Stepping Out in Your Patriotic Best: Flag Etiquette
by Mindy Lockard on July 3, 2012
A Gracious Girl always steps out ready to display her patriotic best and show respect for her country.
U.S. Flag Dos and Taboos
At a Party
Taboos - don’t use as…
- a table cover.
- to cover speakers.
- draping a platform (use bunting).
- container to hold or carry anything.
- part of a costume or clothing.
U.S Flag Dos
- Display in a prominent area.
- When hanging against a wall: vertically or horizontally the union (stars) should be at your top left
Parades
U.S. Flag Taboos
- When carrying the flag don’t let it touch the ground.
- Should not be used as decoration on a float.
- Never display on a vehicle or hood of a car.
U.S. Flag Dos
- Salute (sounds funny, but true) every U.S. flag in a parade.
- Carry the flag with pride.
- Carry the flag in front or above all other flags.
- Should be flown from a staff or hung (vertically or horizontally the union (stars) should be at your top left) so that it can freely fall.
Other Courtesies to Keep in Mind
- No mattter how big or small the U.S. flag should always be hung from a staff or suspended, so that it falls free.
- Treat the flag with care.
- Be mindful to not let the flag touch the ground or water what ever it is hung above.
- Mend the flag when it is worn or tattered.
- When the flag is too damaged to represent our country well it should be taken care of in a dignified manner: primarily burning.
- Pass on a legacy of respect for our nation’s symbol by talking with your children about why we respect the flag. By sharing some of these quick etiquettes they will know how to respect a flag that stand for freedom; a freedom we so freely enjoy!
Wishing our U.S. friends a safe and most gracious 4th of July!!!
Curious about the shoes? Following the launch of Charlotte Olympia’s United States flagship store, based in Manhattan, Charlotte Olympia is appropriately introducing a patriotic pair of shoes for the 4th of July—the Priscilla in Stars and Stripes. Charlotte Olympia New York (22 East 65th Street; 212.744.1842) OR CharlotteOlympia.com
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by Mindy Lockard on July 2, 2012
Well Gracious Girls, I have some good news and some bad news.
Let’s start with the bad…
On a recent trip to visit friends on their ranch, my most favorite handbag pen (Sheaffer® Prelude® Mini) was accidentally tossed in the garbage. I’m not sure who was more concerned about the potential loss… me or my daughter Elle who had borrowed it.
She knows how her mama loves her pen {wink}!
The good news is — after our host went dumpster diving — my favorite pen was recovered! Phew, close call.
I’m not kidding when I say, I love this pen. I feel lost without it. Which is why I’m so excited to share it with you. Next week, we kick-off three weeks (July 9th, 16th and 23rd) of The Gracious Girl’s Favorite Handbag Pen Giveaway! Yes it’s a mouthful, but worth it.
Here’s how you enter each *week.
1. One way to enter is to answer the weekly handbag question on the blog
2. The second way to enter is to share our video on Twitter, Facebook or your blog and mention @TheGraciousGirl or link to www.MindyLockard.com/blog
3. Or the third way to enter is to post a picture on Instagram of your favorite items in your handbag and mention @TheGraciousGirl
*You may enter each week, however you may only win once…that way we can share this favorite pen with several Gracious friends.
Oh, and if you haven’t seen our video and my Sheaffer® Prelude® Mini in action. Here it is!
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The Gracious Girl: Packing Your Summertime Clutch
by Mindy Lockard on June 27, 2012
When it comes to a Graciously packed clutch the old saying is true. . .
it’s what is on the inside that counts!
And here are a few must-haves for inside our summertime clutch!
Check back next week when we launch our “What’s in your Handbag?” Instagram giveaway!
It’s going to be a most gracious time!
Items in order of appearance: Tide-to-Go, EveEcho, Listerine Pocket Packs, Gifts in Paper and Sheaffer Pen
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Cracking the Envelope Code. . .
by Mindy Lockard on June 26, 2012
In the excitement of receiving an invitation, have you ever recycled the envelope before finding out to whom it was actually addressed?
Here’s a quick etiquette tip: The outside and inner envelope (for any invitation) communicates who is invited . . .so before inviting a date or bringing your children, take a moment to see who’s being invited. This will save you and the host from a potentially awkward moment.
photo courtesy of Crane & Company
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Summertime Hostess with the Mostess!
by Mindy Lockard on June 20, 2012
So often as a host or hostess, we get so caught up in the details of menus and decor that we forget to plan how to physically engage with our guests—how to greet them and introduce them to others at the party etc. Remember, the host and/or hostess is the social maestro of the event. Here are a few suggestions for conducting a well-planned event that puts your guests at ease and encourages them to connect with one another.
- Break the ice by having a bite to eat and beverages ready when your first guest arrives.
- Planning ahead allows you to be present, so you can focus on your guest and not be shoveling ice into glasses as your guests are arriving at the door. It makes for a rather awkward entrance an wet icy handshake.
- Bring people together by making introductions. And when you do, share their names and a little information about each of the guests.
Example: “Mary, I’d like to introduce you to Jane Johnson a friend of mine from college.Jane, this is Mary Morris and she’s a avid runner too!”
4. Mix up your guests by using place-cards (even in the most casual settings) and seating guests away from their partner allows every one to get to know new wonderful people.
What summertime entertaining tricks do you have up your sleeve?
Also, join us for our summertime entertaining conversation over at Sheaffer Pen!
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