April 15th, 2018 MIMI
Biggest Beauty Secret?
Sleep, eating mostly veggies and Super Elixir to start the day.
Grooming Extravagance?
When your older, “grooming” is upkeep and seems like a full-time job! I do the standard haircolor, frequent mani-pedis and facials. I also look much better after I treat myself to a massage.
Go to Perfume?
Chanel
Favorite Shoe?
Chanel ballerina flats or Canfora sandals.
Favorite meal, dessert and snack?
I love food so that is too hard! Anything home-cooked and I’m a sucker for cookies, especially Christmas cookies with icing.
Favorite movie?
Anything with Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day, Marilyn Monroe, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep. I’m sure I forgot some other fabulous “girl power” movie stars, but I love a lazy Sunday and a good girl movie with Mademoiselle.
My last purchase was?
Groceries.
When no one is home I…?
Lay on the couch.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
On a beach, where I could wake up to the ocean every morning and have coffee with the MDC.
Favorite Destination?
Cabo San Lucas…it’s warm and sunny every day.
Where are you the happiest?
The lake or vacationing with my whole family.
What do you think the definition of relaxation is?
Relaxation feels a lot like exhaustion…it’s hard to tell the difference.
With whom do you like to travel or leisure?
My family.
What is your greatest extravagance?
JuraCapresso Coffee Machine.
If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
Worry less.
On which occasion do you lie?
Too many.
What is your greatest fear?
Harm or hardship to my family.
Which person(s) do you most admire and despise?
I admire women who strive to make a difference by their actions and deeds. I despise jealous people and people who do not stand up for their beliefs.
What have you learned?
A lot. In sum:
- Everyone should own (and read) an Etiquette Book. It should be a mandatory gift for all high school graduates.
- You are your five closest friends, so be aware when you are choosing your friends.
- Cooking is not just about health and nutrition, it’s about connection with the earth and people.
- If you enter a room and do not like anyone in it, it is very likely they do not like you either.
- It is okay to see the world in black and white, but its those shades of gray that make it more interesting.
- “Living Well is the Best Revenge” – George Herbert
MADEMOISELLE
Biggest Beauty Secret?
Cetaphil, random drugstore finds and a good nights sleep.
Grooming Extravagance?
Splurging for the cruelty-free cosmetics, Chantecaille is my favorite!
Go to Perfume?
Voyage d’Hermes
Favorite Shoe?
Right now I’m loving my Gucci mules, perfect for work to happy hour.
Favorite meal, dessert?
As a plant-based pescatarian, my relationship with food changed ALOT, my favorite meal now is simple baked salmon with warm grains and delicious kale salad. Dessert is a toss-up between a slice of vegan cake or the non-dairy Haagen-Dazs in the chocolate salted fudge truffle flavor.
Favorite movie?
The Devil Wears Prada.
My last purchase was?
A hands free dog leash and Purple Carrot subscription.
When no one is home I…?
Watch Netflix in my robe.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Paris.
Favorite Destination?
France
Where are you the happiest?
At home with my boys.
What do you think the definition of relaxation is?
That feeling post 80 min massage, 60 min facial and mani pedi…dont call me don’t text me.
With whom do you like to travel or leisure?
Friends and family, of course!
What is your greatest extravagance?
Travel and my puppy.
If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
Be more patient.
On which occasion do you lie?
Wouldn’t you like to know…
What is your greatest fear?
Spiders and hidden dairy in my meals.
Which person(s) do you most admire and despise?
I admire my dearest mother Mimi, Amal Clooney and Madeleine Albright. I do not despise any single person, rather I despise those who cause harm to become infamous.
What have you learned?
I am learning something new every day, but my three rules to live by:
Drink a lot of water.
Go the f*** to sleep.
If it won’t matter in a year, then move on and forget about it.
March 15th, 2018  Mimi and Mademoiselle’s first 20Q is with none other than the MDC. The MDC is a gentleman not unlike the original Courtier of 1516, Baldassare Castiglione. He believes that men of the 21st century should use Castiglione’s lessons to bring about a modern-day resurgence of the ideal renaissance gentleman. Think of the MDC as a respected society gentleman providing you only the sagest advice on manly matters. The man gives us a bit of insight into some basics. You can look forward to his guest columns in future posts.
Grooming Basics? To Cologne or not to Cologne..?
A man must always be well kept. If not for him, for his wife, children and parents. No one wants a husband, father, son or sibling to look ill-kept. Men should be clean-shaven unless exploring or the occasional “no-shave” craze, but then and only then for a few days’ growth-lest one appear brutish. A good comb and razor are a must and real men do not use blow-dryers or hair dye.
