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Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin was born into a family of relative privilege.  Her father was an adept textile merchant and savvy politician.  Barbe-Nicole inherited his intellect and work ethic.

Butterflies are everywhere this season. Attract these delicate and beautiful creatures to your garden. Try this!

Create a sunny butterfly bed

Fashion gives us lots of choices. With each purchase we choose to be romantic and lacy, bold and bright, tailored and timeless or salty and free spirited. Many of us grope to find a fashion voice that rings true for us. When making financially sound shopping decisions, it's important to distinguish between classics and trends. We have some tips that may help.

What’s the true measure of a happy traveler? Speed and grace. A girl just can’t have fun if she’s weighted down by heavy suitcases bulging with wayward fabrics and uncooperative shoes. The first rule of packing for a trip this season is layering. The second rule is fabric content.

If you live in North Texas, this weekend would be a perfect time to plant tomatoes from transplants.

I love lists. I really do. The top 10 new restaurants or shops in town. The 1,000 places you have to visit in your life time. One of my favorites - the top 100 books everyone needs to read. And if I can take that list and put it in a spreadsheet and compare it to other lists, I'm even happier.

Karen Noseff, founder and designer of Fortune Denim Jeans, is a young woman with big plans. And she makes those plans come to life in spectacular ways. She grew up with a love of singing, dancing and art, but her parents urged her to focus on her studies and find a career with security and stability. Though she wanted to perform and design, she ended up in law school.

People may not remember the origin of blue jeans, but no one can forget James Dean strutting across the big screen sporting jeans, a white t-shirt and black leather jacket in Rebel Without a Cause.  Other heartthrobs such as Marlon Brando and Elvis Presley wearing those sexy denims helped spawn jeans' popularity in the 1950's. After generations of being considered sturdy work clothes worn by factory workers and miners, they became part of the off-duty American wardrobe.  Considered controversial and rebellious, some establishments banned them.

Andrée Putman, the acclaimed French designer and interior architect, once said, "I love America, and I love American women, but there is one thing that deeply shocks me......American closets. I cannot believe one can dress well when you have so much."