I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re busy preparing to set the perfect holiday spread. That of course includes pulling out our favorite Thanksgiving table essentials like these figural pumpkin serving dishes and the pretty gold flatware!
If you haven’t started scheming your holiday spread, don’t fret. There’s still time to pick up heirloom-worthy dinnerware (this collection is quintessential Turkey Day!) and festive touches (LOVE these turkey place cards). And it’s the perfect time to score some deals with Williams-Sonoma’s fall tabletop event (everything’s 30% off). Along with these gems, we’ve included 13 Thanksgiving table essentials below to get you Turkey Day ready. Tell me, what’s on the top of your list for Thanksgiving table essentials? Cheers, Kat
P.S. Looking for the turkey recipe to end all turkey recipes? Here you go. xo
Make a statement with quintessential Thanksgiving dinnerware. The rich, timeless design dresses up any table and will give your guests all the feels, long after their plates are clean and their bellies are full. Added bonus? They’re on sale!
One secret to a beautiful tablescape is all in the art of layering; add chargers to your place settings for a little depth. These gorgeous gold chargers are on the top of our list.
Speaking of depth, place mats are a must! Not only are we always a fan of rattan and jute everything, but we especially love it on the table. These beautiful straw place mats will be used long after the holidays are done, too.
These white pumpkin serving dishes and vessels are the perfect marriage of festive and functional. You’ll love bringing these out every year with tradition, and you’ll relish the chance to pass them down for generations to come.
Gold flatware…enough said, right?! This flatware placesetting has always made its way onto our tabletop (all year ’round!), and will definitely be spotted on this year’s Thanksgiving table.
Can’t forget about the serving set! This matching gold serving set is an essential for serving up a drool-worthy spread. And like the flatware, this set will quickly become an entertaining staple on all of your tabletops.
It’s time to bring out the fancy wine glasses! These gold red-wine glasses dress up the holiday table, and should never, ever run dry! Remember the importance of the day and toast your glasses to what you’re thankful for.
If you were on your A-game, you ordered a custom hand lettered menu weeks ago (I mean, how GORGEOUS?!). Crunched for time this year (it’s okay, it’s next week, after all)? Order this hand lettered “menu” stamp and print out the meal’s courses!
How cute are these napkin ties?! It’s an incredibly easy way to include a little festive flair to the table, and very kid-friendly for little fingers! And under $20, it’s the perfect addition to even the simplest spreads.
Set the scene with these white tapered candles. We especially love this set because they’re made in the USA, and are smokeless and dripless (!). This way, you can rest easy that you won’t have a big old mess on your Thanksgiving table. There are more important things to worry about and it starts with a “t” and ends with an “urkey.”
A simple finishing touch? These turkey place cards. Place cards take the question out of where to sit, and encourage meaningful conversation around the table. Why not include cute turkey designs on them while you’re at it?
Today’s dinner (and MAJOR giveaway) is not only an ode to the traditional, yet vibrant flavors of Spain, it’s a celebration of the Spanish laid-back approach to dining. Let’s just say they know how to sit back, pour a glass or two of wine, nibble on some tapas and savor really great food. And since I’m a big fan of all of those things, I decided it was due time I payed homage to the beautiful Iberian peninsula with a casual dinner spread and Spanish inspired menu.
I tried my hand at two Spanish staples: a seafood paella and hearty spinach with chickpeas. Both dishes I’ve enjoyed at restaurants for years, but have been nervous about recreating at home. So to say I was thrilled and just a tad surprised at how simple they actually were to prepare is an understatement. I’ll be sharing the recipes for my Seafood Paella and Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spinach & Chickpeas) tomorrow, but I’d be amiss to leave you hanging about the cheese plate.
I knew I had to have a cheese plate when planning this Spanish themed dinner, but I wanted to avoid what seems to be the current cheese plate trend of the “bigger-the-better.” Yes, we all love cheese and all that accompanies it, but unless you’re throwing a full blown party, when entertaining for 10 guests or less, keep it on the small and simple. The cheese plate is just something to nosh on before the main event. You don’t want it to be so complex and filling because it runs the risk of taking away from the meal itself.
So with that being said, I kept it simple with two Spanish cheeses (Manchego & Mahon), roasted red peppers, a mix of Spanish olives, marcona almonds, two different marmalades and two Spanish meats (Jamon Serrano & Salami). I arranged it all on this Le Creuset Tray, which is part of a 2-piece casserole dish and tray. The tray serves as the top of the casserole dish, so you can use them separately or together…genius!
Speaking of Le Creuset, how wonderful is this cool Caribbean blue?! I love Le Creuset, that’s all there is to it. Cast-iron kitchenware is just one of those things you’ll have forever, and Le Creuset is my absolute favorite brand when it comes down to it. When I saw this collection, I knew I had to have it. I mean, by now you know my love affair with all things blue and white! See, when it comes to blue, I don’t discriminate. I’ve found that all blues truly go together, and I knew this bold, island-blue would be the perfect pop to my table for nights like this. Paired with a mix of other tabletop favorites, the Caribbean dinnerware collection infuses a welcoming, bright feel to any table…something I’ll be looking to do all year ’round. Truly, MKR
P.S. Because Mondays are always better with giveaways, I’m so thrilled to announce our week-long giveaway today with your chance to score a 16-piece Le Creuset set in the color of your choice! All the details are listed below in the widget, and I’d love to hear: what color would you choose?!
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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha | This post was in collaboration with Le Creuset, a brand we love and adore. All opinions are 100% our own.
It’s officially FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE! (Okay, I had to find a way to fit that in here somewhere!) But no matter who your team is, you’ll agree that the excitement of another college football season is simply contagious. The food, the drink, the culture that surrounds the tradition of tailgating is reason enough for celebrating, and when you pair that with great football (this is our year, Vols)…well it just can’t be beat.
Hopefully you have some college football games on the books; a long day of tailgating and cheering on your favorite team is just good for the soul. Before you go though, make sure you have all of the tailgate essentials to ensure that you set up a proper spread. Check out the slideshow of what I consider to be the five most important tailgate essentials by clicking on the picture above. Go Vols! Cheers, Kat
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The Drinks
It wouldn't be a tailgate without a generous supply of beer and liquor. Feeling fancy? Consider mixing up these festive cocktails. And be sure to bring plenty of ice with your cooler.
A great tailgate will never, EVER skimp on the grub! Whether it's homemade or takeout, everyone will appreciate the food throughout the day. For a few great go-to recipes like Dueling Deviled Eggs, Collard Greens & Cornbread Casserole and Chicken Wings, check out this post.
Set up shop with a canopy tent, a set of foldable chairs, portable tables and of course, your team's flag. And while you're at it, don't forget the football for a little game of toss among the other fans.
You'll need the proper utensils to ensure every fan is full and happy before AND after the game! Stock up on Solo cups (they're classic), and bring a set of plastic wine glasses and melamine plates.
Okay so you have the booze, the food, and the tailgate properly set up. College football season is all about the passion—the upsets, the heartbreaks and the victories—so grab your game face and get ready to have a long, fun-filled day. Because after all, the winners start early!
