I’ve learned that the fall gatherings people remember aren't necessarily the ones with the most elaborate table settings or the menu that took three days to prepare. They remember walking…

The first chilly evening of fall always changes the way I cook. All summer, people drift in and out of the backyard carrying paper plates and cold drinks. Then one…

Halloween has always been one of my favorite occasions to entertain because it gives me permission to be a little more imaginative than I would for any other dinner party.…

An apple cider party captures the part of autumn I love most. It is warm without being formal, festive without requiring a major holiday, and flexible enough to suit nearly…

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday to host because it gives me permission to slow everything down. There are no last-minute presents to wrap or packed social calendars pulling…

Halloween parties for adults can be wonderfully atmospheric without becoming noisy, childish, or overloaded with plastic decorations. When I host in October, I prefer to treat Halloween as an opportunity…

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, but over the years I've realized that some of my most memorable celebrations haven't happened around the family table—they've happened with…

There’s something magical about watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon while sharing good food with people you care about. No expensive restaurant or elaborate vacation has ever matched…

Autumn has always been my favorite season for entertaining. As soon as the evenings turn crisp and the leaves begin changing color, I find myself pulling out linen tablecloths, lighting…

Labor Day has always felt like one of the sweetest holidays to host because it doesn't demand perfection. It's the last long weekend before life settles into its busy fall…

September has always been one of my favorite months for entertaining because it feels like the perfect bridge between two beautiful seasons. The days are still warm enough to enjoy…

There is a certain kind of garden party I always notice when I travel through Europe or look back at photographs from old holidays. It rarely feels as though someone…

Whenever I host dinner outdoors during the summer, I remind myself that guests usually remember how the evening felt even more than they remember the menu. A thoughtfully designed tablescape…

Late summer has always been my favorite season for hosting dinner parties. The evenings become a little cooler, golden sunsets linger just a bit longer, and local markets are overflowing…

There’s something about hosting a backyard party that immediately feels more relaxed than entertaining indoors. Guests naturally spread out across the patio, children run through the yard, conversations linger around…

There’s something about summer that makes me want to invite people over more often. Maybe it’s the longer evenings, the fresh seasonal food, or simply the excuse to gather everyone…

There’s something about celebrating a birthday outdoors that feels a little more magical than gathering around a dining room table. I’ve hosted birthday dinners in my backyard for everything from…

There’s something about a summer brunch that feels effortlessly joyful. The mornings are bright, the weather invites everyone outdoors, and there’s no pressure to rush through the day. Whenever I…

There’s something special about inviting people into your home without worrying about making everything look perfect. Over the years, I've realized that my favorite gatherings have never been the ones…