Debbie King

Spring Box

It’s been a month since I’ve received the Spring Box and I can’t believe that I haven’t shared what’s inside. Until now…

Thoughtfully choosing versatile, well-made pieces is the key to building a timeless closet. These photos and main descriptions are taken from Rachel Zoe’s Website. I find everything to be thoughtfully curated. Pieces to mix and match with what you already have. To order see below.

Tribe Alive Leather Clutch

Classic items like the leather clutch is an exclusive size available to Box of Style members. Just big enough to hold every day essentials like a wallet, keys, cell phone and lipstick (that’s an essential right?). I stow it inside a larger bag and simply take it out to use alone when need be like going out for dinner. A versatile hue, like the black of this clutch, pairs perfectly with all manner of ensembles.

Chan Luu Silk Scarf

Another essential is a silk scarf. Even though I own a numerous amount of silk scarves you can’t really have too many. Right?? Plus they’re so easy to store and tie in a multitude of ways. The Chan Luu silk scarf shown is available in 2 exclusive Rachel Zoe Collection prints: cactus flower or leopard. It was a toss up but I went with the leopard. This coming from the woman who wears scarves meant for her dogs (I know; it’s a problem).

Michelle Campbell Gold Talon Bracelet set

Photo: Christopher Patey

These dainty gold bangles offer a simple elegance on their own or can be worn with other pieces and mixed with other metals for a more dramatic effect. The open design allows for easy adjustment. A little bit of added bling never hurts.

Edible Beauty Gold Rush Eye Balm

The all natural ingredients in this eye cream make it safe enough to eat, but you won’t want to waste it once you start incorporating it into your regimen. The coffee and cucumber extract work to reduce puffiness and inflammation while the gold leaf improves circulation and radiance. My full review will come later but so far, so good.

Skin Gym Gua Sha…..are you ready?

You heard it here first, gua shas are the new jade rollers. This rose quartz massage tool helps to drain toxins from the face by increasing circulation and decreasing puffiness. Great for long flights and mid-day pick me ups but with regular use as a part of your daily regime, you’ll see the best results.

Mark Hansen

Long before they became our new favorite beauty tool, Gua Shas were an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, used for tissue and muscle massage for the entire body. Gua Sha literally means ‘to scrape’ in Chinese, and this (gentle!) scraping motion helps to increase circulation, decrease the appearance of wrinkles, boost collagen production and encourage lymphatic drainage. For many of us this sounds great, but we’re not clear on exactly how to reap all of these benefits. Start by applying a face oil to clean skin, then read on for the top motions to master to get the most from your Skin Gym Gua Sha from the Spring Box of Style.If you’re a visual learner, find a handy video tutorial by acupuncturist and holistic medicine practitioner Debbie Kim. For more Gua Sha tips, visit Skin Gym’s site.

So if you want to Spring for it: https://www.boxofstyle.com/

and don’t forget to tell them where you heard about it

Health + LifeStyle

Healthy Breakfast Bowl – Açaí

Açaí (pronounced Ahh…Sigh….E) is like a slightly thicker smoothie in a bowl which you eat instead of drink.

Photo: d. king taken at Palm Greens Cafe in Palm Springs – $13

I only recently jumped onto the Acai bowl bandwagon. After sampling a few delicious but costly breakfast bowls I decided to make my own.

I’m sure you’ve seen Acai pop up places here and there and maybe wondered what this mysterious name is all about. Actually it has been around forever. When I lived in Brazil I was lucky to find out about super fruits such as this along with Guarana and Acerola which were foreign to me at the time. It just took longer for a lot of North Americans to find out.

Açaí is a palm tree from South American that produces these small edible blackish-purple berries which are loaded with antioxidants (similar to blueberries) with many potential health benefits. They also deliver good-for-you fats and fiber, making them an overall generally healthy food.

Because of global demand for the berries, the tree is now cultivated for this purpose. Unfortunately you won’t be able to find fresh berries. Quality products are shock frozen right after harvesting to preserve as many nutrients as possible. Also, you shouldn’t find any additives or sweeteners in it. I recently bought a bag of frozen unsweetened organic acai puree (four packets in one bag) at Trader Joes for less than $5. Apparently it’s easy to find them at your local health food store.

Photo: d. king – the acai is underneath. For this one I used mango & blueberries.

Photo: d. king – when you mix it up it looks like this.

INGREDIENTS for one:

1 package (100g) unsweeteted Acai puree, frozen

1/2 cup of your favorite granola or muesli (with nuts, raisins and seeds)

½ banana

1 cup mixed fresh fruit

1/2 cup goat milk *kefir (or yogurt)

½ cup coconut milk (optional)

1 tablespoon honey

Sprinkling of cinnamon (I also added some roasted cocoa nibs and extra unsweetened coconut chips).

