Felicia Middlebrooks` Order-Out Party, 2 B Continued
Felicia Middlebrooks is a co-anchor on morning drive WBBM-AM, and like most radio or TV personalities she often has to think on her feet. But given four days to plan a New Year`s Eve party, she says, ”I probably would call in a couple of my best friends-they`d have to sit me down while I thought it out.”
What she arrived at: a party called 2 B Continued. ”Which means the best is yet to come,” she explains. ”That would be indicative of my mindset for New Year`s Eve.”
Then, with the optimism of those who order out, she says: ”Let`s say 100 people would be neat. I have friends from all walks of life. It`s neat when people of different backgrounds can get together and learn from each other.” Her beverage: champagne. Her food: light, healthy fare, including trays of shrimp, crab and lobster. ”You don`t want to go into the new year with any regrets.”
Middlebrooks says she`d rely on DiCola`s Seafood (10754 S. Western Ave.) for prepared platters and Let Them Eat Cake (four locations; telephone 728-4040) for desserts.
Like other party-throwers, she would use balloons-black, white and red-for fast decor. And for music, she`d ask a friend to play DJ for a while, spinning a mix of popular, jazz and New Age music.
”I`m not a real party-giver or goer, but every now and then I give a party, and they`re pretty successful,” Middlebrooks says. ”I want people to say, `Gosh I`m so glad I came. I wasn`t going to, and boy, am I glad I did!`
” –
Jim Guth`s Party for 75 Close Friends
Jim Guth, a successful young Chicago caterer, already owns 75 glasses for wine or champagne. Non-professionals will have to borrow or buy.
Three things make the party, Guth says besides the guests.
Music. His favorite jazz band, The Sharps and the Flats, would already be booked. But one of Guth`s best friends is a professional DJ who goes by the name Armando. ”Down goes the dance floor,” Guth says. (Can substitute long- playing music tapes, made by the host.
Decorations. Fast and dramatic; enough silver and white helium balloons with long, curling ribbons to blanket the ceilings downstairs. ”The balloons make the festivity,” Guth says.
Drink. Of course, there`s a bar. ”When a special effort has been made, the guests in turn feel special,” he says. ”They come in and see,`My God, they`ve moved the furniture, they`ve got a band, this is gonna be a party!`
Give them a few cocktails and stand back and watch-they`re making the party for you.”-
CREATE A PARTY SCENE
You can re-create our black, white and red party scene in the cover photograph in a morning shopping expedition. Following is where we shopped and a price list of accessories on our table:
Square black and clear glass plates ($34 each), champagne flutes ($50 each), black-and-white checked table runner ($20), ”Windows” black flatware ($100 per five-piece place setting), platinum-trimmed oval serving platter
($165), leather napkin rings ($4.50 each), pewter-trimmed leather coasters
($11 each), all from Material Possessions, 54 E. Chestnut St. and 954 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka.
Silver and white balloons and jelly-bean-filled champagne bottle are from Balloons Above Chicago. A dozen balloons and filled champagne bottle are $38.45; call 625-0190 24 hours in advance.
Hats, confetti and party favors are from Goodies, 3631 N. Halsted St. Hats cost 25 cents; tinsel tops for hats, two for 25 cents; ribbon streamers, 25 cents a package; confetti, 50 cents a package; champagne poppers, five for $1.
Paper napkins ($1.95 per package of 20), paper tablecloth ($3.25) and noisemakers ($1.25 each) are from Berzerk, 5400 N. Clark St. and 3845 N. Broadway. –
