Weeknights are one of my favorite times to get together with friends. Not only is it an unexpected time to have a party, but the anticipation of a social event makes a middle-of-the-week workday so much more fun! I know, I know: the thought of cooking, hosting, and cleaning up sounds like a lot to tackle after […]
From the day I posted my first image of two air-brushed cowgirls on a truck tailgate, I’ve been hooked on instagram. I love the platform for it’s simplicity, hunt-ability, and intimate quality. For me, it’s primarily a vehicle of discovery. It’s where I found the Hotel Costes, the killer style of a lady named Sydney […]
If I had to choose the fantasy that I return to most often, it would be to live near the beach. There’s nothing that relaxes me like the sound of crashing waves and the scent of saltwater. I’ve heard people say that when you live at the beach, you start to take it for granted […]
We’re all familiar with the old adage that soup is good medicine, but lately it seems that broth, specifically bone broth, is getting all the attention. You can’t read the NY Times or turn on NPR or the television without hearing a story touting bone broth’s miraculous healing powers for skin, nails, hair and overall […]
When photographer Buff Strickland and I approached Commander’s Palace, we were greeted by two vivacious ladies in black pants and pink tops. Lally Brennan and “Ti” Adelaide Martin were the definition of New Orleans charm — impeccably put-together and disarmingly friendly. “Do you know what Ti means?” asked Lally with a devious smile. “That’s short […]
Kelley Lilien, aka Mrs. Lilien, has been shaking cocktails since before she learned to tie her shoes. “I would often fix up my mom and grandma’s drinks,” she says. “Which is when I discovered the creativity in it. Years later, I drew the same discovery from cooking.” As an adult Kelley has parlayed these cocktail-mixing […]
For most of us, half the battle of clean eating lies is making sure that healthy food is always conveniently close at hand. Let’s face it: when we’re craving an afternoon snack, we’re probably not going to wash and cut veggies for a salad when it’s so much easier to reach for the cupcakes sitting on the counter. […]
Seems like there’s always a new “it” superfood popping up in the news, from bee pollen to spirulina to chia seeds. But what’s the element that makes a so-called superfood… truly super? Since there’s truth to the saying that “you are what you eat,” my definition is a fresh, whole food that’s naturally bursting with vitamins and minerals, […]
Will it waffle? I’m only now discovering what an important question this is. I love discovering new uses for my kitchen tools—the slow cooker, the pressure cooker, the blender, and the rice cooker have all been the source of new culinary discoveries this year. But what about the waffle iron? A quick internet search led […]
Heidi Swanson’s cookbooks are deeply rooted in a sense of place. Her personal anecdotes and signature, muted photographs paint a rich picture of her busy and interesting life in idyllic Northern California. Heidi has written two cookbooks and her highly anticipated third, Near & Far: Recipes Inspired by Home and Travel, is due out this […]
Since the launch of our Entertaining With series (almost three years ago!), we’ve showcased everything from a hearty supper in the Virginia countryside to a stunning summer lunch on a Manhattan rooftop. All of these entertaining extraordinaires bring something uniquely their own to their gatherings, and there’s certainly something extraordinary about everything that today’s hostess touches. Besides serving as editor-in-chief of This Is […]
You might think I’ve lost it, but these days I get really excited about a loaf of stale bread. One bite of this salad, though, and you’ll get it. Crisp, peppery, bright radishes and the subtle licorice kick of fennel punch up tangy, olive oil-drenched croutons, with herbs, just-bitter-enough radicchio, and salty cheese further mixing up the […]