Newsletter Archive

Must You Sing for Your Supper? Oh, Yes, Indeed!

November 17, 2025

We have all heard that phrase, and when you are a dinner guest, it rings absolutely true! With Thanksgiving upon us, here are a few considerations for a “proper dinner guest.” As a guest, you are being treated to dinner. Your host is going out of their way to lavish you with their gracious hospitality, delicious food, and perfectly paired drinks.  So, you have the delightful obligation to enhance the evening by offering charming conversation and joviality. Your engaging presence is a key component of the host’s successful party. The savvy and proper guest knows to acknowledge their effort with genuine gratitude and charm… especially if they want to be invited back! Nothing is worse than a guest who “expects” to be entertained or is a bore. So be the sparkle and add your charm to the event.  The Protocol for a Proper Dinner Guest Promptly Acknowledge the Invitation: Remember

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Holly’s “Angel Cheese Crisps!”

November 3, 2025

Impromptu parties?  That is my signature! Pulling a party together at a moment’s notice came from years of experience.  My husband has a reputation for being the “host with the most,” especially with his business clients and colleagues in his industry. When customers were in town, he would often call from his office and ask if he could extend an invitation to his guests to come to our house for a drink before they went out to dinner. It was always good for business, so I learned early on to say, “YES, of course!” With three little ones at home, I did not always have the luxury of going out to buy something pre-made or get ingredients.  I learned a repertoire of quick and easy hors d’oeuvres. Here, I want to share one of my easiest recipes! It requires only two ingredients. I can almost guarantee you’ll have both ingredients,

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Destination Funeral Etiquette: Why Confirming Your Attendance is the Kindest Gesture

October 27, 2025

Attending a funeral that requires travel, a destination funeral, is difficult enough. But for the bereaved family, it’s exponentially more challenging. Not only are they grieving, but they are also simultaneously managing travel logistics, food, and accommodations for dozens of guests who have traveled far to attend. Stuart and I planned to attend a service for a very dear friend in Nantucket. I reached out a week before to his bereaved wife to confirm that we were definitely coming. She later confessed that she had been consumed by worry. Since she had no firm headcount of who would actually attend the service, the capacity limit had become a significant source of stress, because while the church was spacious, the post-service reception at the Nantucket Yacht Club had capacity limits due to a previously planned wedding reception in the ballroom. She said it had been such a challenge to decide whom

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A Gracious Secret: Where Should Ladies Place Their Handbags at Your Party?

October 20, 2025

The true secret to seamless, elegant entertaining is anticipating your guests needs… before they have to ask you! Make your guests feel cared for the moment they cross the threshold into your home. A dear subscriber inquired: “When guests come for dinner, should I direct ladies to a place where they may place their handbags?” Yes, indeed! For a small gathering, less than a dozen ladies, my approach is to offer a joyful welcome, and then gently ask, “Would you care to place your handbag down?” while gesturing toward a predetermined chair or bench in the hall, or even a table if you have one conveniently located by the front door. (This same designated place can also hold their hostess gifts.) By asking a lady this gracious inquiry straightaway, it will immediately put your guest at ease; you’ve given her permission and a designated space to place whatever she wishes.

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The Timeless Appeal of Carrara Marble Countertops

October 13, 2025

Our cooktop is a standalone cabinet, which enabled me to add two custom columns on either side, which serve to enhance the bespoke design of the marble.   There are design choices that feel trendy, and then there are those that are timeless. As a designer, when I’m asked about my favorite countertop surface for historic and traditional homes, there is only one answer that truly defines enduring elegance: Carrara marble. My devotion goes beyond its initial beauty; it’s rooted in a deep appreciation for history. Carrara, with its soft white background and feathery grey veining, has been prized since Roman times—a staple in ancient sculptures and grand European country houses. When I specify Carrara, I know I’m introducing a material that immediately respects a historic home’s lineage. I know what the skeptics say, “It’s porous!” “It stains easily!” To them I say, “That’s the point.” While many seek a perfectly

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A Sparkling Debut: Welcome to the New Holly Holden Website!

October 6, 2025

With genuine delight, I am excited to unveil and debut my sparkling new, updated website to you today! Not only is it easy to navigate, like a well-kept garden path, but I am tickled pink to share additional “secret” resources with you. You have kindly nudged me over the years to create a “Holly Shop.” So now, I finally have a charming place to share some of my favorite things! You’ll discover a selection of timeless and tailored gifts to give for every occasion, along with curated and cherished goodies for you and your home. From silk pillows and cachepots, to cuff links and a straw hat with a pink bow, the “Holly’s Favorite Things Shop” will continue to be updated with exclusive treasures… ones you may not find anywhere else. You’ll discover bespoke dresses and more. So, check back often; you can always count on me to share more

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