Transitional Summer To Fall Jackets And Simple Etiquette You May Not Know
It’s Sunday Faves time with Annie and Cindy and I’m showing a few transitional Summer to Fall jackets and clothing pieces, along with some simple etiquette (that you may already practice or think outdated), and an amazing butter from Vermont.
Also included are some colorful interiors that caught my eye on Instagram this week.
Late Summer To Fall Jackets – Transitional Clothing
Even though the kids are back in school, it’s still hot here. But Fall is coming next month.
This long denim jacket is new at J. Jill and it’s a fun take on your regular jean jacket. I’m wearing it with super soft cotton chinos (perfect instead of jeans) and new suede block-heeled mules.
Here’s how I’m wearing the chinos while it’s still warm…with a black tee, black leather belt and buckled leather sandals (very comfortable).
Here is another Summer to Fall jacket (small petite). It can make jeans feel pulled together but you are still comfortable. I guess I talk a lot about “comfort” but I think it is important or you won’t wear it often.
Those are my current favorite mid-rise flare blue jeans by Mother Denim. I still had to shorten them, but I could have also just cut the hem since them since they come frayed. These are the most expensive jeans I have ever bought (investment jeans) but if I could only have one pair…these would be it.
Some Simple Etiquette Reminders
For my sixteenth birthday, at I time when I think I wanted bellbottoms or white patent leather boots, my mom gave me the the hardbound book: Emily Post’s Etiquette “Whenever two people come together and their behavior affects one another, you have etiquette . . . it is not some rigid code of manners; it’s simply how persons’ lives touch one another.” —Emily Post
It’s actually a good read that is constantly updated for modern times. Anyone can have good etiquette as it’s basically being kind with “please and thank you’s” and others that should be common.
My daughter has been teaching almost three-year-old, Louisa to introduce herself and other friends at the playground.
Write thank-you notes for gifts (especially wedding presents), dinners or for being a houseguest. Guilty here. I have been writing thank you emails…but what do you think about this?
When leaving the dinner table, push your chair back in. A lot of people forget to do this.
Are there any etiquette rules that you find silly or not being used enough? Please leave a comment.
There is more here: Event Etiquette Tips
The U.S.’s Best Butter? – Animal Farm Butter
Our friend, Mercedes is always in the know about the best food ingredients, like this Animal Farm Butter that she shared with us this week. It sells out regularly so she set an alarm to remind her to order it when it was due back in. Thanks, Mercedes!
“Diane St Clair started Animal Farm in 2000, looking to make the most delicious butter possible on the planet by grazing a small herd of Jersey cows in the beautiful Champlain Valley of Vermont …This glorious butter is available only to a handful of America’s finest restaurants, including Chef Thomas Keller’s Per Se and The French Laundry and Chef Patrick O’Connell’s The Inn at Little Washington.”
Colorful Interiors That Draw You In On Instagram
Here are some intriguing photos from my saved files on Instagram.
The sectional was made in America by Coley Home (@The Beautiful Mess Photography). Love the stripes, the colors, how a round ottoman works with the L-shaped sectional, the millwork and natural lighting. Just gorgeous.
The mix of colorful textiles by Whitney Mcgregor is so pleasing along with the wool rug, vintage beds, little desk and antique prints. Very thoughtfully collected. Not sure why the linens are a little messed up on the right bed 🙂
This room by Jeffrey Bilhuber has a daring fabric on the sectional. It looks expensive for a family room that could see a lot of use. I usually want to go with a performance un-patterned fabric that you won’t get tired of…hence why I think it’s daring, but in a good way. Looks great with the red lamps.
What To Watch On TV “Firefly Lane” On Netflix
There are two seasons in this series. I blew through the first season. The second season is slower but I’m sure I will finish it. It’s probably not something your husband would like…but your sister might. Everything seems familiar as I read the book “Firefly Lane” years ago. Honestly, I probably liked the book better but the 70’s fashion and Katherine Heigl are fun to watch in the series.
“Firefly Lane” refers to both a novel by Kristin Hannah and a Netflix television series based on the book. The story revolves around the lifelong friendship between Tully Hart and Kate Mularkey, two very different women who navigate life’s ups and downs together over several decades. The novel spans three decades, while the series follows their journey from teenagers in the 1970s through their adulthood in the mid-2000s.”
If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
As usual, a great post. My 18 year old daughter’s pet peeve is when people do not push their chair back in. My husband is guilty of this and he gets a quick reprimand from her. I think as long as you send a thank you , doesn’t matters if it is a text, email or by post.
This is late but I’m away and just found the time. My parents were real sticklers for manners; my dad used to tell a story of how he only dated a girl once if she ate with poor manners. In turn, I’ve taught my BFs kids some basics such as put your napkin in your lap as soon as you’re seated and ask to please be excused when through eating and you want to leave the table. The kids named them Wren’s Rules and they still remember them as adults. Of course, I tried to impress them on my own children and I’m disappointed that my grandsons don’t write thank you notes even though I’ve given them special note cards for that. The jackets you show are cute and I also like Mother jeans but not the price!
Howard always said that when we were dating what he like about me was how polite I was. (I wanted to hear pretty or smart but oh well).
