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Hostess Tips

Buffet Table Styling: 14 Fancy Serveware Items for a Stylish Display

Buffet Table Styling: 14 Fancy Serveware Items for a Stylish Display

When it comes to hosting, the essentials always come first—plates, glasses, utensils, and all the basics that make your gathering functional. But once the fundamentals are covered, there’s a world of serveware that can take your buffet table styling to the next level.These aren’t must-have items or hosting essentials. Instead, they’re the playful extras—the fancy touches that make your buffet table styling shine and add a little extra sparkle to your event.In this post, we’re diving into 14 fabulous serveware pieces that are all about having fun and making your next hosting occasion feel a little more special.Whether you’re hosting ...

What To Put In A Guest Room (10 Must-Haves)

What To Put In A Guest Room (10 Must-Haves)

If you’re over 25, gone are the days when you could throw a blanket and pillow at your friend and they’ll happily crash on your sofa.  Once you reach full-blown adulthood, a little hospitality and a lot of privacy are the order of the day.However, creating that sense of privacy and hospitality can leave many of us wondering where to start. Knowing what to put in a guest room makes all the difference.If you are lucky enough to have a guest bedroom, there's no doubt you'll want to use it to its fullest potential.Here’s how to do it. No guest room? No problem. ...

How To Get Rid of Unwelcome House Guests

How To Get Rid of Unwelcome House Guests

At some point or another, you will have to deal with unwelcome house guests.  Whether it’s someone who has shown up unannounced or a guest who just won’t leave.  It happens to all of us.Here’s what to do if you find yourself in this precarious situation.Get On the Same PageIf you live with someone, make sure you and your partner or roommate are on the same page. You don’t want to be the one making up excuses trying to encourage guests to leave and your husband is telling them it's okay to stay the night.So, have a discreet sidebar and get on ...

No Guest Room Solutions (4 Ways To Make It Work)

No Guest Room Solutions (4 Ways To Make It Work)

Hosting overnight guests without a guest bedroom doesn’t have to be as bad as you imagine.  There are several viable no guest room solutions including converting a room, doing a day to night switch, the bedroom shuffle, or an Airbnb staycation.The best choice for you depends heavily on your own personal needs, duration of stay, and your relationship with your guest.In this post, we’ll get into it all, and hopefully, by the end, you’ll find a solution that will work for you.But first…Photo By 74imagesHere’s What I Don’t RecommendBefore I wade any deeper into these murky waters, I’m going to tell you ...

Why Is Having Overnight Guests So Stressful?

Why Is Having Overnight Guests So Stressful?

For years I’ve wrestled with the question, why is having overnight guests so stressful?  I love hosting folks at my home, but overnight guests are a different thing altogether.I get anxious, there’s suddenly not enough time to do anything, and there are lots of last-minute grocery runs.We’ve all been there. That call, text, or email from an out-of-town friend or family member saying they’ll be in your area soon.  And what starts out as a few innocent suggestions for things to do and see turns into your guest room being occupied for 3 nights and you on hosting duties.In a perfect world, the ...

8 Tips for Outdoor Entertaining In The Fall

8 Tips for Outdoor Entertaining In The Fall

Outdoor entertaining in the fall is one of the best times to flex your hostess skills.Fall is the perfect time of year to gather people together outside.  Especially for someone with little to no experience with outdoor entertaining. There’s a cool, crisp air that rarely requires more than a jacket or blanket during the day.  Moreover, the mosquitos and flies are kept at bay.There are also a lot of outdoor activities and sporting events in the fall that will give you plenty of opportunities to gather folks together.So, if you’re thinking about giving outdoor entertaining in the fall a go, here are a ...

How To Make Someone Feel Comfortable In Your Home

How To Make Someone Feel Comfortable In Your Home

Knowing how to make someone feel comfortable in your home is incredibly important.Luckily, this isn't complicated. It boils down to two things. Physical comfort and emotional comfort.In this post, we'll talk about what each entails and what you need to do to make sure that your guests feel comfortable in your home at all times.Feeling at ease with the people and your surroundings makes any experience better.VIEW the POST

9 Easy Appetizers For Small Gatherings

9 Easy Appetizers For Small Gatherings

Easy appetizers are the only kind of party food I know.  If it's going to take me more than 10 minutes to prep, I'm not into it.  I save the more complicated, experimental dishes for nights when I'm not trying to please a crowd.The last thing you want is to spend 45 minutes prepping a dish, just to accidentally overcook it, or under season it, or the myriad of other kitchen mishaps that can happen.  Especially right before you're expecting guests.My party planning formula is simple.  I prepare 1 appetizer option for every 2 people.  If I want to do more, then ...

