Do's and Dont's of Dinner Partying

With many people not venturing out to restaurants, clubs and theatres nowadays it seems like the perfect time to throw a dinner party. You know most of the potential attendees will be at home so why not have a small fete for friends? When you are planning on hosting a dinner party there are many aspects the need to be taken care of such as your house, the menu, guest list and your manners. People forget that the most important part of hosting a dinner party is to be a good host. There is nothing worse than attending an affair at someones home only for them to not be a hospitable as you would like them to be. On the other hand it is the top priority of the invited to be as gracious guest and not to do anything that will not get you invited back in the future. Here are some things for hosts and invited guests to keep in mind when considering dinner partying.....

Mind Your Manners

For the Host/Hostess: It is always necessary to invite your potential guests to your home at least two weeks in advance. This gives them enough time to respond and time enough for you to get an accurate headcount. If you know that the person you are inviting has a significant other or partner be sure to include them on the invite....its never appropriate to invite your close friend and not her husband because you don't care for him; if that's the case then neither should be invited.

The Invited Guests: Make it a point to respond to your host invitation as promptly as possible. Nobody likes to be last minute and late with their responses and also it is inconsiderate to not respond at all whether you are going to attend or not. If you plan on bringing a guests that the host does not know about, ask them first before you have and extra person tag long. This will alleviate the tight squeezed table setting at the table. Usually dinner parties are based on a set number of people and it would not be considerate for you to put your host in this position.

The Same Rules Apply

For the Host/Hostess: Remember that when you open your home to friends for a dinner party it is almost like inviting them to a very private restaurant. No you are not a waiter but you do take on the role as server and making sure that everyone is taken care of and comfortable while in your home. You will,of course, have to do most of the dirty work and should not expect your guests to help you with serving or clean up. It is better to enlist a close friend, who will also be attending the party, to help with preparation before hand and possibly for clean up help but only after your guests have left.

The Invited Guests: Just as you would make dinner reservations at a restaurant for a specific time you also need to arrive to the host's house in a timely manner or the evening will begin without you. If at all possible do not arrive more than 10 minutes late to the party. This is not a forum to arrive "fashionably late" due to the small number and location and it is very rude to the hosts as well as the other attendees. Try not to make incessant requests to your host throughout the night. It is your right to make requests but not every time the hosts takes a seat and you realize that you have no salt, or need extra butter. This type of behavior not only disrupts the hosts form interacting with their guests but it can make other attendees uncomfortable is they see you are nitpicking or doing it on purpose.

Dress Appropriately

For the Host/Hostess: Let your attire compliment the theme and feel of your dinner party. There is nothing worse than a host that is overdressed for hot dog night or under dressed for authentic Thai cuisine. You are setting the tone at your place for what you expect for the evening so your attire should reflect the mood and feel that you are going for. It is an added bonus if you want to go the extra step and add a little flair....where appropriate of course. For example, if traditional Moroccan fare is going to be served then there is nothing wrong with wanting to don a brightly colored djellaba.

The Invited Guests: No matter how many times you have been to the hosts home in the past this night is a little bit different and should be shown as such in your choice of attire. Being a guests has more than the requirement of showing up you need to come respectfully as the hosts has asked you too. It is never ok to attend a dinner party in jeans or informal attire. This is unacceptable because the hosts has taken the time and energy to put together the party you should be curtious enough to come well dressed. You don't need to go over board with a formal gown and tux but flip flops in this instance are not going to be all the rage.

Throwing and attending a dinner party takes a little more effort than throwing rice in the pot and just dropping by for dinner. It requires effort from both the guests and the host to make the evening a successful one. There are several things you need to keep in mind such as a dish that is going to go over well with all of the attendees while keeping in mind any dietary restrictions that may be in play. The hosts should always do their bests to have a clean and maintained apartment or home so their guests feel comfortable and relaxed in an warm and inviting environment. Remember as far as niceties go out can extend the olive branch to those you have lost touch with or had a falling out with as well as reaffirming the bond you have with close pals and family. Don't let you kindness be taken for weakness though if someone begins to be rude or disrespectful, remember you have invited them into a very personal and private space and should you,as the host, no longer feel comfortable then you have every right to ask them to leave. For more tips and ideas email me at briedesigns@gmail.com

Happy Hosting!

