Cheers!

David Hicks courtesy of Habitually Chic

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and days of old lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

Image courtesy of Martha Stewart.

For those of you who celebrate it, have a Christmas full of merriment and joy. I hope you are all able to spend this time with those you love.

Last Minute Children's Gifts

I’m sure BTG isn’t the only one who has delayed his gift purchases until the last possible moment. If you find yourself in want of a proper children’s gift, worry no longer. I happened upon the books pictured above at Anthropologie. They are reprints of Munro Leaf’s classics “How To Speak Politely And Why” and “Manners Can Be Fun”. Their lessons will provide a solid foundation in speaking and polite behavior for even the youngest child. They can also act as a reminder for adults who over the course of time may have let a few things slip.

Modern Manners Monday

Back when our founding fathers were still young lads, the desire for literature on manners and etiquette experienced a surge. The aristocratic protocol of the courts in England and Europe influenced the land owning class in colonial America. In fact, a young George Washington recorded lessons in civility which have now found their way into a book titled “Mind Your Manners! George Washington’s Rules of Civility”.

The book was compiled and annotated by James Henry II, the descendant of a Scotsman who served on the Continental Congress and who once loaned money to George Washington to finance the Revolutionary War. There are 110 rules contained within; each entry includes a modern interpretation by Mr. Henry.

What better subject to share in my inaugural Modern Manners Monday than the first President of the United States? We will begin with one that is quite dear to me:

Rule 18

“Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave...”

We exist in a world of modern conveniences and in many ways we are better for it. Cell phones, BlackBerrys, iPods and Kindles abound. Something happened, however, on this bullet train of technology. Immediacy has usurped civility. I suggest we take a cue from President Washington:

When in the presence company, keep all distracting devices at bay. Only under circumstances of extreme urgency, excuse yourself for any third party communications. In no time you will realize how inconvenient it is to continually take leave of your party for trifling matters.

Cut From The Same Cloth: A Modern Daughter & Traditional Mother

They both embody an old-world, patrician grace which is somewhat incongruous in today’s world and epitomize classic, refined style. They also share the name Carolina Herrera. There is something enduringly captivating about this pair.

Carolina Sr., the polished, Venezuelan designer, was on best dressed lists even before she founded her eponymous clothing brand. An inveterate traditionalist, she is known for her trademark white button-down shirts. Aside from formal gatherings, one is hard-pressed to locate evidence of her without one.

Photo by The Sartorialist

Looking as if she’s arrived directly from a sitting with Sargent, Carolina Jr. is a contemporary interpretation of the original. She serves as inspiration for her mother’s designs and has also led development of the brand’s fragrances.

I’m influenced by both, not only in the way I dress but also in the way I live. They prove that elegance is far more enchanting than scandal.

Artisanal Traditions : Modern Convenience

Photo courtesy of pouryourheartintoit on Flickr

I had the pleasure of dining at A16 in San Francisco last week with a dear friend and amateur gastronome. For weeks she had gone on and on about the cheese, so much so, I was convinced this cheese held mystical properties.

For those of you who have never tasted proper, fresh burrata, I weep. It was quite possibly the most uncomplicated and yet most pleasurable morsel that had ever crossed my lips. Flown in daily from Gioia Cheese in Los Angeles, burrata is a paragon of artisinal craftsmanship. Native to the Puglia region of Italy, burrata is handcrafted from traditional mozzarella in a process which optimally lasts only ten seconds. It must be devoured fresh as it has a shelf life of five days.

I implore you: visit Gioia’s online store, purchase a pound, and serve immediately with a sprinkling of sea salt and a dousing of extra virgin olive oil.

Tradition: Christmas Gift Lists

The young Modern Traditionalist with Santa

Anybody who knows me well, knows I am the consummate list maker. I catalog everything from grocery items, weekend activities, suitcase contents, and my life plan for the next ten years. Conversely, I loathe compiling Christmas lists. Each time I’m asked to supply one, I cringe.

The habit of providing gift lists is instilled at an early age when, as children, we are instructed to complete a list for Santa. I certainly don’t recommend abolishing this tradition for young children; however, my opinion on gift giving outside of the realm of St. Nick has been established for many years. Simply put, if you do not know me well enough to select a gift you think I may adore, then don’t waste your money. With the exception of extreme financial hardship, asking a person to list what they need is rather gauche. The goal of gift giving is to surprise and delight. Nothing is lovelier than receiving an unsolicited item true to your character. The greatest gift is the knowledge that someone understands you, listens and cares enough to present you with an ideal representation of yourself. What greater compliment exists?

Middleburg, Part Deux

Bow Tie Guy found himself a sartorial soul mate in Middleburg. With evident English-equestrian underpinnings and an abundance of bow ties, it wasn’t a matter of if he would indulge but rather to what degree. The details were enchanting. “Working buttons,” BTG exclaimed whilst examining jackets.



Middleburg’s most charming asset is its omnipresent wit. Take this display for The Tie Thing, a simple device whose function is to affix one’s tie to their shirt thus eliminating inappropriate tie behavior. The droll slogan was enough to compel BTG to purchase a set whose merit he’s appraising today.

Weekend Retreat: Middleburg, VA

Bow Tie Guy and I ventured out to Middleburg, Virginia on this sublime Sunday. Situated in the heart of Virginia Hunt Country, Middleburg is a cozy hamlet comprised of custom clothiers, countless antiques shops, and enough small-town charm to make the Modern Traditionalist squeal in delight. Steeped in history, this village was established in 1787 by the American Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel, Levin Powell. He purchased the land at $2.50 per acre from George Washington’s first cousin. What truly won me over, though, was the way in which such a traditional town embraced the modern world. Take, for example, the sign posted in the window of a women’s clothing retailer:



Now this is a town after my own heart!

Family Heirlooms

Garance Doré, my favorite fashion blogger, has a post today about her friend’s Hermès Kelly bag. I concur that it occasionally takes time and experience to bring an item to life. A tale can be told with each imperfection. The piece has a spirit behind it which casts its glow on the fortunate beneficiary.

I will ultimately inherit my great-grandmother’s cocktail ring which, as legend has it, was acquired with bootlegging profits. Are you the guardian of a precious heirloom? Does it carry a story or secrets?

Holiday Traditions: The Conundrum

Now that the first day of December has officially passed, I must hunker down and commit myself to the art of holiday correspondence. I do not wish to incorrectly imply a burdensome sentiment when describing this ubiquitous holiday tradition; sending holiday greetings has always been a means of playing catch-up with distant friends and relations for a corporate gypsy such as myself. My stress lies in locating holiday cards which truly reflect my personality. Am I religiously conservative or festively non-denominational? Classic or contemporary? One thing is certain, I’m a Luddite in my unwavering belief that holiday correspondence should be delivered in the traditional written form and not digitally.

Today I will head off in search of the perfect demonstration(s) of The Modern Traditionalist in paper form. I’m keen on Habitually Chic’s idea of choosing a variety card types depending on the intended recipient. Not only does it provide a personalized solution, giving the receiver a sense that you chose that card especially for them, but it also avoids the monotony of seeing the same card displayed at holiday fête after holiday fête.

Perhaps next year I can commission Hollister Hovey to design the perfect card just for me!