20 Dos and Don'ts For Hosting A Dinner Party

I love hosting dinner parties. Throwing a great dinner party is a great achievement for a hostess. Entertaining and be stressful. Over the years I have developed a few dos and don'ts that help remove most of the stress and if followed when almost ensure that everyone involved has a great time.

ONE // Do make as much as possible in advance. Few things are worse than being in a rush trying to get everything ready when your guests have already started arriving.

TWO // Do have a playlist prepared. It will help set the mood and make the atmosphere more festive.

THREE // Do take your guests dietary restrictions into consideration. This doesn't mean preparing an entire special menu for each guest but you should provide options so no one feels left out.

FOUR // Send out invitations. It will help get your guests excited and make all the details for the dinner easy to find.

FIVE // Do serve dessert. It doesn't have to be homemade but I promise you your guests expect dessert.

SIX // Watch the number of guests you invite. I think 6-8 is the perfect number. It keeps conversation flowing without people breaking off into groups. This being said always be willing to be flexible. If someone has an out of town guest visiting make room at the table for one more so your guests will not be prevented from attending.

SEVEN // Do a little tidying up before everyone arrives. Make sure the common areas of your home where your guests will be are clean the day before the dinner. This includes having clutter put away and having a well stocked bathroom.

EIGHT // Create some atmosphere. Light a few candles. Have a pretty centerpiece. Use cloth napkins or your nice dinnerware. Choose a few things to help the meal seem extra special.

NINE // Stick to a simple menu. A dinner party shouldn't be fussy or stressful. Stick to a simple menu with quality ingredients and the food will be delicious.

TEN // Make extra food. It is better to have lots of leftovers than for someone to leave your party hungry.

ELEVEN // Don't get hung up on details. Do the best you can and don't worry if something goes wrong. The point is to have fun not to be perfect.

TWELVE // Don't forget appetizers. Guests will arrive at different times. Finger foods ar a great way to get the party started until it is time to serve the main course.

THIRTEEN // Don't try out a new recipe. This is a time to rely on tried and true favorite recipes.

FOURTEEN // Don't rely on guests to bring essential items. There is always the chance that they will be late or forget and then you will be left trying to come up with a plan B on the spot.

FIFTEEN // Don't serve the food late. People get grumpy when they are hungry.

SIXTEEN // Don't ignore any guests. No one should be invited to a dinner party and then feel alienated. Include everyone in conversations and if some of your guests do not know each other make introductions.

SEVENTEEN // Don't invite all strangers. Most of your guests should have something in common other than knowing you. I think it is a good rule of thumb to introduce no more than 2 new people into your group at each dinner party. This helps keep the event from getting awkward while still introduce your friends to new people you know and really like.

EIGHTEEN // Don't start tidying up as soon as everyone has finished eating. Cleaning up kills the mood fast. Instead linger at the table or move into living room for coffee and enjoy your company a little longer.

NINETEEN // Don't go to bed without cleaning up. Number Eighteen being said once your guests have left you should definitely tackle the worst of the cleaning. Believe me the mess will look much worse in the morning.

TWENTY // Don't apologize. So what if everything isn't perfect. No apologizes are needed. A week later no one will remember if something was a little overcooked. All they will remember is the great time they had.

P.S. For more tips and advice about entertaining be sure to read:
12 Entertaining Essentials
6 Tips For Hosting An Amazing Event
7 Easy Tips For Hosting An Amazing Brunch

image via: 1, edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

What To Wear: To Game Night

Color Block Sweater / Ticket To Ride (one of my favorite games!) / 7 Wonders / Julep Nail Polish - Marjorie / Earrings (great for everyday wear) / Boyfriend Jeans (amazing fit) / Ring Set / Loafers / Tote
Lately I have loved hosting game nights. Jessica and I have a cousin who collects board games and in the last few months we have learned about dozens of board games we never knew existed. Game nights are great for spending quality time with friends and I honestly rather spend time with my friends in one of our homes over a loud restaurant. We order pizza, set out a few snacks, and then spend a few hours laughing, talking, and eating while playing games.

During these evenings I always opt for something casual like great fitting boyfriend jeans and a comfy sweater. If a game night was being hosted at a friends house I would add a large tote to carry a few games in.

