Last month, I received a delightful surprise in my inbox: an email from Cindy Young Vanhoutte, an editor at The Salonniere. The editorial team at the site, which is dedicated exclusively to the art of party hosting, reached out in pursuit of nominations for extraordinary local party hostess for “The Salonniere 100” list. Specifically, the team asked “more than 1,000 of the cognoscenti across all 50 states for the names of the party hosts in their city who entertain with unparalleled skill and grace.”
Naturally, Newport’s Bettie Bearden Pardee came to mind in an instant—she literally wrote the book on entertaining (actually, she wrote five). Accomplished author (read about her latest gem, Living Newport: Houses, People, Style, HERE), admired tastemaker, seasoned lecturer and treasured friend, Bettie graciously shares her hostessing handiwork and offers and insider’s guide to extraordinary events and interiors on her blog, Private Newport, in between book signings, entertaining, writing, gardening and traveling. So it was time to pop the proverbial champagne when we recently learned Bettie made “The List.”
“We’re delighted and not at all surprised that Bettie earned a spot on The Salonniere 100,” reflected Carla McDonald, The Salonniere’s founder and editor in chief. “She’s the epitome of grace, warmth and creativity when entertaining. And with a surname like Pardee, you know she was destined to be a great hostess.”
Joining Bettie on the list is well-known party-giver Cornelia Guest, American fashion designer Lela Rose and President and First Lady Obama.
“I don’t believe I’ve been on a list amongst President and First Lady Obama ever before!” Bettie told me. “Entertaining has been a way of life for me for as long as I can remember. In my family, growing up Southern was
all about entertaining; if we weren’t planning a party we were enjoying memories of the last one or looking for an
excuse for the next. I am so honored to be included in The Salonniere 100.”
Pamela Fielder and David Ford, the Newport couple best known for their stunning home Miramar which was recently featured in THIS Wall Street Journal piece, also made the list.
THIS fabulous feature on Bettie was published on The Salonniere this past summer.
Congratulations!
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