Drum Roll Please… Announcing New Book! Sneak Preview!

About time, I know! I’ve been bustin’ to tell you and I hope you’ll be bustin’ with delight, if, um, not at the seams… because it has some seriously good calories. Coming in November, it’s called California Cooking and Southern Style—100 Classic Recipes, Inspired Menus, and Gorgeous Table Settings. A mouthful 😉 but no reason to… Continue reading Drum Roll Please… Announcing New Book! Sneak Preview!


America’s Best Party Hosts… Gosh!

I’m just not one of those people who wins things. Except for that time I played Bingo with my sister at a spa like ten years ago. My prize was shower gel and moisturizer and I had them bronzed for posterity. Now I might bronze my party shoes. What a huge honor–and surprise!–to be named… Continue reading America’s Best Party Hosts… Gosh!


Guess Who’s in Salonniere’s Top 100: America’s Best Party Hosts

Lucille Ball kicking up her heels, via Salonniere.

I am! Don’t know what came over them, but I am so honored.  Oh my heavens. Fell slam off my chair, I did. Salonniere is a brilliant (obviously ;)) and stylish full of beautiful images, chic people, and smart advice about entertaining in particular and hospitality in general, which we can’t have too much of. Thank… Continue reading Guess Who’s in Salonniere’s Top 100: America’s Best Party Hosts


Goodbye to Bee Cottage

Interior/Exterior/Portraits of Frances Schultz and her "Bee Cottage" located in East Hampton NY. Originally shot for a series of columns written by Frances Schultz for House Beautiful Magazine

The rumor is true. I am selling Bee Cottage. Have sold it, in fact, closing this fall. And yes, it is hard to let go. Really hard. Lump-in-my-throat-all-summer-hard. But there comes a time. If His Grace (aka my husband for new readers) hasn’t taken a shine to it by now, he’s not going to. Oh,… Continue reading Goodbye to Bee Cottage


The Most Brilliant Hors d’Oeuvre You’ve Never Heard of

Bagna Cauda in all its olive-oily-garlicky glory. Recipe and photo by Stephanie Valentine.

An easy, do-ahead hors d’oeuvre full of rich, buttery, garlicky goodness–delicious and different and everyone loves it. Drum roll please…Bagna Cauda, or “hot bath” in Italian. It’s also a Christmas Eve tradition in Italy’s Piedmont region. Perhaps it will become one for you?


Happy Thanksgiving Decorating and Beyond

Happy Thanksgiving from our ranch to yours. Here’s a glimpse of last year, in case you’d like a little last minute inspiration. These feathered turkeys have become a staple in the entry hall. I ordered them from the Internet (no idea the source, sadly).  This is his mate on the opposite wall. You will notice they are both Toms.… Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving Decorating and Beyond



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.



A Glorious Way to Spend the Day…an Ojai Oasis Overflowing With Great Design Ideas

A Glorious Way to Spend the Day

Like a beautiful, sunny melody, I can’t get this image out of my head. It could be the South of France or the North of Italy, but in fact it is the Southern California home of Brooke and Steve Giannetti. Sumptuously featured in the current issue of Veranda, the article was written by moi. What a privilege,… Continue reading A Glorious Way to Spend the Day…an Ojai Oasis Overflowing With Great Design Ideas


Holiday Centerpiece With Birch Bark, Foliage, Fruit, and Flowers

Here is an impressive but easy centerpiece for the holidays or any day. For mantel or table, the size and height are easily varied. Use any combination of foliage, fruit, and flowers. Make a mess and it will still be beautiful. It’s an anything-goes thing.