results for thanksgiving table

Serenbe Harvest…Part I

September 24, 2013
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Holiday Table

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A few months ago I was asked by Occasions Magazine to create a holiday entertaining shoot for their September issue.  Any holiday.  Whatever my little heart desired.  Since fall is my absolute favorite it was obvious I would gravitate towards that, but instead of Halloween or Thanksgiving I wanted to create something that celebrated the turning of seasons.  The harvest.   And with that being the theme of course could all be easily be transformed into a Thanksgiving table.

The only thing standing in the way of my vision was transforming hot-lanta in the middle of June into a crisp fall day in October.  Serenbe provided the perfect backdrop.  We almost all passed out from heat stroke…I actually jumped in the pool at one point to cool down and our gorgeous red cake melted.  But when the sun began to set, the light became perfect and in my eyes something magical truly happened.  Harvest happened.

I couldn’t have been happier with how everything turned out.  In fact because I have so many images I absolutely adore it’s going to actually take me 3 days to share it all with you.  So for today we focus on the table.  And if you’re in the area pick up the Florida or Georgia issue to see the spread, read all about it online , and make sure you check out our behind the scenes video.  Happy harvest Loves!  truly, MKR

P.S. Because I know you’re wondering, the gorgeous cards created by Ashley Buzzy McHugh that say things like “I’m thankful for” and “I couldn’t live without” is just a little holiday tradition where everyone writes on their cards then places them in a bowl and each person passes the bowl around the table, pulling a card, and reading it out loud.  Just a little way to look back on the year, look ahead on the year to come, and most importantly give thanks.

P.P.S. We’re giving away a Zac by Zac Posen bag (up to a $450 retail value)…enter HERE.

It takes an army…

Concept & Styling:  Mandy Kellogg Rye of Waiting On Martha, Inc.

Photography:  Rustic White Photography

Videographer:  Imagine Video Production

Rentals:  Blue Eyed Yonder 

Florals:  Gertie Mae’s Florals 

 Cake:  Anne Kathleen Cakes 

Place Settings:  Ross Sveback faux bois  ||  Boxwoods white plates, horn mug, horn knife  ||  West Elm rose gold silverware  || World Market glassware

Calligraphy:  Ashley Buzzy McHugh

Clothing & Jewelry:  Bloomingdales,  All Saints jacket  ||  BCBG Max Azria Dress  ||  Sam Edelman Boots  ||  Michael Kors & Kate Spade bracelets, Michael Kors ring

 Location:  Serenbe

 Makeup:  Brielle Brenner

Hair:  MichelleMcCoy of Vidal Sassoon

Nails:  Essie wicked + gold glitter polish on the party nail

Champagne Cocktail:  St. Germaine + Champagne + Blackberries

 

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Dining Al Fresco + Homemade Tortilla Chips & Salsa Con Queso

August 11, 2014
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Everyday Dinner

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Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On Martha     *These candelabras are show stopping & perfect for any occasion

Homemade Tortilla Chips, Waiting On MarthaDining Al Fresco, Waiting On Martha     *A mix of vases in different heights, textures, & patterns gives our table an eclectic vibe

Red Sangria Recipe, Waiting On Martha     *Sangria is the perfect cocktail for large groups & summer nights (recipe coming Friday)

Summertime Salsas, Waiting On Martha     *Ditch traditional salsas for whats is in season like our peach, mango & heirloom tomato

Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On MarthaOutdoor Entertaining, Waiting On Martha     *Don’t be afraid of color, the red provides the “pop” this table needed

Spicy Watermelon Salad, Waiting On MarthaBlue & White, Waiting On Martha     *A vase anything that holds water including an actual water pitcher

Salsa Con Queso, Waiting On Martha     *Take queso to the next level with jalepeno, green onion, cilantro, & radish garnish

Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On MarthaHomemade Tortilla Chips & Refried Beans     *Homemade tortilla chips are worth the extra work I promise!

Dining Al Fresco, Waiting On MarthaOutdoor Dinner Party, Waiting On Martha

There’s nothing I enjoy more than summer nights dining al fresco with my nearest and dearest. So when Pacific Foods asked if I’d like to team up for a little easy entertaining I gathered friends and set the table with a Mexican inspired meal.  

Homemade chips, queso, spicy watermelon salad and a trio of  salsas highlighting summer’s freshest flavors (peach, mango, heirloom tomato) set the stage for a build your own taco bar.  A build your own taco and/or nacho bar is not only the definition of easy entertaining, but it’s always a crowd pleaser.  Simply grill a protein or two, set out all of your fresh favorites (tortillas, beans, cheese, guacamole, salasa, queso, tomatoes, onions, jalepenos, etc.), and let your guests create their favorite combinations.  And because Pacific Foods has great organic options such as refried black beans and queso all I needed to do was add a few extra flavors before serving.

