Sunday, March 25, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club –  Santa Barbara, CA 

The Carneros Inn, Napa Valley at Sunrise

Montecito, CA – A Private Residence

I am searching the world for stunning images of swimming pools for a 10 x 12, four color coffee table book titled CONTAINED BEAUTY.

If you are a photographer, landscape architect or property owner who might be inspired to be a part of this project, please reach out to us:

Author / Art Director / Visionary:   Debbi DiMaggio   debbidimaggio@gmail.com

  Editor:   Jennifer Fox   jenn@jenn-fox.com 

Marketing & Media Director:   Toula Victor   victor.toula@gmail.com

Publisher:   Robert Bond – Half Full Press

Graphics:  Angie Hinh

Printer:   Four Colour Print Group

Charity:   George Mark House   www.georgemark.org

Contained Beauty Contributers & Partners:  

X2Media – Corina Botofan and Rasheed Alli

Sherry Paterra – Debbi’s Mentor

We have ONE month to meet our publisher’s deadline!

With appreciation and gratitude,

 Debbi DiMaggio

Writer,  Community Ambassador, Philanthropist, Realtor

XOXO! 

 

Images by Jenn Fox

 

Making Dreams Come True! XOXO!

Friday, March 2, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Below was my post on the Piedmont Patch in January.  I am happy to say my New Year’s Resolutions are underway!

Bianca and I spent the weekend together in Vail and Boulder, Colorado.  A beautiful state.

Truly breathtaking.

Evacuation Back Side, Vail, CO – the sun was shining bright and the sky was blue, but the winds were blowing at the top!  a breezy 80 MPH – it was incredibly scary!   i didn’t know how we’d get back.   i had the idea that i would fake a broken leg, as i didn’t want to get back on that lift.   a few skiiers who didn’t want to wait in this long line, opted to hike out.   you can see the top of the mountain in this photo.  they had to hike to the very top to get out.   as we finally made it to the top in the chair lift, 45 minutes later, they were still hiking.

These photos were taken by me on my iphone while skiing – it was just so beautiful at every turn. 

 Bianca and Daddy @ Sugar Bowl

Bianca

18 Months, now 18 Years

Previous Post:

Last night I hosted a dinner party with my husband, our last party to round out the holiday season and to welcome in the New Year. We enjoyed Adam’s famous pasta and shared our resolutions.

Just one morning into the New Year, as I write this, my family still sound asleep knowing they have one last day of vacation before the hectic pace of life propels us … I realize it is time. It is time to take down holiday decorations and prepare for what is next, which is 2012.

Today marks another new day, although more significant and emphasized by the culmination of parties, parades, fireworks, gatherings and conversations of New Year’s Resolutions. However, I prefer to use the word goals in place of resolutions. Resolutions made oftentimes end up as empty promises, like all of those new faces who show up at the gym to work out “more often.”

I learned many years ago that goals can be set at any time and re-examined throughout the year. Since becoming an owner/partner and marketing director at Highland Partners, I continue to examine my goals quite often. You do not have to be in business, or a director or coach, to do this. You can simply sit down with your children, a colleague or your spouse and review one another’s goals together. Whether I am coaching or sharing, I learn so much through our exchange. Each conversation reminds and reinforces my own goals, and enlightens me to new ones I hadn’t even thought of. A buddy system of sorts.

Here are a few of my goals for 2012:

Reinforce Past Goals

Help HP Agents with Their Business Plans

Exercise Weekly with Friends

Take Walks with My Husband and Partner

Complete and Publish My Book

Help More Families / Sell More Homes

Visit Aspen and Vail ( My daughter is at CU Boulder )

Learn Something New

Create Photo Books using iPhoto

Inspire My Children

Simplify: Garage, Basement and Closets

Expand Reach and Support of My Favorite Charities

Host More Dinner Parties ( Adam needs to be on board with that one, since I don’t cook! )

Plan and Take a One-on-One Weekend Get-Away with Each Member of My Family

Celebrate Adam’s Big Birthday

and

Our 20 Year Anniversary

Dance More!

And, of course, this goes without saying… Eat Healthier, Spend More Time with Family and World Peace.

What are your goals for 2012? I’d love to hear them, and am sure others would, too.

Cheers to a Happy and Healthy 2012! May all of your dreams and goals be achieved.

There is always so much to accomplish…

XOXO! Debbi

Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Piedmont Citizens Head to the Polls to Vote for their Man or Woman, this February 7th, 2012.

The clock is ticking and nerves undoubtably are shot.  It has been 6 long months of campaigning. I don’t know how they do it.

Motivate and assemble a team, seek supporters, spread the word, campaign one on one, on the phone, in person, in a store or by knocking on a door.  Meetings and more meetings, meet and greet parties, fundraisers, school meetings, parent board meetings and so much more.

