Orchards & Opulence

By Lisa Duncan

Carpinteria blossomed into Riviera perfection this weekend as almost 350 glamorous guests gathered for Dreams in Bloom, the elegant gala benefiting Family Service Agency. Hosted at the breathtaking foothills estate of Ginny and Tim Bliss, the sprawling organic avocado ranch offered a sophisticated modern farmhouse fantasy that made even seasoned Montecito partygoers go weak in the knees. 

The evening celebrated this year’s honored award recipients: Ron Werft of Cottage Health, Marni and Michael Cooney, and Molly Carrillo-Walker and Guy Walker, all warmly applauded throughout the evening. Assorted civic swells – including Gary Hart, Joan Hartmann, Roy Lee, Alice Patino, Bob Nelson, Randy Rowse, Salud Carbajal, and José Juan Ibarra, along with their reps – awarded certificates honoring the evening’s philanthropy and community spirit. Co-chairs Jon Clark, Scott Wester, and Carole MacElhenny helped bring the floral fête to life, while wines donated by Fred Brander kept glasses flowing.

A glamorous silent auction tempted bidders with signed collectibles from stars including Mark Wahlberg, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, James Taylor, and Lionel Richie, sparking bidding wars.

“Avocado Martinis” became the sensation of the night as guests, dressed in chic green-and-white elegance, wandered through the organic avocado orchards into lush gardens  Candlelit tables and elegant florals by PacWest Blooms carried the orchard-inspired garden theme throughout the estate, beautifully continued by Omni Catering and Montecito’s own Marley Confections.

Fashion became the evening’s spectacle as ladies floated through the grounds in flowing floral gowns, Gucci sandals, and cashmere wraps while string quintet music drifted across the pool terrace. Among those spotted enjoying the floral fête were our own lovely Gwyn Lurie with Les Firestein, both looking fresh and fabulously festive. Also attending the affair were Steve and Amanda Lyons, Becca Summers, Alex Weinstein, Craig Price, Janet Garufis, Maria McCall and Dirk Brandts, and Lorrie and Greg Forgatch. Especially fashion-forward were Mary and Jim Morouse, Susan Salcido, Marybeth Carty, Sharon Bradford, Susan Jackson, Dianne Duva, Andrea Cambern, and Heidi Maune. A blooming beauty of a bash.

Sightings 

Adam Levine back into full stadium-rock mode ahead of Maroon 5’s sprawling summer tour…

Meghan Markle brought Montecito elegance to Geneva on Sunday at the unveiling of “The Lost Screen Memorial,” focused on online child safety ahead of the upcoming World Health Assembly… 

Jeffrey Katzenberg turned the Rosewood Miramar Beach into Montecito’s most glittering secret society with his ultra-private WNDR summit, quietly gathering tech titans, billionaires, media moguls, and assorted A-listers under a veil of near-comical secrecy… 

Ryan Gosling diving into deep preparation for Star Wars: Starfighter, the ultra-secretive new galactic outing directed by Shawn Levy… 

From Richard and Friends to all of you… Pip! Pip!