LOS ANGELES LONDON
Beauty & Style
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LOS ANGELES LONDON |
Beauty & Style |
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ASK THE BARONESS
No one knows how to spread seasonal cheer better than Baroness Monica Von Neumann, bringing in a hundred tons of real snow, a live reindeer, and special custom elements to her Bel Air home. The Baroness, our resident etiquette expert, took some time out to talk about this special time of year…
With holiday parties coming up, how can one put together the perfect guest list?
This is a skill that is honed over the years by going out to many events and being comfortable socializing with diverse people – gay, straight, rich and not-so-rich, black, white – name it. The varied backgrounds create a great catalyst for conversation. Humans, like animals, always work it out so step out of your comfort zone. It’s okay to mix movie and television folk with your cousin from Idaho. Mix within reason, but throw away convention. We have more in common than you may think.
Your thoughts on the “EVITE” trend?
To be honest, I most likely would not respond to one. Usually when I receive an evite to a party, I don’t go. This communication is so informal, not private and it reveals too much of the respondent’s personal information. I like to try and instill what many are calling our lost art of communication by picking up the phone and calling. If you can, designate someone to call and extend the invite – it’s a great personal touch and increases the positive RSVP response rate. Budget allowing, find a great invitation designer who can create an actual “mail-able” invite that reflects your style and will be a keepsake item.
What should a person bring when invited to a party --- is the obligatory bottle of wine okay?
It’s called a Hostess Gift. I encourage my friends and business associates to be more creative. Select a lovely candle or why not make your own personal CD mix for them to play at the party for use later? Many times, you may not know the host or hostess’ taste in wine. Fresh cut flowers are fine too, but not from the freeway on ramp!
Some of your favorite Holiday Gift ideas this year?
I think it’s nice to find a way to help others in need when you think of gifting to your family and friends. Giving to the Red Cross or Salvation Army a donation in the recipient’s name is a true embodiment of the holiday sentiment that all can enjoy – the giver, the recipient and the benefiting non-profit. One of my absolute favorites is to give a goat, vaccine, school chairs, books, and/or clean water to a needy African village. This kind of outpouring of love is easy to do online. Go to www.heifer.org/catalog
Precious Cargo
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