Wedding Party Gift Guide

Dear H,

My wedding is coming up in July and I have almost everything prepared.  The one detail I am stuck on is what to get our bridesmaids and groomsmen.  We have a small wedding party- all of whom are family members.  Therefore, I am definitely willing to splurge on these gifts.  I received a beautiful home made box filled with goodies from my sister when I was in her wedding that obviously took her a long time to make.  It has been a wonderful keepsake- I feel I have big bridal shoes to fill.  I want the gifts to be personalized but I am hesitant to take on a large project. My time is very limited, since I have already spent most of it brainstorming ideas, only to come up with the cliche monogrammed jewelry boxes and cuff links.  What gifts would be very unique and thoughtful?

Yours in York

 

York,

First: congratulations!  Both for your upcoming nuptials and also for seemingly handling all of the wedding details, big and small, with so much thought.  It is rare to find a bride who is not scrambling for a last minute gift for the wedding party. 

I’ve got several ideas for thoughtful gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen that don’t require you to be crafty and involve minimal monogramming.  I’ve included three options below—one that is traditional and two that are a bit more fun!

Traditional Bridesmaid/Groomsmen Gifts:  Vintage Scarves, Ties, or Pocket Squares

Vintage gifts are great because they can be as unique and customized as you'd like them to be.  You can get scarves and ties or pocket squares for all of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, but also customize the pattern or colors of each to fit each person’s personality.  If you have time to scour vintage clothing stores or consignment shops, you’ll have better control over the selection and quality.  Otherwise, there are plenty of online options:  eBay, Goodwill, and even The Vintage Scarf!  

Fun Bridesmaid Gift:  Forget-Me-Not Rings

This is a fun twist on an old wives’ tale (or a young wife’s tale, in your case!):  give your ladies this ring as a way for them to always remember your special day and their role in it.  These whimsical knot rings come in gold, silver, and even red:

Forget-Me-Not Rings, UncommonGoods.com, $48-198

Fun Groomsman Gift:  Monogrammed Steak Brand

If your fiance’s groomsmen are real “guy’s guys,” a personalized branding iron is a great gift.  Men don’t want keepsakes and trinkets; they want almost-useless-but-strangely-awesome gadgets, and this definitely qualifies in the latter category.  While it is by no means an essential grill tool, every man would would welcome the ability to show off a perfectly grilled steak branded with his initials.  This set from Williams-Sonoma also comes with a “branded” carving board—perhaps the most manly form of monogramming I’ve seen.

Williams-Sonoma Monogrammed Steak Brand and Carving Board, $69.95

If you want to up the ante a bit, throw in some meat with the gift as well—it may not last forever but it will always be remembered (“Dude, my buddy gave me steak for being a groomsman!”)  With the growing trend of local and sustainable food, you should be able to find local suppliers that can make home deliveries to the guys;  otherwise, Omaha Steaks is a decent option.

Hopefully your wedding party will enjoy your big day and their mementos by which to remember it!

Cheers,

H*

 Readers, what is the best or worst gift you've been given for being in a wedding? Leave a comment.

Salute to Sangria

Dear H,

Flag Day is fast approaching and I'm already gathering enthusiasm for Independence Day.  I've spent years trying to perfect the vodka watermelon and once cleverly tried to layer red, white, and blue alcohol infused Jello into a mold; both of these things caused much mess and disappointment (though my brother and his college friends were suitably impressed). 

I had thought about a big pitcher of Pimm's lemonade, but a British drink will never do for the Fourth of July.  Do you have any suggestions for a properly American beverage that appeals to a more adult crowd this summer? 

Cheers!

Allegiance to Alcohol        

 

Allegiance,

If you want a properly American beverage, providing a variety of craft beers would make for a fun July 4^th.  However, it seems you are looking for something sweeter, and I’ve got an idea that may not be purely American, but will be just as patriotic.

Sangria is a great summer beverage to serve a crowd, and although the drink originated in Spain, the Spanish-American War wasn’t until over a century after the first Independence Day, so you’re in the clear.  

