My video skills are improving! And, while I love all of them so far- this may be my coolest video to date!
(tho they all seem to escalate, getting really great in the middle thru the end… so watch in entirety as I’d be sad if you missed best parts!)
Gorgeous images set to stunning music in a fast paced 2 minute video. Check it out! And don’t forget to give it a “Thumbs Up”!
PS. Coming very soon, I’ll be writing about what it’s like to be Raw Vegan (& sugar/gluten free) and travel. I’m not dogmatic about it, and as you’ll notice, I compromise here and there and feel reasonably fine with it. However, there are affects from being so clean and then eating outside our norm. I’ll talk about this candidly since it’s something any of us getting healthier to any degree, cope with during travel. (Meantime, check out my stay healthy travel tips from my visit to Chile– scroll down to the “Stay Healthy when Travelling” section the end of the article)
Thanks for viewing and stopping by!
XO’s
Juliane
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https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2013-08-20 15:43:012013-08-20 15:43:01Pictures from St. Helena thru San Francisco
Our Napa Valley adventures continue… this time exploring the gorgeous valley alongside a silent, feline hiker! See the surprising details (and enjoy the gorgeous scenery)!
*Feel free to view full screen version by clicking here~>YouTube
I fixed the link so it works now:-)
How do you like my new video posts? I especially love the last 3 or 4 minutes of this one!
Much love,
Juliane
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https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2013-08-08 19:57:532013-08-08 19:57:53Hiking in Napa, Mountain Lion Spotted!
For the last week, Jim and I have been hiking, picnicking, wine-touring and dining our way through one of the the most beautiful places on earth… Napa Valley in CA. This magical oasis of sundrenched olive groves, vineyards, giant red echinacea and gnarley cypress reminded us time and time again of our visits to both the Italian countryside and our recent trip to central Chile, which boasts a similarly mediterranean climate and terrain.
Jim and me kicking off our wine tour at the Joseph Phelps Vineyard
While the majority of our time was spent in said countryside(details in future post)we also had the opportunity to spend one fine evening “Dishcrawling” through Downtown Napa, enjoying the flavors of four different restaurants all in one night.See the history of Dishcrawl in my interview with Founder, Tracy Lee.
After each restaurant we took a quick commemorative photo to the tune of “Say Dishcrawl!” Tarla, known for Turkish & Mediterranean Tapas, treated me to a lovely spinach, citrus & golden & ruby beet salad, and for everyone: fresh pita w hummus & tzatziki and savory meatballs.
As with all Dishcrawl events, the names of the restaurants remain a surprise until the night of the crawl, unfolding to participants one by one as the evening progresses. It’s a ton of fun in more ways than just great food, especially, Jim and I thought, if you’re not actually from the area! We’d highly recommend the Dishcrawl experience to anyone traveling to a new city since it’s an excellent way to experience the city on foot (participants walk to each restaurant), meet locals and hear their inside stories of the region, and try out four wonderful restaurants all at once!
It’s a unique and adventurous experience we never could have put together ourselves and a fantastic way to learn a brand new city quickly. We met fabulous new friends and received tons of recommendations for additional places to go, see and do while visiting Napa and San Francisco.
Bottome line, if you live in a Dishcrawl city (there are over 125 around the USA & Canada), participate to get to know great people and restaurants you might never have encountered. And, if you happen to be traveling to a Dischcrawl city, get a quick snapshot of the region and a have a fabulous, fun night meeting new friends and trying four restaurants!
Walking to our next stop… hmmm, wonder where we’re headed next!?
Our lovely Napa Dishcrawl ambassador, Cynthia Delgado, planned a fantastic evening for us which spanned the cuisines of Mexican, Turkish/Mediterranean Tapas, California Fusion and a dessert finale. My absolute favorite was our first stop, the family-owned and operated Mexican restaurant, Cielito Lindo.
Originally from Puerto Vallarta, this talented family knows how to creatively prepare the rich, undiscovered world of regional dishes that vary throughout Mexico. We were treated to delectable Mexican Shrimp Chipotle Sopes with freshly made guacamole. And, they even made me my own vegetarian dish, Veggie Chiles Rellenos over white rice and black beans, all in the shape of a hot pepper… heavenly! Let’s just say I’m ready to fly back to Napa to try out more of this beautiful family’s delicious and creative menu of authentic family favorites!
Next time you’re in Napa, or if you’re already a local, be sure to stop in Cielito Lindo for absolutely fantastic, authentic Mexican food and the friendliest most attentive service imaginable. Thank you Cielito Lindo!
The talented owner, Enrique Gonzalez, of Cielito Lindo and yours truly!
Authentic Mexican Sopes with a Modern Twist… is your mouth watering yet?!
And Cieleto Lindo’s Vegetarian dishes do NOT dissapoint!
The fine family behind Cielito Lindo took great care to explain the story behind the dishes we were served. Everyone was oohing and ahing over their wonderful food as we ate!
Grace’s Table, serving California-Fusion style cuisine, had bistro-style, wide-open-walled, sidewalk seating. We were treated to fresh figs w or w/out prosciutto, corn bread w lavender honey butter & house made sausages. Another fine establishment I’d highly recommend for a wonderful night out in Downtown Napa. This is the talented owner next to yours truly:)
We made many wonderful friends!
And more terrific, new friends:-) Such a fun night!
What city/s have you “Dishcrawled”?
If you haven’t Dishcrawled yet, what city would interest you?
Much love,
Juliane
“Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.” ―Albert Einstein
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https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2013-07-31 17:13:192025-09-24 16:00:52Dishcrawling through Downtown Napa
Interview with Tracy Lee, Founder of the startup company, Dishcrawl.
