THE LATEST FROM FRAN BERGER
Lifestyle
Hosting a Stress-Free Holiday Party is easier than you think!
The best part about a Holiday Party is a Relaxed Host – seriously! I’ve seen it more times than I care to remember: I attend a party or gathering, and there’s a host who looks like she’s been put through...
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Healthier drinks for the holidays?
Two KEYS for healthier choices from your holiday libations. I’ve been a home entertainer all my adult life. My friends have always thought of me as an expert at entertaining guests and throwing good parties – just ask any of...
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The Making of an Elegant Halloween
The easy way to make your Halloween Party an elegant event. If you know anything about me, you know that I love this time of year. It’s the best season for home entertaining. The absolute best time to have parties...
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Tips for Hotel Tipping and Then Some
Tips help make your trip more enjoyable – in more ways than one! I have done quite a bit of traveling in my lifetime and I’ve picked up tips and tricks along the way. The big one for all international...
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How to Prevent a Holiday Party Nightmare
Five things you can do RIGHT NOW to prepare for any holiday gathering – for the rest of the year! The whole group was coming to my party. I was so happy that I found myself literally grinning from ear...
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What about those Meal Kit Delivery Services?
Review of the top 5 meal kits – for pleasure, convenience, and flavor! A friend of mine goes on frequent camping trips with her family. There’s one thing that she does before every trip – no matter if it’s a...
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The Delicate Etiquette of the Last drop of Wine
Some customs just make the whole art of entertaining that much more fun! When I was very young, my parents were pretty serious about teaching customs and manners to me and my siblings. We learned how to be polite and...
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Etiquette for Tipping
Yes, there is such thing as proper manners for tipping! A friend told me a story about going out to a nice restaurant with a small group of eight people who were traveling together in Hawaii. It was one of...
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Rosé is a Rose by Any Other Name?
There’s just so much more to your wine than just a name! First, a little story. I was with a friend who is a real muscle car geek. This man knows every make, has details about every model, knows things...
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Summer Skin Lifestyle tip: Gently and Regularly Rain or Shine
It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin. When we were little kids we never thought about skin health. I never wore sunblock (nobody ever thought about that). When we became teens, we were more worried about...
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4 Great Reasons Why Beverly Hills is a “Local Exotic” Travel Destination
Lucky you if you’re a LA Local: “Exotic” Beverly Hills’ is just a drive away! I love to vacation in exotic places. But who says “exotic” has to be far faraway? I’ve been living in Beverly Hills for more than...
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Give your flowers a reason to SING!
Your Table Top: turn ordinary into extraordinary with unusual flower containers. Don’t you love to wander in a flower garden during full bloom? It’s such a peaceful experience, but it also draws you closer to nature. That’s why we cut...
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What is “sophisticated living”?
Sophisticated Living: it’s not what you spend, but what you share. I’m a big advocate for enjoying life. We only get one ticket to the big dance so we should participate in life to the fullest extent that we can....
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The Right Way to Enjoy Al Fresco Dining
Dining outdoors – perfect for longer, warmer nights. Days are getting longer and the nights are warming up – a perfect combination to dine al fresco with friends or a significant other. It’s more than simply eating outside or just...
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The Art of ordering from a menu
Don’t covet your neighbor’s dinner – order for flavor and experience! Reading a menu at your favorite restaurant can be a lot of fun (especially if they’ve added new items that you haven’t tried) unless you’ve waited too long to...
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Serving Caviar for a Tasting?
Handy tips for serving caviar at your next event. When you own restaurants, as I did for more than twenty years, you learn quite a bit about serving all kinds of different food. Caviar is a little unusual in...
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What kind of Champagne Glasses?
Easy hints and tips for the “right” champagne glass for your party. It’s a little joke between wine drinkers that the best glass for wine is always the one that you’re holding. No matter if it’s one of those little...
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Unraveling the Mystique of Caviar: A Comprehensive Guide
A little ‘what’ and ‘where’ about caviar, and how you can enjoy it. In the twenty years that I owned my restaurants you wouldn’t believe how many times I was asked, “What is caviar?” It’s a delicacy, to be sure,...
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Where's the Bread Plate? Your Table Setting Guide
Easy tips for setting your table, for every day! When my kids were at home, we always ate our meals at the kitchen table, and if I was having a party, the meal would move to the dining room. Somehow...
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Let’s talk about serving wine.
You’re hosting a party. How much wine do you serve? How much wine should you pour in a glass? It all depends on what you want to do. Like, it’s been a bad day and you’ve come home for a...
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