The Aftermath Is Worst

After hosting A LOT of family for our daughter’s First Communion party, we’re going to keep today’s issue brief. What’s the hardest part about hosting — cleaning before? Food prep? The aftermath? Or the hours dumping out half full cans and beer bottles the day after? For me, it’s the leftover cake … 🙈

In today’s email:

• Hosting: How to host like Martha (Stewart and Saint).

• Fashion: How to look elegant, match your skin tone, and make a statement.

• The Kitchen Sink: The Derby, the gift of being available, and a napkin trick.

• Woman: Kansas answers the question — what is one?

HOSTING: Be the hostess with the mostest. 🥂 Opening your home is a form of opening your heart.

Here’s how to do it — the basics:

• Greet your guests at the door and offer a drink and to take their coats. 🍸

• Set the mood. Candles, a firepit, or a cozy fireplace — lighting matters. Dim the lights! Also, throw some sprigs from your backyard into a vase, and voila! Instant ambience. 🕯

• No need to clean the master closet, arrange the shed, or launder the curtains, but definitely clean the powder room. Everything else can be thrown behind a locked door 🧽

• If they genuinely ask to help — let them. It’s a great way to make your guests at ease.

• Get your guests talking about the things that make their eyes sparkle.

• “The dishes can wait” sends the signal that you are fully present and your guests > a clean house.

• Lastly, garbage bags everywhere — put accessible garbage cans or bags in a few places so guests do the cleanup for you as they go. 🙌

  A final encouragement: a subtle way to show hospitality. The final aim of hosting isn’t impressing your guests — it’s connection, community, and generosity. I can’t thank my parents enough for modeling hospitality. They throw a mean party by making everyone feel comfortable, seen, and well-fed. It’s an art; they are masters!

FASHION: A way to elevate your style: monochromatics. Inject new style into your ‘old’ stuff.

First, use this simple 2-part test to choose colors that compliment your skin tone. Second, build your outfit by varying tones of the same color (layer dark denim on a lighter wash, beige with a creamy tan, etc.). Third, add texture. Think: cashmere top with wool pants or a silk scarf against a cotton tee. Texture is what adds visual interest to an otherwise flat palette. Fourth: add accessories. If you’re going for a full monochrome outfit, add a neutral shoe and layer delicate jewelry, or, if you have an ivory get-up, opt for a bag with a pop of color.

Your chromatic look can be sporty, casual, or ultra-fem — however you like it. Some layering pieces in my cart: an affordable sweater tank, a cropped blazer, linen trousers, or this (stand alone) jumpsuit. 💃

• Why not match underneath 😘 as well?

• There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. 🌪

• On etiquette: how to dab your mouth and hold a teacup — hilarious and helpful.

• The gift your teen needs … and it’s not an iphone.

• No better day to turn heads (if they’re not too heavy) — this Saturday is the Kentucky Derby. 🏇

“I’m trying to internalize these things — memories are better than money, presence is better than presents, family is better than fortune, legacy is better than luxury, and time is your greatest asset.”

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