I stumbled upon this curious shell tree during a March beach walk in Boca Grande, and got to wondering about its architect ...  was he or she a he or she?  Young or old?  A local or a visitor like me? 

Several decades ago, while I stumbled along towards an unpreventable divorce, a therapist told me I was "a searcher".   Well I certainly was searching then -  for a way to mend this enormously sad situation I was facing.   But what else did she really mean?

I'm still searching for the answer.  READ MORE

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Today we've got a mash-up of ideas to make your Mother's Day sparkle and shine, and a miss mash of just some other cool and interesting stuff.  

Let's start with the header image above - what on earth is going on here?  And it's even more incredible if you click to see it in its entirety here, because it's a video, not a still photo.   I'm dashed if I know, but I'm pretty sure it was made with AI.    Now don't be too impressed  ...  it was the Instagram account name "UniqueworldAI" which tipped me off.   Let's pause for just a second, can you even begin to contemplate what we'll all know how to do with AI, and the relationship each of us will have with it, by this time next year?   <Insert video of 3000 middle aged heads spinning>   READ MORE

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Is there such a thing?!   Usually, I'd say no.

You know how I say that writing this note is one of my favorite parts of the week?  And oh it is oh so true.   But today, I’m coming to you from beneath a glorious, slightly teetering tower of too-muchness.

Between a flurry of bespoke design projects (really dreamy ones - new scarves and so much more - I can't wait to share!), along with prepping armfuls of flowers for the grand Historic Garden Week house tour this past Saturday, my days have been brimming. Truly brimming. With lilacs. With lovely dressmaker details. With logistics. With laughter. With lists I’ve lost track of.

It’s all been an absolute joy — and also, a gentle reminder that even beautiful things can be a lot.  READ MORE

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