Men should rarely wear fragrance. If they do, it must be subtle. The stench of an overpowering man brings back a horrible high school memory or the scent of lots of “Grey Flannel”. The overpowering scent does nothing for women or men. I can only recommend after shave lotions which seem to be the perfect balance between nothing and a good scent for those closest to you. I recommend Cade, Creed or Chanel Blue. If a scent is not an option, then Old Spice Classic deodorant always leaves a man smelling great!
Favorite Wardrobe Basics?
White Oxford shirt, blue blazer, khaki or gray Pants…make it your uniform.
Nice shoes: If clothes make the man, then the shoes give away his status. You need at least three (3) pairs: 1 shell Cordovan loafer, 1 cowboy boot, 1 tennis shoe. Buy the very best you can afford – and then some.
Favorite Meal, Dessert, and Snack?
Raspberry point oysters, 8 oz. filet, asparagus, potatoes and a chocolate dessert or souffle from the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Favorite activity?
Anything. I’m the MDC. I’m up for it all as long as its family time doing any adventure. We recently tried polo playing as a family and it was great, but the girls won! It doesn’t matter what the activity, whether boating, shooting, traveling or relaxing with the wife and kids, it makes all the work worth it!
Favorite movie?
Jurassic Park-any of them, anytime.
My last purchase was?
Dresses for my Mimi and Mademoiselle.
When no one is home I…?
Wish they were…
I wish someone told me:
Life is a carousel and you will see the same people again and again so be careful what you do and say. The two things you cannot take back are your reputation and the spoken word.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
On the water, warm preferably.
Favorite Destination?
Palm Beach or The Rosewood in Cabo San Lucas.
Where are you the happiest?
On the water with family and friends.
What do you think the definition of relaxation is?
Not worrying…
With whom do you like to travel or leisure?
Family.
What is your Biggest Secret?
Can’t tell you…
What is your greatest extravagance?
Being able to do pretty much what I want when I want.
If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
To be kinder and give back to society more. I’ve been blessed with rewards from hard work and feel one must always give back to the universe.
On which occasion do you lie?
Not too often… I’m lying now.
What is your greatest fear?
Death of me or a loved one.
Which person(s) do you most admire and despise?
I try not to despise as that is a situation where one takes poison and waits for someone else to die. Never works too well. As far as admiring, I try not to do that either. Rather, I try to emulate positive and rewarding behavior exhibited by others and that mimicking is a sort of admiration so I think it takes care of itself.
What have you learned?
The universe is watching and generally gets it right. Most of the time that is…
January 26th, 2017 
Shelly Lewis Stanfield’s modern acrylic paintings combine her passion for bold colors and raw materials. Such inspiration is derived from her love affair with architecture, interior design and nature.
The path that brought Shelly to this point in her career is filled with beautiful things, places and people. As a self taught painter, Shelly’s experiences in the design field as well as day-to-day life lessons add to her process of creating.
“I have always felt that you can complete a space with one great piece of art.” Color, texture and shape are what drive Shelly’s abstract styled work. Acrylic is the medium of choice. Most of her work begins on wood canvas with either a color story or movement in mind. Layering and scraping with a scrap piece of sheet metal against wood surface gives a certain primitive quality. This technique brings rawness and down-to-earth element. “Knowing when the creation is complete that is the true gift. Having someone fall in love with your work, that is happiness.”
Shelly grew up in Oklahoma, spent time in Atlanta and Alaska, and has now returned “home” with her husband and two sons. Creative since childhood, Shelly did not devote her energy to her own art until later in life. “I look forward to a long career as a painter because this truly feels like what I was meant to do.”
The community clearly agrees with Shelly as she was recently commissioned to complete ten original paintings for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum for the 20th Anniversary Remembrance and Renovation events. Her art is available at MA Doran Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma and gfcontemporary in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Her work can be viewed on her website: www.shellylewisstanfield.com
1. What inspired you to become an artist?
In my prior life, I did some interior design work. I was always searching for the perfect piece of art to complete a space. So, now I just create that perfect piece of art!
2. Biggest beauty secret?
Always have a glass of ice water in hand.
3. Grooming extravagance?
I am not the extravagant type. I have always thought it is best to look good without looking like you have tried too hard…this gets harder to do the older I get!
4. Go-to perfume?
I love Kai perfume oil and body glow spray for special occasions. Otherwise, I don’t wear perfume.
5. Favorite shoe? Everyday bag? Evening bag?
Unique is key for me. My Bed/Stu boots for their handmade ruggedness. A worn cream leather clutch that gets better with age.
