Life Skills

La Crema Virtual Vintner

Filed Under > Entertaining

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.

Gifting || Simple Flowers

Filed Under > Life Skills

hostess gifts, simple flowers from Waiting On MarthaWhen it comes to gifting, especially the hostess, nothing is more perfect and easy than simple flowers.  But for some reason whenever I talk about flowers I find people tend to become overwhelmed and intimidated by all of the choices so I thought I’d share my favorite go-to single stem arrangements and tips I’ve picked up along the way.  truly, MKR 

hostess gifts, simple flowers from Waiting On Martha

No 1. – Keep it simple and in season.  If you’re not someone who arranges flowers quite frequently best to keep it simple with a few stems of a single varietal and always try to buy what’s in season.  My favorites include peonies, hydrangeas, lilacs, ranunculus, and tulips.

hostess gifts, simple flowers from Waiting On Martha

No. 2 – Work the stems.  Immediately remove any plastic wrapping, submerge the stems in water and beginning cleaning and removing any un needed leaves, twigs, etc.  

hostess gifts, simple flowers from Waiting On Martha

No. 3 – Pretty paper.  I love using wrapping sheets, butchers paper, or a gorgeous ribbon to wrap the flowers in.  Simply lay the flowers out how you would like them to look and trim the bottoms (preferably with pruning shears) on a diagonal so all of the stems are the same length.  Place the flowers at the corner of your wrapping sheet and roll.  Secure with double sided tape or a ribbon.  If you’re using just a ribbon which is ideal for larger branched stems such as the lilacs secure first with flower wire then cover with ribbon.

hostess gifts, simple flowers from Waiting On Martha

No 4. – Additions.  If you want an additional pop or some variety, add a few herbs such as sprigs of basil or rosemary in the colder months or craspedia (the little yellow flowers added to the peonies), but just remember in most cases less is more.

hostess gifts, simple flowers from Waiting On Martha

*Photography  ||  Haley Sheffield

 



How To Prepare For House Guests

Inspiration for Thoughtful Touches when Welcoming Guests into Your Home
Filed Under > "Hostess with the Mostest"

Preparing for house guests
This past weekend we had some of our closest friends in town from Chicago which meant all last week I ran around getting our home “guest ready”.  You see, I take the act of hosting very seriously and hosting is really all about the prep work!  Prep work I’ve got down to five easy steps – it starts with a cocktail (of course) and ends with breakfast. Five easy steps I thought I’d share with you Loves!  truly, MKR

Photography  ||  Rustic White

Ballard Designs bed head  ||  Juju Hat  ||  Caitlin Wilson Gold & White Pillows  ||  West Elm Duvet  ||  Acrylic Tray  ||  Jonathan Adler Muse candle  || Gold Vases  ||  Double old fashion glasses  ||  Gold & white small trophy bowl

Guest room decorHouse guests - hosting ideas

No. 1 – Ready the cocktails. After planes, trains, and automobiles your guests are likely a bit exhausted from the travel so greet them with a “house” cocktail and a proper toast to kick off what will hopefully be a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

Pottery Barn nightstand (old)  ||  Pier One lamp (old)  ||  Dwell Studio vase (also available in black)  ||  Jonathan Adler carafe  ||  Dauville coasters  ||  Dauville bowl

Preparing for house guests

No. 2 – Prepare the guest room. This means fresh linens and towels, extra pillows, plenty of closet and drawer space, and fresh flowers on the nightstand is always an appreciated touch.

Jonathan Adler zebra  ||  Guest soaps  ||  West Elm towels hand and bath towels

Tray of snacks for house guestsHow to prepare for house guestsTrays for house guests

No. 3 – Create a guest room tray. As a guest there’s nothing worse than having to ask your host time and time again for items they may need or have forgotten. A fully stocked guest tray will eliminate the ask all together. Some suggested guest tray additions would be; water (sparkling and flat), a carafe, glasses, napkins, coasters, a candle, matches, Advil, magazines, and treats. I love wrapping treats such as trail mix and cookies in re-sealable packaging so if your guests don’t dig in during their stay they’ll have something to snack on at the airport.

Getting ready for house guests

No. 4 – Bathroom extras. The most forgotten items when traveling are toiletries. Therefore stock the bathroom with all of the necessities; toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, lotion, perfume, and soap. And may I suggest buying the small individually wrapped soaps to avoid the half-used-leftover-from-the-guests-full-of-germs-before-soap.

Luxe tray  ||  Guest toothbrushes  ||  Dauville bowl

RW-PHG8

No. 5 – Stock the fridge. It’s always best to check with your guests before arrival to make sure they don’t have any allergies or need any specific foods during their stay. Then fill your fridge with all of the standard items (milk, bread, coffee, wine, etc.) plus a few regional specialities they may not be able to get at home. For example we’ll have pimento cheese, BBQ of some sort, and homemade Southern biscuits (recipe to come!)

Williams Sonoma bread basket 
 
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