Celebrate the season with festive menus, entertaining ideas, and table setting inspiration for your holiday gatherings.
Easter has always felt like a quieter kind of gathering. Not as structured as the holidays at the end of the year, not as casual as summer — something in between. Early spring, when everything is just starting to come back to life. This is the kind of menu I’m drawn to for Easter: fresh, Continue Reading…
Welcome to the first in this year’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide series! As Mother’s Day approaches, finding the perfect gift for the moms in your life can be a daunting task. But fear not! If your mom loves to bake and whip up delicious treats in the kitchen, I’ve got you covered with this curated Continue Reading…
Just the other day, hubby and I were both agreeing how much we love Christmas stockings – we both think they’re the best part of Christmas! It’s so fun to see a bunch of little things that *Santa* knows you’ll love. Since we’ve been married, our tradition has been to focus on the stocking and Continue Reading…
Admittedly, I am very simple when it comes to a cocktail. If you want a solid moscow mule or a vodka + [enter whatever your 1, only 1, mixer is], I’ve definitely got you covered. Lately, I’ve been wanting to shake up our gatherings by offering one signature drink for our dinner parties. Ya know, Continue Reading…
Even as an “adult,” there is something really magical about Christmas morning. I love that slow-to-rise sleepyness that accompanies the holiday, when you don’t have to rush right out of the house for family obligations. I like that hour or two before the craziness starts to enjoy the holiday. Growing up, I always looked forward Continue Reading…
Are you even ready?! Drop whatever it is you are doing, add this to your Christmas menu, and add these ingredients to your Christmas shopping list: Vanilla ice cream (or caramel, or coffee) Stroopwaffels Irish Cream That’s all you need!
So, I have a thing for individually-made anything. Also, I really couldn’t think of one main dish that we always have for Christmas. Turkey? Ham? As I’m over here still trying to think about what the heck our Christmas dinner traditions were growing up, I’m going to tell you all about these butter herb roasted Continue Reading…
Are you thinking, “Hailey, do I really need a recipe to roast potatoes?” Uh, yes. Yes, you do. This roasted potato side dish will fill your house with the most amazing scent. Think, melted butter and garlic and herbs and just straight up deliciousness. The secret? Melted butter, red onions, a lot of garlic, and Continue Reading…
Before we really dig into this post, let’s just level-set here: it’s not like I don’t buy myself things year-round. I do. Probably far too often, but I find I always come up with a viable reason: I replaced a black sweater like this last month, this has a hole, this doesn’t fit, this isn’t Continue Reading…
If you don’t get all heart eyes over cheese, I’m not sure we can be friends? It always feels like Christmas is an excuse to get things dressed up: the house, the table, and now, the cheese. This baked brie with cranberry apple compote is on point for Christmas! It’s wrapped in puff pastry and Continue Reading…
You know what I always think really makes a meal an event? A really nice table. You know, the one where you walk into someone’s house and think, “wow, they really took time to set a table for us,” or “how does she have the time to set such a gorgeous table?” or “how the Continue Reading…
Guys, I really love pumpkin spice. The day that the PSL becomes available, I feel like the fall season truly kicks off. Bring on the sweaters and scarves, and #pumpkinspiceeverything. But – I do not like pumpkin pie. But – I love these pumpkin pies! I think the crust-to-pie ratio makes me like these minis, but Continue Reading…
Getting the menu right for a holiday is all about balance. I try not to, for example, have too many carb-heavy dishes because you don’t want your guests to feel bloated. Plus, I’m really all about the sides. Plus, the sides can be so colorful! I love the sweetness and the crunchieness of this salad Continue Reading…
Entertaining guests is something hubby and I love to do year round, but there’s really something special about hosting a holiday. While we don’t host Thanksgiving or Christmas, Christmas Eve is our one night we get to host a special holiday for friends and family. I love to take the approach of a more casual Continue Reading…
