Spring 2011: Well-suited

Caite Hamilton | February 21, 2011

HOW TO: Host a girls’ night in

GUEST WORK Consider who of your friends would really love the theme of the party or who deserves a nice night in. Has a pal been working 60-hour weeks? Did you recently meet someone whom you’d like to get to know better? These questions inform the evening’s guest list.

GOOD EATS Make it clear if you’re serving dinner or just snacks—no one wants to arrive at a party expecting a full meal only to find appetizers. Serve-yourself buffets make things easy on both guest and host. On the menu: something sweet, something salty and something savory.

DÉCOR VALUES Keep it simple when it comes to decorations. Pick one type of flower and create monochromatic arrangements in different vessels. Light a few pretty candles and place cute cocktail napkins out for guests. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOR? Always send your guests home with a little something at the end of the evening. Ladies invited to a game night, for example, could leave with a pretty set of playing cards.—Danielle Freedman

Danielle Freedman is a senior event planner for A. Dominick Events and the author of charlottesville-weddings.com.

 

Well-suited

Lora Kelley wears a Single silk dress from Lola ($194, 2214 Ivy Rd., 975-5652); an Autumn Cashmere animal print cardigan from Eloise ($270, 219 W. Water St., 295-3905); Delman “Fate” flats ($265), a Daisy Moga monogrammed watch necklace ($990) and a Nava Zahavi aqua cluster ring ($2,235), all from Scarpa (Barracks Road Shopping Center, 296-0040).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All decked out

Julia Thomas wears a Tucker Cross Front Dress from Eloise ($430); a black leather belt from Low ($12.50); a metallic bubble necklace from Bittersweet ($44) and four Sarah Graham pebble stack rings from Angelo (totalling $1,962).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Red hot poker

Brett Baker wears a sheer feather tank from Bittersweet ($58, 106 E. Main St., 977-5977); an Autumn Cashmere floral cardigan from Eloise ($280); a red pleated skirt made in-house at Posh Style ($225, 310 Second St. SE, #C, 245-0115) and a bird round perch necklace from Duo ($54, 101 Elliewood Ave., 979-1212).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Raise the stakes

 
Meredith Heiderman wears Wrangler jeans from Low ($35, 103 Fifth St. SE, 293-9082); a 525 America blouse from Spring Street ($89, 107 W. Main St., 975-1200); a Tulle floral swing jacket from Finch ($58, 1501 University Ave., 244-0050); Delman “Camden” wedges from Scarpa ($265); a Marraccini Designs yellow and white gold stack ring from Angelo ($495, 220 E. Main St., 971-9256)) and Sonya Renee earrings from Spring Street ($59).
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classic gin martini

Swirl 1/2 ounce of dry vermouth around a martini glass. Pour out the excess. Then, in a shaker filled with ice, swirl or stir 2 1/2 oounces of gin before sifting it into the coated glass. Garnish with an olive. (For an extra flavor, try garlic stuffed olives instead!)

 

 

 

 

HAIR AND MAKEUP Daphne Latham

STYLING Caite White