This time of year always brings with it a lot of entertaining. Sometimes it's planned — Thanksgiving preparations are well underway — but more often than not, the festive feel of the season combusts into a spontaneous get-together with little or no time to prepare. Whether the door opens to a truly unexpected guest (the friend who was in the neighborhood) or a flurry of phone calls concludes with everyone meeting up at your house, here's our best tips for hosting those unplanned moments.
Hosting
• How To Always Be Prepared For Unexpected Guests
• Apartment Therapy On: Unexpected Visitors
• Entertaining On The Fly
• Short Notice Entertaining
Cleaning
• How to Clean Up Quickly Before Company Arrives
• 5 Things To Do 5 Minutes Before Company Arrives
• Top 10 Foolproof Tricks To Clean Up Quick For Company
• Faking A Clean House
Food & Drink
• The One MInute Drink Chiller
• Last Minute Appetizers For Unexpected Guests
• Questions For Allie: What Can I Whip Up For Unexpected Visitors?
Image: Kathryn Wiens from Amanda & Lincoln's Eclectic Modern Home


Stanley Console by ...
Sorry, a bit off topic, but does anyone know where the lamp in this picture is from (or is it the one from target)? Or how I could search for it? thanks
Or the very large "M?" :)
Or the great white chairs?
The pic is from this house tour: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/tours/amanda-lincolns-eclectic-modern-homehouse-tour-159583
Magazines and blogs always have advice for last-minute holiday guests, but I can honestly say we've never had anyone show up out of the blue expecting some mulled cider and homemade cookies. Maybe other people do, but it isn't an issue for us.
I have the lamp from Target, and I do not think it is that one.
I've always dreamed of having this kind of a window. where i live its not accustomed to build these style of windows. but surely in the far future, when i build my dream house, i'll have a window like that. :)
i love bay windows!!