With all the warm weather we had, I did not realize that cymbidium season has begun!  There are one of our favorite orchids in the fall, and they are partial to cooler weather.  Now that the weather has cooled a bit, our growers are releasing them to our area! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 10/25/2015

Our flower growers in Carpinteria are always surprising us with new flowers.  Check out this colorful bouquet of statice.  Prior to yesterday, I had seen them in varied shades of purple, pink and white. The yellow was a surprise.Happy Sunday, everybody,Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 08/09/2015

Every so often we run out of fresh veggies or fruit or avocados as was the case today.  When that happens, we head over to the Carpinteria Farmers market, which is one block long, and is there every Thursday at 3PM.   The avocado rancher was there, and he also had these lovely kahili ginger.  They are originally from Hawaii, and thrive in our climate.  As the buds open, they give off a wonderful light fragrance. The market also draws some of the local small farmers that we don't see on Saturdays.  It is fun to patronize them, as they often have specialty items like San Marzano tomatoes, the best sauce tomato, in our opinion.Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-  ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusive... 08/06/2015

Pink Diamonds is the latest colorized orchid from Westerlay  Orchids.  This is the latest offering in their "Gemstone Collection"of phalaenopsis.  These are certainly more affordable than the pink diamond gemstones.  You don't need insurance, just a bright place in your home, and watering these is simple, 2-3 ice cubes a week.  What do you think? Happy Wednesday! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their ... 08/05/2015

Carpinteria, where we live,  is a small chaming beach town.  The town's name was originated by the Chumash Indians who used to build their canoes on the beach near the tar pits. They used the tar to waterproof their canoes.  The canoe builders said that the beach looked like a carpenter's bench, hence the name.We decided to have lunch at Cielo, formerly known as Cabo.  The new owners spiffed up the place added waitresses to take your order and kept the cooking team in place.  During happy hour, they have a live band, and the place is invariably crowded.   We opted for a light lunch of ceviche (made from freshly caught local halibut) and popcorn shrimp.  Both were delicious, and the salsas exquisite.  The service was great, and we enjoy eating our lunch al fresco and relaxing on a Sunday... 07/19/2015

Recently the private road that leads to a gated beach community and the salt marsh preserve was cleared of bushes and other greenery.  Only the tall Monterey pines were kept as part of the landscape.  Hardscaping with rocks of varying sizes replaced the bushes. This first photo is of the left entry side. We particularly liked the driftwood that symbolized the beach. This is the right side, and the tree skeleton topping these rocks was found as they were digging out the bushes and clearing the area for rock placement.  It looks like a beached sea creature of some sort.Hardscaping done right can create a luxurious and magical effect for an entry way and be aesthetically pleasing.Happy Saturday,Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-  ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in bra... 07/10/2015

Yes, we grow papayas in Santa Barbara.  These are grown in greenhouses up the road from the Polo Fields in Carpinteria, and the guys behind this are also  starting to grow pineapples.   Solo Sunrise are the pink fleshed variety of papaya as pictured above.  Those are our favorites. Unlike genetically modified papayas from Hawaii which have been grown there since 1998, these papayas are organic.  And given the ambition that the growers have, we would not be surprised if they were to start exporting papayas to the EU (European Union countries) as genetically modified papayas are banned. Get Fluent, Get Affluent!™ Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-  ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with profe... 07/08/2015

It was windy and cool for us 54 degree morning (wind chill LOL), we braved our way to the Saturday Santa Barbara Farmers Market.  One of the big industries in Carpinteria besides Lynda.com and Carl's Junior is the Floral Industry.   These tulips were grown in the greenhouses, and they are shipped to the Western States. These Gerberas are grown by a lady who specializes in Gerberas.  She has every color that they grow in on display.  We liked the vividness of these pictured above. Wishing you lots of Saturday Smiles, Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-  ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in ... 02/28/2015

When you are in the mood for great fish tacos as we were today, the place to go is Cabo's Baja Grill and Cantina in Carpinteria!  The photo above was taken with my iPhone 5 S.   This photo was taken with Ron's new iPhone,  the 6 +.  There is definite difference in quality and clarity in the shot.   Back to Cabo.  Their fish is fresh and perfectly grilled, and they have some wonderful salsas to add that spicy zing.  Our favorite has a nice touch of chipotle added to it. One of the people I mentioned it too, told me that they make great ginger margaritas!  We did not try them this time, but we will for dinner one evening. Happy Friday!  Wishing you all a great weekend, Cheers, Ron & Alexandra 10/17/2014

Today at noon marks the beginning of the 28th annual California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria a few blocks from the beach. Santa Barbara County is the third largest avocado producer in North America.  Carpinteria is one of the bigger producers in the county! For the second year in a row, the Festival adheres to Green friendly environment, which means that biodesel is used for all generators, LED lighting to reduce power usage, and it is a styrofoam free zone.  In keeping with City Ordinance, Carpinteria is a no smoking city.   Dog owners can take their dogs at the adjacent free doggie day care center.  The city is committed to keep dogs cool and entertained instead of being locked in the car.  We are expected warmer weather this weekend with highs in the upper 80's cooled by the ocea... 10/03/2014

This week it was time again to refresh our orchid supply in our office and home.  We love going to Westerlay in Carpinteria, and wander through their wonderful orchid selection.   As we looked into one of the greenhouses, we saw an abundance of orchids bound for Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico etc.  We are sure they will make someone's day as much as they make ours on a daily basis. Wishing everyone a great weekend! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media mar... 09/05/2014

