Newsletter Archive

It is always a delight to read your questions and responses to my “Secrets to Lovely Living!”  Just recently,  I was asked about the protocol for a “graduation announcement versus an invitation,” hence my topic du jour! A graduation invitation is different from a graduation announcement.  The former is requesting your attendance at the actual ceremony, and the latter is acknowledging your academic accomplishment…cheers to graduating! A Graduation Invitation:  If you receive a graduation invitation, it is requesting your physical attendance at the graduation commencement. It is typically mailed six weeks prior to the graduation date, or a save-the-date card can be sent up to three months ahead. This advance notice is helpful for out-of-town guests to make their travel arrangements. Do not take offense if you did not receive an invitation. Due to the constraint of limited school seating, invitations are mainly intended for immediate family and close relatives.

The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle. (formerly Mummy’s Monday Manners) Stuart and I adore entertaining. Friends are a gift you give yourself! Our goal is to have a jovial time while catching up with our darling friends by sharing stories and laughing together over dinner. I truly savor the preparation, from arranging the flowers (either from our garden or store-bought), to deciding the menu, setting the table, and cooking. To me, while as time-consuming as it is to cook, it is my way of showing my love to our precious friends and family. I am most grateful to be able to do this. That being said, Stuart contributes by placing the appropriate glasses on the table and being in charge of the wine and libations for the event. He always excels at showing “his love” with this task…a “jolly time” is guaranteed! True

The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle. (formerly Mummy’s Monday Manners) With Valentine’s Day in the air, let’s talk about the “Kiss-Kiss!” Yes, kissing on the lips is for lovers!  But, the tradition of the “kiss on the cheeks” is a recognized form of endearment between friends, family, and occasionally, business colleagues.  Touching cheeks and kissing in the air is known as the “social kiss” or the “air kiss.”  It is one step above a handshake in terms of devotion, friendship, love, and gratitude.  It is a prevalent social practice for a greeting, and a farewell, in many countries such as the USA and Europe.  In France, this common practice is referred to as “Faire la bise.” With the continued challenges of Covid, be aware and respectful of how others wish to greet you in reference to the social kiss.  Note their body language

Think twice when purchasing knobs and pulls for your cabinet doors and drawers!  While pretty earrings can complement an elegant outfit for a sought-after “tailored composition,” decorative knobs and pulls can be the “darling detail” for your cabinets, and serve to create a well-appointed decorative touch. Whether the interior space is grand or petite, formal or informal, what you choose to adorn your cabinets with is worthy of your time and attention. Cabinets can be prime real estate to feature a touch of your personality into a room. The knob design, and finish you choose, can either be a theme-inspired element, a whimsical element or simply a quiet enhancement to a cabinet, while intrinsically contributing to the overall design of a room.  I adore looking at one’s choice of hardware, as it can transform a space to become uniquely individual! Drawer knobs and pulls are available to purchase from a

The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle. (formerly Mummy’s Monday Manners) What decorative trim is elegantly understated and timeless? What decorative trim is timeless, tailored, and exceptionally cost-effective?  It can be used to enhance curtains and valances, adorn upholstery, pillows, dust ruffles, and even grace your clothes, hair bands, hats, shoes, and ponytails?  Now, that’s a notable roster for ONE kind of trim, wouldn’t you agree?  Any ideas of which trim I am referring to? It is a grosgrain ribbon!  (Pronounced: GROW-grain) Grosgrain is a very versatile ribbon and has a distinctive ribbed appearance that goes across the ribbon, which enhances its durability.  Its textured parallel ridges have a matte finish.  Therefore it is not flashy or shiny, and is more durable than satin or silk ribbons. Grosgrain, as early as the 17th century, referred to a garment fabric that was black and durable. 

The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle. (formerly Mummy’s Monday Manners) My “secret” color combination for kitchens! What is my “secret” color combination for a charming, timeless, and tailored kitchen?  It’s a “blue & white” color scheme!  This traditional color combination has been around for centuries, so maybe it does not qualify as “my secret,” but more of my “tried and true” color combination for a kitchen… and for other rooms too, for that matter! Mummy convinced me to consider a blue & white scheme for the kitchen in my first “big-girl” house.  I realize now that I did not truly appreciate her sage guidance at age 21… but, once again, her advice was merited!  She drew from her well-earned experience: she encountered several rather unique interiors, whilst moving our family over 33 times internationally!  Fortunately, I listened to her and adopted her blue & white