Hi Elle,
Did you take any etiquette classes, or red any books about etiquette? If so what did you take away from it? In general what is some basic etiquette everyone should know?
Yes, my mother made my sister and me take etiquette classes when we were growing up, where we learned how to make small talk, use cutlery properly, do the fox trot, and all that. It felt like torture at the time, but now that I'm an adult, I'm incredibly grateful for it. There are countless teachings I believe everyone should know, but I'll keep it simple and list the basics:
Socializing:
Greetings and Introductions:
Initiate Greetings: In formal settings, greeting the host and senior individuals first is polite.
Introduce Yourself with Confidence: When introducing yourself, make eye contact, smile, and offer a firm (but gentle) handshake.
Remember Names: Pay attention to names during introductions, and try to use them in conversation to show attentiveness.
Conversation Etiquette:
Avoid Monopolizing Conversations: Engage in a balanced dialogue exchange; avoid dominating the conversation.
Graceful Interruptions: If you must interrupt, do so politely with a soft “Excuse me” or “May I add…?”
Ending Conversations: Close conversations gracefully, e.g., “It was a pleasure speaking with you,” before moving on to another guest.
Small Talk and Topics:
Safe Topics: Stick to light, neutral topics like travel, the arts, or current (non-controversial) events.
Avoid Over-sharing: Keep personal matters private; maintain an air of mystery and sophistication.
Dining:
Seating Etiquette:
Wait to Be Seated: Wait until the host signals to sit, or until you’re guided to your seat.
Seating Order: If you’re hosting, guide guests to their seats based on seniority or guest of honor status.
Table Manners:
Utensil Use: Start with the outermost utensils and work your way in as the courses progress. After you've cut your food, make sure you move your for to your left hand even if it feels counterintuitive,
Bread and Butter: Tear off a small piece of bread, butter it on your plate, and eat it, rather than buttering the entire slice.
Resting Utensils: When pausing, place utensils on the plate in a “resting” position, such as crossed or angled.
Handling Courses:
Soup Etiquette: Spoon soup away from you and sip from the edge of the spoon without slurping.
Pacing: Match your pace to the host or the most senior individual at the table. Don't rush or lag behind.
Events:
RSVP and Invitations:
Timely Response: Respond to invitations promptly and never bring uninvited guests unless explicitly allowed.
Respect Time: Arrive on time, especially for formal events, but not more than 15 minutes early.
Host and Guest Responsibilities:
Host Etiquette: As a host, introduce guests to each other, especially if they don’t know anyone else.
Guest Behavior: Engage with other guests, but don’t cling to one person for the entire event. Mingle politely.
Handling Alcohol:
Moderation: Drink alcohol in moderation. Know your limits and avoid overindulgence.
Toast Etiquette: Stand if a toast is being made in your honor, and wait to drink until after the toast is given.
Dressing:
Dress Code Adherence:
Understand the Code: Whether it’s black tie, cocktail, or casual, always adhere strictly to the dress code specified on the invitation.
Subtle Elegance: Opt for classic, understated pieces that are elegant but not overly flashy.
Grooming and Accessories:
Impeccable Grooming: Make sure your hair, nails, and makeup are neatly done and appropriate for the occasion.
Minimalist Accessories: Choose simple, elegant accessories that complement but do not overpower your outfit.
Hi! Any advice on how to bring up iron levels?
Iron deficiency is quite common among women; it’s best to seek your doctor’s guidance to create a tailored plan that suits your needs.
For best results, consume your iron supplements with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or citrus varieties, and consider taking vitamin C supplements to enhance absorption.
Consistency is key - To ensure effectiveness, it’s crucial to take your iron supplements regularly and on an empty stomach. (provided you have no gastric concerns)
Start using cast iron cookware for all your meals; it naturally leaches trace amounts of iron into your food, which offers a beneficial boost for those with iron deficiency, and can help boost iron levels.
Evaluate the factors that inhibit iron absorption to maximize the impact of your diet; steer clear of calcium (such as dairy), phytates in grains and beans, and beverages like coffee and tea, as they can obstruct absorption.
Our bodies are most efficient at absorbing heme iron, with red meat, chicken, beef liver, and certain fish serving as prime sources. We can absorb non-heme iron, albeit with lower efficiency, found in foods such as spinach, tofu, beans, and leafy greens.
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron; consider incorporating more tomatoes, citrus fruits, and red, yellow, and orange peppers into your diet.
Begin incorporating iron-rich juices into your diet, with beet juice being the optimal choice; and aim for daily consumption over a two-week period to boost your iron levels.
Begin your day by drinking blackstrap molasses on an empty stomach every morning. Molasses is an excellent source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6; I personally enjoy taking two tablespoons straight, but it can also be diluted in water.
