"Anything But Old-Fashioned" Housewarming Party

Dear Muses --

I love your blog. It's adorable.

We are under contract for a house. Maybe ya'll could give me some advice about house-warming party ideas? We'll be hosting it ourselves but don't expect gifts. I'd love some cute but not-cheesy ideas.

Love,

New Homeowner in GA


Dear Georgia Gal,

First of all, thanks for the praise. We aim to inspire and are pleased as punch to be helping lovely ladies like yourself!

Secondly, congrats on the new house! We are still in the renting phase...could we live in places more expensive than DC and Silicon Valley?!?! Well, London, but who's keeping tabs, really? Anyway, congrats from the Muses on owning your own place. Maybe some decorating inspiration will be next ... did you see the nursery inspiration...eh? eh?

When you think of a classy party, the first thing that comes to mind is usually wine and cheese. Trust us, we don’t think it gets much better than a glass of Chianti and some Roquefort but this is fairly typical. And typical is something that describes neither you nor us!

Here are the bones of a great Anything But Old-Fashioned housewarming party.

Fruit Cubes from fotobank, Old Fashioned from Epicurious, Red Toile Apron from Anthropologie, Deviled Eggs from The Kitchn, Life of the Tupperware Party from Anne Taintor

Signature Drink: Old-Fashioned

Menu: Highlight Retro Foods. This should be a guide to delicious items. It would be easy to get carried away and make your guests eat your grandma's favorites that would may notx be cocktail party friendly. Take some old-school items and make them with your own savory twist.

Appetizer: Deviled Eggs

Dinner: How about a casserole? We love The Casserole Queens and suggest you get some inspiration from them! Macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, chicken pot pie - you can't go wrong!

Dessert: Gourmet Jello Mold! (PS - at least one half of the Muse team thinks it's a great idea to SPIKE that Jello Mold)

4 oz lemon juice
7 oz sparkling water
2 oz simple syrup*
3 1/2 (1/4 oz) packets of gelatin powder

40-50 fresh raspberries

Combine the lemon juice and simple syrup in a small saucepan. Add gelatin powder.

Stir over low heat until the gelatin has dissolved and is fully incorporated, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in sparkling water.

Place a few raspberries in the bottom of ice cube trays, carefully pour the gelatin mixture over the fruit. Refrigerate the ice cube tray until set, preferably overnight.

*To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, and stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.

Details: Please grab some Anne Taintor napkins. You can usually find these at any girly boutique house wares store. Or get them here. Other 50's era motifs to consider: cherries, Hawaiian print, checkerboard.

Attire: Suggest your guests wear 50's clothes. Guys in white short-sleeved button-ups with skinny ties, girls in A-Line dresses with pearls. And you better get yourself into a lovely apron!

We hope that we've been able to provide you with some inspiration. Have a blast, and take photos - we can't wait to see!

Love,

Your Muses

P.S. We just saw this on one of our favorite sites, The Kitchn. It's a completely different style and element than what we suggest here, but maybe it's right up your alley. Take a peek!