Wellness

Skin Deep

Acupuncturists offering facial treatments as holistic alternatives to mainstream fillers Article by Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Photography by Dresden Holden, See Creature Photography January is always a time for reflection, reset, and refinement. While New Year’s resolutions are notoriously abandoned, this season can still be an opportunity to explore practices that help the whole you.  Cosmetic acupuncture has been taught for decades, Claudia Ward of Beyond Acupuncture reminds me. But it’s...

Fitness

Water Break

A throwback California hot springs resort works its magic Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Distinctive Resorts, Samantha Durbin California is endowed with hot springs throughout the state. One of my favorites, Sycamore Mineral Springs, is just 1.5 hours north in quintessential beach town Avila Beach. If you’re seeking warm, restorative waters a bike ride away from chilly Pacific waves, Sycamore Mineral Springs is bliss. It feels close yet far enough for a relaxing solo escape or a...

Fitness

Super Woman

Article by Dr. Valerie Girard | Photography by Provided When I was 70, I registered for the Santa Barbara Triathlon, an annual race held in August at East Beach. Both professional and amateur athletes eagerly anticipate competing in this event.  I no longer run, but fortunately, the event includes the aqua-bike race, consisting of a one-mile ocean swim followed by a 34-mile bike ride through the hills of Montecito and Carpinteria.  Having competed in this event forty years earlier, I was...

Fitness

A Food Reset for the Family

Article by Collin Harmon | Photography by Provided The holiday season has a way of pulling us into a joyful whirlwind of food, family, and celebration. There are warm desserts at every gathering, overflowing tables, and second helpings of those once-a-year dishes. But when the holidays quiet down, many crave a reset. That doesn't mean undoing all the fun, it means easing back into a routine that supports feeling good physically and emotionally. A gentle holiday recovery is all about slowing...

Life + Culture

The Balance Behind Wealth

How Saige Private Wealth is bringing clarity & confidence to financial well-being Article by Sara DeMarcus | Photography by Matt DeMarcus For Antonia La Rocca, financial well-being is inseparable from whole-person wellness. “If you don’t know where you are or where you want to go, life becomes more confusing and less optimal,” she says. “Clarity naturally reduces stress.” It’s a philosophy rooted not only in her decades of technical expertise, but in a lifetime of experience that shaped her...

Fitness

Long Live Pilates

This anti-hustle, anti-perfectionist wellness vibe feels complelety 2026 (and beyond) Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Blake Bronstad Robin Long is a Pilates instructor, Nutrition Therapy practitioner, and author known for her down-to-earth approach to fitness and self-care. Long is also the founder and CEO of Lindywell, a highly rated global wellness app with over 450 workouts that emphasize realistic, busy-life health routines.  Robin began her journey as a Pilates instructor...

Wellness

Wealth Health

Harbor Hills shares a few actionable things you can do for a healthier financial future Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Provided What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address this year? Now is an excellent time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could apply toward specific objectives, from building your retirement fund to managing your taxes. The wealth management team at Harbor Hills offers more than planning. They offer a steady...

Arts + Culture

From Hunger to Health

Article by Meaghan Clark Tiernan The Food Bank of Santa Barbara County is on a mission to end hunger, but with federal budget cuts and a dwindling job market, those in need of their services are only expected to increase.  The statistics are staggering: The Food Bank already serves one in every three Santa Barbara County community members, and Santa Barbara County currently has the second highest poverty rate in the state. “We believe that our neighbors deserve access to healthy food,” says...

Arts + Culture

Bedeck The Halls

Classic food and stiff drinks at Joe's Cafe. Egg rolls and extra dirty martinis at Pickle Room. 'Tis the season. Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Josh Gruetzmacher Opposite: Allaura is wearing Richard Tyler Couture green gown, vintage chandelier earrings/Maria Ferra black earrings. Nicole is wearing Naeem Khan Ria Zee beaded fringe cocktail dress, Jimmy Choo heels, vintage deco earrings, crystal cocktail ring. Allaura is wearing Ali Rahimi for Mon Atelier red coat, Le Superbe...

Arts + Culture

A Surf & Turf New Years Eve Feast

Chef John of Creative Services Catering's NYE menu Article by Samantha Durbin, Chef John | Photography by Emmy Pickett Lobster. Steak. Shrimp. Friends. Family. Wine. Celebrate the year's end al fresco with life's greatest joys. This Surf & Turf New Year's Eve menu was inspired by a private family dinner served by Chef John of Creative Services Catering. His event space, Bungalow 626, is a historic Craftsman bungalow in downtown Santa Barbara ideal for intimate gatherings. Roasted Rainbow...