Holiday Party 101: Expert Stress-free Entertaining Tips

’Tis the season for throwing elegant holiday get-togethers! Whether you’re planning a sit-down family dinner or a cocktail party for friends, sometimes hosting a holiday fête can feel more like a burden than a blessing.

That being said, online retailer zulily’s in-house trend expert, Claire Magruder, to give us her tried and true tips for hosting a simple, yet sophisticated holiday party this year. Read on for her tips:
 

·        Set the Scene: Winter White parties are perfect for this time of year. Chunky and soft throws, white pillar candles, and shots of metallic confetti are great ways to add sparkle and shine to a party. Something as simple as stringing a line of pretty white lights across your mantle can also add to the festive mood!

·        Prep the Day Before: Prep your food and pre-batch your cocktails the day before so all you have to do is heat, plate and serve. Avoid the dreaded lines at the mall by purchasing all of your holiday party supplies on sites like zulily to get the best deals delivered right to your door.

·        Suit up! When tasked with hostess duties, a casual ensemble is your best bet. I love flowy, off-the-shoulder tunic tops paired with slim white trousers and a great heel.  It’s simple and sleek, and perfect for a busy hostess.

·        Keep it Light: In the end, it’s all about gathering friends and family together to celebrate the season.  So even if you experience a hiccup or two, just remind yourself to take it easy and enjoy the night!

At online retailer zulily, shoppers have something new to discover each morning including apparel & accessories, home décor, party supplies, gifts and more- all at the very best prices. Be sure to check back often on zulily.com or via their mobile app to get the best deals, for the whole family, this holiday season.

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Celebrate the Holidays with Freixenet Cordon Negro

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us! With that comes endless holiday parties and family gatherings. The hustle and bustle can be a bit overwhelming, but with a case of Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut on hand, you can tackle the busy season with ease!

Freixenet Brut is a quality Cava made in the same method as French Champagne, and at just $12 a bottle, your wallet can afford “the more the merrier” mentality when it comes to entertaining. No matter what the occasion this holiday season, Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut has you covered:

1.       Thanksgiving – The Turkey is (finally) ready, Cards Against Humanity is on the game table and the bar is stocked. Now you need a sparkling wine that pairs with everything on your menu. Crisp and clean, with a palate of apple, pear and bright citrus flavors, Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut is an unique twist that will surely delight your guests! 

-      Not sure where to sit everyone for the feast? Grab the adorable and affordable Freixenet Cordon Negro Minis (187ml, SRP $3). The black matte bottle is the perfect slate to create personalized place settings for all your friends using gold pens. Plus, when it’s time for the toast, everyone can have their Cava – and drink it too!  

2.       Pairings made easy with Cava– Is it your turn to host the holiday fiesta this year? Between sending out the invitations, frantically searching for recipes and attempting to making your apartment look spotless and festive, there is little time left to find a wine that pairs nicely with everything on your set menu. Let Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut make this step a piece of pie. Cava brings both elegance and phenomenal food-pairing versatility to virtually any meal, making it a smart choice to serve at your next holiday dinner or cocktail party. From grandma’s famous deep-fried turkey recipe as an entree to creamy and rich butternut squash soup shooters as an appetizer, Freixenet Brut will enhance your menu and leave your guests sending compliments to the chef!

3.       Sparkle During Holiday Parties – No matter the occasion, Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut will be the life of your holiday party as you create sparkling cocktails that are just as festive as the attire.

*Step up your hosting game with the Pomegranate Cava Martini or the Cinnamosa. Your friends and family will be impressed as you channel your inner mixologist this season. RECIPES: 

 The Pomegranate Cava Martini / Pomegranate Cava Martini – Serves 4 

Juice of 1 lemon, 1 cup Old Orchard Pomegranate Juice, 1/2 cup of orange liqueur, Freixenet Cava, Rosemary for garnish

Combine the lemon juice, Old Orchard pomegranate juice, and orange liqueur in a pitcher with ice. Stir gently. Add pomegranate seeds to four cocktail glasses, fill halfway with the cocktail and top with Freixenet Cava. Add a sprig of rosemary for garnish. 

