Sophisticated Living Columbus

05/26/2022

Long Live Summer and the Columbus Arts Festival! Coming back to the riverfront June 10–12th, the arts festival is one of the most highly acclaimed festivals in the nation. This free event will feature over 200 visual artists, three performance stages and dozens of food vendors.

For more information on the festival, including a map of the riverfront & how you can get involved by volunteering, visit www.columbusartsfestival.org.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Arts Festival.

05/25/2022

A crowd-sourced weekend in Columbus: This week, Experience Columbus used a quiz to determine the elements of a prefect weekend in the capital city. With suggestions for everything from dining to exploring, get excited for summer and bookmark this list of great ideas. Featuring Lindey's in German Village, local staple Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, a trip to the North Market farmer's market, One Line Coffee-Short North, outdoor kayaking with Windrose Outdoor, and more!

Check out their latest blog post here: https://tinyurl.com/2yajb52r

Photos courtesy of Experience Columbus.

05/17/2022

May is a huge month for new book releases! Check out what Gramercy Books Bexley recommends.

Gramercy Books is a locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Gramercy is committed to bringing information & new experiences to their community, and frequently hosts special events and visits by authors, poets and songwriters that provoke conversation. On June 3rd, they'll be hosting an evening with "Michael Jordan: Life Lessons from His Airness" author David H. Lewis! For tickets to this & other upcoming events, or to browse their catalog online, visit their website at gramercybooksbexley.com.

Featuring new releases from Achea Redd, Shelby Van Pelt, Walter Isaacson, Kathryn Miles, Emily Henry, and David H. Lewis.

05/14/2022

From May 25th to June 1st, 2022, RM Sotheby's will be holding their Summer Sand Lots Online Auction! RM Sotheby's has specialized in the sale of rare & vintage cars since 1976, and their beach-ready catalog of summer cruisers in this auction is certain to have something for everyone to enjoy driving in the warm weather.

Pictured here are just a few of the dozens of vehicles included in the auction: a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Convertible, a 1954 Fiat 500 C Belvedere, a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 'White Pearl', a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, and a rare 1964 Porsche 356C 1600 Coupe.

Consignments for the auction are still open at tinyurl.com/ybcurdvd; to view the entire catalog, or for more information on the online bidding process, visit tinyurl.com/mr2879az.

05/13/2022

On July 8, 2022, Recreation Unlimited will be hosting their annual Star Light, Star Night fundraising dinner at the Scioto Country Club! All proceeds from this exclusive dinner will go towards supporting Recreation Unlimited's work bringing fun & exciting camping opportunities for approximately 3,200 individuals with disabilities and health concerns in central Ohio.

Presented by The Ginni Ragan, John, Kevin and Arin McNamara Families, and Featuring Janie Brooks Heuck, Managing Director of Brooks Winery, Willamette Valley, Oregon, this is an evening you won't want to miss. Forms to purchase tickets are on sale now at recreationunlimited.org. In lieu of attending the event, you can also support Recreation Unlimited's important work directly at tinyurl.com/ypm6fak4.

05/11/2022

Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery has everything you need to protect your skin as the summer approaches! This month, CAPS is working to spread awareness of the importance of skin protection with the - to enter, simply follow CAPS on Facebook & Instagram & earn one entry for every post you make featuring your skincare brushes & tagging them with . At the end of each week of the challenge, one lucky person will receive a Daily Essentials Kit with a Color Balm! Winners will be chosen May 6th, 13th, 20th, & 31st.

Of course, even if you don't participate in the challenge, CAPS is still offering a wide variety of discounts on their high-end skincare products - for more information, visit their website at https://www.columbusplasticsurgery.com/news-and-events/specials/.

Photos courtesy of Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery.

