA. I’ll be talking about blogging, social media and new trends in the wine industry. Show me some love and like my Facebook fan page, follow me on Twitter & check out what I’m pinning on Pinterest!

DREAMLAND Premiere

Experience the true California lifestyle!

Two weeks ago my mom and I attended the “Dreamland” movie screening in Sacramento {we attended the world premiere in London last November}. The film features essential elements of California’s lifestyle – cuisine, wine, music, entertainment and film. I’m particularly excited to share this post because my family and I had the unique opportunity to be selected as part of the cast and to represent a wine focused family living in the Napa Valley!

The plot - “DREAMLAND” tells the story of one day in California. Filmed simultaneously from dawn until dusk on November 19, 2010, it follows a remarkable ensemble of Californians who are pushing the bounds of the possible. On this one-day event, a dozen documentary film crews scattered across the Golden State – all working together to tell the story of one day in time by individually capturing unique stories of people and places.

The cast includes entrepreneurs, daredevils, entertainers, scientists, politicians, chefs and technologists who are all in California for the same reason: to make their dreams a reality. Each embodies an adventurous and innovative spirit that symbolizes California.

The film provides detailed snapshots of what makes California so desirable to travelers from around the world – I feel so lucky that I can call this place my home! The film was sponsored by Visit California and will air on PBS this fall and will also be shown on international T.V. channels. 

Twenty Seven Candles

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="24" size_format="px"]27 Lessons For 27 Years[/typography]

Yep. Today I'm 27.

Here are a few things I've learned along the way...

1.  Simple is usually better. 2.  Learn to cook a few things really well {college lifesavers}. 3. High school was fun, College was epic & adulthood is all about finding a balance. Work hard + play hard. 4. If you love someone, tell them. Don't hold back. 5. Take lots of pictures & videos. Someday you’ll be really glad you did. 6. It's OK to have wine on a weeknight...or a couple of nights for that matter. If it's a tough week, it's a tough week! You have to cope somehow... 7. When you realize that everyone comes from a dysfunctional family, life gets a little easier and you feel a little less crazy.  There is no such thing as normal. 8. Never regret staying home alone with a good book. 9. Give charitably, generously and willingly. 10. Having a job that you are proud of definitely makes a difference in your everyday attitude and how you carry yourself. 11. My immediate family + my BF are my world. 12. Take time to educate yourself after college. Strive for a Masters, a PHD. 13. Quit smoking. It’s the best gift you can give your body {and don’t you want to be smoking hot in your 50’s?!} 14. Life happens without your permission. You control how you deal with it. Wear a happy attitude! 15. Having a job makes a person value a dollar, themselves and those around them. Be hungry + stay motivated. 16. Enjoy being single and every aspect that comes with it. When the time is right, strive for a marriage {not a wedding} and don't jump into anything too quickly. 17. You are what you eat! Healthy eating choices will help you in the long run. 18. Happiness is not fame, money or power. The key to life is finding your sweet spot. 19. Toxic people + relationships are bad. There's a reason they're called toxic. So run. Very fast & very far. 20. Greed will bury even the lucky, eventually. 21. Never cheat. Not on exams, taxes, or on your boyfriend/partner. 22. Parents are sometimes wrong. Tell them humbly, as it's just as hard for them to hear as it is hard for you to tell them. 23. Friendships where you do not speak every week but can pick up right where you left off are immensely comforting & make you love that person even more. I heart my friends. 24. Laughing, crying, joy and anger… All are vital and they all make us human. 25. You don’t need to be a fashion guru to have fashion sense. The key is to be comfortable, confident & stylish! 26. Uncertainty is caused by a lack of knowledge.  Hesitation is the product of fear. Don’t hesitate, jump. 27. Motivation tends to come in short bursts. Act while it’s hot…and live your passions!

Easier said than done, right?! Some of these were easier to learn than others {and it's still a work in progress} but I'm grateful for each experience. Have a great Tuesday! Ole!

Image via Breakfast at Toast

 [typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"] Besos, [/typography]

[typography font="Homemade Apple" size="22" size_format="px"]Dalia[/typography]