Here are three recipes for a red, white, and even a blue! sangria:

 

Red Sangria:

(I love that this one incorporates green apples for tartness and some color)

3/4 cup simple syrup, equal parts sugar and water

2 bottles red wine

3/4 cup brandy

1/2 cup triple sec

3/4 cup orange juice

2 oranges, sliced into thin round

2 green apples, cored and sliced thin

2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds

Boil water + pour over sugar to dissolve. Cool. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate, covered, 2 hours or up to 2 days. Serve over ice.

Credit:  Bobby Flay

 

White Sangria

(I like my white sangria full of the sweetness of peaches, like a bellini)

1 Bottle of white wine  (H says a “big” bottle, 1.5 L)

1/2 cup Peach Schnapps

1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you prefer your Sangria)

2 sliced peaches (frozen peach slices work well)

1 sliced orange

1/2 mango peeled and sliced

1/2 liter of ginger ale

Pour wine and Schnapps in the pitcher and add sliced peach, orange, and mango. Next add sugar and stir gently. Chill mixture for at least one hour. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.

Credit: About.com

 

Blue Sangria

(There are plenty of recipes that call for blue curacao as the pigment, but I came up with this recipe that uses natural ingredients.  It will produce more of a purple color, so if you are dying for a bright blue tint, sub in the curacao for  the blueberry vodka)

To make Blueberry/Blackberry Simple Syrup:  Warm 1 cup of sugar, 2 cups of water, and a ¼ cup each of blueberries and blackberries  over medium-high heat, until sugar dissolves, about 5-6 minutes.

1 Cup Blueberry/Blackberry Simple Syrup

2 Bottles of white wine or a light-bodied red wine (such as a pinot noir)

1 Cup blueberry vodka

1 package blueberries

1 Package Blackberries

Juice of  2 lemons

1 lemon, sliced

Seltzer to taste

Muddle half of the package of blueberries and half of the Blackberries in the bottom of a pitcher with a wooden spoon.  Pour in the simple syrup, wine, vodka, and lemon juice and stir to mix.  If it is too sweet, add seltzer to taste. Chill mixture for at least one hour.  Garnish each glass of sangria with some of the berries and lemon slices.

 

Doing a dry run on Flag Day will ensure you'll perfect them in time for a great 4^th!

 

Cheers,

H*

 Readers, anyone have a favorite sangria recipe, or a favorite patriotic beverage? Leave a comment.

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Gifting the Bridal Boss

Dear H, 

My boss is getting married next week, and I need to get her a present from the whole team. I want it to be something more fun than her registry (flatware and steak knives are boring), but it should be at least slightly work-appropriate.  She's pretty classy, loves to drink, and everything that involves eating. I actually have some budget for this since it's coming from the whole team, and I need to get something soon. Ideas??

Berzerk at Work

Berzerk,

If the bride is changing her last name, stationery is a fabulous gift that is classy and work-appropriate.  When a good friend of mine got married last summer, my gift to her was a set of personal calling cards:  her first with her new name.  I worked with Felix Doolittle, a stationer out of Newton, Mass., and they did a great job accommodating my needs.   Felix Doolittle has a variety of personalized stationery that you can customize with various motifs, such as food or flowers.  I also love their personalized bakers' labels, which might be great for your boss if she's good in the kitchen:

Felix Doolittle Personalized Bakers' Labels, $40 for a set of 25

Speaking of the kitchen, if you think stationery is still too traditional of a bridal gift, another option might be to gift the bride with a set of cooking classes.  These will certainly come in handy;  home cooking has become so sophisticated of late that even an expert chef would enjoy picking up some advanced tips, and her new spouse will certainly appreciate her for it! There is likely to be a culinary school, caterer, or chef in your area that offers personal classes in a test kitchen or in the bride's home.  If not, kitchen retailers such as Williams-Sonoma and Sur la Table offer in-store classes, and they may be able to point you toward other local options. 

Do you take these suggestions to be your gift idea?

I do,

H*

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Getting Ironed Out

Dear H,

I've been doing a lot of traveling for work recently and my suits always get wrinkled when packed in my suitcase. Please tell me there's some way to avoid this -- I hate having to iron them once I get to the hotel!

Thanks!

Weary of Wrinkles

 

Wrinkles,

The way I see it, you have three options.

