A Gentleman Entertains

A Gentleman Entertains

    When thinking of the upcoming holidays it's hard for me not to think of some of the awful dinner parties that bachelors will be throwing this year!   Turn off the sports boys and show some class.  It's not hard to be stylish if you have an advisor and most women dig the opportunity to meet real gentleman who know the art of gentlemanly etiquette.  It's a lost art on most.  However, there is help out there for the etiquette impaired.  In today's holiday entertaining article we are focusing on how real men entertain.

It's really not rocket science guys.  It just takes a little bit of thought and effort. Most of you already cook and also have you're own drink of choice.  Now you just need to set the table correctly in order to impress your friends and show them what you are really made of.

Martini Glasses by Artel Glass. Chartreuse Faceted Vase
by Artel Glass, Re-used chocolate Christmas Tree boxes, and
Table Cloth by Raulph Lauren. Tabletop design by j. thomas cahill

For this piece I've decorated the table quite simply with just enough decoration to make the atmosphere festive.  Martinis are the drink of choice at this table and each guest will be drinking out of a unique Martini Glass by Artel Glass. 

Paul Smith Handkerchief and Thomas Pink Bulldog Cufflinks as Party Favors

Every place setting has been carefully tailored to meet the interest of each and every guest including bespoke party favors.  For those with less etiquette and a need for upgrading themselves into a more mature adult I've offered ties and a gentleman's etiquette book by Brooks Brothers , as well as, a single tie to add or begin their collection of the mature man's essential wardrobe piece.  At place settings where more refined gentleman will be sitting, I've chosen cufflinks and handkerchiefs from different menswear designers such as Thomas Pink, Paul Smith, and Kenzo.       

In many ways, one just has to put a bit of thought into the type of atmosphere they want to create.  I have many ideas on Gentleman Entertaining ideas and can be a great resource for choosing and procuring party favors with class on most budgets.   Take a look for yourself at the photos in this article to gain more ideas and insight on how to create the perfect table for your holiday soiree!  

j.thomas cahill is available to help you with any of your holiday party or decorating ideas throughout the year and can be contacted at shopintheknow@gmail.com

                                                            

David Lynch and Dior

I always find fashion incredibly amazing.  In high end fashion houses it's as if they don't even have advertising budgets to adhere to.  Designers simply decide who they want to collaborate with, how they see the vision, and how they wish their customers to feel in what they design.

People like Bernard Arnault stay out of the way of these designers as they are his bread and butter and without his genius idea of spicing up most of his LVMH brands with hot designers such as Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, John Galliano for Dior,  and What young designer hasn't made a score for Givenchy these days?  Yes, these are genius business ideas of Bernard Arnault , but its the designers that make his brands the most famous and sought after items on the streets.  Hence the reason behind this blog.  Designers these days are working on almost unlimited budgets to create a "feeling" for what their lines represent, whether this is done by an amazing film as the one shown below called Lady Blue Shanghai directed for Dior by none other than David Lynch and starring the brilliant Marion Cotillard.  This film in itself creates a feeling, an episode in one's life who may carry or wear Dior.  It is with this human experience behind the idea of a brand that allows them the liberty to do what they want.  Their fans will pay for it in the products they buy, because THEY WANT the films, the runway shows, the couture lines, the ready to wear, the A-list opening parties (reflecting who they wish to be), the collaborations with other fashion houses and/or designers, artists, celebrities!  They want the feeling of Luxury in their bodies, they want to own it and that's why WE all buy into it!  What a Glamorous world we live in!  Watch this great example of bonding fashion, music, film, and much more by Dior below:


Part 1, Lady Blue Shanghai, for Dior by David Lynch starring Marion Cotillard




Part 2, Lady Blue Shanghai, for Dior by David Lynch starring Marion Cotillard





Watch Part Three HERE