Archive for the ‘Contained Beauty’ Category

where do you want to go?

Thursday, March 3, 2022
Debbi DiMaggio

Today, WeHo, LA

When I’m asked for recommendations — in any city — it turns into a full 3 day itinerary and a blog post. Flashback… Years ago when apps were new — imagine that, pre app life. I partnered with a company who provided an app platform. My app was Live Local – I broke down multiple vacation destinations and included places to eat, stay, cocktail, coffee including highlights and things to experience and do.

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Recently I was out to dinner with a childhood friend who asked for restaurant recommendations in West Hollywood. She actually lives in  Calabasas — which is actually in LA, but West Hollywood is about an hour away on a good day sans traffic — and wasn’t familiar about where to sip, stay and play as a guest in my home away from home.

Here are a few of my favorite West Hollywood and LA hot spots — Note: I don’t pay that much attention to the food (I know that’s odd); I’m all about design, energy and ambiance first.  However, I am sure the food is good too.

Thursday, or your first  night.  

Dinner @ Olivetta located down from the infamous celebrity hangout, Craigs LA – Olivetta is an elegant space, a designer’s paradise. It can’t be taken all in, in a single sitting. The patterns, the textures, the way they mix and match, and each room is something quite unique. Translation: you must go back multiple times and dine in various rooms even at different tables and booths each offering a new outlook.

After dinner head up to Santa Monica Blvd for dessert @ Bottega Louie – although an Italian caf, it is perfect for a late evening pastry or dessert. The colorful display of macaroons is certainly instagramable!

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Start your Friday in LA 

at one of the Korean Spas. WiSpa, Olympic Spa or my favorite SPA LA  in the heart of Koreatown. Before, or after your spa treatments, brunch at Openaire, amid the twinkling greenhouse of the Line Hotel patio, where seasonal California fare awaits.  Native Angeleno, surfer and two Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin serves a culinary vision built around California’s bounty from land and sea at Openaire. The menu embraces each season and reflects the melting-pot culture of LA.

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Take a break shopping N Robertson then get ready for dinner @

Laurel Hardware and if dancing is of interest there’s nothing like a gay bar — and that’s The Abbey. 

Saturday Night – Merois @ Pendry West Hollywood on Sunset. Enjoy the magnificent views of downtown LA. Begin your journey with a martini in the striped pattern bar with subway tiled wall, this lounge brings me back to Miami –bold, elegant and colorful, this art deco lounge is filled with beautiful bold colors of blues and greens appointed with palms. Then move from the open air  bar into the dining room and experience another extraordinary Wolfgang Puck menu.

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Sunday Brunch @ The Henry, from coffee to cocktails, the greatest neighborhood restaurant – definitely my favorite anytime of day. I meet friends for coffee, work at one of the high tables, dine for lunch, happy hour and dinner. Not many places can say they offer something for every time of day. My only complaint — they don’t open early enough.

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 or opt for old school and always popular, The Ivy across the street or the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Want more 

Shop Rodeo Drive, Sunset to Melrose, 3rd and Beverly Drive

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Hike Runyon or Wattles Canyon

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Beware Of

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Workout, Box, Cycle, Spin or …

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Meander through the Museum of Modern Art in Downtown LA

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walk down Melrose or just around town, the streets are filled with art and art galleries

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Need a hotel recommendation?

Stay Kimpton La Peer, in the heart of WeHo

Or on Sunset @ the Pendry WeHo

or the Mondrian next door.

Interested in touring homes, reach out and book an appointment. For a list of Open Homes, shoot me an email Debbi.DiMaggio@CorcoranIcon.com

Check out these unique and beautiful LA neighborhoods in and around town.

Whether I am working out, hiking, working at a cafe, hotel in or at home, visiting with friends, sitting in a cafe, people watching our touring and showing homes, LA is where I find and redefine what inspires me. I hope you enjoy this journey.

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5 Best Apres Ski Spots

Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Debbi DiMaggio

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If I must be honest, I definitely look for the best spot to eat lunch, take a break, meet up at the end of the day to Apres ski, and of course, where to dine.

Pictured here, Chase and Katja enjoying Apres ski in Aspen Snowmass. What you don’t see is the band playing just beneath the ski slopes, people dancing and the outfits. One South American financier flew in a few (50+) of his best friends for a party. We were the lucky benefactors — music, outfits, entertainment.

I was inspired to write this blog after receiving Gray Malin’s email yesterday. Gray Malin is one of my favorite photographers discovered during my journey of the Empty Nest while producing my book, Contained Beauty, Photographs, Reflections and Swimming Pools to which he featured on Pages 74 and 122 … Click To Preview  The Making of Gray Malin in Aspen.

Here are my top five places I have discovered over the years, and enjoy–  from Aspen to Park City/Deer Valley and Vail to Telluride and Lake Tahoe.

