holiday inviting..... Let's throw a party...a guide to invitation etiquette

Holiday Open House

• You have decided to throw a party  -- but WHO to invite?
• Asking someone to an event may seem less important, but how you extend the invitation gives Guests the first clues about what to expect from the party
• An Evite, (email) suggests a casual affair as opposed to an engraved invitation sent by U.S. mail.
• How do you set the scene for the kind of event you want - but you don't want to offend anyone.
• Here's the information, scoop for your next Holiday Party.

1. WHOM should you invite? Basically invite anyone you feel will have fun at the party and may have something to add.  Always include people from different groups of your life.  Such as neighbors, work friends, your son's Coach, church friends.
2. When should you write "Regrets only" instead of RSVP on an invitation? RSVP is french for an acronym for Repondez s'il vous plait, (Which is ...please respond if you please).  While "regrets only" certainly makes it easier on your Guests, using it can wreck havoc on your planning. Theoretically no responses mean that everyone is coming.
3. What about people who don't reply and then show up?  Its your job to make everyone feel comfortable in your  home, so just grin and bear it and greet the Guest graciously in your home.  And remember the 67% percent rule for any party large or small. 67% percent will show up no matter what and no matter how many replied.  So if you having a seated event, have a backup plan - extra tables and chairs - just in case.  Getting upset will kill the party so just know this ahead of time and smile and keep your happy face on.
4. So - if you are the Guest, how to get invited back? Always bring a small hostess gift that's low maintenance such as cocktail napkins or bar of fancy soap.  Also take the pressure off the Hostess by self-mingling with new comers to the party.  You could also pinch in to help clean up the kitchen  or refilling the ice bucket or taking some dirty plates into the kitchen.  I have a good friend (Teresa S) who always jumps in and starts the dishes. She is a lifesaver to me.

Let's get dressed !

Attention to detail --

Each morning we have a choice when we go to our closets to get dressed.  We tell a story when we choose the fabric, the style and the coordination of how we fit our clothes for our lives.  Inappropriate workplace attire would be any fabric that is faded or soiled and in need of repair. Clean, pressed clothing with polished shoes speaks volumes of who we are as a person.  Selecting quality fabrics is half the battle, and dress for the body that you have today and not the body you hope to have one day.  Choose undergarments that are nude colored or color coordinated with your outfit for the day.  Have a full length mirror available to check from head to toe and front to back your appearance for the day.  If you ever have a second thought or doubt in your mind on your appearance - don't wear that outfit.  Have you ever wondered why sometimes your day went so wrong and then you play back in your head the "tape" of choosing your outfit.  Less skin = better presentation

• classic solid colored outfit of well made fabric is better than trendy clothes
• tuck blouses into pantyhose to avoid seams or colors showing through pants or skirt
• Strappy sandals are inappropriate for the work environment
• get to know your Dry Cleaners - OR - learn to iron well
• matched suits should be dry cleaned at the same time together to eliminate uneven fading
• purchase the best quality of clothes you can afford in items that are classic

How to eat certain foods

How to eat certain foods -

• Avocados: If an avocado is served in its shell, it is eaten with a spoon.  If it is served in slices, it is eaten with a knife and fork.
• Caviar:  Caviar is meant to be spread on bread and then the bread is eaten with the fingers.
• Crabs: Hard shell crabs are eaten with a knife and fork.
• Doughnuts: These are eaten with your fingers but remember, no dunking allowed in public !  At home dunk to your heart's delight !
• Grapes: Take a small bunch of grapes from the large bunch and put onto your plate.  Eat your grapes one at a time and discard any seeds or skin you do not wish to eat into your hand and place these on the side of your plate.
• Eggs: Hard boiled eggs are cut with your knife and fork and then eaten with your fork.  If you are served a soft boiled egg in a cup, slice the top of egg with your knife and use your spoon to eat the rest of the egg from the shell.  The egg can also be put into a bowl and eaten with a spoon.
• Lemon Wedges:  The wedge is squeezed onto your food with one hand and the other hand is used to shield the juice from hitting your neighbor.
• Peas: These are a little difficult to deal with if you are eating American style.  The best way to eat them is to push them onto your fork with a little piece of your roll.  Never use your fingers !! If you are eating European style, you can spear the little devils with your fork.

How to tie a Scarf

We want to make wearing scarves easy, with these step by step instructions.... Experiment with them and see just how effortless it is to personalize your style. If you'd like more information - call me.
How to tie a square knot - 1. Cross right over left bringing it under , up, and over the top.
2. Cross left over right and tie in the same manner.

Scarves, Scarves, fun adornment

The Scarf. a simple length of fabric, of no particular form. But when worn with confidence, the results are striking.
FABRIC makes the key distinction in how a scarf drapes. Because of its simplicity of shape, a scarf derives its beauty from fabulous textures, patterns, colors and fibers.

Making new friends in a very busy world....

FRIENDS

In order to meet new friends and to be happy and to attract others knows that friends are an absolutely necessary ingredient in the recipe of life.
Here are some tips for attracting new Friends -

➔Walk down the street with a smile on your face and smile when you see people.

➔Don't complain to others at a party or a dinner -- be positive and be "UP".

➔Join a church group or temple - be social

➔Act fascinated by new people you meet, even if they look like they are boring.

➔Try to learn a new skill, maybe volunteer at your child's school.

➔Maybe volunteer for a non-profit group or project?

➔Go to sporting events, help plan your College Reunion, walk a pet for a shut in.

➔Basically - get out there and live life -- and meet new people. Its never too late.

Shoe Shopping -- for non-killer shoes

Shoes, shoes, shoes....

Here is your cheat sheet to Heels that don't hurt that much...

☛ Stuart Weitzman- style, style and shoes that will last all night, for your next big event

☛ Salvatore Ferragamo- full range of shoe widths -- and the latest Trends....(my favorite)

☛ Aeorsoles- cute shoes and very comfortable --

☛ Easy Spirit -- in the 80's this line had an ad.."looks like a pump, feels like a sneaker".

Fundraiser - CASA YOUTH SHELTER 32nd Commander's Ball