Newsletter Archive

How to properly butter your bread!  When my darling grandchildren from Germany visited this summer, I noticed they buttered their entire piece of bread or biscuit at the dinner table, versus the American etiquette of buttering only one bite-sized piece at a time.  (They have polished table manners thanks to their parents, who insist on a sit-down dinner together every night… practice, practice!) Etiquette varies in different countries, which inspired me to write about bread and butter protocol in America. Millennials, if you are invited to a business dinner…let’s brush up on your “bread and butter” skills.  (Pssst… this little secret speaks volumes about your table manners.) Take it or leave it, but at least you will be aware of this simple polished gesture! When bread is served to you, take the piece of bread and place it onto your butter plate, which is to the left of your dinner plate,

Crazy Crab! An EASY, Impromptu First Course!  Prepare to dazzle your guests with my easy and oh-so-delectable first course, which will be whipped up in a snap! Picture this: a bed of fresh, tender bib lettuce leaves on a pretty salad plate. Then, add the star of the show, a generous layer of succulent lump crab meat.  Crown the lump crabmeat with a pale-pink drizzle of velvety-smooth Remoulade sauce, creating a tangy, creamy, spicy and delightful dance. To serve six: -1 or 2 heads of Boston Bib lettuce (depends on the size of the head) -16 oz container of fresh, refrigerated lump crabmeat, drained -Lemon -Bottle of Remoulade sauce, which can be purchased pre-made (usually found in the seafood department) or homemade. Place the Bibb lettuce leaves on the plate, toss the crab with some freshly squeezed lemon, and place the crab on top of the lettuce leaves. Then, drizzle with

Monograms never go out of style! What is a monogram? Monograms are usually three intertwined initials to create one symbol, with the surname initial centered and the largest of the three initials.  A monogram can also be your name initials in a straight row, all the same size, and preferably with a period between the initials. I adore monograms! They contribute to that darling “timeless and tailored” design aspect of gracious living and are a true Southern tradition that I embrace! Whatever you decide to monogram, it will become unique to you because… it has your name on it. A monogram for a married couple: The bride’s first name initial comes first on the left, the surname of the couple is more prominent and featured in the center, and the groom’s first name initial is on the right.  (An easy way to remember which initial comes first:  “Ladies go first!”) This

Mirrors can be used for a myriad of creative applications!  They add sparkle to any space, and historically were used to double the reflection of candlelight before electricity. Here are a few “mirror” design ideas to enhance your interiors. Think about mirroring your ceiling in the dining room, adding a touch of unexpected glamour. Guests will love the reflection of the chandelier lights, along with candlelight on the dining room table. Small spaces are expanded with mirrored walls. While renovating our c.1803 Fox Hall, I mirrored the wall behind the sink, floor to ceiling, in our tiny bathroom. Even though it appears that we have “two loos,” the mirrored walls offer a marvelous illusion of space, and it also serves as a dressing mirror for me! When in France, you may discover and be enchanted by how artwork is hung on top of a mirror. This technique gives depth to

Pretty hats have adorned ladies’ heads for centuries. Give me an occasion, like a European wedding, horse race, or Easter Sunday, and out comes my collection of pretty hats. I adore wearing them! Do you? I realize now, more than before, how imperative it is to wear my “casual straw hats” when I am outdoors and in the sun. When wearing any type of hat, the inevitable happens. Hats can give you flat, unattractive “hat-hair” or “hat head.” This phenomenon is either created by the hat’s weight or the heat under the hat’s crown.  Essentially, the hair on the top of one’s head is squished down and not as puffy as before you put your hat on! Here is my simple secret (which I created out of my hat-hair desperation).  It continues to work well for me, and my wish is that it works for you, too, to avoid “hat

Foo dogs, also known as Chinese guardian lions or iconic mythical creatures, hold great cultural significance in Chinese art. These mythical beings, usually found in pairs, stand guard at important places like palaces and temples. Considered the “bouncers of the spirit world,” they protect sacred spaces from negative energies and unwanted guests. Having foo dogs in your home is like having the most adorable security team, and they’ll steal everyone’s heart with their fierce-yet-adorable charm. My first pair of foo dogs became mine when I was a child in Taipei, Taiwan. I pleaded with my parents for a dog, and they surprised me… with foo dogs! They have been with me ever since, and I hold them dear to my heart. Their unique blend of lion and dragon features gives them a “fierce and fabulous” charm while also bringing good luck, prosperity, and good fortune. Over the years, I have