Summer is synonymous with spending time outdoors, and what better place to soak up the sun than your own backyard? But creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for entertaining can be tricky, especially when the heat is on. Here are…

Let’s face it, entertaining isn’t always a Martha Stewart production. This past weekend, I found myself scrambling for last-minute party ideas – a far cry from my usual elaborate planning. My husband, ever the pragmatist, suggested Doritos and calling it…

While most of the country is sweltering, we are still chilling here in San Diego in the low 70s. It feels a little odd to be so much cooler than the entire country, but I’m not complaining! I know our…

There is a well-known food adage that says you should only eat oysters in a month that has an ‘r’ in it.  If you are risk-adverse, stick with that sage advice. However, I like to test boundaries, so let’s investigate…

Staying close to home is a safe bet right now, but chilling in place can be a summer bummer for many kids and teens. Get your kids off their phones and Netflix, and make sure to follow my social media…

Dermatologists, retailers, and consumer groups are increasingly recommending mineral sunscreen products for their high performance and safer ingredient profile. But there’s one major mineral misstep: using plant-based ingredients that are not FDA approved to get higher SPF values. Yeah, that’s…

  Parents! Your teen daughter has ONE plan this summer and it’s to snap pics of herself looking like a cartoon dog throwing up rainbows on Snapchat. The attraction of social networking, messaging and apps is SO strong, that you’ll…