PREPARE TO PARTY IN 7 STEPS
Today I walk with soul and laptop under my arm. Reason, our amayzine HQ is being transformed into a super disco where we will celebrate our one-year anniversary tomorrow. Our fashion books, rows of heels, and beauty gear made way for real men in black suits who are working with ladders and drills.
Great tour but working, that is impossible. The editors are working from home but I’m joining our TV-dependence for a moment and considering, very metropolitan, to hold office at The Conservatorium Hotel. Laptop on my lap and who knows, I might order a glass of white to prepare for what’s to come. Step into my seven-step plan for good hosting.
Plan a ‘me-myself-and-I-moment’ the day before the party.
As the host, all lines end with you. That’s why it’s so important to step away from the tumult for a moment. Phone on silent, email off. You can turn on your out-of-office for a moment so everyone knows you’re off the grid. You’ve already prepared all the essentials and those detail questions can wait an hour. Moreover, others are often quite capable of making a decision. Delegating is really less difficult than it seems.
When you’re undisturbed in your own bubble, you can oversee everything, what will you wear, what will you say, what do you want in the background. If you’ve overlooked something, the chance is greatest that it pops up at such a moment.
Book a mani-pedi
This can very well coincide with moment 1. Just switch off your mind, only focus on yourself. If you don’t let a professional do this, there’s a good chance you’ll rush it on the day itself with possibly disastrous consequences. Think nail polish on your dress, on your upper lip and also particularly messy-looking nails. Then it’s just done and you can’t do it neater yourself.
Make an appointment at the hairdresser
Sounds incredibly superficial but I always worry about what I should wear and how I will look. It’s of course also my job but I believe that appearance should always support the substantive goal. Your outfit should fit the situation, your hair supports your role of the day. And no, you can never do that as well asa professional. It costs about 40 euros, which is much less than a dress and you can be sure that you look your best.
Create a look mood board
Victoria Beckham always has her assistant check the venue so her outfit matches the environment. You can laugh about it, and that’s allowed, but it’s actually not that crazy. For a party at The Concertgebouw, you will choose a different look than at an industrial loft where your party is held. Moreover, you don’t want to disappear into the background, a red dress against wine-red plush is not such a good combination. What is also a really good idea is to tear out or screenshot looks that you like. Then your hairdresser (and maybe you’ll even get your makeup done) has an idea of what you want and you won’t be surprised.
Buy as much new as possible.
A Real Moment calls for An Outfit. Something you’ve never worn before, that makes the memory bigger. Furthermore, I would buy new stockings so there are no runs or little messes in them. Also buy a spare. The only thing that can be ‘old’ is your underwear. Because that needs to fit well and you often don’t know that with a new set.
Mark in the agenda
You should be able to spend that important day lounging around. Maybe even in your tracksuit. Completely in your comfort zone in your coziest clothes, without makeup, you gently simmer until you’re ready for the party moment. Many presenters walk around in sneakers in comfortable clothing, some sleep even during the day or watch a movie to focus their thoughts on something else. It’s important to mark your energy. Make sure you’re not empty in the evening but radiate.
Go through the guest list one more time
Do you remember that scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Anna Wintour is being prompted by her assistants? “Mr. and Mrs. Beaufort, she is just recovering from breast cancer, he has just gotten a new commissioner position, they have two children, the oldest Elenor just started at Princeton.” That idea. You probably know your guests quite well, but when they all come together, it’s nice to know everyone’s name.
Last tip; don’t forget your glass of champagne not. Take a few sips before the party starts and you can’t go wrong.