Scents Ignite

Ever notice how you are minding your own business and all of a sudden you catch a whiff of something and you immediately remember helping your mom bake cookies or that girl you used to date in college or that crazy holiday you had in Dubai...well thank your sense of smell and memory for logging all of those thoughts but scent! There are over 1000 sensors in your nose that can recognize more than 10,00 scents and smells, and with equipment like that why not put the to good use and bring out the odors in your home or at your next gathering.

The sweet smell of cookies or the spicy smell of Cinnamon and chai can give you a warm homey feeling all over while the smell of clean linen and citrus can make you feel refreshed and awake. Here are a few more scents for you try out in different locations to spark old memories or create new ones.

Taste of Honey

The sweet smell and taste of honey give us a soothing quality overall due to its medicinal properties that it has and they way that it has been used for centuries. Although its rarely used as a house fragrance it could be a great untapped resource. Take a small bit of honey and add a few drops of lemon juice to it and sit it over an open candle to give your house a soothing calm feel not to mention a sweet reward. If you would like the scent to be more contained and kept on a shelf try L'Occitane's Honey Scented Candle for $18.

Musk

Not to be confused with what we smell like as we exit the gym, this ancient fragrance originates from male deer and is one of the most expensive scents today. The aroma is the epitome of male strong, silent, commanding earthy, confident and sexy. Ladies don;t let that stop you though because when mixed with compatible elements it can create a fragrance perfect for a confident, sensual woman. It is not usually at the top of the charts for women sniffers but of course it always has a place in bachelor pads and colognes.

Tuberose

For an exotic floral scent go for this night blooming flower that is often seen in Hawaiian leis but is native to Mexico. This once is a vivid scent that will have you thinking of laying in a floral garden all afternoon in your home. This is a decadent scent that is very intoxicating as it fills a room. Try this elegantly sexy scent by spraying it on your light bulbs so that the heat will ignite the aroma in the evening time. Estee Lauder has a Tuberose Gardinia fragrance that will do the trick, but put some behind your ears first!

Valentine's Day: Classy or Cutesy How To

February brings about one of the best (or worst) holidays of the year. It is a day that many women look forward to and even some men too but the majority of us all know should not be restricted to one day of the year but to be expressed all year long. Nevertheless, we are once again inundated with red balloons, candy hearts, teddy bears, sweet sentiments and slow dance songs; the question is where to begin or what is something new you can do this year to wow your special someone. Well never fear because there are plenty of things to do and with this recession going on we will try to keep the cost to a minimum.

Battle Your Betrothed

Take a page from the hit show 'Iron Chef America' and challenge your sweetie to a cook off using a secret ingredient. This will allow you two to get cozy in the kitchen and also turn up the heat by racing the clock to taste each others new kitchen creation. Top off this evening with a big blanket for two and a movie. Just because its a Saturday night doesn't mean you need to go out to see a show!

Recapture Retro Love

If you are in between sweethearts get a group of your guy and girl friends together and have a small party. Bring out the cocktails, chips and a bottle to spin. Get a bunch of your childhood favorite games together and let the good times roll. Everything from spin the bottle to twister to taboo! there should be enough cutesy tension to go around all night long.

Head Back To School

Class is in session! Instead of wining and dining at the Waldorf this year do something out of the ordinary like a cooking or candy making class or even a wine tasting. Check out local culinary schools and venues in your area that offer these classes. The best part is everything you learn and make in the class and you can take home with you! Now who says knowledge isn't power!

Any thing that you decide to do on this special day just make sure its something that will be wonderful for you and your loved one! I know I always appreciate a cute homemade card, its just so cute seeing your honey with construction paper, glitter and crayons down on the floor making something extra special for you. That's what the holiday is all about anyway, taking the time and effort out to show your loved ones how you feel about the. No need to get caught up on how much to spend or what grand gesture you have to out do be true to yourself and you sweetie with love you too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Winter Weddings: Hot As Ice

It may be cold outside but that doesn't mean you should shun the winter season as a wedding choice. With the snow falling and the crispness in the air you can set the place on fire with a cozy, romantic, cool and regal affair. Winter time weddings allow you to bring the hot and cold together in perfect harmony. By incorporating the temperature into your event you can step outside of the box and do some things your guests have never seen before.

Take full advantage of the temperature drop to chose a wedding dress with maximum accessories. A beautiful full length coat of fur, either real or faux, with warm your body on the outside as your nuptials are warming you up on the inside. Other good choices for the bride are long gloves, caplets, long sleeves and even furry snow boots. Bringing in pieces that bride would not typically use in any other season with make you stand out and be a sight to remember.


