Author: Frances

New York Flower Show Dinner Dance – Part 2

New York Flower Show, Part 2. Drumroll please. (In case you missed, here’s Part 1.) Benefitting the Horticultural Society of New York, and therefore all New Yorkers and the universe. Also some great ideas here for you to try at home. Or not. Here’s my table, by the talented team at Plaza Flowers, who are… Continue reading New York Flower Show Dinner Dance – Part 2

New York Flower Show Dinner Dance – Part 1

In a city of beautiful parties, this is one of the most beautiful. And fun. As a board member of the Horticultural Society of New York and a chair of this party, I am biased of course. But don’t take my word for it, look: By Jodi Zimmerman Designs. Love me some pink. The theme this year… Continue reading New York Flower Show Dinner Dance – Part 1

Pretty Spring Things, for $79 and up

It has been an especially pretty spring, don’t you think? Starting early as it did and carrying on. If we have many more 87-degree days in New York like we had yesterday it will begin to fade, but meanwhile so much beauty to celebrate…like pretty shoes… Not to talk about money, but when did shoes… Continue reading Pretty Spring Things, for $79 and up

David Hockney Landscapes

Someone just told me about a gorgeous new book on David Hockney, and I wish I could remember who, but thank you so much, whoever you were… and presumably still are… I’ve raced ’round the corner to Archivia Books to fetch it. Actually a catalog of the just-closed exhibit at the Royal Academy in London,… Continue reading David Hockney Landscapes

Longing for the Garden at Bee Cottage

NEW YORK–Spring is sailing along. Want to go? Click here if you want to go model boat sailing in Central Park. Central Park today is bursting with blossoms and bright with the fresh green of new foliage. The cool April air and its promise of showers bring to heart the joy of flowers and the… Continue reading Longing for the Garden at Bee Cottage

Sunrise Service on the Beach

Every Easter in Lyford Cay, Bahamas, there is a sunrise service at 6 a.m., at the water’s edge. The service is sponsored by the Parish Church of St. Christopher and the Lyford Cay Club. The Venerable Keith Cartwright, archdeacon of the Turks & Caicos and the Southern Bahamas, is celebrant. I am not Catholic but… Continue reading Sunrise Service on the Beach

Knock-Knock

Just in case you have a lull in a conversation with a 5-year-old who has not heard it: Knock-Knock Who’s there? Eater. Eater who? Eater Bunny. Knock-knock. Who’s there? Cargo. Cargo who? Car go VARRROOOOOOOM! Run over Eater Bunny. Knock-knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Don’t cry, Eater Bunny come again next year. Happy Easter.… Continue reading Knock-Knock

Albert Hadley: In Memory and the Value of Sketching

John Danzer, longtime friend and the beauty and brains behind Munder-Skiles outdoor furniture, had a party for me on the occasion of my first book, Atlanta at Home. It was around 1994, and I was still living in Atlanta then. Well there I was in John’s chic upper east side atelier,  and up I looked to… Continue reading Albert Hadley: In Memory and the Value of Sketching

Wild Sweet Peas in the Vineyard, and a Painting

As His Grace and I left the ranch last Friday for New York and parts East for a few weeks, I felt a twinge for the days of early spring I will miss there. Here’s an idea: Surely these wild sweet peas came last year, but dawg if I remember them. That’s the thing about… Continue reading Wild Sweet Peas in the Vineyard, and a Painting

Fabulous Rooms: Lyford Cay Club

The design blogosphere lit up like Times Square when Town & Country last spring unveiled the re-do of the Lyford Cay Club in Nassau, Bahamas. I lit up too when I first saw it on the drawing board two years ago and then nearbout swooned when I saw it in person last Easter. This living… Continue reading Fabulous Rooms: Lyford Cay Club