Luxury Clues

Luxury "Open House" at the Ocean

The recent low tides at the Santa Barbara coastline have revealed the ocean floor treasures. It is a luxury “open house” at the ocean Underwater reefs have appeared as walls on the sand.  The walls are encrusted with abundant sea life.  Orange and burgundy starfish are intertwined with blue and iridescent green anemones in a sea of purple coral, yellow and orange sponges and emerald green seaweed.   Upon close examination the starfish patterns look like pearls, and the barnacles look like diamonds. 

SAVORING THE ULTIMATE LUXURY:  TIME

Ron and I walk along moving from reef to reef exclaiming as we find yet another treasure.  A crab has dug himself in the sand below.  Only his outer carapace is visible.  Another reef has a built in window where two seagulls are parked watching the waves.  Close by a seal climbs up a rock and suns itself.  The dolphins are frolicking.  We look at each other and are appreciative that we are taking time to savor nature’s luxuries, and realize once again that time is the ultimate luxury.

We call the beach our inspiration office.  Our long walks turn into meditative exercises.  They are the sacred space where our thoughts, problems, and solutions align and clarity emerges.  Ideas flow freely and coalesce to form strategies.  More gets accomplished here than sitting at our desks.  We come back to our office refreshed and eager to do more.  We urge you to take the time and savor the luxury of your environment and find the hidden treasures within.

By Alexandra Seigel, Napa Consultants, International--Real Estate Marketing Strategies

Let Them Eat Chocolates! Fruity … Woody … or Floral

The best beans make the best chocolate.  The experts and world leading chocolate makers have recognized three distinct varieties of cacao beans: Criollo, Forastero and Trinitario.  The great chocolate makers insist on these varieties, because these beans are distinguished by their individual flavors: fruity, woody and floral.

In order to distinguish all these taste try chocolate bars with a minimum content of 60% cacao. The average brands, for the sake of lower costs and uniformity of taste, use several blends of many beans.  The great chocolatier chefs will not use blends, and that is the reason the costs are high, (approximately $12.00 per bar).

The best brands we have tried thus far (mixed beans) can be purchased at Cost Plus.
Our favorites are: 1) New Tree Pleasure 73% Cacao; 2) Hachez Cacao D” Arriba 77% Cacao, and ; 3) Cote d”Or 70% Cacao.  For baking, try Scharffenberger baking chocolate made in Oakland, California, www.scharffenberger.com. When you are in Northern California, check out their tour. 

To taste what is considered the very best in Chocolate in the world made by award winning Chocolate chefs, go to www.zchocolat.com.  They have it all.  As the web site says, their chocolates are “sensory ecstasy.”  You be the judge.

Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants
Stratregic Branding and Marketing
www.NapaConsultants.com

Food of the Gods

Native to the tropical regions of the Americas, the chocolate bush (3-4 feet tall) grows wild in the low foothills of the Andes and in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. It likes humid climaltes, regular rainfaill, good soil and overhead shade.  The evergreen  produces beautiful clusters of flowers emerging from the trunk which turn into pods.  The pods produce 20 to 60 seeds or beans. Hence, they are called cacao beans.  Theobroma cacao is the scientific name which means food of the gods.

The Mayans and the Aztecs believed that cacao was a gift from the gods.  From this belief, a number of rituals emeged as well as a cacao god.  The cacao beverage was reserved for men , noblemen and clerics,  as it was thought to be toxic to women and children. [Yeah, right!]

Christopher Columbus in 1502 captured a canoe of cacao beans, thinkng at first they were mysterious almonds.  He then decided it was a shipment of rabbit droppings, and proceeded to burn the vessel thus delaying chocolate pleasure to the rest of the world.

Cacao beans were also used a currency.  For instance, 80-100 beans could buy you a cloth blanket.  In the Yucatan cacao beans were used as coins until the 1840s.

