August 28, 2014

Bucatini & Clams

A couple of weeks ago we had a dinner party planned for twelve with Rip Plus Tan.  And then life happened.  Greg had to make a last minute trip to New York so Teddy and I were left to host on our own.  As much as I love the men in my friend's lives, I asked if we could switch it just girlfriends so that we could really catch up in that way that only ladies do.  With a friends' recent engagement and another's upcoming wedding we had a lot to discuss!  After a weekend full of parties, I had little time and even less desire to do any heavy duty cooking.  So Teddy and I went to The Hollywood Farmers Market to gather all of the ingredients for a super easy, no-fuss, summer dinner.  Check out all of the recipes, as well as my favorite market vendors and tabletop details, on Jenni Kayne's amazing blog Rip Plus Tan.  While Teddy napped I set the table, grounded by a pretty olive garland from the lovely ladies at Botany Flowers.  Julianna (the recently engaged!) is a stellar sous-chef and always helps me plate in the kitchen.  After some last minute assembling, we sat down to a simple dinner of caprese salad, bucatini & clams and finished with yummy flavors from Carmela Ice Cream.  It must be said that Courtney brought me a gag hostess gift of the Sex and the City Trivia Game.  In fact, it was no joke!  After enough champagne, I insisted that we play and it turns out I've probably seen each episode a few too many times!!  I love my friends and eating good food with great company is the best- throw in a game with lots of laughs, what more could one want from a summer night?

The Menu

Sips

champagne & rose

Snacks

salami, cucumbers, olives & figs

To Start

heirloom tomatoes, basil & burrata

To Share

bucatini & clams with fennel & leeks

Sweet

carmela ice creams
honey lavender, mint chip & peaches 'n cream

August 21, 2014

Teddy's Sip and See: A Kentucky Derby Party

It's been awhile.  A long while.  And a lot has happened.  Greg and I had a baby: Teddy!  Teddy is awesome and we're having so much fun obsessing over him.  Between my pregnancy, our thriving catering business and the arrival of Teddy, something had to give and blogging is what I gave up.  However, I've missed it as a creative outlet and a way to share all of the parties that we throw, for ourselves and our clients.  There have been over a hundred parties since my last post and I hope to catch up, as well as share our many upcoming ones.  Teddy's Sip and See Party back in May seems like the natural first post back.  I'd been dying to throw one ever since I learned of the southern tradition - I practically had Teddy for this very reason!  We went with a Kentucky Derby theme (I've wanted to do one every year!) and kept it classically preppy and festive.  Seersucker table cloths and attire set the tone for the day.  Teddy's Aunt Amy arranged mint and tulips in my mint julep cups (one of many ways that she has spoiled him) and made custom racing horse signs.  We sipped on mint juleps (of course) and spiked arnold palmers while grazing the buffet of pulled pork sandwiches and seasonal, slightly southern salads.  The whole party was a fun way to celebrate our new party animal and for him to meet many of his new friends.  Can't wait to share all of the parties in his future!!!
















The Menu

Sips

mint juleps
kentucky bourbon, mint, sugar

arnold palmer
vodka, mint iced tea, lemonade

Snacks

pimento cheese & toast

deviled eggs

To Share

pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw & bourbon bbq sauce

hominy & green chili casserole

chopped salad with cherry tomatoes, black-eyed peas, corn & avocado

snap peas, asparagus & mint

three bean salad

Sweet

strawberry shortcakes with buttermilk biscuits & sweetened cream

banana pudding cups

chocolate pecan bars