SDTC Finishing School

Nervous Ticking Me Off

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 12:04:12 -0700

by Karen Cleveland

Everyone has a nervous habit. Some are private; others are public. Very public.

So public that they become impediments on other’s well being. Mind that if you chew ferociously on your nails or cuticles, it may really gross people out. Or we’ve all bared witness to serial button pushers (you know, the folks that get on the elevator or arrive at the cross walk and press that same button that you just pressed a dozen times –why? Do you think once it hits a magic “30” is magically speeds up?).

Rules for the Playground

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:00:51 -0700

by Karen Cleveland
Did your parents ever ask you not to use your playground voice at the library? It’s smart advice. At its core, it’s a message of matching your behaviour to your setting. I’m not sure what sort of a picture I’ve painted of myself in this column. An accurate one is all I can hope for: I’m a stickler for good manners, but I still like to have a good time.

The Party Hierarchy

karen_cleveland — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:17:20 -0700

by Karen Cleveland
The TIFF parties can bring out the best and worst in film and party-goers.

The best patrons love to celebrate the city and its ilk as a premier cinematic hub. The worst arrive at the events with a “what’s here for me?” attitude, as in:
· Where’s my line by-pass?
· Where are my comped drinks and nibblies?
· Where’s my swag bag?

TIFF TACT

karen_cleveland — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:10:48 -0700

by Karen Cleveland
TIFF reminds me how great of a city Toronto is. It's like your bestie hosting a really fabulous party. For the most part, Canadians in general and Torontonians in particular, are reserved. We have an "I'm-too-cool-to-really-ogle-that-celebrity" air about us that is a bit New York.

Which is great. Because coming to Toronto for a film festival isn't a license to sign autographs for the duration of their stay.

You are what you wear...

karen_cleveland — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:11:00 -0700

by Karen Cleveland
A wedding gown is a defining fashion moment for many women. It says a lot about you and your style. That’s why my heart breaks a little when I see a gorgeous bride or bridesmaid wearing a stunning gown, only to see her tugging on a poorly cut strapless number, or teetering like she’s walking on hot coals (when it’s really just a pair of too high heels).

Or even worse, struggling to recognize an old friend whose has been ghastly made-over to the point that she doesn’t even look like herself.

Be comfortable. Look like yourself – just the prettiest, happiest, glowing version of her.

The guestlist

karen_cleveland — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:10:55 -0700

Who do you invite to your wedding? Whomever you like. My humble advice is to find one steadfast rule and stick to it. If you can bring your reasoning back to “the rule” than you are not the bad guys…you’re just following the rule (“it’s not that we don’t want Great Aunt Mabel to come – we had to put some sort of parameters around this and we decided to invite only people that we both know as a couple”)...

Invitations and Gifts

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:52:09 -0700

by Karen Cleveland
My friend and marvellous colleague Alison McGill and I discussed this subject not too long ago and I’ll relay Alison’s response, because she has credentials on the subject: she’s the editor in chief of Weddingbells.

When it comes to communicating gift preferences through invitations, it is not at all acceptable to suggest, allude or hint about the type that you would like (or presume you’re getting a gift, at all).
Ever.

Showers

karen_cleveland — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:01:20 -0700

by Karen Cleveland
My thoughts on wedding showers are brief. To be plain, I’m not a big fan of them in the traditional sense: my blood pressure skyrockets when I think of a community hall basement, decorated in pink with the little wife-to-be getting outfitting with all of her housewares. The feminist in me dies a little with each of these showers that I attend (but I do attend them, nevertheless).

Wedding Etiquette

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:04:03 -0700

by Karen
The spring showers are finally over and the summer months are upon us. For me, this typically means two things: full-out road construction across the GTA and many weddings.

I love weddings. I would get married every Saturday (to the same guy, of course) because our wedding was the best party we’ve ever hosted. And that’s what it should be. It’s not about the bride or how pretty she loves (and if you think it is, get a prenup)

TTC – the better way….even better

karen_cleveland — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 14:19:10 -0700

by karen cleveland
Several months back, I offered some suggestions on how to make your commute on the red rocket more enjoyable for you and fellow passengers.

Consider this an addendum to the original post http://shedoesthecity.com/the_better_way_your_guide_to_riding_the_ttc_wi...