Category

Etiquette

Category
Entertaining

Types of Thank You Notes

If you read our post on The Etiquette of Thank You Notes, you know I am a huge advocate of handwritten thank you notes! If not, head over and check out some of our tips on when to write a thank you note (hint – pretty much always)!

So now that we are all writing thank you notes ;), what kind should you send?

I always like to have two sets of stationery on hand – One that is more traditional and classy for professional use (sending a thank you note to a potential employer for an interview or to my boss for tickets to a football game) and one that shows my personality for casual use (sending a thank you note to a friend for gift or to my  fiancé’s parents for having me over for dinner).

I’ve compiled a few of my favorite stationery sets in case you are in the market!

 The Everyday Hostess - Informal Stationery

  1. Boatmen and Geller | 2. Palm Beach Papery  | 3. Palm Beach Papery | 4. Boatman and Geller

The Everyday Hostess Formal StationeryCrane & Co. | 2. Crane & Co. | 3. Neiman Marcus

However, if this is your first set of stationery and you are looking for a one-card-fits all approach, pick a set that is classy but still shows your individual taste, such as the following:

The Everyday Hostess Stationery

  1. Palm Beach Papery | 2. Minted | 3. Crane & Co. |

PS – Don’t forget to keep a set of “Forever” stamps in your wallet so you are always ready to send a note in a pinch!

 

 

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Etiquette

When to Write a Thank You Note

kate spade thank you note

Never underestimate the power of a handwritten thank you note. It’s a lost art, which according to Emily Post, “reflects your appearance, taste and character.” In a world filled with text messages, emails, and social media posts, a little handwritten note can go a long way. It is tasteful and demonstrates a genuine gratitude.

As you can all tell, I am pretty passionate about thank you notes! So! How do you know when to write a thank you note? My best advice – when in doubt write one, but here are a few factors to consider!

When You Receive a Gift – No matter the size of the gift, always write a simple thank you note within 3 days of receiving the gift. My mom always told me to write the note before I used the gift, so to this day, I still write a thank you note either before I use the gift or within 3 days…whichever is first. The main exception is wedding gifts. Etiquette suggests you have 3 months to send thank you notes upon receiving the gift.

Get Well Gifts – Thank you notes should be written by the patient or a friend or relative as soon as the patient recovers. You can also call or email closer friends to thank them rather than sending a formal note.

Condolence Notes or Gifts– A thank you note should be written by a close friend or relative of the recipient for each gift whether it is in the form of flowers, notes, or donations. THANK YOU CARDSKind Act – Always write a thank you note after a kind act. If someone invites you over for dinner or to stay with them, it’s proper to send your host a little thank you note telling them how much you appreciate their hospitality.

Interviews – Emails are the most popular way to thank potential employers for an interview; however, I highly recommend sending a formal handwritten note thanking them for the opportunity and their time. This will help you stand out from the rest of the candidates. However, if the employer is making the decision within the next few days, an email thank you is appropriate for the sake of timing.

If you’re not currently in the habit of writing thank you notes, that’s okay! Not many of us are! But start small! If your friend’s parents take you out to dinner or invite you into their home, send a short little note! Nothing lengthy, just a simple display of appreciation. As you start doing this, it will come much easier and will soon become a habit! You will be amazed at the impact it has on the recipient 🙂

 

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Brunch

Hosting a Tea Party

easter-4

Spring is finally in the air! What better way to celebrate the start of Spring than with a festive tea party?! Whether you are hosting a shower or birthday party or celebrating Easter, it is the perfect time to gather your friends and family and enjoy some of that gorgeous sunshine with a pot of tea and some sweet treats!

If you’ve never hosted a tea party before, it can be a bit intimidating. There is a sense of formality associated with them that can be a little overwhelming. So! We have provided you with tips and tricks to create the perfect gathering! Without further ado, let’s take a walk through Tea Party Hosting 101.

  1. Choose a Theme

The theme will dictate the formality of your tea party and can easily be tailored to the interests of your guests. Traditional British tea parties are always fun and a bit fancier, but be sure to pay attention to the interests of your guests. If they are younger, a princess theme may be popular. If they like Paris, a French theme would be super cute. The ideas are endless. One of my personal favorite themes is an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party. Even with this theme, you can use bright colors and decorate it with more of a “Mad Hatter” style or you can use black and red and decorate it with the “Queen of Hearts” in mind! Check out how I styled my Alice in Wonderland themed party here!

