Modern Manners Guides
I find myself in need of polishing my manners and etiquette for attending events, dining out, meeting new people and socializing with them in a formal professional setting, with the aim of building business relationships and fruitful partnerships.
Wondering how to start on this journey I remembered I have a great resource in my library already – Debrett’s A-Z of Modern Manners guide, first published in 2008. I have the 2014 reprint, but a new edition came out in 2019, including new entries on things like digital etiquette and manners, emojis, hashtags, photographing and selfies, Google, Brexit, but also on maybe less obvious items like oversharing, Prosecco, avocados and even quinoa. I am ever so curious what the protocol is about quinoa, I might just have to buy the new edition!
What’s more, recently I have seen quite a few mentions of a new guide that I am now keen to get my hands on, The Gentlewoman’s Modern Manners guide. It sounds exactly like what I need, doesn’t it? And it comes very well recommended.
I suppose there must be growing interest for such guides, as we emerge from a period of not socializing, as even The Telegraph had an article recently that I found both insightful and very amusing, so I strongly recommend reading it.
Would you consider studying modern manners, or are you more inclined towards the new Tiffany’s campaign, A New Take on “Tiffany’s Table Manners for Teenagers”? Their guide was first published in 1961 and they have just put out an anniversary edition and the tongue-in-cheek video linked above.
Pompeii Still has Buried Secrets
This New Yorker article drew me in instantly, even though I don’t know enough about Pompeii, I am fascinated with efforts to uncover more of a long lost and perhaps forgotten past. But what really intrigued me was the fact that archeologists today believe that further excavations should be left for future archeologists that will presumably have access to better technology.
Of course, this is a very rational and practical recommendation, but I also found it very courteous, to save some of the mystery and gratifying feeling of having discovered a part of a treasure for future generations of passionate and dedicated experts.
Enjoy this article and maybe take advantage, as I usually do, of the brilliant option of listening to it, if that works better for you! I will never tire of praising the audio option for books, articles & co…
Vintage Stoves
It’s that time of the year when I long to be in my parent’s house hugging our big terracotta stoves! I grew up with these as a big and warm presence in our home and even now, with the central heating on all the time, I ask my parents to light the fire in the stoves when I go home during the winter.
The smell of burnt wood, the crackling of the fire, the view through the open door of the stove and the exquisitely hot heat that almost burns, but doesn’t… It’s magical and I am counting the days to our trip home.
This Messy Nessy article about Sweedish stoves is what prompted my trip down memory lane even though floral tiles are not common in my country, as far as I know. We have deep colours, like pine green, and tiles with various patterns and designs, assembled into all sorts of shapes, creating ‘shelves’ and alcoves where you can put things you want to dry or keep warm.
I need to snap some good pictures when I get home, but in the meantime I have started a dedicated Pinteres board here.
Knitwear Accessories
It’s no secret I love knitwear, especially precious items handmade by my mom, and today I bring you not one, but two cool accessories for knitted clothes! Without further ado, the sweater clip is a vintage invention traditionally worn with cardigans that have no buttons or other fastening system and there are numerous styles that you can try, from very simple to opulent pieces of jewellery. There are some exquisite examples on Etsy and they can even be worn with other clothing items, like ‘mini-belts’.
The second accessory, the ‘doer upper’, has multiple uses, particularly if you love chunkier knits, and it can help you create new shapes and give new dimensions to comfy oversized items, while still having the feeling that you are wearing your favourite blankie!
I have a couple of sweaters knitted by my mom (one over 10 years old!) that have become looser and larger with time but are still my go-to comfort wear in winter. I think a doer-upper will breathe some new life into these beloved staples of my wardrobe.
Bread Art
Last week I stumbled upon the above video on the Met Museum Instagram page and I was honestly so impressed! It’s a quirky art form, to bake a reproduction of a classical painting, but it’s art nonetheless, and it requires some type of talent and skill I can’t even name… Is it painting? Is it next-level baking? Is it both… and then something? It feels more like the latter to me. I love the reveal, the result is truly unexpected. Follow artist Ran (Konel Bread) on Instagram for more of her work, including Klimt and da Vinci reproductions.
With this, I was reminded of another bread-related art project, Manami Sasaki’s Toast Art inspired by Japanese traditions. Truly there is no limit to human imagination and the power of creating something new and beautiful even with the most basic ingredients, quite literally.
Maybe I should try some toast art for my son’s breakfast this weekend… I’m sure it would be worth waking up a couple of hours earlier for it, right?
Cyanea Capillata
Also known as Lion’s Mane Jellyfish, just look at the beauty of this giant jellyfish, one of the largest known, that is even the star of a Shrlock Holmes book, the Adventure of the Lion’s Mane.
I find it exquisite and awe-inspiring, it looks like a flower that has come to life. It makes me realise I can’t even begin to comprehend the genius and art that surrounds us in nature…
Dowager Countess of Grantham Quotes
I have been re-watching Downton Abbey these past weeks, and not just for fun, let me say, but that’s a different story. I have, of course, been enjoying it terribly, and no part more than Lady Grantham’s lines. Whoever wrote these is a word wizard, and the way she delivers them is flawless.
So naturally, I have taken to speaking very posh and proper indeed and to quoting her more than it makes sense in my everyday modern life… but there you go, one must amuse oneself somehow.
I thought I would share a small selection of favourite quotes about thinking and logic, she can’t help being witty even when she is trying not to be! I encourage you to watch or re-watch Downton Abbey, especially now that we have the official trailer and the date for the second movie release – 18th of March 2022!
Bon weekend!
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Merci!
