6 House Guest Rules

Just like with this Parking Problem, I understand that not everyone has the ability to comfortable host a guest (I've even made friends sleep on the floor "sleep over" style with bunches of blankets and pillows).  However, there are a few things that no matter what the situation, a hostess should do to give the comforts of home to a house (or apartment) guest.

You do not have to make your designated guest space (even if it is a couch) look like a 5 star hotel, but giving a guest these few items, will help them feel more "at home" in your home:


1.  Stack of classic movies if there is a tv and a dvd player.  You could provide a good book too.  Your guest may have different habits before bed, so give them some options, or at least open up the idea that they don't have to be on your same schedule.  

2.  Bathroom kit.  Include things like an extra toothbrush and toothpaste.

3.  Pillows and Sheets.  They don't have to match perfectly,  (in fact I still use my old Disney Princess sheet set) but make sure that what ever your guests are going to be sleeping on/ in is clean. 

4.  Space to put their clothes/belongings.  No guest wants to have their "dirty laundry" all over your house.  This doesn't mean you have to clear a whole closet, just a space, just for them.  Use these tips on creating space in a closet.

5.  Offer an outlet to "plug in".  These days everyone uses a cell phone as their main form of communication.  Give your guest a place to plug theirs in, so they aren't scrambling around trying to juice up their phone late at night.  

6  Your Attention.  No guest wants to be totally ignored, make sure you give your house guest attention while they are in town.  You don't need to act like a maid, but do remember that they are in your home and might not feel comfortable asking for things.  

Have you ever had a house guest?  Do you have a guest room, or did you have to house them in a different way?  Share your successes and failures at hosting a guest over night!

Girls Night In: A Boo-tiful Evening! {Freebies}

I’m not the biggest fan of Halloween because I’m not very fond of scary things.  I usually have to turn off the TV during commercials during October because of all the scary movie trailers.  Due to this “dislike” of scary stuff and also because any non-scary Halloween theme is usually for small children, I decided to create a Girl’s Night In for mature, classy  ladies whom aren't a fan of scary movies.

I love Girl’s Night Ins, whether it’s for couple friends or a crowd, its the perfect way to chill with the girls.  I like to describe Girls nights In as a mature slumber party (where most of the guests usually go home) for adult females that just want to “chillax” at home and watch a movie with friends while eating junk food (well it doesn’t have to be junk food, but I like junk food!). 

Here is how I picture this event being organized:

Theme:  A Boo –tiful Evening…

Who:  You and your girl friends!

What:  GNI (Girls Night In) to celebrate Halloween, but in a not so scary way.

Where:  Your house or a friend’s house 

When:  A weekend in October

Colors:  Black, Lime Green, and Purple (I like this color combo rather than the typical Black and Orange.)

Entertainment:  Watch movies or just mingle with new and old friends.  

     Here is a list of not so scary Halloween Movies:

     Practical Magic

     Bed knobs and Broomsticks

     Hocus Pocus

     Corpse Bride

     Scary Movie 1, 2, 3 and 4

Decorations:  I have a few {freebie} ideas including matching water bottle labels, Cupcake decorations, and food labels if you are having using buffet style for food.  All you have to do it “Like” Classy Event Organizer on Facebook and they are yours!  {Now all you have to do it  download the file from the FREEBIES page!}  Have fun and be creative! 

Are you a fan of Scary Halloween Parties?  Have you ever had a Halloween Girls Night In?  Share some experiences or Comments below!

Not Everyone Likes Your Secret Family Recipe

Back in college, a few friends and I decided to hold a Thanksgiving dinner.  One of my dear friends (who shall remain nameless) was so excited to share her grandmother’s green bean recipe.  She raved about it from the time we first thought of doing something for the holiday to the minute we all sat down to dinner.  She explained that its a tradition and favorite in her family and how her grandma have given her the recipe only a couple years prior!  We were all so exited about this excellent sounding green bean casserole, that is until we saw it.  I still to this day do not know what the “special ingredient” in her Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole was, but it certainly was not tasty!  

I realize that we all have those secret family recipes.  The recipe that is only shared to those who have earned themselves a family cook “title “ and it never allowed to be written down.  They usually involved a weird combo of spices for grilling, or a favorite cookie recipe which has not been turned into a Betty Crocker boxed dessert.  Sometimes the title of these recipes involve the word “surprise” which is really never revealed to those eating the meal.  I love hearing the story of these recipes, even if I”m not allowed to know the exact details.  Usually the memories bring back fond memories of sitting on a counter and helping mom and grandma make dinner or perhaps a family picnic when the family recipe was put to the test, trying to feed a small army!