I’m sharing my salsa con queso and homemade tortilla chips recipe below, (trust me take the time and make your own homemade tortilla chips I promise it will be worth it), and later this week I’ll show you how to create the perfect red sangria and spicy watermelon salad.  Everything you need for easy summer entertaining because after the winter we all had I’m trying to squeeze every ounce out of summer I can!  Cheers!  truly, MKR

Table & Chairs, Ballard Designs c/o  ||  Red Chairs, Society Social  ||  Garden Stool, One Kings Lane  ||  Candelabras, Dunes & Duchess  ||  Striped Tapers, Waiting On Martha  ||  Drink Dispenser, old similar HERE  ||  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)  ||  Rope Vase, Waiting On Martha  ||  Faceted Vase, Waiting On Martha  ||  Milk Bottle Vases, Waiting On Martha  ||  Tall Faceted Vase, kate spade new york c/o  ||  Blue & White Vase (collected, similar HERE)  ||  Hand Towels used as Napkins, Waiting On Martha  ||  Rope Bowl, Waiting On Martha (sold out Gold still available)  ||  Blue & White Stripe Napkins, Sur La Table  ||  Rocks Glasses, Dwell Studio  ||  Dress, Persifor  ||  Nail Polish, Nars  

Photography, Rustic White  ||  This post was sponsored by Pacific Foods, a brand I love and adore.  Opinions and recipes are 100% my own.

Homemade Tortilla Chips
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
15 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
  1. 12 Corn Tortillas
  2. 4-6 Cups Sunflower or any preferred oil for frying
  3. Salt to taste
Instructions
  1. In a cast iron or heavy bottom pot, heat oil on high for 5 minutes or until oil reaches 350 degrees.
  2. Cut tortilla shells in half and then half again so you have 4 equal triangles per tortilla.
  3. Once oil is hot place 8-10 triangles in at a time and fry for 2-3 minutes or until tortillas begin to turn golden brown.
  4. Using a skimmer or fry basket remove chips and place on a baking sheet covered in paper towels, salt.
  5. Repeat until all tortillas are cooked.
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
Spicy Salsa Con Queso Dip
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Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. Pacific Foods Salsa Con Queso
  2. 1/2 cub shredded or cubed White Cheese
  3. 1 Jalepeno Diced
  4. 1/2 Red Pepper Diced.
  5. 2 Diced Radishes
  6. 2 Green Onions Diced
  7. Cilantro For Garnish
Instructions
  1. In a small pot over medium high heat add the Pacific Foods Salsa Con Queso, white cheese, red pepper, and jalepeno. Mix until warm and fully melted.
  2. Remove from heat and pour into a serving bowl and garnish with radishes, green onions and cilantro. Serve warm with our homemade tortilla chips.
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/

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Carrying On Holiday Traditions with Vietri

Choosing the perfect holiday pattern to grow year over year
December 10, 2017
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Entertaining

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Growing up during the holidays, one of the things I remember most is my mother setting the table on Christmas Eve. Dressed up in her Christmas best, she would carefully remove each piece of Christmas China from the cabinet placing it all around the table in preparation for the big day.

Every plate was rimmed in gold with a hand painted Christmas tree and holiday snow scene at the center.  And I would watch her with anticipation, knowing that tomorrow, we’d all gather around the table and for one day eat off the fanciest plates I had ever seen.  Yes I had an obsession with table settings even back then.

Year after year we’d gift my mother new pieces to add to her collection, a collection that still graces her China cabinet today. As I grew older, and adopted my own holiday traditions I knew this was one I wanted to keep.  But choosing a collection; which pattern, which brand…seemed daunting.  How do you choose?

I had actually been putting off choosing a pattern for years now.  That was until the Vietri Lastra Holiday collection, and like a fine wine or a great piece of art it just spoke to me.  When I saw those hand painted trees I honestly gasped out loud…honestly.  And I just knew this was the collection I had been waiting for. The Lastra Holiday collection was the perfect mix of lighthearted whimsy and pomp and circumstance.

Complimenting the Lastra, or any bar cart, the Drop Glassware Collection is mouthblown in Veneo, Italy.  I first spied the Drop Glassware Collection during The Southern C Summit this past summer and added them to my cocktail cabinet right then and there.  The collection is both playful and classic, plus look how beautifully it shows off my favorite holiday sangria recipe.

Lastra Salad Plate

When starting a collection salad plates and baking pieces are a great way to go.  You can easily layer salad plates on top of your everyday tableware and still get the look you’re going for. Then each year you can slowly add in the additional pieces to complete your collection.  How gorgeous would these Lastra Salad Plates look on a red dinner plate!

Lastra Salad Plate | Lastra Square Platter | Lastra Baker

So this year, for the very first time, I’ll begin my own Christmas Eve tradition and my Lastra will be the star of the show.  Tell me friends do you have a holiday table tradition?  Truly, MKR

P.S. My friends at Vietri want to help you start your own collection this year, so use code WOM50 and take $50 off any $200 purchase.  Happy collecting!

Photography, Kathryn McCrary | This post is in partnership with Vietri.  A brand I love and adore.  All opinions are 100% my own.

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