MENU
mobile-logo
Home / 2025 / August

6:43 pm
Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

Our theme this month is Style. In our Conejo Valley and Santa Rosa Valley communities, most of our attention regarding “style” is on our homes. While almost everyone dresses quite well, we are not a hyper-fashionista-focused place like Paris, New York, or even Los Angeles. The distance between us and La La Land may not be far, but culturally, we are pretty far apart. The “style” that concerns us the most is what takes place in our homes, both inside and outside.

If I look back on what attracted Robin and me to want to live in the Conejo Valley when we moved here 20 years ago, it was the natural beauty that still surrounds us and the way our cities and neighborhoods have been built out without creating too much congestion and pollution so common to much of Southern California. I lived in South Orange County for many years. When I moved there, it was similar to the Conejo Valley—but no longer. I am happy to be here.

Our homes are often a reflection of the community’s overall zeitgeist. Not necessarily the particular type of décor, outdoor landscape, or hardscape, but simply the care and love that have gone into it. If we love the environment and the community in which we live, it makes it easy and enjoyable to invest and continually improve the personal space in which we live: our home.

Cat in a Hammock, Holly Viane Interiors, The Sofa Guy and State Restoration take us on a style tour of new ideas and opportunities for your home. At Conejo Valley Lifestyle we have also expanded our social media presence on Facebook and Instagram. There you can find articles from Aldik Home, Milben Construction, First Choice Painting and the beautiful homes represented by the amazing Rosemary Alliso.

We also thought it would be nice for you to discover Ilene’s Boutique for some of the most beautiful styles in women’s clothing. Ilene has been tucked away in North Ranch for “only” 34 years. What took you so long to find her?

8:32 pm
Home • Design

Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design

Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design offers a wide selection of gas fireplaces, such as See Through Gas Fireplaces, Left,  Right, or Double Corner Fireplaces, Linear, Modern, Contemporary, Custom design, Vent Free, Traditional, or many others.

104 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 9136
(805) 496-6660 | thousandoaksfireside.com

CLICK HERE Learn more about Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design

Provided

With our enviable weather, barbecue season lasts the year round.  There’s no better way to celebrate the outdoors than by firing up the grill. If you are looking to elevate your grilling game, look no further than the premium outdoor cooking equipment from Twin Eagles and Delta Heat. These exceptional brands are made here in Southern California and are available at Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design…your outdoor gatherings are about to get a major upgrade

Twin Eagles: Known for its striking aesthetic and high-quality craftsmanship, this high-end equipment is designed with the serious griller in mind. These grills embody the perfect fusion of performance and style. Each unit is constructed from durable stainless steel, ensuring it withstands the test of time while delivering top-notch grilling results. The powerful infrared burner heats up quickly and evenly, allowing you to achieve those coveted grill marks on your chops, steaks and burgers.

Now, let’s turn our attention to Delta Heat… a Twin Eagles product and another fantastic option that Thousand Oaks Fireside offers. Crafted with the same passion for quality, what is remarkable about this equipment is its commitment to affordability without sacrificing performance. These grills provide powerful cooking capabilities featuring heavy-duty stainless steel construction, an impressive BTU rating, and a unique grilling surface that ensures superior heat retention. You can expect your food to come off the grill perfectly cooked every time

The sleek design of the Delta Heat line makes it a beautiful addition to any outdoor space. Each grill comes equipped with LED-lit control knobs and halogen interior lighting for nighttime grilling sessions, a feature that adds not just practicality, but also a touch of modern elegance to your backyard. The side burners are a perfect companion for whipping up sauces or sautéing veggies while the main course is grilling away.

Both Twin Eagles and Delta Heat equipment represent the pinnacle of quality in outdoor cooking. When shopping at Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design, you’re not just purchasing a barbecue, you’re investing in an experience that brings family and friends together. The knowledgeable staff will help guide you through the selection and design process, ensuring you find the equipment that best suits your cooking style and outdoor entertaining needs.

Whether you are a grilling pro or novice, a visit to Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design to see the Twin Eagles and Delta Heat line will be your first step in transforming your outdoor grilling experience. Get ready to gather around the grill and share laughter, stories and food that will transform into delicious memories to last a lifetime.

