Tragic. The end of an era. Along with the hiatus of Brothers Restaurant in the fabled Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, comes the end of Taco Night. Gaining steadily in popularity since its instigation on Thursdays many moons ago, Taco Night had arguably become a center of social life in the Valley, right up there… Continue reading Last Taco Night–Recipe Included
Author: Frances
First Growth
Back to the ranch after three days in Colorado. We had finally gotten some much needed rain in the Valley and as we left there was snow on the mountains around us. The countryside turns green in a minute when the rains come, so it was especially beautiful to come home to. Out in the… Continue reading First Growth
Happy First Day of Spring
His Grace was nice enough to pop us over to Aspen for a few days, and this beautiful bouquet is in our room at The Little Nell, which is tres swell. The reason we came, besides that it is just great to be here, is to attend a party for Africa Foundation, a cause dear… Continue reading Happy First Day of Spring
A Wedding at Lincoln Center
Well it’s a big day. Our friends Preacher and Partner have flown to New York for Partner to sing Mozart’s Requiem at Lincoln Center. Lincoln Center. And as if that weren’t enough, they are getting married in the lobby of Avery Fisher Hall at intermission. The ceremony will be a few minutes long, with champagne… Continue reading A Wedding at Lincoln Center
Great-Looking Green Rooms
The April issue of House Beautiful has landed, prompting me anxiously to complete the March issue which is all about green. Gosh it is hard to keep up, isn’t it? Anyway green is my favorite color without a doubt. The color of life and the color of harmony, as all greens go together. In the… Continue reading Great-Looking Green Rooms
Parisian Chic – Part 2 – Links to Other Posts
Well bless my Cowboy. Slave to fashion that he is, he liked yesterday’s post on Parisian Chic and Ines de la Fressange and sent it to a few of his friends. One of them was the journalist Jesse Kornebluth, who is huge. Also gracious, as it turns out, nice enough to write and say he liked… Continue reading Parisian Chic – Part 2 – Links to Other Posts
Find Your Personal Style With Parisian Chic — and Why it’s Important
With the New York and Paris fashion shows just behind us, it occurs to me that it is I who am behind the fashions. And that is fine. Looking good has always been more about style than fashion, but that is especially true as we enter what the French so gracefully refer to as un… Continue reading Find Your Personal Style With Parisian Chic — and Why it’s Important
For Downton Abbey Devotees
Sunday nights just aren’t the same. There’s just a big, gaping hole in my TV-watching heart without William and Mary, Lord Grantham, and the dowager countess et. al. to curl up with after supper. And I am a wreck about poor–and surely innocent!–Mr. Bates languishing in a wretched jail, excuse me gaol, even as I… Continue reading For Downton Abbey Devotees
I Suwannee! Pretty and Fun for the House
Fab blogger, decorator, and fellow Tarheel Jamie Meares has got it going ON. Her blog is called I Suwannee, which is so cute in itself that you know you will love the blog because anyone who thought to call it that has to be really cute, too. Her shop and design studio in Raleigh is… Continue reading I Suwannee! Pretty and Fun for the House
How Hunt Slonem Celebrates
When all else fails, looking at something beautiful can put things right again. Or if not to put right, to remind. To remind us that there is beauty in abundance in this sometimes-ugly world, and that it is often created by people who are talented, disciplined, and devoted to using and celebrating their God-given gifts.… Continue reading How Hunt Slonem Celebrates
One Little Thing: an Inspired Invitation
This is the cutest thing. Why not turn an ordinary supper with a girlfriend into an occasion? Doesn’t have to be the Moulin Rouge–just one little thing that’s special. That is all you need to create a sense of occasion in everyday life. If not now, when?! So here’s what my friend Nina Griscom did… Continue reading One Little Thing: an Inspired Invitation
Eden is that old-fashioned House
A poem by Emily Dickinson with a lovely thought of home found its way to me recently: Eden is that old-fashioned House We dwell in every day Without suspecting our abode Until we drive away I daresay there are many unsuspected “Edens” in our lives. Our children, the little devils. Our husbands, the rascals. Our… Continue reading Eden is that old-fashioned House