Your soul’s voice is your True Self speaking. It is who you were born to be, your deepest meaning and your highest purpose. In this weekend retreat we’ll explore a variety of fun, take-home-able, non-woo-woo tools and techniques to access your soul’s voice via mind, body, and spirit.
Author: Frances
Art of the Soul
Can a Mid-Life Conundrum Inspire a Creative Second Wind?
Well why the heck not? It did for me and it can for you too. Just let it. This is an essay I wrote recently for Veranda Magazine, in their special California issue, January/February 2021. Reprinted here with permission, and revised to make sense, since it is me we’re (I’m) talking about and on my website. … Continue reading Can a Mid-Life Conundrum Inspire a Creative Second Wind?
A Time to Pie
Christmas is a most excellent time to pie, don’t you agree? And yet you want this pie to be special. You want to honor tradition but add your special twist; to meet your guests’ expectations, but not to exhaust yourself. You got it: Not one but two utterly divine desserts you can make in advance,… Continue reading A Time to Pie
Watermelon and Tomato Salad
with Arugula, Feta, and Herbs
If ever there were a time for a watermelon and tomato salad, it is NOW in the middle of August. I am writing this from the coast of North Carolina, where I grew up coming in summers, and hun there is no doubt that it is the middle of August. Just ask my hair, Anyway… Continue reading Watermelon and Tomato Salad
with Arugula, Feta, and Herbs
Art of the Soul – Retreat at Rancho La Zaca, October 28-30, 2021
Your soul’s voice is your True Self speaking. It is who you were born to be, your deepest meaning and your highest purpose. In this weekend retreat we’ll explore a variety of fun, take-home-able, non-woo-woo tools and techniques to access your soul’s voice via mind, body, and spirit. You’ll use your creativity, but you don’t… Continue reading Art of the Soul – Retreat at Rancho La Zaca, October 28-30, 2021
Paint the Splendid Santa Ynez Valley with Tim Horn — June 24-27, 2021
Join award-winning California artist and virtuoso instructor Tim Horn and me in the stunning Santa Ynez Valley for painting en plein aire and relaxing at Rancho La Zaca. If you are not familiar with Tim’s work, feast your eyes. Our painting locations will include mountains, vineyards, beaches, and Rancho La Zaca itself, all set amid the breathtaking backdrop of the Valley… Continue reading Paint the Splendid Santa Ynez Valley with Tim Horn — June 24-27, 2021
Clarity Begins at Home – 2nd Workshop Begins February 23!
GOSH, we were excited about our “Clarity Begins at Home” workshop, and apparently you were too, because it sold out in three days. So we’ve opened a second, and we hope you will join. In case you missed, and to save you the clicking back, here it is: From January 8: The pandemic of 2020 has… Continue reading Clarity Begins at Home – 2nd Workshop Begins February 23!
Clarity Begins at Home – Workshop Beginning January 28, 2021
The pandemic of 2020 has left even the fortunate among us weary and perhaps wondering if we are living/working/being in the world as we best could. We haven’t spent so much time at home since… ever. As a result, consciously or not, many of us have felt a connection between home, self, and our sense… Continue reading Clarity Begins at Home – Workshop Beginning January 28, 2021
Bring Your Light to the World
Around May of this crazy ass year, a funny-as-in-haha-funny friend of mine was talking about how long it had been since her last pedicure, root touch-up, Botox, et cetera—and she ended with, “I’m kind of excited to see what I really look like,” which sounded even funnier with a Texas accent, which she has. And… Continue reading Bring Your Light to the World
Instagram 5 Oct 2020
It’s fun, and lovely, to change our rooms with the seasons–especially now we’re spending so much more time at home.. As fall arrives, I like to warm things up a bit. 90+-degree temps be damned! We CAN fool Mother Nature! Indoors, anyway ;). Autumn has me craving earth tones of clay and sienna, of wheat and ochre, all colors that play well with their compliments in blues and purples, and with neutrals of course. And easy enough to deploy with a pillow here, a throw there, a festive wreath, an arrangement of fall foliage in a big earthenware vase. What are your favorite fall inspired pieces for your house? Head to my stories to see a few of my favorites. Designed by @amberinteriors Photography by @tessaneustadt
Instagram 3 Oct 2020
A sneak peek at today’s California Cooking and Southern Style workshop to benefit @stmarksinthevalley which we’ve been trying to schedule for 2 years now. Yay! All 7 of us in masks, outside and safely distanced and, in the 90-degree heat “glistening” all over, but we had fun and the work was genius! Also included a cooking demo w @chefstephvalentine and a gorgeous lunch. Stay tuned for more and for news of this and future pandemic-protocol-following workshops at Rancho La Zaca. . . . #californiacookingandsouthernstyle #rancholazaca #flowerandfoodworkshop #bestgroupofgirls !!!
Instagram 1 Oct 2020
I would surely faint if this was my sitting room! Playful layering, sumptuous trim and a mix of old and new bring the chic New Orlean @cecilevillere’s townhouse to life. Designer @sararuffincostello is known for her bohemian classicism among the history-steeped interiors of old houses and this space is a gorgeous example. Are you sitting comfy with your iced tea? Come peek into this Georgian style house through the link in my bio. Published in @elledecor Design by @sararuffincostello Photography @pthepaul