Newsletter Archive

The holidays are upon us, so here are some of my secrets for creating memories that are merry and bright for your guests! Hosting a dinner party (or inviting houseguests to stay over) is the best way to make your house sparkle… and a clever nudge to get all of the silver polished! Unlock your front door and adhere a small card outside on the door, inviting guests to enter the house without knocking. I always write: “Please, do come in!” This way, they do not feel obliged to stand in the cold elements of Connecticut until the door is answered. Do your very best to greet each guest at the door. And vice versa. At the end of the evening, walk them to the door to say goodbye. Offer ladies to place their purses down on a chair or table, if they wish to. Before your event, ask if

As we embrace and celebrate this joyous season, as in Norman Vincent Peale’s words, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” Use your magic wand to create a few charming “petite vignettes” to add a dash of magic to your home. I’ve found joy in creating sweet, small holiday displays that bring beauty and nostalgia to our home. Sometimes, the most treasured moments come in the tiniest packages, like tender loving gestures. Discovering a few lilliputian-sized, festive displays can be a treasured delight, adding to this season’s magic, while conjuring the lovely memories of Christmases past. It’s the little things that count! Holiday memories are often made of small, meaningful moments. Whether it’s a cherished ornament or a family tradition,  petite decorations offer a graceful nod to the season’s magic. May this holiday be sweeter than sugar plums, filled with joy,

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, I have received questions about the appropriateness of wearing jewelry on top of opera-length gloves. Opera-length gloves reach over the elbow and are the epitome of formal elegance. The answer is yes! One can wear a bracelet on top of an opera glove on either wrist. An evening bracelet may be worn over a glove, but not rings. Rings are worn underneath a glove. Here are a few etiquette guidelines when wearing opera-length gloves: Can you drink with gloves on? Yes, it is acceptable to drink with your gloves on. Can you eat with gloves on?

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 remember: 1 cup + 1 cup + 1 cup + 1 stick of butter = only four ingredients (Add a few dashes of red pepper flakes, too) You can make them ahead of time and either keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator (they keep for a month) or place them in a Ziploc baggie and freeze them! You may reheat them in the oven, just long enough to be warm, but they are also delicious cold. Are you in a pinch for time, or do you have friends dropping in for an

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 four Sterling Silver Studs are handsomely detailed with an enameled design and made in England. Their price point makes them perfect for traveling over “Hill and Dale” to a Black tie event anywhere in the world! 2. A pair of classic Fox Head men’s slippers (a staple at Fox Hall!) are comfy for lounging and stunningly attractive. They would be perfect for twirling around the Christmas tree and kissing under the mistletoe. 3. This dapper Nickle Fox Head Umbrella will be a well-appointed accessory for your sleigh, ready to fend off rain or snow elegantly. It will also be a smashing

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 to one of his classmates, Ricardo Mayer, and his wife, Patricia, another newlywed couple from Rio de Janeiro. They instantly became (lifelong)  friends, and are Godparents to our son. Patricia and I decided to host a dinner every other Saturday night so we could learn to cook various dishes, with the prerequisite being that we had to cook something we had never made before. Well, we had some interesting high and low notes, as you can imagine!  But, one dessert Patricia made in particular was a huge hit… simply divine! We forever referred to it