Judy Foreman Knows Santa Barbara

Bonding with Surf Creatures

World Champion surfer Shaun Tomson releases “Surf Creatures”, an  innovative Children’s storybook iPhone app for families, featuring 26  animated  rhymes about fierce and friendly creatures that live under his surfboard.  Surf Creatures is the very first and only application of its kind to feature Storytalk™, enabling up to four people to record their own voices so the whole family can rhyme about the cool creatures that live in the surf zone.

The project was inspired by his newborn son Luke and his late son Mathew.  One day in 2000 Shaun and his son Mathew spent the morning at the beach. Mathew built a large circle of smooth rocks on the beach, which he called the “Sacred Story Circle”.  For the rest of the morning Tomson and his son sat in the Circle and traded stories back and forth. 

After the tragic and painful loss of their 15 yr old son Mathew, Tomson was    inspired to create and application that would bring families together through story telling.  Not only can the users hear Tomson read the tale, but through the app’s unique Storytalk™ feature, they have the option of recording their own voices for their children.

In addition to Storytalk™, Surf Creatures contains beautifully illustrated graphics along with sound effects and music to educate and entertain children and parents about creatures that live in the surf zone.

“I never thought I’d be writing rhymes at 55 yrs old,” say Tomson.  “Live has given my wife and me a second chance at happiness with the recent birth of Luke and me love writing for him.  Storytelling is so important to all parents and children, and now new mobile technology can add to a tradition that is thousands of years old.”

The application is $3.99 at http://itunes.apple.com search for Surf Creatures in the apps store.

Eat, Write, Shop - Cherrio!

Stepping into Angela Torin’s Hampstead Village is like being transported directly to a tony boutique in the British Isles.  Moving into La Arcada Court in downtown Santa Barbara this month she has renovated the two-story place located between Waterhouse Gallery and Petit Valentien restaurant.

Fixtures with rich wood trim, beautiful glass cases, fabric window coverings and shelves filled with goodies from the U.K. fill the space.  With public parking right next door to La Arcada Court, it’s a breeze to get in and out of downtown without the hassle.

Hampstead Village will trigger nostalgia for food stuffs and noteworthy English lines, some which date back to 1870, such as Penhaligon’s of London perfumes, Taylor of Old Bond Street Gentlemen’s Toiletries (established in 1854), Halcyon Days Enamels of London, handmade teapots by Carter of England, Emma Bridgwater Pottery, Nicholas Mosse Pottery (handmade in Ireland), Galway Crystal Spode china, Corinna Gordon jewelry, and Jill Temkin designs.

I toured around the shop with Ms. Torin, an active supporter of both the Breast Cancer Resource Center and the ADL of Santa Barbara.  With her British accent and enthusiasm for her first-time business, she says the Women’s Economic Ventures program helped her gain the confidence and knowledge to open the shop.  Her inventory includes coffee table books ranging in topic from English country homes to the Beatles, cookery books from Ireland and Scotland, travel guides to the U.K. and much more.

English children’s classics such as “Winnie the Pooh”, “Mary Poppins”, and Paddington Bear are also for sale; in the new year Torin will be reading some of these treasures on Sunday Afternoons in front of her fireplace, a tradition started with her own son Alex, now a student at San Marcos High School.

Cuddly and soft London policeman bears, Scottish pipers and heart shaped “I love London” pillows are scattered around the shop.  And of course what would an English sop be without a huge collection of food from Cadbury’s, Mars bars, Walkers and all the favorite British tea, jams, biscuits, mustards, cakes, puddings and mince pies.

Hampstead Village is located at 1114 State Street, Suite 10.  Call 805-845-3343 or visit her website at www.hampsteadvillageusa.com for more information.

Eat, Write, Shop - All Things Beautiful

I discovered Christy Martin’s new lifestyle store, Encanto, on a first Thursday as she was just dusting off and unpacking her inventory.  Her choices of items from hop furniture, linens, dishes, handbags, small leather goods, jewelry, candles, slippers, table wear, and art are finely choreographed without being over the top.

“After working in the interior design world for the past twenty-five years I thought it might be fun to go beyond interiors and into a little bit of fashion, as I am constantly being asked ‘where do you get that?’” Ms. Martin says.  “Whether it is a dress, a shoe or piece of jewelry, it is really fun to share these things that I love,” she adds.

Some of the new stuff in the shop include Escama Studio bags and purses. 
These beauties are made out of recycled pop tops by women artists in co-operatives in Brasilia, Brazil. Each piece comes with a hang tag, bearing the signature of the person who made it, so you can read more about this person by clicking on their photo on their website. They will even translate a thank you letter into Portuguese should you feel so inclined to write. Helping artists create beautiful wearable art. How much fun is that? www.escamastudio.com. 

If scarves and silk is more to your liking she carries Avani Wild Silk scarves.   These hand woven shawls and scarves are completely handmade, from the  spinning and dyeing of the wild silk to weaving the finished product.  Made by artisans of the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, these Avani textiles have won the UNESCO Seal of Excellence.  www.tilonia.com.

Christy also sponsors and hosts events.  On January 6^th she hosted a Dale Kern of Milbesos Trunk Show the First Thursday Artwalk (part of the downtown Santa Barbara scene).  The trunk show featured gorgeous handmade jewelry by Montecito resident Dale Kern.   15% of sales were donated to the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara.

The next event will be, January 21^st when Encanto and Saks Fifth Avenue Santa Barbara will be hosting "AGELESS DRESS" given by top stylist Sherrie Mathieson at 2 PM. Sherrie has written two Random House books: "FOREVER COOL" and "STEAL THIS STYLE". www.sherriemathieson.com.

Encanto is located in La Arcada Court, 1114 State Street, Suite 22, call 805-722-4338 or visit Ms. Martin’s design website, www.studioencanto.com.