My friend P.J. (Patience Jordan) has started a blog and the following is one of her first posts. Right now she is just experimenting- when she gives me the go ahead, I’ll give you a link to it.

Since La Dolce Diva is all about friendship, I thought it would be great to share it with you.
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I met my first true love in high school. We did everything together! We even went to prom together. Planned our lives out to include one another in every crease and crevice.  But there were riffs now and then. Communication was poor and our relationship suffered greatly, but somehow we always seemed to find our way back to one another. We eventually moved in together and we were closer than ever and then suddenly we weren’t. Our lives started to take different paths and there was a distance that was never there before.  And then I went through one of the most life altering and painful losses of my life and that true love was no where to be found! The love and support that I so desperately needed had ran dry, and I was left to face this tumultuous period of my life alone. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m proud to introduce Doug, my wonderful brother-in-law, who so graciously wrote this post on how to roast your own coffee beans. I’ve been the lucky recipient of his delicious home-roasted coffee beans and can fully attest to their yumminess.

So, take full advantage of this once- in-a-lifetime divulging of coffee-roasting secrets. Go forth and roast beans to your hearts content. Thinking of calling my personal barista Doug to roast them for you?

Fuggitaboutit. Get your own brother-in-law.
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Greetings! Jennifer asked some months ago if I would be interested in blogging about coffee. This was not just some random request on her part – in addition to being an avid (rabid?) consumer of espresso, I also roast my own coffee beans. So I agreed to share my thoughts and musings about this albeit low-thrill hobby on this forum. Read the rest of this entry »

When I first decided to leave a thriving fashion career in New York about 13 years ago, one of the main reasons was to be near my sister who was going to be having a baby soon.

It was definitely not an “A-HA” moment where I was suddenly the girl in the Lichtenstein painting that declares in her thought bubble “Hey, I forgot to get married and have babies.”

I simply was ready to be near my family again.

What I wasn’t ready for was the feeling of being left behind.

While I was away pursuing my dream of being a fashion designer, I didn’t remember making the conscious decision NOT to get married and have a family. It just kind of evolved.

Read the rest of this entry »

click image above to see full photo

I’m in the planning stages of some exciting changes at La Dolce Diva.

To get me started, I’d love your input! Could you spare a few moments to answer 10 questions?

It’s completely anonymous.

I may have a few more surveys in the coming weeks – stay tuned.

You’re opinion matters! You may see the very changes you suggest in the near future.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SURVEY

Thanks again for taking the time!

La Dolce Diva, Inc.

Life’s a bath, Soak it up!

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails..that’s what little boys are made of.

My new nephew was born Monday – Little Dolce Dude to you

This is not  a post about coupons or mail-in rebates. It’s not even remotely connected to an offer from Starbucks. Well, not really.

It has to do with Starbucks gift cards.

I thought I’d let you in on a little secret that has helped me keep my addiction or obsession with Starbuck’s Venti Old Skool Vanilla Lattes alive and thriving.
Read the rest of this entry »

I love Italian cuisine. I love its rustic accessible preparation, presentation and use of fresh ingredients, Yes, FRESH ingredients.

Here’s the rub. Herbs. I love fresh herbs and I usually swear by them. A recipe isn’t the same – I’d preach to you!

Well, herbs are not cheap and they are so fragile. I always feel bad throwing away the little wilted green leaves of lovely basil.

This past week, I received my quarterly shipment from Styrker Wine Club. I knew I had a nice bottle of Speedy Creek Cabernet and I really wanted a bit more than chips and cheese dip to accompany it. Bruschetta Caprese immediately came to mind.

When I reached for the fresh basil, I winged a bit. I knew I wouldn’t finish a bottle of wine and all the tomatoes this evening. The basil leaves would be wilted in a few days. I looked at the tube of basil. I’d seen it before, I didn’t roll my eyes at it then, but I’d still bought the fresh basil.
Read the rest of this entry »