© Copyright 2025 Targeted Media Partners LLC All Rights Reserved

9:56 pm
Home • Design

Cat in a Hammock

Outdoor Spaces Are More Than Just Landscape. Bespoke outdoor spaces that reflect your lifestyle, invite connection, and bring everyday peace home. Serving Thousand Oaks and the surrounding area

275 East Hillcrest Dr. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 263-4200 | catinahammock.com

CLICK HERE: Learn About Cat In a Hammock

By Tracy Marcynzsyn

Designing beautiful spaces that reflect the unique style and function of every family inspires Kristina Jones, who founded Cat in a Hammock, to do just that.

Kristina’s full-service design and construction firm has the expertise to bring clients’ visions to life, from the initial glimmer of an idea to the final touches of the completed project.

“I especially love when clients share how their new backyard has changed their everyday life. It’s no longer just a yard—it’s a sanctuary, a gathering place, an extension of their home. That’s deeply rewarding,” shares Kristina, noting that creating the ideal space starts with inspiration.

“I always recommend that clients explore Pinterest, Houzz or even pull pages from magazines. It costs nothing to start dreaming. Don’t worry about whether it fits your space or your budget just yet—this is your time to gather visual ideas that stir something in you. Think of it as building a mood board for your lifestyle: textures, colors, garden moments, architectural elements. Give yourself the freedom to explore without editing. That’s where the magic begins,” says Kristina, who finds her own source of inspiration in natural settings.

“Botanical gardens have always been a wellspring of inspiration for me. Whether it’s Lotusland, Descanso Gardens or a tucked-away estate abroad, I make it a point to observe how nature is framed, layered and allowed to speak,” she says, adding, “I recently visited Casa del Herrero in Montecito to refill my creative well. I love blending classical and modern influences—creating spaces that feel rooted in tradition, yet fresh and relevant.”

Exploring the Process

Meeting with clients to discuss their goals enables Cat in a Hammock to formulate a well-designed plan.

“Our consultations are deeply personal and tailored to each family,” explains Kristina. “We begin by exploring lifestyle—how our clients live, entertain, relax and connect at home. Are there children or pets? Do they host large gatherings or prefer an intimate retreat? This discovery shapes the functionality of the space before we even touch the design.”

The next step involves the artistic elements: “We then begin layering in aesthetics—materials, mood and color palettes that speak to the home’s architecture and the client’s taste. Many clients share inspiration boards they’ve curated over time, and it becomes a collaborative design conversation,” shares Kristina. Once a realistic budget is set—”we help prioritize features, select premium materials strategically, and craft a plan that reflects value and intention”—the design phase begins, transforming vision into detailed 3D renderings.

“We manage every detail in-house: engineering, permitting, materials, project management and of course, the build itself. It’s a full-service experience with a single point of contact from concept to completion,” she says, noting her satisfaction with a job well done.

“Each phase brings its own joy. The design process is imaginative and intimate, the build phase is tangible and gratifying, and the final reveal is where it all comes full circle.”

Kristina invites homeowners to explore how Cat in a Hammock can add style and elegance to enhance their home and lifestyle.

“We’re more than a design-build firm—we’re storytellers of outdoor living. We care deeply about our clients’ experience, and we’re here to create timeless, soulful spaces that elevate how they live,” says Kristina. “Beauty matters, but it’s how a space makes you feel—and how it supports the way you live—that makes it meaningful.”

Project Portfolio

Incorporating new landscaping, lighting and grass transformed this space, featuring a modern Spanish-style cabana, outdoor fireplace, and kitchen set against white stucco and arched architecture, into a year-round retreat. The design phase took about a month, followed by permitting and HOA approval; the project was completed in just under 3 months. Redesigning the pool with new glass tile and water features and adding a custom fire feature, two large pergolas and an arbor, plus a dining space to accommodate a large extended family, reimagined a tired and dated backyard. The result was so successful, they hosted a family wedding just weeks after completion!

