Packing tips for traveling with carry-on luggage only, even if you're going on a long trip. Since my bag was lost on a two-week family vacation to Biarritz, France, a few years ago, I have switched to carry-on only. Aside from the chance of lost luggage, having carry-on luggage means no baggage claim, no baggage carousel, and no extra cost for checking a bag. Lost luggage is probably ...
Healthy Mediterranean Hummus, Basil, Tomato Tartine Recipe
This easy, healthy Mediterranean, hummus, basil, and tomato tartine is a great alternative to pita chips or crackers with hummus. It’s a savory combo of a few healthy ingredients along with some very satisfying flavors. Fresh tomatoes from the garden work best here. Not only do they taste great, but the colors are deep and rich, and this tartine tastes as great as it looks. However, this time ...
Using Scallops in Design is on Trend
Using scallops in design is on trend. I have to say I love it. For months, I've considered sharing this on Sunday Favorites with Mary Ann and Cindy. Then this week, I saw a custom banquette using a scallop in the design, and it stopped me in my tracks. I love a banquette in a kitchen, dining room, or any living space. But a banquette incorporating a design element with scallop trim will always ...
How to Dye Fabric With Rit Dye
The easiest and best way to dye fabric with Rit dye Back in the 1980s, my sister and I each bought a stack of beautiful napkins from the sale table at Williams Sonoma for about $2 each. The Damask woven pattern is beautiful, and the quality is great and hard to find these days. They hold their shape and size with very little coaxing. I wash them, give them a snap, and hang them to dry. Unlike ...
How to Shop the Nordstrom Sale for the Best Deals
How to shop the Nordstrom sale for the best deals, plus my wishlist of things I'm buying this year! I'm joining Cindy and Mary Ann to share our Nordstrom Anniversary Sale favorites. Why is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale such a big deal? Sales are usually after the season, but the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is fall, and winter items are on sale before the season starts. The same items ...
How to Make an Old Potting Bench Look New
I wanted to do a little makeover on our potting bench once the original wood started to weather. And not necessarily in a good way! If it were made of teak, then that would be a different story. When we first moved into this house, the area where the potting bench sat was filled with weeds and overgrown shrubs. You can see the before/after graphic at the bottom of this post. Today I'm ...