Bonni Brodnick Blog

Let's begin our story with a little ambiance. Get up and turn off all the lights. Then  click here . (Don't be afraid to turn the volume to 11.)  Ready? On a dark night in Beaufort, there was a chill in the air as our horse-drawn carriage clopped through the streets of this low-country town in the south. Ghoulish characters   hosted the tour and told stories of ghosts and haunted houses along the route.   Spectors with harrowing tales popped out of the dark and beseiged us with their woes. "My husband promised me a plantation house and upon marriage I discovered it was only two rooms with a false facade," the widow wailed. " Who dares to come on my street on this night?" barked the marauder with the lantern. " Have you seen Charlotte? Have you seen my Charlotte? I can't find my Charlotte. Have you seen Charlotte?" asked the bewildered Confederate soldier repeatedly as he wandered the street. I t was told t...

The Olde Pink House is ground zero for crab cakes, green fried tomatoes and pecan pie. Joey, our waiter, was a hospitality whiz and made the culinary experience all the more delectable. Check please!

Seeking inspiration? Or to view your life from a different perch? Along with reading Arianna Huffington's book, Thrive , c heck out One Less. One More   by Robbie Vorhaus . (The books are a great double-read.)  With truth and candor, renowned storyteller and leadership advisor (and my close friend)  Robbie Vorhaus, tells us about his past and reveals what inspired him to write this book that comes from the heart. "Through the ageless philosophy of conscious, intentional, change; and committing to one less negative act, and one more positive action daily, you will discover joy, exuberance, harmony, peace, and personal success," Robbie writes.  I have long admired him for walking the talk. His life, marriage and family are a reflection of someone who strives for balance, mindfulness, honesty and fulfillment. OLOM is uplifting and inspiring. It is filled with transcendent wisdom that has true resonance in  showing us that the path to wellbeing start...

Gel nails can be an addiction. As soon as the bed grows out a nano-inch, it's, "Wow, I need to get another manicure. Immediately." What are gel nails? It's a snappy manicure procedure that salon peops tell you will last two weeks. And it does. Even through washing dishes and typing all day.  The gel product is polished onto the nails and then hardened by curing it under an ultraviolet or L.E.D. light. (Yes. I have been "curing" my nails.) Each time I do the gel procedure, I wonder, "Can this be a good thing for my fingernails?" They are soaked in acid, and then the acid-melting polish is scraped off. Sometimes they even apply a drummel to buff down the sensitive nail bed. It's like eating Ring Dings and thinking, " WHY am I doing this?" I don't know why the place I go to is called "Plus Nails" when in actuality they are scraping my nails down to paper-thinness. The place should really be called "Minus Na...

I learned in a design class that if one is ever wondering what would make a good color combination to paint a room, look to nature. This is stunning. Lime green and electric purple.  Flashy and natural at the same time.   What is the most brilliant color combination you can find today? Send me a photo (bonnibrodnick@gmail.com) and we'll put together a gallery. The challenge is on! Here is more inspiration ...  The above combo:  yellow walls with green trim (or vice versa) would be perfect for the breakfast room This tree bark would be insane for the breakfast nook.

My Mom, Betty Kogen My 83-year mother has been a volunteer at Norwalk Hospital for I don't even remember how many years. During our conversation today, she mentioned that they moved her volunteer assignment from ICU to colonoscopy. "I loved helping families who had someone in ICU," she said. "It was a great feeling to try to keep them calm. But being in the colonoscopy unit, I can really comfort people. When a patient comes out of the procedure feeling a little woozy, I get them water or a blanket. I love being able to put a blanket on them. That's really  hands-on helping. I love doing it." What have you (I?) done to comfort someone today? My mother is an inspiration to: 1. Give to others. 2. Keep involved. 3. Share the love.

A colorful walk in the woods.

My sister was in the West Village and sent me a photo of Cafe Wha? (where I went in 6th grade. Why??) The next day I was walking through Target and saw this psychedelic cake mix. Flashbacks ensued. Did   someone leave the cake out in the rain ?  

Grammar question: Why is the singular used when talking fashionista? E.g., "The over-knee sock works with a short skirt." "The wide-legged pant is effortlessly chic this season." "That shoe is completely badass." Ruthie Davis Shoes "An opaque black stocking would look great with ... that ankle boot." "A scarf would dress up that neckline."  (Okay, I get this one.) "Bridge Bardot knew how to wear a great-looking boot." 1968, REX USA When I am not freaking out about the ebola virus, I think in a singular fashion.

... Bonni Brodnick Blog website design. (I sincerely wish it were as easy for me to design a new website as it is to change my closets from summer to winter clothes.)

If you are in Princeton or Hopewell, N.J. zone this weekend, my brilliant and talented sister, Pamela Kogen, invites to you stop by her studio for a glass of wine and to see her new work (which I LOVE.) Hopewell is having a Tour des Artists. (Guide maps available at the Historical Hopewell Train Station.) Pamela is at Hopewell Studio  159 Van Dyke Road Hopewell, N.J. Saturday October 4, noon - 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

I find this very funny. The blog I posted last May (see below), got about 200 hits today.  Why? Are people missing their white shoes already ?  It's only October 2nd. It's going to be a long winter.