Table Etiquette 1910

Good Manners For All Occasions 
by Margaret E. Sangster, 
was published in 1910.

Here is an excerpt from the book about Table Etiquette: 

Mrs. Sangster At Home



"Set yourself in an upright position — not too close to nor yet 
too far from the table. 

Take your napkin, partially unfold it, and lay it across your 
lap. It is not the correct thing to fasten it to your buttonhole 
or spread it over your breast. 

Do not trifle with your knife or fork, or drum on the table, 
or fidget in any way, while waiting to be served. 

Keep your hands quietly in your lap, your mind composed 
and pleasantly fixed upon the conversation. Let all your 
movements be easy and deliberate. Undue haste indicates a 
nervous lack of ease. 

Should grace be said, you will give the most reverent 
attention in respectful silence during the ceremony. 

Exhibit no impatience to be served. During the intervals 
between the courses is your opportunity for displaying your 
conversational abilities to those sitting near you. Pleasant 
chat and witty remarks compose the best possible sauce to a 
good dinner. 

Eat slowly ; it will contribute to your good health as well as 
your good manners. Thorough mastication of your food is 
necessary to digestion. An ordinary meal should occupy from 
thirty minutes to an hour. 
 
You may not desire the soup, which is usually the first 
course, but you should not refuse to take it. You can eat as 
much or as little as you please, but you would look awkward sitting 
with nothing before you while the others are eating. 

When eating soup take it from the side of the spoon, and 
avoid making any noise in so doing. 

Should you be asked by the host what part of the fowl 
you prefer, always have a choice, and mention promptly which 
you prefer. Nothing is more annoying than to have to serve 
two or three people who have no preferences and will take 
"anything." 

Never place waste matter on the tablecloth. The side of 
your plate, or perhaps your bread and butter plate, will answer 
as a receptacle for bones, potato skins, etc. 

You will use your fork to convey all your food to your 
mouth, except it may be certain sauces that would be more 
conveniently eaten with a spoon. For instance, you should 
not attempt to eat peas with anything except a silver fork.
If there is none, use a spoon. 

The knife is used only for cutting meat and other articles 
of food, for spreading butter on bread, etc. 
 
Here is a summary of blunders to avoid : 

Do not eat fast. 

Do not make noise with mouth or throat. 

Do not fill the mouth too full. 

Do not open the mouth in masticating. 

Do not leave the table with food in your mouth. 

Be careful to avoid soiling the cloth. 

Never carry any part of the food with you from the table. 

Never apologize to a waitress for making trouble; it is her 
business to serve you. It is proper, however, to treat her with 
courtesy, and say, "No, I thank you," or "If you please," in 
answer to her inquiries. 

Do not introduce disgusting or unpleasant topics of conversation. 

Do not pick your teeth or put your finger in your mouth at 
the table. 

Do not come to table in your shirt sleeves, or with soiled 
hands or tousled hair. 

Do not cut your bread ; break it. 

Do not refuse to take the last piece of bread or cake ; it 
looks as though you imagined there might be no more. 

Do not express a preference for any part of a dish unless 
asked to do so." 
 
Do we lack table manners nowadays?
Is any of this still taught?
Should it be?
What do you think?
 

MonkeyMash Retro Inspired Clothing



If you are looking for beautiful, bright and bold retro inspired clothing, then you just have take a look at MonkeyMash.

You will certainly be able to step out in style after purchasing one of the fabulous creations here and know that you won't be bumping into anyone wearing exactly the same outfit as you are!

The wonderful items available at MonkeyMash have been lovingly created by Emma, who chooses good quality fabric in bright and colourful designs, which really make her clothing stand out from the crowd.

Go visit MonkeyMash today!







The Art Of Beauty

'The Art Of Beauty' by Mrs. H. R. Haweis was published in 1883.
Here is an excerpt which I share with you today entitled 'The Pain Of Ugliness'...
 
 
"Those whose taste has been cultivated by having 
beautiful things always about them, are incredibly 
sensitive to awkward forms, inappropriate colours, 
and in-harmonious combinations. 
 
To such persons, certain rooms, certain draperies, 
certain faces, cause not only the mere feeling 
of disapprobation, but even a kind of physical pain. 
 
Sometimes they might be unable to explain what affected 
them so unpleasantly, or how they were affected, 
but they feel an uneasy sense of oppression 
and discomfort... 
 
This sense of oppression would probably be neither 
understood nor believed in by the ordinary run 
of educated people, in England, at least. 
 
