I am the luckiest gal because my husband and best friend were born seven days apart. And then my mom’s birthday is five days later, which means November is a series of celebrating some of the people I love most on the planet. 

We had a few friends over to celebrate Mitch + Gaelle’s 29th birthdays this past weekend, and it was a blast. The thought of inviting friends and loved ones into our home was truly one of the most exciting parts of buying our house. 

As a hospitality gal inside and out, I love learning and reading how others put their occasions together. Here’s a rundown of this past weekend, including what helped, what we ate, and what I’m learning about hosting as I go. 

Cranberry Basil Sangria Mocktail
My bestie is expecting her first baby (!!!), so of course we had to celebrate with a fun (and safe) drink. This was a delicious mix of cranberry and orange juice with a heavy smattering of orange and apple slices, fresh cranberries, and basil. So delicious, and so pretty to serve with cranberry, orange, and basil garnishes. I made it from this mocktail recipe book, which ironically, my best gal gave me for my birthday last year!

Learning: the fewer appetizers, the better. 
I have been known to put out a spread of 13 platters and charcuterie boards, only to pack it all back up at the end of the night. I made one app this weekend and it was the perfect quantity—something to snack on, but not too much to spoil appetites before dinner (or end up in the trash later on). Speaking of the app, this is what I made.

Olive Cheese Ball Appetizer
I was recently introduced to the concept of cheeseballs, and I’ve never been the same. My cousin-in-law Kathryn brought this over to our house a few weeks ago, and wow! I knew I had to recreate it for dinner. All it entails is sliced olives and cream cheese… formed into a ball. That’s it. Yum! I served it with these gluten-free Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil crackers. The combo was *chef’s kiss*.

Gluten-Free Lasagna (that you can’t tell is gluten-free)
This has been my go-to gluten-free lasagna for going on three years now. I’m always pleasantly surprised when people can’t tell it’s missing the gluten protein. I use the Jovial brand gluten-free lasagna noodles and they work like a charm. Also, I especially love serving this dish because it’s so easy to prep up to 24 hours in advance and then throw in the oven right before people come over. 

I asked for help, and my friends answered. 
It’s my busy season at work, so I knew it would be hard to pull everything off for the party on my own. I asked the each gal to bring a salad or a side, and they showed up with the most delicious dishes to share. I’m so glad I asked for help. Reminder that it’s okay to not do it all!

Italian Almond Cake for dessert
Also gluten-free, and also, no one could tell. That’s my favorite kind of victory! This recipe is crazy easy and crazy delicious.

Festive Candles Make Everything Better
I grabbed these numerical candles before Mitch’s birthday last week and have already used them three times (on his birthday bagel, birthday cheesecake, and now the Italian Almond Cake). They made the moment feel more festive, and are now, in my opinion, necessary to have on hand! 

Prepped the After-Dinner Decaf
One of my favorite tips for hosting is prepping a pot of decaf before people arrive. That way, after dinner, all I have to do is press “Brew,” and it starts pumping out the good stuff. We use this 4-in-1 coffee machine and have really enjoyed it. And, for what it’s worth, these mugs are the perfect size for after-dinner decaf!

My Go-To Tablecloth
I got this on a whim a few months ago before our first dinner party around our oval table, and it has really been the most versatile and worthwhile purchase. It’s the most beautiful natural color and is easy-as-ever to steam out before use. 

Linens I Love
In the same vein, these Crate & Barrel napkins have continued to appear at each one of my dinners, and I have no regrets about the repeats at all! I have a number of colors and am excited to keep growing my collection.

Post Scripts 

— A few tips and tricks for hosting dinner parties and beyond. 

— I used to host parties and dinners in my studio apartment—I’m so glad I followed the nudge to get people together. It doesn’t matter how big the space is, but how willing we are to use it for connecting people we love!

— A gift guide for the homemakers.

— A crowdpleasing cookbook to host from. The Defined Dish never misses!
— Health and Wellness gift ideas to create a non-toxic home + routine.