Initial Thoughts

Family Estate Champagnes: The Latest Foodie Fave!

Every year, I think of ways to make each year’s holiday dinner celebration extra special. I strategize, research and mull over new side dishes, decorations, place cards, linens…paying special attention…

Thanksgiving Planning from a “Girl of 100 Lists”

If you’ll be so generous as to allow me a somewhat obscure 80’s reference – I can completely identify with the Go-Go’s song “I am a girl of 100 lists.” I…

Table

A Soup-er Fall Luncheon

This has been one of the most beautiful fall seasons in memory. And with it comes one of our favorite traditions – large pots of Portuguese Kale Soup simmering on…

9 Autumn Plants to Inspire a Seasonal Flower Arrangement

Next week, mark your calendars for November 13th-15th (with the Preview Party the evening  of November 12th) for the famed Theta Charity Antiques Show in Houston, Texas. Going strong now for…

“The Salonniere 100: Fête-Fabulous Party Hosts”

While I cannot, nor have I ever, done a backbend as pictured above. And while I certainly don’t see myself wearing that particular drum majorette hat and ensemble, I can…

The Bee Cottage Story

Frances Schultz on ‘Beeing’ Happy at The Bee Cottage

One of life’s greatest pleasures is re-connecting with friends from past lives. Frances Schultz and I had known each other in Atlanta thirty years ago; she was with Southern Living,…

Newport, RI

Ablaze in Newport: A New England Autumn

Autumn is my favorite season. So all the more reason to make a priority of designing our gardens and grounds with an eye to those fall trees that like to “step…

North Carolina

13 “Steal the Show” Tips for Fall Entertaining – in a Barn

We’ve all been there…you go to a party in an inspired and compelling setting, you dream about re-creating it…and then life happens and you never think about it again. Not…

Monograms for the Home: The Art of Making your Mark

Monograms are a favorite pleasure of mine, adding such personal details to this lovely world in which we are privileged to be a part. What a wonderful bit of serendipity…

48 Hours in Woodstock, Vermont: A New England Fall Story

  “Leaf-Peeping,” as it’s affectionately called, is a New England fall tradition (October 10th is considered the peak color for the  season). But that was really just an excuse to get…