When it comes to freshening things up for spring, vibrant colors, energizing prints and ikat everything can instantly cheer up any mood and outfit. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Sheridan French simply oozes effortless fun and style — as the brains behind a brand that’s all about eye catching prints in classic silhouettes, the girl has got an unmistakable aesthetic and an infectious zest for life. We caught up with the mother-of-three to learn a bit more about how her passion for fun, laid-back fashion carries over into her entertaining style. Keep reading to see how she manages to do it all so glamorously, with gorgeous photos by Perez Photography…
My standard hostess outfit:
One of my tunics with white cropped jeans and gold sandals, or one of my tunic dresses with fantastic heels… preferably in some shade of neon. If I am throwing a luncheon then I will wear my Lillian Skirt in either pink or green. Both are fabulous and the perfect hostess skirt!
The entertaining rule I rarely break:
Plan ahead and organize! This is essential for me. In order for me to enjoy myself and be able to relax and entertain, I cannot be stressed. I make lists the week before, and take care of any dishes that can be prepared ahead of time (enter my Le Creuset). I don’t want any last minute drama.
My signature entertaining dish:
I make a mean, chunky and very flavorful guacamole. Oh it is just oozing with lime juice and fresh tomatoes from our garden. Being from Texas, you learn some Tex-Mex staples at an early age!
The taste I’m always craving:
Sweets, sweets, sweets! My mother taught me to bake at an early age and I just adore it. I was fearful I would lose this element of my life when transitioning to a Paleo lifestyle. Not so – phew! In fact, some chocolate chip scones are calling my name right now…
My must-have entertaining tool:
Does a margarita count? I adore my Le Creuset 9 quart French oven. It’s a gorgeous shade of blue and I leave it out all the time.
The restaurant meal I’ll never forget:
Garlic stuffed beef tenderloin, kangaroo carpaccio, rattlesnake sausage, wild boar ribs and elk sliders, at Lonesome Dove in the Stockyards. Welcome to Fort Worth! That said, eating gnocchi al fresco at night in Rome was pretty amazing, too. Then there was also that pistachio milkshake on the beach in Greece. And the Nutella crepe under the Eiffel Tower in Paris was pretty fab.
click here for Sheridan’s paleo and gluten-free waffle recipe!
Always in my refrigerator:
Home-made Kombucha, guacamole, Hail Merry’s chocolate and almond butter tarts.
What (if anything) scares you about entertaining?
Our guests not being relaxed and enjoying themselves. I believe entertaining is about so much more than the presentation and the ambience, and even about more than the food itself. In the end, to me it’s about our friends and what they take away from the evening. Even if meat is overcooked and vegetables are soggy, I don’t care. As long as I’m a good hostess, the guests have a wonderful time, and everyone leaves laughing with huge smiles on their faces, the party was a grand success.
The perfect dinner party playlist includes:
Everything from Aerosmith to Muse to The Bangles! Nothing is off limits as far as I am concerned, and if a tune inspires anyone to dance on the table, even better.
My dream dinner guests:
Albert Einstein, Elvis Presley, Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, Elizabeth Taylor, Winston Churchill, Dolly Parton, George Washington, obviously Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, Samantha and Big, plus my husband and children, as of course they would have to experience the evening with me as well.
My entertaining style in 5 words or less:
Easy, relaxed, warm, cozy, (and most importantly) gracious.