  • The 10th @ Vail, Colorado. My daughter and her friends turned me on to this beautiful restaurant set on the top of Vail Mountain. Make a reservation, it is a sit down restaurant. Highlight: Remove your ski boots and jackets and slide into a pair of cozy slippers to borrow during your long leisurely lunch. The 10th
  • Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, Aspen, Colorado. Adam and I discovered this little jewel while skiing Aspen Highlands at the top of Cloud Nine Lift. Highlight: Perched beneath the chair lift you are right in the center of it all. Ski in, ski out or book a dinner reservation and arrive by snowcat. Lunch, Apres ski and Dinner. Charming, quaint and reminiscent of a resort in the European Alps. Cloud 9
  • Alpino Vino @ Telluride, Colorado. We discovered Alpino Vino while skiing Telluride’s tallest mountains one Christmas vacation. Alpino Vino sits at 11,966 vertical feet and is the highest fine dining restaurant in North America. Got Oxygen! I highly recommend drinking a lot of water and keep a bottle of O2 on hand. They sell cans of O2 at almost every store, including clothing boutiques. Highlight: The views, the stunning location, the beautiful plates of charcuterie and cheese exiting the kitchen or the effervescent glasses of crisp white and sparkling prosecco. Grab a cozy, luxurious throw and wrap it around you while you linger at Alpino Vino. Cheers!

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  • Fireside Dining @ Deer Valley adjacent to Park City, Utah. Chase, Katja, Adam and I drove from California to Colorado skiing our way back at the end of Winter Break from home to CU Boulder — back to college. We started in Lake Tahoe at the Ritz Carlton, NorthStar, to Park City, Utah and through Vail, Co and back. While in Park City — it was a chilly, snowy, winter wonderland — cold yet gorgeous, but we made the best of it. Of course! One evening we dined at Fireside Dining located in the Empire Canyon Lodge. Check days and hours of operation, it’s not always open. It is European dining at its finest. Enjoy 4 courses served from stone fireplaces. It was the first I had ever heard the term raclette. The raclette fireplace serves warm, melted cheese accompanied by cured meats, potatoes, baguettes and more. It’s delicious! And a first for me. A little like fondue, perhaps. Fireside Dining, Deer Valley — add this one to your list of places to experience.
  • Manzanita, Northstar, Lake Tahoe. Anytime of day. As you approach the Ritz from below the gigantic structure situated high on the mountain reminds me of Hogwarts, Harry Potter’s boarding school. Relax, work or read in the expansive lobby with dramatic wall of windows, or dine at Manzanita, an ideal spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks after a long day of skiing or spa–ing. Sit indoors or out, and experience fine dining overlooking the snowy peaks.

Happy Skiing and of course, enjoy your Apres Ski experience whether you ski or not!

XOXO

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Keep your Goals in Focus & your Eye on the Prize #2020Goals

Thursday, January 2, 2020
Debbi DiMaggio

Here’s to getting to the top and achieving our goals in 2020!

Debbi's Favorite Things! Shop Now!

Activate your Passion •

Clearly define your Purpose then Pursue & Persist until you Prevail.

It all begins with a Plan.

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where are you from?

Sunday, March 3, 2019
Debbi DiMaggio

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We all come from somewhere. Only our stories are different. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Meet my newest friends, Walter & Wagner, Brazilian twins. We connected two years ago on Instagram and finally met last night, in person. (They live in Iowa, while I hover 🚁🚁🚁 between Oakland & LA in California.) It was as if we had known one another a very long time. What I didn’t know was that these talented, positive, energetic, happy and fun people were raised in the slums of Brazil. We laughed all evening. Read their amazing story. And if you want to book The Twins for an event, small or large just reach out to me. I produced a film a few years ago, so why not add music producer to my resume? Go to @b_2wins on Instagram Music 🎶

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Meet a few of my other insta connections @debbidimaggiostoryteller

From Saint Tropez to LA

Friday, January 18, 2019
Debbi DiMaggio
Sitting inside cozy beneath my RH Home white faux fur blanket watching the storms go by, I thought I would take myself back to this past summer and sunshine, at least in my mind.  Here are a few of my favorite things.

Cuyana | San Francisco Flagship Store
  1. Cuyana | San Francisco | Union Square  –  Super Soft and Luxurious Leather Goods and More ( Scarves, Select Clothing, Gifts ) I Just Love The Orange Boxes and Big Ribbon!

2. EUROPANN | Saint Tropez, South of France – Great Linen Shirts! Linen. I Love Linen! Especially in the summer in the South of France!

3. House of CB London | Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood – Love their blouses, blazers and knitwear. Take A Peak. Amazing Prices! And quality too. House of CB | London on Melrose Avenue, WEHO

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