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is leaving cookies and milk out for Santa (and carrots for Rudolph, of course), along with a letter to Santa. I remember every year really thinking about what I hoped Santa would bring and tuck under the tree for me, writing it in a letter, putting it out along Continue Reading…
Can I tell you a secret? The Christmas Stocking is my favorite part of Christmas! It’s my favorite to open and my favorite to gift and I actually have a strategy for gifting it. Well, not a real strategy, but my favorite way to gift a Christmas stocking is to pick a theme and run Continue Reading…
What does one get the dog who has everything?! Or really, what does one get a dog for Christmas? Homemade dog treats! Can I just start by telling you, our dog, Mudbrick (named after our favorite winery in New Zealand), was freaking out over these treats? He was air sniffing, offering up every trick he knows Continue Reading…
Want to know a secret? Cookbooks are my favorite. I mean it, I can sit and just read cookbooks all day long! I think they’re also a really fun gift for basically anyone on your list. I think the best way to pick a great cookbook as a gift is to think about what that person Continue Reading…
If there’s one thing I wish I was really good at, it’s BBQ. I always feel at a loss and admittedly, a bit intimidated by the whole cooking-over-a-flame and the whole this-thing-is-like-500-degrees. I do have such an appreciation for the people in my life that have so much talent on a grill, and kept them Continue Reading…
Okay, I know we are all probably foodies here, but stay with me. This gift guide is for the one who is really more into the eating food than cooking or baking (promise, I’ve got a gift guide right around the corner for the cook and the baker!). Surely, you’ll find some overlap for anyone Continue Reading…
Gift giving is my love language – I wish I had bags of money hiding under the mattress just so I could give everyone little gifts! This year, we’re kicking off the gift guide with the hostess in mind. Some of these are great for actual hostess gifts, and some for the hostess with the Continue Reading…
The food is bought and prepped. The table is set. The wine is chilled. The turkey is roasting away in the oven. Don’t forget about the music! Here’s our Thanksgiving 2018 playlist. If you follow it on your own Spotify, you can ask Alexa to play it by just saying, “Alexa, play my Thanksgiving 2018 Continue Reading…
I always used to feel stressed and anxious going into hosting a dinner. Getting the timing right, making it look effortless, enjoying it. I wanted to share a few tips and a few round ups of tips that I think will help you get through Thanksgiving dinner, or any other dinner party. Make a timeline, Continue Reading…
This one is for all my pals that like to do things with an unconventional flare. Might I propose turkey thighs for Thanksgiving dinner instead of a full roasted turkey? They cook faster, and let’s be honest, everyone loves the dark, moist meat anyway! Okay, if not for Thanksgiving, for Friendsgiving Dinner. But make these. Continue Reading…
I know I said it about mashed potatoes, but really, is it Thanksgiving Dinner (or Friendsgiving Dinner) without a stuffing on the table? It’s so hard to pick a favorite Thanksgiving side dish, so I definitely love a mashed potato, and I’d just like to call the stuffing the main dish. K? I wanted to Continue Reading…
What would the point of Thanksgiving be without mashed potatoes? YASSS, as they say. These goat cheese mashed potatoes are my all time favorite. If you’re not the biggest fan of goat cheese, just stay with me here. I promise you don’t really taste it – the goat cheese adds a little tang and a Continue Reading…
When it comes to Thanksgiving, there are few things better than: 1. a recipe you can make ahead of time and 2. a recipe that comes together in 15 minutes. Enter: cranberry sauce. Though I hate to admit it, I was most definitely a canned cranberry sauce kind of gal – you know, the one Continue Reading…
I can’t get enough of a beautiful table, especially for the holidays. There’s something that really elevates a Thanksgiving meal when the table is put together. These tables are helping me wrap my head around what our Friendsgiving table will look like (since we don’t actually get to host Thanksgiving). I’m thinking I need some Continue Reading…
