Wine Charming

Joanna Buchanan Coral Wine Charms

Between the monthly wine tastings I host at my clubhouse and entertaining at CCC which always includes wine, I have become a big fan of wine charms. They look beautiful on a wine glass and are highly functional so that everyone remembers which wine glass is theirs.

Halloween Hostessing

Caspari

Caspari has such chic ideas for Halloween. I am definitely borrowing some of these. Halloween is not just for kids!

Football Season with Style

Bamboo Lacquer Serving Tray

 

Football season has officially begun and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Atlanta Falcons today. I am really looking forward to watching. If you or others in your circle are football fans, here are chic picks for watching games in style.

Kentucky Derby No-No's

Mark and Graham

 

Tonight is my Kentucky Derby Wine Tasting & Pairing. The Derby is tomorrow and my favorite horse is Journalism. I used this photo last year for a Derby post and it was so much fun, I thought I would do it again. Who can name the four mistakes in this mint julep photo?

Mini Charcuterie

Caspari

 

I love a great charcuterie board and this is a great example of how to put a mini one together for yourself or for entertaining. Fresh figs are my favorite fruit and Black Mission figs will be in season soon in May.

Entertaining Tips

Celebration Monogrammed Wine Bowl

 

Tonight is my NYE party. It is a few days early, because it is a Saturday night and lots of people hate being out on New Year's Eve with all the drunks on the road. I have been hosting a monthly wine and food pairing group for a couple of years here and am starting a second one in February. I have some hosting tips to share inspired by several comments from followers I have gotten wondering how to host a party where you can stay relaxed and stress free and actually enjoy your own party. I have 40 coming tonight.

Entertaining with Chinoiserie

Chinoiserie Champagne Bucket

With holiday entertaining around the corner, I have rounded some favorite picks for chilling wine and Champagne or any other beverage of choice.

Blue and White Checks

Mark D. Sikes - Architectural Digest

The gorgeous Hollywood Hills home of Mark D. Sikes is filled with blue and white checks since his latest refresh. Above is Brunschwig & Fils blue and white gingham Carsten. It is such a timeless classic.

New Year's Eve Ideas

Mini Champagne Bottles

 

Will you be entertaining at home on New Year's Eve? One of my favorite tips is to have mini Champagne bottles for each guest set in ice with a straw. 

Chic Summer Wine Charms

Joanna Buchanan Coral Wine Charms

Whether I am entertaining at CCC or running one of my gourmet wine tasting and food pairing parties, I always use wine charms. They look great and are essential for people keeping track of their own wine glass.

The Wicker Beverage Tub High/Low

Amanda Lindroth

 

For summer entertaining, one of these wicker beverage tubs is ideal. They hold multiple bottles with great style. They can be used for wine, water, beer, soda, whatever you like.

Setting the Easter Table

Serena Fresson

When I was grocery shopping in Publix yesterday, they were so well stocked with potted plants for Easter including hyacinths, tulips, hydrangeas, and Easter lilies and I bought a few all in white. This table setting is great inspiration for decorating the Easter table, sideboard, etc., and also for setting the spring and summer table.

I'll transfer the potted plants into blue and white Chinese porcelain containers and top them with preserved moss. I always keep a big box of preserved moss on hand for dressing my indoor and outdoor containers. 

Pumpkin Cookware High/Low

Staub Pumpkin Cocotte in Orange

The Staub Pumpkin Cocotte has reached celebrity status in the kitchen and is of course in its finest hour this time of year with its pumpkin design for family holiday feasts.

Chinoiserie Chic Spring Tabletop

Mark and Graham

 

My favorite style is a chinoiserie/preppy/Palm Beach vibe and this table setting completely captures that. Here are lots of ideas for your Spring tabletop. And all can be monogrammed/personalized as well. A high temp here of 81° today - the land of eternal summer.

Valentine's Day Entertaining Ideas

Estelle Colored Glass

I am a huge fan of the stunning rainbow of colors of Estelle Colored Glass and have started collecting it. I  find it so easy to set a beautiful table using the luscious colors of her collection. Here are some that would be stunning for Valentine's Day and other ideas for celebrating on V Day.

New Year's Eve Entertaining

Mary Carol Garrity

 

Isn't this fun for decorating for New Year's Eve with Chinoiserie Chic style for those of us entertaining at home? Set the table in blue and white. Use a pair of large blue and white ginger jars sans lids or as here white Chinese vases as your centerpiece filled with blue and white lanterns hung from bamboo poles. 

A Christmas Cocktail

Town & Country

 

Rosemary plants are for sale everywhere at the holidays (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.). I have one in my kitchen window and love using it for cooking and for the smell. And one of the best cocktails ever uses fresh rosemary. It is perfect for holiday hosting.

Brunch Today

CCC

I am hosting a brunch today in my lanai and thought I would share what I will be serving. First up is the Blood Mary - I love a great Bloody Mary.

A Chinoiserie Vignette

via Chinoiserie Chic

This is such a pretty vignette - a gorgeous pair of shell mirrors, blue and white Chinese porcelain, a blush pink velvet tufted sofa, orchids, and the centerpiece - a giant faux clamshell filled with tropical fruit. BTW, lemons, limes, and oranges can be kept at room temperature for about a week, but pineapples just 2 or 3 days.

Palms and Entertaining

Perrier Jouet

 

This champagne ad showed up in my Facebook feed yesterday and I thought it was interesting how palms seem to be everywhere - this has some great ideas. And what about this idea below for silverware for the buffet table? I love this.