Tablescapes
An Outdoor Summer Table
An Outdoor Summer TableSince we’re all spending so much time at home, I wanted to share a simple summer tablescape and menu that you can enjoy for lunch or dinner! Mealtime can certainly become monotonous if you don’t switch things up, and I’m a huge fan of putting out a pretty tablecloth, using a colorful napkin, and opening up a crisp bottle of rosé to keep things fun and fresh. My Favorite RoséMy absolute favorite rosé is from Chateau Minuty. It’s no surprise that it’s the top selling rosé in all of France, Europe and the Caribbean. Minuty is a family owned vineyard in the heart of Saint Tropez, that focuses on sustainability and organic farming efforts. They’re the only winery in Cotes de Provence that still harvests 100% of their grapes by hand! Minuty Prestige RoséMinuty has four different rosés at varying price points. I’ve tried them all and can attest that every single one is delicious; crisp, light, and smooth. Their most popular bottle in France, Minuty Prestige, is finally available here and you’d never guess it’s only $30. It’s the perfect wine to pair with a yummy summer salad, fish, grilled vegetables, or cheese. It has the slightest citrus undertone and finishes with a refreshing minerality taste. It is dangerously easy to drink haha! A Very Special RoséAnother Minuty wine I love is the 281 2019 which is $90. It’s extremely light and would make for a wonderful gift or special occasion wine! Thomas and I love to drink this with a yummy pasta dish at dinner, or even just by the pool when we want to pretend we are in St. Tropez! Summer Entertaining IdeasTo go along with the rosé, I made a simple butter lettuce salad with big chunks of fresh feta, green Castelvetrano olives, and a light homemade vinaigrette. This vinaigrette is one of my go-to’s and is simply; olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt + pepper. I like to buy a block of feta and cut it up myself because it tastes 10x better. I also made a cheeseboard with simple French crackers, a baguette, and 3 different kinds of cheeses; brie, jarlsberg, and gouda. I dressed it up with vibrant figs and grapes. I love making a simple meal, special with a few thoughtful touches!
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NYC Rooftop Dinner
NYC Rooftop DinnerThomas and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on our rooftop last week! It was the most beautiful night and we enjoyed a delicious meal from one of our favorite restaurants; Carbone. The spicy rigatoni dish is to die for! An Elegant TablescapeI wanted to make our table look elegant and effortless. I put out a white linen tablecloth, navy blue linen napkins, silver napkin rings, and rattan placemats. My glassware is from Hudson Grace, and my silverware is actually from Bed, Bath and Beyond a few years ago! I put simple white hydrangeas in a clear glass pitcher for a relaxed, summery look. Tapered white candlesticks completed the table. Blue Floral Top + Skirt SetThis blue floral top + skirt set has been hanging in my closet for months waiting to be worn! It’s from one of my favorite brands; Misa Los Angeles. They make the most stunning colorful, printed pieces. I modified this top and scrunched the middle together to make it into a crop top. Then I used a safety pin to hold the fabric together – such an easy little DIY crop top hack! I have 2 of these Misa skirts and they’re even prettier in person. What I love about them is that they have a comfortable elastic waist, flow beautifully when you move, and are super flattering. They’re also made of a wrinkle resistant material so you legit never have to steam or iron them. AccessoriesFor shoes, I wore my favorite Aquazzura lace up sandals. Their heels are 100% worth the splurge because they last forever, never go out of style, and don’t kill your feet when you walk in them! I put on these fun V. Chapman gold cross earrings for a Dolce & Gabbana, Italian inspired look and kept the rest of my jewelry simple. These earrings have quickly become my go-to for date night!
