Dreams of Water

 I often take my two young children on afternoon outings.  Where we are headed is of minimal importance.  One bright sunny day we were exploring downtown, and we found ourselves walking through the sandstone collums of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

I must have been seeing this place through the eyes of my children, or perhaps I was remembering the magic of the sunken garden in my childhood.  I would often have dreams as a child that I was in the back corner of this garden, underneath a curving wrought iron staircase, surrounded by the ferns and other lush greenery.  In my dreams, there would be still, dark pools of reflecting water tucked into this secret corner.  These dreams are for me, the beginning of my love for water and the magic of Santa Barbara.

What Is Santa Barbara Style?

As I thought about writing the first entry into this blog, entitled Santa Barbara Style, I started thinking, "what is Santa Barbara Style?"  I have ideas in my head of what I believe it to be.  When I see it, I know it. Can I articulate it?  Can it be pinned down to a few words that clearly define what Santa Barbara Style is?

I was born and raised in this beautiful city.  In so many ways it has shaped who I am.  I have visited and lived many other places, but no other place has come so close to paradise for me.  Recently I began to see Santa Barbara with new eyes.  I think this comes from ones perspective- when it changes, how things are seen change too.  Everything I see provides so much joy and inspiration!  The buildings around town- when did they become so amazing?  The people walking confidently down State Street on a bright sunny day, each one looking as if they had just stepped out of a fashion editorial.  And the headline reads-  Santa Barbara Style: Effortlessly Elegant and Casually Chic.  I can't get enough of it!!

While reading this blog, think of me as your personal tour guide of this unique city.  But this is definitely not your average tour.  This is a tour with all things style in mind.  Anything that catches my attention may end up here.  I am excited to experience where this tour takes us, what inspires me, what I learn and everything I see!
SR