As you prepare to attend a dinner party, there’s more to consider than a suitable gift for your host. Of course, you’ll feel better arriving with a lovely hostess gift, but a quick etiquette refresher will put you at ease. Feeling confident and in control allows you to engage in conversation, ... [ Read More ]
Transporting Your Holiday Goodies
Coming together over delicious food and sharing homemade treats are part of what makes the holiday season wonderful. After working hard to create delectable dishes, you’ll want to make sure everything arrives at its destination intact and ready to delight the recipients. Follow these tips for ... [ Read More ]
20 Holiday Dining Etiquette Tips
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to share quality time with friends and family, enjoying food and conversation around the dining table. What better occasion to brush up on your dining manners! Here are some tips to help you practice. Wait for the host to be seated before you touch your ... [ Read More ]
Common Dinner Party Etiquette Mistakes
When you accept a friend’s invitation to dinner, you take on a certain responsibility to be a good guest. Previously published on Huffington Post To stay on the right side of good manners - and hopefully get invited back again - avoid these “don’ts” the next time you gather with friends for a ... [ Read More ]
National Pie Day
January 23rd is National Pie Day, and there’s nothing more American than a freshly-baked apple pie. And with numerous creative takes and variations, it’s earned the top spot as America’s fan favorite—36 million fans, to be exact. What better way to celebrate National Pie Day than with a big ol’ ... [ Read More ]
Demystifying the Holiday Menu: Foods to Know
You read about them in holiday stories, sing about them in Christmas carols and serve them on your dinner table, but some traditional holiday foods are a bit of a mystery; figgy pudding, anyone? Some traditions are so ingrained in our holiday rituals no one even questions them, but each has an ... [ Read More ]
Lettermade Cocktail Napkins: Q&A with Malia Dreyer
Cocktail napkins take front stage and are an important accessory when complimenting your favorite beverage at a party. I have collected pretty pieces of linen for years and was thrilled when I found Lettermade, a successful brand, known for extraordinary linens. Malia Dreyer is the owner and has ... [ Read More ]
7 Ingredients to Hosting a Successful Holiday Gathering
A holiday celebration is always much more meaningful when shared with people you love and respect. Planning an event requires consideration for those in attendance. It’s the host’s ultimate responsibility to make their guests are comfortable by thinking ahead for every possibility, leaving nothing ... [ Read More ]
Dining Etiquette: How to Deal with a Spicy Bite
If you have taken a bite of a hot pepper, the burn you are experiencing is a result of capsaicin—a molecular compound found in spicy peppers. It never fails. You’re trying to impress the person sitting across the table from you with all of your best manners when you suddenly realize you have taken ... [ Read More ]
Dining Etiquette for the Entrepreneur
Nowhere are manners more evident than during a business meal. This article originally appeared on Inc.com. There's more to dining etiquette than knowing which fork to use. A real pro will walk away from the table leaving others with a favorable impression, setting the stage for the next ... [ Read More ]
Table Manners for the Rising Executive
Breaking bread is an important part of a business relationship that leads to trust and long-term success. ... [ Read More ]
Purse Hook Etiquette: Is it a Do or Don’t?
No one wants to be left hanging when it comes to knowing what to do with their handbag. Whether you’re out with the girls or having lunch with peers, your purse is an important part of your wardrobe. How you handle the accessory can also be a telltale sign of your social skills. I am often ... [ Read More ]
10 Essential Holiday (and Everyday!) Dining Tips
There’s never a better time to brush up on your table manners than during the holiday season. Regardless of the formality of your meal, bypassing basic dining skills is never a polite option. From a professional setting to lunch with your family, you’ll feel better when your table manners are ... [ Read More ]
The Magic of Mountain Lodge Holiday Entertaining
Dining at a mountain lodge evokes an atmosphere of rustic elegance. Whether you live in a mountainous state, or far from it, you can achieve that lodge chic in your own home. Here are some simple ways to pull off the look as you enjoy an evening of warmth and merriment. Add natural ... [ Read More ]
All That Glitters: Adding Shine to Your Holiday Table with Glassware
As we approach the holiday season, I thought it would be helpful (and fun!) to get better acquainted with an array of glassware options you may want to include in your festivities. Let’s get started … Get party ready. It’s time to take inventory of your current supply of glassware. Determine ... [ Read More ]