When I was a young teenager my mother taught me a very valuable lesson about friendship. I had just entered middle school and badly wanted to befriend a group of girls whose attention I could not attract. “Don’t try”, counseled my mom. Be who you are and if the bond is meant to be, it will abide. Focus on your own goals and pursue your own interests, as unrequited effort is distracting and often shallow … Read More
The Monarchy is the Hollywood of The British Isles. I could pretend that I am immune to the frivolity of pop culture, but in fact, I find it to be the ultimate brain drain. I enjoy the escape. The marriage of William and Kate, the hype of which has risen to a feverish pitch, is just days away and I wonder if the BBC will match the media frenzy already initiated in the … Read More
This week’s Intimate Discovery: A delectable New York City boutique shows some Skin™
After several futile attempts, I finally had the
pleasure of visiting Sugar Cookies, a sumptuous lingerie boutique located in New York City’s eclectic Chelsea neighborhood. The store is a visual treat, but, I was particularly intrigued by owner Susanne Alvarado’s enthusiasm for the Skin™ Lingerie brand on which, as a merchant, she has focused and consequently drawn a critical following … Read More
I have never had a propensity for birds. To me, they always provoked images of tiny flying dinosaurs. I did not understand the great fascination with these flighty creatures until I made the acquaintance of Lily, the beautiful Moluccan cockatoo that resides at my local garden shop. Lily lives in a large white cage, the delicate wire frame of which manages to enhance her noblesse rather than restrain it. Lily perches her feathery soft body … Read More
This week’s Intimate Discovery: A Fun and Funky Gift Idea for Someone Special
I could not help my reaction to 
Blumegirl’s personalized patch thong when I recently saw this clever item. It brought back so many memories of scouring souvenir shops with my children searching for a key chain, license plate or magnet with their name on it. Now, celebrities are scooping up Stacey Blume’s panties and publicity is rampant as they are featured … Read More
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There is a moment when the Magnolia blooms
These buds are there all winter
They rest cocooned in a lacey canopy
Stagnant on this tree
Me watching at the bedroom window
Perched above
Waiting for the great escape.
The petals will open this spring
Enormous bowls of silken pink
Curled into the sun
Transforming the tree and me to a place of poetry
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Light has shifted in the western hemisphere and it is … Read More
This week’s Intimate Discovery: Elegance and Simplicity Enter the Robe Market
A few months ago, I had the pleasure
of meeting Cynthia Varat, the creator and owner of the Louis At Home loungewear brand, launched at retail for spring 2011. Having spent 10 years of my own career ensconced in the development and production of this core Intimate category, I recognize quality when I see it. Made in Peru of the softest, lightweight Pima … Read More