This was my first experience being part of a campaign.  I can say I learned something new.  Which is always one reason why I always like to get involved.  I wish all the canidates my very best.  I know each and everyone has put their heart and soul into their campaign.  As a personal, longtime friend of the McBain family, and one of the board members on Bob’s campaign, I thought I would share why I believe in Bob.

Good Luck to all of the candidates!

You did your best and gave it your all.

In just 45 minutes the polls will close, the parties will begin and the anticipation will be coming to an end.

All I can say is… thankfully it is not me!

Longtime Family Friends

Bob and I at the 2010 Winter Ball and debut of his oldest daughter, Liz.

Why I believe in Bob.

Bob and I come from very different backgrounds.  That is what makes life interesting for me.  I enjoy meeting new people as well as learning new things about my friends, clients, and colleagues.  Hearing their stories.. where they and their families came from, what got them here and what was their life like growing up.  I find it so appealing because I am from Piedmont.  I grew up in town, went to Wildwood Elementary, PMS then Piedmont Junior High, PHS and Camp Augusta… raised in town since I was three, forming relationships, just as your kids are doing today.  My own office is the same exact spot where I went each day after school, at lunch and on the weekends to buy candy for myself and gifts for birthday parties – The Highlander Candy Store as I called it or Springman’s.  Not a whole lot has changed.  Well, Convenient ( then Bonfaire ) is now Mulberries and we now have Piedmont Play School, Coaches Field and our amazing Witter Field, to name a few.

Bob is different.  He was an army brat, traveling from town to town and from school to school.  He did not have a sense of community or a group of friends whom he could share memories or the hard knocks of life.  Each year it was not uncommon for Bob to have to start all over again —  make new friends, try to fit in and find his groove.  I think that takes a special person.  When asked, “Why are you running?”  The answer is always the same – whether Bob is addressing an audience or in our own casual conversation – The answer is the same:  he is grateful for the foundation that Piedmont has provided himself and his family and wants to give back.

Why do I  believe in Bob for Piedmont City Council?

Simply Put:

1.      Compassionate:  Bob cares for Piedmont and feels very lucky to have discovered  our town.

2.      Qualified:  Bob comes from a financial background in banking which makes him a highly qualified council member.

3.      Proven Track Record:  Bob has spent numerous hours volunteering as a coach ( year after year ) and has held various volunteer positions like the Rec Commission. There are many – please see website to learn more. http://www.mcbaincitycouncil.com/about-bob

4.      Committed to Our Success:  Bob is committed to the success of our town and to each and every generation.

Please vote for Bob.

I know he will listen to your concerns and bring your voice to each council meeting.

He is always available to you.

Thank you for your time.

XOXO! Debbi

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Debbi DiMaggio

Friday, December 23, 2011
Debbi DiMaggio

Discoveries by Debbi DiMaggio

This year the holiday season began for me at a Williams-Sonoma Cooking Class just a few weeks before Christmas.

Our view from the top floor of Williams-Sonoma on Union Square at Christmas

Learning about other cultures fascinates me. I am naturally drawn to Caribbean and Mediterranean cultures… the passion, food and music. So, when the co-owner of Pica Pica Maize Kitchen invited me to experience Venezuelan Christmas traditions, I said, “of course!”

 

First, I went to a Hallaca cooking class at Williams-Sonoma, Union Square. From my perspective, the Hallaca is a lot like the Spanish tamale. I can see why families would take days to make them… very involved. Adriana Lopez, chef and co-owner, and her crew from Pica Pica made it easy. We rolled the maize, stacked the mixture, and wrapped and tied them in the leaves.

A little lesson: In Venezuelan cuisine, a Hallaca (“hayaca”) typically involves a mixture of meat (we had chicken) capers, sweet raisins and zesty olives wrapped in maize (cornmeal dough), bound with string within plantain leaves, and boiled afterwards, very tasty.

You can order them NOW online at www.picapicakitchen.com

 

Then I was invited to the Oxbow Public Market in Napa for “Parranda 2011.”  (photo above).  I experienced more great food from Pica Pica, and tasted unique wines from South America by Taste Vino ( www.taste-vino.com ), but the best part was what followed… line dancing with our new friends from Pica Pica. Everyone dancing knew the words and dance steps, song after song. A little secret about myself…many do not know, but I listen to Latin and Hispanic music when driving in my car. No, I don’t understand the lyrics, but I love the beat. I enjoy it so much it seems that I must understand the words, it fills my soul and makes me smile.

Another lesson: Parranda is a musical form from the coastal area of Venezuela where the tambora (drum) becomes the main accompanying instrument. Parrandas are musical festivities during the Christmas season holiday.

I have to admit that after trying the various items on the menu, one of my TOPS is the Yucca fries (you can order them plain or with garlic). They alone are worth making the drive; whether to Pica Pica Maize Kitchen in San Francisco on Valencia Street or at Oxbow Napa.

Next on my list, Flamenco dance lessons with Adriana… There is always more to discover!

 Feliz Navidad     Merry Christmas     Happy 2012!

XOXO!

Debbi

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