A few minutes ago I rung up my best friend, and I laughed for a good thirty seconds before I uttered the word hello. Her fabulous fiancé penned me a hilarious guest post on body washes, and his mixture of humor and acerbic wit are perfect for my website. During the conversation I recalled [...]

This morning I woke to visions of Chocolate Babka dancing in my head. I readied myself for a full day of brioche and semi-sweet chocolate, however, my hopes were dashed when I realized that the dough process takes well over a day. OH THE HUMANITY, PEOPLE. I sat, clutching my bar of chocolate, miffed. [...]

Unless you’ve been in hibernation or immersed in a deep coma, financial analysts and retailers alike are anxious over your holiday spending this season (or lack thereof). Last year was the bleakest on record, and this year promises a marginal rebound. We’re holding on to our wallets, hawking our savings, and buying necessities. Our [...]

Over the next few weeks I plan to showcase covet-worthy presents. From the simple to the sumptuous, I’ll offer my selects for supreme gift-giving. Letterpress stationery, perfumed illumines, buttery leather and sugary scrubs – I’ve got you covered. However, today I’m taking a moment to craft my own wish-list, which is mainly a hodge-podge of [...]

It’s been quite some time since I’ve been smitten by a cookbook. As of late, many feel pretentiously branded, filled with staid recipes, parrotted techniques, and uninspiring photos — processed, if you will. Food books that lack passion and narrative. So believe me when I say that I never anticipated finding treasure. Who knew [...]

Wrap up your cool autumn cache with an essential layering piece, the finishing touch, the crowned jewel of your downplayed ensemble — the deluxe scarf. Realize we’re not speaking of the $10 sidewalk faux pashmina or the nubby wool warmers from the Gap, rather we’re currently coveting spun silk wrapped around our necks, second-skin [...]

At dawn, I bolted out of bed. Not from excitement for the food debauchery that would ensue come afternoon, but from a terrible nightmare. This wasn’t your typical frightening fare — ghouls didn’t hover, blood didn’t make an appearance, and I wasn’t flung into the ocean. Rather, I was back in that Valley Stream [...]

Clearly we feel the need to unbuckle our belts and open our wallets this holiday season. After a year of hard work and miserly living, part of us wants to let loose, indulge and splurge on that third, midnight slice of chocolate caramel cheesecake (don’t you dare judge!) and the blinking banners announcing 75% [...]

At this very moment, I am completely in my element. The dark, overcast day has a cast an actinic glow, and the whole of my apartment is fragrant with luscious chocolate and glistening caramel. Candles illuminate the rooms. I’m making epic preparations for a holiday dinner I’m hosting tomorrow, and when it comes to [...]

You spoke, I listened! Last week, I invited you to give me feedback on what topics would make your experience on my site a more auspicious, useful one. Many of you requested makeup tips, tricks and how to’s, and since the extent of my cosmetic application knowledge comes down to applying press powder and [...]

Prime your debit cards for the scary frenetic shopping season is upon us. Personally, I’d rather
set my hair on fire with an acetylene torch than hit department stores in the wee hours of the morning. I’m fearful of stampedes and perfectly pleasant, mild-mannered folk, who channel the demonic when encountering a 50% off sign. Believe [...]

Call me nostalgic but I long for a return to frame bags and men who wore hats. Ladies who wore their perfectly coiffed hair and voluminous dresses like plumage and gentlemen who never dared to leave their home sans jacket. And when I think of elegance, of an era defined by soigné sophistication, I [...]

There’s nothing more classic and comforting than pound cake. Whether your baking lemon poppy, chocolate cinnamon swirl or luscious pumpkin, the pound cake is quintessential dessert fare. When I set out on my journey to indulge my gastronomic cravings in 2002, Nigella Lawson’s Madeira version was the first hint of vanilla that perfumed my [...]