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: Mary Fran Bontempo I really should get over it. But the truth is, I can't get enough of the adventures of Carrie Bradshaw and friends from the 1998-2004 HBO hit Sex and the City. While I never saw the originals, which I'm certain would have made me gasp and blush, the edited version of the series that seems to be on at some point every day has me hooked. Sex and the [...]
By: Chrysa Smith My friend Cleta is a woman of discriminating taste---in home fashion, couture, culinary undertakings and of course---friends. So, it took me by a bit of surprise that she recommended a trip up to the outer limits of Ottsville, PA. Ottsville? Yes, Ottsville. Now if you know Ottsville, sorry to say, there ain't much there. Some nurseries, pretty scenery, the entrance to the state park. But I do know that the [...]
Wedding season is not over at the Bontempo house, so original writing from me will be in short supply for the next few weeks. Until then, enjoy whatever I can find that looks fun and interesting and thank Chrysa Smith for coming up with original thoughts! The quiz below is fun and told me that my passion is communication. Very true, so perhaps there's something to this one. I'll be back in the [...]
By: Chrysa Smith Let's see. Hmm. How can I describe my husband? Well, he's tall with deep blue eyes and salt and pepper hair. Not skinny, not heavy, he's got a solid build with nice strong arms, long, muscular legs and slightly ruddy complexion. People used to say (years ago) that he resembled Matthew Perry. He did, sort of, back when he was a few pounds lighter, a few hair shades darker. He [...]
By: Mary Fran Bontempo Miracles do happen. This past weekend, our son, David, married his fiance, Kelly, mother to our darling granddaughter, Emma. Cue angels singing, rays of sunshine filtering through the clouds, and rainbows. This was not just any wedding. For many, many years, David struggled mightily with alcohol and drug addictions. There were occasions when we weren't even sure he would live, let alone get a good job, buy a home, [...]
By: Mary Fran Bontempo We've all seen them--women who wear sloppy, baggy sweat pants because they're "comfortable." Not only have we seen them; sometimes, they are us. (No need to raise hands. You know who you are.) As if sweats weren't bad enough, now we've got the resurgence of the MC Hammer harem pant. Ladies, they were ugly then and they're ugly now, unless, of course, you look like my 24 year old [...]