Today, chocolate is being studied for its properties of high antioxidants. Studies show that it may keep high blood pressure down.  For more information go to Immune Suport.

Both my husband and I are chocolate lovers, and we have dedicated ourselves to exploring all the world has to offer in the chocolate department.  I will be sharing these results in subsequent luxury clues. 

Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants
Luxury Branding and Marketing Strategies

More Than One Way to Pop a Cork

There are many ways to open a Champagne bottle.  The most outrageous one is to follow Napoleon's example by "beheading" a bottle.  Legend has it that Napoleon always opened his champagne bottles by striking it precisely at the weakest point of the neck with his sword. He always toasted his upcoming battle, victory and even losses.  He felt that champagne was appropriate for all occasions.

If this method appeals to you, the city of Thiers in France, famous for its cutlery manufactures the perfect saber.  For $209, (for the deluxe model) plus instructions you will be perfectly outfitted to wow your friends with your very own Napoleonic savoir-faire.  For more information, go to  SabreaChampagne.com

We prefer the traditional method of opening by hand.  A great place to learn is from the Wine Intro  site, complete with pictures.

If you want the absolute easiest route, go to your favorite wine store and ask for a Champagne Screwpull and basket catcher, for $20.

By the way, Champagne lovers and connoisseurs consider it an absolute sacrilege to pop the cork and have the champagne explode.  It spoils the taste, the ambience, and the savor factor.  Happy sipping!

Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants
Luxury Branding & Marketing Strategies
NapaConsultants.com

Salts of the Earth

One of the latest gourmet treats is to finish a dish with a particular type of salt.  For instance, Fleur de Sel, a French salt is gathered with a special rake to harvest only the top layer of the salt bed.  This work is usually done by women because of their delicate handling of the rake.  The name "Fleur de Sel" comes from the aroma of violets that develops as the salt is dried.  Fleur de Sel is recommended when baking chocolate cake to enhance its taste.

The list of gourmet salts is quite extensive.  Peruvian pink salt is the one for that beefsteak tomato you just picked from your garden. Nazuna sea salt, from Japan, transforms the taste of fish and seafood. Hawaiian pink salt is great for grilling your meats. 

The fascination with salt is not a new one.  Until the 1900s, salt was considered a currency.  Salt was often taxed, and some clever bakers (the Italians) figured out how to make bread without salt, so they would not be taxed.  The Romans paid part of their soldiers‚ wages in salt.  The word "SALARY" is derived from the Latin word "salarium" meaning a payment made in salt.  The 12th century Mali Empire in Africa valued salt so much that paid for its weight in gold.

Salt is also used for bathing.  For instance, salts from the Dead Sea, the second saltiest body of water in the world, were used by Cleopatra for bathing.  She paid for and obtained exclusive rights over the Dead Sea area, so she could continue her beauty regimen. She also built pharmaceutical and cosmetic factories near the Dead Sea.  The ruins of these factories remain to this day.

For more information go to SaltWorks.com.

Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants
Strategic Branding & Marketing
NapaConsultants.com

Champagne Bottled to Order

The House of Salon Champagne makes only one wine, the vintage tete-de-cuvee Blanc de Blancs, and only in the greatest years.  Since its existence in 1921, it has only made 30 vintages.  Salon uses the first pressing from hand selected grapes to assure the highest acidity, aroma, finesse, ripeness and quality.  The grapes come from the original 12 acre estate, as well as selected vineyards in 3 distinct microclimates in Le Mesnil-sur Oger.  The distinct difference between Salon and other Champagnes is that Salon does not put its wine through malolactic fermentation.  This means that eight to ten years of cellaring are required to achieve the perfect balance between fruit and acid.

Salon is kept on its yeasts in deep limestone cellars until a specific order is received.  Only then is Salon disgorged by hand for each order, with the cellar master inspecting the bouquet of each bottle.  The latest 1996 vintage retails for $304. Salon can continue to age for an additional 15-20 years or longer and will develop increased complexity.

