When life gives you lemons, make lemon bars!  Usually lemon desserts are not at the top of my must-indulge list.  But today, I felt the nee...

“ Always start out with a larger pot  than what you think you need .”  ―  Julia Child Even as a child, I remember thumbing thro...

When I sip these lovely libations, I feel as if I'm whirling around the dance floor at one of Jay Gatsby's West Egg parties.  Even i...

Yes, yes, I know some of you may say, why are you sharing a recipe that includes boxed cake mix?  Well, I say to you, naysayers, Giada does ...

Sometimes before I go to sleep, I put my hair in a side-braid and pretend that when I wake up, my maid will have brought me tea and eggs in...

"I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our mise...

On a cool February Sunday, homey and satisfying beef stew is the perfect slow-simmering, make-the-house-smell-divine kind of meal to enjo...

My current favorite sandwich also involves one of the simplest crockpot tricks ever.  Somehow a deceptively easy meal just tastes better th...

Just three delicate pink tulips in a petite Chinoiserie vase delights me so!  Hope your Friday is lovely, dearies! 

If your Valentine didn't bring you the posies you wanted, treat yourself this Friday!  I splurged on fuchsia roses and purple freesia ...

If I had a little Italian Nonna, I bet she would have made this for me on a chilly Sunday evening.  Spaghetti carbonara is Italian soul food...

I purchased this bottle of ginger liqueur, Domaine de Canton, after admiring its unique orientalist bottle.  I'm sure my husband loves m...

It seems just about everyone has their own very favorite birthday cake.  Maybe it was the plain old boxed white cake mix your mom made on yo...

One of my favorite design bloggers, the always-talented Gabrielle Blair (aka Design Mom ), recently posted a sweet video of her daughter Bet...

I love an awards show.  The couture gowns, the speeches, and the who's who of Hollywood all together in one ballroom make for a fun ni...

When the January nights are cold and dark, sometimes a nice toasty and tasty beverage warms the soul.  My husband is a bourbon aficionado s...

Ah, alas the time has come for the return of my beloved Downton Abbey .  This evening, the characters so many of us have come to love (and a...

With its soft yellow and pink face, this orchid reminds me of the singing flowers in Alice in Wonderland.   When I pass by the lovely bl...

If you made resolutions that involve any of the following: will power, bikinis, marathons, skinny jeans, salads.  STOP READING NOW! And...

When the French declare "Happy New Year," they often drop the "new" and say instead "good year."  As 2012 wa...

Santa brought me a very lovely Trader Joe's gift card this year. Rather than stocking up on peanut butter or cereal or some other essent...

Even here in Southern California, the land of perpetual sunshine, it's been quite chilly lately.  When I wake up and see frost on the ...

“ Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have...

Have yourselves a merry little Christmas, darlings!   On this Christmas eve, may love surround you, delicious treats be on your table and...

My friends, here are few festive red tulips to brighten your morning and make your day sparkle. As you spend the day preparing for holid...