Meet the Hostess

Hometown: Little Rock
Company: Tobi Fairley Interior Design
What makes a party Southern? Definitely the hospitality and tradition of gathering friends and filling their tummies.
Dream dinner-party guest? Oprah—she's a Southern gal. I think she would love my cooking, and I know I would love her company.
Mailed invitations: Yes or no? Absolutely, yes! You can set the party's tone with a great invitation. If it's fabulous enough, no one will want to miss your event.
How do you like to make guests feel welcome? Use place cards at seated dinners. Everyone loves to feel like they have a "place" at your party.
Easiest way to add style to a tabletop? Paint your charger plates to match your linens or decor. It's a simple, inexpensive touch that adds a dose of color.
Can you share a time-saving secret? Pick up food from local restaurants. Just serve it in your prettiest dishes, and no guest will be the wiser.
Favorite hostess gift? I like to give personalized cocktail napkins. You know how we Southerners love a monogram.