When planning a party, it's a good idea to put yourself in the guests' shoes.

• Be realistic about how many guests you can sit at your table. The standard rule is 24 inches per guest for a sit-down dinner. 20 inches will create a cozy atmosphere.
  
• Sit at your table as if you were a guest. Can you see over and around all of your decorations? Will your guests be comfortable?
  
• Use Internet to add an authentic flair to your party — many regional and high-end shops have websites where you can order their products.
  
• Shopping online makes the world your market.

Michael Levine, Inc.
Los Angeles, Calif.
213-622-6259
www.mlfabrics.com
boas draped over the couches, $5 per small boa, $40 per ostrich-feather boa; fabric used as curtains and table runner, $3-4 per yard; ribbon used for ribbon rings, $2 per yard

Party America
Los Angeles, Calif.
323-965-0700
www.partyamerica.com
masks used for place settings for each guest, $5-8

Light My Fire
Los Angeles, Calif.
323-930-2484
www.hotsaucetogo.com
hot sauces of different "hot" levels offered to complement the meal, $0.75-$40 per bottle

Huntington Meats at the Los Angeles Farmer's Market
6333 W. 3rd Street #350
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-938-5383
andouille sausage used for jambalaya, $6 per pound

Café Du Monde
1039 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
800-772-2927
www.cafedumonde.com
15 oz. can of regular coffee and chicory, $4.60 per can

Cake Divas
Los Angeles, Calif.
310-399-2499
cakedivas@aol.com, www.cakedivas.com
Created a cream cheese alligator for Noelle's Carnivale party.

Love, Luck and Angels
213-842-9952
jo@loveluckandangels.com, www.loveluckandangels.com

Kathleen Sacchi The Fine Art of Event Planning & Catering
Glendale, Calif.
818-246-0300
dale@thefineartofcatering.com, www.thefineartofcatering.com

Classic Party Rentals
City, Calif.
310-202-0011
infola@classicpartyrentals.com, www.classicpartyrentals.com

Psychic Girl
Los Angeles, Calif.
213-707-2567
justine@psychicgirl.com, www.psychicgirl.com

Legendair
323-997-9322
www.legendair.net