It's A Way of Living, Not Just A Dinner Party

Merriam-Webster defines hostess as a woman who entertains socially.  While obviously accurate, that just doesn't go far enough for me.  Being a hostess is a way in which I go about my life, or in the least try to.  When I think of a true hostess I envision a lady whom displays kindness and manners throughout all her interactions. Her home is one that feels comfortable and inviting to guests that stop by.  She handwrites thank you notes, delivers meals to sick neighbors (and actually knows her neighbors), plants flowers in her garden, and yes, she can host one heck of an event at a moment's notice.  And she does this without a lot of fuss as it comes naturally.  This is what I strive for.  It's pretty old fashioned isn't it?  There's something beautiful about the traditional stereotypes of a lady.  Somewhere these things seem to have gotten lost, or disregarded.

A Modern Day Traditionalist

Click image to read article from Housekeeping Montly 1955.
This is not what I mean by traditional.  It is hilarious though.

I'm a "homemaker," I guess.  It's a strange thing for me to say.  I was a girl ready to rule the world.  My dreams included big city, big career, and big adventures.  And I was well on my way. I'd traveled the world, lived in Manhattan (New York folks, not Kansas) and had a wonderful career in entertainment marketing.  Independent, worldly career-girl...that was me.  I grew up with a mom that, literally, was Miss 4H.  She even won some state competitions in dressmaking, or something like that.  My mom was brought up to be a homemaker.  She is an excellent cook, can whip up a pie crust is seconds, and has the greenest thumb you've ever seen. When she gave a gift the wrapping was beautiful and the card perfectly appropriate.  She did not raise my sisters and I to be this way.  She raised us to pursue big dreams.

A little more than a few years back, just before I met my husband-to-be, I found myself longing for a home to make my own.  I started learning to cook and bake.  I started planting flowers, though most died, and reading articles on etiquette.  Over the years I've become very interested in tradition, and the southern culture from where I was born.  What was obviously very innately me was exposing itself and by the time my husband asked me to be his wife (he asked my father first of course) I was smitten with the world of hostessing and "homemaking."  Being a hostess benefited me in my career, as well as personal life.  The same etiquette that applies in hosting a dinner party applies to taking clients to dinner.  Handwritten, personal notes are appreciated in all situations.  Knowing etiquette and using manners can always benefit you.  

Now I'm a "stay-at-home-mom."  I help my family run a wedding and hospitality business, I do public speaking for women's safety, volunteer for local organizations, and host a lot of parties for my friends.  I try to have a warm meal on the table for my family every evening, though we did have take out a couple times this week (no one's perfect!).  And I love being a hostess, all day, every day.  Nothing makes me happier than to make others happy, and that, ultimately, is a good hostess.

There is a lot of hilarity in my missteps and mistakes along my journey to being a good hostess.  I have so much to learn, but a lot to share as well.  I write this to give you a little more insight to me, Nici.  And to say I hope this blog becomes something we can both enjoy.

So friends, more to come from me on all areas of a hostess lifestyle and I hope now you feel you know me a little bit better.

My Family