News & Notes

Need a Pat on the Back or a Kick in the Pants? This 4-Minute Chick-Flick Does Both.

It’s beautiful and inspiring and okay a little schmaltzy. But sometimes I like that, because I am, at heart, a sap. Anway it’s a good way to start the week. A dear friend sent it to me, and I thought I’d share. Watch it here: Today I Rise.  Below are a few of the film’s images, in the background… Continue reading Need a Pat on the Back or a Kick in the Pants? This 4-Minute Chick-Flick Does Both.

Miracle on Madison Avenue

Today’s post is a kind of parable, and a true story. If you’ve had a crisis of trust or faith lately, or someone has let you down, this is for you. An extraordinary thing happened to me this week. One of those things that causes you to stop in the middle of whatever– and say wow, that was God, pure and simple.

Indispensable, Adorable Address Labels

Saw these on my friend HoneyPaper’s Instagram the other day and loved. Anything this tiny with packaging this exquisite has me at Hello.  Went straightaway to order from HoneyPaper for myself and will do for gifts as well. (Heaven help us, we’re already thinking about Christmas. ) From a company in Boston called Felix Doolittle…   …there… Continue reading Indispensable, Adorable Address Labels

Santa Barbara

April 2 – 30th Annual Celebrity Authors Luncheon, Santa Barbara

A Six-Pack Giveaway! (Books, not Beer…)

What a great six-book giveaway has been organized by the folks at Tandem Literary* That’s six little bundles of joy for you, or six holiday or hostess gifts in one swell foop! Done, boom! But tarry not, dear reader, deadline to enter is September 30. Here’s a link to the entry form. I am super honored to be… Continue reading A Six-Pack Giveaway! (Books, not Beer…)

Whatcha Reading? My Top Picks Lately (A Very Mixed Bag)

First off, welcome, welcome you boodles of new readers! I’m so happy to have you! Now. Since I cannot seem to keep up with what’s new (who can?), I try at least to keep up with what’s good. What have you read recently that blew your skirt up? Here are some of mine lately, in no particular order. Caution: sentence fragments:… Continue reading Whatcha Reading? My Top Picks Lately (A Very Mixed Bag)

My Chat With the Washington Post

So you think it’s time I did a blog post, or what?! I know… So here we are. Was just chatting with The Washington Post’s Jura Koncius and readers of her “Home Front,” answering great decorating questions and dispensing my so-called wisdom;)  “Home Front” is a weekly jewel of design  advice and info. I was happy to discover it, and you will… Continue reading My Chat With the Washington Post

The Perfect Easy Summer Menu, Full of Farm Stand Freshness

With all the goodness spilling over from gardens and farm stands, I feel a menu  in my heart… Maestro, cue Porgy and Bess: Summertime, and the cookin’ is easy / Bacon’s fryin’ and the corn is high / ‘Maters burstin’ and zucchini’s good lookin’ / Set your pretty table / Company’s nigh. Okay that was dorky. But the… Continue reading The Perfect Easy Summer Menu, Full of Farm Stand Freshness

The Power of Flower (Magazine)

Hi. Been a while. Confess I’ve been seeing a lot of Instagram on the side. And then there’s been this book thing… But we are still buds, you and I, right? Good. I missed you….Hey, do you know Flower magazine ? Begun in 2007 and growing ever since, there isn’t anything else like it. It’s all about “floral lifestyle.” I’m not sure what that is, but I think I have one.

Create a Chic and Stylish Bedroom on a Student’s Budget

School’s out for summer, but it won’t be long ’til it’s in again and time to decorate your (or your child’s) dorm room or apartment, or maybe you just want to freshen up a bedroom for summer. Oh, and you want a designer look, but not the designer. Two clever North Carolina gals have started a “luxury dorm brand” called LeighDeux, because both of their names are Leigh. Cute. And so are their designs.