Entertaining & Fashion: The Hostess Gown!

A charming article on the hostess gown ran in this past Sunday's Style section of The New York Times.  Alexandra Jacobs did a piece on this "now defunct garment, popular from the 1930's to the 1970's" - which was worn by well appointed hostesses to greet her dinner guests in style.

As Alexandra points out, the hostess gown was a billowy, oversized dress with a forgiving waistline, so that the lady of the house could kick up her heels and lounge comfortably in her home on large throw pillows while entertaining, with a cocktail and long, lady-like cigarette in hand, no doubt.  Engaged in relaxed conversation one minute and heating appetizers the next - or firing up the fondue pot, for that matter.

ABC Photo Archives, via Getty Images

Associated Press

Donna Reed in a hostess gown in 1964 (at top) and an Oscar de la Renta evening caftan from 1963 - both images from Jacob's article in the New York Times.

Well, times have changed -- but it looks like there are still some good options around for hosting in style. Read Alexandra's article to see where some modern day Donna Reed's get their hostess ensembles.  One that was not mentioned is the "Signature Hostess Gown" from a great website called Society Social, which I think you should check out!

Roxy and her team at Society Social have created a fabulous, floaty and very "mingle-worthy" full length hostess gown for $165!  Order it in one of seven colors for your next party!  Enjoy!

Setting your New Year's Eve Table

New Year's Eve is next weekend and it's time to ring in 2012 in style.  If you're going to be hosting your own celebration, get your sparklers ready and take a look at some fun ideas we've gathered for you!

This is a great one from A Taste of Home.  Gather your best clocks from your nightstands and bureaus (feel free to borrow a few, too!) and place them around the table to make a festive and timely centerpiece.  You can set them all to strike at midnight or just leave the sounds of excitement to your guests!  The clever touch in this table setting is the wristwatches used as napkin rings!

Here's a great all-white New Year's Eve table styled and decorated by Caroline Anderson and Sofie Lawett.  Its simple elegance allows the focus to be on the candlelit, serene evening atmosphere once the lights are dimmed!  

Here's a playful clock cake, posed to strike at midnight!  Pick up some gold icing at your local baking store and you can do this yourself!  No Fiona Cairns baking skills required!

Photo

This was a cute idea - put rock candy sticks in the champagne glasses for some added fun and whimsy!

No New Year's celebration is complete without a fabulous kiss!  Here's a cute quote that we came across on the internet.

Here's a great photo from Flickr.  It's New Year's Eve, NYC, 1965 by Joel Meyerowitz.

Here's another classic, and one that should serve as inspiration this holiday!  It's none other than Hollywood couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward sharing a New Year's Eve kiss in 1961. 

I'll close with this.  Enjoy your New Year's Eve planning!

Holiday Images from This Week on our Facebook Page - Join us There!

There are just two days until Christmas!  Shoppers are still busy shopping on our retail site, The Well Appointed House, where we're currently offering 20% off many items.

It's been a busy week on our Facebook page.  If you haven't joined yet as a follower, "Like" us there and you'll get access to sales and tips.  There was a lot of sharing and commentary from our followers.   Here's a sampling of some of the images we shared this week.  Some of our favorite sites and smells of getting into the holiday spirit.  Take a look!

Photo from the Camilla at Home Blog

A whimsical Christmas tree!  Photo

Don't have a fireplace?  Live in an apartment?  Don'y worry, just make a Santa key to hang on your door on Christmas Eve!  Photo  We also loved this table setting with the angel wings!  It's the details like this that really make a table!

We loved these decorated Reindeer Donuts!

This was a cute one!  If you're familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, then you know how hard it is to keep the elf on the move in interesting spots around the house!  We do this at my house... In this case, the mom painted the kids' noses red while they were sleeping...and set up the elf like this for them to find.  Photo Another cute idea!  Candy Cane placeholders.  Photo Great idea from the "Not so Idle Hands" blog.  Flour and glitter to make Santa footprints!   We love the wreaths on the windows in this charming room! A fabulous idea from bhg.com!  Christmas tree cupcakes made with upside-down ice cream cones! We got many laughs from this Christmas Card! We're not sure what's really going on here, but we were intrigued by the Christmas tree shape of this one made out of lightbulbs! Can you imagine coming upon this tree magically lit in a forest?  Perhaps in a dream on Christmas eve? This was a favorite!  A classic! A delightful Santa's Brunch!  Photo

Last Day to Save! 20% TODAY ONLY at www.wellappointedhouse.com !!