These unique concoctions have been passed down from generation to generation because of one very important reason… THEY ARE DELICIOUS (which is subjective!!), other wise the recipe would have been thrown out a long long time ago.  (that or you have a really weird aunt that just won’t let that weird casserole surprise go!)  But one word of caution.  no matter how delicious you truly think your recipe is, when cooking up these family recipes for guests it is possible that someone might not like your Great Grandma’s Surprise Soup!  (especially if they can’t tell what the surprise actually is).

To combat making a guest go hungry, make a few of you dishes “plain” to have another option “just in case”.  If possible try to cook a meal as plain as possible and add any spice or seasonings until later, to let guests be the ones who decide how spicy or bland they want their food.    Also, if you are cooking meat, try to make sure there are options of medium and cooked!  If your dish because you wouldn’t want to serve your guest’s under cooked meat, even if you like your steak “mooing”.  If a recipie  isn’t easily split between special and plain, then think about offering bigger side dishes, or even another main dish option.

Don’t let your guests suffer because of you’re Grandfathers “Anything Rice”.  They may not want to come back!  (Unless this is your goal, then serve up what’cha like!)

…Even if You Have to Wash the Dishes in a Bath Tub!

One of the perks of living on your own (and no longer under the roof of your parental units), is that you can invite them own and show them your hostess skills with an informal dinner party. When I moved into my quaint apartment townhouse, after moving out of my parents house, I invited them over for such a dinner party. This was the first time that I was able to be a host in my very own home! I was so excited, and I had planned everything perfectly. I even planned out that fact that because I didn’t own enough dishes I was going to have to wash them between dinner and dessert. The plan would have worked perfectly, but then something happened…that I had no planned on… the kitchen sink drain clogged! I had only been in the apartment for about a month or so, so I didn’t have all the essentials like a plunger or drain-o to help fix the situation.

I had a mini freak out (okay, I admit, it was not by any means mini). For the life of me, I could not figure out what to do in the situation my sink had put me in! I thought perhaps I should wash the dishes in a couple full pots of water, or how I could even use the tub! I was so bummed about the clogged sink that I couldn’t think straight about my dinner party or guests. I was stuck!

Fortunately my boyfriend, with one of his many useful “Mr Fix-it” skills had fixed the situation. It didn’t take very long at all, and he did un-clog the drain. (My “mini” freak out was for nothing, oh silly me!). I was able to finish washing the dishes and serve a delicious homemade apple pie!

Although I had planned everything for this dinner event down to the minute, unexpected things can happen. Guests can bring extra guests, guest may show up late or not at all. your food might turn out not as planned or a wrench might be thrown into the party itinerary. Whatever the issue, remember that although you planned everything down to the details, your party needs to be fluid, and perhaps won’t be perfect. In any situation like this, remember to keep your cool and don’t freak out! There is always a solution, even if you have to wash the dishes in a bath tub!

Have you ever had any party blunders or had something not go 100% as planned? 

Books and Brainstorms

I am currently at the end of day two of my blog journey.  I’ve done a lot!  First, I went to the library which is one of my favorite places to get inspiration (and all the books are totally FREE).  I picked up a ton of books to use in my research that they weighed about a ton as well.   

Second, I started brainstorming about past events I’ve held or been able to take part in; including my childhood birthday parties. (I still have my party planning notes!) Even in the last year I’ve been able to have lots of events to plan including having friends and family over to my apartment.  These events have given me wonderful experiences like having to figure out what to do when the sink gets clogged and I needed to do dishes before anyone can eat dessert because there weren’t enough plates or forks!

While thinking back to these gatherings, I’ve noticed that a lot of “fails” would have been avoided with proper preparation before the actual planning of a party.  Doing a bit of research to get some inspiration is always a good idea (hence all the very heavy books!).

I am so excited to share my thoughts and findings.  I’ve uncovered some tips on party etiquette that range from classical times to modern day bachelorette parties.  I didn’t realize that there were so many theories on how many chairs to place in a room and so many different ways to set a table!  Not only will I share my view on these interesting findings, but also how to use them in an event and perhaps stay in budget!

Enjoy!   

- CEO