Lotus Land

Last weekend I had the great opportunity to go on a tour of Montecito's botanical gem Lotus Land. The story of Ganna Walska and her extensive botanical collection is extremely intriguing and mystical at times. Lotus Land is one of the premier botanical gardens in the entire world and is something to be admired. I tried to capture some of it's essence in my photos and hope to return in June when the lotus flowers are in full bloom.

xox

Last weekend I had the great opportunity to go on a tour of Montecito's botanical gem Lotus Land. The story of Ganna Walska and her extensive botanical collection is extremely intriguing and mystical at times. Lotus Land is one of the premier botanical gardens in the entire world and is something to be admired. I tried to capture some of it's essence in my photos and hope to return in June when the lotus flowers are in full bloom.

xox

Prima Love

My cousins might as well be my sisters ...I have one brother, but it's not the same as a sister... and I can't tell you enough how much love I have for them all. My mother is the youngest out of 7 in a Mexican family so needless to say I have a lot of cousins... About a week ago my cousin Melissa came over from Maui and in celebration, my other cousin Andrea came up from San Diego and Melissa's sister Rebecca drove up from Manhattan Beach. We spent the day up in Los Olivios wine tasting and had a special time at Demetria. I highly recommend wine tasting in the Valley, you will have an amazing time. If you want to go to Demetria, call ahead of time and make an appointment. Make sure to pick up a lunch at Panino before and bring it along since most properties and vineyards allow you to bring your own picnic.  Who would have known it is Winter...

My cousins might as well be my sisters ...I have one brother, but it's not the same as a sister... and I can't tell you enough how much love I have for them all. My mother is the youngest out of 7 in a Mexican family so needless to say I have a lot of cousins... About a week ago my cousin Melissa came over from Maui and in celebration, my other cousin Andrea came up from San Diego and Melissa's sister Rebecca drove up from Manhattan Beach. We spent the day up in Los Olivios wine tasting and had a special time at Demetria. I highly recommend wine tasting in the Valley, you will have an amazing time. If you want to go to Demetria, call ahead of time and make an appointment. Make sure to pick up a lunch at Panino before and bring it along since most properties and vineyards allow you to bring your own picnic.  Who would have known it is Winter...

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Clinton Kyle Hollister

A couple of weekends ago, one of my best male friends Kyle Hollister got hitched to a beautiful women by the name of Ashley Swan Woods. Their wedding was one of the most touching ceremonies I have ever been to and I feel so blessed to be a friend of theirs and to have been in their presence for such a special union. Kyle's father, Doyle Hollister, presented a touching speech about the significance of the land their family built their legacy upon and its significance to his son's special day. It was truly magical. My camera was being fussy so I only got a couple of pics with my Rebel, but thank you to Nils Von Erik from Smile Studios for letting me repost and Kilian for a couple I phone snaps. xoxo

 

Ashley's lace veil was her grandmother's and was exquisite to say the least.

Bulito

My best friend James Fay as one of the groomsmen

The family's offerings to the Chumash and ancestors

The boys!

Kilgar and I

Jonathan and Derek

The beautiful bride

James and Kelly

Love these men! Michael Hess from Germany, Luke Stadmadis, Kyle Hollister, James Fay, and Dan Crawford

Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Kyle Hollister 

Bulito Point, Hollister Ranch California 

<3 <3

Ana and Jesse

Ashley's grandfather 

Doyle Hollister! The MAN! The legend! 

:)

Beautiful dinner served at the first house built at the Ranch, the old Hollister Home.

family photos inside

The cocktail party before dinner 

right before they cut the delicious cake

on the dance floor

Victoria Voss and I

xoxox Kitty Cat

A couple of weekends ago, one of my best male friends Kyle Hollister got hitched to a beautiful women by the name of Ashley Swan Woods. Their wedding was one of the most touching ceremonies I have ever been to and I feel so blessed to be a friend of theirs and to have been in their presence for such a special union. Kyle's father, Doyle Hollister, presented a touching speech about the significance of the land their family built their legacy upon and its significance to his son's special day. It was truly magical. My camera was being fussy so I only got a couple of pics with my Rebel, but thank you to Nils Von Erik from Smile Studios for letting me repost and Kilian for a couple I phone snaps. xoxo

 

Ashley's lace veil was her grandmother's and was exquisite to say the least.

Bulito

My best friend James Fay as one of the groomsmen

The family's offerings to the Chumash and ancestors

The boys!

Kilgar and I

Jonathan and Derek

The beautiful bride

James and Kelly

Love these men! Michael Hess from Germany, Luke Stadmadis, Kyle Hollister, James Fay, and Dan Crawford

Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Kyle Hollister 

Bulito Point, Hollister Ranch California 

<3 <3

Ana and Jesse

Ashley's grandfather 

Doyle Hollister! The MAN! The legend! 

