The Voice of East Bay Living

My favorite holiday=Valentine’s Day Every year I make special valentines for my most favorite people. I use heart cookie cutters, make heart molds with cut out potatoes and stamp layers of hearts on top of each other. Try it-fun for the entire family.

Visiting with Edward Swift at his unusual  home in the outskirts of San Miguel de Allende is a tour of  a magical world of art at every turn.  His home, cubist, modern and out of the box  in design, is a reflection of his profuse talent and a  rich container for his many masterpieces.  Edward is a prolific  artist and writer whose days are spent creating from early morning until late at night.  Currently, his works on being displayed at his featured exhibition entitled Only One leg to Stand On, on view at the City Museum of Queretaro  June 23-August 27,2017. Sheila Sabine is a business woman, multi-dimensional artist, and Senior Sales Associate at The Grubb Company. ssabine@grubbco.com

Visiting the home of husband and wife artists, Mike Kleimo and Edna Dickinson is a real treat. Located in El Chorro district of San Miguel de Allende, this spot was where the original spring was discovered, supplying water for the town hundreds of years ago. Mike and Edna purchased the home in 2004. The former resident's son is the famous rock star, Benny Ibarra, who still often visits the area. The property is composed of a large front patio with spectacular view of the town, an amazing succulent garden, a gourmet kitchen used for entertaining, including their famous holiday party for over 80 people.  Mike has a light filled and tranquil upstairs studio where he creates his wonderful paintings while listening to streaming music from California and other  parts of the world. He likes to use watercolors for his smaller paintings and acrylic for his larger pieces.  Edna describes herself as material engineer using ingenious clay techniques to create ...

Historic Oakmore home showcasing many custom features. For more information, please email Sheila at ssabine@grubbco.com

Wilfried Eisinger is creating art through his cooking, in his own back yard. Wilfried (Will) Eisinger is passionate about music and food. Through Josephine.com, he is able to share his love of food with his neighbors. Are you tired of cooking meals? No time to buy groceries? Want to meet your neighbors? Josephine.com is the solution for you. This is a online platform that features chefs in your own neighborhood, cooking in their own homes. Here is how it works: Create an account with Josephine.com Choose a meal. Go pick it up at the chef's home and meet your neighbors who are doing the same thing. My preferred chef is Wilfried Eisinger, a very gifted French chef.  Read more about Will https://www.josephine.com/cooks/will To place an order directly, email Will at eisinger@me.com Bon Appétit! For more information, please contact Sheila Sabine ssabine@grubbco.com

An interview with Kathrin Parsons in her home in San Miguel, Mexico. Kathrin Parsons For more details, please contact Sheila Sabine ssabine@grubbco.com

We are living in a world of global affluence. The fastest growing wealth economy in the world is Vietnam, where there are 300% more millionaire households than in the US. The four top cities in the world that have the majority of wealth are New York, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Wealth and the international trade boom have increased by 500% in the last five years. Top 10% in the world hold 85% of the world's wealth. The world has never seen this kind of explosion of wealth since the mid-1700s.  There is a 6.6% increase in luxury spending and CASH is king all across the globe and 400% more people in the world are paying all cash for real estate. We have a worldwide singular class of affluent people who have the desire and the means to purchase a home anywhere in the world. 

Who are the Milllenials? –described as the “Awesome” generation Ages 20-38 Born between 1977-1995 average income of $200,000 + average net worth of $5 million single greatest transfer of wealth in history of U.S. transfer of money coming from parents and grandparents They are looking for the following criteria in a new home: life style not location urban settings turn key homes home theaters swimming pools outdoor kitchen 4+ garages separate guest house safe room where they can lock themselves in

This was a dark laundry room located in a basement of a home. The drab concrete floor was transformed with a fresh coat of hunter green and the walls with a lively yellow daffodil.

856 Blair Avenue, Oakland CA "Sophisticated Urban Setting, Waiting for Transformation" You will love this light filled contemporary in retreat setting located on Piedmont side of Montclair. This home features 3BR/1.5BA on main level, wide plank hrdw floors, fireplace in living rm, quiet decks. Lower level w/sep. entrance, fireplace, 1BR/1BA. Visit GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine@grubbco.com

Featured at lightingboltphoto.com

One of my favorite holiday traditions is making wreaths from grapevines which I personally cut on a private Sonoma vineyard. I braid grapevines and then decorate the wreaths. I enjoy giving these personalized decorations as gifts to my loved ones.  Wreaths have a long history dating back to 776 B.C. when laurel wreaths were used to crown victors in Olympic Games  and as head ornaments for royalty. In more recent times, wreaths became adornments for front doors and walls during the holiday season.