party girl


Lately, I've had more glasses of eggnog and gingerbread cookies than I care to count but the holiday festivities have also presented some--surprise, surprise!--stylish treats. A publicist friend of mine recently staged a Christmas party that felt more like Halloween, as guests were given a sleek and rather large leather tote bag, courtesy of Everlane (see above), and ordered to stuff it with all sorts of goodies, ranging from a Mara Hoffman romper to a Parker sequin blouse to a pair of James Jeans (in the perfect charcoal wash). Joy! And then our annual Yankee Swap was flush with desirables from a Clare Vivier clutch to a Jennifer Fisher bracelet to next season Lena Wald diamond sliver earrings (I want!). I walked away with a seriously cute Sydney Evan necklace. My holiday partying, however, did involve a sour moment or two, most notably the other night when I committed one of the ultimate party fouls: I accidentally spilled a glass of red wine (or, um, two) all over someone. It was my first glass of wine of the night and it was perched on a table in front of me next to my sister's full glass. I was talking to a friend's husband, probably gesticulating more than necessary, when I knocked both glasses over, dousing a woman, an innocent bystander with her back to the table. Fortunately, she was wearing all black. But she was sopping wet. I remember looking at my twin sister and seeing the panic/sympathy in her eyes. She handed me a stack of paper cocktail napkins and I proceeded to pat down this woman from head to toe, concentrating, for some reason, on her butt. (I was nervous!) I kept apologizing, telling her I'd take care of the dry cleaning bill, and she repeated over and over again that she was okay. Finally, her husband interceded and stood between me and this woman and told me that his wife was fine. Then they literally ran away from me and off into the dark of the night. Without missing a beat, my friend's husband, bless his heart, tried to resuscitate our conversation, but it was... awkward would be an understatement. I am still so mortified, but hoping the next few soirees go a little better and a lot drier!

Photo: Stefanie Keenan

17 comments

Anonymous said...

i am happy to see your bag look so chic. i received the everlane bag as a gift and am on the fence about it because i find it somewhat bulky, even though i live in NYC and need a big bag for work, gym, etc. do you like it? also, where is you blazer and shoes from?

LiveItLoveItBuyIt said...

oh noes! that sounds awful, but clearly you were just trying to be nice and helpful after the incident. I would have done the exact same thing as you. Shrug it off, girl!

Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem said...

Lucky you. I want to go to those parties!!
I had a glass of red knocked over a favorite white shirt at a Christmas party last year, after I'd been there 10 minutes! Happy Holidays!

Marlien Rentmeester said...

I do like the tote as it's roomy yet streamlined and simple. My jacket is from H&M (still miraculously available online at this link: http://bit.ly/16ky7Xg)
and my shoes are old Zara.

bee said...

That's too bad!

I love your pants - where are they from?

Marlien Rentmeester said...

I know, so embarrassing! My pants are from Zara. You can find them in store still--but sadly not online.

Anonymous said...

Was on the fence about this jacket but it looks great on you! Does it run true to size, small or big? I'm also eyeing another coat from H&M as a gift and wanted to get an idea of how they run. Thanks!

Marlien Rentmeester said...

Let me first say that I LOVE this jacket. It is awesome and looks super luxe. It does run a bit big and it is structured (a bit stiff). But it's amazing. Overall, I find that H&M runs true to size.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marlien! The H&M jacket looks fantastic on you. I bought it when you first posted it a few months ago. I am a size 6 and both the 4 and the 6 were not flattering on me. The structure and stiffness made me look "thick" and like I did not have a waist. It looks completely different on you. Lucky girl!

mjbeet said...

marlien, you can spill a glass of red wine on me anytime! : ) love the bag.

Annie Dago said...

I'm sure the lady was fine! On the bright side, now you have a funny anecdote of your night! x

Unknown said...

i love ur outfit,,,where are your shoes from....???

alloraadams said...

I am sorry, but I had a little chuckle with this story. I found it quite amusing ;-). I LOVE the jacket you are wearing. I am going to purchase it now. I cannot believe it is still available. Hope you all have a fabulous holiday! XX!

Tammy said...

Hi Marlein, I did the same thing last Friday night! First of all I don't know why people plan parties for Friday nights-I'm a working Mom and was already tired. But there I sat with red wine in hand...I don't know what happened but suddenly it was pouring into my girlfriends lap, onto the floor and worst of all it left some spots on the hostesses brand new window seat cushion, which of course was white! As she glared at me from across the room we attempted to clean it up with club soda and it looked better but not gone. I understand hydrogen peroxide works well, but of course they didn't have any...so I ran home in tears and got mine and came back and cleaned it up. Luckily my friend was wearing black pants too.
I'm was still beating myself up about it the next day but everyone spills now and then and honestly I never pay much attention unless it's me! Thanks for sharing your story!

Marlien Rentmeester said...

Tammy, I know how you feel! Thanks for sharing your story. I guess it's all par for the party course!

Alina said...

Marlien, any chance you have seen in your online 'travels' any shoes similar to the ones you are wearing in this photo? I'm looking for the same cut in front but not with a very high heel. Only if you've seen anything…don't go searching just for me ;-). Thanks Marlien.

vieja said...

I think we all have spilled on someone. I did at a wedding and a Prince concert. you always feel bad and like a klutz.

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