Whipping Up New Year's Eve
Monday, January 1, 2007 at 4:36PM People often ask me how I come up with my ideas. It's not really a mystery, which I guess is why I always find that question so funny. It's as though one of your awe-struck friends sits you down and says: "Alright Ms. Creativefingers, explain yourself." But how do you explain inspiration rolling into execution? You see something, it inspires you, you make it. Done. It's not too much to think about if you inherently make stuff the way I do, but I suppose the effect is impressive to those that don't inherently make stuff, and can't begin to figure out the "how to" of how-to... So, this post is me explaining myself in very simple terms, letting the non-craftys behind the curtain for a little while. Here's how I made my New Year's Eve, in more ways than one:
Part I: Style
Vintage Patterns are Fab!The other day I was moseying along Union Street and passed by the Bebe store. Bebe may produce clothing in somewhat questionable taste (this varies from item to item,) but they do make a fairly solid offering on trend pieces and party looks. Their windows are almost always appealing, and their holiday party ensembles definitely got my wheels turning. After all, the most important question asked between December 26th and 31st is: "What the hell am I going to wear on New Year's Eve?" Bebe's ideas to answer this question involved short hemlines, mod tunics and dresses, and fur-trimmed jackets. One very cute option was a 1960s-inspired winter white mod tunic paired with opaque black tights. Very apprpriate, very Edie Sedgwick, very very short. Of course it's shorter than one could wear in polite company, this is Bebe, but still this became the nucleus of my outfit's inspiration.
Brocade from BritexThe great thing about New Year's Eve is that costume-wise, it's anything goes. While you don't necessarily have to wear black-tie, you can get just about as dressed up as you like without the fuss of formality. You can also go completely over-the-top if you want - bling, beads, feather boas - go for it. It's a great night to wear vintage (since vintage dresses tend to look, well, vintage on any other night,) and to amp up the makeup with smoky eyes and lipstick colors that are usually buried at the back of the drawer. New Year's Eve is all about fun - no one can really question your fashion choices as long as they are festive and tasteful.
Quick NYE Dress!I kept thinking about the white tunic at Bebe - my inspiration. I also remembered that I had a vintage pattern for a simple A-line jumper that would probably be perfect for creating the same look - my execution. All I had to do was find some winter white brocade fabric that gave a little bit of shimmer - and not spend a fortune finding it, under forty dollars if possible. So, to Britex I went, and right up to the fourth floor remnants where I found exactly what I was looking for! A two-yard segment of white brocade with coppery-gold metallic threading in the surface. It was only $39.99 and it even looks vintage! (This is key when working with a vintage pattern - it should be clean and new, but still looking "of its era" in the finishing.) Since I had already made this jumper pattern, I knew it would be a quick and easy project to finish in time for New Year's Eve - the only pattern change was to shorten it by about 1 1/2 inches, to a saucy length just above the knee. This made for a long, leggy, sexy, mod look, while still being appropriate (read: no Britney getting out of limo here.) The dress took just a few hours to make, especially with the "blind hem" feature on my sewing machine making things speed right along. The other consideration I kept in mind was: this is just a party dress - let's not worry about how perfect the sewing is...
To accessorize, I grabbed a pair of Hue black opaque tights, and some black patent-leather Mary Janes from Nine West - which, I am pleased to say, were on sale for only $29.99! I styled it with layers of black and sparkly beads - a finishing touch that Bebe overlooked with their window look, but I think it made all the difference!
Part II: Party
I did not intend to host a New Year's Eve party, but it was the eleventh hour and more than a few of my friends still did not have plans. So, I offered up my home as a meeting place, gathering spot, and pre-function location. After all, there are a lot of hot-spots in my neighborhood, and it's also easy to catch taxis.
Yummy New Year's Snacks!Now what to serve? Since this was last-minute (seems to be my theme this holiday season,) I wanted to keep things super-simple and let Whole Foods do as much of the work as possible. Did you know that the word canapé actually means "sofa" in French? Yes, and the reason we call little party nibbles canapés is because things sit on the bread - as people would sit on a sofa. Too true - witness how your cocktail party knowledge can improve in a language class. So, my canapés were going to be simple and tasty: roast beef with some horseradish and lemon zest, and cheddar with tomatoe. Whole Foods usually has their Two-Bite Brownies which are fantastic, but they were sold out, so I bought some other brownies and cut them into bite-sized squares. Food is served!
I also picked up some party supplies to make things festive, including New Year's hats, crowns, noise-makers, and serpentine. Oh, and those little bottles that pop with confetti - those are fun.
So, come 10 PM it was "ding-dong, company's coming!" and my friends started to arrive. Even if arrangements are last-minute, it doesn't take too much to get people together, be hospitable, and ring in a new year with laughter, style, and friendship...
Happy New Year P&Cers!!! Wishing you all the best in the new year, 2007. Seven's a lucky number!!!
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