I don't do casual. My grandmother's late night soirees filled with yellow bottles of Veuve Clicquot, Manolo Blahnik-clad women and scotch-swirling men in tailored pants have left a lasting impression on me as a young adult. While I was never permitted to attend these Gatsby-esque events, I spent hours spying on the parties. In my memory, the evenings were ethereal. The dark lighting, cocktail napkins, wine glasses coated in red lipstick, slow big band music and beautiful clothing created a picture of glamour that I excitedly awaited participating in myself one day. As an adult, I can now experience these elegant evenings that I have been genetically inclined to organize.

My apartment is not a lavish paradise nor do I possess the financial means to serve chilled champagne on silver platters. I have found ways, however, to create affordable, romantic dinner parties for my college friends.

(ENLARGE)

Rachel Jacques.

THE STUDENTS AND THEIR RECIPES Brittney Inman • Santa Fe Chili Kali Justus • Stuffed Pork Tenderloin • Kali's sister Destiny's Italian Tomato Cheesy Bread Rachel Jacques • Risotto with Garlic Shrimp and Sauteed Spinach Karlee Baumann • Indoor Barbecue Taylor Dahl • Corn Dip • Broccoli Casserole • Chocolate Poundcake In a hurry to cook? Read the short version of this feature on Evening Edge.

At my parties, my friends know that casual just doesn't cut it, and despite my classmates walking on campus in bedroom slippers, I insist my guests trade their faded T-shirts for chic blouses, beer cans for champagne flutes and the Pussycat Dolls for Frank Sinatra.

Dressing up gives a sense of occasion and excitement to dinner. While most people plan dinner parties around food, I always start my planning with the outfit. I pick it out well in advance and do all the prep work in my robe to avoid stains. I tend to lean toward black cocktail dresses almost exclusively, paired, naturally, with my tallest Christian Louboutin tan suede pumps.

I warn my friends well in advance of the dress code so no one is excused. However, according to my grandmother Nancy Bellows, whose charming, sophisticated Southern drawl evokes images of Scarlett O'Hara, people should always dress up when attending a dinner in someone's home. "If people go to the great effort of making dinner and preparing something special, you should give them the compliment of not dressing casually." While wearing a cocktail dress is not necessary, she says, a little extra effort such as a nice blouse for women and pressed slacks for men can make a difference.

Cleaning your apartment and adding minimal decor adds ambience without going to great effort or expense. My grandmother abides by three simple, elegant decorating pieces: "a few blossoms on the table, a bowl of fruit and always candlelight, which dresses up any occasion." Personally I like lemons in a black ceramic bowl. The bright yellow contrasts beautifully against the dark bowl, and the citrus fragrance fills the room. I place candles on the kitchen counters, coffee table and window sills and enjoy the tiny flames as they dance throughout the evening. Lighting can truly make or break the mood for the evening. As Audrey Hepburn said, "There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion."

I often choose to prepare risotto because it can be made in many variations, and it has an upscale look, without an upscale price tag. I have made it so many times I could probably do it in my sleep, and it turns out differently every time so it never gets boring.

Having friends over for dinner is one time I appreciate having a small, cozy kitchen/living room combination so I never have to leave the party while I'm stirring risotto. It's fun to involve your guests in the preparation.

Even with a large kitchen that is well separated from her entertaining area, my grandmother finds it much more enjoyable to start the evening together in the kitchen. "It's great having people right in the kitchen with you. Just open a bottle of wine and have some cheese so you never have to leave your guests alone."

Classic music is another essential piece of the puzzle when having guests over. It adds to the atmosphere and fills any awkward moments of silence. I have taken all my favorite classic songs and made a playlist on my iPod. There is something about listening to Sinatra's voice that makes you feel glamorous and energized like a socialite in 1960s Manhattan.

No matter your living situation, a few minor alterations can transform any evening into an event Hepburn and Sinatra would hate to miss. The classic party is not dead; it simply needs a new breath of life.