Party Planner: Summer Fiesta

Summer is the best time to have a party. People are usually more relaxed and there are a million reasons to celebrate (Fourth of July, Birthdays, Because it is Tuesday...). The warm weather also allows you to take advantage of the great outdoors more than other times of the year. (Although I have to admit, I love a good ski gathering.) Anyway, the best person to throw a summer party should have a pool, a lake house, a beach house, or a sailboat/yacht. See a theme with the water? Just remember, if the host has boats or other watercrafts try to hide them from guests who have a tendency to drink too much. Trust me, you don't want that one wasted guy taking the sailboat for a spin.

Element One: Fire

Fire can come in many forms. It can range from small candles to torches to a full-scale bonfire. It really just depends on the size of your property and how much work you want to put into it. These tiki torches are an inexpensive way to jazz up your party. And they help to keep pesky bugs away. Another option is to use electric lights. (This will prevent someone from lighting their ugly extensions on fire.) I love the ones from Pottery Barn. They have both simple cream ones and patterned ones. If you are feeling really ambitious, try a clam bake or crawfish boil. So yummy!

Element Two: Liquid

As I mentioned before, water is important. At the very least invest in a kiddy pool: you can fill it with ice and put drinks in it if you want. This category is also a not-so-subtle reference to "drinks." What you put in those drinks is up to you. (I am old so I can drink whatever I want.) The easiest thing is to buy a summery beer like Corona and plenty of limes. Spiked lemonade is a good summer bet (this can also be done with iced tea). I know some people that swear by a watermelon filled with alcohol. It depends on how crazy you are willing to let the party get!

Element Three: Sound

This is your chance to play Jimmy Buffet as much as you want. Go for it! If Jimmy isn't your cup of tea just figure out what bands/songs remind you of summer and stick with those. Just remember to have something in the background, the sound of crickets gets dull.

Element Four: People

Obviously, invite your friends who will have a good time. Also feel free to designate a burly guy as your bouncer... you never know who may show up.

Get to planning! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

The Right to Party

With so many types of parties out there, it is easy to concoct a flimsy reason to celebrate. Like those people who go out every Wednesday simply because it is “hump day.” Gross. Better to admit you are an alky like Lindsey Lohan. Anyway, I was recently invited to a “State of the Union Watching Party.” This tops my list of lamest reasons to throw a party. (Does it even count as a “party”?) Much to my chagrin my boyfriend has also been invited to this odd breed of gathering. What? There is more than one of these things?!

According to my research, January 31st is also “Backward Day,” “Inspire Your Heart with Art Day,” and the day that the twist off bottle cap was invented. All three of these are a better theme for a party. Who does not want to see someone wearing his or her shirt backward? Kris Kross must have loved this holiday. Or someone attempting to finger paint after a few too many shots? Remember to save the painting in case the individual becomes well known! The twist off cap lends itself well to a party too. (Think of all the beers to choose from.) At least these themes are more amusing than deconstructing the geo-political situation in the Middle East. I hear that every day!

I can only picture this so-called party panning out if an element of fun was introduced. I suggest going with the tried-and-true drinking game. It would be ridiculously easy to set up. Just take certain phases, words, or missteps and assign some amount of drinking or funny task. For example, every time the President mentions the word “surge” take a shot. When he mispronounces a word put your hand on your head. The last person that notices the mistake has to chug a beer. See? So simple! We are in college people. Save your analysis for Wednesday’s meeting of GOVT 316.

Naked the New Black?

So congrats to the Pundits at Yale. I have to admit that I am a bit jealous. I have thrown some decent parties, none of which graced the pages of the New York Times. Now I know the key ingredient: nakedness. Not nakedness in the frat party sense (let's get girls to strip!), but being naked to just "be."

Maybe I am just not deep enough to appreciate this type of event. Do you know how I feel when I am naked? Cold. And no, I do not feel repressed by society when I am clothed.

I can actually think of a whole list of reasons I like clothes:
1. As stated before, for warmth. If I move to a tropical island, maybe I will reconsider.
2. My outfits reflect my personality and outlook on life.
3. High quality materials (cashmere, silk, etc) feel wonderful on your skin.
4. I can make myself look better in clothes. This does not apply to sweatshirts! However, careful picked clothes will highlight your assets.
5. No offense, but I just do not want to see the vast majority of people naked. Sorry.

I could go on but I do not want to bore anyone. So if anyone wants to have a entertaining time featuring clothes, feel free to give me a ring!