Wine, Women, and Watercolors – Painting in Italy – Part 1

Ciao Bella! If you follow my friend la Principessa Carolyne Roehm , you may know that we and a gaggle of gals have spent the last week in Porto Ercole watercoloring… Between the eating, drinking, and cackling, we did manage a watercolor or two, and it was molto fun-o… Who says I can’t speak Italian.


Sidney Poitier Sums Up the Meaning of Life

Do you watch CBS Sunday Morning? It is the best thing on television, beating out even Downton Abbey in my book, though that’s not exactly an even comparison. Last Sunday morning I had it on while I was dressing–okay I wasn’t quite dressing I was just getting out of the shower, and there was Sidney… Continue reading Sidney Poitier Sums Up the Meaning of Life


A Cute Belt-less Option for Going Through Airport Security

Airport security is such a pain. Here’s one little thing to make it easier. If your pants have belt loops and you don’t want to bother on-and-off-ing your belt, try tying a ribbon or small scarf on one of the front loops for a hassle-free polished look. I used one of those narrow silk ties… Continue reading A Cute Belt-less Option for Going Through Airport Security





Acres of Roses–A Field Trip to Rose Story Farm

Acres of roses. To sigh for. Rose Story Farm is storied indeed. What a treat, and an education, too. A little less than an hour up the road from us at Rancho La Zaca is the family owned Rose Story Farm, in Carpenteria, California. There are tours from spring to fall and luncheon is served afterward. These are old garden… Continue reading Acres of Roses–A Field Trip to Rose Story Farm


Coming Up: Rose Story Farm…and When Bloggers Collide at a Girls’ Lunch

Coming up: I’ll be posting any minute now about the most delightful day at Rose Story Farm in Carpenteria, California, just a stone’s throw from our Rancho La Zaca. Our hostess said Carpenteria was the flower capital of the world. The world. I thought it was Ecuador or somewhere.



Sargent Watercolors at Brooklyn Museum. Sublime.

Two adventurous friends and I made the trek on Sunday morning to see the John Singer Sargent watercolors exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum. You can get to Montana quicker than you can get to Brooklyn from Manhattan, unless of course you take the subway which we didn’t. However you get there, it’s worth it. Here’s why…


Stunning Tablescapes From New York’s Prettiest Party

The New York Flower Show Dinner Dance is always a standout in a season of pretty parties in the city. Benefitting the Horticultural Society of New York, the designers, bless them, were inventive and over-the-top, and if you look closely there are many ideas that can be adapted at home–interesting color combinations, place settings, plant… Continue reading Stunning Tablescapes From New York’s Prettiest Party