My 8 Non-Negotiables for Hosting
But first, I owe you an apology.
I am really sorry about this…
I was going to write – told you I would write – about the things I have incorporated into my day, that made my hairdresser notice my hair grew longer and was fuller and healthier than he’s ever seen; my six-minute morning program that now has me limber enough to hold a sleeping pigeon pose; complete 36 full body push ups in a workout; and, the afternoon/evening routine that, 70% of the time, allows me to sleep through the night (that’s truly a celebratory percentage for someone who has never, ever been a good sleeper, and to boot is now deeply entrenched in night-sweat perimenopause.)
I was going to do this.
But I chickened out.
The newsletter is sitting in my drafts, all five versions of it, but as I was writing and rewriting, I kept thinking of Steven Pressfield, the author of The War of Art and The Legend of Bagger Vance, and couldn’t get his words, and the title of one of his books on writing, out of my head:
Nobody wants to read your shit.
Not that I think my words are shit. But I can’t help but wonder, does anyone give a shit about my vitamin routine?
So I’ve spiked the story for now.
Credit card fiasco? Would you like to hear it?
Then I thought I would share my current battle in being charged $160 for a subscription to a service I don’t want.
I tried to cancel before the renewal, but, of course, could only submit a form to a chat bot, who promised I am very, very important to the company, but it is a busy time and they may not be able to respond for up to a week. The chat bot thanked me for my understanding.
Conveniently, by the time a customer care rep got back to me, the charge had gone through and to make it fair for all customers, they just couldn’t honour a refund as the terms and conditions explicitly outline cancellations must be done before the renewal date. However, they are excited to help me thrive in the community, of which I don’t want to be a part.
I wrote that story as well, but then, as I completed it, again I couldn’t help but wonder, does anyone want to read my shit?
Spike.
As you can tell, I debated long and hard about whether I should share these more personal stories with you, but my doubt and imposter syndrome won this round.
I know a lot of you are here for the fun and frivolity of drink, food, and party planning. And I am here for it, too.
But I also like to think of this newsletter as a virtual dinner party: we’re all together, sitting around the table, second round of drinks poured, music humming gently in the background, scrapes of sauce left on plates… and having a relaxed and honest conversation and sharing tips and tidbits.
If you would like some inside glimpses to my life every now and again – like the video tour of my lanai – or what I do every day and week to stay as healthy and vital as possible, I’d be happy to share.
Today…
In lieu of getting up close and personal, I’m staying in the safe shallow end. Perhaps one day I’ll grab my flutter board and kick my way into the deep. Let me know how the water is out there.
Hosting: My 8 non-negotiable rules for throwing a party
Cocktail: My Favourite – yep, this is my favourite – vermouth cocktail
My 8 non-negotiable rules for throwing a party
I’ve made my living managing parties for the last 20 years. From the extreme – sunset patio extravaganzas for 300 and ballroom Christmas fêtes for 600, to the intimate –engagement parties for 20 and bridal brunches for 12.
I feel pretty confident I know my way around an ice sculpture-vodka luge.
So here, in no particular order, because they are all vital, are my top rules for throwing a great party, every single time.
I’m so sorry friends. The rest is for premium members only. I wish I could share this info with everyone, but since it’s literally how I make my living, I need to keep some things reasonably private.
If you would like to upgrade your membership to Quaintrelle, you can do so for as little as $6 CDN a month, which is currently a little over $4 USD and slightly under €4 Euro.
And, if upgrading is not in the cards right now, no sweat. The Quaintrelle Weekender is free for everyone, so I’ll see you Saturday.