Greer's Blog

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Voluspa Brings Luxury Home Fragrance to Irvine Spectrum Center

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By Greer Wylder
July 17, 2026

Luxury home fragrance brand Voluspa has opened its newest boutique at Irvine Spectrum Center, bringing its signature candles, diffusers, fragrances and home scents to the popular shopping destination.The new store features Voluspa's full collection, including its handcrafted coconut wax candles, reed diffusers, perfumes and the brand's latest summer fragrances: Nāpali Passion Fruit, Kalahari Watermelon and Tahitian Coconut Vanilla.To celebrate the grand opening, Voluspa will host a special event Saturday, July 18, from noon to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy complimentary fragrance sampling, create a custom paleta and take advantage of exclusive opening weekend offers.Store hours are 10 a.m. to 9…

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Alisal Ranch Marks 80 Years with a Summer of Celebration

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By Greer Wylder
July 16, 2026

Alisal Ranch, the 10,500-acre working ranch and resort in the Santa Ynez Valley, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this summer. The property first welcomed guests on July 16, 1946, and has spent eight decades building a reputation for Western hospitality and family tradition. I've never stayed there myself, but I have friends who have, and they can't stop raving about it. It's firmly on my bucket list.To mark the milestone, the ranch is rolling out a summer's worth of experiences and keepsakes. The centerpiece is the 1946 Legacy Package, a two-night stay for six adults priced at a symbolic $19,460.…

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VIII by Selanne Unveils Summer Tasting Menu

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By Greer Wylder
July 14, 2026

VIII by Selanne, the intimate tasting-menu restaurant next to Selanne Steak Tavern, has introduced a new summer menu celebrating California's seasonal harvest through a multi-course dining experience.Available for a limited time, the menu highlights premium seafood, locally sourced produce and expertly prepared meats, with each course designed to capture the freshness of summer and reflect VIII's contemporary approach to fine dining.Executive Chef Vince Terusa and his team open the experience with an assortment of canapés, including king crab tartelette, beef tartare and pomme dauphine, before moving into California Coastline, a seafood trio of bay scallop, bluefin tuna toro and Misty…

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VEA Newport Beach Debuts Chef Angelo Sosa Summer Menu

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By Greer Wylder
July 14, 2026

VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, has partnered with chef, restaurateur and "Top Chef" alum Angelo Sosa for a limited-time summer collaboration running July 14 through Sept. 30.The partnership brings two concepts, Beso Burger and Taqueria Amada, to dining venues across VEA Newport Beach, the coastal resort known for its sweeping Pacific Ocean views.Beso BurgerAvailable at Edge Bar (Monday through Thursday, noon to sunset; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to sunset):Beso Burger, $28: a single smashed prime beef patty with Beso sauce, American cheese, pickles and crinkle-cut fries on a toasted brioche bunBeso Shake, $12: a signature French…

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One Night, Five Courses, and a Top Chef Canada Champion at Balboa Bay Resort

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By Greer Wylder
July 13, 2026

Balboa Bay Resort is bringing something special to Newport Beach this summer. On Thursday, Aug. 6, the resort will host an intimate chef's dinner with Coulson Armstrong, winner of Top Chef Canada and Culinary Director of Toronto's Our House Hospitality. Tickets are $415.90 per person and available on Eventbrite and at balboabayresort.com.Armstrong is one of Canada's most compelling culinary voices. He serves as Executive Chef of the celebrated Prime Seafood Palace, where he works alongside restaurateur Matty Matheson, and his Season 12 win on Top Chef Canada earned him fans well beyond the industry. But what shaped his cooking most…

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