Newsletter Archive

After a champagne celebration at Fox Hall, we adjourned to the dining room, while our guests left their glasses behind in the living room. A friend’s daughter recently asked me what she should do with her glass after cocktail hour when attending a private dinner party. Here are some tips on the gracious way to handle it. At a Private Home Dinner Party: Unless the host specifically invites you to bring your drink to the dinner table, always leave it in the room where the cocktail hour was held. Place your glass on a cocktail napkin on a table or, if there is a butler or wait staff with a tray, either in the room or stationed at the entrance to the dining room, gently place your glass on their tray. At a Private Club or Restaurant: If you’re enjoying a cocktail at the bar or in a reception area,

“Everything tastes better when served on silver!” That is the advice Mummy gave me as a young bride. I have always had a penchant for entertaining with silver… I imagine my grandmother and parents passed this gene down to me. Keeping silver polished? It is a labor of love! It brings to mind the old saying, “Tarnish?! What in tarnation?!“ BUT, I have a secret technique to share with you. It will help to keep the tarnish at bay! I highly recommend purchasing tarnish-preventative flannel cloth by the yard.  It helps to keep tarnish away while storing silver. Buy enough fabric to cover the tops and undersides of your pieces. I tuck my silver serving pieces into the safety of their little non-tarnish beds. I line the inside of a few drawers in the butler’s pantry with enough extra fabric to pull over the top of them and tuck them in! Here is

A young subscriber asked me, “As a hostess, when do I need to offer a coaster, and when do I not need to?!” Oh, this is fun because decorative coasters are a popular gift in the world of pretty accessories… but gift shops will probably not like my answer! Any glass WITH a stem, such as a wine, champagne, or port glass, do NOT need a coaster! A glass WITHOUT a stem, such as a highball, beer glass, or a tall ice tea glass, does require a coaster. Why? Cold drinks, especially with ice cubes, can create condensation and drip onto the surface where they are resting, leaving a watermark… especially on wood or leather-topped tables! Coasters are thought to protect your table from scratches, yet the base of a stemmed glass will not scratch your table (and it is doubtful that a cocktail glass would either).  So, as a

With the holidays now behind us, it’s the perfect time to pick up your pen and acknowledge your gratitude to those who thoughtfully gave you a gift. While sending a quick “thank-you email” might seem like the easiest option, consider forgoing the “digital quick fix“ in favor of something much more personal: a handwritten thank-you note! In today’s fast-paced world, this timeless gesture is a rare and thoughtful treasure for the recipient. There’s something undeniably special about receiving a handwritten note in your mailbox, surrounded by bills and junk mail, don’t you agree?! It appears like a GIFT! The effort you put into writing and mailing the note reflects the appreciation you feel for the recipient’s kindness. It is a personal, tangible way of expressing gratitude. I’ve kept and cherish many notes I have received over the years. Here are some traditional, tried and true guidelines for writing a thank-you

Rejoice for Candlelight! Candlelight symbolizes joy, romance, tranquility, and merriment. Christmas and the start of Hanukkah fall on the same day this year, December 25, 2024, so the topic of “candles” seems fitting. They have long been integral in celebrations, playing an essential part in the rituals of both Christmas and Hanukkah, and continue to have a magical essence while entertaining. This holiday season, let’s light more candles! They have a unique ability to create significant moments, transforming any gathering into something brilliant and celebratory. From churches to dinner parties and even atop birthday cakes, candles have been part of our celebrations for over 5,000 years. As my Mummy always said, “A candlelit dinner magically becomes more memorable!” As a young bride, she shared a secret with me: “Candlelight makes whatever you’re serving taste even better!” That was a golden nugget; it has served me well for fifty years! Here

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