We get asked this every season, so let’s clear the air—politely, with love, and with a tiny nod from the queen herself. Hostess gifts, decoded: Flowers? Lovely. But please— only if they’re already in a vase. No one wants to play florist mid-cocktail hour. (Ina would absolutely agree.) Food gifts? Tricky territory. If it doesn’t go with what’s being served, it becomes a logistics problem , not a gift. Again—Ina has thoughts, and Cookie, even stronger! And if you're re-giftin

Down here in SWFL, where winter forgot to show, we’re trimming twinkly palm trees’ cause that’s just how we roll.   Cookie’s in the kitchen singing like she’s headlining a show, Dana’s got the décor handled—Honestly, she planned it weeks ago.   The wreath keeps kamikaze-dropping, the ribbon’s ignoring Dana’s plan, and Cookie shrugs at all the glitter like, “ What? This is who I am .”   Traffic’s chaos on 41, snowbirds drifting like they’re new, and Publix parking? A contact s

Hi Dana and Cookie, I was asked to share a little about my holiday party from two years ago—so here goes. I hosted a cocktail party armed with ambition, one oven, and a false sense of calm. By 8 p.m., the appetizers were wilting, and my smile was too. My guests had fun. I was a wreck. Every time someone’s glass hit empty, I was already halfway to the fridge. I refilled platters, checked the ice, wiped spills, and still somehow missed half my own party. When the photos were se

Many “simple dinner parties” carry a thousand unseen details — moving tables, linens, and lighting, all choreographed into one seamless experience. At One and Done with Cookie , we don’t just prepare the meal. We design the moment — styling, staging, and orchestrating every element so it feels effortless. That level of precision and care is reflected in our pricing and in the peace of mind our clients trust us to deliver. As we move into the busy season, we’re now confirming