SALE! SALE! SALE!

SALE! SALE! SALE!
Catch them at just about every location imaginable that sold Easter items. This is the perfect time to stock up on Easter themed or pastel colored platters, plates, cookie cutters etc. I found the cutest little metal pails at Target for $1.00 each. They can be used as place cards for assigned seats, fill w/ mini floral bouquets and line a table as a low centerpiece, or use as party favors and fill with spa items, candy or anything related to the party.  These beautiful pink plates are also a perfect addition to any table setting. Pastel colored items also work great for spring lunches, baby and bridal showers, girlfriend brunches, and Mother's Day celebrations! Contact us today to plan your next gathering. Check out www.thehautehost.blogspot.com for more ideas and resources.
Happy Hosting
Lisa Elliott
The HAUTE HOST

Company's Coming!

Having Family & Friends over for any reason is cause for celebration. Don’t let the fun get lost in the preparation of them coming over. Here are a few tips to prepare and reduce the stress of big, small or medium gatherings.

Dinning-

Set the table the night before, or two nights before if you can. The dishes and glasses won’t mind spending the night on a buffet table or dinner table.

Entryway-

When weather is unpredictable, empty out the main closet and have enough empty hangars ready to be used. You can put you and/or your family’s coats on your bed or in a guest room.  Place an umbrella stand or two by the door and make sure you have a doormat to catch any rain, sleet or snow to protect your floors.

Bathrooms-

Task kids to clean the bathrooms the night before and place extra rolls of toilet paper in the bathrooms throughout the house. I like to make a little pyramid on the tank so there is no question as to where it might be. There is nothing worse than one of your guest reaching for an empty roll in the middle of a party.

Light a large, new scented candle in the bathroom(s) that will burn for a couple hours safely. If you think it is warranted, place a can of air freshner next to the toilet paper pyramid. Add some paper hand towels and your bathroom(s) are guest ready.

Last Call-

Provide your guest with paper containers to take food home if that is what you wish. This helps eliminate everyone spontaneously asking for your aluminum foil and paper plates. Check out http://www.thinkgarnish.com/  for containers like the ones below.

Hope these tips help!
Happy Hosting
Lisa Elliott
The Haute Host

Earth Day Part Deux

Oops! We promised on Facebook to bring you more eco friendly hosting options and we dropped the ball. Well Earth Day may be over but it is still a great thing to be aware of our planet. With that said, here are a few more items.  One of the fabulous companies that work with being green is http://www.bambuhome.com/  Please visit the site and view all their products. Bamboo is long lasting and as you can see very chic.  Below is a kid plate and nesting baskets made of, you guessed it, Bamboo. Nature really is naturally beautiful.

Happy Hosting
Lisa Elliott
The Haute Host

Hello Cupcake

In keeping with the Easter theme, desserts and kid entertainment. Here are some of the cutest cupcakes you can surprise your guest with at brunch, lunch or dinner. Again, it can be self serve, portion controlled (maybe), a possible kid decorating activity and all around pretty conversation piece. This will definitely inspire tongues to wag before they start to drool. You can have some if you live the DC metro area. If you hurry and hop on over to http://www.pinkpiggysweets.com/ to order them.  Order a bunch, stack them on varying height cake stands and make it a centerpiece. The colors are a great reminder of Spring being near and simply makes you smile. Enjoy!

Lisa Elliott
The Haute Host

Here comes Peter CottonTail - Cake

Here is a cute dessert idea for Easter or kids functions. Baskin Robbins has a ice cream roll cake shaped like a.....you guessed it. A rabbitt. Check out this little guy or gal. Eat up before he hops away! Visit the site for other ideas and shapes.
Enjoy!


Lisa Elliott
The Haute Host

Easier Easter Meal Ideas

Dreading cooking a big Easter dinner? Start a new tradition. Order your meal from your favorite restaurant, do a brunch or a pot luck. Enjoy family and friends and the special time it's meant to be without the stress. Don't spend hours in the kitchen or grocery store.  If you opt for the brunch idea, do half dinner items and mix in some breakfast foods. If the thought of people helping out with the meal made you all tingly inside, assign items to those you know can cook...well :-)  Most people won't mind bringing an item. Ask those guests to come at least 30 minutes prior to the rest of the guest so you can warm up any dishes and/or place them accordingly.
Basic Dinner Ideas (Combination of cooking, restaurant ordering and pot lucking!)
Glazed Ham
Green beans or greeens
Mashed/whipped red, white or sweet potatoes
Carrots
Small asortment of rolls, biscuits or croissants
Cakes, Pies chocolate bunnies etc. for dessert

Brunch Menu Ideas - Combination of cooking, restaurant ordering, pot lucking
Quiche
Glazed ham
Green beans or greens
Rice - flavored or wild grain
Carrots
Fruit mix
Small assortment of rolls, croissants, pastries
Crepes
Cakes, cupcakes, petit fours

We hope these basics get you in and out of the kitchen promptly. We simply want you to save time, make
memories and enjoy your family and friends.
Don't forget to do an easter egg hunt, play games and savor the time together.