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A Blue + White Spring Tablescape
I’ve had these beautiful blue and white dishes for 2 years and I’ve never once used them! I’ve been saving them for a “special occasion” and I finally asked myself “Why the heck am I waiting to use these?!” I realized there’s no time like the present, and they’re just too pretty to be sitting unused in the cabinet! So I pulled them out and styled them on our dining table and had a lovely lunch. If this time at home teaches us anything, I hope that it encourages us to make everyday moments special (instead of waiting for the perfect time that may never come) and really savor the time we get together. A Blue and White Spring TablescapeI’m obsessed with a blue and white color scheme for a spring tablescape. It’s so classic and fresh. I paired these dishes with white hydrangeas, but I’ve seen them paired with pink peonies before and I absolutely love the contrast of the blue and pink. The blue plates are from Tory Burch (they’re still in stock!) and the rattan cups are from Jenni Kayne (currently 20% off.) The rattan napkin rings and white linen napkins pull everything together making it feel like a bright spring table. Casual Spring Lunch SettingI opted to go without a tablecloth or placemat for a more casual spring lunch vibe, but you could easily add a crisp white linen tablecloth or runner underneath this set up. If I were to do a placemat, I’d opt for a natural rattan or woven material. Glasses + SilverwareThis white silverware is our everyday silverware and has held up beautifully. It’s currently 25% off with code FRIENDS! I always get a ton of questions about the coupe glasses I use for martinis – and you can get them here. I recommend hand washing them versus putting them in the dishwasher! Shop the rest of my entertaining pieces below!
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How To Make A Cheese Board in 10 Minutes
I hosted T and his family at my place the other night and wanted to share the spread I put together for all of us. I wanted all of the food to be casual and easy – nothing over the top. Everyone loves cheese and crackers. It’s a European staple. So I ran to Whole Foods and picked up a medley of goodies to create the perfect cheeseboard. I’ve been whipping up cheese boards for friends and family for years, and thought I’d share my tips on how to make a cheese board in 10 minutes! Wood Cheese BoardsFirst and foremost, get a beautiful wood cutting board to place all of the yummy ingredients on. This one is from Hudson Grace, which is one of my favorite home decor stores in LA (it’s at the Brentwood Country Mart.) This one from Studio McGee’s shop is super similar. They have TONS of other boards that would be stunning in any kitchen. If you’re looking for a huge, oversized board for a large party, I have this one from World Market and LOVE it. It’s perfect for creating a massive spread. Bistro table + chairsMy table is a great find from Wayfair’s outdoor section. Sadly it’s sold out, but I found this gorgeous one for half the price! Not only is this a cute outdoor table, but it’s a darling entry table, bedroom side table, or living room console. My chairs are from One Kings Lane and can be used indoor or outdoor. I also love these ones from Serena + Lily, and these ones from Amazon are super affordable. Napkins, Plates, CutleryLay out napkins, plates, and cutlery. My napkins are oldies from Pottery Barn (love this vintage stripe version). My silverware is a total STEAL and under $30 for the set! The plates are Hudson Grace’s organic style. The cheese knives are Williams Sonoma and have beautiful thick marble handles that have held up for years. If you’re looking for a more modern set, these ones from Nordstrom Home are chic. How To Make A Cheese BoardWhen it comes to building a cheese board, I like to always get; at least 3 different types of cheeses, green grapes, a fig jam (or figs), 2-3 different types of crackers, marcona almonds, and honey to drizzle on top! If it’s a meat loving group, I’ll pick up a prosciutto or salami to place underneath the cheese. It’s nice to have a mixture of different colors and textures to place around the board and for people to choose from. Types of CheeseLet’s talk about the most important part of the board – the cheese! Whole Foods has a nice cheese selection. It’s so convenient, so I head there and typically pick out 1 hard cheese, 1 softer cheese, and 1 brie. For the softer cheese, I like to get one with truffle in it. A truffle fontina is to die for!!!! For the hard cheese I like to get a parmesan and/or sharp cheddar. Other cheeses that are yummy are Manchego and Mt Tam by Cowgirl Creamery. Mt Tam is my favorite cheese of all time (legit drooling thinking about it right now LOL) and you can get it at FarmShop in LA! Arranging TechniqueIn terms of arranging everything, first place the 3 cheeses equal distance a part on your board. Then place 2 handfuls of grapes on opposite sides, and 2 handfuls of marcona almonds sprinkled on the other sides. Tuck a fanned out line of salami or prosciutto in one corner, and then place a jar of fig jam or handful of figs in the other corner. Lastly, dip a honey spoon in fresh honey, and drizzle over the brie. Place crackers to the side, or even sliced baguette for guests to help themselves! Open a bottle of wine – I love Whispering Angel rose – and enjoy!
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