To Clink or Not to Clink? Wine Glass Toasting Etiquette
To clink, or not to clink? That is the timeless question! Yesterday, September 13th, marked a truly momentous occasion. Stuart and I celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary. As I sat across from my darling husband, ready to propose a heartfelt toast to five decades of love, laughter, and shared adventures, the topic of crystal glasses—and […]
Chargers: When NOT to use them!
The topic of chargers came to mind when a friend asked about displaying them at a wedding reception dinner. A “charger” is a plate that is more significant in diameter than a dinner plate. It is also referred to as a service plate or an underplate. While chargers are used for decorative purposes these days, […]
A Charming Dinner Party Seating Plan: The Secret 2-2-2 Method!
When it comes to a dinner party seating plan, we all know the traditional rules of how to seat guests for table diplomacy: 🌸 There is the old adage that “six seats itself,” in which the host and hostess anchor the ends of the dining room table, allowing the other two couples to easily mix. […]
Hostess Etiquette: Taking the Mystery Out of the Dress Code
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 […]
Embracing Elegance: The timeless art of graceful deportment!
In a world where technology consumes our attention, good posture and graceful deportment can often be overlooked! While attending an afternoon tea in NYC, a lovely young lady approached me to chat. I admired her posture and the way she held her head high; she was incredibly graceful. After a while, I inquired if she […]
How to Use and Repurpose Your Fine China and Silver Every Day!
Something my parents instilled in me by example, was to use our best pieces EVERY day… not just for special occasions! So, are your finest treasures trapped behind glass? We often keep our “best” pieces tucked away, waiting for a grand occasion that feels “worthy” of them. But a true secret to lovely living is […]
A Timeless Secret: How to Enhance Pearls with a Pin!
Pearls are “The Queen of Gems” in my opinion! Ever since my darling daddy returned from a business trip to Japan and gifted me my first string of graduated Mikimoto pearls at age twelve, they have been my signature piece of jewelry. I simply cannot leave home without them! Pearls are timeless, elegant, and surprisingly […]
Petite Adornments: A Charming Secret to Decorate Your Service Tray!
Christmas is almost here! I invite you to look at your silver chest with fresh eyes. Beyond their traditional role, a silver napkin ring (or any kind of decorative napkin ring) can be reimagined as an exquisite “petite adornment” that adds a sense of beauty and whimsy to your serving trays. This is applicable for any occasion […]
A Gracious Secret: Where Should Ladies Place Their Handbags at Your Party?
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?” […]