on a cookie party & being a hostess...

On Thursday evening, I decided to host my first tiny get-together at the duplex. (Actually, any get-togethers at the duplex will be tiny in nature. Any more than six people would be borderline claustrophobic.) Here's the thing about entertaining: I am kind of obsessive compulsive, and for the three hours leading up to guests arriving I am kind of a monster. At one point I even railed on my poor husband after he wore his shoes through the kitchen after I had finished cleaning it.

"If there is even one tiny fragment of dirt on those shoes I will cut you, SO HELP ME GOD."

I wish I could be one of those effortless hostesses, the ones who are calm and collected, the ones who have signature cocktails and tablecloths that aren't made of plastic. The ones who don't worry about whether or not someone is going to notice if they dusted the picture frames. The ones who make cookies from scratch and actually own an electric mixer. The ones who don't make their husbands wonder why they married them when they go on cleaning rampages.

But, you know. I am me. And how is one expected to improve her hostess skills without any practice?

In any case, the evening was ridiculously delightful and I was left wondering, "Why the heck don't I do this more often?" Everything worked out just perfectly. The three girls I had over are some of the most lovely people in my life, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend some time together during the holidays. We ate two entire bags of white cheddar popcorn (well, it was only natural), drank wine, ate about as many cookies as we decorated, listened to some seriously intense Christmas music, and giggled to our hearts content.

I need more of these things in my life. It's official.

And to be completely honest, setting up the table was too much fun. A few posts ago, several people recommended placing ornaments in a bowl (to replace my out-of-season fake pumpkins). And to this idea I must say: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE? Seriously, guys. Such a sweet and inexpensive idea! (And pretty. Let's not forget the pretty.)

Also, when I was at Michaels the other day, I noticed that all the Martha Stewart baking supplies were 50% off. Um, hi? I was all over that mess. I tend to enjoy the idea of being matchy-matchy, and picked up napkins, paper plates, a tablecloth, and even a couple decorative icings for super cheap. (Oh, Martha. I love you. Let's run away together and make tables pretty every day of our lives.)

I'm also the proud owner of a new set of adorable holiday dishes! (I call them my "china" because I'm apparently not classy enough to own real china, nor do I have a china cabinet even though it would make me feel much more distinguished than I am.) I was thrilled my aunt thought to ask me if I wanted the set before sending it away to Goodwill! It is seriously perfect. I'm in love with the holly pattern.

So, long story short: cookie decorating parties are the greatest ever, being a hostess ended up being quite lovely, I need to stop buying white cheddar popcorn because I gain weight just thinking about it, the holiday season is warming my soul this year, I need to buy a china cabinet, and orange sweet rolls are pretty much the greatest breakfast out there. True story.