5 tips for an elegant and inexpensive evening with friends

I love entertaining and could have people to my house every day!!  Summer is a great time to invite people to spend an evening on the deck.  Of course, I never have anyone to my home that there isn't food and something to drink.  As much as I love to entertain, that can get expensive.

Over time I've realized that people are really pretty easy.  Most come for the company, not the food and drinks.  So with just a little effort you can make an inexpensive evening look like an elegant affair.


First, it is all about presentation.  You can actually get away with small servings and light fare if it is presented beautifully.  Use pretty bowls.  You can usually pick up cool bowls for under $5.00 at Marshall's or TJMaxx.  Or, use mini appetizer plates and bowls to create a tapas style buffet.  Make your own hummus which is inexpensive, easy and a great conversation starter.  And always serve what is in season.

Second, ditch the bottles and serve water from a pretty pitcher.  You can slice lemons, oranges, cucumbers or anything else that has a fresh flavor and float them in the pitcher.  Put out two pitchers with different fruits.  The more slices you add, the stronger the flavor.

Third, if you want to have cocktails then create a signature drink.  Try a porchcrawler or bellini's for a light, pretty cocktail.  Put in your invite that you will be serving a special cocktail and that guests are welcome to bring anything else they would like to drink.  It is appropriate to allow people to bring something else and appropriate if you are serving a limited drink selection (as long as you have water or some other non-alcoholic option).


Fourth, make your setting company ready.  Using things that you already have, make the place where you want people to mingle special.  Maybe you light candles, put on music or even put out pictures that will spur conversation.  Make sure that there is seating that allows for conversation.  You can move chairs into conversation pits for the event.  Also make sure that your "company" bathroom is clean and has toilet paper, soap and a clean hand towel.


Finally, spend time with your guests.  They've come to see you so don't spend time worrying about the dishes or running around refilling glasses.  If you have everything premixed and ready you can focus on enjoying your guests.  That's why you invited them over, right?

When the stars align

For those of you who know me well, you know I wasn't thrilled about the move to Charlotte.  Not that I had anything against this town.  It was just that I loved my friends in St. Louis, where were going to live and what I was able to do.  Charlotte meant me starting all over in business and with friends.

We've been here a year this month.  I know, that is crazy to imagine.  But, we have been inundated with house stuff, family stuff and sports!  This is the first time I have been able to focus on what is next for me.  I know, I said I was going to find myself before dinner, but I think it is more like finding myself before Christmas!!

I decided a couple of weeks ago to attend the eWomen Networking luncheon.  The St. Louis chapter was a great place for me in terms of connecting me to people who have turned into life-long friends.  I didn't really have high hopes for one meeting.  It takes several to begin to develop a relationship.  So, I collected cards and sent emails as soon as I got home.

This week I have had coffee with 3 fantastic women that I met that day.  All of them have been wonderful.  But today was a particularly exciting.  I met Coliesta Vidak at Amelie's French Bakery for coffee.  We instantly talked about a hundred things that we had in common.  I told her that I was trying to find someone to smudge my house and get rid of all the bad energy.  She does that!!  Then Charlene Neville, a great friend of Coliesta's joined us.  We chatted for over an hour.

I had arranged for Sydney Duarte to meet me at this coffee shop so she joined us.  Her zest for life inspired all of us!  We were having a wonderful time and another woman asked what we were talking about.  She is a makeup artist and heard us talking about image.  Turns out we live in the same part of town and her husband played football at the university my stepson is looking at.  He also played for the Bears, which is just really cool to throw in.   A lady at the table behind us introduced herself and talked with us for awhile.

Clearly the attraction energy was very high today.  I know that I met some women who will be long term friends.  I had hoped to meet some new friends.  But, what I received today was way beyond expectation!!

Color me grateful :)