To take you event to the next level opt for an outdoor setting for your wedding. Yes, it may seem like a crazy idea but having your guests cozy up close together while you and your bride exchange vows under snow covered birch trees is a fantasy-like setting. Remember to inform your guests on the invitation as well as your wedding website that the ceremony will be taking place outside so they know to dress warm. If you know many of your female guests are fans of fur then suggest that they don their hats and muffs for the occasion.

After you the sparks have flown at the ceremony allow your guests to warm up by inviting them inside a heated tent for the reception. Here they will be able to shed their layers and get down on the dance floor. If you are opting to have a cocktail hour before your reception try a hot beverage bar. Offer your guests flavored sake, brandies and hot cocoa to help them unthaw before they move on to dinner.

Choosing food can be exciting and let opposites attract in this category by serving dishes that are hot and spicy. Ignite your taste buds by having exotic foods from around the globe that use such ingredients as chili's, peppers and even wasabi. Cap off the night by serving your guests S'mores and chocolate fondue. By having these desserts it not only lets them choose what they want for dessert but it also lets them leave enough room for cake!

Know that a winter wedding doesn't always have to be centered around Christmas, New Year's or Valentine's day. You can have these holidays inspire you for your decor and location but they don't have to control it completely. Try to use different color palettes for your winter nuptials such as red and turquoise, plum and silver, hunter green and platinum or white, silver and amber. Which ever ideas you choose always make the event your own!

Throw Your Own Obama Ball

Gearing up for the biggest Inaugural celebration ever there are an overwhelming number of "balls" kicking off in Washington, DC. By now many supporters have already started planning their own Obama ball for friends to gather around and share in this historic and joyous occasion. If you are a little late to jump on the planning bandwagon here are a few tips that will help you put together a ball fit for a president!

Note: This is a wonderful occasion to involve the entire family for a party like this so tell your friends to bring their little kiddies along to the party so they can enjoy the moment as well.

Sophisticated Chic
Barack and Michelle seem to ooze class and sophistication every time they step out into the limelight. For Barack he always dresses in classic cut suits with simple ties. Not one to be ostentatious he keeps his look simple which makes him exude simplicity and elegance. Michelle on the other hand is a lady that like to experiment with color! She, like her husband likes to stick to simple staples in her wardrobe. She knows cuts and styles that look great on her and she has shown the world that it doesn't have to be over $100 to be chic. This is why you should opt to have your guests arrive in classic, simple and chic attire. Whether they are dressing up for the ball or wanting to keep it low maintenance elegance, either way they can't go wrong.



Dance to the Music
Barack has been asked many questions over the last 22 months about foreign policy, the economy, and healthcare but he may have been caught off guard when he was asked "What's on your iPod?" A question that not only do we want to know is he cool enough to answer but also to see what he really like to get down to on Air Force One. Barack has admitted to jammin' to the like of Jay-Z, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Ludacris, John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder and Elton John. So take a list from the president-elects playlist and mix up the tunes for the night. I suggest throwing in a few tunes from Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers for the kiddies to enjoy too!




Invite Not Just the Red,White and Blue
For an occasion such as this its not enough to only use the colors of America to spice up your party. You must incorporated golds, silvers, platinum's and pewters into your decor palette. Using these shimmery tones will make you want to boost all the colors for this night. Incorporate frosted reds and blues with pearlized whites and ivory. Don't forget that accents go along way and for this don't be afraid to break out the crystals and special dishes. This is the perfect time to bring out the good china to dine like the Obamas and other dignitaries on this night. Opt for an all black affair and trim the menus, invitations and centerpieces with golds, reds and blues to make them stand out regally.

Another suggestion is to mix the Democrats and Republicans and break out the plums and purples for your party. This way no one is left deciding between red martinis and blue cocktails. This would be the perfect time to also be bold and use both silver and gold to up the chic factor at your event. Not matter what you do enjoy, celebrate and make this a memorable event in your life!

Brie Sea Designs

Welcome to Brie Sea Designs! A full service design company geared to you and your sense of style. Creating beautiful spaces for events, special occasions and homes has been a passion of mine for a very long time. I began doing this a few years ago when friends would ask about tips to help plan their parties or how to use the space in their home more effectively. My company serves those who want unforgettable and beautiful milestones in their lives to be remembered.

I specialize in creating and coordinating weddings, parties of any sort, holiday functions, family gatherings and reunions. I also am talented in the area of DIY projects crafting many aisle runners, table runners, card boxes, ceremony candles, and even blinged out shoes! If you have any questions or need any information please email me at briedesigns@gmail.com!