What To Put In A Guest Room Basket

What To Put In A Guest Room Basket

Taking a few extra moments to prepare a guest room basket is always worthwhile.  Your friends and family will greatly appreciate the extra effort from you.It will also help ease your hosting duties throughout their stay.In this post, we'll talk about what to put in a guest bedroom basket, how big it should be, and why you should create one in the first place.Let's get started.VIEW the POST

How to Cancel a Party
6 Charcuterie Board Design Secrets Revealed

6 Charcuterie Board Design Secrets Revealed

One of my favorite things to do is to scroll through Pinterest and pin party food ideas.  This year I developed a mild obsession with charcuterie board design.They're beautiful, colorful, and when done right, a complete show stopper.The problem was, my boards were never done right and I couldn't figure out why.  So, I decided to branch out beyond Pinterest and look for a real guide.Surprisingly, despite the endless number of images and examples online, there are very few instructional books available.In the end, I settled on Beautiful Boards by Maegan Brown and I couldn't be happier with my decision.VIEW the POST

12 Details The Perfect Hostess Would Never Miss
Tips for Hosting a Memorable Mother’s Day Brunch

Tips for Hosting a Memorable Mother’s Day Brunch

Mother's Day is a great time to celebrate the women in your life.  Whether it's your mom, your grandmother, or your friend, taking the time to make them feel extra special is a wonderful gift.One of the most popular Mother's Day activities is a brunch.In this post, we'll discuss the top things to consider when hosting and tips to make it as memorable as possible.VIEW the POST

5 Cool & Inexpensive Brunch Buffet Ideas

5 Cool & Inexpensive Brunch Buffet Ideas

With the springtime fast approaching, you may be thinking ahead to your next event.  The holidays are officially over and with only a short break in January and February; a new season home entertaining will be here.Easter, Mother's Day, spring weddings, and May Day are just around the corner.  One of the most popular at-home entertaining options during this season is to host a brunch.In this post, we'll take a look at 5 unique brunch buffet ideas and how you can save money with each.VIEW the POST

8 Party Platter and Cheese Board Arrangement Ideas

8 Party Platter and Cheese Board Arrangement Ideas

Have you been working on your holiday menus?  Do you find yourself browsing online looking for easy appetizer recipes and party platter ideas?If you're anything like me its crossed your mind a time or two these past few weeks.  With Thanksgiving rolling up on us quickly, now is the time to iron out your menu plans.Having a show-stopping appetizer spread is a great way to impress guests at your Holiday Party.VIEW the POST

Hostess Secrets: A Step-by-Step Guide to Informal Invitations

Hostess Secrets: A Step-by-Step Guide to Informal Invitations

FTC Disclaimer: **I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.Every good hostess knows that to pull off a spectacular dinner party you must plan ahead. Menu planning, tablescapes, and home decoration are all thought of well in advance.But, what makes a good hostess great is the one who knows the subtle art of informal invitations.VIEW the POST

5 Sample Thank You Messages

5 Sample Thank You Messages

A simple "Thank You" carries with it a lot of weight when it comes to forming and maintaining relationships.  Not to mention, it's just good manners.  But, thank you messages can be hard to write.An important part of any social interaction is the follow-up.There are a number of occasions where a simple thank you message is appropriate, including a thank you after an interview, a thank you for a gift or a thank you after an event.A gracious hostess will always follow up with her attendees with a thank you note post-party.VIEW the POST

How To Use Entryway Decor to Make Your Guests Feel Welcome

How To Use Entryway Decor to Make Your Guests Feel Welcome

Welcoming guests to your home may seem like a no brainer, but there are a few, often forgotten details that can make a huge impact on how your guest feels.  This is where entryway decor comes into play.Transitioning from their car to your home comfortably and without stress entails more than just a hug and a kiss hello.The most important thing to remember is that although you may know all the ins and outs of your home, your guests may not.  They won't know where to put their coats, shoes, purses, gifts, etc.Here's how to use it to address all of your ...

Summer Party Ideas – Festive Party Decor for Your Next Event

Summer Party Ideas – Festive Party Decor for Your Next Event

Before we know it summer will be here. Each year, I wonder what new summer party ideas are floating around that I want to try.There's always a new, inventive way to serve food to your guests and decorate your yard.My favorite part of this season is eating outside and laughing under the stars late into the night.  Summertime is a great season for entertaining.The weather is warm, the drinks are cold, and its the perfect time to catch up with friends.If you'd like a few suggestions for summer party ideas, I've compiled five great ones below.VIEW the POST

Why a Bar Trolley Is the Perfect Party Accessory

Why a Bar Trolley Is the Perfect Party Accessory

Want to impress your guests at your next gathering?  Invest in a bar trolley.These mobile beverage stations can be styled a ton of different ways and will always be adored.There are a few essentials that every bar cart needs such as a decanter set, coasters, glasses, bar tools, drinks, napkins, and of course the trolley or cart.Otherwise, styling options for your bar trolley are endless.  Go rustic or industrial with dark wood and metal piping, or glam it up with mirrored shelves, glass and silver.VIEW the POST