April 16th, 2013 No Comments

salted cherry blossoms: a recipe for sakura tea from andrea gentl of hungry ghost food and travel

Oh my god, how absolutely beautiful…is what I thought when I saw these photos from photographer Andrea Gentl. If these photos don’t take your breath away this morning, then I think maybe a cup of coffee is in order. This week Andrea posted these photos on her blog Hungry Ghost Food and Travel along with the recipe to make Sakura tea. She explains that Sakura tea (or Salted Cherry Blossom Tea) is often served at weddings in Japan. Andrea graciously allowed me to share some of her post below (so keep scrolling down!) For even a few more … Read more

April 15th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: inspired by lilacs

This week’s color palette was inspired by our floral contributor, Michael George, and his garden in upstate NY (His arrangement on his table shown below). Once Lilacs are done flowering you should snip the blooms off. Then keep watering and fertilize so that each spring you will have very fragrant blooms. Lilacs need a period of cold to bloom. So if you live in a locale that is warm all year, you should stop watering after September to force it into dormancy. Note: As we do every week with our color palettes, the names and numbers above are from Benjamin Moore … Read more

April 12th, 2013 No Comments

entertaining with victoria amory: 3 recipes for plum & cranberry gourmet cooking sauce

As part of our on-going series with celebrated cook and tv personality Victoria Amory, Victoria will be sharing recipes for her new line of gourmet cooking sauces every Friday in April. Today Victoria shares with us 3 recipes for her plum & cranberry sauce! Don’t forget that all four flavors of her sauces are all sold through hsn.com.

April 11th, 2013 No Comments

interiors: 2 great paint color tools from benjamin moore

If you are planning on a renovation or just like to paint rooms, furniture etc. every so often, I find a very helpful tool to have on hand is the Benjamin Moore Color Preview Fan Deck. For $25 it can save you trips to your local store for swatches and keeps them all together by color family for years and years. Also available in Fan Decks are their Color Stories, Classics & Historical and Affinity collections. You don’t have to be a designer or set decorator to keep one of these on your desk! Another great tool is the … Read more

April 10th, 2013 No Comments

flowers with michael george: forsythia

I noticed over the weekend that the flowering trees were showing their buds. After a few warm days we will be pruning our forsythia and bringing the branches into our home. One or two large scale, 3-5 foot tall and others that will fit. Compliment the yellow forsythia with white or yellow market daffodils or another seasonal bloom in small containers. Keep it natural and simple, relax and enjoy the spring. -Michael George Note from Lynn: I’ve learned a lot from Michael of the years and he always has great tips- which you can find in his book- Simply … Read more

April 9th, 2013 No Comments

never underestimate the power of a paper pom pom to make guests smile

Whether you are throwing a baby shower, birthday party, a small party for friends or a large wedding- tissue paper pom poms always seem to put a smile on everyone’s face. Usually hung from the ceiling, trees or beams with clear fishing wire, (or as you see above hung by ribbons) anyone can decorate like a pro with these fun paper crafts. Hang them in varying sizes, colors and heights for the most visual interest. They come in almost every color and are available from craft stores, to Etsy.com to paper supply companies. My go-to store for inexpensive party supplies … Read more

April 7th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: pink, red & blues inspired by a 1955 Life magazine cover

This week’s color palette is inspired by Life Magazine’s July 18, 1955 cover of Audrey Hepburn. A few weeks ago I found some old magazines and books. I love pouring over the old ads too. (I guess it’s fitting to include it this week when AMC’s Madmen series returns for it’s 6th season.) The article was short and no photographers name was given for the photographs. Here is what it said: “An Idyl for Audrey: In Italy she relaxes down on a plush farm. Peace and privacy are hard to come by for any movie star, but Audrey Hepburn … Read more

April 5th, 2013 No Comments

entertaining with victoria amory: introducing 4 new gourmet cooking sauces and sharing recipes for each every friday in april

I’m honored to know the effervescent and talented Victoria Amory. She is a celebrated cooking and entertaining expert. Victoria’s Spanish roots growing up between Madrid and Sevilla with her parents the Count and Countess de la Maza and their gracious way of entertaining certainly influences all her endeavors. Now splitting her time between Palm Beach, FL. and Greenwich, CT. with her husband and three boys she somehow finds time to contribute to many publications, do TV appearances and is working on her third book (really it’s her fourth book, since she was a co-author of Palm Beach … Read more

April 4th, 2013 No Comments

gray and yellow color palette inspiration

Gray rooms, kitchens and even a studio space like we saw Monday have been very popular of late. Adding pops of yellow in accessories and flowers brings the gray to life. Here are a few inspirational rooms and tabletops using a gray and yellow color palette. (Image above from Crate and Barrel)  Notice how even natural materials like a concrete tabletop, the aluminum on the chairs and even gravel can be the gray in your color palette. Soft touches of gray like the painted woven pattern on the celing bring in small amounts of gray and add visual interest. Even … Read more

April 3rd, 2013 No Comments

flowers with michael george: spring is in the air, daffodils make a beautiful table setting

Spring is in the air; the bulbs remember. We looked closely this weekend and found hellebores in the garden. Six florets in low crystal bowls, a few naturally colorful eggs, great food and it was a fete complete for Easter! Another idea for a spring table is a crisp white linen tablecloth, pale yellow napkins, white plates and 4″ or 5″ containers filled with yellow daffodils and placed with whimsy around the table. – Michael George For ideas and floral techniques be sure to check out Michael’s beautiful book, “Simply Elegant Flowers with Michael George”.