6. Favorite meal, dessert and snack?
Pasta anything!
7. Favorite movie?
Terms of Endearment CRY.EVERY.TIME.
8. My last purchase was?
Groceries.
9. When no one is home I…?
I eat Nutella out of the jar…
10. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Oklahoma City. It is the best place to raise my boys.
11. Favorite Destination?
Santa Fe, New Mexico when the Aspen trees are in their glory.
12. Where are you the happiest?
At home with my family.
13. What do you think the definition of relaxation is?
Drinking coffee on the front porch listening to the birds.
14. With whom do you like to travel or leisure?
With my 3 sons! (husband + 2 boys)
15. What is your greatest extravagance?
Eames lounge chair and ottoman.
16. If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
To become less judgmental of my own work.
17. On which occasion do you lie?
I don’t, because I’m afraid something bad will happen to me.
18. What is your greatest fear?
Public speaking.
19. Which person(s) do you most admire and despise?
I admire anyone who spends their life making this world a better place for my boys to grow up and raise a family.
20. What have you learned?
To steal my son, Heath’s, favorite quote by Frank Lloyd Wright, I have learned, “the longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.”
February 4th, 2016  Mimi and Mademoiselle have been looking for a way to discuss and to encourage financial responsibility. We cannot find a better summary to introduce the topic and make you a bit more financially savvy then the article at one of our favorite websites Career Contessa. If you have not been to the site or follow their Instagram, you should. It is designed to bring women the best career advice and access to find, hire, and work with trusted career experts. The almost daily motivational Instagram posts @careercontessa are worth following, just for their unique, on-point and sometimes funny perspectives . The article, by Jasmine Williams, “How to Invest in Your 20’s (Literally)”, is an excellent introduction to the common types of investing and sets out instructions if you are interested in beginning to invest your hard earned money. At the least, its worth a good read so that you can impress everyone with your financial savvy. We like a good read that makes girls even smarter! Go to it!
January 12th, 2016 
Mimi and Mademoiselle share their top 5 ideas for a fabulous 2016!
- Resolve to take better care of yourself. Healthier eating, more sleep, drinking more water, regular exercise.
- Resolve to take regular breaks from technology. Leave your cell phone off and don’t use it when you are with friends or at meals.
- Resolve to be conscious and live in the moment. Appreciate your interactions with family and friends and at school or work.
- Resolve to be mindful and intentional in recognizing the many blessings that surround you every day.
- Resolve to cook at least one meal at home every day, and entertain friends at home at least once this year.
October 15th, 2015 
From time to time, Mimi and Mademoiselle come across information we think is so important to share with our followers that we will put it “in lieu of the 20Q”.
Our first such finding, has been in our queue for awhile. In 2010, Maria Shriver founded an organization called A Woman’s Nation. It is a successor to The Women’s Conference organization she led when she served as First Lady of California. Mimi and Mademoiselle think Maria is a pretty special gal, and her work on A Woman’s Nation has been particularly interesting. One project of note, The Shriver Report Snapshot: An Insight Into the 21st Century Man, has been described as a groundbreaking survey which cracks some of the old stereotypes of masculinity.
Interestingly the study, in part, finds:
- Today’s men are much more likely to value personal success and being present for family over financial or professional achievement.
- By 2-1 men say it is harder rather than easier to be a man today than it was for their father’s generation, citing the rise of the 21st century woman.
- Today’s man wants different qualities for a wife or partner than for a daughter.
- 63% of men today feel very comfortable having a spouse or partner working outside the home, but only half feel comfortable being out-earned by their partner.
- Only 45% feel “very comfortable” having a female President.
It’s an interesting study with very interesting results. Aside from the surprise that men want different qualities in a wife than in a daughter, we think all women can take comfort in men’s “evolution” so to speak, knowing that the 21st century man says, “He knows who he is not, but admits he is still evolving to define who he is”.
Mimi and Mademoiselle recommend you take a look at The Snapshot, and if you’re really interested, download and explore the study. We think all girls need all the information they can get about boys!
September 15th, 2015  Suzanne Pollak is a social strategist specializing in home, hearth and hospitality. She is a founder and Dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, “the CADP”, a class and lecture platform designed to foster more meaningful connections to how and where we live along with a successful website. In April, she took full reign of the CADP. Pollak wants to spread her teachings to all . Drawing from her interesting childhood in Africa, her life in the Turks & Caicos and all over the South, she shares important lessons in home keeping, cooking, raising children, surviving wars, financial downfalls and health considerations. All while hosting parties for hundreds, having weddings at home and living a beautiful and meaningful domestic life.