Take the packet of frozen Acai and run it under warm water for a few minutes, then break it up into a bowl. Or if you have a blender like a Vitamix you can put it directly into that either alone or with some coconut water or milk, then stir and put into your bowl.

Then add granola, fruit and toppings. That’s it!

You can thank me later

*Kefir is a fermented milk drink similar in look and taste to a thin yogurt that is made with a yeast and bacterial fermentation starter of kefir grains. The drink originated in Eastern Europe and Russia. Goat Kefir is supposed to be easier on digestion.

I’ve been using Kefir instead of yogurt in smoothies for over a year now.

Art, Architecture, Culture

Palm Springs Places: Sunnylands

On the very last day of March I visited SUNNYLANDS to walk through the magnificant gardens and listen to Jazz on the grass. It was the last of a “Music in the Gardens” Sunday concert series in March and it was fabulous.

SUNNYLANDS is a 200 acre historical estate featuring a mid-century modern residence and three cottages designed by architect A. Quincy Jones. The grounds include a private nine-hole golf course, 11 lakes, tennis court, swimming pool, and collection of sculpture and artworks. For more than 40 years, Walter and Leonore Annenberg welcomed political, business, and entertainment leaders to Sunnylands. The couple were among the 20^th century’s most generous philanthropists. They donated 500 million to public education and the donation of one of the world’s most significant collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Sunnylands is surrounded by nearly 10 acres of gardens with more than 70 species of drought-tolerant plants. They are not labeled so that the emphasis is on their visual effect.

*Jazzgrass was put together in 1999 by Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. He was originally smitten with the music of a short-lived All-Star band, put together at the Telluride Festival, called “Strength in Numbers.” In 2011, Barnaby wanted to perform that music again, and recruited talented locals to play. There’s Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar. He’s a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who’s performed with numerous artists. There’s Sam Zorn on fiddle, a promising young player who covers everything from jazz to Celtic music. On bass is Bill Saitta, one of the busiest musicians in the Desert—and Jeff Olson on drums, who plays with David Benoit. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, formerly music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band since 1982. Prior stints include Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs, and Lionel Richie. His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit “Endless Love.” From 1982 to 1989 Barnaby toured with George Benson, and from 1987 to 1989 he was conductor and musical director.

Photo: d. king

Other people’s photography below:

**Lake View at Sunnylands during migration**. Photography by Tim Lamon – February 2018

Left to Right: President Gerald Ford, Prince Andrew, Bob Hope, and Ambassador Charles Price. Photographer unknown. 1993.

Costa’s Hummingbird – April 2017. Birds of Sunnylands photorgraphy, A female flies up to search for nectar in the Red Hesperaloe.

Sunnylands is a renowned birding area and a photographer’s paradise.

THINKAboutit

The Paradox of our Time in History is that

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
Drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired,
Read too seldom, watch tv too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,
But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We write more, but learn less.
We build more computers
To hold more information
To produce more copies than ever,
But have less communication.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
Tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
More leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality,
One-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
Everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window
And nothing in the stockroom;
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
And a time when you can choose either to share this insight,
Or to just hit delete.

written by George Carlin

REMEMBER TO

spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and doesn’t cost a cent.

say ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.

a kiss and an embrace will end hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

give time to love, give time to speak!

give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by those moments that take our breath away.

STYLE

Monday Mood: Super Hats

A person carries off the hat. Hats are about emotion. It is all about how it makes you feel. – Philip Treacy (Milliner).

Remember ALEX, the sane hatter I met from the Vintage Market? I bumped into her again at yet another venue – of all places “Yappy Hour” at the Riviera Hotel. She did not bring a dog however she brought her boyfriend who is definitely not a dog. She really has great style.

Here is a little heads-up (pun intended) about her hand-made hat designs and her company appropriately named “SuperBloom” …coming soon.

Superbloom is about putting meaning into color. There are 10 colors with 10 original patterns inspired to accompany each color and meaning. Each one reflects one of the following… Self Love, Uniqueness, Passion, Equality, Reflection, Boldness, Loyalty, Offline (?), Optimism + Mysteriousness.

Whatever the meaning; they’re lovely to look at and even lovelier to wear.

“Take off your hat,” the King said to the Hatter.
“It isn’t mine,” said the Hatter.
“Stolen!” the King exclaimed, turning to the jury, who instantly made a memorandum of the fact.
“I keep them to sell,” the Hatter added as an explanation; “I’ve none of my own. I’m a hatter.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass

DESTINATIONS

Feel-good Friday: Puttin on the Ritz

If you’re blue and you don’t know where to go to
Why don’t you go where fashion sits?

