We’re off to see my fabulous in-laws razzle dazzle ‘em in the Broadway revival of Pippin. Tonight is opening night on the Great White Way. Charlotte d’Amboise and Terrence Mann play husband and wife, Fastrada and Charles in the revival. They haven’t shared the stage since Jerome Robbins Broadway in 1989 when Terry came in to replace Jason Alexander who was leaving to do a little show called Seinfeld. Charlotte and Terry united during that run, got married and had two fabulous daughters, my nieces Josephine and Shelby. Both will of course be in attendance tonight donning their finest duds.[…]

  

My May issue of Sunset Magazine arrived yesterday in the mail (yes, I still subscribe the old fashioned way) and I opened it to find my dream backyard- although the Ten/Houston family garden seen here is actually their front yard. A classic movie lover’s retreat- modern, efficient, comfortable, beautiful and so fun. Perfect for a Tuesday night viewing of North by Northwest on a summer’s eve (mom- you’ll have to be in town for that one!) or great as a backdrop for a blowout bash. I had visions of scenes from our favorite films projected on the outside of the hacienda wall[…]

  

Nope, not that Steve & Eydie- although I love them too- but Martin and Brickell. An inspired pairing- I mean really, based on those two alone, I’m buying their new album. Listening to Love Has Come For You is like sitting on the front porch with your momma sipping sweet tea (or rosé if you’re my mom and I) and chatting about any and everything. That’s really what it sounds like. But not in an old fashioned way, in a modern meets nostalgia kind of way- the best kind of way, I think. The word “email” is sung in the first verse[…]

  

I recently attended a tasting of Dr. Loosen Rieslings led by Ernst Loosen. What a treat. I arrived at Grape + Bean, one of my favorite vino haunts, to be greeted by Mr. Loosen (or Ernie as he refers to himself) seated on a stool sipping some Hefeweisen. The quote of the night: It’s funny how winemakers, somms and wine geeks alike hightail it to the bar for a beer after hours. Makes sense, I used to go for a foamy frosted glass after a long day of staff and/or industry tastings. (sounds like a rough life, right.) A refreshing[…]

  

After a rough week, the Beatles quote above is a nice reminder of what’s really important. These photos were taken by the talented Bree Linne at my mom’s wedding reception earlier this month. Their ranch outside of Fort Worth proved to be picture perfect and was truly a sublime setting for a kickass party. I wish I was headed out west this weekend but we’re headed north to Baltimore instead for brunch with our friends who are expecting their baby girl in June. I love Baltimore and am always happy for an excuse to get up that way. If the bebes still[…]

  

This one is on my must go list. To read NY Times correspondent Gardiner Harris words, Reggie’s Camel Camp is one of few places to “recall the era of the maharajahs and their spirited bond with the British”. He tells tales of Reggie Singh, Camel Camp Osian’s proprietor, passing around free bottles of champagne at his decadent little hideaway nestled in the Indian dunes. Located in Jodhpur, India, on one side of the dunes lie Osian temples and the other, mystic views of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. This is truly a castle in the sand as it sports a[…]

  

Our hearts and minds are with the people of Boston and the families of friends of the victims in Monday’s terrible tragedy. I am at a loss for words but I love Patton Oswald’s sentiments. Related posts:Beethoven Meets the Biebs?The Human TouchMy Kind of Town: Alexandria Is

  

Have you heard of this guy? Chances are, if you’ve paid attention to the news in the last couple of weeks, you have. This is Egypt’s Jon Stewart. A heart surgeon turned comedian/political satirist… in Egypt. He was recently jailed for remarks he made about Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi on his fake news show, The Program and is now out on bail. This guy’s show is hilarious. He does send ups of world leaders donned in bowler hats complete with jazz hands and isn’t afraid of a good joke even when it gets him sent to the pokey. His show has become[…]

  

I love this. I’ve been singing lots of Do-Re-Mi to the bebes lately. They love it (and so do I), there’s nothing like those Von Trapps to brighten your day. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I am going to see one of my ballet students in ABT’s Le Corsaire at the Kennedy Center- go Ryan- so proud of him. Otherwise, we are laying low and hanging out. I heard this great 8 minute history on Johnny Cash’s recording career this week. A fun listen coinciding with the release of the his complete Columbia Records recordings- a 63[…]

  

Meet Super Maeve. I am lucky enough to live nearly next door to Maeve and her fabulous parents, Megan and Vu. Less than a month ago Maeve took a fall at the playground. Her parents took her to the doctor after she complained of some pain in her belly. The dr. assumed it was a stomach virus but sent her for some extra tests just in case. Those tests revealed several cancerous tumors in Maeve’s abdomen, lungs and liver. To think that a 2 year old that simply took a fall on the playground would be facing such news is[…]