New Dancing with the Stars Cast

One of my guilty pleasures is watching Dancing with the Stars. Today they announced the cast for the upcoming season. (premiering March 18th). Included in this year's cast is Wyonna Judd, Dorothy Hamill and Andy Dick.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Pet

Country Living has over 100 answers to questions about all kinds of pets from dogs to goldfish. Great resource.

One of a Kind Kitchens

I think these hammered silver cabinets are gorgeous. I also know mine would have finger prints all over them. Elle Decor has a slide show of one of a kind kitchens featuring great color, art, unusual light fixtures, textures, and tables.

Inocente - The First Kickstarter Funded Documentary to Win An Oscar

Eight Apps that Help You With All Those Little Things You Forget

I have been looking for one of those password apps that help you log into all your websites. I ran across this article in Reader's Digest about 8 apps that help with all kinds of things we forget, like keys, meds, what we were going to say on the phone, birthdays and of course passwords.

I am off to go check out DataVault, bytNotes and Hone (for my keys).

Today's Favorite Post in the Blog World

Ran across this blog post in Psychology Today by Meg Selig... How is a Crossword Puzzle like Changing a Habit?

Selig says..."lately I’ve been noticing how this pleasant activity teaches a set of attitudes that is actually useful for successful habit change.  Here are seven ways a crossword puzzle can provide the attitude adjustment that will help you change a habit."

It's Oscar Night!

It's Oscar night and you know what that means... the red carpet and fabulous dresses. Here is a slide show of the all time best 50 Oscar dresses.

5 Things to do With Old Candles

Love these tips from Apartment Therapy. I have a whole drawer of old candles. My favorite tip is to light a candle to keep from crying while slicing an onion.

Fashion on the Amazon

Many years ago I traveled up the Amazon on a small fishing boat. (Think African Queen) It was kind of rough and hot. But I was younger and was photographing so was very happy. The Amazon is stunning. So beautiful. I also caught a piraña and the cook on the boat cooked it for my dinner. They are very boney!) Next time I want to cruise the Amazon in style. Cond´e Nast Traveler has a terrific article about Spring Fashions in the Amazon.

Before and After

Don't you love Before and After pictures of design projections. Design Sponge has a whole series of them. This one is of a cabin renovation.

Was Your Gym Teacher Wrong?

Many of the techniques that you learned in gym class are now considered passé – and downright risky. “A lot of it has to do with the evolution of the science,” says Jessica Matthews, M.S., an exercise physiologist at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). “Numerous studies have come out in the last decade about the most effective ways for stretching.

I learned quite a bit about stretching from this article in Weight Watchers. Who knew I was doing so many stretches wrong.

Ageless Style

I love this combination. I am seeing a lot of colored jeans and capris for this Spring and Summer. I wondered if I was too old. Then I saw this picture of  55 year old Inés de La Fressange. Easy Living magazine has a slide show of ageless style icons.

Mapping the Human Brain

Interesting article in Psychology Today about the new ten year project to map the human brain. According to the author Bruce Paulson, Ph.D.

The effort promises to advance technologies for treating conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, while also improving the various therapies for a range of mental illnesses. If the project comes close to the economic boost of the Human Genome Project, it would also provide needed economic benefits for the country.

Bergdorf Goodman's Gothic Salad Bowl

Bergdorf Goodman's restaurant recently crossed the one million salads sold mark for it's famous Gothic Salad Bowl. Want to know why it is so popular? Here's the recipe.

Decorators' Color Palettes

I love how designers choose their color palettes. I once saw a palette created from ice cream flavors. Better Homes and Gardens shows favorite palettes from a number of decorators. I particularly like the one above from Kristian A. Howell.

32 Garden Fountains

There was snow on the surrounding foothills this morning, but I can't seem to stop myself from thinking about what I want to do to in the garden this Spring and Summer. First project...a fountain in the back yard. Sunset has some good ideas...

Writers and Pinterest

Poets and Writers Magazine has a helpful article about how writers can best use Pinterest to connect with their readers.

