What I Learned From Hosting My First Dinner Party
It’s hard.
Parties are already hard enough, but add in the dinner part and it’s even harder. I’m not a cook, and never should have attempted to be one. Cooking for two is enough of a chore most nights, so cooking for eight is rough. How do people know when they should start everything so it all comes out at the same time? How do you finish cooking while greeting everyone as they arrive?
I’m the kind of person who wants everything completely done by the time the first person steps in the door, and that is not going to happen with a dinner party.
[Note: I am being a little overly dramatic – everything turned out wonderfully, with no mishaps to speak of. I was more stressed out on the inside, than I was on the outside, which is always a good skill to have.]
Before I share some photos of the evening, let me back up a bit – while in Vegas with the sistahs, we decided to do a family supper club. Each of the four couples hosts once a year, youngest to oldest. We started the tradition and will pass it to Sister E for summer.
When it finally comes back around to us next year, I have it all figured out – not only will we have a porch party again, this time it will be a pizza porch party. One of our favorite foods, and so easy. I can spend more time on the decor, drinks and dessert, which I love, and less on the rest of the menu.
The Location:
Front porch – with folding tables, butcher paper tablecloths + rented chairs
[Without a formal dining room table, or seating for 8, you have to get creative!]
The Menu:
Baked Parmesan Pork Chops
Green + White Asparagus
Crockpot Potatoes
Baby Wedge Salads
Sister Schubert’s Rolls
[Not Pictured: Appetizer – Baked Brie with apples, summer sausage + vintage cheddar cheese]
The Drink:
Sunset Sangria
15 oz. Blanco Tequila
1 bottle of Pinot Grigio
25 oz. Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
25 oz. Club Soda
1 cup Lime Juice
Mix together. Add ice and large fruit garnishes. Enjoy!
[Tip: Ask every couple to bring a bottle of wine. You supply a signature drink!]
The Dessert:
Pioneer Woman’s Lemon Lime Pound Cake – YUM.
So fresh, moist and very spring-y tasting. Also, goes perfectly with coffee the next morning.
The Guests:
The best part of any event!
The Morning After:
Coffee (and leftover cake) on the front porch, thankful for a wonderful family + the ability to get to host an event with abundant food and drink
Happy Sunday!
xo xo
wednesday, my inspiration.
The most vibrant sound in the room is one that can either soothe or distress.
The wick is almost at its end, but fights for dear life, throwing its light from side to side and forcing itself to be heard and not forgotten.
At times it competes with the screaming thunder, but its benefit is its consistency –
laying a raspy baseline throughout the room.
The puppy is confused. He looks up from his sleepy state on the newly carpeted floor, searching for the source of the hissing and buzzing.
The thunder stops and the rain begins; the wick seems to play in harmony with the pitter patter. Occasionally birds add a verse, bringing the illumination of spring.
The girl sits on the couch drinking it all in.
She sits in her cushy sweats wine in hand, after removing her corporate attire. She sits with fragrant food in the crockpot, waiting for husband to arrive home. She sits on her immaculate couch, admiring her new rug. She sits oblivious of how thankful she should be of nearly everything around her.
She sits in silence.
She allows herself the peace and rest and lack of distractions that are so hard to come by. She doesn’t feel the need to turn on the radio, or the tv, or grab her magazines.
She sits in silence.
And then the hail begins.
Spring Fashion: Fringe, Mules + More
Okay, we had our snow day, so now I’m officially ready for spring. Can I get an Amen? At least dream with me for a minute while we discuss the spring fashion trends …
W I D E L E G P A N T S
High waisted and wide leg are the pants for spring. Typically these are not my style. I’m still lovin’ the skinny jeans, but how cute is this outfit?! I’ll definitely be trying this one out.
O V E R S I Z E D F L O R A L
Floral’s been having it’s moment for a minute, but now it’s all about the BIG floral. This totally makes it seem more wearable to me.
F R I N G E
Fringe: jackets, cardigans, dresses, purses, jewelry – it’s all over the place! Isn’t this jacket from Free People TDF??
S H O E S: M U L E S
I don’t know how comfortable these shoes are yet, but they’re certainly stylish. I’ve seen mule heels, platforms and flats, so there’s something for everyone.
C O L O R E D S U E D E
I honestly don’t think I own anything suede. This trend is all about suede in bold colors for the season. You could even mix suede and fringe together – and mules!
