Newsletter Archive

Both are thoughtfully removed whilst being introduced to another person! Recently, I attended a lovely luncheon fundraiser in Palm Beach, held outside under a charming, fern-adorned canopy by The Colony Hotel’s pool. I was seated at a table with an inspiring and very accomplished group of ladies. The conversation amongst us was informative and most delightful! Here is the conundrum: one lady had sunglasses on the entire time. If I ever have the good fortune of seeing her again, I must confess that I will not have a clue who she is, because she never removed her sunglasses! And, her sunglasses were tinted silver, giving them a mirror-like appearance… rawwwther distracting, as I looked at myself the entire time I spoke to her! Another similar experience was when a friend invited me to lunch at The Breakers. As we departed the dining room, my host recognized a longtime friend entering

There certainly is cachet to cachepots! When my daughter received a cachepot as a wedding gift, she turned to me with a puzzled look. “A planter?” she asked as she was composing her thank-you note. I told her, “No, it is called a cachepot.” The look on her face was priceless. “A what? Mummy, is that one of your old-school Southern terms? It looks like a planter to me!” Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong—it does hold a plant! But the term is French: cachepot (pronounced cash-poe), translates to “hide a pot”—specifically, a flower pot. Unlike outdoor planters, a cachepot is designed for indoor display and does not have drainage holes. It’s not meant to replace a traditional flowerpot but rather to conceal it, elevating the appearance of the plant or floral arrangement within. A beautiful porcelain cachepot can transform an ordinary houseplant, a clutch of cut flowers, or even seasonal

“Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails.”  Max Eastman, American Author  As long as I can remember, four-legged furry animals have always made my heart go ‘pitter-patter’ with happiness. I have been fortunate to have always had a dog (and a few cats too). I brought home all kinds of “random treasures” as a child, much to the shock of my unsuspecting parents. I cannot imagine life without animals! But, not everyone loves dogs, so here are a few etiquette reminders. If your dog is going to be a houseguest, consider these courtesies: ~Inquire where the animal should stay in the house before arriving. Either bring a kennel cage, or a baby-gate, as needed to mind your pet. ~It is rawwwther presumptuous to ask if your pet can sleep in the bed with you, as the host/hostess may not want pet hair or dander in their guest room or on

In a dash? I usually am!  I enjoy cooking for my dinner parties, which is my way of showing love.  But, when my travel and time do not allow me to, and a caterer is a must, I still try to make the dessert, create the floral arrangement, and add one more little detail that graces the table.  What could it be? I use a butter mold so that each person’s individual butter plate has a uniquely shaped piece of butter on it. This is incredibly easy to do and can be prepared in advance, then frozen until your party. One and done! Butter molds have been used since the 18th century and were traditionally made of wood, used by dairy farmers. Their stamped designs indicated their farms and added visual appeal. And today, there are fanciful molds for individual shapes made of silicone. A multitude of designs can be

Last week, I wrote about the etiquette of opening doors, which inspired two gentlemen readers to reach out to me. Robert reminded me, “Gentlemen, it is always ‘ladies first’ when exiting an elevator!” Kristopher kindly encouraged me to address manners specific to young gentlemen, to instill awareness of proper “door protocol.” Grand idea! So, dear gentlemen, allow me to share a few timeless suggestions. While some of these customs may seem old-fashioned, the spirit behind them is eternal: kindness, consideration, and—shall I dare say—gallantry. (Plus, a few brownie points in the eyes of a lady never hurt.) Sidewalks: When walking with a lady, a gentleman should walk on the side closest to the curb. Traditionally, this protected the woman from passing vehicles and splashes from street puddles. Even today, it remains a thoughtful gesture that demonstrates awareness and consideration. Staircases: Ladies go first when walking up a staircase. However, when

My dear parents gave me the opportunity to attend a school that embraces gracious traditions. Because of that, I also made lifelong friends and camaraderie. At my reunion, many commented about my newsletter and how they share it with their children and grandchildren… the ultimate compliment!  My darling classmate, Caroline, suggested the topic of  “common courtesies” as a refresher and reminder for us to share with our children. The topic? Doors: how to politely go in and out of a public door! “All doors open to courtesy.” – Thomas Fuller RULE #1: Whenever you push or pull a door open, look behind you to see if someone else is coming, and hold it open for them. Proper protocol suggests that the person coming out of the door has the right of way, and the person outside of the door politely waits to the side. If the occasion allows, the person outside