Ralph Lauren ~ Le Grand Hotel

The Spring 2010 Collection by Ralph Lauren is as beautiful as we have come to expect from this design giant. Classic and genius are words that present themselves into my mind when I open a magazine or email with his work displayed. This bedroom is no exception, and neither is the rest of the perfection in this collection, which I will show you in two posts, beginning with this one.

Rich textures, color, and wood are present in everything designed by Ralph Lauren.

Beautiful fabrics...

and beautifully finished wood.

Lavish whites...

wood...

and luxurious materials.

Accessories...

games...

and personal goods.

Beautiful dining furnishings...

accessories...

and to finish it all... a lovely bar.

www.ralphlaurenhome.com

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10.)

The Order of Introductions

Who to introduce to whom is a subject we worry about needlessly. The person being introduced first is shown deference, based on seniority or prominence. The order in which a person is introduced is important, but if a mistake is made offence is not usually taken.

The four guidelines follow:

Younger person is introduced to an older person. (“Mrs. Quinn, I want to introduce you to my daughter, Angela Duke. Angela, this is aunt, Mrs. Quinn”.)

A person of high rank or prominence is named first and received the introduction. (“Princess Angela, may I present my husband C. J. ? ”) Always try to introduce your boss first when introducing them to a lower rank person. (Mr. Gunter, I would like for you to meet Ashley Griswold, who will begin work with us on Monday. Ashley, this is Mr. Gunter, president of our company.”)

When introducing others to family members, the other person’s name is said first. (“Alex, I would like for you to meet my cousin, Erin.”). But as a sign of respect, an older person is named first. (“Mother, I would like to introduce Lauren Williams. Lauren, this is my mother, Mrs. Teresa.”)

In social situations, men are introduced to women. (“Mrs. Jones, I would like to introduce Mr. Smith.”)

Tomorrow we will talk about self-introductions.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed designing it. Ralph Lauren gave me everything I needed to present it well.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Fabulous Fashion ~ The New York Collections

Actress/Model Natasa Vojnovic with members of The American Ballet Theatre. February Issue Elle Magazine. Dress by Tommy Hilfiger

My favorite dress. Carolina Herrera.

Dress by Michael Kors.

Dress by Oscar de la Renta.

This beautiful tailored suit by Ralph Lauren. I love this suit.

I hope that you have enjoyed this selection from New York Collections. Great combination -- fashion and culture.

NOTE: You can buy your herbs now. I am going to purchase rosemary, basil, sage, thyme, dill, mint, oregano. I am going to grow lettuce, but not in the box I built. You will need a good potting soil (I use Miracle Gro.) Put gravel, if you will be using, and pour in soil and them plant the herbs. Water. Be sure you keep them moist, but not soaked.

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10.)

Five Introduction Goofs

Looking away. If you are looking around or talking while an introduction is being made, you are showing that you are not interested.

Making too-personal comments. Conversations about divorce, illnesses, job situations, death, etc. are not acceptable during an introduction.

Interrupting. When people are obviously involved in a conversation, do not interrupt them in order to talk or make introduction.

Deferring to one person at the expense of the other. Include all parties in a conversation after an introduction.

Gushing. Do not be too enthusiastic with introductions. It may make others uncomfortable. No match making here.

See you Monday,
Teresa
xoxo

Nina Campbell ~ A Fresh Take On Things

Certainly I would love this room. It is not only purple...I think she borrowed my doggie!

Such a refreshing space.

A personal corner in a large room.

These photograph are from a 2009 issue of Veranda.

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10.)

When You Are Being Introduced…

If someone gets your name wrong, overlook it. Try to speak clearly when you introduce yourself. Listen closely to the names of those being introduced to you. If you don’t understand what they said their name is, politely ask.

Respond gracefully when being introduced. (How do you do, Hayden?” as a formal response and “Hello” or “I’m very glad to meet you, Erin” in casual and formal settings sound I little less stilted. Using a warm response, with a sincere tone which includes the person’s name is appropriate.

Use the names that are used to introduce someone. If someone is introduced as “Angela”, don’t call them “Ang”. No “sport, buddy, pal, sweetie, honey”, etc. Never ask the origin of a person’s name until you know them well.

