*photos by ashleigh amoroso
The excitement is still going strong after last week’s announcement about my new gig as Target’s entertaining expert, and we’re kicking things off today with the inspiration behind the spring brunch we hosted together in LA — and of course, all the tips and shopping sources you need to recreate the look at home. You may be surprised to discover just how simple this beautiful spring tabletop was to create. By focusing on just a few key details, once my guests arrived, I was able to kick back and enjoy the party right along with them! Keep scrolling for your step-by-step guide to throwing the ultimate spring brunch… and if you happen to be hosting Easter this year, you’re in luck: today’s party happens to be perfect for that, too.
#Tip 1: Keep it simple.
My number one rule for any party — and especially holidays like Easter — is to incorporate chic but simple touches so I can actually enjoy the party instead of being a stress-fest when the first guest shows up at the door. Choose just a few key details that will truly enhance guests’ experience: beautiful seasonal food, great cocktails, and a few ‘wow’ decor elements like colorful dinnerware, textured linens, or loads of flickering candlelight (and of course, Target is my one stop shop for all of those!)
shop the look: vase, planter, bracelets
shop the look: plates, charger, flatware, napkin, glassware
Tip #2: Pick a palette.
For maximum impact with minimal effort, choose a color palette and stick to it throughout every element of the decor, from the entrance to the cocktail to the table centerpiece. Determining your color palette before you begin to shop for decorations will help you achieve a well-edited selection of pieces that you’ll look forward to unpacking again year after year.
shop the look: planter, runner
shop the look: carafe, bowl
I’m loving all the new globally-inspired pieces from Threshold; since my home has a lot of neutrals, these are the types of fun pieces I like to incorporate to jazz things up with the seasons! These natural chargers were a must-buy to add a cool, earthy vibe to my simple white dishes. And since I love anything with tassels, I stocked up on these tassel garlands to string in unexpected places for a pop of color.
shop the look: carafe, white vase, pink vase, bowl
On a trip to Napa Valley a few years ago, I tasted the most delicious spring cocktail made with fresh carrot juice, and have been thinking ever since that it would be such a fun specialty sip for an Easter get-together. Get the recipe here (we swapped tequila in for the rum at this shindig), and yes: the carrot juice does mean that it counts as “health food!”
*shop the look: glass tumblers
Tip #3: Bring nature in.
I’m always looking for ways to bring as many organic elements into the tabletop design as possible — flowers, greenery, fruit, and berries feel abundant on this table, and echo the springtime flavors used throughout the menu.
shop the look: throw
Ranunculus, poppies, and peonies feel like a celebration of spring! The flower market is my happy place at this time of year… it’s brimming with gorgeous blooms like these. I love collecting just a few beautiful stoneware vases like these from Target that make arranging a centerpiece a snap.
shop the look: vases
shop the look: planter, runner
Tip #4: Get inspired by the menu.
I love to start planning a party by thinking about the menu, letting the season inspire what food I’m going to serve and echoing those colors in the tabletop design. Springtime is brimming with beautiful fruits and veggies like juicy strawberries and crisp carrots, and those ingredients made appearances throughout the menu and inspired the farm-to-table vibe of the decor. It’s smart to have a collection of everyday white serving pieces from Target that can work with any number of looks, and then fill in with decorative accents to refresh your table with the changing seasons.
shop the look: bowl, salad servers
shop the look: tassel garland
Tip #5: Less is more.
It’s a myth that more effort always equals a better party. I see so many hosts trying to incorporate too many little details that can easily get lost in the mix. Keep it streamlined and remember that as long as there’s delicious food, a few pretty tabletop touches, and great music, it’s going to be a good party.
shop the look: vases
Tip #6: Serve food family-style.
Not only is it an easy way to serve large groups, but I love the abundant look of a table overflowing with food and guests interacting as they pass the platters around. For this brunch, a vibrant crudité platter paired with beet hummus and green goddess dip played double duty as appetizer and striking centerpiece. Get the recipe for my favorite crudité display here.
shop the look: plates, charger, flatware, napkin, glassware
A big frittata is my go-to main course for serving brunch to a crowd. It’s got all the deliciousness of your favorite omelette, but can be made completely in advance and kept warm in the oven until ready to serve. Browse our frittata recipes here, then make yours even prettier for spring by garnishing with a few edible flowers.
shop the look: cake stand
Tip #7: Put guests to work.
Since my partnership with Target is all about great style, but also making parties stress-free, I’m always looking for creative ways to lighten the hostess’ work load! I love to create one interactive element that lets guests get creative — and encourages them to mingle with each other at the start of the meal. For this brunch, we set up a build-your-own yogurt parfait bar, with mason jars full of greek yogurt and all the toppings guests needed to create customize theirs.
shop the look: tassel garland, vases
To recreate the look, set out a big platter or tray, then use bowls or mason jars to hold all the different topping options. The beauty of this breakfast idea is that you can use all store-bought ingredients and then just assemble them with a little creativity and style. I surrounded the bowls of toppings with tons of strawberries, then tucked in a few fresh blooms for the prettiest garden-inspired look.
shop the look: bowls, spoons
On the toppings bar:
- granola
- raw lavender honey
- coconut flakes
- strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
- banana
- jam
Guests loved building their perfect parfaits!
shop the look: wide mouth mason jars
Are any of y’all hosting Easter brunch? Thanks to Phoebe and Henry, it’s all about the egg hunts for us this year! We’ll get together with both sets of grandparents for a midday Easter meal with a glazed ham, my mom’s homemade biscuits, and I’ll likely mix up a big pitcher of mimosas with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice.
shop the look: plates, charger, flatware, napkin, glassware
We sent guests home with the supplies they’d need to craft these super simple DIY wooden eggs. We hand-painted these with simple, bohemian-inspired designs for a modern take on the classic egg.
shop the look: eggs, paint, brushes
Hope y’all enjoyed this first story that I created with Target! I had such a blast bringing my dream brunch table to life with Threshold’s spring collection; the pieces are so beautifully designed (and even more jaw-dropping in person) that it’s truly a dream collaboration. Stay tuned for loads more fun content (videos, photo shoots, blog posts and more!) that we’ll be creating together, all centered on stylish entertaining that anyone can tackle.
