From Coast to Coast and From North to South, LyonsLifestyle has spent the past two months traveling across the US, exploring the beauty and bounty of fall in foliage, landscape, art, architecture, sculpture, history and cuisine…

Miami ~ New Hampshire ~ Nantucket ~ Connecticut

Newport ~ Los Angeles ~ New York City ~ San Francisco ~ Sonoma

Come along….Join me on my travel photo journey…and my miles and miles of adventures. Take a peek at some awe-inspiring scenes and flavors of an exquisite American autumn…

Miami

My travel to the tony and glamorous South Beach area of Miami Beach was for a conference. It was chock full of opulence, trendy shopping areas loaded with exotic marine life, upscale dining experiences, and the famously preserved art deco architecture Miami is known for.

The magical Casa Tua, an iconic culinary experience in a historic villa lit by twinkle lights, and surrounded by walled gardens. The romance of candlelight dining and delicious food drew us in three nights of our seven night stay!

Just one of the many stunning dining areas that envelop you at Casa Tua

An unparalleled evening at the famous Mr. Chow’s! I love the old-school elegance of white dinner jackets and bow-ties, champagne trolleys, fine wine, exquisite ingredients and impeccable white-glove service.

Yes, being greeted by a champagne trolley is aways a good idea!

Marine life pervades art and architecture in Miami. I snapped this beautiful Koi pond at the elegant and opulent Bal Harbour Shops. Actually, I almost stepped into it!

New Hampshire

A Lakefront Wedding Brunch in Blue & White

We traveled within days of returning home from Florida to the beautiful state of New Hampshire, to share in the joy of our dear friend’s son’s wedding which took place at a gorgeous, quaint, quintessential New England inn. The three day event concluded with a wonderful brunch at the home of the groom’s mother which sits breathtakingly at edge of a gorgeous glistening lake. Honestly, it’s what movies are made of….The day was gorgeous and the brunch fabulous, complete with a custom s’mores bar which I just swooned over!

A charcuterie is always a great idea. Look at this presentation!

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate and even a gluten free option!

Custom made s’mores bar by the groom’s uncle and designed by the groom’s mother

Nantucket Island

Pumpkins, gourds, fall decor and foliage abound on this magical island where residents and shopkeepers alike exude an abundance of spirit and enthusiasm for every season and every holiday…Home to our second home, we bask in the island’s beauty with year-round visits.

Stay tuned for lots of photos from our fall photoshoot stepping up to the holidays!

The Nantucket Hotel, a island icon for over 120 years is named the #1 Hotel in the Country by Trip Adviser! That should sum it up. Historic, beautiful, inviting….and also filled with an abundance of spirit as you can see!

One of our absolute favorites on Nantucket for its restaurant and its superb catering is Island Kitchen. Talk about spirit!

Westport

A Little Inspo for your Thanksgiving Decor Inside or Out!

A quintessential New England coastal town we call home is Westport. Here are scenes from a walk in our beautiful little village. I was struck by the juxtaposition of the casual bales of hay and the formality of the stone urn. It works! Thanksgiving decor inspo for your home from just a storefront owner who loves what he does!

Purple Cabbage can be combined with cabbages in varying shades of green on your Thanksgiving table.

Bales of hay are so inexpensive yet so effective for fall decorating!

Pumpkins, mums, cabbages and dried florals

Newport

Kiel James Patrick at the famed Bowen’s Wharf

Had the great fortune to be attending another conference, the NE COASTAL CREATIVE in another historically iconic destination! Newport, RI, home to the famous Newport Mansions and Cliff Walk is often referred to as the “shining gem” in New England’s coastal crown. Our group was hosted by the owners of Kiel James Patrick who threw a beautiful cocktail party, which included a magnificent sunset!

Kiel James Patrick at the famed Bowen’s Wharf

Figs and Champagne Grapes? Yes, please!

Los Angeles

We flew 3,008 miles to wrap our arms around these precious dolls, and just in time for pizza and ice cream!

Landed in LA and hit the ground running with our grand babies! First up pizza and ice cream! Next up a visit to the breathtakingly beautiful Underwood Family Farm in Moorpark, California in Simi Valley, where we roamed acres and acres on foot and on tractor drawn rides through sunflower fields, pumpkin patches and farm fields! The views of the Santa Susana Mountains surrounding this magical place are just awe-inspiring.

Grand babies and haystacks surrounded by a crystal clear sky

My daughter and grand babies on a magical tractor drawn ride

Fields of Sunflowers

Haystack climbing

Grandma and Grandpa arrive in LA just in time for pizza and ice cream!

Pumpkin patches for days…

Dahlias at our bedside picked for us by our grandson

This horse needs to go faster!

San Francisco

My son and I at Stanford University’s Rodin Garden

(Photo courtesy of my beautiful daughter-in-law)

My jet up the coast from LA took to me to San Francisco, home of our son and daughter-in-law who are surfers, outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, world travelers and FOODIES to the core! So of course, FOOD EXULTATION it was with dinners at two Michelin star restaurants two nights in a row!

First up…

RASA, a Contemporary Indian restaurant serving food and cocktails that excite the palette and the eyes with their eclectic flavors and colorful artistry. We began with their crafted cocktails “inspired from India’s vibrant coastal regions”

Aama sutra: mezcal, mango, cilantro, grilled jalapeno and kava salt. It had me at cilantro and jalapeno, two of my favorite flavors. It was beyond….

Maharini: butterfly tea-infused gin, allessio blanco, line, tonic.

Next up ….

SPQR ( Senatus Populusque Romanus), or “The People and Senate of Rome”

This phenomenally indulgent Michelin star restaurant is led by the famed and talented Chef Matthew Accarino.

A few highlights from our 5 course tasting menu with wine-pairings….

“Torta al Formaggio” summer squash, savory granola and herb pesto

Ravioli Cloppio with winter squash and beef brisket

King Salmon and roe sampshire, romano bean and kale “stufato”

Beef Sirloin, Yukon potato, marsala mushroom and red wine “leather”

Standing in Alamo Square looking at the beautiful and famed PAINTED LADIES

Sonoma

We took a beautiful drive up north to Pedroncelli Wine Vineyards in Sonoma County, a family owned vineyard since 1929. Is there anything better than being in a gorgeous California valley with the muted color changes of late summer/early fall? You could hear a pin drop! There was a quiet magnificence about the beauty of the hills and mountains, the vast, neatly planted open rows of grapes, the fruity aromas, the tour of the aged barrel room with whiffs of woody scents and of course the exquisitely delicious sips from the tasting flights we selected. We relaxed on the terrace, with a cool moody sky filled with storm clouds hovering above us as we sipped on the same flights, discussing and bantering the notes….something we love to do. My personal favorite is the 2015 Dry Creek Valley Vintage Port: aromas of blackberry, caramel, cinnamon and dark chocolate with warm spices and rich toffee….of course on their way to Nantucket for our Thanksgiving!