Parties - The Everyday Hostess

Entertaining October 19, 2019

Gourmet Dinner Party Made Easy

Thank you to Harry and David for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Y’all know I love a luxurious and gourmet dinner party. Nothing makes me more excited than dreaming up a beautiful tablescape, spending hours planning and cultivating the perfect menu and inviting our friends over for an incredible evening.

Sometimes, though, there just isn’t enough time in this busy life to do the shopping and planning needed for a WOW-worthy party – Especially true for Landon and me as we get acquainted with a new city AND with a baby on the way. BUT! This doesn’t need to stop us from hosting the jaw-dropping dinner parties we all love… We may just need to outsource a bit 🙂 ! And that’s where Harry and David comes in.

I recently discovered Harry and David Gourmet when I wanted to host a dinner party for some of our new friends in Denver; however, I honestly didn’t have the energy to put everything together (hello 1^st trimester sleepiness). I’ve always been familiar with their annual pear and fruit deliveries but had no idea that Harry and David Gourmet had an inspired collection of thought-fully chosen appetizers, entrees, desserts and wines that are perfectly curated for the well-defined palette and for those who love to host dinner parties… Ummm, hello! I needed this in my life! I wanted to show our guests the full Everyday Hostess experience with a unique theme and ambience. With Harry and David’s ready-to-serve premium gourmet meals and paired sparkling wine, I was set!

Ever since we visited friends in Boston, I’ve been dying to bring that east coast, nautical charm to one of my dinner parties – and this was the perfect excuse! I set my table accordingly with a color palette of red, navy and white and incorporated the cutest lobster plates, starfish, boating rope, and of course this adorable lighthouse candle set as the centerpiece. I ordered two of Harry and David’s ready-to-serve gourmet meals and sparkling wine, and that’s literally all I did for this event. Harry and David did all the rest!

A gourmet charcuterie board is a classy way to open any dinner party, and Harry and David did a masterful job with theirs – pairing Artisan cheeses with salamis and crackers. After some mingling we enjoyed our main event, which was Harry and David’s Gourmet Lobster Truffle Mac and Cheese meal. Y’all, I could rave about this meal for hours. The quality, the presentation, the ease was absolutely superb. And it meshed wonderfully with my theme to boot!

You wouldn’t believe what was included in the Gourmet Lobster Truffle Mac and Cheese! This beautifully crafted meal included Citrus Herb Scallops with a mouthwatering Truffle Lobster Mac and Cheese and the sweetest fresh peach crisp made of ripe peaches and topped with a toffee crumble. Un.be.lieavable.

Harry and David could not have made this dinner party any easier on me. Not only was everything perfectly presented with the scallops displayed in individual sea shells and the Truffle Lobster Mac and Cheese in individual ramekins, everything was already prepared and just needed to be heated for a maximum of 25 minutes. So quick and easy, yet with the seafood coming from Maine, it tasted so fresh as if it had been caught and flown in on the same day. All I had to do was un-package the boxes and set the table, and voilà! A spread made to impress! And did I mention the paired sparkling wine they included with the meal?! No detail was spared.

The party looked like I had been preparing for days and all I had to do was review all of H&D’s gourmet options, click to order, and it showed up on my doorstep fresh and ready to wow in just a matter of days!

It’s the perfect way to host a luxury event with friends and family without getting bogged down in all the details leading up to the evening. I also love the idea of sending these meals to friends and families as gifts or as part of a meal train for someone with an illness or to new parents (no casserole from you!).

Check out their full list of gourmet selections for your next dinner party. It’s sure to impress and you’ll have all your guests asking for your recipes and tricks!

Enjoy!

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Cinco de Mayo April 21, 2019

Let’s Fiesta!

Holy guacamole! how cute is this Cinco de Mayo brunch party?!

It wouldn’t be a proper fiesta without a vibrant color scheme. And this show-stopping balloon garland from our friends at Lushra paired with all our decor from Mesa Chic accomplishes that in a big way.

Ay dios mio! That balloon garland is everything. Lushra’s balloons are just gorg and make for the perfect statement decor that your amigos will find muy impresivo! Lushra is Dallas based but they have an incredible DIY kit, which is what I used, that makes even the novice DIY’er a balloon expert!

