The Hip Hostess

Menus, tips and ideas for hosting with style!

Resolve To Go Green? Host a Product Swap! January 12, 2011

Filed under: Eco Friendly,Hip Tips,Miscellaneous — hiphostess @ 7:00 pm

How many salon products have you purchased and decided you didn’t like after a few uses?  For many people (myself included), too many to count. Here’s a fun way to purge without adding to a landfill: Host a product swap for friends to exchange barely used products they purchased and decided they didn’t like after a few uses.

Ask each guest to bring a few products (at least half full) that they would like to exchange for other products.  Moisturizers, hair products, skincare, perfume, nail polish, self-tanners and sunscreen are all sanitary to exchange among friends.  Host this party in the afternoon and serve coffee, tea and cookies for snacking.  Invite guests to use a mud mask (leave the tube and disposable guest towels next to the sink in the bathroom) during the party.  The mud masks will make for some interesting party pictures.  Serve spa-type snacks, such as roasted edamame, trail mix, carrots, hummus and water with sliced cucumbers.

Photo credit:  Back Garage - www.backgarage.com

 

Hip Tip: Homemade Apple Pie Potpourri November 5, 2010

Simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves and apples in a pot of water to infuse your house with the warm and inviting smell of fresh apple pie.  Turn off the heat once guests arrive to ensure that the mixture doesn’t burn.

 

Hip Tip – Potted Plant Centerpiece July 15, 2010

Use pretty potted flowers for a centerpiece – either one large pot or several smaller pots with different flowers and/or herbs.  A potted plant works especially well for a party in the garden or any outdoor event, and will last longer than fresh-cut flowers.  Tie ribbons around the pot for added interest.  For a shower or birthday party, place a colored napkin under one plate on each table and let the guest who chooses that seat take the centerpiece home.

Photo Credit:  Flowers Quata (potted Hydrangeas)

 

Hip Tip – Wine Cork Candles June 9, 2010

Whether you’re hosting a wine tasting or just a dinner party, add some interest to your table with wine cork candles.   No need for expensive crystal candle holders; use empty wine bottles and faux wine cork candles to add ambiance.  Wine cork candles are available from a number of online retailers.  A few I have ordered from in the past are listed below. 

Uncommon Goods – $22/ set of 12
http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=12841

Amazon – $10/ set of 6
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029K2TKS/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?ie=UTF8&cloe_id=0f2fabef-c00a-4420-a0b0-4c76d1c57e3f&attrMsgId=LPWidget-A2&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000199GC8&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0WE3GAKN9X5WMTXNSTPQ

Beau Coup – $7.20/ set of 4
http://www.beau-coup.com/wine-cork-candles.htm

 

Hip Tip – Save Time, Serve Cupcakes May 1, 2010

Save yourself the trouble of having to cut and serve a cake at your next party by serving cupcakes.  Cupcakes are a huge hit for many reasons, but they really are a very practical dessert to serve.  It can take a while to cut and serve cake to a large group of people (trust me, I know!).  Consider serving cupcakes when hosting a large birthday party, shower or other event where cake is the norm.  Streamlining dessert means more time for you to enjoy the party.

 

Hip Tip: Serve Rock Candy As Swizzle Sticks March 31, 2010

Add an unexpected option to the sweetener selection for tea/ coffee by setting out rock candy that can be used as a swizzle stick.  Choose from various colors to coordinate with your party decore:  yellow for Easter, green for a garden party, or use a neutral white or brown (pictured above) for a dye-free alternative.  A little whimsical touch like this will make everyone feel like a kid again.

 

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

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

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

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

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!

 

 
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