05/10/2022

Since 2008, Local Matters has been a leading voice in efforts to increase access to healthy foods and provide hands-on food education. Working in partnership with other nonprofits, businesses, schools, and healthcare systems to deliver programming at over 100 sites across Ohio, Local Matters helps people access healthy food through programs like Veggie Van, a mobile grocer bringing affordable, healthy food to communities without grocery stores. Local Matters oversees more than 15 community gardens that support this work and grow fresh food, year-round.

Central Ohio is a prosperous area with a wealth of resources, but the community still faces significant challenges. Ohio was ranked 10 in the nation in 2020 for food insecurity, impacting more than two-million Ohioans. This is particularly relevant as Columbus grapples with COVID-19 and the disproportionate effect it has on BIPOC and poor communities. High-quality nutrition education and access is essential for increasing food security, preventing diet-related disease, and empowering people to take control of their health and well-being.

For more information on Local Matters' mission, upcoming events, and how you can get involved and support them directly, visit their page in our Charity Register here!

https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/localmatters-1

05/06/2022

MIDNIGHT deadline!

One of our favorite professional organizations, Association of Fundraising Professionals - Central Ohio Chapter is still accepting nominations (through midnight tonight!) for their National Philanthropy Day 2022 awards!

Consider nominating someone in one of the following categories:

▪ The Columbus Foundation Outstanding Philanthropist
▪ Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
▪ Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Group
▪ Outstanding Foundation
▪ Outstanding Large Corporation
▪ Outstanding Small Business
▪ Big Lots Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy
▪ Outstanding Fundraising Professional
▪ Leave a Legacy

Click below for the nominations packet!

https://centralohioafp.org/national-philanthropy-day/?mc_cid=1158707fce&mc_eid=fc32fe3d2f

Since 1992, members and the Board of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) have publicly recognized local philanthropic leaders and celebrated their impact in our community through National Philanthropy Day® (NPD).

05/06/2022

This past month, the world's largest blue diamond ever to come to auction was sold at Sotheby's in Hong Kong, for 450,925,000 HKD, or $57.5 million. Named "The De Beers Cullinan Blue," it is the biggest vivid blue diamond to be put up for auction, according to a press release from Sotheby's. The rare diamond was found in the Cullinan mine, South Africa, in 2021, and has attained the highest rankings, according to the standards that colored diamonds are judged by.

Describing the diamond as "exceptionally rare," the Sotheby's statement added that only five gems over 10 carats have ever appeared at auction. None have ever been over 15 carats, "making the appearance of this flawless gem a landmark event in itself."
With a final price of $57,471,960, The De Beers Cullinan Blue just narrowly missed setting the record for the most expensive blue diamond ever to sell at auction. That title is still held by the 14.62-carat "Oppenheimer Blue," which sold in 2016 with a final price of $57,541,779, a difference of just under $70,000.

For more information on the sale of this once-in-a-lifetime gem, read CNN's article at https://www.cnn.com/style/article/blue-diamond-auction-results/index.html.

Photos courtesy of Sotheby's/De Beers/Diacore.

05/05/2022

Interested in curating a collection? Spark your imagination with our latest article covering travel based on art & highly sought after museum destinations. On a recent sojourn, I focused my time in two major cities with an impressive return on my investment - Madrid & Barcelona, Spain, which among others took me to the Musea del Prado, which has been offering incredible painting and sculpture exhibitions in the capital city of Madrid since 1819. We also visited the brand new Modern Contemporary (MOCO) Barcelona, a repeat effort to the independent museum’s highly successful Amsterdam location. Echoing the institution’s commitment to exhibiting iconic works by celebrated modern and contemporary artists as well as rising stars, the maze of rooms at MOCO Barcelona include innovative examples by Damien Hirst, classic works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Salvador Dali, and edgy conversation-starters like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy. While it was the smallest of the museums we visited, it may have been our favorite. For more information, check read our latest article or visit their website here:

https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/curatingacollectionojoparaelarte
https://mocomuseum.com/moco-museum-barcelona-en/

