Cindy Christenden in Miami

This pristine white Miami, Florida home was designed by Cindy Christenden.
ENJOY!

Refreshing...

Now on to Embracing Etiquette With Teresa...

How to React?

Your dignity relies on how well you handle a response to rude behavior. There are many areas in which you must react appropriately and they include while shopping, at work, when out in public, and phone provocations.

There are appropriate ways to handle rudeness in all areas, and it is important to be respectful and rational in your approach.

Tomorrow we will cover “When Shopping?”

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Presenting ... Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Taylor Bass

The Waters Chapel

My son, Joseph Taylor Bass, married the beautiful Lindsay Epton at the Waters Chapel this past Saturday. The mother of the groom, who just happens to be me, couldn’t be happier. Would you think I was bragging if I posted a couple of photographs? You are correct if you guessed yes! So… here is the beautiful couple.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Taylor Bass and ...

their wedding party and  ...

 the soon-to-be Mrs. Bass (Lindsay) and Miss Angela (my other precious angel)

at the rehearsal dinner.

Congratulations, Lindsay and Joseph!

I love you,

MOM

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa...

The Dirty Dozen: Today’s Rudest Behaviors

They are as follows, exactly as quoted in Emily Post:

• Telling racist or ethnic jokes, which not only insults the listener’s intelligence but smears entire communities

• Using four letter words and other obscenities in public without any reservations – especially in the presence of children

• Doing the “cell yell” – conducting a cell phone conversation so loudly that those around you wonder if your phone mate is hard of hearing

• Treating a salesperson, food server, or any other service provider as someone who is beneath you

• Letting kids run wild or make constant noise in restaurants, supermarkets, theater, and any other public or private place

• Endangering others on a busy expressway by playing NASCAR wannabe: zipping from one lane to the other while driving like a maniac and not even bothering to signal

• At a youth sporting event, abusing the referee, coach, or opposing team’s players because your child’s team has suffered what you consider wrong

• Fouling the sidewalk with spit, trash, or pet poop left unscooped (You KNOW that this infuriates me!)

• On public transportation, staying planted in your seat when an elderly, pregnant, or disabled person obviously needs it more

• Charging thoughtlessly through crowds – especially when skating, riding a bike or electric scooter, or pushing a baby stroller

• Butting in, whether jumping into a checkout line in a store or taking a parking space that someone is clearly waiting for

• Lighting up to smoke tobacco in a roomful of nonsmokers – and adding insult to injury by not asking permission beforehand

Thank you, Emily!

All of this behavior makes the average, decent person furious but there are many who just don’t “get” it! Please pass this on.

Tomorrow we cover “How to React?”

First three photographs by Ann Wade Parrish, Photographer.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Not the Last Resort

***

My daughter, Angela, has published this guest post for your enjoyment today. Angela will be a Junior at Samford University this fall. ENJOY!

Anne Slowey, fashion news director at Elle (one of my favorite glossies, mais oui!) hit the nail on the head in the June issue of the magazine when she expressed her sense of ennui over the Fall 2010 Collections. The usual bells and whistles of previous seasons were replaced with pounds and pounds of what was somewhat akin to a wool potato sack. Though there were many beautiful pieces to be found in the Fall 2010 Collections—from my beloved Marc Jacobs’ designs for his own house and Louis Vuitton, to the always-wonderful presentation at Chanel via Karl Lagerfeld (a Swedish iceberg shipped in for the runway show!)—the overall look of the season is grey and simple. Simple is great—everyone loves a classic that can stand the test of time—but in these dark recessionary times, I want more. That’s where the Resort 2011 Collections step in. What could be better than chic, delicious looks that are reminiscent of Camelot? Maybe it is because of my southern roots and the need to always feel proper and put together, but Resort 2011 just felt right. The collections were exactly what every woman wants—beautifully tailored pieces, accessories that were exquisite, and show stopping shoes. An evocation of 60s glamour was evident from Diane von Furstenberg to Chanel to Louis Vuitton , Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors. My personal favorite, DVF, featured amazing tailored rompers, beautiful bathing suits, and absolutely amazing lace up sandals. It’s no secret that resort-inspired lines are my absolute favorite, so of course I absolutely adore everything shown in these collections. Who wouldn’t want to be transported to a carefree vacation in luxury? Give me a DVF romper, a pair of Dior white oversized shades, and send me out to sea! Ahoy, matey!

This beachy Chanel number is just begging for a stroll through a chic French resort

—Karl Lagerfeld in company, of course!

Creamy and tailored, this two piece Chanel ensemble screams “put together.”

Staying true to her style, Diane von Furstenberg created great,

boldly printed pieces for her collection.  This look is just begging to be donned on a yacht!

This DVF dress is nothing short of perfection in my book. Flowing fabric, bold print, and a bow-cinched waist—what could be more perfect for that holiday getaway?

Rompers are a huge trend, and I have a feeling that they will be around for a while. 

DVF does it best in this great printed wrap romper with matching bag and precious shoes.

As a final tribute to my obvious love for Ms. DVF,

 look at this beautifully tailored look. Perfection.

One of my absolute favorites, this ladylike look from Louis Vuitton is everything

 I love about these collections—60s glamour, proper dressing,

and beautiful tailoring..oh, and a gorgeous statement necklace!

