Archive for category: Elegant Living

Okay, elevator etiquette is something that I consider to be very important. I work in a skyscraper so I ride an elevator a lot! I always make sure I hold the door open if I see someone coming and I always so hello to the person getting on. I noticed that now with these smartphones no one wants to talk to anyone.

It’s rather annoying. Everyone grabs their phone to distract themselves until they get off. What’s wrong with talking to people? I like getting on the elevator after dealing with the rude individuals on the road and talking to someone about fashion or decor or just life. It’s like a breath of fresh air when someone talks to me on the elevator. I understand that as a safety measure you can’t always talk to some people but most of the time we know who we can and who we can’t.

Below is a list of rules for elevator etiquette. I saw this on Town and Country and really enjoyed it. Also, watch the video below from author Jennifer L. Scott about etiquette and if you missed my blog entry about other places to be elegant see here  and here . Enjoy!!!

1. Ladies First


2. Zip the Lip (Elevator rides are not meant for cell phone conversations)


3. Move to the back (Move to the back so that everyone can file in an orderly fashion) 


4. Le snack (Don’t eat your lunch on the elevator) 


5. Remember there is a camera


6. “Can you hold the door please?”


7. The Exit Strategy (In the back of an elevator and your stop is next? No problem, simply say, “Pardon me, this is my floor”.)


8. Plain old pleasant (Use the following pleasantries, “Good Morning”and  “Have a great day”. Kindness always makes the world a better place.) 

I love decorating a table for dinner. I always try to keep it simple so when I read the blog entry for printable place cards from the  Ballard Designs Blog I knew this would be a big hit!

I have been adding small but elegant lifestyle changes to my life. I have always loved using dishes instead of paper plates. I love drinking out of glasses instead of plastic cups. There is nothing wrong with using paper dishware but for me I just want to use my nice things everyday.

I hate the motto of “saving things” for later. Why? Later may never come. So why not use your beautiful dishes now. Why not drink out of glasses now? What is wrong with using nice things everyday? Since when are we not good enough?

Well, we are. So I have been using my things everyday. I have now moved onto napkins. I have been reading Style & Simplicity by Ted Kennedy Watson for the last few weeks. It is absolutely inspiring! In the chapter called “Dish Towels” he mentioned using good quality dish towels as napkins. I thought what a great idea! He mentioned that his favorite were Le Jacquard Francais dish towels from France.

I have been buying mine from the local flea market. They are wonderful. I have now placed them in a basket on the counter so that after I prepare our plates for dinner we get into the habit of grabbing a linen napkin instead of a paper towel. I love using them and so does my daughter.