Floral Arrangement Secrets for Dinner Party Entertaining!
There is nothing quite like the magic of flowers to bring a room to life and signal to your guests that an elegant evening awaits. Whether I am plucking blossoms from our garden at Fox Hall or selecting a few stems from the florist, preparing my floral arrangements is pure joy for me! I want […]
Secret Candle Etiquette: How to Prepare a Proper Candle!
What a stupendous time Stuart and I had with the CEO.org team planning our next “Live Royally” event for 2027. We explored breathtaking palaces and private castles in Salzburg and Vienna, Austria. Everywhere I turned, from the grandest ballrooms to the more intimate dining chambers, I would tilt my head back to admire the gilded […]
Table Etiquette: Which Direction Do You Pass Anything at a Dinner Table?
The No-No to Know: Keep Passing! This isn’t earth-shattering, but I have witnessed this more often than I can count on my hands! Have you ever attended a dinner party, a large charity function, or a wedding where an item is being passed from guest to guest- perhaps a basket of warm biscuits, savory gravy, […]
The Art of Being a Gracious Houseguest
After years of hosting at Fox Hall, and Animal Haus in Vermont, my husband and I have been fortunate to have some truly delightful houseguests. Their impeccable manners have touched my heart and serve as brilliant examples of how a guest can contribute and be “easy keepers”… the kind of guests you want to have […]
Bread & Butter Note
Happy New Year! Have you ever heard the old-school term “bread and butter” note and wondered what it is? It is an old-school term for a thank-you note, which is dutifully sent to thank a host/hostess for their hospitality! The gracious gesture of sending a “bread and butter” thank-you note is an appreciated gift to […]
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 […]
Mummy’s Secret Christmas Caviar Ball!
Do you agree that inherited family recipes are “as good as gold?” Not just because they’re tried and true, but because they immediately bring back happy memories! Our ultimate Christmas Eve tradition at Fox Hall is Mummy’s Caviar Ball, served every year during cocktail hour and also, at my holiday parties. It’s the easiest, most […]
Easy Appetizer: Simple Pinwheel Proscuitto Roll-Ups
Want an easy “make-ahead hors d’oeuvre?” I have been making these for years and keep a roll or two frozen so if I host an impromptu guest or have a party, I can take them out, slightly thaw, slice and bake…Everyone loves them! I slice them rather thinly, so I can make even more from […]
Must You Sing for Your Supper? Oh, Yes, Indeed!
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, […]
Holly’s “Angel Cheese Crisps!”
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 […]