Pollak tours and lectures with her book, The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes. She’s even been on the new Bravo hit show Southern Charm dispensing her brand of advice. She is also the co-author of Entertaining for Dummies and The Pat Conroy Cookbook. She is also hard at work on her forthcoming interview series Mothers and Sons, an in-depth look at the interlocking relationship between successful men and their strongest domestic influence, along with working on a corresponding book! She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal for her restoration of a historic 1784 Charleston, South Carolina town home on the famous Rainbow Row, and in Town & Country magazine for her historic restoration of a 1780 Georgian tabby mansion and garden in Beaufort, South Carolina. She was also the former spokesperson for Federated Department Stores, appearing at seminars in seventy-seven stores over ten states, building customer loyalty with her advice columns (“Suzanne Suggests”; “Ask Suzanne”; “Home Ingredients”) and playing a vital role in brand development as point person for morning television shows and newspapers in the major markets. She was born in Beirut, Lebanon and spent the first 18 years of her life in Africa where her father was a diplomat. Today, she lives in Charleston and is a wife and mother of four adult children, including twins. She is an amazing person to meet and a taste-maker extraordinaire! We are so honored and happy to hear her secrets to living well!
20Q:
1. What was your motivation or inspiration behind creating the Academy and writing the book?
I founded the Charleston Academy with the aim of empowering people to gain confidence in their ability to use their house as a tool to live a more rewarding and beautiful life, and to discover that domestic pursuits are fairly simple, but no one knows that unless they are shown how.
2. Biggest Beauty Secret?
I don’t have one! It would be eight hours of sleep if I could make that happen.
3. Grooming Extravagance?
Getting my hair cut in NYC.
4. Go-to Perfume?
I have never liked perfume.
5. Favorite Shoe? Everyday bag? Evening Bag?
Roger Vivier shoes, VBH day bags & evening bags.
6. Favorite meal, dessert and snack?
A meal someone makes for me! Lemon tart. Tea and shortbread.
7. Favorite movie?
Babette’s Feast.
8. My last purchase was?
Balenciaga navy lizard sandals on sale…kick ass!
9. When no one is home I…?
Dance!
10. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Exactly where I am – on Rainbow Row in Charleston, SC!
11. Favorite Destination?
London, New York, and LA.
12. Where are you the happiest?
When I am working.
13. What do you think the definition of relaxation is?
Having a cocktail on my rooftop (lookout tower) after a productive day.
14. With whom do you like to travel or leisure?
With my husband or any of my children, but I am thinking the best of all will be with my grandchildren very soon.
15. What is your greatest extravagance?
Loving James de Givenchy jewelry
16. If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
I would have made a list of a million things a few years ago, but now I’ll keep me the way I am.
17. On which occasion do you lie?
To try to make someone feel good.
18. What is your greatest fear?
That I won’t realize my big dreams.
19. Which person(s) do you most admire and despise?
I admire so many people, so many people inspire me. I do not despise anyone. Everyone has some redeeming quality.
20. What have you learned?
To like myself.
August 15th, 2015   Becauseisayso.com is pleased to interview two rising female entrepreneurs in news and media, Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin. These twenty-somethings are co-CEOs and founders of theSkimm, a daily e-mail newsletter with concise and creative content telling you everything you need to know to get your day started or your dinner and cocktail party conversation going.
Wiesberg is from Chicago and Zakin is from New York. In 2008 Wiesberg got her B.A. in American Studies and English from Tufts University. Zakin holds a B.A. in Political Science, Cinema Studies and Creative writing from University of Pennsylvania. They met and bonded during a college study abroad program in Rome, later bumped into each other at their respective successful jobs at NBC News, and brainstormed the need for a news source to connect their young, smart and highly educated friends. They developed a medium that sifted through the deluge of information from multiple social media platforms, continuously updated new sites and blogs, and put it in one convenient daily form. They have been producing theSkimm’s quality e-mail newsletter since July of 2012, making the news more relatable and entertaining using their unique voice and format!
We asked these media moguls to answer the 20Q and are pleased they agreed to share, appropriately, their own “skimmed” version, or the 3Q…so here we go!
1. What advice would you give to young women on starting a business?
We give this advice to anyone looking to start their own company or just entering the work force: take a coding class. You never know how it can help you, from building your own website to host your resume, or being able to interview or manage developers, or being one yourself.