Option #1:  Invest in a Garment Bag

Garment bags are designed to transport suits, and also make you look more professional when traveling for work.  Also, they work well as carry-on bags so you don’t have to worry about checking your bag (and possibly losing your suit!)

You can pick up a garment bag at any specialized luggage shop or department store, but I usually buy my luggage from a discount store like Marshall’s, where they sell designer luggage for discount prices.  I got a great Kipling suitcase from Marshall’s last year, though buyer beware:  those stores can be hit-or-miss.

 

Option #2:  Pack Like You Buy

If you absolutely must pack your suit in a suitcase, keep in mind the way clothes are packaged when you buy them; at many stores, they are wrapped in tissue or placed in a plastic garment bag.  Do the same when packing your suit:  use tissue paper as padding when folding your suit, or put the suit on a hanger in a dry cleaning bag before packing. 

 

Option #3:  Wear It

The most foolproof option is to wear your suit on the plane.  Don’t want to look all-business?  Pack the pants and wear the suitcoat with jeans.  The coat is the more difficult piece to de-wrinkle; the pants you can simply iron when you get to your hotel. 

If it were me, I’d pick my battles:  pair the blazer with jeans for the trip, and settle with having to iron the pants.

 

Troubleshooting: Still Left with a Wrinkled Suit?

If you've followed my sage advice, but still have some wrinkles, create a makeshift steamer with the hotel iron.  Hang the suitcoat on a hanger and fill the iron with water.  Holding the iron a few inches from the coat, press the steam button to release wrinkles without applying pressure.  Never put the iron directly on the suit!

 

Hope this saves a wrinkle in time,

H*

 

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Interview Attire

H,

Help!  Everyone knows the state of the economy these days is anything but good, which means a lot of people are finding themselves jobless.  That being said, all those people are on the hunt for a new job and going on countless interviews.  Aside from having a standout resume and sparkling personality, how can I dress to impress new potential employers. 

Signed,

For Hire

 

For Hire,

Just because we are in a recession economy does not mean you can get away with Dust Bowl attire in your interviews.

John Vachon, “Unemployed men who ride the freight trains from Omaha to Kansas City and St. Louis and back,” 1938

 

For the men:

Times may change, but proper interview attire does not:  a suit, tie, and starched and iron shirt are the keys to success.  There are styles and trends that come and go in suiting (two buttons versus four, thin versus thick lapels), but I am a believer in wearing whichever suit makes you look, and feel, confident.  This confidence will radiate during your interviews.

Though the suit is non-negotiable, there are ways you can express yourself and provide a conversation starter.  Vineyard Vines has made expressive ties popular while still being tasteful, and other brands are picking up on this trend.  As long it is not too loud of a pattern, your tie is a great way for your interviewer to pick up on your favorite sport, vacation spot, or alma mater, and makes for a relaxed way to break the ice.

If you are a French cuff guy, you can use cufflinks to express yourself also, and many department stores now carry unique designs, such as these poker chips below.

Poker Chip Cufflinks, by Juicy Couture, on sale for $61.90

 

For the ladies:

The rule of thumb, especially for banking interviews, used to be a conservative skirt suit for interviews.  Well I say you can throw a banking job out the window in this economy, and your skirt suit along with it.

Pant suits are significantly more comfortable to wear (at least for me) and make for a longer, leaner, more powerful look, especially in a male-dominated business world.  In fact, finish the look with your highest heel possible.  Height is key in conveying a powerful and confident first impression.  (Tip: with high heels, you still need to ensure your pant hemline grazes the ground, so bring the pumps with you when you get the pants hemmed.)

Unless the culture of the company for which you are interviewing is quite conservative, a fashionable and slightly more daring woman can feel free to throw the suit away all together.  We can thank power-women like our first lady, Michelle Obama, for pushing the envelope of daytime style yet making shifts and cardigans just as classy as traditional suits.  You rarely see Mrs. Obama in a matching suit, and today’s women should feel free to follow this trend in their  interviews and the workplace.

First Lady Michelle Obama in Vogue magazine

 

But remember, ladies and gentlemen, unless you want to break into modeling, looks are only a small part of acing your interview. 

 

Good luck!

