LOS ANGELES–One of my idols, Miss Piggy, says “Never eat more than you can lift.” This came very close to tipping the scales… A thing of burger is a joy forever… Spent a quick night in L.A. on the way back to the ranch from Christmas in Atlanta with my […]
Author: Frances
Veranda’s New Look
Veranda magazine’s new look is comfortingly like its old look. Gratifyingly the new table of contents for the features actually gives you an idea of what the feature contains. In the old iteration this was always a peeve of mine, and don’t think in the 10+ years I wrote for […]
Angels We Have Heard on High
Destined to become a classic–something about the eyes: Her mother would not dare throw it away, and neither would I. What such aesthetically challenged decorations lack in allure, they make up for in sentiment. The presence of such goofiness amid otherwise refined and tasteful interiors implies not only a sense […]
One Little Thing: Bling – With Ribbon
You know all those pretty ribbons and wrappings you save just in case? Make a necklace with one of those ribbons and a brooch or other bauble–a pretty ornament even–for a festive spin on your holiday adornment. If the ribbon is long, tie it in a bow and let the […]
Getting Into a Stew – The Best You Ever Tasted
Here it is, that perfect one-dish wonderful meal for the holidays: Everyone loves it; you can make it in advance; it’s fool-proof. And, as my godmother Caroline says about almost everything: It freezes beautifully. Even those who have to ask directions to the kitchen invariably find themselves in it at […]
Pretty Is as Pretty Does
You must be thinking about doing up your holiday table, if you haven’t already, and I just came across the prettiest, simplest centerpiece and table decorations by Carolyne Roehm in the November/December issue of Veranda. Of course everything Carolyne touches is pretty. Carolyne is pretty. And smart and funny and […]
One Little Thing: How to Keep Calm
In this busiest of weeks, at this busiest time of year, I am comforted by the thought that IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PANIC. … Okay seriously, there is one little thing that can keep you calm. That’s it, actually: one little thing. If you can’t bust the whole rock […]
A Sweet Gift Idea – fun for kids, too
If you are like 99 per cent of the moms out there, you’ve promised your child(ren) you’d bake cookies together, and you swore you wouldn’t get the damn slice-and-bake because, like, how lame, but you probably will because baking from scratch is too much trouble and and and… but now […]
Elizabeth Taylor’s Treasures
Dear Mom & Dad, Did you read about my ring? It’s fab! Love you both. Wish you were here! Elizabeth & Richard This was a postcard from Elizabeth Taylor to her parents, soon after Richard Burton gifted her with the 33-carat Ascher cut diamond now known as the Elizabeth Taylor […]
A Little Behind in my Holiday Baking
I do love to bake for the holidays, but sometimes I get a little behind… ahem… so to speak… This was sent to me by my friend Susie Quinn, sent to her by Bonnie Burdett, and I don’t know who sent it to Bonnie. There is a faint by-line on […]
Housekeeping
Greetings all. Just letting you know that something technical to do with this blog is migrating somewhere – Palm Beach? St. Bart’s? I don’t know what it means except that Frances and the Belles are out of commission until Monday morning, but we’ll see you bright and early then. Hope […]
One Little Thing: Keeping Greenery Fresh(er)
Where have I been not to know about Wilt-Pruf? Did all y’all know about it and not tell me? When I picked up the greenery for the ranch last week at Rolling HIlls Garden Center in Solvang, owner Rocky Marshall said I might want to spray them with Wilt. Well […]