1010 Park Place

05/10/2024

It's that time again. Some of my favorite things, and of course they start with Annie! I love this recent photo of me and my girl taken by my dear friend and professional photographer Jennifer Dekle Denton Jennifer travels all over the country, taking portraits and doing corporate branding so take a look at her website if you need a photographer! xoxox, Brenda

My favorite thing about this blog post is the recent photograph of me and Annie, taken by my dear friend and professional photographer, Jennifer Denton. Jen was here, taking author photos for my book jacket, and I asked her to take a photo of me and my favorite girl. And…

30/09/2024

It's too early for a cover reveal, but I'm sharing a few behind the scenes things about publishing a book. SWP-Spark Summer 2025 Cohort We Love Memoirs xoxox, Brenda

How many of you think an author’s job is finished when they’re done writing their book? For the most part, I would’ve raised my hand on this one, but I’ve learned that’s not the case. There are lots of things behind the scenes of publishing a book that authors still…

31/08/2024

I've been diagnosed with congestive heart failure caused by chemotherapy 20 years ago for breast cancer. I'm still shocked because I thought I was the poster girl for a healthy lifestyle. Seize every minute dear ones because you never know what the future has in store for you. xoxox, Brenda

My apologies for not touching base in a while, but my summer’s been full of unexpected health problems like the wicked upper respiratory infection that took two courses of antibiotics to stop. Then there were the torn ligaments in both feet caused by my failure to see a step on…

17/06/2024

01/06/2024

Me when I was 39, dating an uber-successful 26-year-old guy. What do you think about an older woman and a younger man?

What do you think about romantic relationships between an older woman and a younger man? After my first husband died, I had a relationship with a younger man. He was 26 and very successful, and I was 39, but I broke it off because of our age difference. What would…

30/05/2024

Happy Thursday! Are you staying cool sweet friends?

30/05/2024

I interviewed one of my favorite women in the world: Designer Tara Shaw. Please leave me a comment on my blog and let me know what you think! Hope you're all having a great week and are out of harm's way weatherwise. Love to you all, Brenda

Every month my friend Cindy and I interview a different woman we think you’d like to know. This month I’m introducing you to Ageless Style with Tara Shaw. BTW, my website is back online, so you can read about Tara there. Tara Shaw has always been an arbiter of great style. Early…

30/03/2024

On my blog is a real letter from a veterinarian that will break your heart. He writes, in detail, what it’s like to euthanize an unwanted dog in a shelter. The day he wrote this letter, he euthanized five dogs. And there’s more… Along with what you can do to help. PLEASE READ THIS LETTER AND IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO READ THIS, PLEASE FORWARD IT TO THEM.

All of you know how much I love my dog(s), Annie, and if you're like me, this will tug at your heartstrings. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please forward it to them. And if you know someone who's abandoned their dog, please don't tell me…

24/03/2024

Here's the list of my Favorite Things for March. It includes this photo taken of me when I was 23 or 24. xoxox, Brenda

This is one of my favorite photos taken of me. I was probably twenty-three years old, and it was photographed by my first husband, Philip, while we were on a boat in the Bahamas. Those were some of the most exciting days of my young life, but little did I…

29/02/2024

Just because we're retired or don't have the occasion to "dress"doesn't mean we can schlep around in workout clothes with no makeup. That's the fastest way to lose who we are. To stop caring about ourselves. Next thing you know, we've lost our purpose. Meet this month's woman, from She'll help you look at yourself in another life. xoxox, Brenda

Every month my friend Cindy and I interview a different woman we think you'd like to know. This month I'm introducing you to Ageless Style with Jacqui Getz. While raising three daughters, Jacqui Getz taught school and later was a principal in the New York City public school system. Jacqui…

17/02/2024

Want to have your lingerie drawer and your closets smell divine? How about an update to the frumpy handbag you carry? Want to take a very special vacation but you don't know where to start, or how about two NYTimes Bestselling books you might have missed? They're all my favorite things this month! xoxox, Brenda

Last year when I was in Florence, I visited the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella which began as a convent that dates back to 1221. With the plants the Dominican friars grew in their garden, the friars made natural medicinal remedies that had pleasant scents, and eventually, they....

10/02/2024

I've written about my experience with uncontrollable exploding diarrhea and bloated stomach and what you need to know if this happens to you.

This is the time of year when many of us make New Year’s resolutions to eat better and get more exercise, but I have one that may change your life. It changed mine, BIG TIME, and it involves the brain-gut connection and how healthy aging is directly connected to the…

25/01/2024

I had no idea how amazing India Hicks is until I called her for our interview. She was packing to go to Ukraine, for the 4th time I think, to bring relief aid to the people there. Many of the children are orphans and the people are living underground because their homes and towns have been destroyed and because of the constant bombing. Truly a remarkable woman! Did I tell you she was a bridesmaid in Prince Charles's and Lady Diana's wedding or that Charles is her godfather? xoxox, Brenda

Each month my friend Cindy and I interview a different interesting and amazing woman. This month I’d like to welcome you to Ageless Style and the World of India Hicks. When I think of India Hicks the words history, tradition, family, and design are just a few that come to mind followed…

17/01/2024

My dear friend, Tammy Carrington has been struggling for 25 years to keep her severely challenged son, Jonathan, alive. Tammy is a woman of huge faith and she promised God if He saved her son she would tell everyone she meets about what God has done, and she has. I just helped Tammy set up a GoFundMe page. She needs a wheelchair lift van. If you feel inclined, would you please donate? If you know someone who could help her buy a wheelchair lift van would you please contact me? In all the time I've written interviews and blogs, I've never asked anyone for money, but this woman is at the breaking point and needs your help. Please click on the link and read her story. Please share this on your page. Thank you, Brenda Coffee

Help Fund Severely Challenged Jonathan Carrington’s Wheelchair Li… Tammy Carrington needs your support for Help Fund Jonathan Carringtons Wheelchair Lift Van

13/01/2024

I've been offered a publishing contract for my memoir, and I'm over the moon! Details on my blog. xoxox, Brenda

I’ve been offered a publishing contract for my memoir, and I’m over the moon. Publishers schedule books a year in advance so my book will hit the shelves in May 2025. A year seems like a long time, but there’s a lot to do like edits, proofing and approvals, and…

06/01/2024

"Who makes it happen? We make it happen!" Some food for thought and encouragement as you make changes to your life this year. xoxox, Brenda

I’ve never been big on making New Year’s resolutions, but I believe the beginning of each new year is an opportunity to think about the things in our lives that work for us and those that aren’t in our best interest. It takes courage to make big changes, but if…

05/12/2023

We are wired for connection, but there have been times this year when I’ve been too sick to do anything but turn within, and your sweet and kind generosity has meant the world to me. I love you all.

Last week, I brought home an unwanted souvenir from a recent trip to New York City: My first case of Covid. Everything about my trip was fun and fabulous, but Covid has left me wobbly with breathing problems and taste buds that have fled for parts unknown. Thank goodness I…

24/11/2023

Wishing you all more blessings than you know what to do with.