Every home can benefit from having living plants. They add color and life to a room in a way that nothing else can. However, not everyone has a green thumb or the patience to care for plants. That’s where tillandsias can be a good solution. What on earth is a tillandsia? It’s common name is “air plant” because it grows without soil. Water and nutrients are absorbed through the leaves so they require little care. While I have my share…
It’s that time of year again- the time where movie lovers flock to our town for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). It began as a small event back in 1986 but has since grown into a juggernaut, attracting celebrities and folks from all over the country. It screens over 200 films from all over the world. There are films about everything from surfing (something near and dear to Santa Barbarians) to wine making. After the 11 day event, I feel…
As I was doing some New Years purging of my desk, I came across the real estate brochure from our previous home in Westport, Connecticut. I hadn’t looked at it in some time and so with fresh eyes I studied the pictures of the home that we had lived in for twenty years. I only wish I had some of the before photos- they are probably buried somewhere in the garage in our old photo albums.…
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love a good decorating book (magazines too, but that’s for another blog post). Books make great gifts for anyone who loves interiors and home design. The problem is, everyone is afraid to buy them for me because they think I may already have it. Chances are they’re right. While I’m buying the newest design books as a gift for family and friends, I may or may not buy them as a gift for myself too……
I still love Christmas as much as I did as a child. I love the way it smells of cookies and pine needles. I love the taste of eggnog and wassail (and of course the cookies too). I love the sparkle and magic of the decorations. I love the carols and music, which I start playing the day after Thanksgiving. I love our Christmas traditions and starting new ones here in California. But most of all, I love spending time…
What the heck is Wassail or Wassailing you might ask. It’s a version of hot mulled cider. The word “wassail” comes from an Anglo-Saxon phrase which means “good health”. Wassailing was traditionally done on New Year’s Eve and Twelfth Night, but some people drank Wassail on all the twelve days of Christmas! I guess they wanted to be really healthy. Here in my household we start right after Thanksgiving. It’s THAT good.…
I’ll admit it. I have an addiction…to pillows. I’ve learned through Instagram and Pinterest that I am not alone in my pillow hoarding. You know who you are. I fall in love with pillows, like most girls fall in love with shoes or jewelry. Here’s the rub, I buy them without even knowing where in our home they are going to go! I have pillow covers stacked in closets and drawers- and don’t get me started on the down inserts!…
