While I will write about the art form and intricacies of elevated entertaining, this is not that. This is speaking to the desperate individuals who are sabotaging their party before its even started. As a one time clueless hostess and "basic" chic myself, this is just as much a message to baby Nat. This post is about first impressions. Start things off right by putting your guest/s mind at ease. You don't have to have the fanciest space but it does need to be clean! When you walk into a home that is dirty, especially in the kitchen and/or bathroom, there is safety and sanitary concerns that set off alarms in our basic primal brain. Basically, no one is going to want to eat your food if you nasty.
So for the bathroom, clear things out and break out the bleach. Ladies, remember that your gentlemen guests will likely lift the toilet seat (even though you may rarely check that out) so for the love of God do not just surface clean your toilet. And gentlemen, women use more toilet paper than you do so leave out a couple extra rolls so we don't have to go searching through your cabinets (you never know what else we might find). The bathroom also needs plenty of hand soap, and CLEAN towels. Just to clarify, your damp, musty shower towel CANNOT double as your guests hand towel. I mean, what is the point of getting your hands clean if you then have to wipe them on a towel someone just dried their junk with?
In the kitchen make sure to sterilize any surfaces that come in contact with food with a good cleanser. Countertops, stovetop, oven, appliances, all need a good cleaning. And focus some additional energy on your sink. Kitchen sinks are germ cesspools. Again, put out clean clean kitchen towels, not some sticky overused oven mitt. And if your kitchen is in use for the evening, it is understandable that there is going to be some mess, but make a point of sweeping through and organizing the items you need for cooking/drink making and stacking your dirty dishes like Russian nesting dolls so that you can minimize the amount of space it takes up.
And if you are hoping to entertain a "special" overnight guest you will want to do some additional work in the bedroom. No one wants to breath in your dusty air and sleep on your marinated sheets. You might be used to your own scent, but a new person is certainly gonna pick up on your stank. So open some windows, dust the place, and please wash your sheets!
Preparing your home is not a day of kind of job! However much time you think its going to take, its going to be at least double. Start your deep clean throughout the week so that you can just do a lighter version just before. Then you will have the right kind of foundation to build upon to rock that party! Good luck my newly non basic friend!