After months of postponing travel and staying home for the holidays for the past two years, people are feeling more comfortable making plans to visit extended friends and family. But… hold on … before you start packing your bags and taking it on the road, knowing how to be a considerate houseguest ... [ Read More ]
The Fall Edit: Decluttering and Tidying this Autumn
Spring may be the season when most people clean house from top to bottom, but it’s time to consider a new tidying tradition: the fall edit. Throughout the year, things tend to accumulate around the house until drawers are overflowing, closets are crammed and finding what you’re looking for takes ... [ Read More ]
Holiday Parties: RSVP Etiquette Q&A
It’s that time again—the invites are on their way for birthdays, weddings and holiday celebrations. As things continue to open up, everyone still has a different comfort level. The decision to attend an outdoor gathering may come easier than agreeing to sit shoulder to shoulder while decorating ... [ Read More ]
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas 2021 and Celebration Etiquette
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th and many families are looking forward to spending time with their moms, grandmas, stepmoms and those who feel like mom. How can you determine if it’s practical to have a celebration to honor your mom this Mother’s Day? According to Dr. Sten H. Vermund, Dean of Yale ... [ Read More ]
Planning a Memorable Valentine’s Day Celebration
Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to spend time with those you love. When gathered around the kitchen table, it's easy to start the day off right and share a few special moments. How can you make this Valentine's Day memorable without leaving the house? Keep reading for a few thoughtful ... [ Read More ]
Etiquette Tips for the New Year: Starting Off on the Right Foot
It always feels good to enter a new year, begin a new journey and look forward to positive things to come. I recently shared some etiquette tips for the new year with Shelly Miles on San Antonio Living (you can also watch the video below). Small, simple steps can make a significant impact. ... [ Read More ]
Create Your Goals for the New Year in Color
I'm generally not one for New Year's resolutions because, as we all know, they often fall by the wayside very quickly. However, with so many changes due to the pandemic, many will need some emotional inspiration to get back on track. It's the perfect time to make an intentional fresh start with some ... [ Read More ]
Christmas Eve Etiquette Q&A
In the middle of a world-wide pandemic, this holiday season brings a new level of challenges. No doubt, for most of us, Christmas Eve will look quite a bit different than in years past. I am sharing a few questions I have received regarding some common holiday quandaries. Keep reading for a ... [ Read More ]
Holiday Office Gift Giving Etiquette
Office gift giving has changed considerably this year due to financial fluctuations, job loss, working remote and personal budgets. Many companies are focusing on spending holiday dollars, doing something good for the community rather than sending out the standard boxes of candy or bottles of wine. ... [ Read More ]
The Comfort and Joy of Holiday Traditions
Holiday traditions provide a level of stability in the often frantic chaos of the season. It's the fun of baking and decorating the always imperfect gingerbread house, laughing through the white elephant gift exchange among the siblings, wearing the matching pajamas that your mom (a.k.a. me!) has ... [ Read More ]
How to Reduce Holiday Stress and Feel More Joyful
In normal times it is not uncommon for people's stress levels to surge during the holiday season. Factor in COVID-19 and the struggles and emotions associated with the health crisis, limited interaction with family and friends, job loss and travel restrictions and you have a recipe for a difficult ... [ Read More ]
The Great Pecan Pronunciation Debate
The holiday table is the perfect breeding ground for some lively, occasionally explosive conversation and nothing gets a Southerner going more than the Great Pecan Pronunciation Debate. There has been so much debacle around the pronunciation of the little brown nut! The website ... [ Read More ]
Demystifying the Holiday Dress Code
The holiday season during the current pandemic may not include the formal celebrations of the past, but there will be a time and place for wearing a beautiful outfit and it never hurts to know the rules to dress code etiquette. Just as we benefit from carefully choosing the clothing we wear to work, ... [ Read More ]
Thanksgiving Etiquette Q and A During the Pandemic
Thanksgiving is in a couple of days and there are so many questions that have come up due to the unusual circumstances of COVID-19. Although a vaccine is hopefully insight, we are not there yet and there is much confusion with how to navigate Thanksgiving without hurting anyone’s feelings. I am ... [ Read More ]
How to Handle Holiday Mishaps
It's so much fun to sit down to a Thanksgiving meal with family which consists of everyone's favorite foods. It's a time when we all can enjoy seconds without feeling guilty about the extra piece of pumpkin pie or sweet potato. During the festivities, it's not uncommon to drop a dab of cranberry ... [ Read More ]