Newsletter Archive

It is always a delight to read your questions and  recently, I was asked about the difference between a graduation invitation versus a graduation announcement. A graduation invitation is requesting your attendance at the actual ceremony, and a graduation announcement is acknowledging an academic accomplishment. A Graduation Invitation: A graduation invitation is requesting your physical attendance at the graduation commencement. It is typically mailed six weeks prior to the graduation date, and a save-the-date card can be sent up to three months ahead. This advance notice is helpful for out-of-town guests to make their travel arrangements. Do not take offense if you did not receive an invitation! Due to the constraint of limited school seating, invitations are mainly intended for immediate family and close relatives. Respond to a graduation invitation as soon as possible because tickets are limited, and if you cannot attend, the graduate can then invite another close

Picture this: You’re out to dinner, enjoying a divine meal with others, and suddenly, you realize your lipstick has disappeared faster than you expected. Fear not! Here’s how to properly reapply lipstick color to your lips, without becoming a circus act- especially when surrounded by fellow diners. Discretion rules! A lady should try not to draw attention to herself while performing this delicate task. The old-school, Southern way I was privy to as a young adult is still applicable: lipstick is applied to the bottom lip only, quickly and discreetly, when in the company of others. Then, the two lips are rubbed together to get the lipstick color on the top lip. One and done! Here’s how to master the art of discreet lipstick application: Location, Location, Location! Place your lipstick in your evening bag or pocketbook so that it can be easily accessible. Ensure it is at the top.

What decorative trim is timeless, tailored, and not expensive? Grosgrain ribbon! It can enhance curtains, valances, upholstery, pillows, and dust ruffles. It can also adorn clothes, hair bows, hats, shoes, and ponytails.  Now, that’s a notable roster for a simple ribbon trim, wouldn’t you agree? Grosgrain (pronounced GROW-grain) is a versatile ribbon with a distinctive ribbed appearance that runs across it and enhances its durability. Because its textured parallel ridges have a matte finish, Grosgrain is not flashy or shiny and is more durable than satin or silk ribbons. Grosgrain, in the 17th century, referred to a black and durable garment fabric. In the 1920s, Grosgrain “ribbon” was introduced, and now, many colors and printed designs are available. Grosgrain ribbon has a “distinguished appearance,” which is why it continues to embellish evening wear, such as the bow on a gentleman’s formal black evening pumps. Consider applying a 1” to 2”

What is my “secret” color combination for a charming, timeless, and tailored kitchen?  It’s a “blue-and-white” color scheme!  Why? It is TIMELESS!  This traditional color combination has been around for centuries, so maybe it does not qualify as “my secret,” but more of my “tried and true” color combination for a kitchen… and other rooms, too, for that matter! Mummy convinced me to consider a blue-and-white color scheme for my first “big-girl” house, in the kitchen.  This was sage advice for me as a young bride of 21.  She drew from her well-earned experience and encountered several rawwther unique interiors whilst moving our family over 33 times internationally.  To me, the blue-and-white theme utilized in kitchens adds an air of contentment and joy, similar to a bright blue sky adorned with enchanting, puffy white clouds… a joyful, welcomed sight! Even the blue-and-white images of kitchens I share on my Instagram

Why host back-to-back dinner parties? Sometimes consecutive parties are worthy of your efforts for a few reasons. Stuart and I occasionally host two dinners back to back because we either can’t fit two parties into our travel plans, to accommodate the demands of holiday schedules, or to adjust to our guests’ availability. While it might initially sound daunting, there are several unique benefits to holding parties in succession, if ever you need to: The silver is polished The flowers are arranged Your house is tidied up You can cook or cater enough for two nights, so whatever you are serving will all be made in advance The wine is purchased, the bar is stocked You can invite twice as many guests as you can sit at your table One benefit of two parties in a row is that after the first party, all you need to do is set the

We often overlook the hidden potential lying beneath our furniture! With a touch of creativity, these overlooked areas can be transformed into elegant spaces that enhance the overall aesthetic of any interior. Learning from ‘the best of the best’ has always inspired me. My television series aimed to show masterpiece and privately owned houses. Their interiors feature time-honored decorative techniques. Touring exceptional houses can enhance your ability to decipher the difference between an innocuous-designed, trendy-trite interior from a timelessly elegant interior that is charming, inviting, and memorable. I discerned a clever decorative technique while filming an episode with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill inside the Private Apartments at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, and it left an indelible impression on me: utilize the unused space under a piece of furniture! In Blenheim Palace, at the end of a long hallway on the piano nobile (Italian for “noble floor”), a graceful console table features