entertaining
SHOP SMALL: LOVING LATELY FROM PALOMA AND CO
La Dolce Vita was one of the very first design blogs I ever followed more than a decade ago, so when designer Paloma Contreras opened Paloma and Co, it was inevitable that I would covet every single curated piece! This is one of my first stops for gifts for friends, hostesses and sometimes even teachers,…
LONG LIVE DAHLIA SEASON
The only upside to the close of summer is that my back-to-school blues are assuaged by lots and lots of dahlias! My friend Sarah started her own sustainable flower farm last February and I couldn’t wait to sign up for her fall subscription for all the dahlias, zinnias and cosmos my little heart could wish…
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: NAUTICAL BOARDS
If you guys have been following along for a while, you know that arranging charcuterie is one of my latest passions. There’s just something so therapeutic and satisfying about creating something for family and friends that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. It’s also my favorite way to celebrate the end of a long week…
BEAUTIFUL, BUDGET-FRIENDLY TABLE LINENS FOR SUMMER
Summer is the season for entertaining and even though I don’t need an excuse to set a beautiful table, it certainly helps when you find table linens that are gorgeous AND ridiculously affordable! I stumbled upon this navy and white buffalo check table cloth a few weeks back and did a double take when I…
LOVING LATELY: BLUE + WHITE + LOTS OF RATTAN
I can’t think of a more quintessential color palette for summer than blue and white.; when paired with rattan, wicker and bamboo, the effect is effortlessly chic! My husband likes to tease me that there isn’t a wicker piece I won’t find to blog about and I have to agree; chances are, a lot of…
RATTAN ENTERTAINING FAVORITES FOR SUMMER
Summer is my favorite time of year to entertain; it’s the one season where I can really go all out on my table and for my guests while still making it feel casual and laid back. Adding some texture to the table is my favorite way to add an easy, breezy, laid back vibe for…
5 EASY STEPS TO A BEAUTIFUL CHARCUTERIE BOARD
A beautifully arranged charcuterie board is my favorite way to unwind from a long week; there’s just something so therapeutic about creating something both beautiful and delicious (especially since I’m completely inept at food styling, otherwise!) I also love a beautiful cheese board to welcome friends for dinner and drinks and while I’ve yet to…
A SIMPLE, MUTED TABLE SETTING FOR SUMMER
As I’ve grown older, I find myself seeking out the simplicity in everything and that, most definitely, includes my table settings. I can certainly appreciate a beautifully set table with all the bells and whistles like napkin rings, elaborate centerpieces and a million pieces of silverware but when it comes to setting the table for…
ALFRESCO DINING FAVORITES
Since the weather has been so gorgeous and the pollen has finally cleared out, we’ve been eating as many meals as possible on the deck and it’s been glorious! The kids love it because they get to be outside and I love it because I get to use more of my favorite entertaining pieces! The…
SPRING ENTERTAINING FAVORITES
Spring is in full effect here in the south and there’s nothing I love more than throwing something on the grill, whipping up a batch of cocktails and having a few friends over for a poolside dinner! While I like to keep the food and drinks super simple, I still love going all out on…
A FRESH TABLESETTING FOR SPRING + AN EASY ALTERNATIVE FOR A FLORAL CENTERPIECE
One of my favorite quick fixes for a table centerpiece when it’s slim pickings in the floral department, or as I’m anxiously awaiting my garden to bloom, is to pull pots of garden flowers from the porch and patio in and onto the table. It’s such an easy way to add fresh color and greenery…
FOUR NON-FLORAL, EVERY DAY CENTERPIECE IDEAS FOR THE TABLE
Setting a beautiful table is a simple luxury that brings me so much joy and that I look forward to every day-especially now that my little miss is so into helping – but this time of year when it’s slim pickings in the floral section of almost every grocery store (yes, even you, Trader Joe’s),…