05/04/2022

The real estate market remains so hot that this unique property, featured in our most recent issue, came on the market and sold before we shared it on social with you! Read our article for a detailed exploration of this beautiful home.

https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/acovetablegranvillecharmer

05/03/2022

Located in the heart of the California desert, Slab City is a strikingly unique collective living space of outcasts, artists, and squatters alike. While such a place seems an incredibly unlikely feature for a publication, I was absolutely amazed by the art & culture I witnessed while I was there & wanted the opportunity to share it. Here are some of my favorite sights from our trip across the desert. If you'd like to learn more about this unique community, visit the link below:

https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/slab-city-california-desert/

05/01/2022

ICYMI: The historic Drexel Theatre , located in Bexley, is one of Columbus's longest-running & strongest spaces for independent cinema. We attended the Drexel Gala, an annual fundraiser to help support the theater, all the way back in December. For more information on the theater, showtimes, or to become a Friend of the Drexel & help support the arts & independent film right here in Columbus, visit their website here:

https://www.drexel.net/

Photos courtesy of the Drexel Theatre.

04/29/2022

There are few motorsport events in the world as legendary as Dakar Rally. It might be labeled a rally, but first and foremost, it's an incomparable human adventure. And, what an adventure it is for the more than 3,000 people competing as a rider, driver, or as part of a team each year. Amateurs and professionals alike come together & compete to travel over 5,000 miles in 13 days across an endless landscape of sand dunes, through fields of rocky flats, and charge full-speed ahead across some of the world's least discovered terrain. Locally, you can check out Columbus's Porsche Racing Team via Porsche Columbus located near New Albany, Westerville & Upper Arlington. For more information on the world-famous race, check out our article, or visit Byers Porsche Columbus's website for more info on their team:

https://www.porschecolumbus.com/byers-porsche-motorsports-columbus-oh-near-new-albany-westerville-upper-arlington.htm
https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/thespiritofdakar

Photos courtesy of Breanna Wilson.

04/29/2022

One of Columbus's most historic & celebrated venues, The New Valley Dale Ballroom , is located just minutes from downtown & hosts a wide range of events throughout the year from musical performances to weddings to fundraisers. This weekend, Valley Dale will be hosting SoupFest 2022, a music & arts festival benefiting the Miklós Battaglia Fund to combat food scarcity & homelessness in Columbus, & sponsored by a long list of local restaurants & organizations including CD 92.9 FM, Parsons North Brewing Company, Hai Poké, and many more - however, Valley Dale is also available for rent year-round. For more information, visit their website here:

https://valleydaleballroom.com/

Photos courtesy of Valley Dale Ballroom.

04/27/2022

Mother's day will be here before you know it! Need some shopping ideas? Check out this feature on Deco-inspired designs - many of which you can find at Diamond Cellar right here in Columbus. Consider paying a visit & browsing their stunning collection of jewelry & gemstones to find the perfect gift. Read our feature here:

https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/decodelights

Design & photography credits:
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04/26/2022

Columbus's own Cooley Custom Cabinetry has been creating timeless, beautiful fixtures & interior remodeling in Columbus since 1987 and never ceases to amaze us with their hand-crafted designs and an incredible eye for detail. If you're like us and feeling like it's time to update your home as the spring & summer seasons are upon us, look no further! For more information, visit their page or check out their website here:

https://cooleycc.com

04/25/2022

Hi, everyone - Amelia Jeffers here. As we work towards the warmer months & the promises of & travels to new destinations, I wonder - where did your spring break take you?

Last month I traveled out west to Joshua Tree National Park with my daughter for a few days of hiking, climbing and fantastical sightseeing. At Joshua Tree, two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together at once. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California.

