The Love of Entertaining :: 5 Tips for Sprucing up your Patio for Spring

Tiffany Jones Interiors

Friends... it has been a chilly week in Dallas!  While we have had very little winter to speak of... these past grey days have me thinking about beautiful patios for Spring!  As soon as it is possible, I love to have friends over and entertain on the patio.  It just puts me in such a festive mood.  The extended day light... just slightly warmer air (but not too hot!)... the long hours of chatter with old and new friends.... There is just nothing better. Entertaining on the patio has a cozy feeling that can't be achieved anywhere else. So, let's get ready for Spring!

5 quick tips for sprucing up your patio for entertaining

(1)  Make sure the patio is swept clean and the cushions are clean.  

          This is 80% of making your patio look like a million bucks!

(2) Add some evergreen plants in pretty pots.  

          It softens up to the space and adds warmth. I love  a boxwood or a topiary tree or two

          for height.  But be careful... too many will make a jungle look and that is not 

          welcoming.  Less is more so invest in something that you really like... and make sure 

          the pots all match.  If you already have mis-matched pots, consider painting them all 

          the same color for a more cohesive look.

(3) When you are ready to entertain, add a layer of flowers to bring in some color. 

      Maintaining perennial plants can be a chore so only bring them into patio mix when you

      can get their full enjoyment.

(4) Pretty Pillows!

      Even if your patio furniture is old, hand-me down furniture, the minimal investment of a 

      few "nicer" pillows will change the whole attitude of your patio.  

(5) Lighting!

      Look at your outdoor lighting.... if you have just an ON/OFF switch on your patio lights, 

      consider adding a dimmer to create a softer atmosphere.

      No lighting at all??? Consider an indoor/outdoor floor lamp with a 60 watt bulb or oodles

      of votives.

BONUS TIP:  

If possible, string some all white party lights on your patio or place them in your potted plants.  It takes the ambiance to the next level!

Here's to thinking about Spring and enjoying our friendships!

xx, 

The Love of Entertaining : 5 Elegant Holiday Hostess Gifts

Well... it seems to already be that time again when the holiday gatherings will be starting up and our social calendars will be in full swing.  Better get those HOSTESS GIFTS ready now!  Here are my TOP 5 favorites this Holiday Season that are sure to be graciously received.

1. No. 12 Rosemary Holiday Candle from Tiffany Jones Home

Yes, Dear Friends... you read that correctly!  I have launched a new candle line and I am THRILLED to share the first scent with you just in time for your gift giving needs!  This candle is a beautiful infusion of Rosemary, Lavender and Mint.  I am over the moon about it!

Tiffany Jones Home

2. Kate Weiser Chocolates

Ladies and Gentleman.... Kate Weiser makes the MOST GORGEOUS hand-painted pieces of little chocolate jewels you have ever seen... and they taste just as fabulous!  What's not to like about flavors such Strawberry Basil, Lavender Apricot, or Mango Habenero??  The dazzling flavor explosion combined with the decadent richness of the chocolate makes for a celebration of its own.

Kate Weiser Chocolates

3. The Printery 2015 Desk Calendar

Many of you know The Printery makes my personal favorite stationery of all time!  Everything they create is absolutely beautiful.  These ENGRAVED desk calendars are statements of pure old world class and glamour for your work space... It just doesn't get more dignified than this in a world that is way too digital.  Check out their stunning boxed sets of note cards while you are on their site... Bill and his team never disappoint.  

The Printery

4. Stonehouse California Olive Oil

I discovered the AWARD WINNING Stonehouse California boutique Olive Oil house in California several summers ago.  Not only is their Original EVOO amazing.... their Rosemary and Basil infused blends are my personal favorites. I order these little bottles of goodness by the case to have on hand for the last minute gift... However, too many times I ended up using them myself!  It is that good. 

Stonehouse California Olive Oil

5. Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Hand Wash

I fell in love with Jo Malone products when I lived in London.  They were my favorite "go to" hostess gifts then and I love to give (and receive!) them now.  They are elegantly blended and sophisticated fragrances. The Lime Basil & Mandarin scent is my personal favorite and the one I keep in my own home but they are all quite lovely.  From floral and fruity to citrus and spicy... plus a long list of products for bath & body or home... they are sure to have a scent you fancy.  

Jo Malone

I love to celebrate the elegant art of gift giving... It always makes me feel great to share something I truly enjoy with others. Best part of this list... They can all be ordered online and shipped directly to your door.  

Have a great weekend.

                                                 xx, 

All photos courtesy of the owners.

The Love of Entertaining :: 5 Tips for a Beautiful Thanksgiving Table

With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, it is time to start thinking about your table.  Creating a dazzling table for a special event is not hard... but it does take prep work and advance planning.

