You Gotta Love The New York Post

Early this morning tenants of a posh Fifth Avenue building complained of a loud snorting noise emitting from the 21st floor, fearful that possibly a large farm animal had got loose, or worse, been injured in what would be a bizarre circumstance even by New York standards. But no… It was just me laughing, I explained to the concierge when he rang up. Have you seen today’s Post?





Springtime in France–A Friend Shares Her Travels

Honestly I have had the best time following my friend Sarah Gayle Carter blogging around France that I feel guilty keeping it a secret. Her photos are sublime–she is an artist after all–and her commentary is pithy, interesting and often funny. Here below is her latest. You can also click on the link sign up… Continue reading Springtime in France–A Friend Shares Her Travels



Lenten Roses for the Last of Lent

Lenten roses, aka hellebores, are rather un-sung heroines of the garden–in the US anyway. In Europe they are much beloved as some of the earliest bloomers, hence their name marking mid-February as the time their their petals begin to peek out. With hundreds of species ranging in color from chartreuse to deep claret, hellebores deserve… Continue reading Lenten Roses for the Last of Lent


New Site for Mecox Gardens, and a Discount for Visiting

Mecox Gardens, that most stylish of home furnishings and accessories shops, has become an indispensable resource for designers and design aficionadas everywhere. Just try getting through an issue of House Beautiful, Veranda, or Elle Decor without a Mecox Gardens credit. You can’t….So this is exciting news: Mecox Gardens has a new website. And the selection is HUGE. It’s a one-man Pinterest. It’s Houzz at a glance. It’s very good…


How to Say No, Politely

When it comes to the most important words in the language, right up there with Thank You, I Love You, Please, and Dinner is Served… is No.
You already know this, but we all (maybe especially us girls) need reinforcement now and then.
I saw this on TheEverygirl.com, a terrific blog I’ve recently discovered, and thought we could use it about now…


Design Notes From Aspen’s “New” Hotel Jerome

Luxury hotels these days out-do themselves to out-“design” one another with decidedly mixed results. While many are impressive, few are inspiring in terms of ideas you might deploy in your own perhaps more modest domestic context. A hotel we visited in Aspen last week made me want to, well, get a room. Ladies and gentlemen,… Continue reading Design Notes From Aspen’s “New” Hotel Jerome