I am sourcing stories and would love yours! The prompt: I would love to hear a story of a time you stayed with someone. What impacted you about how they prepared the space? What made you feel at home and delighted?
I loved this article! Your friends are lucky to have had you put in so much thought. My future MIL always puts a fresh robe and makeup remover in the bathroom- it always feels like such a luxury!!
I was staying with my best friends family in NYC, traveling there with my 1 year old! And her mom sourced a crib, got all my daughters favorite snacks/ foods, and made us feel totally welcome even when my 1 year old tried to destroy the beautiful beautiful apartment 😂 I'll never forget the kindness
- having a welcome cookie and bottle of wine offered by the host in our room (it was at an airbnb but can be replicated with relatives)
- a friend ironed our bed sheets, it’s an effort that really makes a difference and felt like at a hotel
- my in laws prepare a full brunch each morning when we stay at their place (fresh bred, ham, cheese, marmalade, coffee, spreads, yogurt, etc) and leave it on their dining table for when we get up.
- having the bed and room carefully prepared for the guest always makes me feel welcomed
What I did:
- writing a small welcome note and putting it on the bedside table with a dried flower attached to it
- rolling the towels and toilet paper like in hotels
- preparing snacks and drinks for when guests arrive
- cooking dinner
- setting up nice candles, background music, a flower bouquet
What I would like to try in the future: presenting food and drinks in a creative and delicate way to make the event feel extra special
I enjoyed reading this Jenna! Whenever I have guests over in the summer I always:
- Schedule for cleaners to come before the visit to ensure they help with the heavy lifting.
- Put fresh towels in all the bathrooms
- Have the beds made with fresh bedding
On the day of I walk around the property and pick flowers from the gardens. I put them around the house, in the bathroom, on the dining room table, on the coffee table, on the bedside tables.
- When guests arrive I always have a snack board out and cold refreshments ready to grab from the fridge
- I try to have music playing - usually Oldies are a crowd pleaser
- For my bachelorette I had everything catered which made the ladies feels extra special
- I agree creating moments are equally as important as giving guests (and yourself) space. Being together is a blessing but can also be exhausting.
- I love that you and your friends incorporated Church on Sunday. And I LOVE that you suggest guests should come with their own ideas. Hosting should be fun but often is quite stressful with the pressure of having to invent all the ways to keep guests entertained.
My favorite experience as a guest was when I went to stay with my best friend for a few days in her new apartment. I loved everything about the stay. For example, I had my own space where I could decompress and have privacy. I also had my own bathroom (it was nice not having to wonder if I was taking up too much counter space). My friend is quite the planner, so we had a general idea of how we wanted to spend our time together. I don't remember feeling bored while I was staying with her. She was also so hospitable. She cooked our meals, shared her homemade bread with me, and cleaned her apartment prior to my arrival (I feel as though doing a good deep-clean before guests' arrival is such an act of love! It shows guests how important they are). What impacted me the most was that she showed that she loved me dearly and was excited to invite me into her space :)
This was so perfectly timed - I’m doing a back to back to back hosting stint for the holidays in a small apartment and this made me feel so confident in my ability to deliver a beautiful experience ✨ thank you!
Are you familiar with Hannah Brencher? She also has a passion for making her guests feel special and I feel like her ideas pair perfectly with yours! https://hannahbrenchercreative.com/guestroom/
I’m such a proponent of expressing creativity as a way to support health and well-being, so I especially loved your intro! As for these ideas, what a fun and thoughtful way to make people feel cared for - loved this letter Jenna!
Merci, j'ai adoré l'article depuis la France...Dans les détails que j'apprécie que je suis reçu ou que je reçois: un petit bouquet de fleurs fraiches sur la commode, des chaussons à disposition, un petit carnet et un stylos sur la table de nuit...
I loved every word of this. You have taken away everyone's excuse (including my own) of not having a big enough space to host company. I love the idea of having everything out that a guest might ask for, but not have to. I do that but have never thought about it that way. Scents are so important to me. I have a friend who uses a luxury detergent and the sheets and towels always smell so good. It's something I now look forward to when visiting. A goody bag with favorite snacks is always fun and feels intentional. As a planner whenever there is an itinerary I'm in heaven. Fresh flowers in the room is also a nice touch.
Absolutely love this and such a sweet way to welcome your friends into your home! Where is the blue sheer goodie bag from? Looking for my own sister's Bachelorette trip!
I am sourcing stories and would love yours! The prompt: I would love to hear a story of a time you stayed with someone. What impacted you about how they prepared the space? What made you feel at home and delighted?
I loved this article! Your friends are lucky to have had you put in so much thought. My future MIL always puts a fresh robe and makeup remover in the bathroom- it always feels like such a luxury!!
The robe is SO SWEET! I also always always always forget makeup remover, so that would be wonderful! How thoughtful.
I was staying with my best friends family in NYC, traveling there with my 1 year old! And her mom sourced a crib, got all my daughters favorite snacks/ foods, and made us feel totally welcome even when my 1 year old tried to destroy the beautiful beautiful apartment 😂 I'll never forget the kindness
People who are considerate of children are my favorite kind of people. It shows true, genuine unselfishness.
