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!

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!

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!