S H O U L D E R B E A R I N G
I love this trend. Shoulders can be so sexy, right? Off the shoulder is definitely the easiest way to go, but also cutout shoulders like in this photo.
Which trend are you looking forward to the most?
xo xo
You might also enjoy: 2013: Sunny Style, 2011: Spring [Fashion] Is In The Air, 2010: Fashion Week Designers Reveal Spring Trends
{spring things}
{pretty in pink mani}
{pink lemonade margaritas}
{colorful minis + windblown hair}
{breathtaking sunsets}
{patio living}
{inspiration}
{farmers market flowers}
{long walks with pup}
{outdoor brunch}
xo xo
life lately
{celebrating // Boys & Girls Club at the Great Futures Gala}
{reading // halfway through The Interestings, then on to The Best of Us}
{relaxing // by the pool after a long day at work and before the freak snow storm}
{enjoying // this cutie’s company}
{brunching // avocado + roma tomato scramble, mango mimosa at Table Mesa}
We also spent a wonderful Saturday morning at the first Farmer’s Market of the year.
xo xo
Oh that sweet, sweet smell.
I’ve been taking Olli on long walks the last few days because it’s been GORGEOUS here and about to get cold again for the next week. Every day I’ve caught a whiff of one of my favorite smells of Spring – honeysuckle. You know those smells that just instantly put you in a good mood and transport you to a favorite time or place? For me, it’s this beautiful, fragrant flower.
What’s your favorite Spring smell?
xo xo
Rain, Rain Go Away, It’s Farmers Market Saturday
{first stop: coffee}
{next stop: the square with our guardian penguins}
{then a little shopping}
{final stop: Crepes Paulette, Nutty Monkey + Strawberry and Nutella}
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Saturday morning and who’s gonna play with me
Spring Details For the Home
1. Flowers – fresh or fake, Home Goods 2. Brightly colored candy adds flair to a coffee table
3. Fun throw pillows, Nate Berkus for Target 4. Eye-popping books + candles for the bedside
* * *
In our little apartment it’s all about the details. Small changes can update the feel of our home and signal a season change. We don’t have the resources to completely redecorate for Spring, so above are some easy, affordable ideas to update your home.
Or if all else fails, just get a cute husband and puppy. That always does the trick.
xo xo
You might also enjoy: 5 things {I love about our little apartment}, Dear Spring Santa,
life lately
{celebrating // a beautiful friend’s bachelorette party}
{brunching // with mimosas on a patio. Is there any other way?}
{traveling // to Dayton, OH for work and the sweet old guy on the plane gave me this list of things to do in town}
{eating // this amazing deliciousness that is Pho}
{enjoying // a final night with my dear friend moving to LA}
{critiquing // contemporary art at 21c}
xo xo
p.s. I did wear the exact same outfit two Friday nights in a row with two different groups of friends.
My secret is out.
Sunny Style
Today feels like the first truly spring day we’ve had. As I’ve been doing housework with the doors and windows open and Olli has been luxeriating in the sun, I’ve been daydreaming of permanently warm weather and its accompanying spring style.
1. Keds for Kate Spade New York; 2. Chino Shorts, J. Crew; 3. Textured Peplum Top, Banana Republic; 4. Henry, Marc by Marc Jacobs; 5. Mani Pedi Fund Cory Pouch, Rebecca Minkoff; 6. Summer Straw Hat, J. Crew
xo xo
favorites.
These are a few of my current favorite things & I wanted to share with you, my lovely readers.
* * *
{Just sign up now. Don’t ask questions.}
{Dear Mindy, I watched your show The Mindy Project and thought you were pretty funny. I followed you on Twitter and thought you were hilarious. I read your book “Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me?” and thought you were brilliant. XO, your newest fan}
{Whether for breakfast or snack or dessert, it’s always 100 calories & it always tastes just like Key Lime Pie.}
{Gel manicures – I know there’s a lot of controversy right now about getting cancer from the UV nail lights, but that’s not going to stop me. Look how pretty they always turn out?! I’m currently sporting the My Sugar Baby Blue in the top left in hopes of warmer weather.}
{I recently subscribed to this magazine and I love it. It’s a perfect mix of my entertainment news + global news stories (and doesn’t JLaw look stunning??)}
{My new nude pumps are going to be my Spring best friend. I will wear with boyfriend jeans, work attire + my nude lace dress for Easter this weekend.}
What are a few of your favorite things?
xo xo
m.davis xoxo 