Cupcakes - Lots of Cupcakes

I am in the mood to make cupcakes. I need an occasion and company over, otherwise I will eat them all. Southern Living Magazine has a good collection of cupcake recipes. I am thinking the Chocolate Key-Lime, the Lemon Curd Angel Food, or Salted Carmel Chocolate. Yummmmmmm. Do you have a favorite cupcake recipe?

How to be Comfortable in High Heels

I still love wearing high heels but have zero tolerance for shoes that hurt. Ladies Home Journal has some good tips for making high heels more bareable. My favorite tip... Foot Petals cushions.

Ina Garten's 1770 House Meatloaf

I just got Ina Garten's new cookbook - Barefoot Contessa Foolproof. The first recipe I am going to make is the meatloaf from one of her favorite restaurants, the 1770 House in East Hampton. You know if it's from Ina Garten it's going to taste wonderful. And if it's a "foolproof" recipe...well that's for me. Here's the recipe...

14 Shades of Red

I have been thinking of painting my bathroom red, with a white pedestal sink and black and white tiles floors. What do you think? Will I get tired of it too fast. Of course with the black and white floors I could easily repaint. The online Lonny Magazine has 14 great examples of red rooms.

Makers: Women Who Make America

I just set my tivo to record this on Sept 26th at 8PM (San Francisco time), on PBS.

Hula Hoop Press

Have you visited Hula Hoop Press yet? You can email my animated greeting cards for free!

New Eyeglasses

Well, it's finally happened...I can no longer get by on $19.99 reading glasses. Tomorrow I have an appointment with an optometrist. If I am going to be making an investment in eyeglasses, I want not only to be able to see better...I want cute. Here are some suggestions from O...

The Best of New Zealand

New Zealand is most definitely on my "bucket list." CNN travel gives me even more reasons to go. Did you know that it's a great place to star gaze? The new Queenstown Trail is 110 kilometers of walking, running and biking trails. Oh...and did I mention their wineries?

New Embroidery

I did quite a bit of embroidery in the 1970s...mostly on pillow cases. I've been thinking that I would like some of those pillow cases in my guest room (only a bit updated). Leave it to Martha Stewart to have instructions and templates for some 21st century projects.

Spring Color - Pistachio

According to InStyle Magazine it looks like the color Pistachio is going to be big this Spring, including this great top from J. Crew...more...

Life of Pi - The Movie - 5 Reviews

I'm trying to get in as many best picture nominations as I can pre-Oscars. This week it's going to be Life of Pi. I thought the book was fabulous. Here's what the critics are saying about the movie...

The Rolling Stone Magazine
The Guardian
Los Angeles Times
Roger Ebert
Washington Post

Malibu Beach Celebrities

I love these three paintings, in the March issue of Vanity Fair, of celebrities on the beach. One is from 1933, one from 1995 and one from 2013. Wouldn't they be great in a beach house? Or, anywhere in my house?

20 Minute Toning

Here's a workout for strength and tone from Better Homes and Gardens. Doesn't look very hard and would be easy to fit in during the day. It's got to be convenient. Gym memberships just don't work for me. I pay and then never go.

Ten Best Chocolatiers in the World

If I had an unlimited amount of money and easily burned off calories, I would travel the world taking pictures with my iPhone and eating chocolate. National Geographic has listed 10 of the world's best chocolate makers.

Breakfast Smoothies

I have been making a lot of blueberry and banana smoothies (#17) lately. Here are 41 other smoothie recipes from Whole Living.

Floral Table Runner

I thought this idea from Real Simple would be so great as a centerpiece for Easter. I would tuck some eggs in among the grass and flowers.

Dog Friendly Gardens

I love these ideas from Sunset Magazine for dog friendly gardens. My dog Lola would love these paths and look-out spots.

Hairstyles For Every Age

Looking a new hairstyle? More Magazine has a slide show with great haircuts that work for every age.

Iconic Bathing Suits

I'm not quite ready to be thinking of bathing suit shopping. (Actually I am never ready to think of bathing suit shopping.) However, InStyle Magazine has a slide show of some of the best iconic bathing suits of years past.