I love the idea of leaning into a meal with a soup (okay, a salad right after, too, because I’m 100% extra when I start cooking and planning an experience for friends & fam). This Butternut Squash & Apple soup is so, so good. It’s cozy and hits all the notes you want a soup Continue Reading…
Okay, this is really our Friendsgiving Menu, but hey, it totally works as your Thanksgiving Menu, too! Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday – I love the entertaining, the houses full of friends and family, that cozy, romantic vibe that starts to fill the air. Plus, there’s no pressure of gift giving – just Continue Reading…
Christmas Eve has always been a special holiday to me. I love our family traditions, especially when we share “oplatek” at my grandparents’ house. It’s a Polish tradition, one rooted in the idea of breaking bread with your family at the end of advent. If you want to read more about this tradition, check out Continue Reading…
This November marked 3 years with our home and I can’t believe it. Time has gone by so quickly! Each year, we’ve layered our Christmas decorations – especially our ornament collection – and added a little here and there. When we first bought our home, I couldn’t wait to dress it up in holiday trimmings Continue Reading…
Christmas Eve-Eve has become one of my absolute favorite holiday traditions. Each year, my cousins and I have made a point to get together for Christmas, especially since we don’t all end up in the same places for the holiday celebrations.
There are few things I love more than a good book. Receiving a great book as a gift is definitely on the top of my list – it’s thoughtful, and when it’s a book the gifter themselves truly loves, it’s a little piece of them that they are gifting to you. A good book Continue Reading…
Whenever we host a gathering, I like to think about how I can set the mood and music is always a part of that planning. Putting together a great playlist is a wonderful way to set the tone for your celebration and only takes a little bit of uninterrupted thinking. With just a week until Continue Reading…
To me, teens are always the hardest group to shop for. Sometimes, it comes down to budget, sometimes lack of ideas, and sometimes I have no recollection of what I would have wanted as a teenager. Plus, I mean, they have so much more technology than we did! In each of our guides, I’ve talked about Continue Reading…
For me, the key to gifting is picking an item you wouldn’t expect the recipient to treat themselves to. Maybe it’s a more extravagant item, maybe a little outside of their spending comfort zone (ya know, I don’t looooove to spend $35 on lipgloss for myself, but my best friend? You bet!). This approach helps Continue Reading…
I can’t even tell you how much fun I have picking out gifts for Hubby. Al doesn’t really buy himself much throughout the year, and if he does it’s more related to a hobby, like a new golf club or new kicks for the gym. Christmas is my time to shower him with love, and Continue Reading…
There is an etiquette saying, “always ring the door with your elbow.” I love this sentiment, especially around the holidays – it’s meant to say that you should always go to a friend or family’s home with your arms full. Bringing hostesses a little something for themselves is one of my favorite gifting opportunities. It’s Continue Reading…
We’re kicking off our gifting week with gifts for the ladies! From big to small, there are so many great gifts for women to really make them feel special, which is always my goal in gifting to the women in my life. I think these ideas are perfect for everyone from your mom to your Continue Reading…
What better day to talk about cookie boxes than on National Cookie Day?! I had high hopes for my Christmas baking this year, but the reality of the third trimester and a now-ten-month-old (!!!!) is that I just can’t bring myself to bake several different types of cookies. I grabbed most of everything for these Continue Reading…
One of my favorite gifts – to give or receive – is a great cookbook. There are so many cookbooks that came out this year that would make the perfect gift! Here are some ideas on how to gift a cookbook: Add linens! An apron, potholders or some kitchen towels would be a nice addition. Continue Reading…
Don’t you just love making a treat that is like, just a little less effort? Guys, I love a good pie (and I really love a great pecan pie). Forget “easy as pie” – this is “easier than pie!” Especially at this point in my pregnancy (hey, 29 weeks!), I’m getting tired on my feet, Continue Reading…
