CURRENT CATEGORY: Well-Mannered Parties

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

A new decade birthday deserves special attention. My friend Mary happens to love diamonds, so this was an easy theme.  When Audrey Hepburn had breakfast at Tiffany, she wore a diamond tiara and the photos of her are framed in the San ... Read More »

Route 66

How could I not plan a celebration for my husband’s 66th birthday? If you’ve traveled on U.S. Route 66 then you know it's legendary history. The route was also established in the month of November very close to John’s birthday, ... Read More »

The Goddess of 5^th Avenue

Buddha was born in 623 B.C. My friend Carole Simone was born in October, and she wrote a book about Quan Yin called The Goddess of 5^th Avenue. We have been friends for over 20 years, so ... Read More »

My dear friend Merla Zellerbach died six years ago.  Merla was a mentor to me, and gave me my first writing assignment at the Nob Hill Gazette where she was Editor-in-chief.  She was a force in her own right:  Attended Stanford, wrote 13 novels plus 5 self-help books, ... Read More »

Sol Sisters Spa Week

One of my favorite places on planet earth is Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. I have been a spa guest for 20 years but never with my best friends, and I so wanted to share this special place with them.

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Charlotte’s Lucky Charms:  Hearts In Healdsburg

My twin niece and nephew, Charlotte and Matthew, turned sixteen last August. The eldest of the two by two minutes, Charlotte was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) just days before ... Read More »

Trish’s Mouseketeers

‘Oh Mickey, you're so fine

You're so fine, you blow my mind

Hey Mickey, hey Mickey

Oh Mickey, you're so fine…’

Toni Basil’s 1981 hit “Mickey” is one catchy tune. But the lyrics took on a ... Read More »