H*

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Entertaining in the Kitchen

Dear H,

I am entertaining a group for dinner this weekend, but whenever I host I always seem to get stuck in the kitchen.  What is a good meal for 10 that is hands-off enough to let me socialize with my friends?

Thanks!

Dirty Apron

Apron,

There are a plethora of make-ahead or one-pot meals that could be options, but Crock Pot-gone-bad can ruin a dinner party pretty quickly. 

Instead of taking yourself out of the kitchen, why don't you bring your guests into the kitchen?  There are a lot of fun ways to get your guests involved in the meal while still having fun.  Here are three of my suggestions:

1.)  Pizza Party

Making your own pizza is a great entertaining option in itself, and is quite simple.  Most grocery stores sell refrigerated or frozen pizza dough, and just pick up some sauce, fresh mozzarella, and the toppings you'd like.

But why not take it one step further and let your friends create their own personal pizzas?  Just put out miniature balls of pizza dough for guests to roll out, along with sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings, and let your friends have fun with it.  This might make for a crowded oven, but grilled pizza is delicious, and if you've got a grillmaster around, your duties in the kitchen are over! 

2.)  Culinary Competition

Nothing is hotter on TV right now than food competitions, like Top Chef or Hell's Kitchen.   Why not host your own?

A competition is pretty simple to execute, it is really just a matter of setting the ground rules.  Some contests you may consider that draw from elements of various shows on the Food Network:

• Iron Chef--Have all guests bring "staple" foods and their favorite kitchen utensils, and let them kow there will be a secret ingredient (it might be helpful to let them know in which food group the secret item is).  Split guests into two teams, and each team has to make one or more dishes incorporating the secret ingredient.  You may want smaller teams, so you can designate guests as judges, and even name a chairman, who should get to decide the secret ingredient. 
• Throwdown with Bobby Flay--Does one of your guests excel at a dish?  Buy all of the ingredients necessary for the dish, and work on your own version.  Don't tell any of the guests about the game, but when they arrive, let the chosen one know that you are ready for a throwdown.  Or, have two of your friends compete against each other.
• Ace of Cakes/Food Network Challenge--Since Food Network seems to have a thing for cake decorating, here is a contest you can use for dessert:  make a batch of cupcakes, and provide decorating supplies.  Give guests a theme, and vote on a winner of the best-decorated pastry. 

3.)  Kitchen Board Games

Don't want your guests to actually play with their food?  Several companies now make various food or wine board games, based on culinary knowledge or trivia.  This can be something fun to set up in the kitchen, so you and your friends can have a few drinks and play, while you are finishing up dinner.  If you do want to pick one of these board games up, I recommend Winerd for oenophiles or Foodie Fight for foodies. 

None of these options appeal to you?  There is always take-out...or the Crock Pot. 

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

H*

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First Date Fashions

~*This post dedicated to the memory of my good friend Kiran*~

Dear H,

What are some good ideas of what to wear on a first date if we're just casually grabbing a drink after he gets out of work?

Thanks!

Empty Closet

 

Empty,

The key to first date fashion is not to be too out there with your style.  Your version of dress-to-impress might not be what your date had in mind.  Unless your man is super-metro or a fashion designer, it’s a safe bet that he has a typical guy’s tastes in women’s clothing; they like it simple.  Think jeans and tees, maybe a little black dress.  Avoid crazy silhouettes, chunky accessories, or anything that looks like your mom might wear it (so your new Tory Burch is out).

So what can you wear?  Start with a great fitting pair of jeans, and pair it with your favorite top.  It doesn’t have to be the fanciest “going out” shirt you have, but if you love it, you’ll rock it.  You don’t want to wear anything that you are not totally sure you love—you’ll be self-conscious about it.

If you are not a jeans girl, go with a dress, but pick one that isn’t too fancy, glittery, or slutty.  A jersey dress is good way to show off your body without showing skin, or an always flattering wrap dress like the ones Diane von Furstenberg has made a name for herself with.  Don’t have the budget for the DvF?    Try this one from Victoria’s Secret for $85:

Victoria’s Secret Voile Wrap Dress, $85

Plus, if it’s from Vicky’s, the guy has got to love it, right? 

Cheers!

H*

Ladies (or gents!), any first date fashion tips? Leave a comment.

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