Good for you for giving your grandsons note cards…I’ve given them to my kids and it’s worked.
MA! So sweet that Louisa is already a student of Emily Post. I have a copy of Etiquette on my bookshelf, not the latest edition, but the basics don’t change. Love your transitional jackets. Especially the denim. And I’ve been admiring your chinos … I’m going to click your link to buy in two secs. xo
Those chinos are my faves, Juliet.
Hi Mary Ann,
I am a big believer in etiquette and always had to battle with my kids about sending thank you cards, but I do like eating hot food! Love your outfits Mary Ann, such beautiful clothes and you look wonderful in them. My favorite time of year is coming up! Just love Fall colors!
Francesca, I am so happy that our kids send thank you notes and I bet yours do too.
I was taught etiquette early on by my mother and grandmother. They were sticklers! One of the first purchases I made when I was on my own after college was “The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette.” No matter how uncomfortable I may have felt in social situations over the years, I always knew which fork to use and which plate was for my bread (and I knew to butter one bite at a time)! I still write thank you notes, but to close friends for informal occasions, I’ll send a text. As “Abigail Van Buren” used to say, “Good manners never go out of style.”
It is comforting to know how to behave in social situations!
I love writing thank you notes and I love receiving them! It’s a lost art that I am trying to keep ALIVE!! Showing appreciation is such a lovely gift!
Yes, I just ordered some note cards today!
Cute striped jacket, Mary Ann! You really look terrific in the black T and green Chino’s w/ black accessories — extremely flattering! I think it may be your wavier hair that we are noticing: it looks very pretty on you.
I LOVE the blue hassock with spotted leopards in one of your decorating photos — wow, that fabric really speaks to me!
Re. manners: your list is an excellent concise one, not overwhelming, and easy to practice. I really dislike poor manners, which is something that is less formally taught than in years/generations past in many parts of the country.
Thanks about the hair comment. I think I will post about how I’m styling it less with a product or two. My hair is wavier the older I get.
One thing that irks me is when you meet a young person and they never look you in the eye. They are always looking at the floor. One thing I love about living in the south (Georgia) tho is that even very young little boys will wait and hold a door open for you.
I love how a lot of the kids here in north Florida say “yes, ma’m” and “yes sir”…as they do in Georgia!
I read and enjoy your posts every week, but I have to say this! While you always look lovely, today’s edition? You look terrific! Is something different? Kind of a goofy comment but we all need to compliment each other. Maybe it was your recent vacations? Many thanks from Palm Springs.
That is so funny as I was just telling Cindy that I don’t feel so great in my photos…so this was such a nice compliment. Thanks Elle. It might be a bit of a tan from Key West (or the Jergens Natural Glow).
One rudeness that I abhor is when people don’t have the courtesy to RSVP when invited to a party.
Most people do not appreciate the work it takes and that it’s crucial to know how many are coming.
I need to get plates out, iron napkins, polish silver and cook the right amount of food. Also when people respond promptly that they’re unable to attend, and one has a finite amount of room, one can invite someone else.
I think a written thank you note shows much more appreciation (because of the effort involved) than an easy email!
Some people are really slow to reply. I think I will order some thank you notes today and have them out on my desk.
Hi Mary Ann
Love the interiors you shared this week! All of those jackets are darling, and the etiquette reminders are always welcome!
Love the interiors/exteriors you shared, Cindy.
Mary Ann—Please elaborate more on the Mothers jeans? What do you like about them? Would you mind sharing the size you purchased and are they regular or petite? Do they run true to size, or small or larger? I’ve had a difficult time getting designer jeans to fit my petite frame. The mid-rise may be a better fit also since I’m short-waisted. You said you hemmed them or had them hemmed. Since they were a frayed hem to start, are they folded over and stitched with dark thread? From the pictures they don’t appear to have contrasting stitching. Usually when a tailor hems jeans, they recommend keeping the original hem which has distressing, etc. which can’t be duplicate. In your case, they were frayed and you had them hemmed. Do they look good done this way? I’ve also had the problem with a bootcut pair that needed to be hemmed and it messed up the proportions. Thus, I never wore them. Such problems us petite gals have.
Any help would be appreciated by me and I’m sure others. As you can see by my questions, I’ve had a difficult time finding a designer pair that fit. Thanks xo
My friend, Mercedes looked so great in these jeans, I asked her where she got them. I bought the petite 27 (true to size)…and you are right that I think the mid-rise is better if you want to wear a belt, or not. I just went with a hem with a matching thread since it didn’t have a hem to start. I like that some of the flare had to be cut off when you are really short, like us. They have the perfect stretch and do not loose their shape. I am careful not to wash them very often.
You could try them and always return them, Rose.
I am getting some other jeans hemmed right now and I’m not having the original hem replaced as sometimes it seems to thick…they are just using the rust color thread that is on the pockets. Hope this helps.
I don’t agree with guests waiting until all are served to eat. I want my guests to have the food when it is hot. It is not fair if you are the first to be served and have to wait.
My husband, Howard, the cook agrees with you on this. That’s why it’s nice when the host says something like “please eat before it gets cold.”