The Hip Hostess

Menus, tips and ideas for hosting with style!

Hip Tip: At a loss for words? January 27, 2010

Filed under: Baby Shower, Bridal Shower, Hip Tips, Kids Parties, Miscellaneous, Party Planning, Theme Parties, bachelorette party — hiphostess @ 9:00 am
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Stop spending your precious time pondered the words for your party invitations.   Use the sample invitation wording from any of the great sites listed below.  They offer sample invitation wording for weddings, showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, save the dates, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, corporate events, retirements, fundraisers, birth announcements and more.  Now you’ll have the perfect words for all your special occasions.

Sample Wording Sites:

www.tinyprints.com/sampleverses.htm

www.invitationconsultants.com/sw-main.aspx

www.lcipaper.com/invitation-wording.html

www.colorsbydesign.com/store/WORDING/wordlist.shtml

www.mygatsby.com/wording_for_invitations.jsp

Photo credit:  www.tinyprints.com

 

New Year’s Resolution Party Ideas January 5, 2010

Filed under: Hip Tips, Miscellaneous, Party Planning, Theme Parties — hiphostess @ 12:00 pm
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Check out my monthly column in The Family Groove for party theme ideas that will help you implement some of your New Year’s resolutions, like hosting a gift swap, product exchange or healthy recipe potluck party. 

Happy New Year!

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/jan10_EntertainingOnTheEasy.htm

 

Hip Tip – New Year’s Eve Formal December 20, 2009

Filed under: Cocktail Party, Hip Tips, Holidays, Miscellaneous, New Years Eve, Party Planning — hiphostess @ 8:00 am
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Looking for an excuse to wear one of the great cocktail dresses in your closet?  Good news: When you’re the host, you get to dictate the dress code.  Many of your friends will be happy to have an occasion to dress up for.  New Year’s Eve is a special occasion, so dress the part.

 

Hip Hostess in ELLE Magazine (January Issue, page 29) December 19, 2009

Filed under: Hip Tips, Miscellaneous — hiphostess @ 8:00 am
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I am in the January issue of ELLE magazine!  ELLE’s creative director – THE Joe Zee - helped me with my New Year’s fashion resolution:  To dress like the fun hostess that I am.

Special thanks to all the great people at ELLE.  What a great experience, and so much fun!

 

Hip Tip – Use Scarves As Table Runners December 18, 2009

Filed under: Decorations, Hip Tips, Miscellaneous, Party Planning, Presenation Ideas, Products — hiphostess @ 12:00 pm
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A fruitless search for gold or silver table runners for a holiday cocktail party made me think outside the proverbial “housewares” box.  I found long silver and gold scarves at a discount department store (Filene’s Basement) and used those as my runners.  They were even nicer than any runner I would have found, and were much less expensive ($10-15 each). 

Next time you’re searching for the perfect color/ patterned tablecloth check out the scarf section at any department store.  A crisp white tablecloth can be used as the base for any runner, any time of year.  Just vary the runner and add a few accessories to customize your table for any occasion.  Happy shopping!

 

Hip Tip – Schedule “Me” Time November 24, 2009

Filed under: Hip Tips, Miscellaneous, Party Planning — hiphostess @ 9:00 am
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You’ve planned all the special touches to make your party perfect, but don’t forget to schedule time to get yourself party-ready.  Make your grooming appointments well in advance of your party so you get first pick of appointment times.  Schedule a haircut, blow-out, manicure, pedicure or a massage for the day before or day of your party.  You’ll probably be on your feet for most of the day and will welcome a productive break for a little “me” time.  You can also get a spa-like experience without opening your purse strings by using the jacuzzi or steam room at your gym, or doing a home treatment with a store-bought mud mask and cucumber slices.  If spa treatments aren’t your thing, make time for something that you enjoy, whether it be a run in the park or a relaxing yoga class.  Remember: The foundation for any great party is a happy host.

 

Hip Tip – Mini Pumpkin Centerpiece October 21, 2009

Filed under: Decorations, Eco Friendly, Flowers, Halloween, Harvest Party, Hip Tips, Holidays, Party Planning, Presenation Ideas, Thanksgiving, Theme Parties, last-minute parties — hiphostess @ 9:00 am
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baby_boo

Creating a centerpiece for a fall dinner is as easy as picking up a bag of mini pumpkins at the grocery store or farmer’s market. These adorable miniature pumpkins – the most common are Jack-Be-Little or Baby Boo – are inexpensive and hearty enough to last for weeks. Place the pumpkins on a simple cake stand or platter and pile them high. Tuck fresh leaves or cut branches of fall berries in empty spaces for a finished look. For a more modern version, use a white rectangular platter and place an odd number of pumpkins in a straight line, alternating with tea lights.

 

Hip Tip – Dress Your Table in Seersucker August 12, 2009

Filed under: Backyard BBQ, Beach party, Decorations, Hip Tips, Party Planning, Theme Parties — hiphostess @ 6:00 pm
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Seersucker_Napkins

Give your table a beachy look with seersucker.  This preppy fabric invokes the feeling of being beachside in New England.  Use this look for a lobster bake, pool party, backyard BBQ or summer dinner party.  Play up the theme with starfish, shells, anchors, buoys or hurricanes filled with sand and pillar candles.  Now your table will be dressed to impress.

 

Hip Tip – Summer is the Season for Prosecco July 21, 2009

Filed under: Beverages/ Alcohol, Drinks, Hip Tips, Miscellaneous, Party Planning — hiphostess @ 9:00 am
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Prosecco, a sparkling Italian wine, is one of my favorite summer drinks.  It’s light, refreshing and cheerful.  Prosecco is often served at brunch with a peach puree to make a Bilini.  Don’t save it for your Sunday brunch; it’s a great drink for any time of day.  Prosecco has a relatively low alcohol content, making it suitable for sweltering summer nights.   

 

Prosecco pairs well with light appetizers like proscuitto wrapped melon, fig and parmesan crostini, bruscetta, olives, grilled vegetables, aged cheese and fresh fruit.

 

Prosecco is also touted as an inexpensive alterantive to champagne.  One of my favorites rings up at $15 a bottle from a local wine shop here in NYC. 

 

If you haven’t sipped Prosecco yet this summer, now is the time.  Salute!

 

Hip Tip – Serve Cheese at Room Temp June 15, 2009

Filed under: Appetizers, Hip Tips, Recipes, party food — hiphostess @ 9:00 am
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Cheese is one of THE great entertaining staples.  For optimal flavor, serve cheese at room temperature.  Bringing the cheese to room temperature allows the full flavor of the cheese to come through; the flavor of cheese is muted when served chilled.

 

Plan ahead and take cheese out of the refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving time.  Keep cheese covered until you serve it to prevent the surface from becoming dry.