I love the off-kilter cut of the lapels and the longer shorts length of this LV design.

The final look that I am d-y-i-n-g over is this Blair Waldorf-worthy look by Marc Jacobs.

I think my alter ego would look stunning in it!

Grab your vintage Louis luggage, girls. It’s time for a vacation! -Angela Duke

*All photos courtesy of Style.com

Angela, you did a great job!  Thank you!

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa...

Accept Responsibility

Apologize if you are wrong about something. If your hold up a line, spill coffee on someone, or do anything that can be seen as rude, clear up the problem with an apology as soon as possible. For example, if you unintentionally grab an empty shopping cart at the grocery that is being used by someone else and it is brought to your attention, apologize immediately. This will diffuse a bad situation, and the matter will hopefully be resolved.

Tomorrow we cover “The Dirty Dozen: Today’s Rudest Behaviors.”

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Lady or the Tramp?

A guest post by Angela Duke...

This tongue-in-cheek book will make a lady out of

you.  Buy here.

We all went to school with those girls. You know, the Paris Hilton-wannabes who think hooker heels and hot pants are sophisticated. The girls that have been swiping their fake IDs in bars since the onset of puberty. The ones who have seemingly grown up parentless. Well, after nearly a decade of witnessing this, I had begun to lose hope in my fellow female classmates of yore. Just when all hope was almost gone, the darling Derek Blasberg, New York socialite, V Magazine Senior Fashion News and Special Projects Editor and Editor at Large for Harper’s Bazaar, amongst many other titles, steps in to save the day. His new tongue-in-cheek book, Classy, is what he describes as a version of the beloved Preppy Handbook. In his genius book, Blasberg explains to girls that being trashy might get you noticed, but that is about it. “Even if you’re a trashy tramp, you can still grow up to be a lady,” Blasberg quipped to Elle. Through several well-written and entertaining chapters, Blasberg details how to be a modern lady—teaching everything from how to dress well, groom well, and behave well, even how to carry a meaningful conversation. It also covers basic etiquette, which in my book is something everyone could brush up on. I was recently at an event where an older woman walked into a room, and most of the other guests just sat in a daze instead of offering this woman their chair. I quickly learned that what was second nature to me was not something taught to others. Blasberg helps such situations by teaching ladies proper behavior for every situation. In a day where reality TV shows display grown women scantily clad and screaming at one another like heathens, Classy is a breath of fresh air. It reminds us that being classy is more important than making Page Six. As Mr. Manners keeps tweeting to his followers on Twitter, “Ladies, go out and get a copy of this for all of your trampiest friends,” I can’t help but think of a few girls who deserve this along with a lump of coal in their needlepoint stockings come Christmas. This book might even—dare I say it—stand its own next to another beloved blue beacon of manners, Emily Post’s Etiquette. I’ll let you be the final judge, but in my book, Classy is the perfect modern complement to that magnificent standard. -Angela Duke

Dapper Derek with socialite Tinsley Mortimer

My son, Joey, is getting married to a beautiful lady this weekend, so our week has been a little busy.  Angela will be doing a Monday post on resort fashion.  You will truly enjoy the post! See you Tuesday!

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa...

Taking It Higher

The best solution at times is to take the problem to a higher level instead of try to confront the rude person yourself. If an employee of a company is rude to you, take it up with management through a phone call, visit, or letter.

If you are in an establishment (restaurant, store, theater) and a person is being disruptive or is causing problems, get the manager to take care of the problem. You do not want to put yourself in harm’s way.

The same goes if someone is especially nice and helpful. Let the manager know how helpful the employee was.

Monday we will cover Accepting Responsibility.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

The Hamptons

If someone asked for my number one choice of a place to live, it would be the Hamptons. Rod Winterrowd is the Interior Designer of this beautiful home in this month's Veranda. ENJOY!

This is only half of the home.  You can see the entire home

 and other rooms in this month's Veranda.

I love this room.  Remember, I am in love with brown.

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa...

Using Humor

When a person is rude try to laugh it off. If they tell you “how bad you look” either come back with a response such as “how kind of you to say so!” or laugh it off and roll your eyes and change the subject. There are plenty of these little “I’m miserable” folks around!

Tomorrow we will cover Phrasing and Tone.

See you soon,
Teresa
Xoxo

Michel Biehn, Interior Designer in Provence

This beautiful Home in Provence was designed by the talented Michel Biehn. ENJOY!

The beautiful gardens...

I love the leather on these Louis chairs...

So cozy.

You can find more on this city here.

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa...

Mentally Count to Ten

When someone is rude to you, focus on something else for a few seconds. Take a few deep breaths and decide if it is worth a response. Think of the ramifications of your actions before blowing your cool.

Tomorrow we will cover “Using Humor.”

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Marion Cotilliard In Vogue

This is a post in addition to the regular Monday post, which contains the etiquette post. ENJOY!

Marion Cotilliard is the french star referred to as the "French Bombshell" by Vogue magazine.  She graces the covers and pages of many of the fashion and entertainment publications now. 

 Below are photographs of the beautiful star as shown in the new Vogue.

I am certain we will be seeing a lot more of this French actress.

See you tomorrow,

Teresa

xoxo