:)

Beautiful dinner served at the first house built at the Ranch, the old Hollister Home.

family photos inside

The cocktail party before dinner 

right before they cut the delicious cake

on the dance floor

Victoria Voss and I

xoxox Kitty Cat

Hawaiian Healing

I can't tell you guys enough how blessed I feel to have family in Hawaii and how much aloha they really have. I spent 10 magical days on the Island of Maui and took some photos to share with you. Life is pretty simple once you start seeing the beauty in it. Sometimes, we all just need a vacation to see that beauty.

Flower me up.

My Momma, relaxing.

Love this Island.

Maui has some Swagg

I was defiantly bird watching. This little critter was cracking me up. 

Makena Chilling



Becca and Chelsea relaxing at Makena 

Kihei Sunset

April, Melissa, Me, Malie, and Teresa. LOVE THESE GIRLS!

Melissa wearing her stunning Tahitian Pearls 

Greetings from Hawaii

Melissa rocking her WildFox tank

 My Mom and her Sister Cindy

Love Ta Love Jewelery Designs by Melissa Vandaele... website to be launched in the next couple of weeks:)

Love Ta Love Jewelery Designs by Melissa Vandaele:: Hawaiian Honey Puka Bangles

Lavender Farm

Dorking out at the Lavender Farm

Succulents are very pretty.

A Native Jackson

My new Etnies, I love them!!! They are amazing!

Beautiful Rebecca and I in the gardens at Kula Lodge

My beautiful Auntie

The spot :: Ho'okipa Beach :: My favorite

Up country Beauty

Haiku or Fuck You.

One of the best swimming holes on the Island

All time photo. This Hawaiian just took a toke right before he jumped in the water. Check out the smoke. And I think the kid is flipping me off. So great.

Mama's Fish House has the most amazing floral and light displays.
Mama's Fish House famous Mai Tai... THE BEST!! 

Melissa and I outside of Mama's enjoying the sunest

Becca, Chelsea, April, Me, Malie, & Melissa 

Maggie Coulumbe is now my favorite  designer out of Maui.

Whalers Village Historical Museum has some awesome stuff. Like these Valentines that the sailors used to make.

Or this really awesome pen and ink set.

And some whale teeth that have beautiful drawings of women on them.

Bander!! My favorite Maltese in the whole world. I'm not one for little lap dogs but this guy is RAD! I think I am changed forever lol.

My Uncle Eddie. I got the most respect for this man EVER.  He is the BEST BEST BEST. A life saver to say the least. He showed my Mom and I what family and aloha is really about again. He is a beautiful soul.

XOXOXO ALOHA AND KISSES Caterina 

I can't tell you guys enough how blessed I feel to have family in Hawaii and how much aloha they really have. I spent 10 magical days on the Island of Maui and took some photos to share with you. Life is pretty simple once you start seeing the beauty in it. Sometimes, we all just need a vacation to see that beauty.

Flower me up.

My Momma, relaxing.

Love this Island.

Maui has some Swagg

I was defiantly bird watching. This little critter was cracking me up. 

Makena Chilling



Becca and Chelsea relaxing at Makena 

Kihei Sunset

April, Melissa, Me, Malie, and Teresa. LOVE THESE GIRLS!

Melissa wearing her stunning Tahitian Pearls 

Greetings from Hawaii

Melissa rocking her WildFox tank

 My Mom and her Sister Cindy

Love Ta Love Jewelery Designs by Melissa Vandaele... website to be launched in the next couple of weeks:)

Love Ta Love Jewelery Designs by Melissa Vandaele:: Hawaiian Honey Puka Bangles

Lavender Farm

Dorking out at the Lavender Farm

Succulents are very pretty.

A Native Jackson

My new Etnies, I love them!!! They are amazing!

Beautiful Rebecca and I in the gardens at Kula Lodge

My beautiful Auntie

The spot :: Ho'okipa Beach :: My favorite

Up country Beauty

Haiku or Fuck You.

One of the best swimming holes on the Island

All time photo. This Hawaiian just took a toke right before he jumped in the water. Check out the smoke. And I think the kid is flipping me off. So great.

Mama's Fish House has the most amazing floral and light displays.
Mama's Fish House famous Mai Tai... THE BEST!! 

Melissa and I outside of Mama's enjoying the sunest

Becca, Chelsea, April, Me, Malie, & Melissa 

Maggie Coulumbe is now my favorite  designer out of Maui.

Whalers Village Historical Museum has some awesome stuff. Like these Valentines that the sailors used to make.

Or this really awesome pen and ink set.

And some whale teeth that have beautiful drawings of women on them.

Bander!! My favorite Maltese in the whole world. I'm not one for little lap dogs but this guy is RAD! I think I am changed forever lol.

My Uncle Eddie. I got the most respect for this man EVER.  He is the BEST BEST BEST. A life saver to say the least. He showed my Mom and I what family and aloha is really about again. He is a beautiful soul.

XOXOXO ALOHA AND KISSES Caterina