The Most MAH-VELOUS Party
Suzanne Pollak
Our mortar boards are off to last night’s hostess. Everything was pitch perfect, including the weather. It was a birthday party for her spouse and she introduced Charleston society to her newest member of team bijou. Champagne and wine were ceaselessly passed around. The Deans, for one, were thrilled to see the champagne coupe being used instead of the ubiquitous champagne flukes.
The Deans always advocate at least three passed hor’s d'oeuvres, but last night’s hostess regaled the crowd with at least eight to ten. Hot parmesan water chestnut puffs, fried pimento cheese balls, bite sized beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce, veal meatballs, sautéed shrimp on a toothpick, prosciutto wrapped arugula…..and those are just off the top of our head.
Outside in the garden played a two-piece band, and what impressed us was one of the two pieces was a trumpet, yet the music added ambiance and didn’t take over. This wasn’t a dance after all.
Next to the bar was the chicest display of wine bottles the Deans remember seeing.
A great cocktail party is the best place to see and be seen. Wear your prettiest dress, get out your jewelry and cast all your troubles aside. No lugubrious conversations here. Keep things fun and flirty, light and bright. This is the time to meet someone new - you can deepen your relationship later, over lunch or dinner. Be sure not to only talk to the people you know. Push yourself to meet at least one new person, and if no sparks fly, move on to the next. Don’t get monopolized and don’t monopolize. Keep moving.
The Deans give this hostess an A+ because she always leads the way and has the best time at her own parties, ensuring everyone else catches her infectious spirit. Brava!