12 Entertaining Essentials

I always love having people over at my house. As long as my calendar is clear and my home is not embarrassingly messy I am always open to a little impromptu entertaining. I cook and bake a lot so my pantry and refrigerator is always stocked well enough that I can whip up a quick dinner or lunch such as an easy pasta dish. However, if all else fails and I have a little last minute entertaining I prepare a quick salad and order pizza. Everyone loves pizza and it is the company that matters the most anyway.

I have a few other entertaining essentials that I always keep one hand and that make entertaining stress free and easy.

Item One // Snacks. My favorite no prep items are cheese, a variety of crackers, olives, pickles, dried fruits, nuts, popcorn, chips, and dips. I also keep brownie and cookie mixes at home for when I don't have time to make a dessert from scratch.

Item Two // Sparkling Water. A great addition for cocktails but even if you are not serving alcohol sparkling water is a fun addition to lemonades and fruit juices for special drinks to offer your guests.

Item Three // Slower Cooker. Slow cookers are great. When having friends over for game or movie nights slower cookers keep food warm for snacking throughout the day. Easy crowd-pleasers are barbecue meatballs and this Beef Enchilada Dip. At our last book club meeting I made homemade hot chocolate that was warm and ready for our guests to sip on all afternoon.

Item Four // White Plate (and paper plates). Food looks best against white so I always love serving food on white dishes. Plus white is easy to use with any other color tablecloth, napkins, etc. However, if it is an absolutely last minute gathering or super causal I am not opposed to paper plates.

Item Five // Candles. I always keep these around in various heights, widths, and colors (but again white is my favorite color to use). There is simply no other way that is easier to make a dinner feel special than lighting a few (or a lot) of candles.

Item Six // Serving and Cutting Boards. You can never have too many cutting boards. They are necessary for prep work and are a great way to present food as well. They are rustic and beautiful. Use them to serve bread, to display cookies, or as a vehicle for a cheese platter.

Item Seven // Neutral Serving Utensils. You need plenty of serving utensils when entertaining and neutral utensils are easiest to incorporate with any other colors and dishes.

Item Eight // Chic Paper Cocktail and Dinner Napkins. Cloth napkins are nice but everyone also loves pretty paper goods. Paper napkins come in so many pretty colors and patterns that makes them fun additions to get-togethers.

Item Nine // Clear Glasses. Best for versatility and great for everyday use.

Item Ten // Serving Bowls. To keep entertaining easy I like serving food family or sometimes buffet style so serving bowls are a must.

Item Eleven // Board games. Board games are a great way to keep guests interacting and talking. It is best to choose games without complicated rules or complex set ups. This game is a new favorite of mine that is easy enough for everyone to play, only takes 10 minutes per game, and will have everyone laughing.

Item Twelve // Toiletries. A well stocked bathroom is an absolute must when entertaining guests. Keep a stash of plenty of toilet paper, a scented candle, clean towels, and pretty soaps that can be brought out before guests arrive.

photo by: Kate Quinn Davies What Katie Ate edited by Sunny Days and Starry Nights

6 Cocktails To Ring In The New Year

Mango Raspberry Bellinis
Ginger Honey Cocktail
Coconut Vanilla Bellinis
Champagne Etoile
Bruleed Grapefruit and Gin Fizz
Winter Wonderland Martini

Where has 2014 gone?! The new year is about to spring on us and I am not quite sure I am prepared. I typically opt to ring in the new year watching the ball drop at home in my pajamas. I have rounded up 6 delicious and festive cocktails that will help you celebrate the arrival 2015 whether you are partying with friends or having a quite night at home.

Gifts For The: Party Planner

This gift guide includes gifts for the girl who hosts the events everyone wants to be invited to, the girl who is the life of the party whether it is a dancing on the tabletops soiree or an intimate dinner gathering, and the girl who considers party planning an art form.

These gifts are all about one of my hobbies: entertaining. Some of my favorites from this gift guide include these beautiful champagne flutes, this mirror that would be a great focal point in any room, these tartan mugs that scream for hot chocolate, this chic lamp that is under $100, and these lights available in every letter.

