"Fab 5 Friday: Mother's Day Edition"

Since Mother's Day is this Sunday, I thought I'd do another

...post and dedicate it to my mother.  So today I'll be sharing my fab 5 lessons from Mom.

 1.  Manners Matter

I grew up learning about manners and social graces from a very early age.  I received my first etiquette book at 18, but there were literally five or more on the bookshelves in our home my entire life (right next to the World Book encyclopedias that we'd occasionally "borrow" from Grandma's). 

And, they weren't just collecting dust, we actually looked things up.  No surprise that I now have acquired quite a collection myself.   My personal favorite is an update of a classic....

Buy it HERE

I can't tell you how many friends I have that call and ask questions that I answer using this book.  It's my definitive guide.  Call it old school if you like, the fact is manners matter.  And in this day and age, it's often what sets you apart from the rest. 

2.  There is appropriate attire for EVERY occasion and sometimes they aren't interchangeable

I will never forget attending an important tea in college and being approached during the event about why I didn't have on a business suit like the other attendees.  Luckily, I was taught that "manners matter", so I didn't say what I would've like to have. However, I knew that a business suit was not appropriate tea attire (neither high or low- yes there is a low tea).  

The point here is business, church, wedding and special event attire are not always interchangeable. 

Check out a few of the masters of appropriate attire.

                           

 This pearl of wisdom segues nicely into my next one. 

3.  If you have to ask, you already know the answer. 

This was typically said in response to inquiring whether something you wanted to wear was "appropriate" or not.  Mom's point; if you need to ask me if it's ok for you to wear it (say it, do it, etc.), then it probably isn't.

4.  Don't take any wooden nickles

It took me years to figure this one out.  She'd say it all the time: Anytime we went out, or back to college or on a trip.  I finally got the fact that it basically meant don't fall for the okie-dok.  You know, don't settle for less than you deserve.  Great advice (now that I know what the heck it means).

And my personal all-time favorite advice from Mom is....

5.  Less Said, Less Mended

You'd have to know my Mom to know how true of her this is.  Ironically enough, this is in stark contrast to one of my dad's favorite pieces of advice (I'll share on Father's Day).   I think what my Mom wanted us to know was that sometimes, the less you say, the better.  She'd often quote the popular phrase "Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt."  Priceless.

Thanks Mom for all of the pearls of wisdom, the guidance and the love. 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

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