A Modern Thanksgiving Table

My favorite holiday is almost here! I am very excited for Thanksgiving this year because I will be spending all of next week home with my family. I don’t think I’ve had the luxury of a full week there since college!! I am already dreaming about our feast: new recipes to try, new drinks to mix up and OF COURSE a fresh new way to style the table. While last year my ideas were all about different color combinations- this year I am thinking more simple. Black, white, brown, gold. I want it to feel textural and rustic yet still edgy and modern. Of course I took to pinterest for some inspiration:

This is how I am envisioning pulling it all together:

How will you be setting the table?

Easy Entertaining: An Outdoor Fall Gathering

On the theme of Wednesday’s post, I thought I would extend the idea of an intimate outdoor gathering to today’s “Easy Entertaining”. Invite over a few friends, set the scene with a fire and a few decorations, and add a few tasty nibbles to the mix. Oh, and don’t forget the perfect bottle of wine!

1.  The folks at Kinfolk recently released this cookbook promoting their mantra of putting emphasis on the relationships that surround eating rather than a long complex menu. It sounds like a delightful idea- keep things easy and focus on spending time with good company!! I”m very curious to see what recipes are included in the book. Stay tuned for a full report!

2. In love with these delicate yet rustic tin votives

3. Campfire Popcorn!!!! Make sure to add a little salt and sugar just after popping!

4. I’ve had my eye on a chalkboard cheeseboard for sometime now. Great look, and also saves you the effort of explaining cheeses all night to guests.

5. The Prisoner is one of my favorite red wines, blending Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Syrah and Grenache. It features flavors of cherry, espresso and roasted fig which I think sounds perfect for a fall setting.

6. If you are going to make your friends sit outside all night, it’s essential that you have a good stack of blankets on hand to keep everyone warm!

7. See #6. The fire is also key.

Embracing Fall

As hesitant as I may be to admit this, Fall is starting to capture my heart again. In New England, with the crisp air and the changing leaves, its hard to not feel the season. Fall is cool and cozy and magical. I think these photos sum it up.

And this. Can you imagine? It never dawned on me to host a dinner party outside when the temps aren’t getting above 60, but even though it sounds chilly- it looks so warm.

Now this party is all I can think about (the fact that I don’t have a backyard being a minor detail). A simple gathering with close friends, delicious food and all the sentiments of Autumn is exactly what we need. Bonfire required. Wouldn’t you agree?

 

Hostess Gifts

Summer is so much about visiting friends and celebrating the season. Chances are, you will be attending one or two parties and as any good guest who wants to be invited back a second time, you are going to need to pick out a great hostess gift. This goes beyond the obligatory bottle of wine or case of Sam’s Summer. You want something for your host/ hostess to enjoy long after the guests have left. I’ve selected a few summery gifts in a few different price points here. Everything from cute cocktail napkins to a summery coffee table book. Try to pick something you know the recipient will use- do they LOVE to garden?? Why not these cute printed gardening tools? Are they more of a grill master? How about a set of seasonings and rubs? You really can’t go wrong.

Tip for the wise: I like to keep a few gifts on hand in the house, just in case I don’t have time to find something before a spontaneous party. If I never give them away, I can always use them for myself!

I was planning to write…

… but a mob got in my way. Really. I was PLANNING to write today about the Restoration Hardware opening that Nick and I attended last night. The new “RH Gallery” has completely transformed the space once lived in by Louis, Bonwit Teller and the old Boston Society for Natural History (aka what is now the Museum of Science).

Well, if you follow me on twitter, you might have seen my rantings about the relative MAYHEM at the party.  This one ended up being shut down by the police- and not in a “oh how cool” sort of way. Honestly, the space was AMAZING- but there were so many people we could barely move. I couldn’t find one drink, or tasty snack and while the singer Edei was good- I’ve been less pushed around in “mosh pits” at metal concerts.

I’m over being disappointed, so I’ll leave you with my ONE picture. (note that its of the only good view I had- the ceiling) I’ll have to visit this weekend to better view the architectural renovations. Stay tuned!