Pristine Surroundings ~ Kay O'Toole

.
Kay O'Toole uses statues and other forms of handmade eloquent heirlooms to make these clean rooms feel comfortable.

ENJOY!

These images can be found in the April 2010 issue of Veranda Magazine.

Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition (Thumb Indexed)

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

WALKING THE DOG

If you are walking your dog on an urban street, make sure that the leash doesn’t block traffic or trip a pedestrian. Retractable leashes are dangerous in this setting, and they become virtually invisible to some walkers, cyclists, and joggers.
I am not sure where these people live, but if you tie your dog to a parking meter or lamp post while you shop or eat, make sure they don’t bark. This bothers the passerby and establishment patrons. (I was tempted to leave this out, but it may be important for someone living in Mayberry, which is not a bad thing.)

YOU MUST REMOVE YOUR DOGS POOP WITH A POOPER-SCOOPER OR A BAG. This sends me. It is hard for me to believe that there are actually people irrational and pathetic enough to let their dog poopie on someone’s property and have the audacity to leave it there. You know who you are, and I don’t want to know you. Ok, back to the book. It doesn’t matter how big of a hurry you are in and where you are. CLEAN UP!

Before letting your dog socialize with another dog, make sure it is alright with the owner of the dog. Double that for children. Ask the child’s parent if it is alright. Now if you have a ten pound monster like I do, it wouldn’t be wise. Make certain that your dog doesn’t jump on, nuzzle of bounce off of the child.

Tell adults and children alike about your dogs personality and habit, even if your visit will be short. No surprises please.

Tomorrow we will cover Public Transportation.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Part II

These are the remaining photographs taken by Angela at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham.

Beautiful photographs, Angela!

Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition

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

JOGGERS, SKATERS, AND BIKERS

Jogging or skating on a neighborhood sidewalk is fine if there is little or no traffic. There are those that decide that playing dodge the pedestrian is fun.

Bicycles are to be ridden on the street, not the sidewalk. An early morning ride down an empty suburban footpath may be acceptable, but riding on a busy city street upsets drivers, and has proven dangerous for the cyclist.

Tomorrow we will cover Walking the Dog.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Southern Born and Southern Bred

.

For those of us that were southern born and southern bred, beautiful flowers are right up there with magnolias, fried green tomatoes, silver queen corn, grits, fried chicken, and sweet tea. The Botanical Gardens in Birmingham, Alabama is home to some of these beautiful flowers.

My daughter visited yesterday, and I wanted to share a few of the photos she posted. Part Two will follow tomorrow/

Thank you Angela!

Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition (Thumb Indexed)

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

WAYWARD WALKERS

The Juggernaut.

The person who flies down a congested side walk with a baby carriage or rolling suitcase/book bag. Look out for these people, because they take up twice the allotted space. Don’t be one of these people. Be careful.

The Yakaholic.

Rarely look where they is going as they blab on their cell phone. This is rude, especially if you are talking loudly. Try to be quiet if you must talk.

The Sudden Stopper.

Everything is going smoothly and a person just stops dead in their tracks. Even the persons behind them do not collide with them, they throw off the rhythm of the other walkers. Try to get to the side and move over if you need to stop.

The Meanderthal.

Some decide to cross diagonally across disrupting pedestrian traffic, and others walk aimlessly in and out, slowly through the crowd, while everyone else is attempting to walk faster.

The Phalanxers.

A line of clueless pedestrians walking abreast, making it impossible for anyone to pass. When people are walking together, they should be certain not to block others. A group should walk in single file on a sidewalk.

The Stationary Schmoozers.

These people see someone they know and stop dead in their tracks to talk with the other person, not showing any consideration for the other pedestrians. A person or a group of persons should move to the side to carry on a conversation.

The Spitter.

Just typing this makes me cringe. There is nothing more disgusting than a person spitting in public. I am sorry, it is not right. I realize that ball players and other athletes feel like spitting and that they are not manly if they don’t. It’s gross people! Rinse your mouth out. Now back to the book.

Tomorrow we will be covering Jogger, Skaters, and Bikers.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Delicate Hand Towels

.

I thought that you would enjoy seeing the hand towels that I embroidered and added french, swiss, and victorian lace to. You need perfect squares of cloth, an embroidery design, and lace. Run baby seams around edges of cloth. Embroider desired design. Trim edges with lace, using the french handsewing techniques. Remove basting seam, which I had not done before photo was taken. Martha Pullen has books and tips on her website.

The embroidery CD is the Heirloom Tea Dress by Martha Pullen. Lace can be purchased online at Martha Pullen, or at your local heirloom sewing store.


Create using your own taste and style!

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Make Your Own Basket

There are so many things to do with Easter baskets. You can fill any cantainer with anything that is of interest to the recipient. You may include clothes, games, phones, candy, stuffed toys, coffee or anything else you that appeals to your taste. You can also use any container, from baskets, galvanized containers, planters or bags. Use your imagination.

I am giving you some ideas to get you started. These are only ideas, and may or may not be the avenue you desire to take. I am starting with baskets and fillers and finishing with the wrap and bow.

HAVE FUN and HAPPY EASTER!

This Twig Basket from Pottery Barn is only $24.00. I used a basket very similar to this to make a body and bath basket. If you go to a florist shop, there is no end to what you can design.

This basket from Crate and Barrel could house numerous surprise contents. $19.95-29.95.

This basket from Crate and Barrel could be filled with food, wine or kitchen items. $44.95.

This basket from Pottery Barn would make a perfect basket for anyone. $59.00.

