Alexia Brown and Drew Genitempo are undeniably gorgeous and cool. She, with big blue eyes peering out from under thick bangs. And he, with the perfectly nonchalant bun to match an understated denim shirt. They’re exactly the kind of couple it’s tempting to hate — that is until you hang out with them. Alexia and Drew are some of the nicest, most down-to-earth people we’ve ever featured in this series. And they’re every bit as cool as they look.
She owns the online shop Byron and Blue where she curates and sells beautiful home objects. He’s a social media strategist and has a slew of useful hobbies including baking bread, which came in very handy for this party. Oh, and he brewed the cherry lime ale, too. Read on to see how this sweet couple entertains in their East Austin backyard, and remember — just try not to hate them for being so darn cute.
What you love about what you do:
Byron & Blue was a brick and mortar for the first three years and has now transitioned to an online shop. Now that it’s online, I have the ability to make my own schedule (and have time to travel) which is priceless to me. And my favorite part of having the shop is finding beautiful objects that will one day be cherished in someone’s home.
On the menu for today’s lunch:
Vegan cheese + fruit board with homemade spent grain crackers
Mozzarella, tomato, basil and balsamic tartine
White bean + watermelon radish tartine
Drew’s cherry lime cream ale beer
Your perfect dinner party playlist:
Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Paul McCartney. And later in the night, maybe some super early Whitney Houston.
Always in your fridge:
Honeycrisp apples, frozen fruit for smoothies, cold brew coffee.
Click here for Alexia’s Vegan Caprese Tartine recipe!
Your must-have entertaining tools:
Always having music in the background.
Something we’d never find at one of your parties:
Any meat or dairy. I haven’t cooked with or eaten meat products in over three years.
Go-to centerpiece solution:
Flowers! Especially ones found during walks around the neighborhood.
Favorite tabletop item you own:
A vintage handwoven indigo-dyed African textile. I use it as a tablecloth and like to drape it over a chair when it’s not in use. It’s so beautiful.
Family tradition you honor when you entertain:
Both my parents loved to cook, but had very different styles. It was always nice when they merged their cooking styles and created something together. Drew and I are always testing new recipes and collaborating on dishes and I love that we make time to do that together.
The taste you’re always craving:
I feel like I am always in the mood for coffee. And I love salty and crunchy foods.
Your entertaining style in five words or less:
Relaxed, fun, dog-friendly.
Your dream dinner party guests:
Joan Didion and Melanie Joy. And family, because they all live much too far away.
Your standard hostess outfit:
Something casual and simple. Vintage jeans, or high waisted pants and a simple blouse or tee shirt.
Biggest guest behavior pet peeve:
When guests are on their phones — but I can be guilty of it, too!
Rules to live by for good table conversation:
I think good people bring good conversation! And a little bit of alcohol always makes people more chatty.
Your go-to party beverage:
Drew is my go-to guy for beverages — he brewed a cherry lime cream ale. Light and delicious and so refreshing!
One the best meals of your life that you’ll never forget:
The first time I went to San Francisco with friends, we found this tiny French restaurant that had the most amazing food and wine. The waiter was Parisian and after the restaurant closed for the night, he sat with us at our table and we talked about food and told us about living in France. It was the perfect experience.
Favorite after-dinner activity or game:
More conversation is always good! And the mix of drinks and fun music will always get people dancing.
Fill in the blank: “It’s not a party without ____________.”
Good vibes.
