I don't entertain very often, but when I do I like to make it a real Soiree! I like to create an environment that makes my guests feel special and excited to be a part of the evening. At my last birthday - my 40th! - I sent out vintage fashion invites and asked my girlfriends, (it was a dames only party), to wear their vintage finest. My dining room table is rectangular and I really feel that the best conversations happen around a round table, so I rented a round table, plus chairs, a tablecloth and napkins from a local party rental company. Party & wedding rental companies are a wonderful little secret, because if you're only renting a few items it is surprisingly inexpensive - and so worth it! I decorated the table with feathers, flowers, pearls, rhinestones...Vintage Dame Style is not for the Minimalist!My hubby created a beautiful gourmet meal for us (his b-day gift to me!) and I made the Pink Halo Cocktails from The In Style Party Book. My mother-in-law lent me cut crystal glasses and that added such a chic touch. We played "The Vintage Dame Fashion Quiz" and winners won cool gifts that I had picked out at local thrift shops. Sample question: "At the beginning of Breakfast at Tiffany's, when Audrey Hepburn answers her apartment door, what is she wearing?" Answer - a man's white tuxedo shirt!" There were only eight of us, but man did we hoot and holler!
Another great entertaining trick - hire some help! For a very reasonable rate we had someone help my husband in the kitchen and with cleaning up. You can also post ads on craigslist for waiters and bartenders. Obviously you are not going to hire help all the time, but for special occasions it is a lovely touch.
And maybe it's because I've worked in fashion for so long, but I love getting a goodie bag at the end of a party! Plus it reminds me of being a kid, when we used to get "loot" bags at birthday parties. So all my girls left with a little gold gift bag filled with chocolate, Parisian Madeleines from my favorite bakery (sadly these were stale - always try the treats first!), an Etta James CD and a lip gloss that came in a tin with an Art Nouveau Lady on the front.
I felt so lucky to have all my lovely girlfriends celebrate with me - my friend Ayla even flew in from Salt Spring Island! It was a joyous evening that I will never forget!
