A Dream Come True

I am still in a quasi trance from the July 2010 news that my book Everyday Etiquette was going to be published by St. Martin’s Press. My mind haunted me with crazy thoughts like, “They picked me by mistake. I was dreaming it all or worse… I was being pranked.”

I vacillated back and forth between euphoria and nauseous fear that I would wake up from the dream. St. Martin’s Press shared with me that the contract arrives later than a slow boat from China and they weren’t kidding. The offer was verbally given to me in July and the contract didn’t arrived until October.

I loomed by my mailbox for the first month. After that, I just watched from the window for almost two more months. When the contract finally arrived, I was out of town speaking in Chicago. So my husband called with the news, “The contract is here!!” and I said, “Do you really think they meant to send it to me?” I could hear his eye balls rolling through the phone. I read and re-read the contract especially the section with my name and title of the book. Maybe there was another Patricia Rossi that was an Etiquette Coach with a book titled Everyday Etiquette?

It wasn’t a dream at all. The offer, the contract, and the book were indeed real.

September 13th, 2011, Everyday Etiquette launched and sold out on Amazon the first day. Within a few weeks a 2nd printing was already on the press. Shortly after Christmas I received an unexpected holiday gift from my publishers: Everyday Etiquette went into it’s 3rd printing in just 16 weeks!!!

So, thank you dear family and loyal friends that supported this project from day one and also to the thousands of new friends coast to coast and abroad who made Everyday Etiquette a part of their book collection. I still sometimes wake up in the night, go into my office and pick up the book just to make sure it is really real.

Thank you all for making my dreams come true.

Here’s my secret to how I got my book published.

Click here to read about it.

Re-Gifting

5 Tips on Re-gifting with Grace

Re-gifting – something we once kept secret has now become a way of life. Some people have no qualms about re-gifting (me included), while others say they would never (but I think they secretly do). If you receive two of the same item, you could keep one and share the other with someone who would absolutely love it. You may have been given something that you cannot use, but you know someone who can. There are many reasons you may choose to re-gift a gift, but there is an art to doing it with tact and finesse.

Following are some helpful hints.

• Remember who initially gave you the gift. – It can be embarrassing or insulting to give a gift back to the person who first presented it to you, especially if they call you on it. If you have a stash of re-gift items, be sure to write in a log who gave it to you.
• Rewrap and add a new gift tag. – Look the item over carefully and make sure any old gift tags are removed. Then put a little effort into making it look as if you have put some thought into the gift by rewrapping it or placing it in a new gift bag with a new gift tag.
• Don’t give used items. – It’s okay to give away hand-me-downs, but not as a gift. Gifts should be new and unused and not just something you don’t want, but something you believe the recipient will enjoy. Also, make sure you don’t give a partially used gift card…that’s the equivalent of giving someone a slice of pie with a bite taken out of it.
• Avoid re-gifting in the same social circles. – If you receive a gift from a co-worker, make sure you don’t re-gift that item to another co-worker. It would be best to re-gift to a friend or family member that you don’t work with to avoid any awkward moments.
• You may want to sell your gifts on eBay. – If you’re not comfortable with the idea of re-gifting, you could always sell your gifts on eBay and then use that money to buy real gifts for others.

Finding just the right person to give your “re-gift” to, can be just as much fun as shopping for the perfect item at the store. Be thoughtful in who you choose to give it to and make sure it is presented tastefully. Don’t hang onto re-gifts for several years, allowing them to become outdated. You can always donate the items that you can’t find a home for.

Wishing you much happiness and success!

Patricia Rossi, America’s Etiquette and Protocol Coach, www.patriciarossi.com

Rawling’s Gold Glove Dinner & Awards

Baseball’s Elite, past and present, gathered in NYC last weekend at The Historic Pierre Hotel to attend the Rawling’s Gold Glove dinner. The ceremony took place to honor baseball’s best defensive superstars, proceeds benefited the Wounded Warriors Foundation. Jerry Seinfeld provided the entertainment, while emcees Bob Costas and Joe Piscopo honored Baseball’s Elite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dolphin Tale Premiere

 

On Wednesday, September 21st the movie, Dolphin Tale had its worldwide premiere at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL. The movie is about a local dolphin, Winter, that gets injured in a crab trap, causing her to lose her tail. With a prosthetic tail, Winter inspired many and encouraged others that anything is possible.

From arriving and seeing Montel Williams interviewing the stars on the red carpet, to the uplifting movie and the exciting after party — it was a night to remember.

 

32nd Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2011

Four Days & Nights of FREE Jazz in beautiful Clearwater, Florida – October 13-16, 2011

World renowned Jazz musicians, fans and beautiful sunsets make a perfect event for all ages to enjoy!

The Jazz Holiday Festival benefits Jazz education through its scholarships and educational activities throughout the year.

Now in its 32nd year, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday is an amazing gathering of the some of the Jazz greats and their awesome fans.

 

 

Don’t let the party stop as you listen to the sounds of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Jam Band, hosted by Allon Sams and featuring Pat Close, Xavier Chisolm, Kevin Wilder, Austin Vickery, Peggy Morris, Peter Mongaya and Gil Garcia along with appearances by Brian Culbertson and Miss Tess.

 

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Thursday, October 13th
4:30pm – Gates Open
5:00pm – 6:00pm – Global Affect
6:30pm – 8:00pm – Kevin Eubanks
8:30pm – 10:00pm- Johnson Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP welcomes Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Friday, October 14th
4:00pm – Gates Open
4:30pm – 5:30pm – Valerie Gillespie Ensemble
6:00pm – 7:15pm – Gerald Clayton Trio
7:45pm – 9:00pm – Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade
9:30pm – 11:00pm- UBS Financial welcomes Brian Culbertson

Saturday, October 15th
1:30pm – Gates Open
2:00pm – 3:15pm – Jazz Juvenocracy
3:45pm – 5:00pm – Whitney James
5:30pm – 6:45pm – LaRue Nickelson Group
7:15pm – 8:45pm – Sammy Figueroa & The Latin Explosion
9:15pm – 10:45pm – Crabby Bill’s welcomes Maceo Parker
10:45pm Fireworks presented by Homeowners Choice, Inc.

Sunday, October 16th
2:30pm Gates Open
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Ruth Eckerd Hall / Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Jazz Band with Kym Purling
4:30pm – 5:45pm – Mike Markaverich Trio
6:15pm – 7:45pm – Christian McBride & Inside Straight
8:15pm – 9:30pm- Solace Insurance welcomes Dianne Reeves
** Artists subject to change

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Theme Park Fun: Busch Gardens Cheetah Hunt

Summer brings all the fun things that makes the best childhhood memories. We had the good fortune to go to the soft opening of The all — new — Cheetah Hunt Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Theme park.

We were honored and grateful to be invited and took our best Theme park manners and social skills with us. The Cheetah Hunt Roller coaster was amazing, we also had hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and refreshments. We were in awe of the Animal Ambassador interaction, strolling live entertainment and also the interactive artist that created art in motion of the beautiful cheetahs in the park.

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