Herbal Happy HOur
Table Scene : 2
& MY 7 STEP PROCESS TO AN ARTFUL SMALL GATHERING
Find Inspiration
This is a h e a v e n l y, herbal happy hour if i’ve ever seen one!
I wanted version 2.0 of my quaren’scenes’ to be
r a w
organic
light
magical
& open
ya dig?
Inspired by the times I’ve spent walking through a greenhouse with girl friends admiring all the beauty,
I set out to create that feeling at a happy hour setting in my own home. Oh & in 24 hours.
LESSSSS GOOOOO.
2. design a story
Inspired to host an atmosphere for my girlfriends - free to relax, unwind, and be open - now comes the fun part.
Limited to what I owned personally in my home, I dug through the house to find decor elements that would reflect that story.
To Name a Few:
-Crystals to enhance mood & their overall wellness characteristics.
-Plants (SO. MANY. PLANTS. ) because without a doubt they effect your environment which directly affects your health. The right plant(s) can make a big difference on mood, stress levels and improve the air quality in your home.
Plus, it’s a great regimen if you’re looking for something extra to add to your home/routine this quarantine.
Oh, & double plus, when you pull them into one room for a dinner party, it is cute AF.
-Raw Fabric left over from an old Silk and Willow order. These naturally dyed and organically treated organza & cheese cloths were the perfect tool for my vegan cheese & fun expression to my chairs in an unexpected way.
-Color Story - I’ve always been drawn to black (yes, my mom let me paint every wall in my bedroom BLACK when I was 16! Shout out to cool Mom’s!) & clearly still love it. Limited to only 2 black walls, the rest of my home is filled with neutrals and warm hues ranging from mustard yellow to rusty red - terrocaotta being one of them.
-Terrocatta speaks to my first art love - ceramics. It’s porous qualities absorb soil toxins, helps avoid overwatering & results in a beautiful aging quality. I recently bought a few extra planters for our outdoor garden that were a perfect holding dish for some of the other table decor elements.
&& other VRY important elements include CBD SMOKES, HERBS, && LIGHTING… but more on that later.
Like I mentioned before, it’s best to gather all the materials you “think” will go with your design, but after that, to let it go. I was stuck for HOURS on using a light blue table cloth that I swore would work & after an hour of no progress it had to go. Let the creative process unfold throughout and flowwwww.
3. Incorporate your senses
Weigh Out Your Layout
Our backyard had not yet bloomed & the evenings were still too chilly to host this HH outside. (BOO!) So, I did my best to create a garden paradise inside while still representing nature’s qualities. I pulled our aged outdoor wood stools as a sub for our dinning chairs to make to feel more natural and raw…but, we only have two…
Creativity is heightened when materials are limited - Try to embrace it and have some fun.
Aromas
This triple threat Palo Santo/Crystal/Floral bundle from my girl at Clementine Collective was the perfect table accent & activity.
Burnables are always a fun activity & bring fragrance to your setting.
Keep it Right - Keep it Bright
Market lights give off a sexy glow and are always (most definitely) a good idea.
&& can’t forget the twinkle lights in the corner for that extra sense of dimension and glow.
Lighting effects the mood - don’t overlook it.
Beats
I’ve got a pretty amazing gurllll mood mixes on my sound cloud. Feel free to peep it.
Music is (in almost all cases)…completely necessary.
Make it your own but also make it your setting.
4. Skip tradition & make it personal
Back to solving the 2 and 2 chair dilemma. Once I brought the raw outdoor chairs in, I needed to “rough up” my standard leather set. So, I gave them a lil’ makeover with some raw cheese cloth I had left over from a Silk and Willow order & cut some trimmings from the front yard to add a little extra touch. && VOILÀ!!
Try to take something & give it a new spirit.
5. CONNECTION THROUGH ACTIVATION
These CBD smokes from Lady Jays are the perfect way to relax, entertain and connect. Plus, their mission is beautiful & I love cultivating GRL power any chance I get.
“At, Lady Jays, we believe in two things: the power of hemp and the power of "her". Join us in our journey to exhale chaos and inhale calm.”
(Also sold locally from my small biz friend at Clementine Collective! If you’re in the business of shopping small and supporting other artists and women, you should check in with her- fuuurrr real!)
Don’t be afraid of an extra step, whatever that may be.
6. The Culinary Experience
To Eat
Develop your menu to match the mood.
Sweet, spicy, or savory, pick a profile that correlates.
EASY GARLIC & HERB VEGAN CHEESE
Not gunna lie, I thought my cheese days were over after I went DF. Thanks to the Minimalist Baker & my new vitamix my world has flipped upside-down & inside out…seriously. ”This recipe is simple, requiring just 8 ingredients! And the method is easy as well: Soak cashews, blend with seasonings to flavor, wrap in cheesecloth (I just cut a piece off what I was using to tie the chairs - ha!) to absorb liquid, and chill – that’s it!”
7 INGREDIENT STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Another M.B. favorite.
Tender, Nuty, Savory & Oh so satisfying.
HOMEMADE HUMMUS
”Chickpeas are wonderful for gut health as they’re loaded with fiber and keep things moving through your digestive system. (I never want to invite guests over & not meet their food restrictions or have anyone hurt from my meal. This recipe for a 3 Minute homemade hummus is just as satisfying as anything else you make in a vitamix. (Sauces, hot soups, dips, the best smoothies, and the list continues - obsessed!)
Note Again: If cooking isn’t your forte but you love entertaining - don't be afraid to order in! Especially if curating the event and hosting is more of your focus than being a chef. Don't let it scare you away from making a moment memorable - unique food choice is usually closer than you think.
To Drink
This lavender lemon infused cocktail was the perfect afternoon refresher.
If you have never tried an Italian Lemon Cello…you must. Truly. & If you get a change to try it IN Italy, even better.
Ingredients
1 ounce lemon cello
1 ounce gin
1 ounce lemon juice (fresh)
Lavender sprig
1 tablespoon agave (I prefer in replace of simple syrups)
Splash with Topo Chico for an extra sparkle
Garnish: lavender sprig
Muddle the lavender, shake all ingredients, strain over ice and serve with a lavender garnish. && ENJOY!
Sharing a beverage that is special to you is a perfect way to make it personal & maybe even inspire your guests to visit.
7. Be a Gansta’ Garnisher
Beverages
Each cocktail was infused & garnished with lavender from our personal own personal herb garden. Something about fresh trimings feels incredibly special.
Menu
Not gonna lie, vegan cheese always needs extra flavor. So M.B. created the perfect duo of dill and lemon to pack a yummy punch.
&& with any veggie platter, feel free to add florals, herbs or cilantro for color & flavor - gangsta style.
DevelopING your OWN design voice
Pretty simple. If you follow all these steps using items you surround yourself in, colors/patterns you like to wear, and experiment throughout the process you’ll be on the right track.
I challenge you to try this in your own home. Explore, get inspired and create something meaningful for you and your guests.
This is only two of version of my design voice. I’m inspired & excited to see how this project unfolds. Please join me.
- May 23, 2020