If someone calls you by the wrong name, graciously correct them at that moment with a smile. If that person continues to introduce you by the wrong name, take the person aside and tell them which name you go by.

Always listen for conversational cues. This may be something that the person introducing you may think you have in common or something that may be of interest. If the person introducing you doesn’t start a conversation, you start one.

Wait until everyone has been introduced before you start a conversation. Interrupting someone while they are introducing guest is rude and avoidable if you are paying attention to the introductions.

Tomorrow ~ When Someone Forgets to Introduce You.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Tassel Giveaway

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Between Naps On The Porch is giving away a beautiful tassel from

The Tassel House!

A GIVE-A-WAY SPONSORED BY THE TASSEL HOUSE!

Angela, proprietor of The Tassel House, and a Sponsor of BNOTP, has generously offered one of her beautiful tassels to be given to a lucky Follower of BNOTP! The winner will be able to choose either the darling Springtime Lamb or sweet Easter Bunny tassel.

You will fall in love with this blog!

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10.)

When You Are Making the Introduction…

Look first at the person to whom you are making the introduction to, turning to the other person as you conclude.

Speak very clearly, making your introduction courteously, using the title the person prefers. First and last names are appropriate in casual settings, Mr. and Mrs. If older or a formal situation. If the person requests at that point that they call them by their first name, so be it. Teach children to use adult titles when addressing adults, and children to adults as son and their name. (“nephew and name”, etc.)

When you share last names, make the introduction by first name only unless last name is different. The same goes for children. Ex. “This is my wife, Erin” or “I am Bob Jones and this is my wife Erin”.

Now I know that all of you know this, but NEVER introduce by the term “Old Lady”, “Old Man” or “My brat.” (My input – yes, people in the hills do this, haha.)

Introduce other family members by their full name and their relationship to you if desired.

Do not repeat names. (“Mrs. Duke, this is Mr. Quinn -- Mr. Quinn, this is Mrs. Duke”.)

When introducing someone to a group, introduce the group members first. When naming people in a group of three or more, call their attention to the introduction by calling their names, and then make the introduction. “Angela, Lauren, Alex, Lew -- this is Mr. Gunter”.)

Try to start a conversation. When the members have something in common, you should bring it to their attention while making introductions. {“Miss Duke, Lauren goes to Samford also”.) Try to move around the room and keep conversation going.

Tomorrow ~ When You Are Being Introduced.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Fine Linen Heaven

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These beautiful linens are from Bella Notte Linens.

ENJOY!

Dream of Clouds...

and the sky...

and the sand...

and the smell...

of flowers...

and the colors these beautiful linens are available in.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post. See you tomorrow.

Teresa,
xoxo


Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10). Lesson .

INTRODUCTIONS

There are several forms of introductions and we will cover one each day, but the importance of an introduction is not in question. The failure to introduce someone is not excusable.

The Forms of Introductions

The purpose of an introduction is to convey names and to bring ease and comfort to your guests. You should attempt to learn the names and pronunciations before the occasion, but if you make a mistake in the pronunciation or name, it is minor compared to not making an introduction at all.

The forms of introductions follow:
When you are making the introduction, you are being introduced or when someone forgets to introduce you.

We will address when you are making the introduction in the Tuesday post.

Planter Project ~ It's Almost Time

.
Well... we have to begin somewhere.

Herb Garden
...

It is almost that time ~ so if you are planting herbs or flowers, you will need to get your boxes, pots, or other containers ready. I will let you know when to buy your plants, but it will be within the next 1-2 weeks.

Finished planter and chalkboard painted terra cotta pots.
The measurements and needed supplies are in our earlier post, February 6, 2010.

Holes drilled in bottom.

I decided to paint the box with a mixture of silver metallic and primer because I will most likely use my box in the kitchen on my metal shelving. I will also most likely use a modest stencil in a color very close to the paint I used on the box.

See you soon for the planting. Remember to get potting soil and gravel for the bottom if your like (I put a little gravel in the bottom of my plants.)

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

COFFEE PLEASE

All you need is this...

to have this!

so.... let's drink coffee.

Peet's is my favorite coffee. The history is worth reading, so I let their writing stand...

On the day Alfred Peet opened his first coffee store on the corner of Walnut and Vine Streets in Berkeley, CA, he quietly began a revolution in the way Americans experienced the taste and quality of their coffee – a revolution that persists to this day.

