Why does the thought of spending Thanksgiving alone strike such fear in our hearts? We have done many things in life by …
Stylish summer table settings for backyard entertaining
Who doesn’t want their outdoor dining table to look like something out of House Beautiful? But between getting th…
50 somewhat clever stocking stuffers she’ll love
Best friends from high school, spin cycle pals, walking partners–there are always people in your life that you wan…
25 Christmas wreaths to make the season bright
Wreaths have been a decorative symbol of the Christmas season for hundreds of years. Wreaths can adorn any area of your …
22 fabulous Mother’s Day gifts for all the moms in your life
Mother’s Day is nearly here and we’re on a quest to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the speci…
Preparing your castle, er, home for the holidays
“Curb appeal” is important, but even more so is “just-inside-the-front-door appeal.” I…
The reinvention of Mary Pochez and the birth of La Vie du Chateau
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be doing what I’m doing today.” Mary Pochez dried t…
My Prague spring: Teaching English here showed me I’m not ready to retire
Imagine a city where getting a job takes two days, but Wi-Fi takes weeks. That gives you a snapshot of the highs and low…
An ode to fruitcake: memories of Christmas past
The poor, maligned Christmas fruitcake. Favorite target of late show hosts, club comedians, and your cousin Bud. Behind …
Elves in the closet: my recollections of Christmas
When we were younger, my sisters and I absolutely loved the holiday parties that my parents gave, but not for the reason…
Give them (or keep them for yourself): 10 gifts for your holiday hosts
It’s the holidays again. Parties beckon–we’re ready to have a tipple (or two) and dress to sparkle in…
Our picks: books for summer reading 2017
Reading a good book, or two or three, is one of summer’s great pleasures. Many books caught our fancy, and we purc…