FASHION & KITCHEN MUST-HAVES

Entertain in style with these closet must-haves. Equipped with the essential LBD, "little black dress," and current fall trends, you'll be prepared for any social engagement that comes calling.

This fall fashion redefines feminine power. From platform pumps to sexy ankle booties to demure kitten heels, fashion spans from leopard prints to retro 1950s inspired pencil skirts and menswear-inspired suits to va-va voom silhouettes and leather to sensual ruffled blouses and furs to exotic skin accessories. With your wardrobe covered, why not have your kitchen stocked, too, with basics to ensure your host-readiness for a fabulous fête whenever the mood strikes.

Shoes

• Platform Pumps
• Ankle Booties
• Lace-Up Boots
• Peep-Toe Heels
• Kitten Heels

• Voluptuous Silhouettes in Gold and Metallics
• One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress
• Jewel Embroidered Silk Dress
• Cable-Knit Dress
• Below the Knee Pencil Skirt
• Leather Sheath Dress

Pants/Jackets/Blouses

• Trousers and Minimalistic Menswear-Inspired Suits
• Fitted Jeans
• Tweed Jacket
• Cropped Jacket
• Cashmere Cardigan
• Wrap Sweater
• Ruffled Silk Blouse
• Bright Colored Bustiers

Accessories

• Fur/Faux Furs
• Exotic Skins
• Classic Saddlebag
• Beaded Clutch
• Gold and Onyx Hoop Earrings
• Feather Appliques

Well-dressed with a well-stocked kitchen, you'll remove any pre-party jitters by keeping the proper utensils and elemental cookware on hand.

The most important element of your party is spending time with your guests as a warm and welcoming host—a cultural ambassador of the evening. So, throw stress and formality out the kitchen window and minimize shopping time when preparing to entertain. Then, you'll only have to make one or two short trips to pick up fresh herbs, flowers and your entrée ingredient to complete your party menu.

• Apron
• Baking Sheets
• Brushes (basting and pastry)
• Bundt Pan (ring-shaped cake pan with fluted sides)
• Casserole Dish
• Cheesecloth for Bouquet Garni
• Chinois, a fine mesh conical strainer for soups and sauces
• Citrus Juicer
• Cutting Board
• Deep Frying Pan
• Dutch Oven, a large heavy pot made of cast iron with fitted lid used for slow cooking
• Foil Cups
• Food Processor
• Glass Baking Pans
• Grater/Zester (obtains citrus zest, outermost part of rind)
• Handheld Mixer
• Ice trays
• Knives (Chef, 6-inch Paring, Serrated slicing)
• Ladle
• Measuring Cups, Measuring Spoons
• Mezzaluna, an Italian curved bladecutting tool
• Mixing Bowls
• Muffin or Cupcake Tin and Oven Mitts and Pot Holders
• Peeler
• Pepper Mill
• Rolling Pin
• Saucepans
• Sifter
• Skewers, wooden skewers are best when soaked for 30 minutes in water before using
• Spatulas (metal for cooking and rubber for baking)
• Stockpot
• Tart Pans and Rings
• Tongs
• Whisks
• Wire Balloon
• Wooden Spoons
  

KITCHEN ESSENTIAL MUST-HAVES

While it's true I always have a jar or tin of homemade cookies or brownies in my kitchen, stocking up with these baking basics and pantry ingredients will assure the success of any spur of the moment sweet-toothed soirée or everyday occasion.

Baking

• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Dark Chocolate
• Fromage Blanc
• Sugars (White, Confectioners' and Light Brown)
• Vanilla Extract
• Nescafé Instant Espresso
• Flavored Tea Bags

Dry and Boxed Goods

• Beef, Chicken and Vegetable Stock in a box for quick soups
• Canned Beans (Garbanzo, Kidney and Black)
• Canned Tomatoes
• Extra-virgin olive oil and vinegars (balsamic, red wine and white wine)
• Honey
• Mustards (Dijon and Spicy Brown)
• Pasta
• Rice
• Tomato Paste Amore in a tube

Dried Herbs & Seasonings

• Bay Leaves
• Chili powder, Cayenne, Pepper
• Cardamom Pods, Persian spice
• Coriander
• Ginger
• Ground Cumin
• Ground Peppercorns
• Herbs de Provence
• Italian Seasonings
• Marjoram
• Nutmeg
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Sea Salt

Produce and Fresh Herbs

• Garlic
• Lemons and Limes
• Onions
• Shallots
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Flat-leaf Parsley
• Oregano
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme