Hey there, pull up a chair; grab a refreshing glass of sweet tea. Let’s chat... I’m so excited to have a space to share with you all. There’s so much I’d like to talk to you about. But, first things first, a little bit about me.
What’s in a name?
As you may already know, Belle is derived from the French word belle, which translates to beautiful. Consequently, a Southern Belle is defined by Wikipedia as a proper young woman of the American South’s upper socioeconomic class. However, the term is most commonly used in reference to a beautiful and charming woman from the Southern United States. A Southern Belle is warm, hospitable, and gracious. Historically, the term would not have included women of color. For this reason, I have chosen the monicker Mocha Southern Belle. It helps make the name more inclusive for women who look like me.
At the core...
The Mocha Southern Belle is a daughter, sister, friend, mother, United States Marine Corps Veteran, Certified Etiquette Consultant, and home educator. Of all my titles and accomplishments, perhaps the one I am most proud of is being a mother. Motherhood is the joy of my life, and having been chosen to guide and mold such a beautiful soul is a blessing. My daughter is a significant part of what motivates and inspires me to continue to grow and be better.
For as long as I can remember, I have had a love for beautiful spaces, fashion, and style. My mother and grandmother instilled the importance of a polished personal presentation. Later, my service in the United States Marine Corps added to my knowledge of subjects like customs and courtesies, senior subordinate communication strategies, and formal dress etiquette. Collectively these experiences have cultivated the person I am today. I hope that all I have learned and continue to learn can add value to your life and our community.
More than meets the eye…
As I have grown and embraced my love for beautiful spaces and a polished appearance, I decided that maybe this was meant to be my gift to the world. Therefore, I made the personal investment to become a Certified Etiquette Consultant and I am the CEO of Mocha Southern Belle School of Etiquette. I teach proper etiquette and protocol in areas such as Etiquette for a Refined Dining Experience, Tea Party Etiquette, Professional Presence: Business Etiquette Essentials , The Art of Ladylike Elegance, Chivalry, The Power of Communication: Mastering Greeting Etiquette, and more.
The heart of a helper…
As a home educator, I have worked with numerous families within the homeschool community. I love helping to mold the young minds of our youth academically as well as socially. I take pride in helping to instill the values in others that my mother and other maternal figures in my life have imparted in me.
In addition to all of this, I believe that even still, I have so much more to offer. That is why I’m here. I feel a lifestyle blog is a great, personable way to share helpful tips and information with my community. I hope you’re just as excited as I am about all that’s to come. If you are interested in upcoming news, events, and valuable information, please subscribe below.
