Hello Lovely

Sweet and Simple Entertaining Ideas

I love to entertain and can hold my own
even with a crowd converging on our doorstep,
but there are plenty of folks who are shy about
hosting a gathering because while they
like the idea of entertaining, it's the
actual execution part which stresses
them out.

It can be easier than you think though,
and I like to think beyond BBQ or
a heavy meal.

Here are three cute and easy ideas for hosting a:
Wine and Cheese,
Tipsy Tea, or
Cute Casual Lunch

1. W i n e  and  C h e e s e 

The first idea is an artful palette cocktail hour
idea from Ritzy Bee, which is perfect for a
bridesmaid luncheon, but both sexes
are likely to enjoy the presentation,
so for a special occasion or for no good reason
at all, this cute wine and cheese idea makes sense.

Sweet and Simple Entertaining Ideas

Want a super easy hack for this artsy wine and cheese fete?
Instead of creating the boards yourself,
buy wood artist palettes (10 for $21) and
decorate them as your heart desires!

As for the wine?
How about asking Martha Stewart to choose
a lovely wine assortment for you...sound expensive?
It's not!
Here's a trio of yummy, friendly-priced
possibilities discovered at
Martha Stewart Wine!

Wine Pack #1: Think Pink Rosé

Wine Pack #2: Discovery Half Case

Bottle o' Bubbly: Fincalegre Cava Brut

Sweet and Simple Entertaining Idea

Polkadot Peonies Napkins & Runner - Hello Lovely Studio

Sweet and Simple Summer Entertaining - Hello Lovely Studio

Bake or buy the cupcakes and instead of setting up a
full bar, serve just one signature drink (learn how to
make my homemade amaretto liqueur here) like my
boozy pink lemonade or a spiked iced tea.

A couple of simple variations on the sweets/booze pairing:

Cheesecake and Chocolate-tinis
Order an amaretto cheesecake and serve the cocktails
(here's a recipe) in these inexpensive glasses.

OR

Sweet and Simple Summer Entertaining Ideas

Sweet and Simple Summer Entertaining Ideas

individual macaroni and cheeses served in ramekins
with adorable lobster-shaped crackers!
(Maybe add a little lobster to the pasta?)
Need the lobster cookie cutter?<---affiliate link="" span="">

Sweet and Simple Summer Entertaining Ideas

Another make-ahead idea...individual spaghetti nests
(just swirl a favorite recipe into a muffin tin):

Sweet and Simple Summer Entertaining Ideas

To accompany the pasta, how about a simple
fresh salad utilizing any seasonal fruits or veges
from the farmer's market?



Hope these ideas and images inspire you
to get a date on the calendar soon to entertain!

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Find the story here.

Peace to you right where you are.

What assures the simple combo will succeed?

Pretty accents and a relaxed host.

Minted kindly invited us to choose custom

AFTER: a few boxwood, a few pots, knotty alder door, and garage sale finds.

  

I'm not kidding.
My entertaining plan is THAT easy.
You can certainly kick it up a notch though,
and I often do.
1.
Cupcakes
Buy them from a fabulous bakery or bake em.
I like doctoring a cake mix, icing them
with homemade buttercream, and serving
them nude...the cupcakes, that is,
stripped of their paper wraps.
(Recipe at end of post).
2.
Lemonade
Any hue will do.
I like mine pretty in pink and sweetly spiked.
3.
Amaretto or Vodka
This is to tipsify (a craptastic word I made up) the lemonade,
and I make homemade Amaretto, which
is THE easiest boozy DIY, yet impresses the
pants off guests and just tastes better
since it is created with pure love.
(Recipe at end of post.)

 Aren't these pretty linens feminine and romantic!?!

Cupcakes and Cocktails in the Courtyard

Cupcakes & Cocktails in the Courtyard

Do we need more simple ideas?
Oui! Oui, we do!

Visit all of these beautiful blogs for

simple summer entertaining ideas!

* * * * *
Cupcakes
(makes 24)
1 white cake mix
1/2 cup oil
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
4 egg whites

Set oven to 350. Line muffin tin with paper baking cups.
Beat cake mix, oil, buttermilk, and egg whites in bowl
with mixer on med for 2 minutes.
Pour batter into cups.
Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.
Cool completely.
Make buttercream icing while they cool.
(Whip together: 1 stick butter at room temp, 1.5 tsp. vanilla,
1 box powdered sugar, and a few Tbsp. milk)
Tint frosting if desired then ice cupcakes.
YUM.

Homemade Amaretto
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups vodka
2 Tbsp almond extract
2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine water and sugars in saucepan over med heat.
Heat until mixture is boiling and all sugar is dissolved.
Remove pan from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
Stir vodka and extracts into mixture.
Store in a sealed bottle.
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