If there was ever a convergence of things that drive me- — it’s typewriters and LOVE. So when Donna Brown Guillaume sent me this Christmas gift — and I unwrapped it from the huge box it came in tonight — I immediately gave it top billing in my office. Whenever I’m down, now I’ll look…
There’s a boutique up in Montecito that Vin and I have hit a few times when we’re up there. Amanda Fazio, the buyer, has a great eye and she’s directed me to some edgy pieces. As her way of saying ‘thank you’ for our patronage, she sent this bangle — and I was delighted to…
5 Tips for Writing Thank-You Notes With Kids Why (and how) you should encourage your kids to embrace the thank-you note. And cultivate an attitude of gratitude along the way. By Catherine Newman Photo by Anna Williams Writing thank-you notes has gotten a bad rap as a chore that’s, well, thankless. (And the prospect of asking…
When we were in France with Jeff and Jan Greenhawt, I saw this great invention: an ice bag that was clear and could take water/ice to keep a bottle cool. Jeff, always-thinking, went on Amazon and just like that, ordered us each two of them. Yesterday our bags arrived. I wanted to let him they…
My note My note to Darlene, who gave me a beautiful robe — along with our friend Linda: For Linda and Darlene — I didn’t open the gift they gave me until the very last…. which I hastened to explain… along with my abject thanks. (Note: This picture is not of me or the robe, but…
Lynda Levy is an interior designer with an unerring eye. We’ve gone shopping together before and she can pull something off a rack at a clothing store that I would never have noticed — and it’s boffo. So when I opened the birthday gift she and her husband Biff gave me, I had to look…
Kate Brinegar is a casting agent who’s top in her field. We worked together years ago and always had a wonderful camaraderie. Kate has a perpetual smile and a positive, breezy attitude about life… even when the bastards get us down. Her gift — a sexy garter belt — was symbolic in many ways, and…
Eytan Keller is the producer/Director of “IRON CHEF”, and I’m a fan. Morlene, his wife, is a superb shopper. She’s hit 1000% on gifts for Vin and me. A briefcase that’s his favorite. Coasters that look like eel skin. A mustard-yellow pottery vase that matches a larger one we have. But even Eytan and Morlene…
My friend Denise Avchen is such a good mom that when her little boy was growing up — she put a love note in his lunch box every day. When she gave me this t-shirt with its message “I AM LOVED”, I was knocked out. I’m a little shy to wear it, but I will…and…
Sometimes I leave the larger bags full of gifts until I have time to really soak in all the pieces that comprise it. In the case of Gloria Shepard’s bag, I knew it was going to full of special surprises … and I wanted to really take it all in. When I opened it, I…
