Morning brings the ritual of coffee. When bedtime draws near, I often fantasize about having it in the morning, waking up to the amazing taste, smell, and enveloping warmth. I have been known to audibly moan upon taking my first sip. Midday I am walking or running my gorgeous mutt. Okay, most days. When it's … Continue reading In Praise of the Five O’Clock Cocktail
Author: Wendy Franzen
Nautical Chic
I have great affection for the open water. Its influences can be seen in both my home and closet, where the colors of ocean, lake, sand and dune dominate. The outfits above were inspired by my recent trip to the sea, but adjusted for our current cooler climate. I love the idea of mixing and … Continue reading Nautical Chic
Anatomy of a Dinner Party
I am sitting at the dining room table with my favorite cookbooks strewn about and Martha's Entertaining open wide, taunting with gorgeous tablescape imagery. As I plan the menu for a dinner we are hosting next weekend, I am thinking not only of the ingredients for my dishes, but also of the ones that comprise … Continue reading Anatomy of a Dinner Party
I’ve Gotta Fly to St. Somewhere…..
I'm off to escape winter's chill with good friends and family. And yes, admittedly, listening to Buffett while fantasizing about boat drinks and stone crab as I pack. Half a dozen swimsuits, three dresses, white jeans, my go-with-everything bronze Jack Rogers, and far more pareus and tanks than I'll need have so far gone in … Continue reading I’ve Gotta Fly to St. Somewhere…..
The Winter Blues
This long sloooow march through the colder months often saps my spirits and ambition (cue The Dream Academy's Life in a Northern Town). It is much easier to spring out of bed when the sun's rays embrace us early. I am sharing a short list of things that carry me through the winter doldrums, and … Continue reading The Winter Blues
What is sexy?
What is sexy? My 9-year old daughter recently asked this from the backseat of my car (isn't that where all of the amusing/difficult/serious inquiries come from?) after hearing the word in song lyrics. The question gave me pause. Not because I didn't want to answer, but because sexy is undeniably subjective. I responded eventually in … Continue reading What is sexy?
Queen of Hearts
I abhor whimsy. I really do. So much so that after expressing that exact sentiment to my husband, he had it printed on the bum of boyshort undies and gave them to me for Christmas. Paradoxically, I have always loved heart iconography (it is inherently whimsical, is it not?). My great-grandmother wore a beautiful diamond … Continue reading Queen of Hearts
New York Revisited
Let us go back to New York and revisit three favorite experiences (after Freemans, of course): The famous French macaron shop, Laduree (see above). Located on Madison Avenue between 70th and 71st streets, Laduree's only shop stateside is as beautiful and sweet as the amazing confections it sells. My first impulse was take one of … Continue reading New York Revisited
Freemans Love
New York did not disappoint. A full recap of the weekend's adventures will come, but I could not wait to share our favorite night at my favorite spot in the city: Freemans. Rustic, chic, dark, cozy and intimate, Freemans serves the most amazing cocktails alongside perfectly portioned, mostly-American comfort food. Let's start with the drinks … Continue reading Freemans Love
New York State of Mind
As the sun rises over Chicago, I will be off to New York with a great friend for the weekend. I've packed. Repacked. Edited the repack (what is it about New York that turns me into a complete style schizophrenic?). The plan is to soak up as much art as possible - we met as … Continue reading New York State of Mind
the aesthete and the dilettante 