Let's get right to it. What's the secret to a good party?
The secret to a good party is the mood created by the host/hostess. From the moment your guests arrive, they should feel well cared for and their every need has been anticipated. Make sure all of the 5 senses have been touched; what they see (the lighting & décor, sky’s the limit), hear (is it the latest hits, Motown sounds or Big Band?), taste (serve your best recipe in a fresh, new way), smell (probably the most impactful and often overlooked, something soft like peonies are ultra-fab) and feel (think Goldilocks porridge, can’t be too cold nor too hot). Those 5 elements, when combined with care and thought, have the greatest impact.

If you were planning your "ultimate dinner party" who would you place on the guest list?
Oh wow, that would be a huge list, Franki! My top 10 are: my parents (they totally rock!), Russell Simmons, Richard Branson, Oscar de la Renta, Oprah Winfrey, Barack and Michelle Obama, Sting, Lena Horne, Daymond John and my best friend Andrea. And what’s a dinner party without the fabulous Franki?!

Same dinner party. Same guests... what's on the iPod playlist as background music?
I would take everyone on a musical journey. I have so many favorite artists…where to start? Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, (basically Motown’s entire catalog of hits!), Chris Botti, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, New Edition, Frank Sinatra, Jill Scott, Diana Krall, Chante Moore, Santana, Rakim, George Michael, Bon Jovi, Joe, Rick Ross, Barbara Streisand, Chicago, Mary J., Luciana Souza, Phil Collins…we could be here all day, lol.

Your schedule must keep you going nonstop. What are your carry-on essentials when traveling?
I believe in traveling light and keeping it very, very simple. My absolute must-haves are my iPod, Ty Nant water, Marina Rinaldi cashmere cardigan and fav sunglasses. I stay entertained, hydrated, cozy and shielded.
 
Every host has a blind spot when it comes to party planning. What do you think is the most commonly overlooked detail? The rookie mistake?
Enjoy yourself! Your guests are there to spend time with you and enjoy your company. Don’t spend the entire night in a frenzy of movement and miss out on the great time everyone else is having. Take a deep breath, put on your biggest smile, grab a cocktail and make sure you have me on speed-dial!
 
And finally, what's next on the horizon for Dawn Easter Events?
We have a few exciting projects coming up but what I’m most thrilled about is our expansion to Atlanta this Fall! We’ve had the good fortune to work with some amazing clients in Hotlanta and are ready for more. Atlanta has an incredible energy that can’t be found anywhere else in the world, very warm and welcoming. The city is a unique combination of southern tradition and cosmopolitan flair. It perfectly meshes with what Dawn Easter Events is all about, honoring that southern tradition and infusing it with a modern, chic and glamorous style.

I don't know about you, but I feel more empowered already. I've got a new playlist, a brief list of dream dinner guests and have been given permission to pour myself a cocktail before the guests arrive. Hello, espresso martini! See more of Dawn's impeccable taste on her blog, and for daily inspiration follow her on twitter.

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