Be The Best Guest

A recent post, Top Ten Tips for Hosting a Fabulous Party, outlined the essentials for hosting a memorable get together. It also showcased how to wear a really ugly sweater and still look sexy... OK, sexy is waaay to generous a word, but every picture from our Annual Ugly Sweater Party shows smiling faces!

We all love a great party, but isn't it nice to be a guest instead of a host once in awhile? Hosting is fabulous but tiring, so make sure when invited to parties, you make a good impression ensuring a repeat invitation. We've all been to parties where at least one person gets out of hand and turns a perfectly nice get together into a bit of a gong show!

Here are some valuable do's and don'ts to consider as the long weekend approaches and the parties are plentiful.

Photo via styleathome.com 

DO

• RSVP... on time! Time, effort and creativity are taken to host a fun event, the easy part is letting the host know yes or no in a timely fashion
• Be On Time - Unless you're attending an open house style get together where the host has made it apparent you can show up any time, arrive on time. People will feel obligated to wait for dinner guests before serving. Don't keep them waiting.
• Dress For The Occasion - The invitation will dictate the formality of the party. Flip flops and cutoffs wouldn't suit a dinner or cocktail party any more than stilettos would suit a bonfire.
• Bring a Small Thank You - This doesn't have to be expensive, just thoughtful. 
• Help - Sure you're a guest, but taking your plates to the kitchen and picking up a couple empty glasses on the way is easy enough. Notice we said 'empty' glasses.
• Leave... on time! Lingering well beyond the departure of everyone else is never welcome, and sure to keep you off the next guest list. 

Picture via sorrentocatering.com.au

DON'T

• Show Up Unannounced - If you didn't take the time to RSVP, don't assume there is room for you. This is especially true for more formal dinner parties where food amounts are calculated based on numbers. When in doubt, a polite phone call at least a few days in advance might be ok depending on your relationship with the host.
• Bring Unexpected Guests - Unless mentioned on the invitation, unexpected guests can throw off dinner or cocktail party arrangements. When unsure if a guest is welcome, a quick call or email will help clarify.
• Drink Too Much - Limit your alcohol consumption to avoid drunken embarrassment. Since alcohol can affect the brain in as little as three minutes on an empty stomach, try to consume a bit of food with your first glass of wine. Alternate between an alcoholic beverage and non-alcoholic throughout the evening.
• Drink & Drive - Always plan for a safe ride home. Always.

Picture via nzgirl.co

Cheers,

Terri

Stylish Storage

Storage Space ~ we all need more of it. But some homes are cramped, some spaces are small and some closets are already bursting to the brim with clothing, linens and sporting equipment. So what's a clutter challenged person to do?

Bring on containers. Not just any containers, but stylish baskets & boxes, trunks & drawers to help keep clutter in its place.

Hat boxes are great for hats, but you can also use them for craft supplies, toilet paper in the bathroom, touques and scarves in the winter, or tennis balls and flip flops in the summer.

These trunks can be used for everything from blanket storage on the porch 

to winter coat storage in the basement. Stylish yet functional.

Havana Baskets from the Pottery Barn

Aren't these a great way to store towels or hair care accessories in the bathroom? 

How about school supplies or tea towels or cards & crib boards at the cabin?

Photo via House & Home 

And sometimes a great piece of furniture like a dresser in the entry or a console table in a hallway will help capture bottles of sunscreen and dog walking supplies while giving you a handy place to drop keys and mail.

With the addition of some creative & stylish storage solution, clutter need not take over your home! 

Pretty Blooms To Inspire You

Just when we think winter is over, spring has arrived and better weather is on the way another storm shows up. We're just itching to get outside and frolic in the garden. I can hardly wait to bring fresh peonies into the house and hang gorgeous baskets on my back patio.

Until then, I'll have to settle for gorgeous photographs of blooms from talented photographers and my favourite magazines.

Such a pretty flower arrangement from Martha Stewart Magazine

This shot from Real Simple Magazine makes us want to go to the garden center

Love this beautiful hydrangea arrangement in Style At Home

A pretty flowery scene from House to Home

Would love this container garden from Canadian Gardening Magazine on my porch

This curving path way from Traditional Home just beckons me to take a stroll

What garden plants or flowers are you looking forward to?