. When I was writing Flower Confidential, I was always looking for romantic Valentine’s Day stories on flowers that I could include in a short chapter on our most romantic holiday. But florists have a dark side of their own; they wanted to tell me horror stories instead. . A florist in Seattle told meContinue reading

We bring you this important news bulletin about Amy Stewart’s Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army & other Diabolical Insects (May 2011). Amy Stewart is also the author of the New York Times and Indie Next bestsellers Wicked Plants and Flower Confidential. You may have seen her byline in the New York TimesContinue reading

Dear Dr. Bleedingheart, Help! There’s this really cute guy working at a local bookstore near my office and I’d love to ask him out. But every time I go into the store he’s busy with customers or helping other employees. What can I do to stand out from the regular customers and show him I’mContinue reading

Dear Dr. Bleedingheart, I’ve leaving in a few weeks for a vacation with extended family at a beach house that we’ve rented for a week. Do you have any tips for surviving the week with family while still having fun? Thanks, Beach Mom Dear Beach Mom, What you need is a project.  Fathers, fathers-in-law, andContinue reading

Dear Dr. Bleedingheart, I’m attending a housewarming party for a young couple who love good food and outdoor entertaining. I want to get them something useful and enduring–maybe to help with their garden or to use in the kitchen. What’s new in the world of DIY home and garden products? Or would it be bestContinue reading

Dear Dr. Bleedingheart, I have recently adopted some pet snails.  Now they are having snail babies! The soil in the terrarium has little tiny bugs in it; I think they might have come from a medium-sized stick I put in there. I want to replace the soil to get rid of the bugs, but amContinue reading