Initial Thoughts

Traveling in Style: the New and Improved Land Yacht

Those of you who know me are probably raising an eyebrow at the mere mention of trailer (or Land Yacht). But I must say that since I visited Patrick Dempsey’s…

Redwood Library Wedding

Wedding Mishaps: Handling Them with Poise and Grace

It’s the big day — you’ve been looking forward to this event for a very long time. Everything has been painstakingly organized and planned and no detail has been overlooked; however,…

Tulipmania: The Good Dirt on Tulips

  Who doesn’t love tulips? And who cannot be intrigued with these exquisite flowers that originated in Turkey and made their way to the Netherlands in the 1600s, prompting a…

Bistro

Bistronomy: The Best New Paris Bistros

“Bistronomy” is the latest trend in Parisian cuisine.  I was so pleased to experience it firsthand at a recent talk and tasting celebrating Jane Sigal’s latest book, Bistronomy: Recipes from…

Thomas Jefferson’s Dovecote on the Rose Hill Estate

As a garden lover as well as an admirer of Thomas Jefferson, I was intrigued when a friend emailed asking if I knew what a dovecote was (not realizing that…

7 Steps to Hosting a Successful Cheese-Tasting Party

Who doesn’t love cheeses? If it weren’t for their high caloric count, I could live quite nicely on them for a daily diet of protein. However, a recent front page article…

Newport, RI

Neighborhoods of Newport House Tour 2016

Everyone loves a sneak peek at private homes, especially if they’ve never before been opened to the public. St. Michael’s Country Day School has been presenting the Neighborhoods of Newport…

April in Paris: An Intimate Perspective

Norma Thiessen, who lives in Toronto in “a little blue house,” adores all things French: the people, food, fashion, history, architecture, countryside and culture. But most of all, she loves…

“Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper,” a Preview Screening at The Breakers

One soon learns, and then takes for granted, that Newport is seemingly at the epicenter, in an understated way, of many newsworthy events. Case in point…Tuesday night, in a filled-to-capacity gilded…

15 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer

For many, planning a wedding is preparing for life’s greatest adventure and grandest party. There are many pieces that must come together to create the perfect event, much like a…