AKA: A Guide to Looking Effortlessly Put-Together While Secretly Googling “how to fold a napkin” ten minutes before guests arrive.

Let’s get one thing straight: we’re not out here auditioning for The Barefoot Contessa. This is about curated chaos. Chic mess. Hosting that says, I have taste, but also I have a life.

Whether it’s a beach hang, backyard hang, or just “we had extra chips and thought of you” energy—this is your Barbet-approved guide to hosting without breaking a sweat.

Photo: @rawkavai

1. Pick a Vibe, Not a Theme

No one needs another overcommitted dinner party with a punny name and dress code that stresses people out.
Instead: pick a vibe. Think sunset snacks and soft jazz, coastal chaos, or “I cleaned one surface, let’s party.” Then make every choice—from the snacks to the playlist—serve that vibe.

2. Serve One Impressive-Looking Thing

Not eight. One. Just one. It could be a killer mocktail pitcher with Deep Dive and floating citrus slices, or a store-bought burrata plopped in a bowl with olive oil and “artfully torn” basil (we see you).

Let the rest be chips. Or popcorn. Or a haphazard cheese board that you refuse to explain. Confidence = presentation.

Hidden Taste 001. 

3. Make the Drinks Self-Serve

You are not the bartender. You are the vibe curator.
Throw some Barbet cans into an ice bucket (or a mixing bowl, we’re not picky), add sliced citrus, and let people help themselves. Bonus points for cute glasses, even if no one uses them.

@biankagill.

4. Don’t Clean. Style.

Hide the mess in the oven. Light a candle. Wipe down what’s visible. Throw a linen over the cluttered table and call it a “tablescape.” Suddenly, it’s intentional.

(And if anyone asks, yes—those throw pillows are meant to be on the floor. It’s a lounge situation now.)

5. Make a Playlist That Feels Like You

This is not the time for a random Spotify algorithm called “Chill Vibes 7.”
Make a mix that sounds like your taste—but slightly better. Some Robyn, some Fleetwood Mac, maybe a French girl singing about heartbreak in a whispery voice. You know the drill.

6. Invite People Who Actually Like Each Other

Hot take: the guest list is the vibe.
Curate a group that feels relaxed, interesting, and not likely to corner someone about cryptocurrency. Keep it easy. Keep it weird (the good kind). You don’t need a huge crowd—just the right energy.

@biankigill.

7. Keep Barbet on Deck

This is your not-so-secret hosting weapon.
Whether you’re serving mocktails, making low-lift spritzes, or just handing someone a can that looks like it belongs in a magazine, Barbet does the heavy lifting. It looks good. It tastes good. It says, “This isn’t my first rodeo, but I’m not trying that hard.”

@biankagill.

Hosting doesn’t have to feel like a performance. In fact, it’s better when it doesn’t. So crack a can, cue the playlist, and let the night unfold with all the sparkling spontaneity of a well-timed Love Bite.

Cheers to keeping it casual, keeping it cool, and never ironing a tablecloth again.