Hosting a party in your home has many advantages, but to me, the biggest benefit is that I always have everything on hand I need to style whatever occasion we’re hosting. Styling elsewhere requires some real thought on what supplies I need to pull everything together. And having now styled in many different types of offsite venues, I think I have the necessities down pat. I don’t use any fancy bag for all the supplies — a good sturdy reusable shopping bag usually does the trick. Here’s what’s inside:
1. So I don’t actually have this Cabotte Hip Pack from Anthropolgie, but I definitely need it. I like to have at least a pair of scissors and several kinds of tape close at hand while styling and my current approach of carrying them in my back pocket is getting old. At a recent baby shower we styled, our friend Beth joked that she was going to get me a fanny pack and I retorted that “it better be Gucci.” That’s probably a bit much, but there are several super cute hip packs, belt bags, waist packs, etc. out there {and no matter what you call it, it’s still a fanny pack}.
2. Essential tools include a flexible measuring tape, an Xacto knife, and a great pair of scissors. No explanation needed there.
3. Striped paper straws are relatively inexpensive and super versatile. Besides being used as actual drinking straws, which can be dressed up all kinds of ways, I’ve used them to make photo props, cake buntings, and party signs. Just to name a few. I usually try to have a color that coordinates with other party decor, plus grey, black + white, and a metallic color to use as neutrals.
4. I’m kind of obsessed with Baker’s Twine. It’s pretty sturdy, but still so cute. I use it for just about everything, too: from hanging decorations, to embellishing favors, to packaging leftovers. And since it’s available in pretty much whatever color you want, you can really coordinate it with the rest of the party. I always have gold and black + white on hand.
5. I carry about 5 different kinds of tape for event styling, but washi tape is the best looking and most versatile. I frequently use clear packing tape to hang decorations (it’s sticky enough to catch Baker’s Twine and generally strong enough to hold most things up), but like to place a small piece of washi tape over it to hide the packing tape, which isn’t that attractive. I also use it to dress up cutlery, tack on labels, and even make cake buntings. I like having both a set of black + white patterns and metallic gold.
6. 12″ bamboo skewers are a staple as well. I’ve cut and embellished them for food styling, drink stirrers, and party signs.
7. There’s not a whole lot that a glue gun can’t fix — at least long enough to last through a party. It helps to have one on hand to quickly put together party signage, embellished skewers, or other decor. Careful though — those little suckers get reaaaal hot. I’ve got the scars to prove it.
A Feteful Life 