Newsletter Archive

With my new Holly Holden Collection of clothing, I was inspired to protect each piece and reached out to Barbara Harman, the founder of The Butler’s Closet. She is THE renowned expert on how to protect clothes as well as upholstered furniture. Your clothes, like my new collection, are a serious investment… so I was “seriously interested!” Barbara was the former CEO of Parfums Nina Ricci. She was gifted many beautiful clothes from the ready-to-wear and couture collections and searched online to find the best cotton garment bags to protect them, along with cotton dust covers for their newly built weekend house furniture. Nothing was out there to buy! A lightbulb moment. She worked with two very experienced and accomplished textile conservators to understand what materials they recommended. The answer?  Storing clothes in 100% cotton, breathable garment bags made from fabrics free of chemicals. So, in 2011, she launched The Butler’s Closet, offering

Having just returned from Merry Old England, I wanted to share a colloquial term I was introduced to while having afternoon tea at Cliveden House.  The English lady I was with asked, “Do you drink your tea ‘white’?” “Yes, I like milk in my tea whilst in England,” I answered. (I prefer lemon when in America) And then she asked, “Are you a MIF or TIF?” with an amused smile and a wink! The tradition of pouring afternoon tea has many nuances, but this reference was new to me. I soon found out that it refers to “Milk in first” or “Tea in first” when pouring the tea from a teapot into the cup. It was considered refined to pour the milk into the cup after the tea (TIF), and more “downstairs” to pour the milk in first (MIF).  The theory was that pouring the milk in first would protect the

Here is a lovely idea to commence 2024: create a needlepoint pillow! The art and implementation to create a needlepoint creates a sense of calm and a quiet time to savor. What you create will give joy and bring back distinct memories. Needlepoint pillows are a timeless staple in classic, preppy interiors as well as in noble residences, especially if made by a member of the household. They can add a touch of whimsy and give a glimpse into your interests. The design you choose can pique a conversation when others admire it. I devoted an entire chapter to needlepoint pillows in my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room… I adore them!  But, true confession: once I start a piece, I cannot stop. I become a sleepless addict, staying up until I finish it. Heaven, help me! From my experience, a house that has a few handmade needlepoint pillows

Being with family and friends is always a merry occasion, especially during the holidays.  Here are a few thoughtful tips Mummy shared with me… and I am passing them along to you! As a host: Make the extra effort to welcome your guests at the door and greet them with JOY! As a guest: Bring a little gift, preferably something homemade (always the best gift)! Whether it is your unique recipe for spiced nuts, a yummy pecan pie that can be frozen for future use, a box of your signature cookies, a coffee cake, or a breakfast casserole for the following day, a homemade gift will relay the love in your heart to your hosts. Write a little note to accompany your gift, and compose a sentence or two on why you are grateful for your friendship. GrandMillennial Tips: If you are contributing to a party, place a little piece

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

After Christmas, Mummy gently, but firmly, encouraged me to write my thank-you notes for the presents I received from relatives. As I wrote, I longingly observed my friends playing outside… it felt like torture!  Yet, due to her insistence, gratitude became ingrained in me- it’s not innate. You are not born with gratitude; it is a learned mannerism. The Episcopal girls’ school in Richmond, Virginia, where I attended, has a motto: “What we keep, we lose; only what we give remains our own.” Expressing gratitude is among life’s paramount endeavors. Beyond a handwritten note, try to demonstrate to your gift-giver how you use their gift or express in person the joy it brings. This additional “nod of gratitude” is a kind and thoughtful gesture that will always be appreciated. Wearing a gift when anticipating the gift-giver’s presence or sharing your experience with a gifted item via email or phone call