Exclusive: Tucson economy bounces back!

Tucsonans are spending again, according to a survey by Home Is A Four-Letter Word, a fledgling website in the city. The survey found an increase in property prices,  movement in the residential real estate market, and shoppers more willing to part with their money compared to a year ago. However, the survey has landed HIAFLW [...]

Doing one’s business (or in the case of Hubby, not)

It’s nice to set deadlines. I’ve found that announcing a dinner party or full-blown fiesta is a sure way to get some jobs done around here. It works both for friends who visit regularly (we want them to see we’re progressing) and for people who’ve never seen it before (we want them to see the [...]

Our wobbly journey to minimalist chic

  I’m giving you a sneak peek here, you lucky people, you. This cozy courtyard and luscious building was created by Tucson architect John Messina. I spent way too long at his house the other week interviewing him and his wife Tania. That’s what happens when you realize you have a few things in common, like [...]

Disassembly required

There it sat in its  brown IKEA flat pack, egging me on. You know you want to. Oh yes. Try me. Come oooooon. How hard can it be? I come with instructions. Most of my bits click into place. You barely even need a screwdriver. Go on. Try it. “Mummy’s just going to get this [...]

Sssh. Can you hear the rustle of red tape?

Ooh, this country and its rules. The bureaucracy. The screeds of instructions for the pettiest of things. It all does my head in, to use a great British phrase. And the biggest culprit is the United States Postal Service. With no offence to my lovely mailman – because he is friendly and smiley and parks the [...]