2. What is next for you on the ladder to success? And for theSkimm?
Success for us is always a line that keeps on moving back. We’re very goal oriented and have high hopes for ourselves and our company. This year our goals for theSkimm were to expand our team and keep growing our subscriber base, while maintaining high engagement. Top on the list of goals for ourselves is to push ourselves to be better managers.
3. What have you learned?
A lot. Running a start up is like going to business school and law school overnight. You know enough about a lot of things to make an educated decision and then move on to the next challenge.
We are fortunate that these busy girls gave us some insight and hope all of you get your “Skimm” on and sign up and share!
Check out theSkimm on their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
July 15th, 2015 Mimi and Mademoiselle’s have received great acclaim for turning over some of their July columns to the MDC! We’ve also gotten some questions, suggesting our new visitors need a reminder who the MDC is! So here’s a redux from our first few weeks of posting to remind you that the MDC is the ultimate Renaissance man.
The MDC is a gentleman not unlike the original Courtier of 1516, Baldassare Castiglione. He believes that men of the 21st century should use Castiglione’s lessons to bring about a modern day resurgence of the ideal renaissance gentleman. Think of the MDC as a respected society gentleman, providing you only the most sage advice on manly matters. The man gives us a bit of insight into some basics. You can look forward to his guest columns in future posts.
Grooming Basics? To Cologne or not to Cologne..?
A man must always be well kept. If not for him, for his wife, children and parents. No one wants a husband, father, son or sibling to look ill-kept. Men should be clean-shaven unless exploring or the occasional “no-shave” craze, but then and only then for a few days’ growth-lest one appear brutish. A good comb and razor are a must and real men do not use blow-dryers or hair dye.
Men should rarely wear fragrance. If they do, it must be subtle. The stench of an overpowering man brings back a horrible high school memory or the scent of lots of “Grey Flannel”. The overpowering scent does nothing for women or men. I can only recommend after shave lotions which seem to be the perfect balance between nothing and a good scent for those closest to you. I recommend Cade, Creed or Chanel Blue. If scent is not an option, then Old Spice Classic deodorant always leaves a man smelling great!
Favorite Wardrobe Basics?
White Oxford shirt, blue blazer, khaki or gray Pants…make it your uniform.
Nice shoes: If clothes make the man, then shoes give away his status. You need at least three (3) pairs: 1 shell Cordovan loafer, 1 cowboy boot, 1 tennis shoe. Buy the very best you can afford – and then some.
Favorite Meal, Dessert and Snack?
Raspberry point oysters, 8 oz. filet, asparagus, potatoes and a chocolate dessert or souffle from the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Favorite activity?
Anything. I’m the MDC. I’m up for it all as long as its family time doing any adventure. We recently tried polo playing as a family and it was great, but the girls won! It doesn’t matter what the activity, whether boating, shooting, traveling or relaxing with the wife and kids, it makes all the work worth it!
Favorite movie?
Jurassic Park-any of them, anytime.
My last purchase was?
A great car for my son’s 16th birthday. Totally custom and a bit exorbitant, but he earned it and has to keep it for 10 years or until he gets out of grad school. Either way, I felt pretty good about getting him a kick-ass car!
When no one is home I…?
Wish they were…
I wish someone told me:
Life is a carousel and you will see the same people again and again so be careful what you do and say. The two things you cannot take back are your reputation and the spoken word.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
On the water, warm preferably.
Favorite Destination?
Warm beach X or Las Ventanas in Cabo San Lucas, BVI and Palm Beach.
Where are you the happiest?
On the water with family and friends.
What do you think the definition of relaxation is?
Not worrying…
With whom do you like to travel or leisure?
Family.
What is your Biggest Secret?
Can’t tell you…
What is your greatest extravagance?
Being able to do pretty much what I want when I want.
If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
To be kinder and give back to society more. I’ve been blessed with rewards from hard work and feel one must always give back to the universe.
On which occasion do you lie?
Not too often… I’m lying now.
What is your greatest fear?
Death of me or a loved one.
Which person(s) do you most admire and despise?
I try not to despise as that is a situation where one takes poison and waits for someone else to die. Never works too well. As far as admiring, I try not to do that either. Rather, I try to emulate positive and rewarding behavior exhibited by others and that mimicking is a sort of admiration so I think it takes care of itself.
What have you learned?
The universe is watching and generally gets it right. Most of the time that is…
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Your Dose of Wisdom  Etiquette does not just mean RSVP’s, dinner party manners and writing a thank-you, it is a reflection of your entire outlook on social interaction, public life and living well. Tweet this We’re loving "http://www.shellylewisstanfield.com" target="_blank">  The fine art of Shelly Lewis Stanfield  The Charleston Academy
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