My sweet sister, Emily.

I was very lucky this year to host a NYE party with my beautiful sister, Emily.  Hosting a party with a friend or family member can be such a great experience.  Not only will you double your ideas and budget, but since you both have a guest list you get a chance to meet new people.   Although, be sure to choose this co-host wisely!  Ugh, we’ve all hosted those parties where you’re forced to pair up with five other bridesmaids or someone’s random family member.  And then no one can agree on anything, feelings get hurt, and budgets end up lopsided.  But, when you pair up with the right co-host, the party is bound to be a success!

My favorite part of party planning besides choosing the menu and theme is actually making the food.  It gives me a chance to create new dishes and be as messy as I want!  For hours and hours (and sometimes days) the kitchen is filled with love, laughter, and the occasional burned batch of toasted walnuts.  Oops. 

And then as party time arrives, the mad dash begins to plate dishes, get dressed, put on the perfect music, and greet guests with a cocktail.  The light is dimmed and the glasses are sparkling.  No one has a clue that thirty minutes before you were running around like a crazy person.  Let’s keep that our little secret!