Setting a beautiful table is just as important to a special meal as the menu… Yet many people find this part of entertaining extremely daunting or do not think it is essential to completing the meal. Think of your table as you would a beautifully wrapped gift.  When you receive a package that has been thoughtfully wrapped, it creates just as much excitement & anticipation as what’s actually inside. If your table is beautifully presented, it can make up for a world of sins if your cooking is anything like mine!

 So … Today, I would like to help you simplify the process. If you follow these five simple guidelines, you will have everyone talking about your table!

1. COLOR & THEME - Even if you have all white dishes and all white linens...adding some colorful napkins tied with a beautiful ribbon can dress it up.  While I am not much on "themes" of sorts, thinking of a theme for the table can help focus your efforts on decorating. My Thanksgiving table is usually centered around a WOODLAND theme that matches my Spode Woodland dishes.

2. LAYERS   - Whenever I set a table for entertaining, I always use several layers of plates….even if we don’t need them.  I always use a charger, a dinner plate and a salad or dessert plate stacked on top of one another.  It creates visual interest and adds some depth and dimesion to the table that just one flat plate cannot achieve.  It can also bring in an element of color and can help set the mood for the theme if the plates are patterned .  Think outside the box for the bottom (charger) element…. It doesn’t have to be a formal china plate. 

3. FLOWERS & CANDLES - I prefer to use several small floral arrangements spread across the table as opposed to one larger centerpiece.  This allows the guests at all points of the table to enjoy them. When you break down flowers into smaller bites, it will seem much more manageable and it can truly be as simple as a few roses in a small drinking glass.  The key to your floral arrangements on a dinner table is height!  Make sure your guests can see over it to keep the conversation going across the table.  Scatter in a handlful of small votive candles (unscented!!) and you have created the perfect ambience.

4. SEATING  -  Super simple... mix it up!  It makes for much more interesting conversation when you have thought about and preselected where people will sit.  Place cards add an extra touch of elegance and allow you another element to think outside the box and bring color to the table.  I have used small frames, pieces of fruit with ribbons and tags, formal place cards with colored ink... the possibilities are endless!  One last note on seating... I do not believe in "kiddie" tables. I think children should be mixed among the adults and be made to feel just as special as the other guests.

5. A SPECIAL GIFT - The final element to creating that special table is to place a small "take away" gift at each place setting.  I typically use small boxes of chocolate (2-3 pieces) wrapped with a beautiful ribbon and placed on either the bread plate or above the place setting.  It is a lovely party favor for the guests and again helps to add layering and color to your table.

So there you have it... five simple tips!  I would love to hear how you will dress your table... now, I must get to thinking about mine!

Happy Entertaining!!

                                                  xx,

all photos belong to Tiffany Jones Interiors

The Love of Entertaining :: The Art of a Charcuterie & Cheese plate

What's Gaby Cooking

squire fox photography via tumbler

honestlyyum.com

When I lived in London, one of the things I really loved was throwing together a Charcuterie and Cheese plate to entertain guests or take on a picnic.  The artisan cheese shops in every neighborhood and local butcher shops made it a fun task to not only put together, but to actually shop for as well.  It is a quick and elegant snack or light meal that isn't nearly as fussy as it's name.

So.... what is CHARCUTERIE?

It is French word that in the traditional sense is the art of smoking and curing meats (typically pork) and dates back well before refrigeration. Today, while the same processes are still used with the meats, it has an even greater meaning in the world of entertaining... Bringing in the meat element to a plain old cheese plate is a total game changer!

How do you put it all together?

The real key to successful plate in my opinion is to just make sure you have a mixture of textures and flavors.... and complete flexibility in the arrangement.  There is no right or wrong way to assemble it.... just do what looks pleasing to you. I promise your guests will not be disappointed!


Here are my top 5 tips for creating a beautiful and elegant charcuterie and cheese plate:


1. Start with a great platter, tray or board. I prefer something simple to show off the beautiful meat and cheeses. My favorite is a wooden board from Crate and Barrel shown below.

2. Typically, a good charcuterie board will consist of 3-5 smoked or cured meats such as Prosciutto, Spec, Salami, Coppa, or Bresaola and may also include a pâté or a confit.

3. When selecting cheeses, the rule of three is simple...choose an assortment of soft, medium and hard/sharp cheeses but remember to keep them mild so they do not overpower the beautiful meats.

4. Add a side of mustard or pickles for acidity.

5. Toss some crusty baguette slices and crackers on the side.

For an added bonus, you could also add some marcona almonds and a dish of olives.

Crate & Barrel Palisades Cheeseboard

And there you have it... an incredibly easy and elegant way to entertain.

                                                         xx,