By Alexandra Seigel
Personal Branding and Marketing Strategies
Napa Consultants

Picnic Time Luxury Style

or all of you who are planning European vacations, here are three supremely elegant picnic resources in three of Europes major capital cities in which to indulge yourselves with style.

When my husband, Ron, and I travel, we often love to sit in a park and enjoy a divine lunch experience, al fresco. Or, if we want a change from the restaurant scene, we picnic in our room. The hotels are only too happy to provide essentials, so that you dine in style. 

Picnic British Style
In London, there is no place like Harrod’s food halls; everything imaginable is there for your enjoyment.  The staff is knowledgeable,helpful, and will pack a picnic hamper (basket) to your specifications.  To learn more, go to Harrod's web site.

Picnic French Style
The luxury food shop, Fauchon, was established in 1886. Fauchon is one of the world's leading gourmet food and specialty companies. Representing the ultimate in French gastronomy, it is always a delight to visit.  If you are not in the mood to picnic, you can have lunch in their café and sample their artistry.  Their wine cellar is amazing in its range of choices.  Their sommelier is extremely helpful, and knows how to recommend all types of spirits for the most discerning palates.  Fauchon’s signature madeleines (cookies) are presented in a black and white bus box. Anything you buy is artistically wrapped and placed in their distinctive black and white bag.  For more information, go to Fauchon.com.

            

Picnic Italian Style
If you are ever in the mood for a sumptuous, luxurious picnic while in Milan, Italy, be sure to go to Peck’s delicatessen.  The window display is a prelude to what is in store and your mouth waters as you step in.  The choices are endless, cured meats, cheeses, cooked seafood, and vegetables of the highest quality.  Every item is displayed to tempt and delight you.  If you are staying in a place with cooking facilities, it gets better.  There are fresh made pastas, sauces, olive oils, fresh vegetables.  The wine selection would make any wine lover swoon. If you are not planning a trip to Italy, you can still shop on line for that item which will remind you of La Dolce Vita at www.Peck.it.

 

Alexandra Seigel
Personal Branding and Marketing Strategies
Napa Consultants

Oprah's Ultimate Luxury

Many derogatory comments were made about Oprah’s new leadership school for girls in South Africa.  In my, opinion the cumulative effect of her contribution will do more for world peace than all of the empty talk at the United Nations. Besides, who has the right to tell Oprah, or anyone for that matter, how to spend their money. Seeing your values materialized in your lifetime is the ultimate luxury.

Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants
Personal Branding & Marketing

THE SHARP EDGE OF LUXURY: Or, Dining With Swords

New York’s Kobe Club restaurant opened to mixed reviews. You be the judge. The tip end of the bar is shaped like a Samurai sword covered in glistening black stingray skin.  The ceiling in the main dining area has 2000 Samurai swords hanging above the tables, points down. The walls are covered with chains bejeweled with pieces of black coal.  The unisex bathrooms are decorated with zebra stripes, and everything else is black. The steakhouse charges $390 for a 28 ounce porterhouse. A modest 6 ounce rib eye is priced at a mere $195. One of the New York Magazine’s food reviewers’ dinner companion summed up the evening in this way:  “Who do they think we are, a bunch of schmucks?”

Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants
Personal Branding & Marketing

You Are Asleep? Is Your Car Safe? Does Your Dog Need a Massage?

Luxury hotels are continuously looking for ways to outdo their competitors. Here is what two Florida hotels came up with.

Regent South Beach Hotel in Florida has announced their new “Car Turndown Service” for guests.  However, not every car qualifies for this car sitting service.  Only Aston Martins, Bentleys, Ferraris, etc, need apply.  Application for service is available at check-in. Prices start at $200 for a wash and wax, and a daily front seat gift for the driver. Having a car body guard watch over your vehicle overnight in the parking garage can cost upwards of $500.

Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants
Personal Marketing and Branding