My favorite bunny of all, this Steiff Niki Bunny would make someone very happy. $198.00.

This Gund Dayton Bear would look beautiful in the perfect Easter basket. $40.00.

 

Build-A-Bear. $18.00 for bunny.

Easter Basket stuffers like this Natural Bunny and Chick can be found at Pottery Barn for $6.50-14.00.

Who doesn't like jelly beans from Jelly Belly jelly Beans...

and M&Ms chocolate?

These Godiva Easter Bunny Biscuits would make a special filler for a basket.

Fill you basket with these Easter Shaped Candles from Pottery Barn. $5.00-6.50

Godiva Berties the Milk Chocolate Bunny and

Dean and Deluca Dancing Bunnies Chocolate would be welcomed by a lucky person. $25.00.

Cover your basket with this Shrink Wrap from Hobby Lobby, especially if shipping, $4.99 or ...Clearphane from Michaels is my preference. You can find Clear wrap in many colors wherever giftwrap is sold.

Wired Ribbon from Michaels is my choice for bows for women. I like rafia for more masculine baskets.

No basket is finished until the perfet bow is added. Rafia or wired ribbon from Michaels will help you finish your basket beautifully.

Enjoy making your basket!



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

UMBRELLA TIPS

When using an umbrella, handle it in such a way that you will not disturb others.

Raise your umbrella when passing shorter pedestrians and lower it when passing those who are taller.

Do not tip your umbrella so far forward that you cannot see ahead. Clear umbrellas resolve this problem.

When walking under construction scaffolding, close umbrella unless the site is dripping. If you must open your umbrella, be careful not to hit others.

Discard umbrellas with exposed spokes. This is dangerous to those around you.

Before walking into a dry space, fluff your umbrella several time and fasten it. Be certain to hold it vertically against your body.

When walking with a closed umbrella, hold it vertically. Do not swing the umbrella.

We will cover Wayward Walkers on Monday.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Easter Basket Heaven

.

These beautiful Easter baskets are certain to brighten their day!

Dean and Deluca has beautiful Easter baskets ranging $100-125.

The Godiva Bunny Delight Easter Basket is perfect for that precious child on your list.

This Godiva Chocolate for Breakfast Gift Basket is perfect for the grownup in your life. $85.00.

For the chocolate lover, this Godiva Chocolate Delights Gift basket is perfect. $65.00.

The tea party lover will adore this Chocolate Tea Party Basket by Godiva. $125.00.

Dean and Deluca Easter Cookie Collection will satisfy the sweet tooth of anyone.

The Godiva Chocolate Delights Gift Basket will brighten the recipients day. $65.00.

Give them this gift of marshmallows from
Dean and Deluca. $28.00

Make your own Easter baskets at
Michaels.

Happy Easter!

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

Standard Courtesies on the Sidewalk

Walkers should stay to the right on a city sidewalk. In bustling cities, attempt to maneuver around as well as possible without running into others.

Allow other pedestrians as much room as possible, and when you are rounding a corners, move away from buildings to keep from being bumped into it. Keep bags and elbows close to body, and if you bump into someone say “Excuse me.” Those that bump others and don’t apologize appear badly to others.

Don’t follow closely behind others, and leave three steps between you and a person that you may pass. Stepping on someone’s heel is not desirable.
Be careful not to step off of the curb when waiting for a light. If a car forces you to move and you are off of the curb, you will have to push back into the crowd.

Even if jaywalking is allowed in your city, be very careful, especially on one way streets, because bikers or motorists may be coming up the street in the wrong direction.

Tomorrow we will be looking at Umbrella Tips.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Easter Is Near

I love Easter. It is my favorite day with the exception of Christmas.
Below I have listed Easter goodies. I will be adding Easter posts during the next several days, so stay in touch!

Happy Easter!

Beatrice Potter stole our hearts with the Peter Rabbit series. Thank you Beatrice Potter. As anEaster gift to you, I would like to introduce you to her website. Just click here. You will love it!

Books A Million carries a line of Easter books, including this book about Curious George.

Cambria Cove is one of my favorite shopping stops as you know. Why not add this beautiful gift to a special Easter basket?

Alabaster Eggs from Williams Sonoma.

This Enchanted Filled Egg can be found at
Williams Sonoma for $26.00.

I don't believe that I have found a more wonderful decorating kit than this one offered by
Williams Sonoma.

Another Beatrice Potter book.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post. There will be several others which include baskets and other Easter fun.

Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition (Thumb Indexed)

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

Standard Courtesies In an Elevator

Whoever reaches the elevator first goes first. After pushing the button for the floor you wish to get to, move to the back of the elevator. If the elevator is full and you can’t reach the button, ask someone close to push the button for your floor, suing “Please,” of course.

If the elevator is jammed with people, don’t attempt to cram yourself in. Wait for the next elevator. It is always nice for the person in an elevator to hold the door open or push the “door open” button, just as it is just as polite to let the person go ahead to their destination.

While in transit up or down, do not stare at other people, smack gun, talk on your cell phone or sing with your MP3 player. Try not to use the reflective wall as a mirror for grooming.

If you see someone you know on the elevator, have only small talk if others are riding also. Do not whisper, as this is rude.
If by any chance there is an elevator operator be cordial, using “please” and “thank you.”

Riding the Escalator

Keep to the right at all times, so others can past you if needed. If you are the rider passing, politely say “Excuse me.” If the escalator is full, be patient and wait until you are to the destination.

When stepping onto and off of an escalator, do not stop to look around. Move immediately so others can get off.

Tomorrow, we will cover Standard Courtesies On the Sidewalk.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo