The Stork Club Brings Back The Golden Years Of Manhattan.

Do you recognize many of these familiar faces? Liz Taylor with her parents, Rock Hudson, Arlene Dahl and Fernando Lamas and also a shot in the crowd of Orson Wells. This was the center of Cafe Society and what a "hot spot" it was in my memory bank.




Where the Stork Club once stood on East 52nd is now Paley Park. William S. Paley Chairman of CBS took the spot of the former Stork Club to create Paley Park. A beautiful "vest pocket" park in the center of New York City. Delightful.

To My Mother, A Woman Of Amazing Style & Grace.

To my mother, Pauline Ruggiero, who saw beauty in almost anything. Her inspiration lives on in me and my family.

Thank You.

St. Joseph Day March 19, An Italian Tradition!

Of course, having the name Joseph was a big event in my Italian Family. My father would go to the Italian bakery and buy the St. Joseph's pastry to celebrate San Guiseppe with a delicious confection called Zeppole. Basically, cream puffs filled with custard or ricotta cream.

Fond Memories of Travel in Japan.

I have great respect for the Japanese culture and design esthetic. My travels in Japan with my daughter who produced the "Best of Japanese Design" for HGTV, have influenced many of my fabric and furniture designs. I pray for this country that will have a burden to rebuild and continue with the lives of their people. Their gracious hospitality will long be remembered by me, my crew and those who shared in our television documentary.

Stork Club; New York Memories

Wonderful memories of the Stork Club. The legendary spot where the elegance of New York City flourished during the fifties, and sixties. So festive at this time of year; especially New Year's Eve. Paley Park now stands in its' place; a tribute by Bill Paley to the spot where much "Social" history was made.

White Christmas

This is for 50% of the Country. We can only dream in Southern California.

Swedish Proverb fits the Christmas Season

Fear less, Hope more; Eat less, Chew more; Whine less, Breathe more; Talk less, Say more; Love more, and all good things will be Yours. Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Sweet Memories of Thanksgiving Baking.

Thanks to the talents of my daughters: Meg and Beth we have sweet memories of Thanksgiving. From the Pumpkin Cream Pie, Apple tart to the home made breads of Rosemary and Cranberry Walnut that Beth created to the Flour Less Chocolate cake with Orange Zested Whipped Cream from Meg. Such a nice tradition to bring to the gathering.

I am thankful for their time, efforts and love.

Happy Thanksgiving To All!

This Thanksgiving as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving Thought.

This morning in Los Angeles...thank you!
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was "thank you" that would suffice.

The words of Meister Eckhart (above) a learned philosopher.

Kay Thompson, a Woman of Style and Nerve.

Kay Thompson, a woman that cultivated "nerves of steel." In Sam Irvin's new book Kay Thompson:From "Funny Face" to "Eloise" she is most remembered as the Diana Vreeland character in Funny Face but to me and my daughters it is Eloise at the Plaza Hotel that brought many happy memories and even today with my grand daughter. I salute this "lady of style."

Constance Spry a Design Legend

Constance Spry gives arranging tips to the clothing designer Hardy Amies in 1960. Here was a woman that made floral decor an art. This innovative designer rescued items that were thought to be trash; such as twigs with moss and dried pods and leaves and mixed with abundant bouquets of multi-colored flowers in containers that were most unusual. She was and remains a legend.

The Duchess of Devonshire an Icon

A true icon of a "life well lived." The Duchess of Devonshire, now 90 years old is the last of the famous Mitford sisters. She has endured many hardships but handled them with wisdom, kindness and a wonderful intellect. I salute this "Woman of Substance."

Gloria Vanderbilt, Design Icon.

Town & Country salutes Gloria Vanderbilt with one of the most stylish covers I have seen in a while. I remember her style not as the "jean" lady but as an artist and style icon. Her collages where truly inspired and her "patch work" period inspired many including Ralph Lauren. I salute this remarkable woman of style.

Consuelo Crespi, a style icon.

We morn the loss of one of America's most stylish women, Countess Consuelo Crespi. Born Consuelo Pauline O'Brien O'Connor, an Irish American in Larchmont, New York, she went on to become a Countess and a big influence in dressing American women. She had a wonderful sense of style. Her daughter Pilar will carry on this gift.