Entertaining

Danielle Rollins “Soiree” + Waiting On Martha Giveaway

Filed Under > Entertaining

Months ago while visiting Savannah en route to Hilton Head, I was perusing a local gift shop when I stumbled upon Danielle Rollins gorgeous book, Soiree.  As I quickly thumbed through beautiful page after beautiful  page I knew I needed to add it to my library immediately.  Add it to my library immediately and find out just who Danielle Rollins was.  Well lucky for me Ms. Rollins is an Atlanta resident and through happy coincidence and a few emails back and forth before you knew it I was sitting in her breathtaking (and I mean breathtaking, shocking, stunning) home chatting about Soiree, entertaining, Atlanta, and everything in between.

What Danielle does through Soiree so well is invites us all into her world.  And trust me it’s a world we all want to be a part of.  From croquet in the garden at a Gatsby Lawn Party to a Fall Harvest Chefs Table, and the grand dinner with Oscar de la Renta, her parties are full of details and flawlessly executed.  The book boasts 15 parties, both intimate and grand, more than 80 original recipes, and plenty of Pinnable images.  In her own words Danielle loves “the “lights, camera, action” of a party! From the initial spark of inspiration, to the preparation logistics, to the final zip of her dress…entertaining enables suspension from the real world and escape from the near-constant digital onslaught; it gives loved ones a chance to truly connect in the moment and create lasting memories.”  And in my own words, Soiree is truly a MUST read for anyone who loves to entertain.

Along with Soiree Danielle shares inspiration on her blog, is a contributing editor to Veranda and Southern Living, a very involved Atlanta philanthropist, and most importantly a mother of three.  Words cannot explain how much I adored being a part of her world for the morning, and am truly looking forward to collaborating with her on some fantastic endeavors.  I see many parties in our future together.  And because she and I share a great, great love of entertaining we wanted to bring you the chance to win a signed copy of Soiree plus a $50 giftcard to Waiting On Martha to help you entertain in style.  All the details are below, good luck and happy Monday Loves!  truly, MKR

The legal mumbo jumbo...this giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents and will run through Sunday the 1st with our winner announced Monday the 2nd.  We’ll be running this all through Rafflecopter (below) which allows you to earn points for each item completed with a simple click of the button.  The more points you earn the more likely you are to win (and remember you probably already have entry points if you’re a regular reader of the blog).

Images via Rustic White Photography

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Danielle Rollins "Soiree" + Waiting On Martha Giveaway

Filed Under > Entertaining

Months ago while visiting Savannah en route to Hilton Head, I was perusing a local gift shop when I stumbled upon Danielle Rollins gorgeous book, Soiree.  As I quickly thumbed through beautiful page after beautiful  page I knew I needed to add it to my library immediately.  Add it to my library immediately and find out just who Danielle Rollins was.  Well lucky for me Ms. Rollins is an Atlanta resident and through happy coincidence and a few emails back and forth before you knew it I was sitting in her breathtaking (and I mean breathtaking, shocking, stunning) home chatting about Soiree, entertaining, Atlanta, and everything in between.

What Danielle does through Soiree so well is invites us all into her world.  And trust me it’s a world we all want to be a part of.  From croquet in the garden at a Gatsby Lawn Party to a Fall Harvest Chefs Table, and the grand dinner with Oscar de la Renta, her parties are full of details and flawlessly executed.  The book boasts 15 parties, both intimate and grand, more than 80 original recipes, and plenty of Pinnable images.  In her own words Danielle loves “the “lights, camera, action” of a party! From the initial spark of inspiration, to the preparation logistics, to the final zip of her dress…entertaining enables suspension from the real world and escape from the near-constant digital onslaught; it gives loved ones a chance to truly connect in the moment and create lasting memories.”  And in my own words, Soiree is truly a MUST read for anyone who loves to entertain.

Along with Soiree Danielle shares inspiration on her blog, is a contributing editor to Veranda and Southern Living, a very involved Atlanta philanthropist, and most importantly a mother of three.  Words cannot explain how much I adored being a part of her world for the morning, and am truly looking forward to collaborating with her on some fantastic endeavors.  I see many parties in our future together.  And because she and I share a great, great love of entertaining we wanted to bring you the chance to win a signed copy of Soiree plus a $50 giftcard to Waiting On Martha to help you entertain in style.  All the details are below, good luck and happy Monday Loves!  truly, MKR

The legal mumbo jumbo...this giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents and will run through Sunday the 1st with our winner announced Monday the 2nd.  We’ll be running this all through Rafflecopter (below) which allows you to earn points for each item completed with a simple click of the button.  The more points you earn the more likely you are to win (and remember you probably already have entry points if you’re a regular reader of the blog).

Images via Rustic White Photography

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How To Style A Bar Cart

Filed Under > Entertaining

bar cart stylingbar cart stylingbar cart stylingbar cart styling

By now you’ve probably seen my bar cart all gussied up for a little party we threw, but this is how she sits everyday.  I love her.  Actually I need to name here (suggestions welcome).  But while I’m mulling over names I thought I’d walk through 10 easy steps to properly style your bar cart.  Cin Cin Loves!  truly, MKR

1. Let your bar cart tell the story of you. Mix in personal items that represent your personal style. On my cart I have monogrammed mint julep cups that hold straws, vintage swizzle sticks from my great grandmother, wine corks from my favorite bottles of wine and vintage bartending books that I fell in love with while antiquing. 

2. Don’t overdo it. You don’t have to cram every barware item you own on to your cart. Keep it flexible and switch out the colors, napkins, glasses and other components for easy entertaining designed for each gathering and/or season.

3. Mix it up. By mixing colors, textures, metals, vintage and modern items your cart will be full of personality (and won’t look like you ran out and bought everything for it in one fell swoop).

4. Consider investing in the actual cart. A good one will last you a lifetime! And from my experience, get one on wheels. Though it’ll likely live in one room in your home, it’s nice to be able to move it to a different space when entertaining.

5. Get the right tools! I am a firm believer that every bar cart should have all the tools necessary to make the perfect drink. Start with a shakermuddleropenerstirrer, strainer, ice bucket and tongs (or take the guesswork out by buying a complete set).

6. Pick bottles that will look gorgeous when displayed. Even if you’re not a fan of the liquor itself, you can always refill the display-worthy bottles with your preferred scotch, whisky, vodka, gin, brandy, tequila, or rum.

7. Pick wines that you plan on drinking within 3-6 months. Anything you plan on holding on to longer should be stored on its side, preferably at a 55 degree angle (yes, even red!).

8. Fresh flowers make everything better. Include a pretty arrangement in a really fabulous vase on your bar cart to help brighten up the design.

9. Don’t limit your bar cart to just booze! Most carts would make for a lovely coffee and tea spread, dessert or appetizer cart or even a place to hold gifts at a shower.

10. It should be both functional and beautiful. Your bar cart serves a very distinct purpose, but it should also be a piece that you love looking at.

Images via Rustic White Photography  ||  Styling via yours truly  ||  My favorite wines ( GambleOrin Swift, Darioush, Silver Oak)  ||  Shaker, muddler, straws, antler opener, rope vase, and mint julep cups via Waiting On Martha 


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