entertain-tip #8... make the house warm.

whether it's moving apartments or buying a home, we've all had friends or family members give up their old digs in turn for a better view, more squre footage, a fresher coat of paint, or simply a newer nest to call their own.  


i love the anticipation and sense of new beginnings that a move conjures up. a move is, at it's very core, a change... and change is always emotional.  personally, i think a move is a sign of growth... a chance to leave behind what you've outgrown and settle into a new place that will serve as the foundation for whatever your journey holds next.


...and it's probably because i think moving symbolizes so much, that i always find myself struggling for the perfect housewarming gift to bring over that expresses my happiness, support and well wishes for my dear friend.



I've recently done a little research into this act of giving and it turns out that many cultures have their own variations of a how to warm house...


give...
-  a candle so that there will always be light
-  a broom to "sweep away evil"
-  wine so that they never go thirsty
-  honey or chocolate so life continues to be sweet
-  bread so that they never go hungry
-  salt for good luck
-  olive oil for good health

awesome, right? simple yet meaningful. give one or bundle a few together for the perfect package of new house love.


...and when you're the host, don't forget to take these traditions and turn them inward to help create a welcoming, cozy atmosphere for you and your guests:

-  light the candles
-  open the wine
-  serve the bread, salt and olive oil (preferably with cheese & some prosciutto)
-  and end the night with chocolate or a bit o' honey. 

entertain-tip #7... icy, cold, deliciousness

it's july...the weather is warm... the sun is shining...and america is about to turn another year older.

this means that it's basically our duty to take the afternoon off, slip into something a little more skin-bearing, pump up the jams, and get out to enjoy the sunshine with an icy cold beverage in hand.

i swore i wouldn't do another drink post, but these two dolls are just too good not to share...plus, you can whip up a big batch of each for this weekend's festivities and smile big at the super-sized praise you get as your friends sip themselves silly.

first to the party, is miss dizzy palmer... introduced to me by the lovely lass whom i trust to cut & shape my locks. we enjoyed these on her back porch post hair-cut and could have easily stayed there until my next appointment.

she's almost too simple to make, impossible to mess up, and adds the perfect bit of sunshine and laughter to any day.

dizzy palmer:

- sweet tea flavored vodka (preferably seagram's)

- your favorite lemonade (i choose simply lemonade)

- orange or lemon slices for garnish.

- ice cubes

directions:

pour 1.5 parts vodka to 3 parts lemonade and mix gently together. pour over a glass (filled to the brim with ice). garnish with citrus wedge and serve with a straw.

...next to the party is a classic beauty from the 50's, the moscow mule. i had heard of but never tasted this delight until one of my most favorite people on this earth insisted i try it. it took just one sip and i was hooked.

she's incredibly refreshing and adds an element of surprise that will keep you coming back for more.

moscow mule

- vodka

- simple syrup

- ginger beer

- lime juice (fresh squeezed)

- lime wedges
- mint

directions:

pour 1.5 parts vodka to 4 parts ginger beer, a splash of simple syrup and lime juice to taste and mix gently together. pour over a glass (filled to the brim with ice). garnish with lime wedge, mint sprig and serve with a straw.

the key to both is a lot of ice... and that fancy straw that makes that drink ready for the sippin'

now go, grab these ingredients on your way home, and ease into your three day weekend... just be warned that these babies go down easy, so sip slowly and be safe.

entertain-tip #6... put a ring on them

i'm a big believer in the simple things... nothing too ornate or over the top, so that (whatever the object may be...) its innate beauty and charm can shine through.

so when i spotted the leather napkin holders @ bar bambino, i had to ask and find out where they were from.

turns out the charcuterie obsessed, wine loving, passionate staff @ bar bambino are also quite handy, cutting & doweling these leather straps themselves.

learning that lil' tid-bit not only inspired me to try and get my hands on some remnant leather pieces & make some of my own, but got me thinking about how easy it would be to replicate this with just about any material.

leather, lace, cotton, linen... you name it.

it's easy as 1,2,3...

1. cut material into triangles.

2. punch a whole at the widest end.

3. roll up napkin, wrap fabric around it, and pull thru the hole!

and voila!

...finally some napkin rings that my linens will be happy to wear!

entertain tip #5 ... sangriahhhhhh

for those of you who know me, you know that i'm a pretty big fan of day drinking. and although my definition of day drinking may have matured since my early 20's, my love for it is still going strong.

whether it's a super chilled glass of wine, a cold beer, or a tall glass filled to the brim with ice & a delicious concoction of the stiffest kind, drinks just make sunny days all the more perfect.

to celebrate the start of sunny days, i thought i'd share with you my sangria recipe. it takes 24 hours to make, so whip up a batch tonight and then call your friends and tell them to come over tomorrow... the weatherman said it's going sunny and hot!

sangria

2 bottles of red wine... spanish preferred, but any kind will work.

1 cup tequila OR brandy... whichever you prefer

1/2 cup simple syrup*

1/2 cup triple sec

1 cup pom juice

1 cup orange juice... no pulp!

green apples

oranges

directions...

make simple syrup, cool. mix all other ingredients in a BIG bowl. make some space in your 'fridge, cover the bowl, and refrigerate over night.

as for the fruit...

i prefer the fruit in my sangria to be on the crunchier side, so i slice my apples and oranges a couple of hours before serving. if you prefer your fruit to pack a heavier punch, slice and let marinate over night with the sangria.

serve sangria in a punch bowl or pitcher.

ladel/pour over ice.

enjoy... many, many glasses.

cheers!

