PART ONE of FOUR REPORTS: A Sonoma Wine Country Tour, without touring even one vineyard or tasting a drop of wine—what a concept! What the heck? You ask. That’s right, I was there to see rather than sip! I toured the retail scene for potential locations of future Cabana Home Stores. I’ve been reading about various stores and designers from … Read More
LOSS
As I settled in at home after a weekend out of town, I looked at a stack of newspapers that had accumulated from that Wednesday-Sunday, and I just could not put them into the recycling bin without first having read them. It’s not just wasting the 75 cent cost of the newspapers, and it’s not as if I have loads … Read More
Europe Report IV of V: Rogue Taxi's at Rome's Stazione Termini (the main train station in Rome)
Rome, IT: Our Arrival (I’ll let you in on this up front: There is no home fashion in this report either, just a retelling of our taxi experience upon our arrival in Rome). We were sadly thinking Goodbye Florence before happily saying Hello to Rome for our real Roman Holiday, after successfully retrieving our daughter, her luggage, and our credit … Read More
Europe Report II of IV: Florence, Italy
More about Florence accommodations: How about having your own condo in the city center? Prior to leaving for Italy, my friend Jenifer Smith, who owns Santa Barbara Magazine (sbmagazine.com) told me about another mutual friend who had recently purchased a condo in Florence. She described an incredible palazzo that had been converted into condos. Sounded right up my alley, so … Read More
LAST Of THE "CHICAGO CAUSAL FURNITURE SHOW" MARKET REPORT!
Okay, so we’ve talked a lot about the outdoor show, but in the final analysis, what’s it gonna be? Teak or Synthetic Woven furniture for you? Let’s explore this for a moment. Photo above: The many faces of Teak, in stages from new, to gray, to new again. Teak can have great style, and it has a real sense of … Read More
DAY TWO – NEW YORK INT'L GIFT SHOW
A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY ON THE BANKS OF THE HUDSON RIVER WITH JUST ME AND MY GIRL… Oh how sweet is that title! Doesn’t that read like a romantic day in Paradise? Well more accurately, this Pier is just another venue for the Int’l Gift Show, which is held in a huge and somewhat run- down ship terminal on the … Read More
DAY TWO – NEW YORK INT’L GIFT SHOW
A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY ON THE BANKS OF THE HUDSON RIVER WITH JUST ME AND MY GIRL… Oh how sweet is that title! Doesn’t that read like a romantic day in Paradise? Well more accurately, this Pier is just another venue for the Int’l Gift Show, which is held in a huge and somewhat run- down ship terminal on the … Read More
OUT IS IN, AND IN IS OUT?
What’s that you say? You ask.That’s right, out is in and in is out! What part of that don’t you get?Ah…yes, there is a word or two missing in the title, and a thought or two as well.Try this: What has been commonly used indoors, is now being used outdoors. Likewise, that which is commonly used outdoors, is finding its … Read More
Packages aren't always Gifts!
I know I’m supposed to talk about dressing as it relates to the home, but I’ve just come from the gym, and well, maybe there should be fashion police. Come on guys…whats up with the spandex. And, for that matter, you gals ought to consider a check in the three way mirror before leaving your digs. No, gentlemen, the gym … Read More