Born in Holland, Alfred Peet grew up in the coffee trade and moved to America after World War II. Appalled at the poor quality of coffee being consumed by Americans, he became inspired to open the first Peet’s Coffee & Tea store on April 1, 1966. His style of coffee was a radical departure from what was then available, emphasizing smaller batches, freshness, superior quality beans, and a darker roasting style that produced coffee with richness and complexity.

By 1969, Peet’s Coffee & Tea became a gathering place for coffee devotees, and this success attracted other artisan food purveyors to the neighborhood, which soon became known as the Gourmet Ghetto. Alfred Peet further catalyzed the specialty coffee movement when he mentored and inspired a generation of coffee entrepreneurs, including the founders of Starbucks, whom he supplied with Peet’s roasted beans during their first years of operation.

Over the past four decades, Peet’s growth has been fueled by ever-increasing numbers of coffee lovers in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the nation. With each generation of Peet’s leadership, we have remained true to the quality tenets of our founder, inspired by the same unrelenting pursuit of quality. Our purpose has not changed since 1966 – to seek out opportunities to raise the expectations of American coffee drinkers by attracting and serving those who truly love the taste of coffee, for whom a cup of coffee could only mean a cup of Peet’s.

Peets 10.95 House Blend

I usually buy the whole bean, but the ground is perfect also. illy is the smoothest coffee I have found. $13.95

Opened since 1992, Tully’s Coffee has focused on handcrafted coffees. Tully's is the last independent Seattle-pedigreed coffee company in the world.
$8.50 for House Blend

Tully's also comes in K-cups, which I use in my Breville Single Serving Coffee Maker.

Gevelia opened it's doors in 1853 when Victor Theodor Engwall started importing the finest coffees from around the world. Handcraft in Sweden, Gevalia is delivered to your door.


I hope that you have enjoyed this post. These coffees are my favorite, and I am certainly particular about my coffee.

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10). Lesson 14.
Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10). Lesson .

A GRACEFUL EXIT

When a greeting is followed by a conversation, departing requires more than a “bye” or see you.” The tradional exit is “Goodbye”, along with short conversation, such as “it was so good to see you.”

I f a person appears to ready to part, finish what you are saying and end the conversation.

Monday ~ Introductions
Teresa,
xoxo

Blue Hues ~ Beautiful Blue

Nate Bercus and Anne Coyle decorate the Rakieten home.

Elle Decor March 2010 Issue.

ENJOY!

Blue is such a tranquil color.

This changed my idea about what I want in a bathroom and ...

blue and grey wins.

I could use this closet as an office too :) ...

in a soft, quiet color...

for organizing all of my belongings.

A room for him...

~

Modern...

mixture of modern and traditional.

Blue creates a subdued area...

transforming light into a more luminous state.

I hope that you have enjoyed the beautiful photographs of these blue rooms. I enjoy my Elle Decor magazine each month, thanks to a Christmas gift subscription from my sister.

Embracing Etiquette with Teresa continued... see introduction post (1-29-10).
Lesson 13

Kissing, Hugging, and Other Affectionate Gestures

Among close friends and family members, it is acceptable to hug or kiss, if this is the usual custom when greeting.

Due to customs and other situations, it is best to offer a handshake only. Unfortunately, we live in a climate where sexual harassment or other situations occur. To be on the safe side, offer your hand for a handshake.

If offering kiss, to avoid bumping heads, go directly to the right cheek.

The two-cheek kiss ~ While facing the person, a kiss to each cheek is accompanied by an embrace, where close or arm touching. Be careful that you know the person and their customs before you offer a two-cheek kiss.

Air kiss ~ A very quick kiss where the persons cheek, either one or both, is nearly touched or is touched by your cheek ,and a kiss is gestured. To keep balance, participants often touch arms or hold the other’s shoulders.

Hand kissing ~ Not usually done in the United States. The woman extends her hand with palm held downward, and the man kisses the hand above the hand quickly.

To signal that you don’t want to be kissed or hugged, extend your hand stiffly for a handshake. This also works well when someone stands too close. If that doesn’t work, grin and bear it and remove yourself quickly. It may be necessary to talk with the person and let them know that they are making you uncomfortable.

Tomorrow ~ A GRACEFUL EXIT.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo