When Veuve Clicquot first came to us with the challenge of creating a chic Day of the Dead party concept, we weren’t quite sure where to start. Flower crowns? Nah. Skull face paint? Too overdone. An abundant buffet? We did it last year. But as soon as our brainstorm ventured over to the holiday’s sugar skull […]
You guys — I’ve been anxiously counting down to today for the past several weeks. As you read this, I’m on a flight to Maui for our first family vacay since Henry was born! I have been seriously craving some time to unplug and inhale the fragrance of tropical flowers, eat tons of sushi, go for […]
We’re feeling fall at the market! New greens and root vegetables are beginning to make an appearance, and I’m giddy with delight. But my new favorite ingredient of the moment isn’t chard – it’s char. I love the smoky, slightly exotic, haunting hint of bitterness it brings to almost any dish, and I’ve been exploring […]
When I took a poll last month about which seasonal menus you’d love to get a little help with, “Adult Halloween Party” was one of the most frequent requests. I’m right there with you: it can be really tough to find the balance between spooky and sophisticated, and while you want to infuse the menu with […]
Pretty is as pretty does. And in the case of Candice Kumai, a clean-eating chef, health journalist and author (with enviable hair, skin and figure) pretty is as pretty eats. Kumai was born and raised by a Japanese mother and a Polish-American father in San Diego, CA. At age 22, she attended Le Cordon Bleu […]
Autumn feels like a fitting time of year to reconnect with faraway friends, as well as the people who live right in our own neighborhoods. When I was growing up, my parents were always friends with our neighbors — we’d have dinner parties, leave baked goods on each other’s doorsteps, and when I was old enough […]
I’m on a major Asian food kick lately, playing around with lots of miso and sriracha and fish sauce in dishes. Since most of my experiments have also been super spicy, I’ve been searching for the perfect cooling cocktail to pair them with, and here it is! This Cucumber-Ginger Sangria packs its own little kick of heat with […]
It doesn’t feel like fall until I’ve eaten ______. How would you fill in the blank? For me, it’s caramel apples, pumpkin everything, a steaming mug of chai tea, and sweet-spicy-crunchy caramel corn. I think it reminds me of the fall carnivals we used to have at school growing up, where everyone dressed up and there […]
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of co-hosting a stylish Southern brunch with my designer friend Katie Kime to celebrate the opening of her first brick and mortar store. It was an unforgettable morning full of gorgeous design (her house!), amazing food (churros!) and a guest list that included the chicest gals from both […]
Call me a fair-weather fan, but I equate football season with one thing: parties! Whether you’re inviting friends to gather around the tv in your living room, or meeting people at a genuine pre-game tailgate, the common denominator is good drinks and really great food. A lot of you guys have been asking for menu ideas […]
Whoever said kids have no place at a cocktail party must have never met Shannon Eddings. Not unlike her interiors, this Austinite’s gatherings are classic and tasteful, but always with a hint of playful whimsy (and in the case of today’s gathering, that whimsy comes in the form of a toddler playing “mixologist”.) The mother of three is a pro at […]
If sweet potatoes haven’t become a regular staple in your household, it’s time to make them one. There’s simply no vegetable like it: healthy and satisfying, crazy delicious, and as easy to prepare as a bowl of cereal. For the laziest meal, I throw a whole sweet potato into the oven, just as-is, and enjoy […]