"Be confident, trust yourself and never let anybody put you down. If anybody puts you down it's because they're jealous."- Adriana Lima
Learning new skills that will make it easier to accomplish your goals >
You know what I love? Discipline. Do you know what I admire? People who handle their lives properly. Because I know that takes a lot. Did you get that high paying job and didn't buy an expensive car with your first paycheck? That shit is hard. Do you want to have s** but abstain yourself and don't just sleep with anyone? That shit is hard. Did you stay in shape during the holidays? That shit is hard. I love people being disciplined, handling their finances wisely, controlling themselves and discerning what is actually good for them. You can get offended or you can get better. Your choice. 🖤
I want to be bread 😭😭😭😭😭😭
It's not fair
hold on a second man…
Do you have any reading recs about perfumes?
I haven’t read most of these yet— but here’s my current perfume reading list. Enjoy! I might update this with more as I move along.
ARTICLES
‘Smell, Memory’ by Rachel Syme
‘The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Perfume’ by Katy Kelleher
‘In 1902, Audiences Turned Up Their Noses at the First Perfume Concert’ by Allison Meier
‘Kazimir Malevich’s Little-Known Perfume Bottle’ by Jillian Steinhauer
‘Getting a Whiff of Perfume’s Illusions’ by Sonya Vatomsky
‘LAYERS: Pushing Through the Arts to Perfume’ by Dannielle Sergent
‘Scenting Shakespeare’s Tragic Heroines: Cleopatra and Lady Macbeth’ by Lauryn Beer
‘Some Thoughts on Scent Criticism’ by Miguel Matos
‘Scent and Healing: The Transformative Power of Perfume’ by Ida Meister
‘Here’s Why Perfume Description Are Never About Smell’ by Elyse Hauser
‘Heaven Scent’ by Danielle del Sol
‘Ann Haviland, Forgotten Mastermind of the Signature Scent’ by Jessica Murphy
‘Perfume, Power, and God’ by Arabelle Sicardi
‘How to Pick a Perfume When You Can’t Smell’ by Alaina Leary
‘People Are Buying This Perfume Because They Think It’s From Killing Eve’ by Rebecca Jennings
‘Meet Chandler Burr, the World’s Foremost Fragrance Expert’ by Chavie Lieber
‘Making Perfume From the Rain’ by Cynthia Barnett
‘Can Perfume Sabotage a Budding Romance?’ by Jesse Frost
‘The Scent of True Love’ by Cari Romm
‘Perfume: An Ethereal Corset Trapping Everyone in the Same Unnatural Shape’ by Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg
The New York Times archives on Perfume
FICTION
The Song of Solomon from The Bible
Das Parfaum by Patrick Süskind
NONFICTION
Essence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume by Mandy Aftel
Fragrant: The Secret Life of Scent by Mandy Aftel
Throughsmoke by Jehanne Dubrow
The Emperor of Scent: A True Story of Perfume and Obsession by Chandler Burr
The Perfect Scent: A Year Inside the Perfume Industry in Paris and New York by Chandler Burr
Dior: The Perfumes by Chandler Burr
Folio Columns 2003-2014 by Luca Turin
Perfumes: The Guide by Luca Turin
The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell by Luca Turin
The Perfume Lover: A Personal History of Scent by Denyse Beaulieu
The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Parfumeur by Jean-Claude Ellena
A Scented Palace: The Secret History of Marie Antoinette’s Perfumer by Elisabeth de Feydeau
Coming to My Senses: A Story of Perfume, Pleasure, and an Unlikely Bride by Alyssa Harad
Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent by Jean-Claude Ellena
Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris by Christopher Kemp
The Foul and the Fragrant: Odor and the French Social Imagination by Alain Corbin
A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman
Fragrance: The Story of Perfume from Cleopatra to Chanel by Edwin T. Morris
Cult Perfumes: The World’s Most Exclusive Perfumeries by Tessa Williams
The Ephemeral History of Perfume: Scent and Sense in Early Modern England by Holly Dugan
Perfume: Joy, Scandal, Sin: A Cultural History of Fragrance from 1750 to the Present by Richard Stamelman
The Aroma of Righteousness: Scent and Seduction in Rabbinic Life and Literature by Deborah Green
Scenting Salvation: Ancient Christianity and the Olfactory Imagination by Susan Ashbrook Harvey
Scent: The Mysterious and Essential Powers of Smell by Annick Le Guérer
Encyclopedia of the Exquisite: An Anecdotal History of Elegant Delights by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins
Aroma by by Constance Classen
Flowers and Fruit by Colette