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Stay tuned for Part 2 of “Hosting a Tea Party” and for how I partnered with Holiday Warehouse to style a magical and whimsical Alice in Wonderland Easter Tea Party!

  1. Choose a Location

The location of your tea party should be dependent on the weather. If it is warm and sunny outside, a garden, terrace, or nearby park is a great choice. However, an indoor tea party in your dining room is also beautiful.

  1. Choose the Date and Time

The time of your tea party is very important, as it will dictate what kind of food you will serve. Low teas are typically held mid-afternoon between meal times, while high teas are traditionally between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

  1. Choose the Guest List and Send Invitations

Customize your invites to the theme of your party. You can easily make your own, send a digital one through Evite or Paperless Post, or there are some super cute ones you can order through Etsy! I recommend sending your invitations out about 2-3 weeks before your event so you will have a final RSVP count a week in advance for menu planning purposes.

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  1. Plan the Menu 

The menu is very much determined by the time of the event. If you are hosting a “low tea” or mid-afternoon tea, chances are it is between meal times, so less food is needed. A few sweet and savory snacks such as pastries, scones, and tea sandwiches on a three-tiered stand is perfect. Proper etiquette recommends serving the scones first followed by the tea sandwiches and then sweets. High-teas served during meal times usually require more substantial food such as savory hors d’oeuvres like quiche, meat pies, or a light soup or salad.

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I also like to serve a few little desserts such as macarons and decorated cookies. These types of sweets can help emphasize the theme of your event. Be sure to check out Part 2 of “Hosting a Tea Party.” We will share our customized tea party menu plus we will talk about the most delicious macarons from We the Birds Macarons and the beautifully decorated cookies from The Best Dressed Cookie and how they made this Wonderland come to life! 

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Entertaining

How to Properly Set a Table

Setting the table is usually the last item on the to-do list when hosting a dinner party. If you’re like me, you’re probably more focused on making sure that the meal comes out perfectly and on time rather than on the table. However, when you go to set it last minute, it becomes a hurried and stressful event trying to figure out the correct placement of each fork or spoon.

Avoid the stress and the guess work of which side the bread plate goes on and check out our handy guide for setting a proper table!

How to Set a Table - The Everyday Hostess

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Entertaining

Preparing for House Guests

Merry Christmas week, everyone! If you’re like me, you’re probably focused on finishing up the last minute Christmas shopping, finalizing your menu, taking a few final trips to the grocery store, and cleaning up your home as quickly as possible! However, one of the most easily overlooked aspects of hosting during the holidays is preparing your home for your overnight guests.

Follow these few simple steps, and your house will be the perfect oasis for your friends and family this Christmas!

A Welcome note and fresh flowers – This is the best way to welcome someone into your home! Place a fun seasonal flower arrangement and a welcome note on a desk in the guest bedroom or on the bedside table. They are sure to see them right when they walk in and immediately feel at home. Include any necessary passwords or codes that they may need while staying at your house (wifi, alarms, etc.).

TEH Guest Bedroom

The Everyday Hostess - FlowersStyle Me Pretty Living

Bedroom – Create a retreat in the guest bedroom by minimizing personal items and simplifying the decor. Simple art or pictures, an alarm clock, bedside lamps, fresh flowers, a soothing color scheme, all help create a calm getaway for your guests.

The Everyday Hostess - Guest Bedroom Neutrals

A double/queen bed and comfortable bedding are both key to creating a welcoming atmosphere for your guests. Provide a couple extra cozy blankets at the foot of the bed as well. Make sure there is plenty of space in the dresser and closet, so that your guests may hang or put away any clothes that they want to unpack. Don’t forget to provide a few hangers as well!

Guest Bedroom - The Everyday Hostess

Bathroom –– Stock the guest bathroom with the essentials! Make them feel like they are in a hotel suite. Consider what it is like for you staying in someone else’s home. What may you have forgotten? Include a little basket with small shampoos/conditioners, new toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps, and tissues! This will make them feel right at home. Especially if they accidentally forgot something and may not want to ask for it!

Guest Bathroom - The Everyday Hostess

The Everyday Hostess - Guest Bathroom Accessories

My two favorite items for the guest bathroom is this delightful Lafco candle and these personalized monogrammed soaps! (These are also perfect hostess guests, if you are staying with someone else!)