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

When it comes to a bride choosing her special ladies in waiting it is often an easy task. You may be a bride that can rattle off 5 names at the drop of a hat. Other brides are not so lucky, debating and deliberating over who these special picks will be. Some worry that family members feelings will be hurt and friends will see how "unimportant" they are, which isn't true. A bride must remember a few things when making a big decision like this.

1. How many people do you want in your bridal party and is this number flexible? You have to see how many attendants you an afford to have in your wedding and make sure the groom can match that number.
   
2. Have you promised a spot to someone before making your final decision? Sometimes in the excitement of taking about weddings, brides want all of their girlfriends to be their bridesmaids until they make out the list and want to import a few family members as well.
   
3. Will the people you are choosing be reliable and supportive of your wedding? This is an important question because you need your bridesmaids to assist you when you need them to, show for fittings and meetings and support you and you future husband in making your day special.


4. Will your bridesmaids be accommodating but also know when to give an opinion? You will want your bridesmaids to wear a dress of your choosing so to help the process be as painless a possible you will want to have maids that are accommodating to your requests, as long as they are outlandish. It's also good to have maids that will give you opinions on things and be able to give them with tact and compassion.


5. Make sure that your special girls are available to be your bridesmaid. This not only includes the actual day of the wedding but also let them know that they will have fittings, rehearsals, showers and monetary obligations that they will be agreeing to.

So what's the big deal about choosing your bridesmaids?
If you wind up choosing a mismatched group of people they may not get along or work well together, leaving you to hear about the arguments and catty comments. This is a special time for you as a bride and should be a happy occasion so really consider personalities, personal situations, and lifestyles when choosing your bridesmaids.

Who's Picking Up The Check?

When planning a big important event like a wedding one of the first things to come to mind is how much is it going to cost and who pays for what? Traditionally in American custom the brides family pays for the event as they are the ones "giving" their daughter away. However, in 2008 grooms and other family members aren't getting off scott free anymore (sorry guys!). The breakdown of this tradition lightens the load from the brides family but also leaves the option open for the couple to completely take the burden from their parents and do it themselves. About 60% of all couples today pay for their own ceremony.

Having many relatives pitch in to help the bride and room celebrate their day allows for them to get exactly what they want, right? Not exactly. Usually you would expect your family to help with funds but by doing this some relatives think that entitles them to a say or an opinion about how and what the money should be spent on. This can cause distress to the couple be often both parties never agree on the same vision for their wedding. It is always a good idea to make it clear that the money that is being gifted is to be used at the digression on the couple. If the money is a loan then there needs to be a clear understanding that the money is being used for any aspect of the wedding and will be repaid as soon as possible. Now on to the business of who actually is supposed to pay for what traditionally this is how it went.....

Bride's Family

• Engagement party
• Cost of the ceremony, including location, music, rentals, and all other expenses


• Entire cost of the reception, including location, food, beverage, entertainment, rental items, decorations, and wedding cake
• Bride's wedding dress, veil, and accessories
• Wedding gift for the couple
• Bridesmaids' bouquets
• Bridesmaids' luncheon
• Photography
• Flowers

Groom's Family

• Rehearsal dinner
• Travel and accommodations for the groom's family
• Honeymoon
• Wedding gift for bride and groom

More modern tradition dictates this is how it should go........

Bride

• Gifts for bridesmaids

• Lodging for bridesmaids

• Couple's personal stationery and thank-you notes

• Wedding programs/guestbookGroom

• Bride's engagement ring

• Marriage license

• Officiant's fee

• Rental or purchase of his formal wear

• Lodging for groomsmen

• Gifts for the groom's attendants

• Boutonnieres for self and groomsmen, as well as flowers for both mothers and grandmothers (it's much more common today for flowers to be paid in one lump sum, usually by the bride's family)

• Bride's bouquet (see above)

Bride and Groom

• The wedding bands

• The honeymoon (in very traditional families, this is still considered the groom's expense)

Bride's Family

• Engagement and wedding pictures

• Wedding invitations

• Wedding consultant, if applicable

• Bridal ensemble

• Ceremony fees: rental of synagogue or chapel, chuppah, aisle carpets, or other decorating items

• Flowers: reception, ceremony, bridesmaids' bouquets and fathers' boutonnieres (see Groom for more on wedding flowers)

• Reception: site fees, caterer, food, bar, gratuities, decorations

• Music: ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception

• Bridesmaids' luncheon (a traditional gesture of thanks)

• Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception

Groom's Family

• Rehearsal dinner (optional) or any other expense they electBridesmaids

• Bridal shower

• Bridesmaid dress and shoes (flower girl/ring bearer attire is paid for by the child's parents)

• Any traveling expenses

• Bachelorette party (optional) Guests Traveling and lodging expenses (even if you're having a destination wedding, guests pay their own way)

Bucking the Trends
These are the most common ways that the old guidelines of who-pays-for-what are being adapted to reflect the multi-host wedding that is so popular today.

