Beauty, Charm & Style

When having guests visit, a good hostess will be prepared for almost anything. How many guests will be in the visiting party? Are the guests allergic to anything? What are the guests’ favorite foods?

Alwasy provide top quality linens

Making a comfortable home away from home is what I always strive for when entertaining travelers. I have five easy tips to better prepare and take care of guests.

1. Have clean and pretty linens.  Even if your guest will be crashing on the sofa, make sure to offer an abundance of pillows, sheets and blankets.  Macy’s always has a great selection if you need to stock up on linens. (If offering bedding made with down, make sure your guest is not allergic.)
2. Provide a gift basket filled with toiletries, recent magazines, bottle water and mints.  I like to add little luxuries that I will often miss when away from home.
3. Clear some floor space in the closet for your guest to stow luggage, and even offer a few hangers for clothes that need to be unpacked.
4. Provide an alarm clock. But check to make sure the alarm isn’t set to go off too early for your guest. That would be jarring and embarrassing.
5. Anticipate any special wants of a particular guest. That is what a good hostess always does!

Morgan, my good friend since high school will be getting married this December.  Not only is she my friend, she and my younger sister, Jennifer, are sorority sisters. On top of that, Jennifer’s roommate is Morgan’s sister, Jenny, who is Morgan’s maid of honor. Oh the connections, the links and the intermingling of our two families.  And did I mention our grandparents were all friends?

With all of these coincidences, Jennifer and I have decided to host a bridal shower for Morgan. It won’t be a cheesy affair with silly games but a classic  soiree that hearkens back to the glory days of society.

And we will share all the ups and downs with you!

My mother offered us her home in Dallas as a place to host the party.  I live in Austin, and my sister lives in College Station so we will be planning this shower from afar. This can be good or really, really bad.

Luckily, we have our mother, the impeccable and well-bred society woman who knows all about throwing a proper shower. Also at my disposal will be Emily Post and the Esquire’s Handbook for Hosts.

Stay tuned for updates!