The pandemic has done a number on us — our mental health, our psyches, our jobs and even our manners. We spoke with etiquette expert Lisa Grotts to decipher a few clues about how to be a great host — and guest — in today’s weird, where-did-all-the-manners-go, world. Lisa Grotts, who served as director of protocol […]
Super chic and seriously unique finds to delight every host, oenophile, and gourmand on your list — even the ones who have everything. Uashmama Metallic Wine Bag, $32-$59 Uashmama is a Tuscany, Italy-based cottage industry that relies on local men and women to sew each bag by hand with a sustainably cultivated fiber that doesn’t […]
The former Chicago Bulls training facility could be the location of your next corporate or personal event. Venue One North Shore opened its fully customizable, 85,000 square foot event space in May. Complete with a wine room, meeting space and 7,000 square foot outdoor garden, this venue is perfect for weddings, galas, bar and bat […]
With the bustle of the holidays quickly approaching, you probably have plenty of parties to plan. How do you host with elegance and ease? Make It Better consulted three top-notch Chicago private chefs for their tips and tricks. Executive chef and owner of My Private Chef, Chris Tong, has been creating distinctive cuisine and upscale […]
Red cups have arrived at Starbucks, holiday lights are appearing in stores and WLIT will likely start playing round-the-clock Christmas music any day now. That means it’s time to get your home and yourself ready for holiday entertaining. We have a few ideas from Make It Better’s Shop For Good that will get you in […]
Cheese platters don’t have to be boring. With just the tiniest bit of effort (meaning think outside the pre-cut Costco cheese box), you can bring some wow to this entertaining standard. It’s time to up your cheese game. Props are important to the overall success of this DIY, so start with a great cheese board. […]
When you’re throwing a party, whether it’s a small gathering of friends or a blowout bash to celebrate a milestone, you want your guests to have a great time and truly connect with one another. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to get even the most articulate and friendly adults out of their comfort zones […]
There’s no better conversation starter—or home décor accent—than a good coffee table book. Whether you regularly page through it or it’s a permanent fixture on your bookshelf, these beautiful books are much more than that; they’re works of art. Here are 10 gorgeous books we want on our coffee tables. 1. The Dogist: Photographic Encounters with […]
Burlap table runners, cupcakes, flowers in mason jars, food trucks—trends in entertaining come and go, just like trends in fashion. We asked some of the best local event planners for the inside scoop on this year’s hottest entertaining trends. Here’s what the in-the-know hostesses will be doing at their parties this season. Trend #1: Drop-Off […]
Most of us can feel it when we’re in one, yet can find it difficult to identify the specific elements that make a home great for entertaining. What gives a space its warm, inviting ambiance? Is it the lighting? The size of the space? The availability and arrangement of seating? To get to the bottom of what makes a space ideal for hosting, we […]
