Chocolate Biscuit Cake (Prince William's Favorite)

Just like two billion people all over the world, I watched much of the royal wedding today.  I loved it.  It was a perfect ceremony.  Breathtaking dress.  Stunning diamond earrings ["new" from her parents].  Elegant tiara ["borrowed" from the Queen].  And that was just the bride.William and Catherine seem lovely; Harry, a fun-loving and likable best man.  Nice in-laws too.  Now, if only the press will leave...

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The Voice Premieres On NBC

A new reality show is about to hit the airwaves tonight.  The Voice, a singing competition, looks promising ... and for all the right reasons.  It's based on talent.Allow me to digress momentarily:  Most reality shows are dreadful.  Just as processed foods are food-like substances, a show such as Kate Plus 8 is a show-like substance.  I have zero interest in it, or in pseudo-celebrities like Kate Gosselin.  She seems...

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It's Easter Sunday

The custom of giving eggs began as a pagan practice, but was adopted by early Christians.  Easter eggs are used as symbols of new life, the arrival of spring and the resurrection of Jesus.  Plus, kids love dyeing them.Michelangelo's Pieta, which depicts the body of Jesus on his mother's lap after the Crucifixion, is poignant, equally human and divine.  Easter remembers this, but more importantly, celebrates the resurrection...

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Booking Cheap Airfares Like A Pro

With the sun peeking out, is it time to book your summer getaway?  Pauline Frommer, a budget travel writer (and daughter of Arthur Frommer) thinks it's the perfect time for June.  As for July or August, you should watch and wait.  Her tips for finding the best airfares include:1) Book on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the lowest fares.2) Include a Saturday night stay for the best deals.  Business travelers don't want to stay the...

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What I Like About Mad Men And The 60s

I enjoy watching Mad Men and wish its season ran longer.  It's interesting how few of the other characters know anything about Don Draper, the show's lead ... and how the themes of identity and trust run through the series.Another aspect of the show I like is, it takes place in the 1960s, a time when Camelot and excellence were admired.  Celebrities and successful people rarely left home without looking glamorous.  Everybody dressed...

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Cooking Tagines In A Tagine

Recently I walked into Williams-Sonoma and was intrigued by a Tunisian tagine.  It's the name of a hand-painted and glazed terra-cotta pot, as well as, the spicy dishes that are slowly simmered in it.  Tagines are at the heart of Moroccan cooking and are characterized by their rich, complex sauces.The clay pot has two parts, a flat, circular base and a dome-shaped cover that fits inside the base during cooking.  When placed...

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Your Spring Wardrobe

It still feels like winter, but we have definitely moved into Spring , the time to start thinking about a more colorful, transitional wardrobe.  Taking stock of what's hanging in your closets, you may need to add a few basics like lighter sweaters and accessories, which you can wear now … and later.  Here are three retailers where you can go for fashion and value.  Each offers simple, yet elegant, ladylike style at very affordable...

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