Retro Cocktail Party Planning Continues

Today, Eugene and I got ourselves out of bed at a reasonable hour and headed off to the Housing Works Thrift store on the Upper West Side. It was a two-fold plan. First, I wanted to drop off a couple bags of clothing and a box of books that I've been meaning to donate for a while. It was actually really easy. I just walked the stuff to the back of the store (well, Eugene carried the box of books) and dropped it off. I filled out a quick form for my tax receipt and then I was free to proceed with the second part of my plan: shopping!

I have a very particular list of things that I want to get for the party. I'm all set on glasses (thanks to my own collection plus a little help from the Crate & Barrel Outlet store) and serving trays (from eBay, Sur La Table, Crate & Barrel). I ordered a few old fashioned molds from Sur La Table for my gelatin and fish mousse creations; I admit I was only going to buy one, but somehow I ended up with one of each kind in my shopping cart. Whoops! I justified it by convincing myself that they serve two purposes: practical and decorative. I plan to hang them on the wall above my stove a la Goldie Hawn in Cactus Flower (more about that later...).

Today I was able to find one of the other key pieces: a punch bowl! It's glass with a grape-pattern decoration along the sides. I love it because it has a nice full belly with a slightly narrower rim, which will help avoid spills. I can't wait to fill it up with something boozy and (probably) pink. I also found a set of very quirky coasters with mod Asian ladies on them for just two dollars. They're like little works of art and will look perfect underneath all those martinis and whiskey sours I plan on serving.



I'm still on the hunt for a nice big ice bucket (something shiny and chrome), a big cocktail shaker so that Matt Looney (my appointed bartender) can pour them out a few at a time, and MOST importantly: my fabulous dress. If you have any great recommendations for vintage stores in NYC that carry a nice and moderately priced 60s cocktail and evening gown selection, please send them my way!

In the meantime, I'm keeping busy with those vintage cookbooks I already told you about, and doing a little bit of film research courtesy of the Netflix "Instant Play" options. Recent 60s movie picks have included Cactus Flour (starring Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman, and introducing the gorgeous Goldie Hawn who won an Oscar for her role as a 20-something free spirit), The Courtship of Eddie's Father (Glenn Ford and a tiny Ron Howard!), and How To Steal a Million (with the lovely Audrey Hepburn). They're fabulous for great 60s style and decorating inspiration.