Newsletter Archive

Dining room chairs are inherently delicate due to their pierced backs and delicate splats (the exposed portion of the wood design behind your back). Traditional chairs such as Chippendale, Hepplewhite and ribbon-back are not meant to support your back. In fact, formally, your back should never touch the back of the chair! Remember that sitting up straight always looks more handsome and engaging than a slouching back. Mummy said that both men and women should sit down gently and gracefully. Leaning on the chair is not only just not done, it is quite embarrassing for both the guest and the host if the chair back breaks (which I have witnessed). So, unlike a fireside chair or a fully upholstered chair, purposely designed for comfort, a classically designed dining room chair remains an elegant adornment for elegant dining. Sign up for Mummy’s Monday Manners to receive new sparkling tips about etiquette and classic design every

“If it is not moving, monogram it!” This is how Reese Witherspoon refers to monogramming in her darling book, Whiskey in a Teacup, and it sums up my southern sentiments as well. Monogramming is an essential element in the South for timeless and tailored houses. Towels, sheets, coverlets, shams, without a monogram… well, they just look naked, like a cupcake without frosting! This also goes for silver, writing paper, and photograph frames. The list is endless. For a married couple, the bride’s first initial comes first on the left, the surname of the couple in the center, and the groom’s first initial on the right, in that order. This joint monogram is used mainly on items that the couple will use together, such as sheets in their bedroom and towels in their bathroom. Once married, a woman who has taken on her husband’s last name has two choices. Her first name

A Gift Enclosure Card and Envelope! Gift enclosure cards, with their matching envelopes, are a thoughtful adornment on any gift. A little note written on the gift card, along with your name, is a splendid way to let the recipient know who gave the gift to them. Here are examples of some of my gift enclosure cards and envelopes. I placed an informal fold-over card on the bottom right, with a line through my name, so that you can visually see the size difference between the cards. The gift card on the right, with my blue monogram, is a petite fold-over gift enclosure card. Because the cards are diminutive in size, approximately 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, there is not much room to write more than a sentence or two! For example: Dearest Caroline, We have been looking forward to this evening and thank you for including us! xoxo Holly I

The Secret Behind Fountain Pen Nibs An authentic fountain pen is the best and most traditional choice of writing instrument. A rollerball pen (not a ballpoint) with black or blue ink, would be my choice. Fountain pens can take a while to get used to, depending on the nib size. Practice first if you are not accustomed to using one. Also, fountain pen ink can take a few seconds longer to dry than a rollerball, so take that into consideration when writing, to avoid smudging the ink all over your writing paper. The nib is where the ink flows out at the point of the fountain pen onto the paper. I highly recommend trying out several nibs at either a Mont Blanc store or a stationery store that sells fountain pens before you buy one. For my particular style of handwriting, a Fine (.06mm line thickness) or Medium point (.08)

Having a menu card for an event elevates the occasion and honors the celebration or the person being feted. It also lets guests know what to expect. With the date and the occasion printed on the card, it can become a keepsake for your guests, too. Menu cards are printed vertically and are approximately 5″ x 8″ in size, give or take a few inches in each direction. I have my menu cards custom made using white, 110-pound stock, with a black image of Fox Hall printed on the top and center. The cards are 4 1/4″ wide x 5 1/2″ high. I use these cards as menu cards, as well as for impromptu notes. I specify rounded corners, which I adore, as they are quite prevalent in Europe, and most aesthetically pleasing to the eye! Menu cards are traditionally printed in black ink, and occasionally gold or a color to

The Art of the Handwritten Note A well composed, handwritten note is a very thoughtful gift you can give to someone. With the plethora of emails and texts these days, a handwritten note is a precious sight for sore eyes! You know that someone has taken the time to compose and write meaningful words, just for you. Some feel handwriting is a lost art, but I feel it is alive and well, especially for those who understand the social and business significance of it. When you are handwriting a thank you note, be sure to write on the correct sides of your writing paper, in this order: By simply looking at someone’s unique handwriting on the outside of an envelope addressed to you, there is a chance that you might immediately recognize who it is from, conjuring up eager anticipation! Occasionally, I discover a handwritten note from Mummy or Daddy inside