Most importantly, don’t forget fresh bath towels and washcloths. Include two bath towels and two wash cloths for each guest. I know I am not the only one out there who uses a separate towel to dry my hair, so make sure there are a couple extras, just in case!

The Everyday Hostess - Guest Bathroom

Food and Drink — Stocking your refrigerator and pantry with your guests favorites snacks and drinks will help them feel right at home. If you know they like a certain type of drink or coffee, pick up a little extra for them at the store! Not only did you set up a calm retreat for them, but you went above and beyond to make sure they felt as at home as possible!

The Everyday Hostess Guest SnacksBrooklyn Limestone

What are some of your other favorite ways to prepare your home for guests! I would love to hear your tips and tricks!

Photos from Pottery Barn unless otherwise noted.

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Cocktails

How to Incorporate Wine into a Dinner Party

By: Hunter Sprague

Introduction from Kate: I am so excited to introduce my good friend Hunter Sprague. Hunter is a wine connoisseur who believes that no dinner party is complete without good wine. He has taught me so much about the art of wine pairing, and I am honored that he is sharing with us today! I know his insight and knowledge have been so helpful for me in planning my dinner parties, and I hope it does the same for you! So take it away, Hunter!

Everyone loves to wine and dine every now and again… I think that’s scientific fact. Thus, the quintessential dinner party needs an ample amount of vino for the guests. There’s a lot more to it, though, than pouring a glass of Two-Buck Chuck and calling it a night (save that for the kick-your-feet-up-and-relax evening the day after the party. You earned it).

How to Incorporate Wine into a Dinner Party

You’ve likely spent all week preparing — and using recipes from The Everyday Hostess, obviously — so you’re not going to pair your carefully-crafted appetizers and entrées with the first thing you see on the shelf. That’s where I come in. I’ve provided some guidelines to keep front of mind when planning your next dinner party:

Kick the night off with some bubbly. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and it pairs with any appetizer on this blog. I’d personally recommend Prosecco. It’s light, fruity, and reasonably priced. Anything from Italy in the $10-$25 price range will surely be a hit. Nobody wants to be at the dinner party that runs out of sparkling wine, so play it safe here. Any extras can be saved for your next brunch party or any after-dinner entertainment.

Once all the guests have arrived and the food starts coming out, there’s a ton of variation on what wines to open, when to open them, and what to pair them with. There’s a lot to think about. But I’ve got your back. 

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Appetizers

How to Create the Perfect Cheese Platter

Say cheeeeese!

If you’re like me, a beautiful cheese platter is more than enough to make you smile! They’re always one of my favorite additions to any  party! They are easy to spread around on different side tables and encourage mingling. Plus they are always a crowd pleaser! By selecting the perfect combination of cheeses and adding some fun signs or labels, you can spruce up any cheese platter!

How to Create the Perfect Cheese Platter

Selecting the Cheese:

If serving as an appetizer/hors d’oeuvres, plan on about 1-2 ounces per person.

When picking out the cheese for your platter, include a variety of flavors and textures of cheeses, including aged, fresh, soft, firm, and blue cheese. I usually like to include one or two (depending on the size of your party and your cheese platter) from each category to ensure a good variety.

Here are just a couple of my favorites: 

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Cocktails

How to Infuse Vodka!

My boyfriend and I recently discovered a spicy jalapeño vodka drink at a local restaurant, and we have been determined to learn how to recreate it so we can serve it at our own dinner parties. It has been so much fun experimenting with different types of ingredients and really transforming this cocktail into our own. We messed around with different jalapeño muddling techniques and adding different types of peppers, but what finally really made the difference was infusing the vodka with jalapeños.

Since this little experiment, we have been infusing vodka with all different types of fruits, peppers, and spices to give our own unique spin to some of our favorite cocktails.

infusion pic

We used to go to cocktail bars and read the cocktail menus and think there was no way that we could reconfigure these drinks at home since most of them involved self-infused vodkas. Infusing liquor seemed so formal and fancy to me that I didn’t think it was something we could easily do…but boy was I wrong! Infusing vodka is seriously so simple and just involves 5-10 minute prep time and a few days of infusion…then voila…you have your own personally infused vodka that will last for years! (or minutes since it’s so tasty!)

Infusing vodka involves just a few easy steps: 

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