 

© Copyright 2025 Targeted Media Partners LLC All Rights Reserved

9:33 pm
Lifestyle • Education • Culture

By Tracy Marcynzsyn

Photography by Robin Chesler

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Expo and Networking Mixer at the Palm Garden Hotel, featuring local businesses, service organizations, and restaurants. There were 58 very busy exhibitors presenting their wares and services to the Conejo Valley community.

© Copyright 2025 Targeted Media Partners LLC All Rights Reserved

12:19 am
Food • Beverage Travel

By Ben Malkin

Photography by Ben Malkin and Left Coast Photography

While Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley are next-door neighbors in the heart of premium California wine country, a visit and wine tasting tour shows contrasting styles, experiences, and wines to enjoy.

Napa wineries are easily accessible. From the south to the north, most of the wineries are located on a grid bordered by Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. Your visit to Sonoma Valley is more of an adventure that requires the use of Google Maps, and better yet, a good old-fashioned printed Sonoma Valley winery map. For Robin’s annual December birthday vacation, we dove into the “adventure” of a visit to Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Valley is much more laid back than Napa Valley—$1,000/night rooms and acres of resort facilities are not part of the culture. For me, that’s a good thing. Michelin star or wannabe star restaurants and $400 dinners for two are for Napa, not Sonoma.

The advantage of a late December visit is less traffic and reduced crowds at the wineries. These days it is always best to schedule appointments for everything from a tasting to a complete wine and food pairing at some wineries. With the generous help of Amy Patrick at Sonoma County Vintners, we scheduled visits to wineries in the Russian River Valley up north to the Alexander Valley, enjoying beautiful road trips from Sonoma to Healdsburg to Santa Rosa. We visited the heart of their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel country.

Next, some advice on quality vs. quantity: Schedule no more than three wineries a day, and if lunch is included, perhaps just two. We enjoyed incredible food and wine pairings at St. Francis Winery and Ram’s Gate Winery. Each provided a unique experience that we will always treasure. You can also choose to stay out of your car for an afternoon and visit the tasting rooms on the square in Sonoma.

We kicked things off at Ram’s Gate Winery, located at the entrance to Sonoma Valley near the famous Sonoma Raceway. Their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are classically Russian River and Carneros. The wine and food pairing was perfect and so extensive that we skipped dinner that evening.

One of our favorite wineries is Chateau St. Jean. We have been members for many years. Their Cinq Cepage Bordeaux-style blend is very special, as is their Russian River Pinot Noir. Foley Family Wines recently bought them. That meant when we visited Chalk Hill Estate Winery (www.chalkhill.com) later in the week (perhaps the best Chardonnay in Sonoma County), we were members. So corporate ownership is not always something to bemoan. The Foley-owned wineries have retained and possibly improved their quality.

Another exceptional experience was a visit to Ledson Winery. They are family-owned and managed, and very proud of it. The beautiful building and grounds are chock-a-block full of family history. They offer a wide choice of varietals and award-winning wines. You can spend hours just shopping in their Marketplace.

The next day, we enjoyed another food and wine pairing at St. Francis Winery and Vineyard, featuring a wonderful parade of small bites and premium, 90+ scoring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. You can find their wine at the grocery store, but to truly experience the best, you need to visit.

We headed north to Chalk Hill Estate Winery. It was a very adventurous drive, but well worth it when we finally got there. We found Chardonnay to die for (their “flagship varietal) and sublime Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Visit or join for 90+ showstoppers. We spent two or more hours tasting the wine and gazing at the vineyards.

The goal of our trip was to enjoy great wine, so there’s no restaurant reviews. On the other hand, our wine and food pairings were the most memorable highlight of our trip. Maybe next time we’ll visit Paso Robles wine country for more great wine, lots of driving, and exploring. Cheers!!

Our final experience was far to the north at Zialena Winery. Family-owned and nurtured by Mark Mazzoni, the wine-making tradition here goes back to 1931 and the culture of workers at Italian Swiss Colony saving money to buy their land. The wine is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and their own Zinfandel Mazzoni clone; very, very Alexander Valley. Their Cabernet and Zinfandel from the Alexander Valley are some of my favorites, well-structured and graceful.

© Copyright 2025 Targeted Media Partners LLC All Rights Reserved