by Chrysa Smith OK, so it's not Les Mis. But one has to be in the mood for Les Mis. We were in the mood for quirky, neurotic humor and those who dish it out. So we went to see Fish in the Dark. If you're not familiar with Larry David, and have a sense of humor that finds jolly in the midst of the everyday, you should be. He's the guy that [...]
They say that personal growth comes from trying new things; stepping out of the proverbial box. So, I have to hand it to my husband Mark. He stepped completely out of his comfort zone in a very stylish manner. Now mind you, Mark is probably the most conservative person I know. He grew up in Montana--a very homogenous, small and simple environment. He has donned the same couture for decades: jeans and golf [...]
I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy. You might even say that I strongly avoid fantasy and sci-fi flicks. So, you might be wondering why I'm speaking about dinosaurs. Well, it's obvious. I was one of those first weekend movie-goers to see Jurassic World. Why? Well, not only do I need to be part of the greater relevant world, I actually liked the first one made two decades ago. And I think this hopeless [...]
I know, I know. There are some people who tune right out when I talk about food and cooking. Well, cooking anyway. But what if I told you about a way to have some fun in the kitchen? (No, not that kind). The kind where you're adorned with an apron and a spoon. You're in a nice, warm place over an open fire and you're smelling some of the best possible aromas---frying onions, garlic, [...]
By: Chrysa Smith I’m at 41 North. It’s the upscale nautical, boutique hotel right in the wharf in Newport, Rhode Island. And (like they say at McDonald’s) I’m loving it. We’ve been to Newport before. And we always enjoy coming back. If you haven’t been, do. What a quaint shore town---home to the Tennis Hall of Fame, various yachting events and rows of mansions from the Gilded Age. Besides being pampered, one of [...]
By: Chrysa Smith Have you seen the commercial? An explosion of color, the scene at a tropical mansion looks like something from Fantasia. Bikini-clad women sit poolside with tropical birds and drinks all in bright shades of hot pink and blue, yellow and lime green. A Caribbean vacation? Florida resort? Nope. Just a trip to your local Target. So grab your beach hat because Lilly Pulitzer has arrived. That's right. Lily--the uptown beach boutique designer has [...]
By: Chrysa Smith Growing up, I was lucky enough to have a trio of matriarchs in my family. All sisters by birth, they couldn't have been more different. First there was my grandmother---a quiet woman who liked to sew, brush my hair and make me Tom Collins' and hot dogs with ketchup. She lived in a Brooklyn row house and, except for a few factory-type jobs, was a homemaker. Nonetheless, she always had [...]
