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Ah, December – party season has officially arrived. But if you’re feeling less than cheerful about playing hostess yourself stop now and meet your new best friend: Roxy Owens.
The guru behind the shop-meets-party-mecca Society Social, Roxy takes us through the minefield that is the well stocked bar cart and shares her top tips for entertaining, too.
JNSQ: Let’s get the introductions out there—what’s your story?
RO: I endured two plus years in a soul-deadening (no, I will not hold the dramatics), number crunching corporate job and one day woke up hardly recognizing who I had become. Someone once told me that I had a sparkly personality—a compliment I shall never forget is that—and during that time in my life I felt anything but. I vowed to get back to that and to “live sparkly” again. To me it means being excited about life, looking at the world with fresh eyes and loads of imagination, being engaged and inspired, and doing ridiculous, silly things like twirl with abandon! And above all, following your dreams despite the odds! This is what I pour into Society Social everyday.
JNSQ: We’re definitely feeling inspired now! And Society Social?
The Double/The Tripple Trolley/The Hostess
RO: Social after social, my guests always eyed my bar car, commenting on how hard it is to find a fabulous one at an equally fabulous price. And it’s true—after some research, I found that bar carts are 1) hard to find and 2) usually retail closer to $1,000. I immediately saw that as a gap in the market and just knew I had to go after it! I also have always been enamored with the retro ritual that is cocktail hour and the vintage aesthetic it evokes, similar to that Mad Men glamour. Society Social was born out of all of the above…as well as my great love for a stiff cocktail and shared celebrations
JNSQ: So why is a well-stocked bar cart so important?
RO: Hospitality and cocktails go hand in hand, of course!
Hostess Gown/“On the Rocks” Cocktail Ring
JNSQ: If someone doesn’t have room for a large cart, what is a great alternative?
RO: I designed the Double Bar Cart for just this situation! It’s two-tiered and has space underneath to slide a handful of wine glasses. Plus it’s small enough to stand in as an end table if you don’t have room for it all. But any side table or credenza will do as a staging ground for an easy cocktail concocting station.
JNSQ: How can an amateur hostess turn pro fast? Any tips?
RO: It’s important to remember that being the hostess means not only having a fabulous assortment of bites and bevies; you also need to dress the part! You set the tone for the entire evening. Trust me, a flustered mood will carry over to your guests too. The Society Social hostess gown is old school glam but so effortless.
And remember the guest book. It’s a small effort to have your guests jot down their names, but it will make them feel as if they’ve arrived to quite the event. And you’ll also have a wonderful memento from all your most cherished celebrations!
JNSQ: So we have the cart—what do we fill it with?
RO: Crate & Barrel has a huge selection of affordable options from stemware to shot glasses to decanters and more, but if you’re looking for something a little more stylish and unique I suggest Jonathan Adler and Uncommon Goods as starting points. Personally, I’m currently obsessing over Marc Blackwell’s “Southern Hemisphere” line of stem and glassware. Also, don’t be afraid to get cheeky and playful with it! Kate Spade’s colorful dominos, Henri Bendel’s posh ping pong set, and Hermes’ chic playing cards are perfect for any bar cart.
1. Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne
2. Kate Spade Dominos, $35
3. Marc Blackwell’s Southern Hemisphere Stemware, $85
4. Kate Spade Bar Ware, $29.99
5. St. Germaine Elderflower Liquor
6. Hermes Playing Cards, $85
Just remember: Cart + Spirits + Stemware = social ready at any time!
AUTHOR: Nicole Warren of Well Worn Blog