Of course, you don't have to travel across the country to take in the richness of the national parks - Ohio is home to some of the biggest & most visited parks in the midwest, including Big Darby Creek, a popular destination for local visitors and wildlife enthusiasts alike thanks to its unique biodiversity and incredible scenic tranquility, as well as the brief kayaking trips offered at various spots along its 84-mile length. As I get caught in the concrete grid of the city & seemingly endless technological grind of work, it always helps me immensely to be able to take a break & stand in nature to experience what the earth has to offer. We are very blessed to still have spaces like these in an ever-changing and evolving climate & world, and I encourage everyone to take a deep breath & make some time to step outside & experience the outdoors right here in our home & everything they have to offer.

04/23/2022

Tickets for Wonderball 2022 on Friday, May 13th the Columbus Museum of Art are on sale now! Wear your favorite black & white attire and join us for a fashionable evening of local food, music, performances, and interactive, unexpected experiences. Wonderball celebrates creativity at Columbus Museum of Art and throughout the Central Ohio community. Experiences planned for 2022 are inspired by the theme of the future and range from dance, comedy, and fashion to local music standouts. Tickets for Wonderball 2022 are on sale now at the link below - here are some of our favorite highlights from the 2021 event.

https://www.columbusmuseum.org/calendar-and-events/wonderball/

Photos 1-2 by Dave Toth (https://www.instagram.com/davetothphotography/), Photos 3-4 by Nikole Breanna Prete (https://nikolebreannaphotography.com/), and Photos 5-7 by Nathan C. Ward (https://www.instagram.com/thisismedude/?hl=en).

03/26/2022

It's and talk around the office this week included plans to head over to True Food Kitchen at Easton Town Center. With fresh and innovative cocktails and food, it is a over here.

If you have not been to this passion project of Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., check it out in our article archive at https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/tfkeaston

Writer: Amelia Jeffers In a city with an ever-increasing selection of health-focused eating options, it can be tough to tell them all apart. But Columbus has a new standout that’s impossible to ignore. At its new Easton location, True Food Kitchen blows away ...as seen in Sophisticated Living Colu...

03/25/2022

& have us thinking of heading over to one of our newest faves, Aubergine Private Dining Club.

Read more about Aubergine and our spring issue covergirl, Chef Mars here... https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/aubergine

03/24/2022

Product picks to stay on trend with the Pantone, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams 2022 color-of-the-year selections.


https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/coloryourworld

Product picks to stay on trend with Pantone, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams’ color of the year selections. Compiled by Victoria Chase BENJAMIN MOORE| From their library of more than 3,500 color candidates, Benjamin Moore selected October Mist 1495 as its 2022 Color of the Year. Describing it...

03/23/2022

A little in the latest letter from our Editor-in-Chief, Amelia Jeffers.

I have a friend with whom I get together almost weekly. We trade talents (his musical, mine writing), have dinner, and connect over similar backgrounds and diverse interests. We always meet at his place, because it is so neat and tidy while mine is – well, frankly, usually chaotic and a mess. With three dogs, young adults coming and going, and construction that seems like it may never end, my sweet historic tudor is a standout in the neighborhood – for all the wrong reasons. (Read more at https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/letterfromtheeditorspring2022)

I have a friend with whom I get together almost weekly. We trade talents (his musical, mine writing), have dinner, and connect over similar backgrounds and diverse interests. We always meet at his place, because it is so neat and tidy while mine is – well, frankly, usually chaotic and a mess. With...

03/23/2022

As the weather breaks, save the date for a fun golf outing supporting one of our favorite nonprofits, Gigi's. On 6.24.22 at Cumberland Trail Golf Club, you can join other dog lovers to support Gigi's important work.

Gigi’s provides homeless, rural dogs access to high-quality shelter, veterinary, behavior and adoption services to get them home faster. Many rural shelters can only find homes for one out of every five shelter dogs within their county. Gigi's partners with shelters to bring homeless dogs to their campus to receive comprehensive care, at a cost of up to thousands of dollars per dog, including:

~free vaccines
~full veterinary care
~dental procedures
~behavioral support
~shelter transportation and housing
~adoption services

Most dogs in Gigi's program are then adopted within two weeks, instead of spending months in a rural shelter waiting for a home.

