What made Betsy Bloomingdale's parties so fun? "She never stopped smiling," says celebrity chef Alex Hitz of the legendary hostess. "Followed closely by her hor d'oeuvres—her onion puffs and peanut butter and bacon rounds were so simple, so retro, so delicious." In T&C's April Issue, Hitz reported on the Christie's auction items from Bloomingdale's L.A. home, which was bought by Tom Ford in March of this year. We have exclusive photos from the style icon's soirees:

Bloomingdale's house in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles

In Los Angeles: Betsy photographer with her dog Nunu

Twist Party, New Year 1961: Betsy Bloomingdale and Hedda Hopper after they changed their clothes at the famous Twist Party

1961: Arlene Dahl at the Bloomingdales' Twist Party

1961: Art Linklater at the Twist Party

1961: Norma Shearer at the Twist Party

1961: Rosalind Russell at the Twist Party

Betsy photographed at Calla Hill in the spring of 1967

Betsy photographed in 1972 in Holmby Hills

Miscellaneous shots of Bloomingdale from the 1960s

Bloomingdale's annual summer party

The Summer Party: Betsy and guests having drinks in the library for their annual summer party at Calla Hill

A visit to the white house: Betsy and Alfred Bloomingdale photographed in the Lincoln Bedroom for Reagan's inauguration in 1981

The Bloomingdales were close friends with Ronald and Nancy Reagan and members of the famous "kitchen cabinet."

Back from Europe: Bloomingdale with former ambassador to the U.K. Ann Armostrong returning from Princess Diana and Prince Charles's wedding in 1981

Betsy sharing a dance with Ronald Raegan at the White House State Dinner for the President of France in May 1984

Attending Alekko Papamarkou's dinner with Oscar de la Renta

Betsy greeting Prince Charles in 2000

This story originally appeared on Townandcountrymag.com.
* Minor edits have been made by the Townandcountry.ph editors.

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