Life is Art
Hello, friends! Welcome to FROM THE RIGHT BANK 2.0! I wanted to share this quote because it is the perfect encapsulation of la belle vie and it’s my mission to help you live it. I hope the new site gives you plenty of food for thought …
Author: FROM THE RIGHT BANK
Simple Ways to Celebrate the Seasons
How many times do we find ourselves saying we can’t believe it’s almost the end of a year, a season, or some other marker of time? My mother says as you get older, the years seem to go by faster and faster and now that …
Three Steps to a Home You Love: Declutter, Organize, Elevate
Having helped many people make their house a home and having lived in quite a few houses myself, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a home a happy one…… a home that just feels good…… where we love being. After contemplating these ideas …
Personal Style. Its Importance, How to Find It, and a Shopping Strategy
Personal style is complicated. It could easily be dismissed as shallow and inconsequential. And sure, it’s not going to save the world but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Above all, it’s one of the key ways we tell the world who we are. Whether …
Why Travel Matters
Throughout my life, travel has been my greatest teacher, greatest passion, and greatest source of inspiration. It has had a profound effect on my worldview and has shaped me into the person I am today. More than ever I think connecting with other cultures is …
How to Make Everyday Cooking Easy + My Six Favorite Non-Recipes
Food, glorious food! I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about, planning, and seeking out good food. Whether it’s a simple one pot dish at home or a Michelin-starred tasting menu, I live by the credo that it should delicious, healthy, and occasionally decadent. …
100 Books Challenge
The arts enrich our lives in immeasurable ways and are a huge part of la belle vie. And while I regularly attend art exhibits, concerts, and the theater I’m not reading as much as I would like and I know I’m not alone. Wanting to read …
FTRB’s Top Hotels: the Resort Edition
Welcome to the second installment of FTRB’s Top Hotels. This edition is dedicated to resorts that made a lasting impression on me. What they have in common are their very special and unique settings, beautiful design, and wonderful dining which is important when staying in isolated …
The Original Leopard Parsons Chairs. An (Updated) Epilogue
Note: It’s been over five years since I designed these leopard parsons chairs and they are still the thing I get the most emails and DM’s about so I thought they deserved a blog post. I pieced together this post using archives and backups. The original …
Must-Have Design Books of Fall 2018
One of the very best things about fall is the new crop of design books and the abundance of beautiful ones this year is off the charts. Here are five of the very best for fresh inspiration. And with the holidays upon us, they would …
FTRB’s Top Hotels: the Historic Edition
I’ve had a lifelong love affair with hotels. For me, they embody the romance of travel and evoke a sense of adventure and a boundless world. They can transport us to another era, invite us to live a lifestyle different from our own for a …
How to Pack Smart and Stylishly for Any Trip
As I see it, there are basically three schools of thought when it comes to packing. Some people can throw some things in a bag, often at the last minute, and be perfectly content. Others like to pack practically everything they own and are not …
Summer Food Bucket List & Favorite Summer Recipes
One of the joys of any season is the food and as the temperature rises and days get longer, I look forward to indulging in all of my favorite summer foods…… Fresh peaches picked from local orchards eaten straight off of the tree, baked in …
200 Films Challenge
Here’s a fun idea for my fellow cinephiles out there. Years ago, I was inspired by Michael Green who started something called the 101 things in 1001 days challenge (now called the Day Zero Project) to watch all the films that won the Oscar, Palme d’Or, …
Introducing La Belle Vie Show, a podcast about life
I have some exciting news to share today! Please allow me to introduce to you….. La Belle Vie Show! La Belle Vie Show is a podcast my best friend Kristen and I created as a place to discuss what it means to live a beautiful and …
Super Simplified Seasonal Cleaning Checklist
Cleaning doesn’t sound like a very belle activity but it is a necessity for a beautiful and comfortable home. Think of it as an opportunity to set the right tone for the season ahead. I attempt to do this four times a year (spring, summer, fall, …
Single Variety Bouquets and How to Arrange Them
There are actually only a handful of things I consider a must-have for la belle vie and at the top of the list are fresh flowers. They instantly beautify a space, elevate a table setting or vignette, and lift your mood. Growing up, my mother had Friday …
Favorite Fall & Winter Recipes
Aaaah, fall……. with its changing leaves and clear blue skies…… no one doesn’t love fall, including me. But for me, one of the best things about fall is that it means my favorite season is just around the corner. Yes, you read that correctly, winter …