Cruise on over to La Dolce Vita today for another Fig + Cotton installment of Effortless Entertaining! . . .
Monday Menu: Cocktail Party Appetizers
artichokes - tart - fries - shrimp - almonds . . .
An Easter Fiesta
Easter is right around the corner! If you are like me, you are scrambling to put together some sweet Easter plans that include a touching church service, lots of egg hunting, loved ones, and delicious food. Here in Texas, we love our Mexican food. It is easy to make ahead, the flavor combinations are endless, and it is always a crowd pleaser. When I was daydreaming about the perfect Easter brunch, I decided that a soft spring fiesta would be perfect. With every home soiree, . . .
The Frugal Florist
Today's Frugal Florist post in on the blooms from last weekend's last-minute dinner party. Pretty hues of green and white were used to create a chic St. Patty's Day arrangement. . . .
Entertaining Essentials: Pretty Platters
This is the first of another new series: Entertaining Essentials. Today, I am serving up some of my favorite pretty platters that showcase your food and add to your dinner party decor. Crate and Barrel has some amazing clean, white platters. I tend to use white serving dishes most of the time as I love to see the colors and textures of the dishes I have prepared. This large rectangle is a classic you definitely need in your arsenal. (many price points) This . . .
Party in a Pinch: Last-minute St. Paddy’s Day Dinner
On Saturday evening, we had some of our close friends - who also happen to live in our neighborhood (score!) - over for a last-minute pre-St. Patrick's Day feast. It was a chilly, rainy Saturday here in Austin, and a warm meal was just what the doctor ordered. Since this was on the fly, I chose not to go overboard on the theme. However, I stuck with all things green including the florals, napkins, and even the food. We dined on individual servings of Irish beef stew, . . .
Monday Menu: St. Patty’s Day Dinner
On Saturday, we had an impromptu early St. Patty's Day dinner with a few neighborhood families. Below is a great menu -- close to the one we enjoyed -- to feast on this weekend while you celebrate this fun holiday! More on our dinner this week... potato skins - beef stew - brussels sprouts - colcannon - apple cake . . .
Monday Menu: All-American Burger Bar
Happy Monday! I am so very ready for Spring and Summer cookouts, and I can bet you are too. This menu is for just that. sliders - fries - potato salad - beans - broccoli salad - cobbler . . .
Party Wines
I have said once before that I have a beautiful friend who is a certified sommelier by the International Sommelier Guild. Brooke has impeccable taste, and she has graciously chosen some great party wines for us today. We have two whites and two reds that are fairly easy to find, along with some detailed tasting notes and food pairings. Enjoy! Santa Ema Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ema Wines was started by an Italian winemaker from the Piedmont region. . . .
Party in a Pinch: the Cheese Board
Who doesn't love a good cheese board? It is the perfect appetizer or a classic dessert, and almost every guest can find something they like if you add enough variety. Last weekend, I got together with my dear friend, Katie of Spray Paint & Chardonnay, to create a simple (and delicious!) cheese board. We knew we wanted it to be for a small affair, but we also knew we didn't want to lose any depth in our selections. We also enlisted the help of our friend, Stacey of the Tilted . . .