The Office

There is a new way to explore Wine Country and it’s from a stylin’ Land Rover Defender SUV! Looking for a way to support their community after the 2018 fires, Sonoma locals founded The Bohemian Highway Travel Company (BHTC). While there is an actual “Bohemian Highway” (a scenic two-lane road stretching across ten miles of western Sonoma County) the name is more about a state of mind.

BHTC showcases Wine Country through a different lens, by highlighting “green viticulture” with private behind-the-scenes tours and tastings. Because Wine Country is so much more than just vino, tours also include beer, cider and food.

Arrive Marin is busy clearing our calendar because we want to take every tour that BHTC offers. In addition to wine tasting, excursions include: a day with a local winemaker, a chef’s tour of Healdsburg and camping on the rugged Sonoma coastline. Yes, please! Plus, we love that BHTC supports its community by actively working to protect the environment and donating to local organizations.

SUVs can hold up to eight passengers. Wine tasting tours are $175 per person for six hours. Custom excursions are available upon request.

Longtime Arrive Marin friend and uber talented designer, Serena Armstrong, has just opened up a fabulous boutique called FarmHouseUrban. Located in Mill Valley’s super chic shopping district known as The Lumber Yard, FarmHouseUrban is filled with goodies we are pining for. We sat down with Serena to get the inside story…

Tell us about you.

Some of my favorite things (besides my kids, which of course, are #1):

1. I like getting up early.
2. My vice / addiction is dark chocolate, especially in the form of a cake with lots of frosting. 
3. Layered beds. I just discovered how cozy it feels to have a stack of blankets vs. a heavy duvet. 
4. The smell of the air in the pine forests of the Pacific Northwest after it rains. 
5. Did I say chocolate already?
6. Sitting around a table of delicious food with people I love. 
7. I like the Container Store a lot. And my labeler. Is that oversharing? 
8. Chef’s Table on Netfilx is a recent find. Such a treat for the eyes. 
9. The color pink. 
10. Lists.

Tell us all about FarmHouseUrban.

FarmHouseUrban is a place to find inspiration and special pieces for creating a beautiful, comfortable, luxurious home. Our customer cherishes their home life and appreciates the small details that go into creating a sacred living space. I source pieces from all over the world. It is important to me that the pieces in my store are high quality, made humanely by conscious minded folks and are beautiful.  I’ve had six pop-ups prior to this, but the last one at the Lumber Yard made the decision to open a permanent store very easy. It’s a blessing to go to work there every day.

Why did you open FarmHouseUrban in Mill Valley?

It wasn’t a decision, but more serendipity. It found me. The vibe is great in Mill Valley! It’s an incredibly creative, alive and happening place. I’m constantly amazed by the backgrounds and stories our customers share. The Lumber Yard is a newly renovated 100+ year old lumber mill – what Mill Valley was named after – that has been exquisitely restored into a small-town square. There are shops, a café, artist studios and a soon-to-open restaurant.

Describe your dream home.

I feel like the one I have is pretty close, even when it was falling apart and ugly. That said, if one day I have the chance to build my dream home, it would be part Hampton’s shingled traditional and part Santa Monica bungalow.

We love that you are a major foodie. What’s your favorite Marin restaurant?

Oh, that’s hard, but for consistency in great food, ambiance and service I have to say Picco or the new to Marin – Guesthouse. At Picco I like the hamachi crudo which I usually get with a side of fries. The gnocchi is outrageously good too. And for dessert the chocolate pudding. That’s pretty much a perfect meal right there.

What is the last book you read?

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I loved it! Every single thing is so vividly described. For me, historical fiction is like a time machine, fully transporting you into another time and place. This book did that beautifully.

FarmHouseUrban
129 Miller Avenue
The Lumber Yard, Suite 804
Mill Valley, California
shopfarmhouseurban.com

The 2018 Napa Valley Film Festival is coming up soon and tickets are now on sale!  This 6-day festival combines film with chef demonstrations and fabulous vintner events. With over 90 films to view and endless California wine to be savored, Arrive Marin has all the highlights!

THE DETAILS

• Date: November 7-11
• Tickets: The festival functions primarily on a system of passes. You can get a 5-day, 3-day or Flex Pass (enabling guests to attend five programs throughout the festival). Purchase passes here.

THE FILMS

• Are you glad I’m Here: Directed by Directed by Noor Gharzeddin, this is the story of a Lebanese housewife and a millennial American girl who bridge cultural differences to become friends and share dark secrets.
• Spare Room: A young widow caring for her brother with Down Syndrome is drawn to a mysterious veteran who is renting her spare room.
• Afghan Cycles: A documentary which follows young Afghan women cyclists tells the story of women’s rights and the struggles Afghan women face on a daily basis.

CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS + WINE TASTINGS

• Chef Melissa King: One of today’s most exciting culinary talents and a Top Chef Finalist.
• Chef Chris Cosentino: Owner of several restaurants including Cockscomb in San Francisco and the newly-opened Jackrabbit in Portland, OR.
• Duckhorn, Fleury, and Castellucci are just a few of over 100 participating vineyards.

WHERE TO STAY

• Vintage House in Yountville is super close to Lincoln Theater where many of the MVFF films will be screened. If you are going with a group, check out the “Villa at the Estate”, a 5-bedroom house with a private pool, hot tub and game room with pool table. Yes, Please!
• Carneros Inn & Spa in Napa is a really special experience. Plus, I’ll do anything to position myself closer to the warm sugary donuts at their Boon Fly Cafe.