Most everyone loves lemonade, so here is a recipe courtesy spoonforkbacon for a grown-up version of this pink lady. Make a huge batch for your BBQ or picnic and sit back and enjoy. We hope you have a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Posts Tagged ‘entertaining’
elevate even the most casual parties with a bit of direction…and calligraphy
If you are entertaining friends and family this summer it’s ok to give them a bit of direction and having a calligrapher do a few simple tags or signs for you can help you do that. You can’t be everywhere when your guests start arriving, so having a station or bar set up for drinks so they may help themselves can actually let them feel at home and at ease. A calligraphed note can act as your elegant helping hand and let them know it’s ok to dive into the festivities without you waiting on them. This calligraphy was done … Read more
set a casual summer table with our Jars bowls and plates from france
Our feathered bowls and plates from Jars and made in France have a subtle pattern reminiscent of water- perfect for a summer table setting. Cream and blue colors transport you to the sea even if you’re not by the beach. A simple floral centerpiece of hydrangeas is classic and elegant. See the Jars stoneware collection on our Little Blue Dish Shop. (Featured in Architectural Digest July issue and shot by Pieter Estersohn)
tabletop: scrabble alphabet “place cards”
On a recent weekend I hosted guests I used wood scrabble pieces as place cards. The family I hosted also had two young boys, so these were great for both adults and children. I spread the pieces out on the table for the kids to spell out the names themselves. It involved them in the table setting and it was just a fun idea for a casual table setting. I found these alphabet pieces through Save On Crafts– 60 pieces for $3.99. I purchased five sets to make sure I had enough letters for everyone’s name. You could also … Read more
entertaining with victoria amory: 3 recipes for tomato & orange gourmet cooking sauce
Victoria Amory, cooking and entertaining expert, has four gourmet cooking sauces available now on hsn.com. Today she shares three unique recipes for her tomato and orange cooking sauce. This month Victoria also launched soups and entrées on hsn.com, so you can simply purchase her ready-made foods and your guests will think you are a gourmet chef (We love this!). Make sure to pick up Palm Beach Entertaining too, a book Victoria co-authored. We bet you’ll love it as much as you love her recipes and foods.
trick of the trade: use multiples and repetition with centerpieces for a dramatic presentation (along with a tight color palette… of course)
I almost forgot that I used this week’s palette a number of years ago in collaboration with Antony Todd, so I thought I’d share it with you today. We worked on a story together for Martha Stewart Weddings, transforming the giant open space in the middle of the Starrett-Lehigh offices which was photographed by the very talented Victor Schrager and art directed by visionary Ellen Burnie. When planning a party, celebration or even a wedding it’s always best to start with a color palette. Then as you begin to decide on your decor an easy trick of the trade for … Read more
entertaining with victoria amory: 3 recipes for her apricot & almond gourmet cooking sauce
Every Friday in April, celebrated cook and TV personality, Victoria Amory, has been sharing recipes for her new gourmet cooking sauces available on hsn.com. Last week Victoria also introduced soups and other dishes like chicken parmesan. With all these prepared foods now available it’s like having Victoria come to our home and cook for us personally! We love it!
entertaining with victoria amory: 3 recipes for plum & cranberry gourmet cooking sauce
As part of our on-going series with celebrated cook and tv personality Victoria Amory, Victoria will be sharing recipes for her new line of gourmet cooking sauces every Friday in April. Today Victoria shares with us 3 recipes for her plum & cranberry sauce! Don’t forget that all four flavors of her sauces are all sold through hsn.com.
hors d’oeuvres- serve them up in style
Last minute guests? Treat yourself to some stylish servers, bowls & spoons for your dips, veggies and cocktail munchies this holiday season. I love to use our felt placemats on the table instead of a tray to add color and place my servers and bowls on these (they also work great as trivets if you are serving something hot). Then I fill our stainless steel hors d’oeuvres bowl with veggies or nuts and I usually fill some individual matte and shiny bowls with dips, peanuts, dried fruit etc. so there is plenty to snack on with cocktails. To … Read more
books: the last course by claudia fleming
Claudia Fleming, pastry chef and co-owner of North Fork Table and Inn wrote a book back in 2001 with writer Melissa Clark called “The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern” when Claudia was the pastry chef there. Claudia is a winner of the James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef Award. There are a few copies on Amazon.com, and well worth the investment if you love making your own unique desserts for entertaining. I particularly love her Chocolate Caramel Tarts with sea salt (see photo below). This book is a perfect gift for someone that loves to bake or just … Read more
