Newsletter Archive

“Air Kiss” Etiquette: How to Master the Cheek-to-Cheek Kiss with Poise!

August 31, 2026

Kissing on the lips is reserved for lovers, but the traditional cheek kiss remains one of the most delightful—and occasionally perilous—forms of affection between dear friends and family! We have all experienced that split-second hesitation when both parties lean the same way, nearly turning a gracious greeting into an accidental collision, right? Touching cheek-to-cheek with a gentle kiss in the air, known as the “social kiss” or the “air kiss,” elevates a greeting beyond a standard handshake, instantly conveying warmth, hospitality and genuine fondness. Across Europe and the Americas, this greeting is a beloved custom. In France, it is famously known as faire la bise. When shared with poise, it sets an elegant, welcoming tone for any gathering. A poised hostess always takes cues from subtle body language! 🌸 Traditional Precedence: A gentleman traditionally waits for a lady to extend her hand or lean in first before initiating a cheek

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Holly’s “Angel Cheese Crisps!”

August 24, 2026

Impromptu parties?  That is my signature! Pulling a party together at a moment’s notice came from years of experience.  My husband has a reputation for being the “host with the most,” especially with his business clients and colleagues in his industry. When customers were in town, he would often call from his office and ask if he could extend an invitation to his guests to come to our house for a drink before they went out to dinner. It was always good for business, so I learned early on to say, “YES, of course!” With three little ones at home, I did not always have the luxury of going out to buy something pre-made or get ingredients.  I learned a repertoire of quick and easy hors d’oeuvres. Here, I want to share one of my easiest recipes! It requires only two ingredients. I can almost guarantee you’ll have both ingredients,

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How to Be a Gracious Listener: The Art of Conversation

August 17, 2026

This week’s topic comes straight from our verandah! Stuart and I were enjoying breakfast when I caught myself interrupting him (not for the first time!). Stuart smiled and said, “Darling, perhaps that would make a wonderful topic for your next newsletter?”  Point taken! So, here is a note to myself, which I will share, as a gentle reminder not to interrupt others! “True charisma isn’t about being the most interesting person in the room; it’s about being the most interested.” (Loving words that my dear father tried to instill in me.) Here are four lovely practices for gracious listening: 🌸 The Three-Second Pause: Allow a brief, thoughtful pause after someone finishes speaking before jumping in. (Gosh, I need to work on that one!) 🌸 Ask for Feelings, Not Just Facts: Inquire about how an experience felt rather than focusing on rigid details. 🌸 Be a Listening Ear: Resist the urge

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Chargers: When NOT to use them!

August 10, 2026

The topic of chargers came to mind when a friend asked about displaying them at a wedding reception dinner. A “charger” is a plate that is more significant in diameter than a dinner plate. It is also referred to as a service plate or an underplate.  While chargers are used for decorative purposes these days, they used to be primarily to protect the table from hot plates being placed directly on top of the table’s wood surface. They date back to the 15th century. Chargers vary in size from 11-14″ in diameter. Chargers have become a popular decoration for dinner tables in recent decades and are made of various materials with endless color options. The most traditional style of charger is made of porcelain or silver. For formal dinner parties, I prefer silver because I think it complements the other silver accouterments on my table (candlesticks, wine coasters, flatware, serving

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Timeless Art of Hand-Painted Pinstriping & Monograms On Cars

August 3, 2026

There is something endlessly charming about the quiet, bespoke details that transform an everyday item into a true classic. In a world dominated by mass production, taking the time to add a custom, hand-crafted touch to your personal belongings is a delightful indulgence. Recently, my dear friend Farley Renschler shared a photo (see above) that brought a smile to my face and perfectly captured this spirit. Farley held her classic navy blue and lime green Belgian Shoe loafer up against the door of her navy blue car. The shoe, with its signature lime green bow, served as the exact color inspiration for a brand-new detail: a fine, hand-painted lime green pinstripe and her monogram being added to the side of her car. What makes this process so special is the craft itself. The artist paints entirely freehand, carrying on an old-school tradition that has long been a staple of classic

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Holly’s “Secret” Lemon Chess Pie Recipe

July 27, 2026

For those occasions when impromptu guests arrive or you spontaneously invite friends over for lunch or dinner and need a quick dessert, I have the perfect recipe. It is one that both men and women savor, and you will most likely have all the ingredients on hand. So, what is my tried-and-true “SECRET” pie recipe? A Lemon Chess Pie! It is one that you can whip up easily, especially if you have a pre-made pie crust, along with two lemons. You will likely already have the other ingredients in your kitchen: butter, eggs, and sugar. The Lemon Chess Pie has a long heritage in England. It is similar to the English curd pie, dating back to the 1600s. It was adopted here, in New England and Virginia. A version of the recipe was even in Martha Washington’s cookbook. As a young bride in Richmond, I was given the recipe by

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