Fall Entertaining Essentials

Over Labor Day Weekend, I decided to get a jump start on "Fallifying"(a word I've made up, meaning to prep for fall) my home.  Since it is only the beginning of September, I didn't think it would be appropriate to have my entire house decked out in fall decor just yet.  Instead, I spent the weekend looking for those items that would become the staple entertaining pieces for me throughout the Fall season.  While there are certainly more than just the 5 items listed below that will be part of my Fall entertaining repertoire, these 5 essentials are great ways to start incorporating small and festive fall accents into your home.  

Geometric Lanterns

Geometric lanterns are a trend that I am noticing in an array of home stores this season, so of course I have immediately jumped on the bandwagon.  I love the fact that these lanterns are a hybrid between a hurricane and a traditional lantern with modern/rustic flare.  You can find these lanterns with closed peaked tops or open hurricane style in copper, brass or zinc, like the ones I have featured above from World Market.  In addition to the fabulous look of these hurricanes, they retail for anywhere between $9.99 and $29.99!  Love that!  With that said, my favorite feature would have to be the fact that the base of these lanterns is nonstick.  Meaning that when the candles melt down into the base, don't worry about it!  Just wait for the wax to harden and then it will lift right out of the lantern.  Great price, chic look and easy care, makes these lanterns a must-have for this fall season.  

Cocktail Napkins

I love a good cocktail napkin and have a bit of a cocktail napkin habit (similar to my pillow, flower and cooking tool habits).   With all of the decorating and redecorating I have been doing lately, I have been a huge fan of prints from various fabric designers like Schumacher, Lee Jofa and Scalamandre.  As it turns out, Scalamandre has collaborated with my favorite paper cocktail company, Caspari, to come up with the most fabulous line of products featuring the famous Scalamandre Zebra and Arrows.  I am in love with these orange zebra cocktail napkins for the Fall season, because they give you that autumn feel without being too kitchy.  These napkins are definitely a chic and updated accessory that I highly recommend adding to your entertaining repertoire this season.   

Wood Slice Serving Board

I have a serious weakness for anything rustic chic and this serving board definitely fits the bill!  Not only is it rustic and very reminiscent of Autumn, it is also extremely versatile.  Whether I am crafting  a new fall cheesescape, serving up delicious sugar cookies or even using it as a base for  a fall centerpiece, this board adapts to an array of situations.   I have seen all sorts of variations on this board in a number of stores, but ended up purchasing mine from Sur la Table, because the care for their board is super easy and it gives off the most wonderful smokey cedar fragrance.  Love love love this board!

Copper Wine Coaster

I love a splash of copper. Well, if we are being honest, I really would love a whole sea of copper.  The reality- not in my budget, so I am sticking with loving a splash of copper.  Most home good stores are chock full of copper accessories right now.  My favorite piece at the moment would have to be this Copper Wine Coaster from Williams Sonoma.  With the chic style of the rustic brass handles and the warmth of the coaster's color palette, this is the perfect accent to any autumn table setting.    

Phantom Wine by Bogle

There is no question that I enjoy a nice bottle of wine on occasion. Sometimes to a fault.  Recently, I was talking about wine with a friend of mine and she asked if I had tried Phantom by Bogle.  Bogle has been known to produce wines that are great for everyday drinking, so naturally I was a little confused when she emphatically recommended this particular label.  It still peaked my interest, so I purchased a bottle to share with my husband over the weekend.  Let me just say…I totally understand now why my friend was raving about Phantom by: Bogle.  This wine is FABULOUS!!!!  OMG so delicious and instantly became worthy of my Fall entertaining essentials, because in addition to this wine being very delicious, it is only offered seasonally (in the Fall).   If you are looking for a great bottle of wine to try this fall, I highly highly recommend picking up a bottle of Phantom by Bogle.  I promise, you most certainly will not be disappointed!

This happens to be my favorite time of year, so of course I have wasted no time with starting to transition my home from Summer to Fall.  I absolutely love these entertaining pieces mentioned in today's post as well as other items that I will be sharing in the upcoming weeks/months.  Now if only the Fall weather would get the memo that it is time to start cooling off our 90+ degree city! 

Valentine's Day Cocktail Party for Two

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and like previous years, I was having trouble thinking of what to do for my husband.  I have heard people say that this is a holiday for women, but that just seems like a poor excuse to get out of having to do something for your significant other to show them how much they mean to you.  Yes,  you should show your love and appreciation for your partner every day, but its nice to have this holiday to really go all out with a nice and romantic gesture.  

Brainstorming what to do for my husband….well immediately I knew what I didn't want to do--anything super traditional.  I am not a big fan of overloading on the hearts/cupid decor.  I can understand a touch of hearts decor, but after this holiday is over, when else are you going to be able to use this stuff?  The answer…next valentines day.  I just cannot justify spending that kind of money on stuff you are only going to use one day out of the year (Christmas Decor is up for an entire month in my house so don't even try to argue that one with me). 

What did I come up with?  I came across these Scalamandre Placemats by Caspari while perusing Amazon.com and was immediately hooked!  My valentines idea suddenly became clear, I was going to make a romantic cocktail hour for my husband (with a mini cheesescape of course) and then round out the evening with a  dessert and champagne bar (*I will be sharing those details on Wednesday).

