Get Your Elbows off the Table!

Good morning my readers,

Such a cozy rainy day , I am settled in with a hot cup of coffee, a cat snuggled up on my lap and of course more helpful information : )

I love to dine out, I love to dine in, I love to host friends over for dinner but what I can't stand is bad table manners. You do not have to be at a 5 star restaurant to pull out all the stops, it should just be part of your everyday  dining decorum. As my mom use to say " Tara if you do not make it habit and you act slovenly at home, when  you are out you will act the same way" so naturally I had to practice at home and a good habit takes 30 days to master and now I am a seasoned dining participant!

So here are a few friendly reminders when dining in or out:

• Sit up straight, do not hunch over your plate or the table
• Keep your elbows in and do not rest them on the table
• Spread your napkin over your lap when you are seated (large dinner napkins are half-folded and small napkins are opened full size)
• At the end of a meal, leave the napkin semi-folded to the right of your plate
• Do wait until all guests are served before you start eating
• Always start by using the silverware farthest from your plate and work your way in with each course

• Pass everything to the right
• Eat in small bites and slowly, no need to shovel the food in, and do not talk and chew

Here are some major DON'TS:

• DO NOT blow your nose in your napkin
• DO NOT reach in front of a person
• DO NOT help yourself from a dish first
• DO NOT blow on food to cool it or blow over your plate
• DO NOT crunch your crackers in your soup
• DO NOT leave your spoon in your coffee or tea, place it on the saucer next to the cup
• DO NOT stack your dishes
• DO NOT drink with food in your mouth

Now, I have to admit, occasionally I have strayed at home alone in front of the t.v watching a juicy movie while having a pig out session : ) but when hosting a dinner party, family gathering or dining out, these are the basic rules to follow. Happy dining and happy eating!

Tara

Tipping...No you don't do this to cows!

Hello my lovely mannerly readers!

I hope all the mothers had a wonderful Mother's Day! I was able to spend the day with both my maternal grandmother and my mother, we spent the day in the lovely town of Cape May, NJ taking in the sea air, the sounds of the waves and indulging in some food and window shopping.

We had dinner at a cute cafe and shared stories and laughter. My grandmother wanted to leave a tip, and naturally my father slipped me more money to leave on the table for our server : ) We are the customary 20% percent tippers and my grandmother is the depression era lady who will leave a nice tip and calculate it down to the penny.  Is she cheap? No, she just counts her pennies. But it got me thinking, " I wonder if people really know what a good tip is or what to tip" ..... so back home I went and came up with a little guideline.

Tipping Do's for Dining Out:

• Maitre d' - To secure a good table $5.
• Waiter/Waitress - 15-20% percent of the bill, I lean towards 20% and have been known to leave more if the waiter/waitress was exceptionally helpful and was able to make good recommendations. 
• Wine Steward - 10% of the wine bill.
• Coat Check - $1 per coat or item they are storing for you.
• Door Attendant - $1-2 for a taxi.
• Parking Valet - $1-2 per use, if you have a deluxe vehicle and want it parked out front, then $5.
• Bathroom Valet - $1.

I am NOT a math person and the idea of complex math makes me want to break out in hives! But here is a simple way to calculate the tip.....Chop the last number off the total on the bill and move the decimal point over one spot to the left...that will give you 10% percent of the bill. That is your starting point and from there you can figure the 15% or 20% percent. Simple! 

***Note, if you a large party dining, the establishment may automatically tack on a 15% percent grat on the bill***

Happy dining!

Tara

Business Attire Cheat Sheet

Hello my dear followers,

I have been absent and I apologize, so much going on! Vacation to San Fran, LOVED IT and a fun new chapter in my life has started...stay tuned for all the details : )

Recently,I have been observing some business attire and realized a Do's and Don'ts for men and women was very much needed.....so naturally I designed one.


Business Attire Do's & Don'ts MEN :

• DO wear you suit jacket when you conduct business outside the office, go to events and meet new clients. 
• DO make sure your shoes are polished and have good soles.
• DO wear a belt that matches your dress shoes, if your pants have loops then you wear a belt. 
• DO keep hair and nails neat and clean. Men you do need haircuts often to look polished and biting your nails and leaving them ragged is a no-no. Even if you work with your hands, please keep them neat. 
• DO wear appropriate jewelry, a watch and a wedding ring is sufficient. 
• DO NOT overpower your appearance with heavy cologne. 
• DO NOT wear short-sleeved shirts under your suit coat, showing a clean cuff is a must. 
• DO NOT wear a dark undershirt under your dress shirt, only white, no exceptions.  
• DO NOT wear ankle socks or light colored socks with a dark suite. 

Business Attire Do's & Don'ts for WOMEN:

• DO wear comfortable shoes ( no stilettos), a nice pump that is polished and has good soles and hosiery (nude or black) no textured or outlandish tights. 
• DO wear natural makeup.
• DO wear appropriate jewelry...diamond studs, a necklace, wedding band or engagement ring and a watch, nothing too over the top or trendy. 
• Do keep hair and nails neat and clean, trim off dead ends and keep nails short and painted either a light pink or neutral color, no red daggers!
• DO NOT overpower your appearance with too much perfume. 
• DO NOT wear elaborate hairstyles. 
• DO NOT wear jeans or casual slacks or mini skirts.

** note these do's and don'ts can change depending on the industry that you work in , for example, if you work in fashion, your outfit may be more expressive, but these tips are the basics and will keep you looking smart and neat**

Every man and woman should invest in one nice suit and shoes to match. Thankfully we have stores that cater to every budget. Make sure your clothes fit you well and sales people are there to help with measurements and invest in a good tailor. Sometimes the first impression is the only impression, so put your best foot forward!

Cheers!