Recently I went to the Ritz Rancho Mirage for a cocktail. Making a right turn on Frank Sinatra Drive, winding my way up the hill to the clifftop setting overlooking Coachella Valley It was easy to see why this iconic luxury hotel was inspired by the desert. It’s actually in the desert. the scenery was certainly incomparable.

The Ritz has always had an opulent and stylish past. The one in Montreal is special to me. Being from Montreal I remember many summer brunches in the restaurant garden at the Ritz watching the ducks and swans in the pond swim by. It’s where my best friend’s wedding took place and I was a bridesmaid, and my husband and I spent a couple nights celebrating an anniversary there. Something else you many or may not know…dating back to 1912, this was the first Ritz-Carlton hotel and is where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton wed in the Royal Suite in 1964.

I visited the Hôtel Ritz Paris ~~didn’t get past the bar~~ where the hotel’s rooms and suites bear the names of Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald or Marcel Proust – all of whom considered the Ritz “a second home”. But getting back to the bar…Cole Porter was said to spend up to 9 hours a day in the Hemingway Bar: he’s said to have composed “Begin the Beguine” there. F. Scott Fitzgerald had his favorite seat; Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper made it the epicenter of their life in Paris and would sit and talk for hours. There’s no question it has a glamorous past.

Different types who wear a day coat, pants with stripes
And cutaway coat, perfect fits

Dressed up like a million dollar trooper
Tryin’ hard to look like Gary Cooper

Come, let’s mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks
Or umbrellas in their mitts

Have you seen the well-to-do?
Up and down Park Avenue
On that famous thoroughfare
With their noses in the air
High hats and arrow collars
White spats and lots of dollars
Spending every dime for a wonderful time

If you’re blue and you don’t know where to go Why don’t you go where fashion sits?

Puttin’ On the Ritz lyrics – written by Irving Berlin.

The title derives from the slang expression “to put on the Ritz”, meaning to dress very fashionably. The expression was inspired by the Ritz Hotel. It was also a musical in 1930.

A bit of history with a healthy dose of glamour – why not?

It’s SWEET!

Happy Weekend!

Food + Drink

Debbie’s Delicious Chopped Salad

This is no side salad

This salad is a meal of its own – both fulfilling and filling. It’s loaded with goodness to give you energy. Here you have an extremely tasty mix of sweet, salty and savory, with a healthy dose of good fats, fibre, protein and greens.

What you need:

Along with greens of your choice (I use a combo of baby spinach, arugula + spring mix) toss the following:

Chopped cooked *chicken breast, avocado, apple (skin on), green onion, pitted medjool dates (2-3 per serving), cherry tomatoes, chickpeas (drained and rinsed), cucumber, hard boiled egg & kalamata olives. Optional: I like to crumble gorgonzola (or feta) cheese over top. You can also add chopped crispy bacon bits.

Of course all of this is optional depending on what you enjoy.

I usually bake a few *chicken breasts in a little olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice + pepper. It’s easy and perfect for adding to salads, wraps or pasta dishes.

Dressing: Add to chopped mix right in the same bowl – a squeeze of lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, low sodium soy sauce (yes I did mean to say that) & drizzle a bit of balsamic. Note: you won’t miss s+p to taste if you choose to add gorgonzola and/or bacon bits. Sprinkling sesame seeds over top….

Voilà…lunch or dinner is served.

OR; wrap it up. If you’re especially hungry this also works well in a wrap. There are so many kinds to choose from now (Italian Herb, Sundried Tomato & Basil, etc.) and the calories are written right on the package. We love options.

Enjoy!

STYLE

Fashion Week on El Paseo

Photo: Gary Bindman for *Palm Springs Life*

The LE CHIEN fabulous fashion event I attended on Sunday wasn’t only for fun; it was for a meaningful cause. Presented by Animal Samaritans and sponsored by the Westin Mission Hills Golf Course & Spa, proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction items go towards rescue, shelter and adoption of homeless animals. The Animal Samaritan group champion compassion for all living creatures, with a primary focus on dogs, cats, and the people who love them…like the people in these pictures.

**Tammy** with her fur babies **Lily Bella** + **Timbit**. Tammy is wearing London designer Karen Mullen. Photo: d. king

Selfie stick lady & her pooch. Photo: d. king

With **Layla & Jia Jia** before leaving for the show. I’m wearing a vintage circle skirt with lots of sequins + *North Face* t-shirt Photo: Lynn Li

Professional models rocked the runway posing for paparazzi with adorable rescue dogs who put their best paw forward. The models wore San Francisco street artist and fashion designer Victor Tung‘s (a Project Runway alumnus) artsy yet elegant fashion.