Loved this article!! Thank you.
Some ideas I experienced as a guest:
- having a welcome cookie and bottle of wine offered by the host in our room (it was at an airbnb but can be replicated with relatives)
- a friend ironed our bed sheets, it’s an effort that really makes a difference and felt like at a hotel
- my in laws prepare a full brunch each morning when we stay at their place (fresh bred, ham, cheese, marmalade, coffee, spreads, yogurt, etc) and leave it on their dining table for when we get up.
- having the bed and room carefully prepared for the guest always makes me feel welcomed
What I did:
- writing a small welcome note and putting it on the bedside table with a dried flower attached to it
- rolling the towels and toilet paper like in hotels
- preparing snacks and drinks for when guests arrive
- cooking dinner
- setting up nice candles, background music, a flower bouquet
What I would like to try in the future: presenting food and drinks in a creative and delicate way to make the event feel extra special
These are fabulous. Long live the handwritten note!
I enjoyed reading this Jenna! Whenever I have guests over in the summer I always:
- Schedule for cleaners to come before the visit to ensure they help with the heavy lifting.
- Put fresh towels in all the bathrooms
- Have the beds made with fresh bedding
On the day of I walk around the property and pick flowers from the gardens. I put them around the house, in the bathroom, on the dining room table, on the coffee table, on the bedside tables.
- When guests arrive I always have a snack board out and cold refreshments ready to grab from the fridge
- I try to have music playing - usually Oldies are a crowd pleaser
- For my bachelorette I had everything catered which made the ladies feels extra special
- I agree creating moments are equally as important as giving guests (and yourself) space. Being together is a blessing but can also be exhausting.
- I love that you and your friends incorporated Church on Sunday. And I LOVE that you suggest guests should come with their own ideas. Hosting should be fun but often is quite stressful with the pressure of having to invent all the ways to keep guests entertained.
Oh, I'm taking notes. You are so on top of it! I love that you play music too — that makes everyone feel at ease!
Oh my goodness. What a fun prompt! :D
My favorite experience as a guest was when I went to stay with my best friend for a few days in her new apartment. I loved everything about the stay. For example, I had my own space where I could decompress and have privacy. I also had my own bathroom (it was nice not having to wonder if I was taking up too much counter space). My friend is quite the planner, so we had a general idea of how we wanted to spend our time together. I don't remember feeling bored while I was staying with her. She was also so hospitable. She cooked our meals, shared her homemade bread with me, and cleaned her apartment prior to my arrival (I feel as though doing a good deep-clean before guests' arrival is such an act of love! It shows guests how important they are). What impacted me the most was that she showed that she loved me dearly and was excited to invite me into her space :)
I love this. It sounds like you have a wonderful friend. SO thoughtful.
This was so perfectly timed - I’m doing a back to back to back hosting stint for the holidays in a small apartment and this made me feel so confident in my ability to deliver a beautiful experience ✨ thank you!
Are you familiar with Hannah Brencher? She also has a passion for making her guests feel special and I feel like her ideas pair perfectly with yours! https://hannahbrenchercreative.com/guestroom/
I’m such a proponent of expressing creativity as a way to support health and well-being, so I especially loved your intro! As for these ideas, what a fun and thoughtful way to make people feel cared for - loved this letter Jenna!
Merci, j'ai adoré l'article depuis la France...Dans les détails que j'apprécie que je suis reçu ou que je reçois: un petit bouquet de fleurs fraiches sur la commode, des chaussons à disposition, un petit carnet et un stylos sur la table de nuit...
I loved every word of this. You have taken away everyone's excuse (including my own) of not having a big enough space to host company. I love the idea of having everything out that a guest might ask for, but not have to. I do that but have never thought about it that way. Scents are so important to me. I have a friend who uses a luxury detergent and the sheets and towels always smell so good. It's something I now look forward to when visiting. A goody bag with favorite snacks is always fun and feels intentional. As a planner whenever there is an itinerary I'm in heaven. Fresh flowers in the room is also a nice touch.
Love this! Love an itinerary — I think it calms the planners, myself included! Need to learn more about this detergent — sounds lovely.
One day, I'll be living in my dream city and hosting family and friends 🤞🏼
YES!
Absolutely love this and such a sweet way to welcome your friends into your home! Where is the blue sheer goodie bag from? Looking for my own sister's Bachelorette trip!
Okay! I got a hair mask from the brand Roz and it came with it! I really like the hair mask, so I reccomend this way to obtain the bag lol.
the vibes are fab here -- i am dying to stay at hotel o'brien !!!!!!
Taking reservations!
Team London Fog forever!!! ☕
Forever and ever!
every detail is incredible!!
You are kind :)
So many thoughtful ideas, especially for tight NYC apartments! Love the idea of a linen spray, and thinking seriously about the Aura frame now, too!
I do have a little rotating art gallery at my command, and I'll be honest, I like the power.