Down By The River
May 14, 2012
The romance of the Old South evokes the architectural imagery of grand estates with dignified columns and sweeping balconies. But here on Spring Island, a 3,000-acre island in the South Carolina low country, some dwellings appear more as organic products of the woods rather than grandiose antebellum abodes. The exclusive community, which maintains nearly half of the island’s acreage as a nature preserve, is touted as an ideal home for “those who come not to be seen, but to behold.” Read more…
South of the Border
May 7, 2012
Springtime inevitably brings about parties and gatherings that require a festive meal to feed a crowd. Whether you’re hosting a graduation dinner, blowing out birthday candles, throwing a shower, or simply looking for an occasion to dust off the patio furniture, this make-ahead Mexican feast will ensure you enjoy the fete without scurrying around frantically the day of your bash. Even better, this menu invites guests to contribute their own complementary dishes to round out the meal, such as salsas, grilled corn, slaws, fish, steak—the taco toppings are endless. Serve the pork shoulder with warm tortillas, spicy pickles, hot sauce, crumbly cotija cheese, lime wedges, and any of your other favorite condiments. Read more….
Detail Oriented
April 23, 2012
Overlooking Long Island Sound, this home in Rye, New York, which houses a young family of five, boasts a wealth of details that tells the story of the family and their home. “The mother is super-organized,” explains David Thiergartner, of Bradley Thiergartner Interiors, in New York. “Every drawer is labeled. Everything has its place. Many of the built-ins and architectural details sprang from a concept of organization, that everything should be as tidy as possible.” Read more…
Join The Coupon Craze
April 16, 2012
Living The Dream
April 9, 2012
When Guy and Charlene Leavitt decided to build their dream home, they didn’t have to go far. In fact, just two blocks from the home they lived and raised their six children in over the past twenty-five years was a vacant lot that would become the setting for their three-bedroom retirement home. Consisting of four stunning acres—two of which are a preserve—in Ahwatukee, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, the lot backed up against the mountains, creating a picturesque backdrop for the finished home and guest house, boasting an underground firing range, swimming pool, and RV garage. Read more…
‘Farm to Table’ In Your Own Backyard
March 5, 2012
The Sweet Aromas of Spring
February 27, 2012
Author Caroline Ford writes, As winter’s frost melts into the soft pastels of a budding spring, I’m eager to gather my friends in celebration. The bright colors of the season’s edible treasures need nothing more than a clean, white tablecloth and a bouquet of fragrant flowers. Enjoy this light lunch on a sunny patio or fling open your windows for a fresh breeze and the sweet smell of spring. For a twist on a standard mimosa, I’ve paired a sweet rhubarb syrup with tart grapefruit juice to create a flirty pink cocktail that’s a welcome refreshment as your guests join the party. Since nothing says spring quite like asparagus, I’ve placed rows of tender green stalks on top of zesty ricotta cheese tucked into buttery puff pastry. The individual tarts are served alongside herbaceous mini frittatas and vibrant pink gravlax on rye crackers. For a decadent finish to the garden party, I love serving a classic combination of berries and cream. Sweet and rich, the roasted strawberry ice cream highlights the gorgeous colors of this tender spring fruit. It’s outstanding accompanied by pieces of dense poppy seed pound cake or fluffy angel food cake. These recipes will serve a party of six, but they can be easily doubled for larger festivities.” Read more….
Pinehurst and Southern Pines, North Carolina
February 20, 2012
A Home-Grown Park in Pittstown
February 13, 2012
“A landscape can be an evolving thing, and there’s no need to feel this sense of forcing it,” says Howard Roberts. “Sometimes things reveal themselves that you didn’t even expect by being a little more patient.” Patience is exactly the virtue Roberts needed during the twelve years it took to transform his run-down, three-acre property of empty fields into a mature, lush, and private retreat for his family. Involved in the landscape industry for more than thirty years and currently the owner of New Jersey-based Cross River Design Inc., a landscape design and build company, and its offshoot, Liquid Inc., a custom pool and water feature design company, Roberts had all the tools he needed to embark on his evolving design. Read more….
Date-Night Makeover
February 6, 2012
If you’re like most couples, date night involves some version of a dinner out followed by a visit to the cineplex to catch the latest blockbuster. The dinner-and-a-movie routine is part of an enjoyable night out, but mixing things up on occasion stands to benefit couples, too. Whether you change the theme, the time of day, or the location of your date, replacing your go-to night out with something new can help you bring the excitement back into your relationship and discover new qualities in your significant other. Ready to revamp the traditional night out? Here are eight fresh ideas to inspire a date-night makeover. Read more….