People in the audience and at the cocktail reception proceeding the show were almost as fun to watch as I’m hoping these photos go to prove.

Animal Samaritans (the same people who put on the monthly “yappy hour” at the Riviera Hotel I previously blogged about) require financial support from community and fellow animal lovers to continue their good work of improving the lives of animals and the people who love them.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated – Gandhi

Visit: animalsamaritans.org

Artists Karen & Tony Barone. baroneart.com Photo: d. king

Wild One. In lieu of bringing an animal, **Bobbi** decided to dress like one. Photo: d. king

Sheree Frede (Founder + CEO of SheSheSHow) Photo: d. king

**Debbie & Layla**. See the VW Deejay van behind us? Photo: Tammy Preast

Photo: YASIN CHAUDHRY for Palm Springs Life

Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses – Elizabeth Taylor

Life is better with a DOG!

Health + LifeStyle

Feel-good Friday: Desert Bloom

Feeling really inspired, full of life, more nurtured and on my way to becoming more fit. You could say I’m beginning to blossom again (ha,ha). Well that’s how I feel right now. And right now is where I want to be…in the moment.

Could have something to do with being in the desert, the sunshine and noticing the desert flowers starting to bloom. Even since one week ago they’ve become so much more noticeable. If you look between the cracks you can find beauty.

And I’m enjoying hiking around Palm Springs. There are many varied hiking areas, however these photos were taken on two recent hikes in an area where I can walk to from my place. In that regard I feel very lucky. Another beautiful sight on my last hike was seeing for the first time a large family of big horn sheep. They sprinkle the mountain white.

It appears that everything is starting to flourish for Spring. It’s at least a positive force and a force of nature – not to be messed with.

Selfie – a few days ago with Ramona & Alex.

So on that note…I leave you with a few quotes to contemplate over the weekend:

There is only “one” you in the bunch. Photo: d. king

I like this quote but I’m staying on the trail. I don’t mind losing myself but I don’t want to get lost completely.

These guys certainly make their own way and their own rules. They’ve even disrupted some of the paths but they were here before us so that’s ok.

Photo: Tammy Preast – Josie Johnson Vista

**Tammy is an inspiration** – she even has a hiking guide book so you can say she goes by the book so to speak. Plus she’s super fit. Photo: d. king

Trying to keep on top of things. Photo: Ramona

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

DESTINATIONS

Airstream Dream Vacation

If I’m being honest about what attracts me right off the bat…it’s a great body, well roundedness and polish. That’s just the way it is. And if you’re also strong and can go the distance with me, all the better. But staying put is great too…especially if we want to just hang out. You know where I’m going with this…The Airstream is a perfect match for me or at least great for a weekend fling. It’s certainly not your run-of-the-mill travel trailer.

The Airstream has always been a well sought after caravan (fyi – in Britian this is the name that they refer to this home on wheels). It’s streamlined body is made of a high quality “aircraft grade” aluminum alloy riveted over a steel frame. The all metal construction means it is incredibly durable. It is a very similar design to WWII era aircraft which were near legendary for their toughness. Another plus: airstreams don’t rot.

Source: coastal living article by Marisa Spyker Photos: COURTESY OF AIRBNB

Now picture an oceanfront location so perfect you’d practically sleep in a cardboard box just to stay there. Now plop a fully-renovated, luxuriously outfitted Airstream with a covered deck and fully functioning open-air bath on that same spot, and what you have is this insanely amazing Airbnb listing.

The Malibu Dream Airstream (Rates from $500 per night) is perched in the mountains of Southern California, up a long dirt road where there’s no reception but plenty of opportunities to admire the views and hike to your heart’s content.

Originally created by a local designer as his personal retreat, the actual Airstream was stripped to its aluminum studs and converted into a cozy sleeping space and kitchen. One wall was torn out and replaced with large frameless glass panels, which open out onto a large wooden deck affording sweeping vistas of the Pacific.

When the doors are wide open, guests are able to truly live indoors and out, with plush seating, pillows, and thick wool rugs that can transition to wherever the party is. An open-air bath with a shower and two sinks ensures all the luxuries of a hotel with the serenity of a secluded campground.

Thanks to its remote blufftop location, the Airstream is a great spot for stargazing – and the celestial variety aren’t the only ones spotted here. Pop culture junkies might delight in knowing the rental was a one-time playground of Taylor Swift and her model pal Karlie Kloss for a 2015 Vogue photo shoot (which I previously blogged about).

Celeb-approved and surrounded by nature? We’re all in.