The Cinnamosa: Pour 1.5 ounces of Cinnamon Whisky into a glass with 3 ounces of Cordon Negro Brut Cava. Fill remainder of glass with 1 ounce of blood orange juice. Garnish with orange peel.

4.       New Years Eve Bash – Nothing beats a New Years Eve bash with all your friends, and you’ve planned the ultimate party to ring in the new year.

Invite too many people to join in the Midnight toast? No worries. With an unbelievable quality for value, a case of Freixenet Brut allows you to invite everyone up for your NYE bash, even your doorman and new neighbors down the hall!

Why buy one bottle of expensive bubbly for just a few people when you can purchase a whole case of Freixenet Brut to share with everyone!? 

5.       Personalize Your Present – Need a last minute gift? Forgot a card? Don’t panic – a bottle of Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut is all you need.

The matte black bottle is the perfect canvas for a personalized message. Grab a gold pen and turn the bottle into a unique gift that everyone can enjoy. Even better, buy a magnum of Freixenet Brut (1.5L, SRP $18) and have party goers sign it. It’s the ultimate gift for the host or hostess!

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Boohoo.com's Holiday Shop is Open for Business!

Shopping for the Holiday's is hard. Shopping for an outfit to wear to all the parties is even harder. Boohoo.com is here to make it easy with the Holiday Shop; one stop shopping for all your holiday party outfit needs, pulling the best the brand has to offer from all collections: Boohoo Basics, Boohoo Plus, Boohoo Petite, Boohoo Night, Boohoo Blue, and of course, Boohoo Boutique. With dresses, top and skirt combo looks, separates, shoes and accessories, the options are endless! Prices are fantastic as usual, and deals are offered daily to make the holiday's even sweeter! And guys... there's Boohoo Men for you!

Here are the links to the above fabulous finds:

1) Adina Woven Star Dress  2) Boutique Viola Embelished 3) Boutique Sequin Lace-Up Back Dress   Shift  4) Ruby Caged Ghillie Heel 5) Jasmine Shell Clutch Bag 6) Frey Velvet Boots  

Check out the shop here: http://www.boohoo.com/usa/clothing/partywear/icat/partywear

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Introducing the Candy Cane Cooler

The swanky  NoMa Social restaurant in New Rochelle, New York is bringing in the holiday season with a Candy Cane Cooler  that just screams Christmas spirit. Not only does this concoction look festive, but it decks the halls of your taste buds as well. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbs crushed soft peppermint candy 
• 1½ fl oz vodka
• splash of white creme de menthe
• ¼ fl oz brandy
• ½ fl oz half-and-half 
• Crushed ice
• Peppermint stick for garnish
• Mint sprig for garnish

Directions: Combine the vodka and crushed peppermint.  Stir to dissolve.  Add the remaining ingredients, stir and garnish. Now you have the perfect cocktail for your Holiday Party. Cheers!

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Burberry & Vogue Magazine Holiday Party

There are good parties. There are 

GOOD parties. AND then, there was last night - 

AMAZING! 

But of course!

I would expect no less from 

BURBERRY

 and

Vogue Magazine

 who threw a party and asked one of

burberry-vogue-caren-west-vincent-martinez-fashionado

Yours truly & Caren West

Atlanta's top publicists [and one of my favorite people] 

Caren West, to host. The "party" was actually a shopping event Burberry Lenox Square to benefit the 

Recording Academy's Musicares. The spirit of giving has never been so fashionable as it was last night.

AND in fabulous abundance as Caren West can fill a room with a snap and a smile.

Caren wore a Burberry LBD. Sexy, sophisticated and edgy with leather epaulettes - a trademark of the brand's iconic trench. 

And notice the red cuff... python!

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Smokey Eye for the Holidays: Green on Red with Nyssa Green

We want you to look your best year round, especially around the holidays when party season is in full swing. In this new segment of fashionadoTV's Green on Red, the Green Room Agency's own

Nyssa Green shows you how to achieve a sexy smokey eye. And she shares a few professional tricks & tips! [Later in the week, Holiday Hair!]

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AUDI'S Fashion & Art Party

The party season has arrived! Here's a swanky soiree to kick things off right so I hope to see you at Audi's Fashion & Art Party on November 23!

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