The Architect Behind Orange County's Most Iconic Homes (Full Interview)

The Architect Behind Orange County's Most Iconic Homes (Full Interview)

What's the most expensive home you've been involved with in Orange County? "$100 million." That's our architect, Chris Light, one of the most sought-after residential architects in all of Southern California, and the man behind our oceanfront home here in Laguna Beach. I sat him down the morning after we celebrated our Ocean Boulevard build going to market and he told me everything. Chris shares the real story of how he walked through our property, looked Joe and me in the eye, and said "all of it" when we asked what needed to change. We get into how he evaluates a property in under five minutes, the daylight basement technique he pioneered at the Montage, the origin story of the open concept floor plan (a 100-person Christmas party in 1994), his honest take on AI in architecture, why remodeling can cost more than tearing down, the $100 million Emerald Bay project, his dream team with interior designer Frank Barry, the Selling OC feature Jason Oppenheim called the finest finishes he's ever seen, and his rapid-fire advice for anyone thinking about building or remodeling in Southern California. Spoiler: triple your budget and double your timeline. SUBSCRIBE for more behind-the-scenes luxury conversations 🔔 🎧 Amy Plus Podcast: https://www.amyplusjoe.com/podcast [https://www.amyplusjoe.com/podcast] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyplusjoe [https://www.instagram.com/amyplusjoe] 🛍 Shop my looks: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe]

64 Michelin Restaurants, a Grandchild & a $22M House: Life Update with Joe

We drop napkins at Michelin restaurants on purpose, and time how long it takes them to pick it up. (Single Thread? 21 seconds. Per Se? 55. Barcelona? Three and a half minutes.) In this episode, I sit down with my husband Joe for a fun catch-up on everything going on in our lives right now. We recap our 12-year anniversary weekend at the Bel Air Hotel, the spa, the Marilyn Monroe history, caviar and truffle fries by the pool, and a 2006 Château Latour at Michelin two-star restaurant Mille's that was one of the best wines we've ever had. We also share the big news: we're grandparents! Baby Noah is here (9 lbs 1 oz, came out perfect), our daughter Kelly just landed at Cook Children's in Fort Worth, and Joe opens up about what it actually feels like to be "Pops." Plus, our Ocean Boulevard new build in Newport Beach is weeks away from hitting the market, and we're breaking down the strategy behind no open houses, James Roper Curzon artwork, and why the right buyer just needs to walk in and fall in love. SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations 🔔 🎧 Amy Plus Podcast: https://www.amyplusjoe.com/podcast [https://www.amyplusjoe.com/podcast] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyplusjoe [https://www.instagram.com/amyplusjoe] 🛍 Shop my looks: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe]

Brunello, Birkins & a $125K Himalayan Croc My Collection

Why are luxury pieces so expensive, and are they actually worth it? Today I'm taking you inside my Laguna Beach closet to break it all down. From a $3,000 Brunello Cucinelli sweater I got for a fraction of the price, to the rarest Hermès bag in the world (a Himalayan crocodile Birkin that Joe gifted me for our 10-year anniversary), I'm showing you what's in my closet, why these pieces cost what they do, and how I shop luxury for less. We're getting into Brunello's humanistic capitalism philosophy, the small Italian village where one person hand-crafts each piece, my 70%-off Neiman Marcus strategy, Hermès Togo leather and saddle stitching, and an incredible alternative from my friend Mookie Bolton whose exotic bags rival a $70,000 Kelly for a fraction of the price. Plus Joe surprised me with the sweetest anniversary gift, you'll see it. If you love luxury fashion, closet tours, and shopping smart — SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications 🔔 This is the kind of content I personally love watching, so I'm sharing it with you. 🎧 Amy Plus Podcast: https://www.amyplusjoe.com/podcast [https://www.amyplusjoe.com/podcast] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyplusjoe [https://www.instagram.com/amyplusjoe] 🛍 Shop my looks: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe]

Gut Health Doctor Explains Constipation, IBS & What You’re Doing Wrong

Should it really take 30 minutes on the toilet? According to Dr. Patel, a board-certified gastroenterologist, if your poop is ready,  it should take less than a minute. In this episode, she breaks down the stuff no one talks about but everyone deals with, from pelvic floor dysfunction to why doom-scrolling on the toilet is actually making things worse. Dr. Patel is a keynote speaker, Instagram favorite, and one of the most relatable doctors you'll ever listen to. We get into the real science behind bloating, constipation, how menopause and hysterectomy change your gut, the truth about food sensitivity tests, whether gluten and dairy are actually the problem, what Ozempic really does to your insides, alcohol's effect on your microbiome, Amy's wild pizza parasite story, and three simple hacks every woman should know. This one is packed 00:00 – Cold Open: Let's Talk Guts & Butts 01:15 – Meet Dr. Patel + How We Met in Vegas 04:17 – Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Explained 08:00 – Why Gut Health Took Over the Internet 15:45 – Hysterectomy, Menopause & Your Gut 20:20 – Diaphragmatic Breathing for Constipation 26:00 – 3 Simple Hacks: Stool, Water & Fiber 30:57 – Does Wine Wreck Your Gut? (Honest Answer) 33:05 – Ozempic & GLP-1s: What They Really Do 37:00 – Amy's NYC Pizza Parasite Story 43:00 – Food Sensitivity Tests: Worth It or Waste? 46:54 – The Truth About Gluten & Dairy

Top Brain Injury Lawyer on Catastrophic Cases + Paris Fashion Week

What happens when a fall from five stories up, Spinal cord AND brain injury in one shot? Trial lawyer Tina has seen it and fought for it. In this episode, she opens up about the cases that keep her up at night, the invisible injuries juries can't see, and why she shows up to court in Chanel platforms. I'm joined by Tina, a powerhouse trial lawyer who specializes in catastrophic brain injuries and somehow also happens to be one of the most fashion-forward women I know, think Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Fendi, and a mixed-metal jewelry game that breaks every rule. We get into her origin story (it started with a woman crying on the courthouse steps), running a law firm while raising two boys, New York Fashion Week survival tips, luxury hotels, her designer friends, and how she balances being a wife, mom, boss, and fashionista without losing herself. > If you loved this conversation, please LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to the Amy Plus podcast, and drop a comment telling me your favorite moment. Follow along on Instagram @amyplus for more, and tag a friend who needs to hear Tina's story. 💕 00:00 – Cold Open: A Five-Storey Fall 01:30 – Meet Tina + Today's Fit Check 08:00 – NYFW, Being a Mom & Wearing Many Hats 15:00 – Favorite Hotels & Hidden LA Gems 22:00 – The Courthouse Steps Moment That Changed Everything 30:00 – Always On Call: The Reality of Running a Firm 38:00 – Courtroom Fashion & Breaking Stereotypes 45:00 – Luxury Cars, Rolls-Royces & Racehorses 52:00 – Designer Friends: Vogue World & Parsons Couture 1:00:00 – Social Media, Her Sassy Alter Ego & Closing Tips 1:10:00 – Deep Dive: Spotting an Invisible Brain Injury