Family & Friends

Exasperated in Essex's mother-in-law is a hypochondriac! Is there anything she can do about it?

Exasperated in Essex's mother-in-law is a hypochondriac! Is there anything she can do about it?

Dear Erica, My mother-in-law is a total hypochondriac. She has a whole host of ailments that keep her in bed on a regular basis, and the doctors have not been able to find anything actually wrong with...

The 19th century Frenemy - Jane Austen's Lucy Steele found in Florida

The 19th century Frenemy - Jane Austen's Lucy Steele found in Florida

Dear Erica, I am a Freshman at FIU and I’m beginning to be suspicious of my roommate(let’s call her Nikki). I started dating a guy six months ago, and Nikki always manages to flirt with him when we go...

Bridesmaid squabbles in New Orleans - What would Elizabeth Von Arnim advise?

Bridesmaid squabbles in New Orleans - What would Elizabeth Von Arnim advise?

Dear Erica, I am planning my best-friends Bachelorette party, and I’m getting more and more annoyed with one of the other bridesmaids. I’m the Maid of Honor, and I was the one who came up with the ide...

Dreading a visit from some old friends?   Heed Elizabeth von Arnim's wise words and you might just have a fabulous time!

Dreading a visit from some old friends? Heed Elizabeth von Arnim's wise words and you might just have a fabulous time!

Dear Erica, I’m having some old friends to stay next weekend, and although I adore them, I’m rather dreading it. I just don't want us to get on each other's nerves. Do you have any advice? Nervous in ...

Motherhood and Middlemarch: The trials of baby bathtime

Motherhood and Middlemarch: The trials of baby bathtime

Dear Erica, I just had a baby, and he is the most beautiful, adorable baby boy in the whole world(not biased at all of course!) My sister is now visiting and meeting him for the first time. Although I...