Entertaining in College

Staying with a gracious and prepared host/hostess is always enjoyable.


Maybe you have friends coming from out of town to stay with you for the weekend, or maybe your friend from down the street is sleeping over for the night. In any case, you never want to be that host that doesn't have any good food, forgot to buy toilet paper, or didn't wash the towels.

Guest basket. Even if you just have a small apartment, why not keep a guest basket on hand for the bathroom? You'll want to let your guest(s) know that this basket is for them so they don't feel like they're intruding. Here are a few ideas to get you started...

1. Clean towels and washcloths. This is especially important--you wouldn't want your guest to get out of the shower only to find that there are no towels for him/her.
2. Water, Dove chocolates, gum. Just a few fun ideas.
3. Toiletries. This should include extra toothbrushes, floss, disposable razors, a contacts case, and saline solution.
4. Individual makeup remover wipes. You can buy these at Sephora.
5. Condoms and tampons to avoid any awkward moments.
6. Excedrin, Tylenol, and ibuprofen for hangovers.

You can also add sample size shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, soap, etc., but I'm just going to assume those items are already in the shower.

Kitchen. You'll want to always have your kitchen stocked with the basics--bread, milk, eggs, butter, cereal, snacks.

Other.

• Stock your bathroom with toilet paper, and make sure you always have extra.
• Always have beer, wine, and vodka--emphasis on beer if you're having guys over. This is college.
• If you don't have an extra bed available for your guest(s), keep a futon under your bed with extra sheets, blankets, and pillows on hand. If your roommate will be away and makes his/her bed available to your guest(s), make sure you wash the bedding afterwards. It's the respectful thing to do.

Most importantly, a truly good host/hostess will make sure his/her guest is comfortable, make introductions, and show his/her guest a good time.

XOXO,

The Annapolitan

Currently Coveting: Smith Island Cake

If you've never had Smith Island Cake, you're seriously missing out as a Marylander.

Smith Island Cake is a local delicacy that started on Smith Island in Somerset County, Md. The cake typically has 8-15 thin layers filled with frosting or creme. According to Wikipedia, beginning in the 1800s, Smith Islanders sent the cakes with the watermelon on the autumn oyster harvest. The most common flavor is yellow cake with chocolate icing, but there is a plethora of varieties. As of 2008, Smith Island Cake is the official dessert of Maryland.

Boatyard Bar & Grill carries Smith Island Cake, and you can also order them online from the Original Smith Island Cake Co.

XOXO,

The Annapolitan

How Do You Describe Annapolis?

The UrbanDictionary.com definition of Annapolis is as follows:

"Perhaps the classiest of preppy hometowns. Big homes with rolling lawns, or even better, no lawn in the historic district, are arguably the most coveted properties on the east coast. Kids are raised with a crab net in one hand and a lax stick in the other. Best of all, only the insiders know about Annapolis and it's prestige can only be realized through the insider's reaction. If a kid reveals he's from Annapolis, check your friends' reactions. Someone is bound to know just how privileged he is. And if you don't...well, maybe you should. But we don't like to brag, that's not how its done in the South.

frat boy #1: Who's that girl shotgunning beers?
frat boy #2: What?
frat boy #1: The hot one, in the polo.
frat boy #2: Oh some laxer, I heard she's from Annapolis.
frat boy #1: Damn."

The example at the end especially made me laugh. This post also made me think...how does one describe such a unique town? Walking around downtown, you might see a group of preppy girls, some lacrosse players, midshipmen, dog walkers, and middle-aged yacht owners. If you look closer, you might see some scattered hipsters, Johnnies, a longboarding crew, and coffee shop hermits.

There are certainly some characters in the town of Annapolis that defy its classic, long-standing reputation of WASPy prestige--it's almost like there are two sides to the Annapolitan image. Or maybe many; who am I to say?

The point is, the contrast and diversity of people in Annapolis add to its charm and make it that much more welcoming and unique. That, and our abundance of blue crabs and attractive lacrosse players...I mean, what more could you want? ;)

XOXO,

The Annapolitan