SEPTEMBER 2025: An Elegant Month in Review
This post contains affiliate links and ads. Affiliate links and ads support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ongoing support!SEPTEMBER — Even now, I still get excited by the thought of new pencils, notebooks and a fresh start. The first few weeks of the new school year are always a mixture of chaos and celebration as we settle into new routines and a new season of growth.
In this journey to craft a more elegant life, I’ve found that it’s helpful to plan out out different activities, events and hobbies I want to try or experience. I strive to plan something that will bring beauty, joy, art and connection — whether that’s a nature walk with my family, meeting a friend for lunch, traveling, or taking a class. So while our days may be busy with growing children, there’s still (a little) time for me to connect, create and continue to build a life I’m proud of.
If the idea of crafting a more elegant life sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to revisit this space often. You may also be intrigued by my annual Elevate Your Everyday Challenge. What is that? It’s my signature 31 day new year challenge focused on creating a vision for your most elegant year yet.
I am fortunate to share this time with wonderful likeminded women from around the world — it’s a special time I look forward to each year. Together, we define our personal values, set smart goals toward accomplishing our dreams and identify small, ingenious habits we can add to our day to create what we all strive for: a more elegant life.
If that sounds interesting to you, send me a quick note to join the waitlist for next year.
I want to take you on my journey to create my most elegant year yet, and I hope the things I share inspire you to create an elegant life you love!
Join me and take a moment to reflect on SEPTEMBER: An Elegant Month in Review.
Building on the foundation that was set during the Elevate Your Everyday Challenge, September brought the opportunity to continuing practicing good habits while striving to embrace new experiences and make progress toward my personal and professional goals.
September is a fresh start in many ways. The excitement in the air encouraged me to look at my goals with fresh eyes while the pleasant weather kept me energized. I had the opportunity to teach a variety of etiquette classes to clients of all ages — a wonderful reminder that learning and practicing etiquette is a benefit at every point in life.
One special moment was taking Alice to her first Irish Dance class. Growing up, Irish Dance was my passion. It was my first true love and the culture, music and dancing still feel magical to me today. When Alice found my old school dress hanging in the closet, she immediately wanted to know more and how she could get a dress of her own. After many talks about the commitment required of Irish Dancers, she assured me it was absolutely something she wanted to try. It was a full circle moment to take her to my old dance school and have her begin instruction under the same teachers and family I trained with all those years ago. I hope Alice will love the challenge and excitement that comes with being an Irish Dancer. I know I’m excited to support her every step of the way!
The highlight of the month was celebrating my sweet Grandmothers’s 94th birthday!
My grandmother is the one who instilled a love of etiquette in me. She took me on her travels, to charity brunches, her salon and her workplace. I love hearing about the adventures and challenges she faced throughout her life, all with grace and a spine of steel. She was a trailblazer for professional women in a time when few women had the opportunity to pursue a career and made sure I was exposed to cultures, ideas and opportunities around the world.
Every day with her is a gift and we loved celebrating her special day with dinner, dessert and a glass of wine!
Do you have questions about gifts and celebrations? Drop your questions in the comments below and check back for more social etiquette advice!
September was a whirlwind of sports practice, dance and piano lessons, school activities and PTO meetings. We soaked in all the school spirit with Alice attending a cheer clinic and getting the opportunity to cheer at the Varsity Football game!
Bryan and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. With soccer games and other commitments, we didn’t make any special plans, so it was a delightful surprise when our dear friends asked if they could make us dinner and celebrate with us. It was just what we needed and we left feeling full of love, friendship and great food.
SEDULOUS (adj.) : (of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence
|
SEDULOUS (adj.) : (of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence |
Many people believe the myth that etiquette is old fashioned and of no use in the modern world, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
This month I introduced the magic of modern etiquette to a select group of teenagers, all who left the class feeling more confident in social situations.
I also had the unique opportunity to share formal American and British Formal Dining Etiquette with the C-Suite of an international company. Yes, even in the automotive and engineering, one needs to know how to conduct oneself over a formal dinner if they hope to create lucrative relationships!
As you look toward the year ahead, remember that elegance is a state of mind; a simple and ingenious approach to a charmed life. If you desire it, you can create a life filled with beauty, elegance and connection. It simply requires a bit of intention, effort and a willingness to try something new.
Take time to plan out a few things just for you to enjoy next month. Maybe lunch at a new restaurant, meeting a friend for coffee, or trying a new hobby. Whatever it may be, an elegant life is yours to create!
What was the highlight of your month? Did you experience something new? I’d love to know!
Leave a comment and share your most memorable moments of September.