With the help of the folks at Mesa Chic, we found the perfect accents to complete the vivid look. How amazing is the serape table runner and the banner?! The whole color scheme was built off of the runner and I think it helped pull the look together perfectly.

Sprinkle in some theme-appropriate napkins like these or these, a pinata or two, adorable sombreros, and the cutest custom cookies from Just Call Me Cookie, and our buffet was decked out in Cinco de Mayo style!

Pro-tip: score some cacti (yes, I buy these on Amazon) for your Cinco de Mayo bash – they’re not only on-brand for the holiday but also SUPER trendy right now as everyday home decor!

Taco ‘bout a party!

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Easter April 3, 2019

Tips for Hosting an Easter Egg Hunt

One of my favorite parts of Easter (besides preparing the brunch, of course 🙂 ) is the Easter egg hunt! There is always so much excitement and laughter as the kids run around the backyard collecting all of their eggs, so let’s make it the best Easter egg hunt possible this year! Check out our tips below for creating the perfect Easter egg hunt!

Determine the Type of Eggs – Depending on your preference, you may want to use reusable eggs filled with candy or other prizes, or home-dyed hard boiled eggs. The plastic eggs are super cheap and can easily be used over many years. The main downside to using decorated hard boiled eggs is that they may rot if they are not found right away.

Prepare the Eggs -If you are using the reusable eggs, be sure to stuff them a couple of days in advance. You will have enough to do the day before in preparation for your Easter meal or the Easter bunny, so get this out of the way early. Stuff the eggs with a variety of candy types including Jelly Beans, SweetTarts, and Robin Eggs! If you want to mix up your Easter egg hunt a little bit, have a couple special eggs with stars or a special note in them that gives the finder a bigger prize!

Make sure you have enough eggs for each kid. Nobody likes a hunt that ends too quickly! Allow about 20 eggs per child.

Hide the Eggs – Always allow a bit more time than you think to hide the eggs. If your hunt is early in the morning when the kiddos wake up, hide the eggs the night before assuming weather allows 🙂 Otherwise wake up a little bit earlier, or have someone entertain the kids while you hide them!

Hide the Eggs According to Age – Make the hunt age appropriate by hiding the eggs based on the child’s height and abilities. If you have younger kids (usually under 3), place the eggs in plain sight and just spread them out on the ground. Kids ages 4-7 may be ready for spots that are a bit more out of the way such as in bushes, near trees, in pots, etc. Have fun finding creative and tricky spots for the older kids such as in trees, behind bushes, in drains, etc.

Easter Baskets – Make sure every kid has an Easter basket or bag to collect their eggs.

Make the Rules – Point out the boundaries of the search to the kids, so they don’t go on a wild goose chase! If you want to differentiate eggs between kids, color code them so different age groups pick up certain colors.

Enjoy! – Sit back and watch the kid’s enjoy the hunt! Take lots of pictures so the memories last a lifetime!

Do you have any other fun tips for hosting an Easter egg hunt? I would love to hear about your family’s traditions!

Happy Easter!

Desserts April 1, 2019

Easter Dessert Table with Swoozies

Happy Easter! My goodness Easter sure has snuck up on me this year! Between all of the wedding planning for both me and my best friend, my holiday preparation has, unfortunately, taken the back seat. Whether you’re like me and short on time or have a big sweet tooth (also like me!), join us in setting the perfect Easter dessert table this year!

I partnered with my friends over at Swoozies to put together this adorable, bright, and festive Easter sweets display that’s the perfect addition to any Easter brunch or is also bold and beautiful enough to stand on it’s own! Check out all our fun details below!

Desserts March 20, 2019

Ice Cream Social

If y’all checked out our recent ice cream social inspiration board, you know how much we love incorporating this theme into our end of summer soirees, birthday parties, and school gatherings! I mean what’s not to love? A fun party theme with a beautiful pastel color palette and a bar filled with all your favorite toppings to dress up your ice cream sundae! No guest can complain about that!

Now this is one inspiration board we just HAD to bring to life! And that we did! With a bright color palette of pink, yellow, mint and lavender, we threw the cutest ice cream social complete with a DIY topping and sundae bar! Check out the original inspo board here and see how we brought it all to life below!