Check out my fun Interview with Tracy Lee, Founder of the uber cool startup, Dishcrawl! Tracy shares how she started the epic new dining concept which is spreading like wildfire around the world… plus her super inspiring leadership tips!
Have you ever been to a Dishcrawl? If so, where?!
Please enjoy!
XOXO
Juliane
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https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2013-07-12 18:27:512013-07-12 18:27:51Interview with Dishcrawl Founder, Tracy Lee
Stay tuned for my interview with the fascinating founder of Dishcrawl, Tracy Lee, later this week!
Known for its fine wine and culturally diverse dishes, Downtown Napa has plenty to satisfy and excite your senses!
StyleNectar and Dishcrawl invite you to a night filled of socializing, food, and drinks! Join us as we eat our way through delicious food from four restaurants, one place at a time! Get your tickets now before we sell out!
It's a guessing game! The names of the restaurants we will be visiting will be kept a secret for now, but here and there we’ll give you some hints. Follow everything on Twitter @DishcrawlNapa and be the first to know!
Where to Meet Us: All ticket holders will be notified of meeting location via email, 48 hours prior to the event.
I’m a Vegetarian: Vegetarian options are available, however we may not be able to accommodate other dietary restrictions. If you have any particular requests or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Beverage Policy: Drinks not inclusive the ticket price. Drink specials and pairings may be available at discretion of the participating restaurant.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are taken only if given 48 hours advance notice. All Dishcrawl events are held rain or shine.
About Dishcrawl: Food, Fun, and Exploration! A premier culinary social experience bringing together neighborhood restaurants, local chefs, regional food producers and fellow food enthusiasts. Join us if you'd like to embark on a one-of-a-kind gastronomic adventure!
As a kickoff to the fun I'll be interviewing the fabulous Founder of Dishcrawl, Tracy Lee, and sharing the interview here on StyleNectar this Friday! So stay tuned for the interview! Meantime, get your tickets to Dishcrawl Napa 🙂
Wherever you go in the midst of movement and activity, carry your Stillness within you. Then the chaotic movement around you will never overshadow your access to the reservoir of creativity, the field of pure potentiality. - Deepak Chopra
Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining. – Anne Lamott
The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue. - Antisthenes
Truth is within ourselves; it takes no rise from outward things, whate'er you may believe. There is an inmost centre in us all, where truth abides in fullness. - Robert Browning
There is a dramatic and powerful connection between our mind and body, and our body and mind—in fact, it really should not be called a connection, because it is just ONE bidirectional system. – Dr. Mark Hyman
To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform. -Theodore H. White
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts. –Albert Einstein
The heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head. - Noah Webster
O God, help me to believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is! - Macrina Weiderkher, a Benedictine nun
Show up and watch the magic happen! -Unknown
You are seeking joy and peace in far-off places. But the spring of joy is in your heart. The haven of peace is in yourself. - Satya Sai Baba
In loving kindess,
XOXO
Juliane
What/who is your favorite inspirational quote/person?
My delicious aromatherapy Summer Scent has fabulous Bug Banishing powers!
Hello friends! I'm so excited to share one of my favorite Summer Secrets with you!
I've gotten really into Essential Oils lately, replacing toxic skincare, perfumes & other household items with delicious, organic formulations straight from Earth's beautiful flowers and plants. After all, our skin, for example, is our largest organ, so anything we're putting on it we're essentially eating, as the ingredients are ultimately absorbed and processed into our bloodstream, liver etc. Obviously, the same idea goes for that which we breath into our lungs also. Not only are Essential Oils non-toxic, (only source top quality 100% pure essential oils, such as anything from LivingLibations), they possess amazing healing properties for our bodies and they're also uplifting to our minds and spirits with their stress-relieving aromatherapy benefits.
My refreshing Summer Scent, in the silver canister above (I recycled it from a previous use) is an energizing mist of gorgeous mint and lavender. It's truly the most heavenly fragrance I've ever worn- so lovely for warm weather.
Spritz it on for its delicious scent and a cooling, energizing, aromatherapy boost… while simultaneous banishing away wasps, mosquitos, spiders & ticks! Peppermint and Lavender happen to be two scents these and many other bugs hate!
Just add 3-5 drops each (adjust according to your strength preference, your oil strength & container size) of excellent quality, organic, essential oils of Peppermint & Lavender to a container filled with purified water. I used about 5 drops of each for my 2 oz. spray bottle. Start with less as you can always add more. Obviously, the stronger you make it, the less the bugs will like you 🙂
Shake. (& shake well before each use)
& Voila!
Delicious Summer Scent - Check
Energy & Mood Booster – Check
Bug Banisher – Check
Don't leave home without it:-)
Happy Sunny Days to all of you!
Much Love,
XOXO
Juliane
What is your favorite essential oil? Share with all of us in the comments below!
PS. Try dabbing on a few dots of orange citrus essential oil in the morning when you wake up for a wonderful energy and mood boost first thing!
PPS. Did you know, applying a tiny dab of peppermint essential oil to the temples can relieve a headache!
PPPS. To make a REALLY potent bug banisher, albeit overpowering the refreshing aromatic qualities of the recipe above, add a few drops of tea-tree and lemongrass (aka citronella) essential oil to the same recipe.
The "Grey Lady" is the nickname for beautiful Nantucket Island, referring to her appearance from the sea when fog-bound. Please enjoy my oil painting of one of Nantucket's historic marinas, captured just as the magical mist is setting in.
As always, share your thoughts in the comments below.
And, feel free to visit www.JulianePorter.com to view more of my commissioned portraits, private collection pieces & more.
Love,
Juliane
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https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2013-05-29 14:57:012025-12-06 15:02:01The Grey Lady
