🍸 It’s my garden party and I’ll cry if I want to
Introducing Cocktail Recs.
This is Cocktail Recs, an email filled with pretty little things to dress up your parties. Hand-selected, secondhand, and guaranteed conversation pieces.
Of the qualities I’ve inherited from my mother, perhaps none have been poured into me as purely as her LSE: her latent shop energy. My mother grew up digging through unmatched loafers in Mandee’s bargain bins, picking up salesgirl shifts at Bloomingdale’s on her summer breaks, eventually working for a supermarket weekly as a fashion editor in the nineties. She’s always eyeing a silhouette or holding up a hanger, considering a great cut and how to replicate it. When she had me, the genetics said, “Oh, we know which trait this woman is going to pass down here.”
Like my mother, I’m always trawling a sale or eyeing a window display — although at this point, the racks I flip through are usually online.
Now I’m putting that latent shop energy to good use. Today we’re introducing COCKTAIL RECS, a new little series where I feature hand-selected goods to help you host a party.
A bonus: everything here is vintage. I don’t need to remind you that shopping secondhand is sustainably-minded, tariff-proof, and very in vogue. But I DO need to remind you that shopping secondhand is totally fabulous. There’s no way to nab something totally oddball, off-the-wall, where-did-you-get-that? than by looking into the vast archives of vintage. Pineapple lamps? Confetti shakers? Hawaiian florals? French wicker? That’s the kind of stuff you find when you sift through old wares — a guaranteed conversation piece for the night.
In this edition: Thirty things I’d love to have on (or around) my table, collected for three imaginary occasions. Now on to the recs!
It’s My Garden Party And I’ll Cry If I Want To
Moving in rows from left to right:
Tiffany Crystal Candy Bowl, $19.99
the art deco wiggly edge is pretty perfect
Green Confetti Hand-Blown Drinking Glasses (Set of 5), $25
nothing gets me like a good kelly-green glass. as with all vintage glassware that could be pre-1970, take precautions to make sure it’s safe to drink from before using regularly.
Antique French Fawn Brown & Sea Foam Majolica Oyster Plate, $75
this perfect marigold splattered pottery inspired the whole board!
Vintage Bimini Glass Germany Floral Placecard Holders (Set of 7), $45
- turned me on to bimini glass in her vintage newsletter. can you imagine these at every seat with a scrolly little placecard? absurd
Malama Hawaii 1970’s Smocked Maxi Dress (Size M), $79.95
are you a host or hostess who pictures swanning about the dinner guests in a billowy number? she’s floaty, she’s floral, she’s fuss-free with a wink
Vintage Hostess Victory Party Set Coasters With Artificial Flowers, $20
in the original packaging! would love to lay these out on a table in this funky circle — like a nelson clock, but for your drinks
Vintage MCM 1960s Ceramic Pineapple Table Accent Lamp, $119
still works, and you need to click through to see the photo of this thing glowing
Colorful Mexican Art Glass Tumblers (Set of 4), $50.38
mexican confetti is joy in a glass
Mariposa 1993 Serving Fork & Spoon Set with Swirl Handle, $22
very greco chic, would look great in a big wooden salad bowl
Let’s Throw A Picnic In The Backyard
From left to right:
Pink Salad Servers, $8.99
Vietri Italian Ceramic Yellow Fish Plate, $26
if you want to be extra in the great outdoors, bring one good platter. buy it now before I do!!!!
Vintage Handmade Floral & Fruit Placemats and Table Runner (Set of 5 Placemats), $35
seriously?? lay these out and live your best hungry hungry caterpillar life
Vintage Gold Tone Picnic Basket Enamel Brooch, $14.99
have we hit peak bag charm? i think no. give your basket its own basket by clipping this on
Beetle Brooch Pin, $33
Rainbow Fabric Camping Chair, $39.12
so many good versions on eBay to fit any scheme — just search “vintage webbed lawn chair” and let them roll in
Vintage Blue Candy Dish, $19.95
Orange Hellerware Max Dinnerware by Massimo Vignelli Melamine Dishes (Set of 12), $45.99
it’s Massimo!! a midcentury legend
We’re Having A Wine Tasting But The Vineyard Is My House
From left to right:
Hand-Blown Green Rim & Swirl Wine Glasses (Set of 4), $21.99
Vintage French Scoubidou Bottle, $49
it’s! washable! use this to decant wine, store and chill something flat, or serve a mixed drink
Solimene Vietri Campagna Italy Serving Bowl, $45.98
i’ve got a big love for vietri pottery, if you haven’t noticed — it’s kitsch and classic at once
Hand-Blown Thick Aqua Stemmed Glasses (Set of 2), $19.95
now THIS is a way to do toasting glasses. i love a heavy, sort-of misshapen cup in my hand
MCM 14.5" Bright Geranium Melamine Chip & Dip Platter, $84.99
the leaf in the middle is a dip bowl!
Vintage Light Wood Coasters with Holder (Set of 8), $14
so seventies groovy to me
Vintage 1950s Straw Wicker Vineyard Bag, $31.89
these beaded grapes? excuse me?
Now, a question for you
Hope you liked this new featurette! If so, answer this for me so I can plan how often to be in your inbox.
Regular editions will keep coming each week, and keep your eyes out — new Cocktail Chats interviews are on their way, too. Any other feedback as I expand this newsletter? Hit reply and let me know.
Clink clink!
Gabriela
Thanks for being a reader of Cocktail Charm! Has this newsletter helped you out at happy hour? Let me know; I’d love to hear it.