A Matter of Taste

Dear Short Answers: What is the best vodka to use for Bloody Mary’s? Jan Dear Jan: Probably not necessary to use a top shelf brand for a heavily flavored mixed drink.  We go for mid-priced on this one. Like Unlike

Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Feels

Dear Short Answers: Now that the holidays are here, I am starting to panic about all the food that is going to be EVERYWHERE. I lost 50 pounds last year and I am desperate to keep it off. I’m tempted to decline every holiday invitation that I get but that will just make me more [...]

Tiara Not Essential

Dear Short Answers: I am going to a black tie event — it is midweek, but in NYC with many celebs. My standard black dresses suddenly seem not quite festive enough. What’s enough? Cinderella Dear Cindy: You can’t compete with the celebs.  You are not required to leave your comfort zone for events of this [...]

Blame Julia

Dear Short Answers: When throwing a dinner party, how much do I really have to pay attention to everyone’s dietary restrictions? Between the gluten-free people, the dairy-free people, the fat-free people, the salt-free people, the sugar-free people, the vegetarians and the vegans, I don’t know what to cook anymore … steamed vegetables? What’s the answer? [...]

Trouble Maker

Dear Short Answers: I am having a dinner party in a couple of weeks and can only invite 6 people (my table only seats 8). If there are 2 couples where I like one person and not the other — do I really need to invite them as couples? It’s my party, why can’t I [...]