Polite Society School of Étiquette: November 2012

Sunday, November 11, 2012

THE CHRISTMAS CALENDAR

Discover a key date in this festive season

Historic beginnings

11 November

A day of feasting and jollity which coincided with the annual slaughtering of livestock in preparation for winter. In the 4th and 5th centuries this feast day was in preparation for the strict Advent fast that began the following day.

From English Home Magazine

Enjoy this Christmas Season

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Tis the season

Tis the Season....

I will be sharing some fabulous tidbits about the Christmas as I did last year.

I hope you all enjoy. I will begin tomorrow with November 11......more later......

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Featured in TEA in TEXAS - November/December Issue

I am thrilled to be featured in TEA in TEXAS, a travel and lifestyle magazine about people, products, and unique events for tea lovers and travel enthusiasts.

TEA in TEXAS

FOR THE HOLIDAYS SHARE YOUR LOVE OF READING

It’s that wonderful time of year for celebrating! Thanksgiving offers us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our many blessings. Hanukkah and Christmas usher in those long awaited, and much planned for, special times spent with family and friends. If part of your celebrating includes gift giving, you are in luck. The following new ‘tea reads’ will not only captivate you, but they will also likely find themselves on your gift lists.

The Art Of The Social Graces
by Bernadette Michelle Petrotta

In the hustle and bustle of today’s society, it often seems that etiquette has become a ‘thing of the past.’ However, tea parties offer the perfect opportunity to teach proper tea protocol not only to ladies ‘young in age,’ but also ladies ‘young at heart.’ The charming book entitled The Art of the Social Graces, by Bernadette Michelle Petrotta, is an excellent resource for your personal library. This compact, easy to read book includes detailed illustrations for table settings as well as helpful hints for entertaining at parties, whether small or large, informal or formal. Of special interest to tea lovers is the included section on Victorian Afternoon Tea where Petrotta shares “instructions on making the perfect pot of tea, illustrated tea settings, and dining etiquette for scones, savories, and petits fours.”

The Art of the Social Graces shares a brief history of etiquette which will provide readers with an understanding of why it is an important part of our everyday lives. The information presented on introductions, invitations, table settings, graceful dining manners as well as how to choose appropriate attire enables readers to be gracious hosts and/or guests no matter the occasion. “Whether you are a homemaker, business professional, or student… it will empower readers with confidence and learning essentials that will be life changing.”

Ms. Bernadette Michelle Petrotta is an author and small business owner, married, and has a son. In 1996 she founded the Polite Society School of Etiquette which offers “a variety of courses, speaking engagements, seminars, individual training, and instruction at private dinners and tea events.”
If your ‘cup of tea’ includes traditional teatimes and love of things international, the following two books will have a special appeal.

NEW REVISED EDITION - The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea

The Polite School of Étiquette presents Volume V, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition, featuring Social Graces, Étiquette History, Introduction Methods, Entertaining Guidelines, Correspondence Protocol, History of Tableware, Dining out Manners, American and Continental Style Dining, Appropriate Dress Attire, Personal Care and Home Management, History of Tea, Types of Tea, Tea Pairings and Tastings, Afternoon Tea in England, Tea Food Dining Instructions, and Formalities for Preparing a “Proper” Afternoon Tea. This revised edition is an updated compilation of Volume I, Volume II, and Volume IV with additional étiquette information and home management guidelines. The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition offers practical knowledge in basic social skills for all occasions and settings and includes useful information and advice to enhance one’s lifestyle in the social and business world. It takes the reader through a brief history of étiquette, offers introduction methods and conversation techniques, provides guidelines for entertaining, presents illustrations for formal, informal, and family style table settings, and explains the difference between Continental and American Style dining. It also provides instructions on the proper way to consume soups, beverages, tea, coffee, and various difficult foods. With beautiful photographs, exquisite china, gleaming silver, and stunning floral bouquets, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition delights the senses with elegant and picturesque table settings, antique teacups, and beautiful linens. Together these elements form the foundation for an elegant table setting. In the chapters dedicated to Afternoon Tea, detailed information is provided on the history of tea, styles of tea, types of tea, tea pairings with fruits and savouries, and tea tasting characteristics. Instructions are provided on making the perfect pot of tea for this charming custom that was once the hallmark of high society. Detailed guidelines are presented on how to set a proper tea table and how to set up a tea style buffet along with instructions on dining with savouries, scones, and petits fours. This newest volume illustrates various methods for conducting oneself gracefully in his or her professional life keeping in mind the importance of first impressions. The chapter on virtues contains important information on self-discipline, friendship, courage, and other aspects for living a good life. As a bonus, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition journeys through chapters on the history, usage, and care of all tableware which includes flatware, dinnerware, stemware, and crystal. Credit is given to Richard Osterberg’s book, Sterling Silver Flatware (Published in 1994 by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.) for much of this information. Mr. Osterberg’s passionate interest in antiques and silver began during his Vermont childhood. He was introduced to a goldsmith and silversmith from Scotland and over time developed an interest in English, Scottish, and American silver that resulted in several publications. Credit is also given to William Hanson, executive director and owner of The English Manner based in London. Mr. Hanson is widely regarded as the most trusted authority on étiquette and civility. His life’s work continues to be the training of royalty, government officials, diplomats, and VIPs who wish to integrate good manners into the global forum. Mr. Hanson’s expert advice is priceless. Whether one is a homemaker, business professional, or student, The Art of Timeless Étiquette, Graceful Dining Manners, & Afternoon Tea Revised Edition will empower every reader with confidence as he or she learns life-changing essential manners and practical skills while exploring the world of étiquette. It will serve as one’s treasury of gracious living and offer inspiration for curating welcoming interiors and entertaining for every occasion.

EMMA The Étiquette Cat: Meet Emma Book

Volume III, EMMA The Étiquette Cat: Meet Emma, is beautifully written and illustrated. This children’s book is about Emma Elizabeth, an adorable Ragdoll feline. She is about two years old and is the sweetest kitty cat. Mischievous and loving with an abundance of curiosity, Emma fancies herself as a well-behaved kitty and her daily quest is to please her mum. She loves to play and sometimes gets into a bit of trouble, but her mum is very forgiving and gently corrects her. Children will instantly fall in love with Emma as they try to emulate her good manners. They will also enjoy her appetite for treats and her delightful personality. Gaylen Whiteman, an extremely talented artist who lives on picturesque Whidbey Island, beautifully illustrates Emma’s bright blue eyes and her gorgeous furry coat. Gaylen, who signs by her first name, captures Emma’s curious personality as she is featured near mum’s tea table, antique tub, and other interesting areas of her home. The book also includes a fabulous healthy English Scone Recipe, a Mock Devonshire Cream Recipe, and a Blackberry Fruit Spread Recipe for parents to make with their children along with a short explanation of the word “etiquette,” a child’s place setting illustration, and a family-style place setting illustration.