Santa Barbara in our Hearts
Funny how life unravels...
If you have been reading earlier posts you may recall that I launched my jewelry business in early spring while Bernardo enjoyed a mini-sabbatical. Those honeymoon months during which we became ever closer while travelling, riding horses and nurturing our children in our bustling abode, are ones I am grateful to have locked away in my memory box. Much to my contentment, Bernardo embraced my vision to turn a longtime hobby into a career, and to that end he spearheaded Design by Alina's internet presence. As I became more entrenched in my creative world, Bernardo became less enthusiastic about extending his sabbatical and more so about his weekly jaunts up north in search of his own new venture.
Cut to a few weeks ahead, and my prodigious webmaster/groom announced that he was accepting a fantastic business opportunity in San Francisco. With near simultaneous precision I was approached by Peachy the Magazine about being featured in their upcoming Santa Barbara issue.
As you can imagine, I felt conflicted about highlighting the wonders of Casa Ventalia when we were trying to sell "her". Three years prior we had spent 10 months living in a cloud of dust, ram board and workmen, while we labored tirelessly in an attempt to restore the house to its original splendor . Yet as difficult as it was to imagine walking away from her, I knew that I wanted my husband home for family dinners which would not have been possible had I taken him up on his offer to commute. And so we began to accept the idea of allowing Casa Ventalia to embrace the next family as we began a new chapter in San Francisco.
Not only have Blair Farris and Cathy Austin, respectively Editor in Chief of Peachy the Magazine and writer of the article "La Dolce Vita" granted us an enormous gift in the eighteen pages they dedicated to our home and family in the publication, but they have also brilliantly captured the essence of every corner of that enchanting abode. Their endeavor has allowed me to feel at peace, excited even, about acquiescing to the end of our Santa Barbara chapter in anticipation of new beginnings in San Francisco.
In San Francisco for merely a week, we are quickly discovering that change is great! This city is at once romantic and electrifying...stay tuned for some exciting news about the direction of Designs by Alina in the city!.