Save 20% on Last Minute Holiday Shopping! We're in the homestretch here at The Well Appointed House!  While you finalize your holiday shopping,  Save 20% now on the entire website (except Art for Kids, Global Views, Uppa Baby and select other lines) today only until midnight!!  Coupon code is JingleJingle   Personalized Cell Phone Cases Our New Devon Chest Toys for Boys!   Monogrammed Necklace Totes Dollhouses & Toys for Girls Apply your last minute holiday shopping savings to over 5,000 luxuries for the home. The Well Appointed House is the premiere shopping destination for home decor enthusiasts "in the know".  Featured twice in Martha Stewart in 2011, in the Harper's Bazaar gift guide and other top magazines,  Melissa Hawks and her team at The Well Appointed House are constantly adding the latest trends in decorating to the website. Whether building a new home, decorating a nursery or simply buying housewarming gifts or gift baskets, The Well Appointed House is the place to be!  Celebrating ten years in business... Check us out today in Vanity Fair Magazine's GIFT GUIDE!! Call 914-400-4360 and speak with our Customer Service Manager, Heather, if you need help ordering! Save 20% OFF NOW!   Happy Holidays!

The Well Appointed House Gift Guide: KIDS!

Let's face it, if it weren't for the little people, the Holidays wouldn't be anything.  Give them the gifts that will define their holiday memories with a little help from The Well Appointed House!

Probably the most iconic gift a little girl could get is a dollhouse.  I still remember running down the stairs of my grandparent's house (shrieking at 6am) discovering that santa had brought me a bright pink Barbie dollhouse.  This one... well, let's just say this one more than tops my old one.

Okay, so technically this isn't a dollhouse.  It's a custom Well Appointed children's playhouse! Although something this extravagant takes time to build and it is a little hard to be conspicuous about such a backyard force, it is a dream item, which one very lucky little one would eat peas for.  If you are looking for something that fits under the tree a little better -- then this dollhouse fits the bill.

Accented with a snow roof and trees, this is the quintessential dollhouse that will keep your little girl occupied for hours playing house.  Fill it for her with some amazing Rosebud furnishings like this master bedroom set.

Do you have a natural born performer? Encourage their creativity with this adorable puppet theatre.  The chalkboard marquee allows them to proudly display their upcoming performance and the set easily folds up after the curtain has closed.

Does your little one have a need for speed or is your husband grooming a future car aficionado?  This red vintage pedal car will have all the girls at pre-school a gasp! 

Perhaps you are looking for an alley in the kitchen (or someone that likes to cook!).  This adorable vintage inspired kitchen has plenty of room to encourage the next Top Chef to do his or her thing.  The Well Appointed House has plenty of kitchen accessories and additional kitchen sets in our play kitchens section to ensure your little one's pantry is always stocked.

There is something so christmas about trains.  Rather than surrounding one around the tree, give your future conductor something that will last past the holiday season.  This train table, and our others like it, are customizable down to the engraving on the side so you can tailor it to the needs of your family.  It makes for a great bonding activity and nurtures a hobby you can all participate in.

For more gift ideas, like this sweet Hansa stuffed Dalmatian, visit The Well Appointed House's extensive toy collection!  It's Santa's first stop for those on the nice list!  And don't forget to take advantage of our $100 off every $500 spent promotion! -Gabrielle Katz, The Well Appointed House 

Fabulous Home Decor Finds for Under $250!

It's that time of year....time to pull out your wallet and buy for others.  Christmas lists seem endless, yet many of you are entertaining for the holidays.  We've pulled together just a few of our favorite home decor pieces for under $250 from The Well Appointed House.

First, our Lilypad Mirror $243.  It's charming and a great conversation piece.  It's 27" x 20".  Place it over a wet bar sink....on a smaller wall, in a bathroom....the possibilities are endless:

Everyone needs a place to organize magazines and newspapers, and we love this Directoire Style Magazine Rack.  It retails for just $140 and we love the simple, yet elegant lines:

Every entryway needs a spot to organize umbrellas in style and why not try one of our Crisscross Umbrella Stands (we like the one in white) for just $178?

Don't be late for work or school with our fabulous Hopewell  Wall Clock for $198.  It's a nice size at 24" in diameter:

If you're in the market for a very inexpensive side table for a petite room, check out our Silver French Flea Market Table, $143:

If you need to brighten a space, try our Large Clear Glass Star Chandelier, which retails for just $222.50:

If your walls are bare and you need some quick cover, take a look at our fabulous wall art - many pieces are under $100!  This Visit Santa Monica Print retails for just $86 and we have many others like it!

This is just a sampling of what we've got for under $250 at www.wellappointedhouse.com

Take a look for yourself!

Happy Shopping!