But it is very real to those whose passionate care for 
the beautiful makes it a kind of necessity to them — 
and they are the subtle and delicate souls that 
build up the art-crown of a nation. 
 
The uneasiness to which I allude, is very similar to 
what we all feel more or less, according to our 
constitutional susceptibility, 
in the presence of unsympathetic persons."
 
 
Oh, how very true darling! 

  



Hippy Emporium



Based in Altrincham, Cheshire, the Hippy Emporium is a family owned business with Fair Trade ethics.
Almost everything sold at Hippy Emporium is made by crafts people either in family groups, small business or as individuals from all around the world.


With a strong commitment toward being environmentally friendly, (from recycled packaging and biodegradable bags to the use of bio fuel vehicles and solar energy) Hippy Emporium believes in 'simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity'.

Hippy Emporium, run by Stewart and Wendy Guest also support 'Fair Share Community Network', which is a Charity aimed to relieve food poverty. Stewart even volunteers on a weekly basis at the Fair Share Northwest warehouse in Manchester, collecting and providing food to organisations around the area. 

You will be able to find clothing, jewellery, candles and all kinds of wonderful gifts, so go visit Hippy Emporium today!


Indispensible Advice...

I found old book published in 1851 and was intrigued by the title:

LADIES' INDISPENSABLE ASSISTANT ~ 
BEING A COMPANION FOR THE SISTER, MOTHER, AND WIFE
 
 
 
It contains all kinds of interesting 'cures' and 'advice', 
and after composing myself, I just had to share this part of the book with you! 
 
 
SAFE DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN : 
 
"It is of the greatest importance that mothers should 
understand the management of their offspring. The 
newly-born child should be kept warm and not exposed 
to sudden changes of temperature or currents of air. It 
should not be handled but kept as quiet as possible. 
 
It should receive its food at regular hours, three or 
four times a day, and it should not be permitted to take 
so much as to cause vomiting. The stomach of a new- 
born infant is very small, not larger than a common-sized 
thimble, so that there is great danger of giving it too 
much food.  
 
Wash it every morning in warm water, and never, as 
some have done, plunge it in cold water." 
 
Yes...indeed, some really wonderful advice right there... 
 
Don't you just love the way they refer to the child as 'it'!? 

Cranberry and Apple Pie Retro Recipe

I simply love cranberries...YUM!

Here's a scrummy recipe for Cranberry Apple Pie, which I found in old advertisement for Eatmore Cranberries which was published in 1953 in the U.S.


  



Cranberry Apple Pie

1 recipe favorite pastry
2 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
2 cups apple slices
4 cups cranberries
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water


Roll out half of pastry and fit into 9-inch pan.
Combine sugar, water, apple slices and cranberries in a saucepan.
Cook until cranberries pop - about 10 minutes.
Make a paste of cornstarch and remaining water, stir into fruit and continue cooking until thick and clear - about 5 minutes.
Cool and pour into pie shell.
Roll out remaining pastry and cut into strips.
Arrange crisscross fashion over top.
Bake in 425'F oven 25 minutes.

By the way, 'Cornstarch' is what we call Cornflour over here!
425'F is roughly about 200'C.






Retro Recipes ~ Delicious Desserts from the 50's





J'Adore Vintage

If you are desperately seeking quality vintage style clothing, you really need to get yourself on over to J'Adore Vintage, where you will be able to find classics from the 1920's through the early 1990's.

Based in Manchester, J'Adore Vintage online boutique has been recommended by Vogue & Glamour Magazine.

So, not bad credentials at all then!

When shopping for vintage clothing, getting something that you like in your size can be a bit of a challenge, not so at J'Adore Vintage.

With a good range of sizes from 6-20 and reasonable prices to boot, you won't be disappointed when it comes to ordering a stylish outfit from this online boutique.

With everything from dresses for daytime and evening, jackets and coats, jumpers and cardigans, jumpsuits and playsuits, shoes, skirts, tops and blouses, shoes, bags and purses...well you are bound to find something to please here!

J'Adore Vintage not only caters for ladies, there is also a great selection of vintage clothing for men too which includes knitwear, shirts, jackets, accessories, t-shirts, ties and scarves.

As if that wasn't enough, J'Adore Vintage now also has a Homeware section with vintage accessories for your home.

J'Adore Vintage was started by Samantha Ludlam in 2010 with stalls at Vintage Fairs, now with internet presence, this cool online boutique is easily available to everyone who loves Vintage and Retro style clothing, no matter what size they are!

Visit J'Adore Vintage and see the fabulous array of vintage and vintage inspired clothing for yourself!





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