Our entire household has been struck down by Influenza A this week — Merry Christmas to us — so I thought we could all use a little luxury in our lives today. Plus, who doesn’t want to put their best foot forward heading into the New Year? I am so excited to introduce all of…
Since last week’s Grinch Hot Chocolate was a big hit, the girls and I decided to ride out Winter Storm Elliott in the kitchen creating another kid-friendly holiday drink. Lilly suggested something inspired by The Sugar Plum Fairy. The Nutcracker is one of my favorite Christmas traditions — both the 1892 Tchaikovsky ballet and Disney’s…
For those of you who follow my travels because of my time in the Disney space, you’re in for a treat with today’s post. There’s a full dose of Disney magic in store. I’m physically incapable (not joking) of being in California without visiting at least one Disneyland Resort theme park. During my latest trip,…
Although a piece of my heart will permanently reside in Manhattan, and I physically reside in Indiana, I find myself on the West Coast every few months for one reason or another. During my latest trip to Newport Beach, my husband surprised me with a dinner reservation at 21 Oceanfront, a spot we’d never tried…
My oldest daughter, Lilly, has recently developed an obsession with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Somehow, she’d never seen the movie before this year — I’ve clearly failed as a parent in that regard — and it’s been all Grinch all the time since she discovered Who-Ville. She even got lucky enough to meet The…
Effervescent people aren’t supposed to be depressed. People who have the “perfect” family aren’t supposed to struggle. People who have every material item they could want or need aren’t supposed to suffer from mental health problems. Yet, this illusion has been shattered time and time again, with Anthony Bourdain, Robin Williams, Kate Spade, and Alexander…
Less than a year ago, the Newport Beach Marriott was reinvented as VEA Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa. The transformation the property has undergone is astounding, transitioning from a conventional choice for families and business travelers into a world-class establishment with amenities on par with much pricier hotels. From the moment you step…
There are few cocktails more classic than a French 75. Named for the 75-millimeter cannons the French used during World War I, the drink itself is friendlier than the name implies. A traditional French 75 comes together with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. For this week’s drink, I added…
My house was built in 1872, so it’s “lived” through everything from the sinking of the Titanic to the Great Depression to the Civil Rights Movement to hair metal. If these walls could talk, right? While we’re lucky to have a lot of great original features — hello, 19th-century woodwork — I’ve been leaning into…
When you enter the storied Omni Severin hotel in downtown Indianapolis, it’s all sumptuous furnishings, chandeliers, and granite tile floors. The Severin opened in 1913 as the Grand Hotel of Indianapolis, and its original appearance has been largely maintained. At first, the last thing you expect to be tucked down a side hallway is an…