modern with a twist : m's guide to parties

It's party season! Lots of good food, friends, and my favorite party accessory- glitter. Here's a guide to throwing the perfect party:

party prep
Guests rarely recongize the little imperfections in your home (like the cobweb in the corner), so try to not focus on those... Instead focus on: is my home inviting? does it smell good? is there ample room for seating or dancing? Here's a few more tips for party prep success...

music

there should be a good mix between modern-day & holiday music.
keep it loud enough to hear, but your guests shouldn't be yelling over the music (unless you're having a dance party, which I fully condone).

food

it should be easy to prepare with lots of choices.
whatever you can do the night before, do it.
ask your friends to help, hello potluck!

decorations

do it the day before, duh. So if you forget anything, you have the next day to grab it!
decorations should encompass the theme of the soiree and your personality, keep it simple.

The best party tip I have ever learned is to have an empty dishwasher before the party begins, from my beautiful mother.

throughout the party

Even though you're playing hostess, it's important to enjoy the party! I've also learned to not stress if the party doesn't go exactly as planned... sometimes things simply can't be avoided. It's also important to let your guests decide the schedule! If they're not done with dinner... you don't want to move on to the gift exchange. Let them enjoy your hard work!

post party
The party's over... now what?

clean up the dishes & food after your guests leave. The dishwasher will be empty, so it'll be an easy clean!
leave the decor up until the next day- you'll remember how fun it was as you clean.
if your guests left dishes- return them within the week (cleaned), with a thank you note.

I love parties. I plan to throw several over the next month. Here are some of my favorite party inspirations...