Appetizer Plate Set (adorable!) / Champagne Flutes / Drink Charm Set / Candle Sticks / Napkin Rings / Sunburst Mirror (only $35!) / Tea Towel / diptyque Holiday Candle Set / Tartan Mug Set (perfect for hot chocolate!) / Cake Stand / Chalkboard Cheese Plate / Tulle Dress (a dress worthy of a party!) / Bottlestopper / Vintage Cocktails / Leopard Matches (chic!) / Trinket Tray / Home Bar Gift Set / The Devil's In The Details Mini-Notebook (for jotting down plans for future parties) / Brass Table Lamp / Votive Candleholder / Bar Cart (great for entertaining) / Cocktail Napkins / Table Runner / Letter Lights (love! and only $34!) / Chop and Serve Board / Dinner Plates / Guest Towels / Whiskey Cubes / Coasters (so fun!) / Tortoise Salt and Pepper Shakers / Agate Napkin Rings

via: 1

In Small Doses

I typically do not follow the philosophy that "less is more" but these images of Baby's Breath are stunning. Typically only destined to be filler flowers these dainty little blooms really shine on their own. These understated flowers create billowing clouds when bundled together that look romantic and elegant. I may need to question my continuous reliance on Peonies, Sweet Williams, and Cabbage Roses. What is your favorite flower?

via: 1, 2, 3, 4 - unknown, 5

Two Faced

A party in which everyone shows up incognito could be a lot of fun and it just might keep you playing guess who all night. Masquerade parties and balls are held all around the world and I think they put an interesting spin on traditional parties. Lately, I've been day dreaming about attending an exquisite masquerade ball like Chuck, Blair, Nate, and Serena did in season 1 of Gossip Girl. Who wouldn't be trilled to attend an over the top party on the Upper East Side of New York especially when it filled with beautiful costumes and decorative masks hiding the identity of everyone attending? But I would be just as thrilled throwing a Masked Party for my dearest friends and laughing and playing games and dancing the night away. I think my favorite masks are rose and gold in color. And I love the use of feathers to make it more dramatic. Masquerade parties are great for numerous types of events from birthday parties, to Halloween parties, to formal events. But my favorite would occur when you just need a chance to dress up and have fun. While searching for masks online I was happily surprised that you can find great deals on ebay and Amazon.com. I've purchased several including a white and silver butterfly similar to the one above.

♥ Sunny

via: We Heart It

The Gazebo

There is something almost fairytale like about gazebos. They are whimsical and sweet. They seem like they can provide a retreat to escape from the rest of the world. Some place to be alone with your thoughts and to relax. I love how this gazebo is decorated with lights. I have always loved how in the tv show Gilmore Girls the gazebo in the town square was a gathering spot and focal point for events that occurred in Stars Hollow. While gazebos are greate for alone time they are also amazing for entertaining. The inside of this gazebo is beautiful. The windows and walls allows the sunlight in while protecting you from the weather elements and all of the greenery inside brings a little of the outdoors inside. Here is a view of the gazebo above from the outside. A perfect little spot to have friends over for a brunch.

♥ Sunny

via: We Heart It

Let's Do Brunch

Friends and family typically get together for dinner or lunch, usually overlooking brunch as an option. But brunch can be the perfect time to enjoy time with your loved ones. Brunch offers a lot of freedom with the planning. It can be kept extremely casual or very elegant. Menu items can be mixture of breakfast and lunch items. This would be an amazing setting to sit and enjoy your friend's company. My ideal brunch would consist of 3 courses. The first being a fruit salad, a main course with maybe an egg based dish or French toast and sides such as hashbrowns. Finally delicious sweet pasteries. And don't forget the Mimosas. Be sure to decorate with plenty of fresh flowers. Some activities I suggest if you host a brunch are:
* Screen cartoons from your childhood
* Pair up your guests to see who gets the Sunday puzzle done first
* Have an assortment of boardgames ready Today is also National Waffle Day. Waffles are extremely easy to make. Mmm wouldn't waffles be yummy for your next brunch.

♥ Sunny

via: We Heart It

Dining Out

The lovely weather today has me daydreaming about entertaining outside. And one of these tables would be the perfect place to do it. Sitting back at a table surrounded by friends and family on a beautiful day enjoying the weather, scenery and each other's company. All the laughing, story telling, and jokes.

But maybe slipping away with just a couple close friends to enjoy a nice quiet relaxing picnic would be nice. ♥ Sunny
via: Flickr,Luxe + Lillies