Make it special. Don’t go crazy.
The Party Notebook
I have an actual grid-paper notebook full of menus, shopping lists, recipes, things I want to buy, things I absolutely did buy, and ideas that seemed reasonable at the time.
So naturally, I put my notebook on the internet.
01
Guest Behavior
Things I bring when I’m invited somewhere because apparently my presence isn’t enough.
02
Snack Attack
What I’m cooking, eating, making for people, and spending an unreasonable amount of time thinking about.
03
Just Come Over
No occasion required.
04
Stuff I Want to Buy, But Shouldn’t
An ongoing exercise in restraint.
05
In Rotation
Things I bought, use, and would buy again.
Just Come Over
You don’t need the perfect house, the right dishes, a new set of napkins, or a particularly good reason to have people over.
Sometimes I cook all day. Sometimes I order pizza and pick up a 6-pack.
It all counts.
Parties
Sometimes I do go crazy. The parties are where an idea becomes a theme, the theme becomes a menu, and at some point I find myself making six tiny portraits of my friends.
It seemed reasonable at the time.
Currently in the Notebook
What I’m cooking, buying, bringing, and writing down lately.
SHOP
Things I own.
Things I use. Things I want.
Things I absolutely didn’t need.
A highly selective collection of things that have made their way into The Party Notebook.
HI, I’M CRYSTAL.
I like cooking and eating, dumb themes, and having people over.
Unfortunately, I also have ideas.
I live in a South Philly rowhome and remain undeterred by square footage.