Let’s start this by saying, this isn’t the prettiest thing I’ve made. You’re seeing the second go of this recipe – the first time it was perfect. And it was pretty. I almost wasn’t going to share this because this turkey breast wasn’t as pretty as the first one – but hey. Let’s learn from Continue Reading…
Can I even just tell you guys how much I love appetizers? It’s just my favorite. A cocktail party is my dream. Tapas is so much fun. I just love having lots of little dishes, especially for entertaining. My favorite gatherings I’ve hosted have been ones where we just serve picky food. So, here’s a Continue Reading…
We’re continuing Friendsgiving week with the PERFECT and EASY fall appetizer you have to make this year, holiday or not. This appetizer is warm, and creamy, and a little sweet – but a lot good. I mean. Really good. I love an easy appetizer that feels special but doesn’t require a crazy amount of effort Continue Reading…
There are two things that are totally essential – and worth it – about this recipe: making the custard base and purchasing the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment. Because if you like pumpkin spice, and you like ice cream, this recipe is a must. have. So, I’m sure you’ve seen those no churn recipes that Continue Reading…
Can you imagine a Thanksgiving table without stuffing? It’s 100% my favorite part of the meal! Savory, satisfying, crunchy, soft, salty. It’s so much all in one bite. This year, I’m dishing out this sausage and roasted grape stuffing with rosemary and thyme. Using breakfast sausage, rosemary and thyme brings those traditional flavors of the Continue Reading…
Welcome to Friendsgiving week! I love using Friendsgiving as an excuse to create some fun, non traditional dishes. I hope you love the recipes this week and it inspires you to try something new, whether a small Thanksgiving gathering or a socially-distanced-outdoor-mask-wearing-be-smart-Friendsgiving. If you haven’t made acorn squash yet, this recipe is your reason to Continue Reading…
Where are my last minute gift givers?! I always find myself scrambling for a few little things just a few days before the holidays. Typically, we start Christmas shopping in October to slowly check off our lists. And then, come December ~22nd I realize I forgot one or two little things I needed to add Continue Reading…
This time of year, I’m always trying to come up with some cute and clever hostess gifts that don’t kill your bank account but also feel like a thoughtful gesture. It’s the thought that counts! I love a consumable gift, especially for a hostess gift, and when I saw this olive oil set from Trader Joe’s Continue Reading…
This time of year, I go all in on the clementines! I love that the winter is a time for citrus to shine. I also go all in on the quick and easy treats, like these chocolate covered clementines. I actually will confess to you – these are tangerines. Trader Joe’s ran out of clems! Continue Reading…
I love this time of year, when the house gets all cozy with Christmas decorations and the fireplace and pajamas all weekend. I am definitely a homebody, and as this bump grows (25 weeks and counting!) I’m finding myself loving being home even more as the urge to nest starts to kick in. This is Continue Reading…
This year, we’re not doing the whole taco bar thing. In fact, there are. no. tacos. on this year’s cinco de mayo menu! But, there are steak quesadillas! I’ll be honest with you – when I was thinking about the menu and I put steak quesadillas on, I thought, “Hailey, nobody needs a recipe for Continue Reading…
Cinco de Mayo is definitely one of my favorite days of the year, because it’s one of the few I can force my husband to have tacos. For some unknown reason, he’s not a huge Mexican food fan even as I try my hardest to make him a convert. This year’s Cinco de Mayo menu Continue Reading…
For the past few years I’ve been seeing this arrangement, and ones like it, pop up on Instagram when I’ve been looking for Easter centerpiece inspiration. Feeling intimidated, because really who the heck do I think I am to be able to create something like that, I just moved right along and saved it for Continue Reading…
So are you team “Yay V-Day” or are you team “Hallmark Holiday move on?” I feel like in our house we’re kind of somewhere in between, but I do love a holiday that gives you an excuse to acknowledge people you love, whether with a little sweet treat or a little gift. And for you, Continue Reading…
Weekly menus, recipes, and hosting inspiration delivered to your inbox