Ladies Who Lunch Conversations

I adore Chinoisoire & it seems my blue hydrangea do too! 💙🤍
I love this elegant, enduring look, don’t you?

With Toni Sabatino – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

This morning I received an email from announcing the loss of Carlo Petrini, the much beloved founder & global leader of the Slow Food movement.
I am sorry to have learned he suffered a “long and difficult illness” yet not surprised that he never stopped giving “his time and energy to his vision”

When I met Mr. Petrini years ago, he and were the featured speakers advocating for his dream ~ it was a perfect summer day, a smallish group gathered casually yet respectfully, under the tent in Brooklyn.
We shared Mr. Petrini’s passion for “good, clean & fair food for all.”
He ~ and Alice ~ educated us as to how this dream could become a reality.
I left inspired. And grateful to have been gifted the opportunity to meet and learn from such a visionary leader.
From just a small group in the Italian countryside to his annual Terra Madre conference to the global footprint of Slow Food chapters, Mr. Petrini will always be revered …
I am sorry for our collective loss… and yet join in celebrating his life. Thank you. Molto Grazie.
🕊️✨💚

Flowers and Plants are the stars 🌺🌼🌟of the feature documentary films created by our special guest, Maria Morris PLANTPOP

Maria works for PlantPop, a horticultural film studio. She creates short and feature-length films that explore the relationship between people and plants.
With a background in documentary filmmaking and a passion for storytelling, she has captured the astonishing beauty and mystery of plants using the lens of her camera, her passion for the plants and storytelling, and her film art talent, to elevate plants and horticulture ~ spotlighting communities & perspectives that rarely find their way to the screen.

You will hear Maria describe who the story is about: the plants or the grower?... With her filming taking her to global destinations, I asked what her favorite destination has been. Can you guess? And what is her favorite floral fragrance? How did she come to be a filmmaker ~ working to showcase the magic of plants? (As an artist who claims plants are my muse in garden design, literature, and fragrance, I can readily understand the curiosity and seduction...)

Maria generously shared her journey for this passion project that has informed her career. She tells us how, as a filmmaker with PlantPop, it has been such a transformative experience ~ and how she hopes audiences feels the same sense of discovery, connection, and inspiration that it has given her.
Without a doubt, Maria is a very special inspiration to us. Not only to plant and art lovers... Listen and enjoy how a dream comes true when you trust and believe in yourself.

Maria's first feature-length film, "Daylily" will soon be available to view streaming, if you missed it in the cinema. The Link for trailer is the event invitation and here:
https://youtu.be/ITcx5ptLgx8?si=0U_5CJoP8DKxghib
And her newest film, "Rosa" is in production, slated to be released next year. Can't wait.
In the meantime, please visit PlantPop and their social media.
I'll be sharing more and keeping you posted too.

Thank you again, Maria. You are such an inspiration.

Maria writes “The stories each flower can tell us are endless.”

PLANTPOP https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B6KpUNoj4/

Please view our previous Ladies Who Lunch Conversations guest Nicole Trevor to learn about incredible inspiration and courageous nobility. We can all support her efforts for brain tumor research
We love and admire you, Nicky.

If you haven’t seen our Conversation, please scroll back and you can also read feature on my Garden Glamour blog.
♥️⭐️

Acoustic Neuroma Awareness Week - Gray Nation Endurance Athlete Nicky's Story | National Brain Tumor Society Meet Nicky T., a three-time brain surgery survivor who is redefining what it means to make a comeback. After relearning to walk and talk following her acoustic neuroma diagnosis, Nicky turned to running to reclaim control of her life. Now, she’s putting meaning behind the miles by training for her...

It was about this time last week that I finally got home (more on that after the happy news) This story is about incredible food & drink, community, & what a Dame won’t do for a cookbook! 😉

It was an grand event & fundraiser at our beloved Grand Dame 👩‍🍳at her restaurant to celebrate her cookbook, Pasta. 🍝
I was honored to work the pre-dinner VIP soirée, with fellow Dames & helping to sell raffles & cookbooks. (And indulge in incredibly tasty pre-antipasto)
I got my Lidia autograph cookbook there. ✨🫶

Soon, we headed downstairs to dinner ~ with Dames from NYC, Florida, & these two charming Charleston Dames, we filled more than a few rooms & friend There was a river of pastas, salads, steak, salmon +++ 🧆pannacotta, Constellation wines, speeches & Lidia generously sharing her astonishing life story. All so fabulous.
I had placed the cherished cookbook on the sideboard. Several times during the meal, I meant to ask Joanne to hand it to me.
Alas...
And in the general bonhomie when leaving... 🙃
Joanne & walked a bit, I grabbed a taxi at 42nd. As I got in taxi, I realized I left the cookbook 😳I exclaimed, “I left the book.” I immediately called Becco’s ~2x but they were closed. The vigilant taxi driver asked if I wanted to go back. I was desperate as I was leaving town next morning so agreed. After all, it was only a few blocks. “OK” I sighed. He whirled a U
but with the closed streets, it was an odyssey. Maybe an hour! With the high heels on (I hadn’t worn in eons) I was a victim of circumstances.Finally at 46th, driver instructed he’d wait on the avenue & that I could scoot to restaurant cuz he couldn’t go around block due to road work.he waited at corner.

So, like a S*x in the City episode, I scurried up in the heels as fast as I could go not knowing if Becco was open.The street was pretty deserted but yes ~open! I sashayed to back & voila, there the book still sat... waiting for its cookbook mama ☺️

After 90 minutes, i was home.With Pasta.But oh the meter! + had to overtip All in~costliest cookbook ever🙉
My Dame triumph⭐️🤭😉

Happy Mother’s Day Mommy aka 👩‍❤️‍👩💗
We celebrated our blessings at Mass, followed by my traditional Eggs Benedict & Mimosas.
I made a cake with delicious cream cheese frosting from Cake cookbook 🍰 with a touch of lilac coloring and topped off with our fresh garden violas. Sweet🌼💜 And the extra finishing touch were the little mirrors with happy thoughts & daisies in lilac! Kismet.
Mother loving our gift I sourced from ~ 60 minute Ritualr di Cura 👩‍🦳 We’ll do that wellness ritual followed by a ladies lunch.

Happy Days.

Wishing all the mothers, godmothers a day of honor, love & respect. And don’t forget to nurture nature. Mother Nature 🌿💚

With Consejo Coordinador de Mujeres Empresarias Nacional – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