Groom's Family

• All beverage and liquor service

• Limousines

• Music for the reception

• Photography and/or videography

Bride and/or Groom

• Bride's ensemble

• Wedding flowers

• All wedding stationery, including invitations, announcements, and thank-you notes

*This list was found in Modern Bride Magazine

As you can see many things have changed from the traditional custom of paying and actually there are no rules to who, how and why people are paying for certain things in the wedding. As long as the bride and groom have a beautiful ceremony and don't break the bank too much, it really shouldn't matter who footed the bill.

How Much Is It?

Ah yes! That pertinent question that always seems to cause red faces, stressed nerves, and eventually empty pockets. Setting and creating a budget for your event or wedding can be a difficult thing. If you are like me you have an amount that you'd like the event to cost but if you go over budget oh well and if it comes in under budget, kudos to you!

When I initially sit down with clients to discuss their budget we often have to give them harsh realitites of how much things will actually cost them in the end. It seems that while they are throwing out ideas and fantasizing about their day they are completly shutting out the fact that they have to pay for all of the glamour and probably have a bill or two to pay on the side. What many clients don't remember is that once you make the budget, you have to stick with it until the actual event. When it gets nearer to the date many couples come up short with funds and that is the time when the largest and most important aspects you can't skimp on need to be paid (i.e. the final venue payment, transportation, flowers, etc.).

Before you dive into purchasing things and committing to every cute and spectacular idea you see, take a moment to write out all of the things you may need for the event. Once you have made the list estimate how much you want to spend on each line item. Don't forget to do your research on prices in your area or in the area that your event is being held. Always remember to include shipping, tax and gratuity where needed, most people leave these things out and get stressed when they go over budget due to miscalculations.

Wedding Bell Blues?

A frazzled bride is very easy to find especially if it is the month of her wedding! Last minute changes, non responsive guests, family fiascoes and paying the final deposits to almost every vendor you have recruited can be a hassle, heartache and make you break the bank. If you are a bride and you have hit the point of no return on the stress meter here are a few ways that you can decompress without your fiancee and friends thinking you should be committed.

Sleep Tight
Create a firm stop time when all wedding talk ceases for the day. This will allow you to step away from the details that can be a pain and keep you up all hours of the night. A suggestion would be to stop at least 2 hours before your bedtime so that you can unwind, breathe and calm yourself for some much needed sleep. Many times when stress is piled on sleep is the first thing that is avoided. Try some calming tunes like jazz or a babbling brook to help you unwind and slip into dreamland.

Work Those Maids
From time to time we all feel that if we want something done right we need to do it ourselves, but in the case of impending nuptials and a rapidly depleting time schedule we could be our own worst enemy. Many brides find that within weeks of their big day the to-do list that they have gets longer rather than shorter. This is a good time to enlist your arsenal of bridesmaids. Yes they did commit to being your bridesmaid and support you through this special time so why not include them on a few tasks to complete too. Simple things such as picking up the guestbook or grabbing the flower girls shoes from the store shouldn't put them out too much.

Work It Out!
Hitting the gym for some cardio, taking a kickboxing class or even running can take the edge of and reduce your stress level. In addition to kicking stresses but you can also get yours into shape for the big day while you're at it. Working out releases endorphins and boost your mood, it is also a great way to leave some of that aggression behind before facing families or fiancees.

Keep Dating and Dining
Even though he is your soon to be husband don't forget that he is the cutie pie you swooned over before he put the ring on your finger. Don't forget to spend time with your soon-to-be by having a date night or do an activity that is totally non-wedding related. Make these times with your finacee completely void of wedding talk and just enjoy each others company. Another way to de-stress call your friends (throw in some that have nothing to do with your wedding too) and go out, it would be fabulous to get a group of friends together for dinner and a movie, shopping and brunch, or drinks and Sex and the City DVD's.