* simple syrup is 50/50 mixture of water & sugar, heated until sugar dissoves, then cooled.

entertain-tip #4... it's not NOPA, but it's close

if you live in san francisco, you know and love NOPA. you love the vibe. you love the food. and you probably don't even mind the hour+ wait because you can soak in the scene, relish in the communinal chatter, and stare at the mouth watering goodness coming out of the kitchen all while sipping on a most delectable cocktail (or glass of wine).

everything is good. everything. but i have a soft spot in my heart for the warm bubbly goodness of their giant bean appetizer. it takes the edge off of my grumbling stomach in a oozey, homecooked, comfort food way... and they're beans so they're high in protein and healthy, right?

but since i can't indulge in NOPA every day, i thought i'd try to recreate at home...

it's delish. and a perfect, easy yet impressive, appetizer to share with some of your greatest friends over a bottle of wine (like i did tonight.)

recipe for: "almost NOPA's" giant beans

**you can get all ingredients from your local trader joes

- a jar of trader joe's giant white beans in tomato sauce

- goat cheese crumbles
- panko breadcrumbs
- hint of pesto

pre-heat oven to 375. layer beans into a flat oven proof ramekin. add a heavy layer of goat cheese crumbles & slightly mix in with the beans. spatter little drops of pesto on top... not too much, not too little.

pop in oven for 10 minutes. take out and sprinkle a generous dusting of panko on top. pop back in oven for another 5 minutes until panko is browned and the sauce is bubbly.

serve with pita chips, sliced bread or crostini's.

yum.

entertain-tip #3... sgroppino

years ago i helped open a restaurant and was introduced to this lovely gem of a drink. we'd serve it to our most favorite customer's at the end of a meal as a way to say thanks (and please leave a good tip!).

sgroppino is a burst of slushy goodness in your mouth. it's perfect for cleansing your palate after a dinner.... or perfect, in my opinion, just about any time.

and on top of being perfect, it's suuuuuuuuuuper simple to make.

ingredients:

1 cup lemon sorbet

2 cups prosecco

a shot or two of vodka (optional)

stick all ingredients in a blender until perfectly slushed. whip them up in small batches or feel free to make a pitcher!

once you've perfected the basic recipe, feel free to get experimental. things that i may or may not have tried in my sgroppino's include:
raspberry sorbet, a hint of mint, blueberries, meyer lemon zest, the teeniest hint of rosemary

please let me know when you whip up a batch...and, i'll be right over.

entertain-tip #2...theme

the simplest way to add some spark to any event is to give it a theme. and, i'm not talking about an elaborate costumed affair or black tie event (unless that is what you're looking for) but just little touches here & there to help set the mood and make it feel special.

the theme kicks everything up to the next level ties your event together, turning even the most simple brunch into a memorable day.

here are a few ideas:

mambo italiano

dress up your average italian dinner by decorating the table with red & white checked tablecloths... jars filled with breadsticks, parmesan cheese & red pepper...bottles and bottles of chianti...and maybe a few stick-on mustaches for added flair.

wigs & wine

throw a party where everyone has to come with a bottle of wine and wearing a wig. you provide more wine, the nibbles, the music, and a few accessories (this is where a costume closet comes in handy...bow ties, hats, boas, costume jewelry) to help your guests embrace their new look...and make sure to have a camera or polaroid on hand to document the night!

the perfect picnic

on a sunny day, make a variety of sandwiches, pack a cooler filled with your favorite mix of icy beverages, and pack some ooey-gooey treats of the most delicious kind. then pull together a stack of blankets, your bocce ball & horseshoe sets, a couple decks of cards, some dice, a few magazines, your favorite portable speakers and head to the park. your friends will flock.

...get the drift? now you try.

entertain-tip #1... guests

i'm a believer that inspiration should be shared, not kept to one's self... that i'll be a better consultant if a share my decorating, styling, and entertaining tips to help inspire Y-O-U.

so with that, i'd like to introduce to you entertain-tips. up first, your guests.

GUESTS...
entertaining to me, is always about the GUESTS. your event isn't necessarily about them, but without them you wouldn't be having much of a party.. so make them feel that.

whether it's the charming details of your decorations, the fabulous edibles that make their mouth's water, the background music that has them dancing, or the games played that inspire endless laughter... keep their interest peaked. give them something to talk about, to cherish, and to remember far after your party is done.

a few examples of how to put this into motion...
- goodie bag...of sorts. whether it's a homemade cookie or a cd loaded with your current favorites, send your guests home with a memento of your night.

- what would YOU do? at a dinner party, include a tabletopic's (or homemade version) at each place setting to kick-start conversation. **this works especially well when not everybody knows each other.

- they're playing our song. slip a few "one hit wonders" or "oldies but goodies" into your music playlist for the evening. not everyone may like the song, but they make for great conversation.

- say cheese! polaroid cameras are always a fun way to capture memories. take snapshots throughout your event and either pass them out to guests as they leave or take it a step further and snail mail one or two snapshots to each guest thanking them for making your event so special.

photos by: our labor of love