Chic Gatherings: The secrets to affordable "old money" style entertaining
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
Release Date: 10/14/2024
No Trust Fund, No Problem: How to summer like an Astor on any budget
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
In this sun-soaked episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we unpack the storied tradition of “summering” in old money circles—from Newport to Nantucket, the Hamptons to the Highlands. Kiki dives into the social history behind the season: why certain destinations became icons of understated wealth, how WASPs made “going to the country” a ritual of quiet luxury, and what distinguishes a legacy summer spot from a flashy one. You’ll learn: The defining characteristics of old money vacation spots, and the key packing list items for each The etiquette (and quiet codes) of...
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Forks, Fermented Fish, and Faux Pas: Etiquette and Table Manners for the Old Money Set
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
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Monogram Etiquette, Style, Tradition, and Rules: old money preppy, or tacky?
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we tackle the timeless, tasteful, and occasionally tacky world of monograms. From heirloom linens to luggage tags, monogramming is the original quiet luxury flex—if you know how to do it right. Kiki explores the history of monograms, their role in old money culture, and the subtle etiquette rules that separate timeless from tacky. Think: Where should your initials go? How many things can you monogram before it’s a crisis? Should couples share a monogram? (Spoiler: not always.) We’ll decode the do’s and don’ts of personalizing...
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The old money photography secrets Slim Aarons knew (and you may not)
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
Today, we’re turning our lens—quite literally—toward the fascinating intersection of photography and old money. From the earliest daguerreotypes in stiff collars to the poolside glamour captured by Slim Aarons, photography has always been a mirror, revealing not just what we look like—but who we *think* we are. We’ll begin with a little history: how photography was once the domain of the upper class, with hand-colored portraits and family albums kept under lock and key, and how the arrival of the Kodak changed everything—from debutante balls to Riviera summers. Then...
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Table for one, please: the lost art of intentional, elegant solitude
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
In this elegantly introspective episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, etiquette expert and romance author Kiki explores the timeless allure and quiet power of solitude. From the romance novel heroine brooding on a windswept terrace to the old money doyenne dining solo in a tucked-away bistro, being alone is not a condition to be pitied—it’s an art to be mastered. Kiki delves into the etiquette of spending time alone with intention and elegance, whether you’re reading on a park bench, traveling solo, or savoring a quiet meal at a fine restaurant. Learn how to navigate the manners...
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Heritage or hype? The true value of luxury handbags in 2025: an old money perspective
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we dive into the true value of luxury goods—especially designer handbags—amid a shifting global economy, social media overexposure, and growing transparency about where and how these so-called “heritage pieces” are actually made. In the age of the Wirkin, or Walmart Birkin, and in the wake of the Chinese revealing exactly how many luxury goods get produced in their factories rather than in chic Parisian ateliers, Kiki unpacks (pun very much intended) the history of handbags as status symbols, from old money necessity to nouveau...
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Social skills hacks that actually work: Etiquette vs social anxiety
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
If you suffer from social anxiety, you might think that the old money, high society types you see effortlessly navigayting cocktail parties were simply born with a socializing superpower, or that they learned it in boarding school, and that it's too late for you, but that's not true. In this calming yet cheeky episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, Kiki turns her velvet gloves toward a topic near and dear to many hearts: social anxiety. Whether you freeze at cocktail parties, overthink every interaction, or find yourself replaying conversations in bed at night, this episode is your...
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The rise of the Nouveau Pauvre: Status in the age of economic instability and inequity
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
When your host, Auntie Kiki, says she’s an “ex rich person” and espouses the label of “nouveau pauvre,” you may be left wondering whether that means she’s fabulously wealthy or delightfully destitute, or somewhere in between. In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we explore our society’s love-hate relationship with wealth, performative wealth on social media platforms and in real life, the rich vs poor divide, the rise of nouveau pauvre as the defining ethos of our times, and why the old money aesthetic and lifestyle gained so much traction in a time of...
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The ultimate guide to old money style garden parties and outdoor entertaining
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
Is there anything more elegant and romantic than a garden party? In this episode of Awkward Etiquette, Kiki Astor dishes on the secrets of hosting the perfect old money garden party, because it takes a bit of behind the scenes preparation to exude effortless charm. From phrasing the invitations, to selecting the right garden party dress code to mastering high society entertaining, Kiki breaks down the essential elements of gracious outdoor hosting. She explores the proper etiquette for garden parties, including how to handle uninvited guests, seating arrangements, and social faux pas...
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Unbothered & Elegant: Let's discuss Mel Robbins' “Let Them” theory
Awkward Etiquette With Kiki Astor
Whether it’s at a cocktail party, on the tennis court, or around the dinner table, Mel Robbins’ Let Them theory is the pop culture, pop psychology self-help phenomenon on everybody’s lips. But what does it really mean, and how does one apply it to living an authentic, elegant life on one’s own terms? In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we dive into Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” theory and how it applies to high society etiquette, social skills, and romantic dilemmas. From handling social climbers with grace to dealing with romantic rejection like a queen and knowing...
info_outlineHave you been wanting to entertain at home, but you are intimidated? Have you been thinking of repaying your friends in kind for dinner invitations or jaunts aboard their yachts, but you can't afford an evening in a restaurant? In this episode of the Awkward Etiquette podcast, romance author and amateur etiquette expert Kiki Astor will inspire you and share her tips on achieving an elegant old money aesthetic while entertaining on a nouveau pauvre budget. Kiki covers everything you need to know for three old world style gatherings: a successful country house weekend, a sophisticated cocktail party, and a charming dinner party.
From invitations that set the tone for your events, to clever strategies for preparing your space and menu without breaking the bank, whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering or a stylish soirée, this episode provides practical advice on how to impress your guests with an air of affluence and sophistication, all while keeping costs manageable. Also, remember, friendship and kindness are free. Tune in for Kiki's insights on creating memorable experiences that reflect the grace of old money entertaining!