The Ultimate Oxford Shirt
The Oxford shirt has been around for decades – maybe longer – and is one of those wardrobe pieces that never goes out of style but finding a well made, stylish, and great fitting Oxford shirt made of 100% cotton at a reasonable price is a challenge. If you happen to be a woman with a long torso and arms, then the search is even tougher.
My husband swears by Brooks Brothers but he’s a guy shopping for men’s shirts (and the company’s women’s shirts are too short in the torso for long-waisted women). I’m a gal looking for women’s shirts and swear by Abercrombie & Fitch and specifically, the men’s Oxford Shirt with the Muscle Fit (as opposed to the Classic Fit) meaning the shirt is cut slimmer and fits closer to the body. Meant for a man, but fitting for a woman (sounds like that 1970’s commercial for Secret deodorant that went something like “strong enough for a man but made for a woman.” Read more 
The KeepCup
How do you measure the impact of not doing something?
Most parents, if asked, would say that one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century is the Sippy Cup – a spill-proof cup designed for toddlers. When my daughter was a little, she loved her Sippy Cup because she could drink from any number of angles and never spill a drop. I loved it for the same reasons – especially in the car, on a plane, or when she was sitting on a piece of upholstered furniture. She continued to use her Sippy Cup for years after toddlerhood and her reluctance to give it up never bothered me. In fact, I used to tell anyone who would listen, that the Sippy Cup is truly one of the best inventions ever and that Sippy Cups for adults would be the next great invention. Read more
649 Bars of Soap
What is elegance? Soap and water. ~Cecil Beaton
A bar of soap seems like one of the simplest things in the world. Just add water, lather, and wash away dirt, germs, and oil but soap can do so much more than leave skin clean. A truly great bar of soap can also make skin soft and smell wonderful for many hours making creamy, lightly scented soap one of life’s true luxuries.
At Smallflower (www.smallflower.com) – an on-line apothecary (pharmacy) established by the 140-year old Chicago-based Merz Apothecary, shoppers can choose among 649 different bars of soap. Choose among 115 brands and 135 different scents from 24 countries. Read more
Mystic Knotwork Bracelets
The nautical look is a style that seems to be timeless whether it’s the quintessential French sailor’s shirt or the American nautical rope bracelet. Back in the early 80’s, I remember purchasing my first Breton red and white stripe long sleeve sailor shirt for $26 in Newport, Rhode Island along with a white nautical rope bracelet that I wore on my wrist for most of the summer until sand and dirt mixed with water (and probably spilled beer) pushed it into retirement. The preppy look reigned at the time and although briefly threatened by the flash of disco fashions, the nautical look persevered and is enjoying a resurgence in popularity today. Read more
Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Baker
Baking is a passion and since Valentine’s Day is all about love, enthusiasm, and devotion, why not consider a gift this year that expresses the same sentiment but in a different way to those who rely on the oven to work their magic? Bakers put a lot of effort into having the right tools, bowls, pans, and appliances to bring their creations to fruition but with the constant introduction of new products, there’s always something a baker needs (as opposed to wants), including: Read more
Chocolate Hearts
I’d rather have chocolate on my table than diamonds on my neck.
Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” quite like a box of chocolates especially when the confection is in the shape of a heart. Rich dark or creamy milk chocolate hearts neatly placed in a gift box or covered in shiny red foil are not only lovely to look at but a delight to unwrap and enjoy. For the adventurer, a ganache or praline filled chocolate heart may also be the perfect gift. Whatever the preference, choose among the many chocolate options by some of the best: Read more
Handwoven Cotton Throws
Several years ago, I restored my husband’s great grandmother’s farmhouse in Iowa: a 2-story 900 square foot 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom little brown house that sits on a hill overlooking rolling hills of corn and soybeans. The project took nearly two years to complete but when finished, the “Little Brown House” looked like the little farm house my husband remembered visiting as a child.
With softly pleated green and white pinstriped curtains covering every window, multicolored braided rugs on the old wooden floors, and an upholstered sofa and rocking chair swathed in shades of “sage” and “celery” colored fabric, the Little Brown House was nearly perfect when the final touch was added: a handwoven apple green cotton throw by Nantucket Looms. Read more
Bring Back the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, Please!
Station wagons have a reputation for being about the most uncool car in the world among the younger generation but that wasn’t always the case. Those of us who grew up in the 1970’s and 1980’s more than likely drove the family station wagon (affectionately referred to as the “draggin’ wagon”) which for all intents and purposes was a movable party mobile with a V8 engine. Read more
Bring Back Home Economics
Why is so much classroom time spent on Math, Science, English, and History and so little on Health and Nutrition?
Kids and teenagers are overwhelmed with homework, standardized tests, AP courses, sports, and extracurricular activities – all of which require the brain and the body to perform at an optimum level for success. Yet, time is rarely allocated to learning about what it takes to properly nourish the body because parents, schools, and outside sources (i.e. McDonald’s, Five Guys, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle) provide the finished product (food) to our kids. Read more
Veggie-Go’s
Most fruit leathers are made from fruit puree concentrate (usually apple) combined with juice concentrate but not Veggie-Go’s by Naked Edge Snacks of Boulder, Colorado. Made with whole organic fruits and vegetables, spices, and organic flax seeds, Veggie-Go’s are delicious snack leathers with no added sugar and only 2-4 grams of naturally occurring sugar in each serving (most fruit leathers have 8-12 grams of sugar per serving). Gluten-free, non-GMO verified, kosher, vegetarian, and vegan, Veggie-Go’s are a delicious snack for both kids and adults. Read more
Paddock Post 