The event will feature a presentation about color in fashion by Anita J. Eliason and Jennifer Roberge of the Easthampton-based full-service fashion company Zesta Style, an array of holiday-themed hors d’oeuvres and desserts as
Anita Eliason, left, and Jennifer Roberge Are you a leopard or a zebra?
Find out if you’re a zebra and look better in black, white and gray or if you’re a leopard and should be wearing browns and beiges. You’ll learn about your best color palette at the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’s “Dressed In Holiday Style” event Thursday, Nov. 29, beginning at 6 p.m. at The Log Cabin.
The event will feature a presentation about color in fashion by Anita J. Eliason and Jennifer Roberge of the Easthampton-based full-service fashion company Zesta Style, an array of holiday-themed hors d’oeuvres and desserts as well as cocktails prepared by Boston-based celebrity bartender Kirsten “Kitty” Amann. Attendees also will get their own mini style consultation and mini makeover and the opportunity to get some holiday shopping done at the on-site boutique featuring unique gifts from local artisans.
Other highlights include hair color consultations, on-location fashion photos with zebra and leopard backgrounds, psychic readings and prize drawings.
Eliason—a clothes designer--and Roberge—a stylist and wardrobe consultant--have consulted with more than 12,000 women, helping them find their best basic colors.
Forty-five percent of women are “zebras,” with an equal number “leopards,” Eliason said; the remaining 10 percent “can wear both because of their coloring.”
She said it’s important to wear flattering colors that bring out one’s natural skin tones and accentuate rather than complete with features like eye and hair color. “The whole thing about colors is how you present yourself,” she said.
She and Roberge help women present themselves in a consistent way. “The idea is to develop a style,” she said.
Amann, a brand ambassador, freelance writer, cocktail book author and bartender, said the easiest way to make cocktails for a holiday party crowd is to “make one really big version of whatever cocktail you serve.” Try putting pitchers of daiquiris throughout the room or make a large punchbowl of punch.
When serving punch, Amann suggests putting a large piece of ice into the bowl so it melts slowly, keeping the punch chilled.
The founding member of the Boston chapters of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails, the United States Bartender’s Guild and the Greater Boston Beverage Society said the serve-yourself punch allows the host/hostess to enjoy the gathering rather than “standing at the bar all night” making drinks.
After all, offering cocktails is important, “a beverage tradition in this country,” she said. “It’s nice to offer as a festive gesture.”
But to make sure guests do not overindulge, Amann suggested “just a little bit of math” to calculate how much punch is needed to provide a certain number of drinks to each guest. Then, once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Though she likes to “make sure the punch bowl never runneth dry,” Amann said how much punch is made should be determined by the guests and the type of gathering (stream of guests at an open house versus a sit-down dinner party, for example).
It’s also important to provide food and non-alcoholic beverages, she added.
Amann offered a suggestion for partygoers: Vintage barware—like a martini pitcher--makes an interesting hostess gift.
Tickets for the “Dressed In Holiday Style” event are $50 per person. They may be obtained by calling (877) 725-1617 any day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.