Glove Glam: Jewelry and Opera Gloves!
It is December, the season of festive parties! If you are fortunate enough to be invited to a White-tie ball or a formal party, consider wearing opera-length gloves as an elegant accessory with your long gown. As the past Chair of the Salvation Army of Palm Beach County’s “Paradise Ball,” for their centennial White-tie celebration in 2022, […]
Holly’s Secret Sourthern “Cheese Crispies”
My Cheese Crispies are the perfect nibble to offer your guests upon arrival for cocktail hour. They are my signature hors d’oeuvre! Not only are they delicious, but they are also easy to make, store well in the refrigerator, and freeze well. They never fail to garner oodles of compliments! This recipe is simple to […]
THE Holly-Jolly Christmas Gift Guide!
Holly-Jolly Christmas Days! With a name like Holly, you can understand how much I adore this magical time of year. ‘Tis the season of giving. Many of you have asked me to share some of my go-to gift items… so Ho-Ho-Ho, let’s go! 🎄Holly’s Gifts 2024 🎄 (Presents for both naughty and nice!) 1. A set of […]
Patricia’s Apple Pie
As a bride of 21, Stuart and I drove to Michigan after our honeymoon, where my darling new husband studied for his MBA. It was a long way from my home in Virginia. We moved into not-so-glamorous married-student housing, which to us, was glorious! We didn’t know a soul there. Gratefully, Stuart introduced me […]
Election Day! How to Properly Fly Your Flag!
November 5th, 2024 is Election Day! In 1789, the first presidential election took place, and George Washington was elected President of the United States. Voting is an extraordinary privilege in the United States. Since 1776, we Americans have celebrated a “star-spangled,” Independence Day in America. Now, more than ever, we need to vote. Let’s celebrate […]
Halloween Decorating: An Elegant Approach!
BOO! On Halloween, I prefer to decorate my home “bewitchingly beautiful” rather than with a spooky, larger-than-life scary theme. I have never been keen on over-the-top Halloween decorations, probably because my parents did not advocate that kind of decorating. Not to say that it is not amusing to see others who embrace skeletons and giant […]
Do you need to write a thank-you note for a “Hostess Gift?”
Who doesn’t love to be surprised by a thoughtful hostess gift from a guest when they enter your house for a party? A hostess gift is not a requirement; it is simply a lovely gesture to show appreciation for the invitation. One of my darling Virginia subscribers asked me this question below: “We are fortunate […]
Super Simple and Decadent Hot Chocolate Sauce!
Are guests coming over? Do you need a decadent dessert in a pinch? Chocolate sauce is my favorite because I usually have the ingredients on hand! Here are my two SIMPLE recipes for making chocolate sauce: one requires unsweetened baking chocolate and the other uses semi-sweet chocolate chips. Both take no time at all to […]
Three Entertaining Secrets! Luncheon Part II
It was a joy to host the second luncheon the very next day for guests whom I had never met and who were arriving from Palm Beach, Virginia, NYC, and beyond! The seven guests were so charming and accomplished. Again, this was an assemblage of new friends, all representing the essence of timeless, tailored, and […]
Holly’s 7 Secrets for Hosting Guests You Have Never Met!
Recently, I ventured into uncharted territory by inviting dear subscribers, whom I had never met, to two luncheons at Fox Hall. I was truly blessed to meet THE most charming, gracious, and accomplished ladies (and one gentleman) who flew in from over ten states! This poignant experience underscores the timeless essence of gracious living, which […]
Holly’s five simple secrets to enhance your house!
My interior design firm, Holly Holden & Company, Ltd. www.hollyholden.com, specializes in classic and traditional design. I believe in designing once… for a lifetime! Who wouldn’t want to hear those words? Designing with decorative accessories and techniques that stand the test of time and enhance your home with little effort, translates to a good investment for […]
Ring-a-ling! Phone faux pas and proper phone etiquette!
Have you had the experience of calling someone and they answer with a rather curt, “What’s up?” greeting? I recently did and it inspired me to write about answering the phone properly. Whether a mobile phone or landline, what happened to the common courtesy of answering a phone properly? No matter how bad your day […]