Entertaining

La Crema Virtual Vintner

September 5, 2014
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Entertaining

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A Harvest Dinner Party, Waiting On MarthaLa Crema Virtual Vintner Dinner PartyLa Crema Virtual Vintner La Crema Virtual Vintner, Waiting On MarthaLaCrema5Harvest Dinner Party, Waiting On MarthaLa Crema Virtual Vintner, Waiting On MarthaHarvest Dinner Party, Waiting On MarthaSalt CellarsLaCrema2Pasta & Croistini Fall EntertainingCroistini 7 Ways, Waiting On MarthaFall Dinner Party, Waiting On Martha

It’s no secret I love wine.  In fact I’d say its become a true passion of mine.  So when La Crema (a wine I’ve been drinking for years) reached out about their Virtual Vintner program I was all in.  In fact not only was I all in, but so where my girlfriends who I invited over for a little dinner party to test out the Virtual Vintner program and of course toast it with a glass or two (or three) of  La Crema. 

Virtual Vintner is a digital initiative of which the wine world has never seen.  It allows consumers an intimate, hands-on look into the world of wine making.  A “choose your own adventure” style journey captured through digital touch points and real time voting where consumers are able to learn about varietals, appellation, specific vineyards, barrel treatment, and even wine naming and label design.  A journey that will ultimately determine a finished wine released in late Fall 2015.  Its a way for everyone, regardless of who they are and where they are, to experience the beauty that is wine making.  A beauty that I’m also thrilled (on cloud nine) to say I’m going to be experiencing first hand.

You see La Crema is making one of my dreams come true.  They’ve graciously invited me to work harvest at their vineyards in Sonoma.  That’s right, starting next Monday I’ll be heading back to my favorite place on earth to crush some grapes and make some wine.  And just to be clear I’m not talking tour the vineyards and taste wine all day, I’m talking work.  No matter the weather conditions, however many hours a day, bugs be damn, whatever harvest calls for is what I’ll be doing.  I’m half scared (I mean I’m really not cut out for physical labor) half excited beyond belief.  And I’ll be taking you all along for the ride through a digital diary on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook so make sure you’re following to see what a day in the life of a vintner is really like.  Cheers!  truly, MKR

P.S. I’m also sharing my Crostini 7 Ways recipe from above over on the La Crema’s Blog so while you’re checking out Virtual Vintner make sure you grab that for your next dinner party. 

*La Crema Pinot Noir & Chardonnay  ||  Faux Bois Plates, Waiting On Martha  ||  Olive Oil Plates, Dipping Dishes, & Olive Oil Container, Waiting On Martha  ||  Wine & Water Glasses, One Kings Lane  ||  Gold Silverware, One Kings Lane (sold out, similar HERE)  ||  Vases, Waiting On Martha (email for availability)  ||  Silver Spreaders, Waiting On Martha (email for availability)  ||  Coasters, Waiting On Martha  ||  Napkins, Ice Milk Aprons c/o  ||   Candles Sticks, Pottery Barn  ||  Striped Taper Candles, Waiting On Martha  ||  Salt & Pepper Cellars, Waiting On Martha  ||  Antique Silver Condiment Set, Pottery Barn c/o  ||  Pig Cutting Board, Williams Sonoma  ||  Feathers, Pottery Barn  ||  Lighting, Currey & Company

**Photography, Rustic White  ||  This post was sponsored by La Crema a brand I love and adore.  Recipes and opinions are 100% my own.

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The Top 15 Essentials Every Bar Cart Must Have

August 14, 2014
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Entertaining

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Top 15 Bar Cart Essentials

We’ve had a lot of love lately for our Bar Cart both HERE on the Blog and HERE on Instagram.  We’ve also had a lot of questions, about building a proper bar cart.  So I thought I’d share with you all my top 15 essentials that every bar cart must have.  Cheers!  truly, MKR

One.  Display worthy glasses.  I’m loving these from One Kings Lane…what a great price!  ||  Two.  A shaker.  I collect shakers, but every bar cart needs at least one shaker and I’m loving this one complete with anchor picks for a fun gift or this tried and true shaker.  ||  Three.  Cocktail Napkins, the “cheekier” the better.  ||  Four.  Some flair.  ||  Five.  A proper tool set.  ||  Six.  A Muddler.  ||  Seven.  Fresh flowers.  ||  Eight.  An ice bucket.  ||  Nine.  A candle, because candles really can (and should) go everywhere.  And splurge on one that once done burning can be used to hold something, like swizzle sticks or straws.  ||  Ten.  Cocktail Napkins (yes again) or coasters to mix it up.  ||  Eleven.  A bartender’s dictionary.  ||  Twelve.  Beautiful wine.  While my bar cart doesn’t house the majority of my wine (4 wine fridges do, don’t judge) some of the most beautiful and decorative bottles are out on the cart.  ||  Thirteen.  A Decanter, I’m loving this skull from Pottery Barn.  ||  Fourteen.  Matches.  ||  Fifteen.  A decorative bowl for all the corks because every cart should have a personal collection of some sort, like corks you’ve collected from great bottles opened or vintage swizzle sticks.  Just something that’s personal, and interesting.

*Image Rustic White

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Spicy Watermelon Salad

August 13, 2014
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Entertaining

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Spicy Watermelon Salad, Waiting On MarthaSpicy Watermelon Salad, Waiting On Martha

When choosing a menu to withstand the summer time temperatures I always like to begin with a refreshing, and preferably cool, first course.  My spicy watermelon salad is the perfect blend of sweet and spice, plus it highlights one of summer’s biggest stars. Just make sure you let your guests decide how much heat they can handle by placing the sliced jalepeños on the side.  Make sure to check out our entire Al Fresco Dining post HERE  and enjoy!  truly, MKR

*Blue Place Settings, One Kings Lane (sold out)  ||  White Place Settings, kate spade new york c/o  ||  Blue & White Bowls, Waiting On Martha (email for availability)  ||  Hand Towels used as Napkins, Waiting On Martha  ||  

**Photography, Rustic White 

Spicy Watermelon Salad
Serves 8
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
25 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
25 min
Ingredients
  1. 5 cups watermelon balled or cut into cubes
  2. 3 English Cucumbers sliced
  3. 1 Jalepeno deveined and chopped
  4. 1 Jalepeno deveined and sliced for garnish (optional)
  5. 1/2 cup red onions finely diced
  6. 1 cup fresh lime juice
  7. 1 garlic clove, minced
  8. 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  9. 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  10. 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped, plus additional for garnish
  11. 1/2 cup crumbled cotija, feta, or goat cheese
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl add red onion, brown sugar, lime juice, diced jalapeno, garlic, and salt stirring to combine.
  2. In a large bowl mix together the cucumber, watermelon, and red onion.
  3. Pour the dressing on top of the salad, garnish with cilantro, cheese and additional jalapenos if you like it HOT.
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