Stay Calm & Sparkle On!

Tonight's the night to get your Sparkle On! A night of friends and fun to kick off the Christmas party season. Join me at Prestonwood Dallas at 6:45pm (no reservation needed) and we will bask in the fabulousness of delicious holiday recipes, Christmas traditions, and polish up on Socially Savvy tips so we can ...

Stay Calm & SPARKLE ON!

xoJoy

Thankful for YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my blog friends. I am very THANKFUL for you!
Today was a wonderful day spent with family and friends. And guess what ... we get to have two more Thanksgiving celebrations Friday and Saturday. For all of you who will continue your Thanksgiving celebrations through-out the weekend. Here's a message for you ....

xoJoy

Thanksgiving Manners

When Americans were asked: What is your most favorite holiday? By far Thanksgiving ranked first. 
For the most part, it is so popular because there is no gift giving, just visiting and eating!

Although excellent manners should be a part of our everyday habits, the holiday season calls for more advanced awareness of civility. The basics are essential and quite frankly expected especially at Thanksgiving dinner! 

• Arrive at Thanksgiving dinner on time. (how embarrassing to interrupt the meal)
• Never bring a guest that is not expected. (what a shocker!)
• Take a well thought out hostess gift. (do not show up empty handed)
• Don’t switch out place sitting cards. (set where the host puts your name-it's there for a reason.
• Never start eating before the host/hostess. (pick up your first utensil only after he/she does)
• BMW is not your car - it is an acronym for Bread, (on left) Meal, (in middle) Water (on the right)
• And remember ALWAYS pass to the right. (and the salt & pepper always stay together, no matter what!)

Yes, these are just a few of the basics ... but what about the manners that nobody dares to discuss.
 Remember - It is Thanksgiving! Put away the Blackberry’s, i-Phones and all text toys just for this one day, and especially during the Thanksgiving meal. Nothing says, "I don't care” more than ignoring the people sitting right in front of you.

There was a time when families spent this one day of the year visiting and catching up on details of each other’s lives. Unfortunately, retailers have enticed the early bird Christmas shopper by opening stores on Thanksgiving afternoon in order to make an extra buck. Whatever happened to pumpkin pie and football games? As a reminder, the malls will stay open late during the holiday season. Do not fall into the pressure of a retailer persuading you that Thanksgiving Day is the only time they will offer their really big sale.

In a nation where the divorce rate is over 50%, remember to refrain from bringing up past wives, husbands, relationships, weddings, funerals, experiences and occurrences that will only promote friction. Think before you speak, your next conversation could be a land mine waiting to explode. You certainly do not want to be the culprit of a dreadful Thanksgiving Day disagreement that goes down in the family album as a bad memory.

More manners tomorrow to prepare you for your big Thanksgiving weekend ahead!


xoJoy

Party Etiquette Tip

Are you invited to a party?

A guest's duty: Mix, mingle & make dazzling conversation - 

not about yourself.

Photo: we heart it

xoJoy

Engagement Party Etiquette

Going to an engagement party? This is NOT an occasion to take a gift to the couple.
It is not a shower.
The party is given by the family to announce the engagement.

• However, if the party is being held in a home - don't forget to take a host/hostess gift with a card enclosed.
• And please do not forget to write a thank-you note after the party to thank the host/hostess for including you in the celebration.

xoJoy

Kathy Ireland

Celebrating Life Luncheon

Today was a very special day in Dallas. Kathy Ireland was here specifically to speak to The Council for Life. She has a fantastic Life Affirming message everyone needs to hear. 

We found out very quickly that Kathy is not just beautiful on the outside, but her heart is even more beautiful. Those of us at Table 8 had the best seat in the entire ballroom - thanks to our dear friend Amy. (Many of us get to do lots of extra fun things because of Amy)  Thank you Amy and Thank you Kathy!

Kathy & me. I'm not really that short (am I?) & she is ... really that tall. 

xoJoy

It’s that time of year to set a date for your upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas party, or holiday event & send out a hold-the-date card or email.

Preparing for the week ahead? 

Remember: Keep your priorities in order!

xoJoy

Partner's Card

If you live in Dallas/Fort Worth you very well know this has been Partner's Card Week. I have been hitting the shops along with every other person in DFW saving at least 20% on everything. All the proceeds go to The Family Place. It ends tomorrow so I will have much to report. Until then ... All my best, xoJoy