Table Decor:

• Votives- I used my Tiffany & Co. Crystal Rock Cut Votives, which I have talked about in my article on Coffee Table Candles.  Other great votive suggestions for this coffee tablescape would be: 
  • CB2's Hatch Candle Holder, CB2's Frosted Glass Candle Holder, West Elm's Mercury Tea Light Holders 
• Flowers- I kept this aspect of the table very traditional with deep red roses.  
  • For the large rose bowl, I used slightly over a dozen roses.  If you don't have a rose bowl, I highly recommend getting one.  I am not an expert at flower arranging, but having this rose bowl has made this arrangement look professional.  Additional bonus- you can buy rose bowls very inexpensively like this rose bowl available at Amazon.com.  
  • For the bud vases, I used CB2's Ai Bud Vases and suggest filling them with either African Roses or Spray Roses.  

Table Setting:

• Placemats- Scalamandre by Caspari (Set of 4)
• Napkins- CB2 Restaurant Dinner Napkins (Set of 4)
• Napkin Rings- I had purchased my horn napkin rings from Williams Sonoma on sale.  They no longer carry the napkin rings, but here are a few similar options:
  • Pottery Barn Horn Napkin Rings (Set of 4), Simon Pearce Polished Horn Napkin Ring, Kenneth Cole Reaction Home Horn Napkin Ring
• Coasters- I used my Brass Chilewich Dahlia Coasters. 
• Stemware- Pictured are my William Yeoward Fanny Champagne Flutes.  A few additional champagne flute options would be:
  • Riedel Vinum Champagne Glass (Set of 2), Lenox Marchesa Imperial Caviar Gold Champagne Flutes (Set of 2), Williams-Sonoma Somerset Champagne Flute (Set of 4), CB2 Cheval Clear Flute
• Cheese Board- I used the Godinger Plume Cheese Board with Server
• Cheese Knives- The Godinger Plume Cheese Board does come with a cheese knife, however I opted for a set of 2 silver cheese knives.  Here are a few different options if you are looking to grow your cheese knife collection:
  • Jean DuBost Laguiole 3-Piece Cheese Knife Set- Stainless Steel, Sur La Table Hotel Cheese Knives (Set of 4), Michael Aram New Molten Cheese Knife Set
• Small Serving Bowls- The crystal bowls pictured below are actually antiques that I inherited, but here are a few small bowl alternatives:
  • Julia Knight Peony Round Bowl 6", Libbey Crisa Tempo Square Bowl (Set of 12), Sur La Table The Cambridge Collection Footed Serving Bowls

Food & Drink:

• For the Cheeseboard:
  • Camembert Heart Cheese- The only heart on this table!  I was perusing the cheese section at Whole Foods and came across this Camembert Heart from the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company.  I couldn't resist!  Pictured above I have garnished it with fresh julienned sage, because I felt it needed a little color for presentation purposes.  I've actually noticed a fair number of grocery stores carrying heart shaped cheeses right now, like Trader Joe's.  Even if you can't find a heart shaped cheese, there are still so many great cheese options available for your Valentine's Cheesescape.  
  • Cypress Grove Midnight Moon- This is a personal favorite of mine.  I cannot get enough of it and it's definitely a cheese that you will see time and again in my cheesescape photos.  Why do I love it so much?  This gouda has delicious nutty and brown butter notes, pairs beautifully with a variety of preserves/ chutneys and always seems to be a crowd favorite (especially for my husband and myself).  
  • Chutney- I went with a personal favorite of both mine and my husband (since we are going to be the ones eating it), Virginia Chutney Company's Hot Peach Chutney.  I love the combination of sweet and heat, plus it pairs beautifully with the Midnight Moon.  
  • Fresh Red Currants- I am totally in LOVE with currants at the moment.  Not a common choice, but their tart/slightly sweet taste is fantastic.  They pair beautifully with a  variety of cheeses and are a great addition to your glass of bubbly (as you will see in Wednesday's Post).  It is towards the end of their peak season, but I am still able to find them in some local grocery stores.

• Cheese Accompaniments:
  • Whole Grain 34 Degree Crisps- Available in a number of grocery stores, specialty food stores and online. 
  • Dried Pear Simple & Crisp-Available in specialty food shops, Whole Foods and Online. 
  • Sea Salt and Rosemary Crostini- Available at Whole Foods.  
  • Tart Dried Cherries- Available at most grocery stores and online at Amazon.com
• Nut Dish:
  • Spicy Cayenne Chickpeas by 2 Armadillos Co.
  • Trader Joe's Sweet and Spicy Pecans
  • Trader Joe's Rosemary and Seasalt Marcona Almonds 
  • **For additional nut ideas, check out my post on Cocktail Party Preparedness: Food & Beverage
• Champagne and Sparkling Wine Suggestions:  
  • I think champagne or sparkling wine is the perfect Valentine's cocktail.  Enjoying a bottle of bubbly with your significant other seems pretty romantic to me!  The type of champagne/sparkling wine and price point are totally up to you.  If you are looking for suggestions, I would recommend: Domaine Carneros by Tattinger, Moet & Chandon Champagne, Chandon or Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut.

While this is only Part One of my two part Valentine's series, I hope that this concept has inspired you to possibly think beyond the typical Valentine's Day fare.  There are so many romantic gestures and home accessories that you can do/use to make Valentine's Day special, thoughtful and romantic for your significant other.  Stay tuned for Part Two of my Valentine's Series on Wednesday, where I show you how to round out this cocktail party with a very sweet ending.