Newsletter Archive

Embracing Elegance: The timeless art of graceful deportment!

April 20, 2026

In a world where technology consumes our attention, good posture and graceful deportment can often be overlooked! While attending an afternoon tea in NYC, a lovely young lady approached me to chat. I admired her posture and the way she held her head high; she was incredibly graceful. After a while, I inquired if she had been a dancer. It was no surprise to learn that she had performed ballet internationally. Her balletic walk and stance were poised, effortless, and not exaggerated. She appeared confident and elegant. Her refinement inspired me to stand even taller… good posture can be contagious! The art of smiling and standing tall is a form of communicating. It is a respectful acknowledgment of another person’s presence. The genteel art of deportment relays grace and poise and is a quiet sign of refinement. Remember when your Mum reminded you to “Stand up straight and pull your

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How to avoid “hat-hair!”

April 13, 2026

Pretty hats have adorned ladies’ heads for centuries. Give me an occasion, like a European wedding, horse race, or Easter Sunday, and out comes my collection of pretty hats. I adore wearing them! Do you? I realize now, more than before, how imperative it is to wear my “casual straw hats” when I am outdoors and in the sun. When wearing any type of hat, the inevitable happens. Hats can give you flat, unattractive “hat-hair” or “hat head.” This phenomenon is either created by the hat’s weight or the heat under the hat’s crown. Essentially, the hair on the top of one’s head is squished down and not as puffy as before you put your hat on! Here is my simple secret (which I created out of my hat-hair desperation). It continues to work well for me, and my wish is that it works for you, too, to avoid “hat

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How to Use and Repurpose Your Fine China and Silver Every Day!

April 6, 2026

Something my parents instilled in me by example, was to use our best pieces EVERY day… not just for special occasions! So, are your finest treasures trapped behind glass? We often keep our “best” pieces tucked away, waiting for a grand occasion that feels “worthy” of them. But a true secret to lovely living is realizing that our finest possessions were made to be used, not just viewed! Out of sight: out of mind! When we keep silver and crystal locked away for display only, we lose our memories of them. It is far more elegant to use your treasures, rather than let them sit in silence for years. The question is often asked, “But Holly, what if it gets broken?” My answer is simple: At least you will have the memory of using it. If a silver tray gets a small dent, it isn’t “ruined”—it simply has a new

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How to Properly Eat a Scone: Afternoon Tea Etiquette

March 30, 2026

My recent topic on “how to butter your bread or biscuit” raised a few questions about how to properly eat a scone! When enjoying “Afternoon Tea,” which is never to be confused with “High Tea,” the centerpiece of this ritual is the warm, fragrant scone. Note: Many people make the mistake of calling this teatime ritual “High Tea,” but this is not the correct term to use. “High Tea” has historically been a hearty meat meal for the working class, eaten at a high dining table and served as their main meal around 5:00 or 6:00 PM when the laborers returned home from work. The refined social ritual with dainty sandwiches and scones is always properly referred to as “Afternoon Tea.”  So now knowing this fact, you may get a giggle when you see lovely venues offering “High Tea” instead of the proper term, “Afternoon Tea!” A proper scone should

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How to Butter Bread Properly

March 23, 2026

Gracious dining is an art found in the most delicate details. From the way we butter a piece of bread to the smallest of gestures, proper etiquette is a reflection of one’s grace. This summer, a visit from my grandchildren who live in Berlin, Germany, provided a wonderful reminder of how these small details can vary so beautifully across cultures. At our dinner table, I noticed a delightful cultural difference. My sweet grandchildren were perfectly accustomed to buttering their entire piece of bread at once, a common practice in Europe! Their manners are polished (a testament to their parents’ insistence on a nightly sit-down dinner- practice makes perfect!), but I wanted to introduce them to the American protocol for buttering the bread, which is distinctly different. Whether you are hosting a formal luncheon or heading to an important business dinner, mastering “bread and butter” skills will speak volumes before you

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The Art of Napkin Etiquette for Elegant Dinner Parties

March 17, 2026

Elegant Table Manners for Private Dinner Parties Napkins can be a secret signal in more ways than one! Their fold, placement, and use speak a language all their own, especially at a private dinner party. A napkin carries a surprising amount of tradition and unspoken etiquette and is one of the quiet hallmarks of a refined and elegant table. When dining in a private home, a gracious guest traditionally waits for the hostess to place her napkin on her lap first. Once she does, follow her lead and place yours on your lap, unfolding it quietly below the table, never with a flourish. The fold should face toward you. However, if you are dining in a restaurant or among friends without a designated hostess, it is perfectly proper to place your napkin on your lap immediately upon sitting down. When a napkin ring is present, gently slide it off toward

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