Spring Floral

"Zeze's for Luxe Bouquets"

The floral designs by this talented couple are shown in the March 2010 issue of Veranda Magazine.
I am happy that the students are safely back from Spring Break, and I am also happy to continue with Embracing Etiquette with Teresa.

Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition

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

WHEN OUT AND ABOUT

“The world may not be waiting to see how you act as you go about your everyday pursuits, but most people won’t fail to notice when you disrupt the order of things, no matter how slightly. Most Americans still stick to the premise that there’s a time for everything, and doing what’s appropriate and practicing the standard courtesies makes things go better for everyone.”

“One person might be unfailingly polite to those he’s with but think of his commute to world as a contest with other drivers. Another may extend help to the frail and infirm at every opportunity but barrel her way through able-bodied pedestrians. While nobody’s perfect, staying observant and thoughtful when you’re out and about means you’ll be able to handle virtually anything in an appropriate way.”
We will begin tomorrow with Standard Courtesies.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Teresa's Pound Cake

Teresa’s Pound Cake

This is more than just a pound cake. My friends would kill for this cake, and the many times that I chose to spoil the faculty at school, I had to make sure there was enough for everyone. I also had to make sure that I didn’t make a cake for one department and exclude the other unless they were invited to fight over one. Don’t even think about counting calories here.

ENJOY!

Ingredients

3 sticks of butter (no margarine)
3 cups sugar
3 cups all purpose flour (no self rising)
8 cage free eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract, if preferred)
¼ cup milk

Cream room temperature butter in with the sugar. Add eggs, one at the time, beating on medium speed. Add flour in increments, adding small amounts of the milk along, until all is added, beating at medium speed. Be sure to scrape bowl. Add extract. Put into greased Bundt pan. I use cast iron (shorter cooking time) or aluminum.

Put into cool oven, and set oven to 350 degrees for up to 1 ½ hours. Watch closely after cooking for an hour and 10 minutes. The cake will be cracking a little, but it will settle when cool. Use long wooden pick to check. If pick comes out clean, it is done. If it is still mushy on top, put back in the oven immediately.

I leave it in the pan for at least 15-30 minutes before plating. You may want to dust with powdered sugar before serving. I also frequently add a dollop of lemon curd on the serving plate next to the cake.

This cake is fantastic after freezing also. Wrap very well in parchment paper, and put into freezer bag.

I only use the real thing when it comes to ingredients. I also use animal friendly ingredients. My rule is: if God didn’t make it, I don’t eat it!

I hope that you enjoy this cake as much as we do.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Ralph Lauren Fashion Show

As all of you that follow me know, I am a great admirer of Ralph Lauren. It should come as no surprise that I loved his fashion show, and would love to share it with you.

ENJOY!

Click here to watch fashion show.

I hope that you have enjoyed this fashion show. Embracing Etiquette will return on Monday! Tomorrow's post will be on my pound cake.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Spring Into the Season

I believe that you can take any traditional attire and dress it up with accessories. I have always worn classic styles, so it is no surprise that I am in love with these four beautiful ensembles.
ENJOY!

Jacket, Devie Kroell; top, Ann Taylor; shorts, Vera Wang; cuff and band rings, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry; chain and ring, Aurelie Biderman; bangles, Cartier; chain and bracelet, Fallon.

Jacket, Helmut Lang; bustier, Thakoon; pants, Derek Lam; braided neclace, Banana Republic; tube and neclace, Stella McCartney; shoes, Nina Ricci.

Jacket, belt, shoes, pin and socks, Rochas; shorts, Moncler; hat, Tory Burch; rings, Van Cleef and Arpels; clutch, Gucci.

Jacket and bra, Akris; shorts, 3.1 Philip Lim; hat, Elie Taharie; neclace, Piazza Sempione; belt, Michael Kors; ring, Cartier; cluthch, Chloe.

All of these Spring fashions, along with much more, can be found in March Harper's Bazaar.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post. Embracing Etiquette will return on Monday.

See you soon,

Teresa

xoxo

Ads Going Animal?

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I have noticed that more animals and reptiles are being used in advertising lately. It does seem to add something extra.

Mohawk Smart Strand Carpet

UTTERMOST

THIBAUT

GRACE HOME

Who doesn't love an animal? I hope that you have enjoyed this post. Embracing Etiquette will return on Monday.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Teresa's Granola

Teresa's Granola

This granola is to die for. I keep it in sealed jars or freezer bags. It is wonderful on top of yogurt, homemade applesauce, cooked, or alone. I use it on everything.

GRANOLA

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Ingredients

3 cups of rolled oatmeal (no quick cook oats)
1 cup of sweetened, shredded coconut
1 cup of whole almonds (you can use slivered)
1 cup of pecans, chopped
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup maple syrup (be sure to use real maple syrup)
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins
½ cup dried cranberries (you can use any combination of the 2 dried fruit as desired)

Mix oatmeal, brown sugar, nuts and coconut in large bowl. Mix oil, maple syrup and salt together. Pour over oat mixture until coated with oil mixture. Put on two sheet pans. I line my pans with foil so that I can lift the granola out of the hot pan, allowing it to cool on the counter. Divide granola between the sheet pans and put into preheated oven. Cook for 1 hour and fifteen to twenty minutes, stirring every 15 to 20 minutes. Take out of oven to cool before storing, adding raisins and cranberries. Store granola in jars or freezer bags.

I hope that you enjoy your granola. This recipe will be in my upcoming cookbook*.

Embracing Etiquette will return March 22nd. it is Spring Break here, and I want the college crowd to keep up with their etiquette.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

*copyright©2009

Blue Hues

Photographs via House Beautiful

These beautiful rooms were designed by Scott Sanders, and can be found online here.

ENJOY

I hope that you have enjoyed this post. I will return with Embracing Etiquette on the 22nd. It is Spring Break here, and I don't want the college crowd to miss a week.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo