20qs
Amahlia Stevens
06.24.10
1. If you had a different career, what would you do?
Be a painter.
2. What’s your most prized possession?
An original Lino-cut by my favorite illustrator, François Berthoud, depicting a CHLOE dress from 1994.
3. Favorite drink?
Fresh coconut water.
4. What are you cutting out because of the economy?
Excess.
5. Fantasy purchase?
A group of prints by Louise Bourgeois that I saw at ArtBasel.
6. What can’t you live without?
Love and saltwater.
7. What’s next on your “to do” list?
Meet my girlfriends for Champagne at sunset.
8. Biggest regret?
I don’t regret; I learn.
9. Cause that you’re most interested/involved in?
Heal The Bay. Vitamin A is donating a portion of the new Eco-Chic GREEN BiKini collection to Heal The Bay.
10. Your dream day in OC?
A morning swim in the ocean at its warmest, early morning yoga with Josh, few hours of hiking in Laguna, another ocean swim, then sunset snacks at the Montage.
11. Favorite place for breakfast?
Ramos House in San Juan Capistrano.
12. What was the best day of your life?
There are too many good answers not just one.
13. Last concert that you went to?
The Ziggens.
14. Favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere on a pristine beach where I can swim.
15. What do you love and hate about Orange County?
I love the hills and the coves and the sunshine; don’t love the development of planned communities that wipe out authentic California architecture and landscape.
16. Favorite books?
Art historical novels.
17. Favorite restaurants in Orange County
Vine in San Clemente, TABU in Laguna Beach.
18. Biggest professional accomplishment?
Developing the first Vitamin A collection made from 100% recycled nylon yarns!
19. What’s your biggest fear?
Fear itself.
20. Secret most people don’t know about you.
I was a swimsuit model way back in the day.
Blog
Taste For Change
06.23.10
David McKinley’s affair with wine began when he was growing up in Canada’s greatest wine growing region, the Okanogan Valley. He first sunk his feet into a barrel of grapes at the young age of six.
When he turned 21, he immediately began work within the wine industry. However, in comparison to his new nonprofit, Taste for Change, wine seems largely unimportant to David. Around the same time that he was harvesting the sloped Okanogan vineyards, David lost his younger brother, Daniel, due to complications from Down syndrome.
“He was just the most beautiful child,” McKinley said. “I begged my parents every day for a little brother, and when I finally got one, I was consumed. I was totally engrossed in Danny, his differences, he was amazing.
He died, but I definitely haven’t lost him, he taught me everything know, and everything I do to this day is for him.”
David created Taste for Change in his brother’s memory, an event that pairs wine and tapas for a new charity each month.
For the inaugural Taste for Change’s event 2 p.m. Sunday at Sebastiani’s Italian Bistro and Wine Bar in Huntington Beach, Best Buddies, an organization educating communities on mental disabilities, will benefit from the proceeds.
David’s parents also adopted two wonderful children with Down syndrome, and ride 300 miles each year in support of Best Buddies.
So you can join Taste for Change, a chance to enjoy wine and do great things for people. Tickets cost $25. A dozen wines will be poured, including several desert wines, with proceeds from tickets/bottle purchases going to Best Buddies. For more information please email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Or contact David McKinley directly: 714.519.5455
Sebastiani’s Italian Bistro at 6078 Warner Ave. in Huntington Beach. 714.841.3619
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 02.25.26 – Cheyenne Jackson Brings Mid Life Torso Tour to Musco Center
- 02.23.26 – California Cool Art Auction Returns to Laguna Art Museum
- 02.22.26 – Spring SplashFest Brings a Taste of Spring to Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove
- 02.20.26 – ABBA Comes to The Lido Theater for a Two-Night Celebration
- 02.19.26 – Los Angeles Is Having a Moment in 2026
- 02.18.26 – Caitlyn Minimalist Opens at The Shops at Mission Viejo
- 02.18.26 – Napa in Newport Expands to Three-Day Wine Weekend for CureDuchenne
- 02.16.26 – Trail Runners Welcome Spring at Whiting Ranch
- 02.12.26 – A Valentine’s Night Inside the Films of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman
- 02.10.26 – The Groundlings Bring Legendary Improv to Musco Center
- 02.09.26 – A Valentine’s Gift Guide for Every Kind of Love
- 02.08.26 – Valentine’s Sweets Worth Sharing at South Coast Plaza
- 02.02.26 – A Century of Modern Dance at the Musco Center Celebrating Martha Graham
- 02.02.26 – CHAGEE Opens at The Shops at Mission Viejo Feb. 6–8
- 02.01.26 – Bardega Sets Grand Opening Celebration in Laguna Hills
- 01.30.26 – More Nights, More Boots on the Floor at Westwood Coast
- 01.30.26 – Marelle Santa Monica Sets the Tone for Coastal Dining on Ocean Avenue
- 01.19.26 – Small-Batch Botanical Wellness for Dogs
- 01.17.26 – THE NOTEBOOK Musical Set for Segerstrom Hall in 2026
- 01.16.26 – A Valentine’s Weekend to Remember in Huntington Beach
More Daily Doses
- 02.25.26 – Top of the V Unveils a Spanish-Inspired Steakhouse Experience
- 02.25.26 – A New Sweet Stop in Laguna Beach
- 02.24.26 – Tomatomania Returns to Roger’s Gardens for Its 15th Year
- 02.22.26 – A Coastal Stop for Artful Finds at Crystal Cove
- 02.22.26 – Spring Returns to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
- 02.19.26 – World Ballet Company Brings ‘Swan Lake’ to Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 02.17.26 – Festival Ballet Theatre Brings Don Quixote Back to the Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 02.11.26 – Cozy Earth Presidents Day Sale Brings Big Savings and New Toile Pajamas
- 02.11.26 – OCVIBE Unveils Six New Bar and Lounge Concepts Coming to Katella Commons
- 02.05.26 – A Valentine’s Day Dining Guide at South Coast Plaza
- 02.05.26 – Hands-On Science Takes Center Stage in 2026
- 02.01.26 – Ralph Lauren Brings Shopping and Ralph’s Coffee Together in Newport Beach
- 01.31.26 – What’s Next at The CAMP
- 01.31.26 – Napa Rose to Reopen Feb. 6 at Disney’s Grand Californian
- 01.19.26 – Georgia’s Marks The Wiz at Segerstrom Center With a Special Family Meal
- 01.19.26 – Ignite Dance: 35 Years of Movement in Orange County
- 01.13.26 – Newport Beach Restaurant Week Returns Jan. 15–25
- 01.12.26 – Earlybird Flies Into The LAB With One-Pound Burritos
- 01.08.26 – FACE FOUNDRIÉ Makes Its Southern California Debut in Newport Beach
- 01.04.26 – Parlor Doughnuts Opens 100th Location in Huntington Beach
