Elaine Raffel

Elaine Raffel left the corporate world to become a freelance creative focused on real estate and design in Dallas.

Live Like A Royal in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito Estate

By Elaine Raffel / January 12, 2022 /

While there’s no official listing, rumor has it there’s a high-profile estate for sale in the prestigious enclave of Montecito. Turns out, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in search of new digs, an unnamed source told London’s Daily Mail.

The Best New Tech at the 2022 Consumer Electronic Show

By Elaine Raffel / January 9, 2022 /

While this year’s Consumer Electronics Show was smaller than pre-COVID years, there was no shortage of cool products on display—both live and via cyberspace. The annual event, which ended yesterday in Las Vegas, featured a slew of innovations that the Wall Street Journal called “pragmatic, flat-out bonkers or both at once.”

Five Small Towns to Buy a Vacation Home in 2022

By Elaine Raffel / January 5, 2022 /

Just in time for our 2022 inaugural Second Shelters column, Travel + Leisure published its list of best small towns in the U.S. to buy a vacation home. Though they span the nation coast to coast, all have one thing in common—understated luxury in a serene, peaceful environment.

Best of 2021: Pillow Talking With The Pillow Bar Owner Connie Kleinert Babikian

By Elaine Raffel / January 2, 2022 /

Connie Kleinert Babikian just landed a dream opportunity. The long-time fan of Dallas-based The Pillow Bar is now the retailer’s president and majority owner, taking over the reins from founder Merrimac Dillon.

Kanye West Lists His Wyoming Estate After Kim’s SNL Debut

By Elaine Raffel / December 29, 2021 /

Kanye West’s 3,888-acre Wyoming ranch is on the market — two days after his estranged (and maybe reconciling) wife Kim Kardashian hosted Saturday Night Live.