Newsletter Archive

When I recently traveled on a CEO.Org tour to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Galilee Sea, my wardrobe needed to adapt to various temperatures, venues, and dress codes. What is my magic “travel wardrobe” accessory? A collection of silk scarves, in a medley of sizes and colors! Scarves can transform an outfit and be worn more than once for a varied chic appearance. From casual to dressy, a silk scarf can provide just the right touch, with minimal effort! Scarves can be worn in a myriad of ways, either around one’s neck, as a wrap (90” x 90” size) for warmth, or to cover one’s arms while visiting a church. They add pizazz to a purse when tied around the handle. Grandmillennial Tips: Because silk scarves can be rawwther expensive, I place my scarves in my carry-on luggage, so if my checked luggage gets lost or is delayed, I can always

A pair of lovely wall brackets will enhance any wall! Wall brackets support three-dimensional artwork such as porcelain vases, sculptures, clocks, and even candlestick holders. They have graced interiors in Europe for centuries. Wall brackets are my go-to decorative element for embellishing a room. Wall brackets give dimension to a wall. I recommend always purchasing them in pairs for symmetry. They come in all sizes, shapes, and forms: gilded wood, stone, plaster, acrylic, and other media forms. Wall brackets should complement the object they hold, as well as the room! They are discussed in detail in my book, The Pretty & Proper Living Room. Grandmillennial Tips: When you discover a pretty pair of wall brackets, buy them! If you have a piece of porcelain, such as a vase or a Chinese ginger jar, and wish to display it on a wall bracket, remember to measure the widest point of the

A lovely tradition that I have witnessed in classically designed houses is a table devoted to bridal photographs, as an homage to various brides within the family tree. Traditionally, the assembled portraits would only feature the bride in a formal pose. But, in present-day tradition, pictures of the bride and groom, whether in black & white or color, are often included on the same table with the other family brides. The elegant examples of formal bridal portrait photographs which I observed in English country houses and palaces are traditionally in black & white, or in a sepia tone. Occasionally, a few photographs in color are added in the line-up too. Bridal photographs are traditionally grouped together and displayed in the living room on a side table, on a grand piano, or behind a sofa. They can also be placed in other rooms. Obviously, the formality of the house, and the

With June approaching, weddings are in the air!  Do you know why June is traditionally the most popular month to marry? June is derived from Juno, the goddess of marriage, and the protector of women. A wedding in June is considered auspicious, so the couple will be blessed with happiness forever! Brides traditionally wear white and a veil. The tradition of the wedding veil is thought to have begun during the Roman Empire. Back then, the bride was considered an object of desire for evil spirits, so the veil, or blusher veil,  served to protect her until she reached the altar. Then, the groom lifted it to expose her face to him first.  The custom of a bride wearing white began in 1840 when Queen Victoria wore a white wedding gown and veil. White continues to relay the purity associated with brides, and the veil adds to this aura. I

How grateful I am to my parents for the opportunity to attend a school that embraces gracious traditions and gave me lifelong friends and comradery.  Seeing my dear classmates felt as if no time had passed! At the reunion, many commented about my newsletter and how they share it with their children and grandchildren… the ultimate compliment!  My darling classmate, Caroline, suggested the topic of  “common courtesies” as a refresher to adults and as a reminder to our children. In particular, the polite courtesy of how to go in and out of doorways! “All doors open to courtesy.” – Thomas Fuller Proper protocol suggests that the person coming out of the door has the right of way, and the person outside of the door, politely waits to the side, and if possible, offers to hold the door open while the other person departs the building. While in Williamsburg, Virginia, I

Mummy always said, “Paper napkins are for picnics, linen napkins are for lovely guests!”  She offered a linen cocktail napkin to her guests when serving drinks at any time of the day. This old-school proper entertaining accessory may seem retro, but they announce “Party!” to me! Cocktail napkins can be customized easily with the design of amusing objects to reflect your interests, and they can be embroidered with your family crest, or for formal occasions, with simple white on white embroidery. It is delightful to discover precious new linen designs on my travels, and it’s a joy to collect a myriad of cocktail napkins for various occasions and design schemes. My predominant justification: Party time is “pretty time!” Occasionally, I receive one of my cocktail napkins sent back with a note from a guest! Gentlemen have a propensity to pop them in their pocket at some point during cocktail hour.