Newsletter Archive

Hostess Etiquette: Taking the Mystery Out of the Dress Code

June 22, 2026

The golden rule of hosting is simple. We want our guests to feel entirely at ease and enjoy themselves! Yet, even the most seasoned hostesses can make a dress code assumption, which can lead to a rather awkward, yet entirely well-intentioned, mishap. A dear friend of mine recently invited a group of ladies for a lively late afternoon of tennis at a private club, followed by dinner. She had envisioned a beautiful evening in the formal dining room, naturally assuming her guests would know to bring a change of clothes. The guests, however, assumed dinner would be a casual affair poolside because no mention was made to them that dinner was arranged for the formal dining room. The result? They had a wonderful time, but they dined outdoors in their athletic wear. My friend felt simply terrible, lamenting, “It was entirely my fault. I assumed they would know what my plans

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Restaurant Etiquette: How to Be a Gracious Dinner Guest

June 15, 2026

How grateful I am to my parents for instilling in me the old-school rules for being a truly gracious and grateful guest when invited out for a meal. They also shared with me a golden rule for hosting. You simply do not invite someone to dinner unless you can afford their free choice. With that being said, have you ever been a guest of someone’s at a restaurant or at their club and noticed one guest makes a point of ordering the most expensive item on the menu? You might find yourself wondering if you are the only one who notices this little breach of quiet refinement. Are they trying to impress their host? Far from it. This topic has been presented to me on several occasions, so here are my thoughts! When one is invited to dine out as a guest, proper etiquette dictates that the focus should always

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Monograms on Sheets!

June 8, 2026

Who doesn’t adore beautiful bed linens?!  Seeing and feeling crisply ironed sheets instantly brings back memories of various beloved venues, the way a scent or sound will trigger feelings from the past.  I vividly remember flying to London with our elder daughter, Alexandra, then age ten.  We were invited to stay at a relative’s elegant London townhouse, replete with a driver and a “Roller” (aka Rolls Royce).  We were both exhausted from the overnight journey and climbed into our twin beds. The faint scent of lavender on the beautifully ironed and magnificently monogrammed sheets gently swaddled us… and instantly, we experienced “sweet dreams and a slice of heaven!”  That experience made an impression on me and how important it is to pay attention to guest room sheets.  Well, all bedrooms, for that matter!  Several years ago, my husband and I hosted a joyful black-tie celebration for our son’s 40th birthday,

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Guardians of Charm: The Magic of Foo Dogs!

June 1, 2026

Foo dogs, also known as Chinese guardian lions, hold great cultural significance in Eastern art and history. These mythical beings, traditionally found in pairs, stand guard at the entrances of grand palaces, temples, and estates. Considered the majestic sentinels of the spirit world, they protect sacred spaces from negative energies and unwanted guests. Incorporating foo dogs into your home provides a stately, protective presence, captivating guests with their fierce-yet-charming allure. My first pair of foo dogs became mine when I was a child living in Taipei, Taiwan. I pleaded with my parents for a puppy, and they surprised me… with a pair of foo dogs! They have been with me ever since, and I hold them incredibly dear to my heart. Their unique blend of lion and dragon features gives them a regal charm, while traditionally bringing good luck, prosperity, and good fortune. Over the years, I have continued to

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Proper Protocol On How To Greet A Friend Who Is Dining With Others

May 26, 2026

Have you ever been enjoying a delightful dinner at a restaurant or a private Club, deep in conversation, only to have an acquaintance spot you and walk over to your table? A spontaneous greeting is a lovely gesture, but far too often a well‑meaning friend overstays their welcome, right? A quick hello turns into a lengthy chat filled with updates… and much more than you expected! When greeting someone who is seated at a dinner table, remember, it should be a fleeting moment, not a full catch‑up session. The individuals dining are there to enjoy their meal and their chosen companions. A prolonged interruption can cause the hot soufflé to deflate, the conversation to stall, and an awkward tension to settle over the table as everyone waits for the interlude to end. The ideal table greeting lasts only a few moments! A perfect formula is a warm hello, a brief

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The Power of the Pin: The Secret Language of Brooches

May 18, 2026

  I have always thought of a jewelry box as so much more than just a place for pretty things. It’s really a lady’s quietest form of diplomacy. While a necklace sits quietly, a brooch serves as an envoy for your personality, purpose, and intentions. It is the ultimate secret weapon for a lady who wishes to make a statement without saying a word! During her visit to the United States last month, Queen Camilla showed us how diplomacy is done… with pins! She landed wearing the Unity Pin—a Cartier piece featuring the American flag entwined with the Union Jack—signaling deep respect before she even stepped off the plane. For the White House welcome, she chose the heart-shaped Cullinan V diamond, projecting strength and the literal weight of history. The true visionary of the “art of the pin” was the late Madeleine Albright, who quite literally wrote the book, Read

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