Valentine's Day February 8, 2019

Kate Spade Valentine’s Day Party

Kate Spade and lots and lots of pink — who needs Cupid? Because that’s a match made in heaven! Saying that I was on Cloud 9 while creating this Valentine’s Day tablescape is a bit of an understatement. This Kate Spade inspired Valentine’s Day brunch setting is more than enough to make a girl swoon!

I mean, what else could we ask for in a tablescape besides lots of pinks, golds, Kate Spade products and a table full of tasty treats?! My eyes are still seeing hearts!

I’m absolutely obsessed with Kate Spade these days (for more than just her first name), so of course, I had to find a way to include her iconic style into this Valentine’s Day brunch party!

To create this lovely set-up, I started off with a simple white table cloth and dressed it up with a black and white striped table runner (really basic fabric from Hobby Lobby), which we are seeing in so many of her designs right now. Then I just layered the table with as much pink and gold as possible! Fresh flowers are always a wonderful centerpiece, but if you want to reuse them in the future, many silk arrangements look very real!

Bed Bath and Beyond carries these adorable pink, gold and white plates and chargers, which I paired with some gold flatware to bring in a touch of “glam.” To add a little bit more of a pink feminine flare, I got some super cheap ribbon from Hobby Lobby and just tied bows around each chair to give the table a more finished and buttoned-up look.

Finally, to top off the entire tablescape, I found these large 40-inch gold mylar XOXO balloons to tie in the Valentine’s Day theme a bit more. Who doesn’t want some extra X’s and O’s around Valentine’s Day?! (Brb — going to listen to that Elle King song on repeat!) These balloons are so popular and trendy right now, and it is not hard to see why! They could not be any cuter! I got mine from Ella Celebration who worked with me to get exactly what I needed. You can order any letters or numbers that you want, and they are perfect for any gathering or birthday party!

Of course, no party is complete without a delicious menu! I played matchmaker with some festive recipes… and they make for a wonderful marriage of flavors and colors, if I do say so myself! The deep color of Red Velvet waffles just scream Valentine’s Day, plus who doesn’t want to wake up to a plate of red velvet waffles?! I also just love these adorable Apple Rose tarts. They are little bouquets of deliciousness, and we could all use a few more roses this holiday!

Menu:

Red Velvet Waffles with a Cream Cheese Glaze | Apple Rose Tarts |

Breakfast Potatoes | Cheesy Quiche |

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake | Cranberry Pomegranate Mimosa

This menu is perfect for a relaxed family morning brunch at home or for a more formal brunch with friends and family! Plus each recipe is decently simple and quick, so you can prepare the night before and throw it all together in the morning and enjoy your Valentine’s Day with your loved ones!

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? I would love to hear about your favorite traditions in the comments below!

Design:

Event Styling: The Everyday Hostess

Food & Recipes: The Everyday Hostess

Photography: Stephanie Drenka

Products:

XOXO Gold Balloons: Ella Celebration

Cupcake Holders: Bella Cupcake Couture

Kate Spade Pink Napkins: Bed Bath and Beyond

Kate Spade Gold Flatware: Kate Spade

Gold Beaded Napkin Rings: Bed Bath and Beyond

Champagne Flutes: Nordstrom

B by Brandie Black Salad Plate: Bed Bath and Beyond

B by Brandie Gold Dinner Plate: Bed Bath and Beyond

Metallic Candle Holders: Bed Bath and Beyond

Gold Chargers: Bed Bath and Beyond

Pink Peony Flower Arrangement: Wayfair

Black and White Striped Table Runner: Hobby Lobby

Valentine's Day February 1, 2019

Valentine’s Day Bar Cart

Valentine’s Day is almost here! Hooray! No matter what your plans are this holiday, an intimate dinner with your guy or a stylish party with your gals, it’s time to start decorating in all our favorite holiday reds and pinks!

This year, I am bringing out the brightest and boldest shades and having so much fun making my Valentine’s day decor pop, starting with my bar cart!

I’ve partnered with my sweet friends at Swoozies to decorate a festive and stylish Valentine’s Day bar cart. They have the absolute cutest Valentine’s Day party decor (well, really party decor for everything!) but I am just loving their adorable selection of products this year!

Check out all the details and be sure to swing on over to Swoozies online or your local store to create a stunning party!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
xoxox

Kate

Entertaining May 22, 2018

Sophisticated Summer Garden Engagement Party

Huge thank you to For Your Party for sponsoring this post and including us in your For Your Party tablescape challenge. While products were provided, all opinions are my own.