Learn more about Gigi's, including how you can support their work, in Sophisticated Giving: https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/gigis-1

Who We Are: Gigi’s is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit dedicated to healing and saving homeless dogs in rural, impoverished communities. Launched in 2018, we lead an innovative, state-wide effort to save shelter dogs in rural Ohio and get them adopted faster. Our 26,000-square-foot campus includes a ...

03/23/2022

It is a joy to tell the stories of passionate, authentic, and talented members of our community! ❤️

Written by Jessica Metcalf Nestled between bustling coffee joints and boutique shops in the heart of Grandview is Aubergine Private Dining Club. So discreet that you might miss it if you aren't looking, the unmarked purple front door is hidden in plain sight; an exclusive members-only supper club kn...

03/21/2022

The 2022 Nth Degree Inspiration House is about to be unveiled!

The team at Nth Degree, led by Neal Hauschild, has done it again, giving new life to a classic design at 1080 Brookhouse Lane. The incredible to-the-studs renovation will be unveiled on March 26th, when Nth Degree co-hosts the 2022 Nth Degree Inspiration House Gala with Jonathon and Thor Hess. Tickets are still available for just $75 per person and benefit Student Success Stores.

https://nthdegreeinteriors.com/2022-inspiration-house-gala/

2022 Inspiration House Gala - Nth Degree Home is a full-service interior design firm offering interior design services and showroom in the Columbus, Ohio area.

02/24/2022

Our latest jewelry compilation, Deco Delights, explores fine jewelry that takes design cues from style moderne, which rose to popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, and emphasized sleek sophistication and geometric forms.

Visit the link below for more information on these swoon-worthy pieces.

https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/decodelights

02/23/2022

According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, forty-three percent of adults drink less than four glasses of water a day - far short of the long-recommended eight. And dehydration brings a variety of uncomfortable symptoms: fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, and brain fog are just a few.

IV therapy is a solution that is gaining steam in the rapidly-growing wellness sector. Once reserved for hospital stays, IV therapy is readily available from dedicated and mobile outlets like Hydrate Me Columbus as well as an a la carte service from large, established medical practices including Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery (CAPS). All providers offer an array of “cocktails” to boost not only hydration, but to address many health and wellness concerns including boosting the immune system, relieving stress anxiety, reversing the effects of aging, and (of course) addressing a hangover.

Read more about the benefits of IV therapy by visiting https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/ivtherapy

02/23/2022

The James Beard Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture, announced the six recipients of its 2022 America's Classics Award. A Restaurant and Chef Awards category, the America's Classics Award is given to locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community.

This year’s honorees join the ranks of over 100 restaurants across the country that have received the Award since the category was introduced in 1998. They will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 13th, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

For the full press release and to learn who the nominees are, visithttps://jbf-media.s3.amazonaws.com/production/pressreleases/2.16.22%20-America%E2%80%99s%20Classics%20Announcement%20Release%20w%20Winners_FINAL.pdf

02/21/2022

When Cara and Tom Fox of The Fox Group decided to remodel the generic shed on their property into a 3,000-square-foot horse barn to house their family's beloved thoroughbred horses, they pulled inspiration from Cara's travels abroad. Trips to England's Blenheim Palace – the birthplace of Winston Churchill – and The National Gallery informed many aesthetic decisions that differentiate The Fox's unique, luxurious barn from more traditional barns throughout their home state of Utah.

By thoughtfully repurposing the existing structure and incorporating details such as checkered flooring, chandeliers, and European stalls, The Fox Group created an elegant, airy, one-of-a-kind horse barn that doubles as a prominent design highlight on the property.

Read more by visiting https://www.sophisticatedlivingcolumbus.com/post/sophisticatedpursuits