Sandyland beach was exceptionally beautiful yesterday afternoon.  It was warm with a light breeze fragrant with salt and the hints of autumn.  We were enchanted and felt like we could stay forever. Batches of strange creatures, were on the beach.  They look like a disc with circular striations, you can get a feel of it in its shadow of its fin.  This resembles a sail. We asked several people about these, and one of the couples told us that these creatures start out blue, and then fade to clear as they die.   Our research led us to an interview that CNN did with David Bade, director of education at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.   "The scientific name is Velella velella, they are jelly-like creatures, but they are not exactly jellyfish.  Every now and then, the c... 08/28/2014

We stopped in at Island View, our favorite nursery in Carpinteria, when it comes to exotic plants and great ideas.  This was hanging on a shady wall, and we loved the artistic feeling of it.  It would brighten up any shady spot. Wishing you a great week,   Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace.  -WATCH VIDEOS-  Buzz-Worthy Luxury Real Estate Websites   Personal Branding Case Studies   Com... 07/13/2014

Every so often, we mix it up.  Today we headed to the bluffs in Carpinteria a nature preserve comprised of over 50 acres.  We wanted to take a look at the seal sanctuary, and they were all sunbathing... My iPhone with the zoom captured them a bit out of focus.  Next time, I will try the other camera, which is not as handy as putting my phone in my pocket. They are those torpedo shapes on the beach, and the lighter ones are the young pups that are probably 4 months old. This shot will give you an idea you how far down the beach is from the bluffs. And this was the field of mustard blooms that greeted us at the very top.  It was a beautiful day, and these are some of our favotite places to take a walk. Wishing you all a great week, Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consulta... 05/04/2014

One of the wonderful aspects of living in Carpinteria is the fact that one of our industries is growing flowers, which are sold in the US and Canada.  One of the growing fields we spotted on a recent walk was this one (pictured above) of Queen Anne's Lace. They are a beneficial flower  because they attract bees which help the pollination cycle.  Up close one of the blooms had a couple of bees working, and a lady bug.  By the time I got close enough to take a picture, the lady bug was the only one brave enough to stay.  It is great to see things both from the broader perspective and the personal one.  Happy Sunday! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with pro... 04/26/2014

A heavy marine layer keeps most people off Sandyland beach, except for the locals walking their dogs.  As we crossed the channel, we noticed a creature on the sea wall that protects the homes from the high tides. A blue heron was perched on top of the rocks watching something in the distance, we are sure the bird was not reading the sign, warning people to keep off the rocks. It was nice to have company!  Wishing everyone a great weekend! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and socia... 04/25/2014

When Ron was taking a golf lesson, I decided to take a walk towards Johanes flower fields, which are behind the driving range.  I noticed the sign pictured above, and an inviting trail to follow.  Since I was not wearing hiking shoes,  I decided to check out the trails the next day, when Ron would be practicing his strokes. Yesterday, I ventured out to explore this land in my hiking shoes.  I last wore them to climb around the Parthenon, this autumn, which was built in 448-432BC, and I could not help but wonder if the land I was walking on was here at the time the Parthenon was built or submerged in the ocean below. Bunches of California poppies grew along the trail heading towards the ocean bluffs.  I saw an artist at work.  He was so engrossed that I hesitated to disturb him to take ... 04/25/2014

Yesterday afternoon, we headed to the beach.  As we arrived the Carpinteria City maintenance crew was cleaning the sand off the picnic, shower and play area.  The winds had buried everything with sand.  The beach was littered with kelp trees that were detached by the big waves due to the storm. On the other side, the beach was full of turbans (sea snails), some were right side up in little water puddles, and some were upside down.  When they are upside down, they are in danger as birds can attack them, or they dry out and die. They are an interesting creature, this shot shows the foot all folded in, then, when they are searching for water, they start unfurling. Fully unfurled,(this one was starting to) they look like a big flower, and if you pick them up, they will squirt water, as a m... 03/04/2014

Yesterday afternoon as we meandered on Sandyland Beach in Carpinteria, we spotted this 6 foot kelp bulp.  The bulb itself was larger than a softball.  If you look at the lower left corner of the shot you can see what a regular sized bulb looks like (about 2-3 inches). These bulbs are the floaters for the kelp plant.  They are filled with CO2 (carbon dioxide) and they help the plant stay afloat near the surface so that it can absorb the nutrients from the sun, as the plant moves in rhythm to the waves. Kelp is a fast growing plant which can grow up to 2 feet a day under the perfect conditions. A kelp forest is an ecosystem that shelters and feeds sea life.  One of the most magnificent kelp exhibits can be found at the Monterey Aquarium in Monterey, California.  It is 28-ft tall, and it ... 01/26/2014

Rincon Classic 2014 Web Site Rincon Classic History: The event where legends are made, The Rincon Classic is the oldest and most revered surfing contest in Santa Barbara's rich surfing history.  Showcasing generations of the areas best surfers at the Queen of the coast, the Classic is a locals only event, serving as a community gathering each winter.  To guarantee optimal conditions the Classic has a six week waiting period from the originally scheduled date. Over it's 30 year history the event has showcased such household names as Tom Curren, Bobby Martinez, Chris Brown, Kim Mearig, Davey Smith, and Dane Reynolds to up and coming stars Lakey Peterson, Conner and Parker Coffin, Demi Boelsterli, and Kilian Garland.  For every known name there are a handful of underground rippers that wi... 01/20/2014