Happy Hosting
Lisa Elliott
The Haute Host

Dress Up Your Table

Setting a basic table is easy and fun. The usual items you find consist of plates, napkins, glasses and silverware. To kick things up a notch for yourself and your guests, enhance the setting with a combination of  napkin rings, tablecoths, placemats and chargers. For more formal settings you can include wine glasses too.  These additions to the table continue the mood the invite set and can also drive home any themes associated with the party. Think Valentine's day and a red and white table set up. All of these items minus the tablecloths can be found in various woods, metals, ceramic and jeweled states. Here are a few examples of napkin rings and chargers from Instawares and Domestic wares. A lined strawberry gold charger and animal napkin rings carved out of wood. With a little imagination the possibilities are endless. Mix and match until your hearts content!

Happy Hosting!
Lisa Elliott
The Haute Host

Let's Chill

Forgot to chill the wine or bubbly or maybe had no room for all the bottles before your gathering? You may quickly chill a bottle of wine or champagne by placing the bottle in an ice bucket or other tall plastic container. Add a layer of ice on the bottom and sprinkle it with a few tablespoons of Morton ® Salt. Continue to layer salt and ice until it reaches the neck of the bottle. Pour water over mixture until it meets the top layer of ice, let stand for10-12 minutes, open and serve. Rinse ice bucket thoroughly after use to remove any salt residue.  For larger gatherings or big celebrations requiring multiple bottles, use the old college trick and place bottles in your bathtub with ice. Preferably in a bath your guest aren't using. If guest are using that bathroom pull the curtain. You don't need to fill the tub completely with ice, just ensure it is plugged. The ice will melt eventually and provide a cool bath for the bottles throughout the evening. Bottoms up!

Happy Hosting
Lisa Elliott
The Haute Host

NO PARKING!

Have a great home or place to have a gathering, but there is NO PARKING available? Have parking but it seems miles away? Parking can sometimes deter guests, especially in the colder months. Impress and/or surprise your guests by having a valet service at your home. That's right! You read it correctly. Have a valet service at your home. Arrange for your guests to pull up to your home and have their cars parked for them. All they have to do is get out of the car and walk in your home or venue. Host may pay in advance and make it complimentary for guests or give guests the option of paying for the service.   http://www.uniparkvalet.com/ is a reputable service in the Washington, Dc metro area. Search mobile valet parking service in any search engine in your area.  Believe me when I tell you this extra treat is much appreciated when your guest are full and relaxed and don't feel like walking to their car! They will remember your party for years to come!

Happy Hosting!
The Haute Host
Lisa Elliott

Whet your guests whistle

Ever hear of an Apèritif ? Pronoounced [ah-per-i-teef]  It's a refreshing drink typically served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. An Apèritif typically includes gin, vermouth or Campari and includes many of the oldest cocktails.

This Apèritif recipe is a great variation of the Cosmopolitan. The citrus vodka's sweetness is the perfect counterpart to the Campari and a splash of triple sec adds a perfect balance. Serve your guest this refreshing drink in these frosted mini tulip aperitif glasses.

Ingredients:

2 oz SKYY Citrus vodka

1 oz Campari

1 oz orange juice

splash of triple sec

orange peel for garnish

Prep:

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake well.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnish with an orange slice.

Cheers
The Haute Host
Lisa Elliott

Individuals Create Perfect Portions

Ever ponder how much dessert to offer your guests? Have to much left over? Present your guests with the perfect portion size. Each person gets their own! Individual size treats make clean up easy, a beautiful presentation and ease in picking up their treat. This can also be applied to certain foods in a buffet arrangement. Eat up! (Picture compliments of glutenfree)

Hors d'oeuvres are a Host best friend

Hors d'oeuvres - Simply an appetizer served before the meal. Make hosting easy breezy. Supply your guests with heavy hors d'oeuvres and stay out of the kitchen. Serve selections that are tasty at room temperature to avoid hot plates or checking on iced items. Discover http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers.htm for ideas galore. Finger size items are always a safe bet too!

Self Serve Elegantly

Setting up food or drink tables should be fun and make your guests want to dive in. Select your menu so it is visually appealing as well as tasty. Use varying heights and make sure things that aren't obvious are labeled. Serving trays that are tiered or have levels make this even easier to help create the look. Here is a great chic 2 tier serving tray from Horchow. Got questions? I have your answers. Contact us anytime.

Specialty Drinks For All!

Specialty drinks are all the rage. Check out http://www.thewebtender.com/ for cocktail recipes and more. Create your own specialty drink and put it in a fun glass. Make your guest feel special. Love the ease of this site.