Party Recipe

We spent the weekend in Lymington celebrating Josh’s 40th birthday and having fun with Rob’s work team. Josh is an amazing vegetarian cook and I jumped in to help with my party-planning expertise. Together, we cooked delicious dinner and brunch for 22 people.  The weather had been sunny and hot all week, but turned rainy…

I love a good gala! Sadly I’ve been going to fewer ever since the San Francisco Symphony disappointingly cancelled the biannual Black & White Ball (maybe it will come back someday).  So Rob and I jumped at the chance to combine work and pleasure on our anniversary at the Parks Alliance Party for the Parks gala.…

Last year, Rob and I were jetlagged in Istanbul for his birthday – his 40th! – and didn’t do much to celebrate. So this year, it was time for a huge bike ride and beach party with a bunch of friends. I coordinated with super helpful volunteers from China Camp State Park in Marin to…

A four-foot-tall pink jellyfish chandelier…three courses of delicious seafood…one ridiculous plastic crab hat…nothing less would do for the birthday celebration of my great friend Margaret!  The night’s menu included Spanish and Moroccan flavors – two of her favorite places to travel. Enchantment Under the Sea Menu  Castelvetrano olives Black rice tabouli salad with cranberry bean…

The second week of February is a really good one in San Francisco. Not only do we have Valentine’s Day but the city is also bustling with Chinese New Year celebrations and there’s usually a heat-wave around this time that makes it feel so summery. I hosted a luncheon last Saturday for a group of…

At this year’s brunch, I had a lot of extra flowers left over from making arrangements and set up a “Deck Your Hairdo” contest for our guests. A small table held all the flowers, scissors, bobby pins and a small mirror.  Everyone got into the spirit! Jordan’s son helped to get guests to participate: Jean…

What could be more festive than a 17-pound roast ham? For the last nine years, Rob and I have hosted a Christmas brunch for our friends featuring a locally-cured delicious ham. The menu is so simple and so fun. It’s one of my favorite parties of the year. Menu Roasted ham with spices, brown sugar…

A big holiday party draws helpers and overnight visitors for the weekend. The result is that you’ll need to throw a dinner party the night before the big party. So fun! The house is already decorated, you just need something festive…something delicious…something with only a few dishes…something everyone can chip in to prepare: We were…

Gorgeous food, easily prepared. Great conversation with friends. Meeting new people. Last night’s dinner party was everything I love about hosting!  Here’s the play-by-play guide: Spanish-inspired Menu Appetizer of Spanish cheeses Mussels in a chorizo, chickpea, tomato broth Fresh tomatoes with kale pesto dressing Roasted cauliflower Warm crusty baguette Dessert of grapes and spanish dark…

I’ve invited my friend, Amy, to share some ideas with you while I’m traveling. She’s an amazing crafter with two adorable daughters – MrsEm My daughters are so fortunate to have Emily as a surrogate aunty. As Emily’s guest blogger, I am excited to share some details from an owl themed party I hosted with…