It’s such an honor to be part of a dear friend’s wedding process and to be asked to help craft memories that will be cherished forever. When Landon and I were both asked to be part of some of our best friend’s wedding party, of course, my mind went straight to planning engagement parties and showers – after I’d finished wiping the tears off my face, of course.

We wanted to find the ideal setting to celebrate Tim and Ashley’s upcoming nuptials with an elegant garden party, and naturally it needed to be customized to our future bride and her fiancé. The blue, white, and gold color palette highlighted in the tablescape and personalized For Your Party decor was the perfect complement to a backyard oasis that would make any hostess green with envy.

I have been so inspired by Chinoiserie jars lately and knew I had to incorporate them into the gathering. Something about the colors and chicness of them is so refreshing, natural and just screams summer elegance to me, so I styled the entire party off of these home decor favorites.

So we have the perfect couple, the perfect backdrop and a theme we are still swooning over, but what really makes an engagement party special for the couple is tailoring the details to them. Incorporating their future monogram, wedding logos, names, and pictures really gives this party that personal touch.

As we all know – it’s all in the details, and thanks to For Your Party, this soirée was nothing short of detailed!

For Your Party was the perfect partner to supply the delightful decor that gave our guests of honor the love and attention that their engagement deserves. For your Party is a party decor company that makes it so simple for all of us hosts and hostesses to create custom party accessories for any gathering of any formality. With their focus on the customer experience and industry-leading technology, it’s fun and hassle-free to utilize their tailored designs, or even customize your own accessory designs in real time via their graphic design systems!

From the gold foil monogrammed napkins and matching frosted cups, to the coasters, to intricacies like drink stirrers and coordinating match boxes and napkin rings, every detail helped emphasize the classic style of the bride-and-groom-to-be. And it was so easy to make it our own with FYP’s interactive website.

I knew I wanted a classic, semi-preppy look, so I started off looking for a traditional monogrammed design in their Engagement Party recommended decor. I found this vine styled monogram on a napkin and filtered through their dozens of color options until I found a gold metallic foil I loved. I’m all about consistency, so through their design portal, I had this same image replicated on coordinating drink stirrers, cups, napkins and coasters. Could this be any classier?!

I wanted to mix it up a bit more, so I designed these gold metallic match boxes for each guest’s place setting because, of course, they are the perfect match 🙂 and coordinated them with a matching napkin ring for each place setting!

Put it all together and we have a classic and sophisticated garden party tailored to our favorite couple – and a beautiful memory for the future Mr. and Mrs. and their closest friends!

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Entertaining Essentials May 1, 2018

Kentucky Derby Entertaining Essentials

Between the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo this weekend, there are no shortages of parties or reasons to celebrate! We’ll never turn down a good margarita, but when it’s countered with a refreshing mint julep, a derby hat and a garden party, we may need to pause.

Now that we are finally getting settled in our new home, I’m always looking for reasons to host an outdoor gathering. So with the Kentucky Derby this weekend, we’re going all out! Whether you’re looking to host a last minute gathering with your gals or wanting to host a swanky derby soiree, we’ve got you covered with our Kentucky Derby Entertaining Essentials!

Enjoy!

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4th of July April 30, 2018

Nautical Summer Brunch

We’d love to thank Laurie Louis Design for sponsoring this post. While products were supplied for this post, all opinions are my own.

Searching for the perfect baby shower idea to celebrate the mother-to-be in your life? Drop anchor and settle in for our nautical baby shower brunch co-captained by our friends at Laurie Louis Design!

I’m thrilled that this brunch was our maiden voyage at our new house (that finally has a real dining table!) and am absolutely swooning over the nautical theme with a southern, beachy and classic flair.

Jump on in, the water’s great!

This baby shower screamed summer prep with our red, white and blue party decor from Laurie Louis Design, which we paired with some of our favorite nautical lanterns, ship wheels, fishing net, and, of course, life ring buoys! Laurie specializes in custom and southern-inspired stationery and gifts, so I knew that there was no better way to bring our vision to life for this nautical brunch than with some of her custom decor – especially her crab themed line, which helped pull this entire party together!

The invitation sets the style and mood for every party, so it had to be a stand out! We loved creating this adorable “Ahoy It’s a Boy” invitation using Laurie’s designs.