Yes Way Rosé - Late Summer StyleBlueprint Spread

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By this point in August, it’s inevitable that rosé has stolen our summer hearts and this season’s wine cellars. The “yes way rosé” mantra has captured social media, restaurant and patio concentrations (mine included). I simply couldn’t say farewell to the season without throwing a wine-tasting party with the girls — thus, the rise in rosé’s popularity not only prompted our party’s culinary palate, but also every other detail, as well.

Click to see my first seasonal entertaining feature in StyleBlueprint!

Special thanks to Micki Martin photography, Social for tablescape details, and Kirby Wines for the gorgeous rosé selection!

The wines...

• Bella Glois Pinot Noir Blanc

• Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses

• Chateau du Berne Impatience

• Monmousseau Rosé d’Anjou

• Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Rosé

• Vin Gris of Pinot Noir

The menu...

• Watermelon + feta arugula salad

• Heirloom tomato + ricotta tart

• Charcuterie board + accompaniments

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Dates to Save

For the first taste of the Cara + Alex wedding brand, our save-the-date mailings needed a detailed differentiator. Traditionally received as a basic reminder--wedding couple, date and location--our version begged for creativity and clean, sophisticated production to set the stage for our March affair.

I'm lucky to spend my days alongside a team of brilliant creatives at DCA, a Memphis-based creative communications consulting firm. They've treated my and Alex's wedding as a formal client with brand attributes and applications; and the save the date mailer and wedding website were the first steps of the process. Pairing DCA's design with The Stovall Collection's talented production team was a match made in heaven. Stovall's copper foil and embossment expertise marked the best introduction for our out-of-town wedding guests.

We needed a Caramelized touch to the trusted package, of course; so a candied dates recipe was featured to help "save the dates." I hope you'll try it out!

Makes 24 dates

1 lb. (about 2 dozen) pitted medjool dates ½ cup raw walnuts, halved 1 cup unrefined organic cane sugar ¼ cup water

1. Make small length-wise cut in each date and insert walnut half.

2. Lightly brush each date in water.

3. Roll dates in sugar individually until well coated, then place on parchment paper.

4. When dry, dates can be stored in muslin bag or airtight container.

A Boys Birthday Bash

Hang up the bunting banner, stock up the bar cart, and send out your invitations. It's party time.

My fiancé and my childhood best friend were both celebrating birthdays just days apart, so I took charge to host our friends for bourbon drinks and sophisticated (and very simple) snacks.

I began with a quick farmers market grab of sunflowers and a trip to Miss Cordelia's for cheese, charcuterie and other appetizer ingredients. Though the presentation might have made this look like an all-day labor, the assembly was absolutely easy. Keep scrolling for step-by-step creations to throw together a cocktail party in a matter of minutes!

The hors d'oeuvres...

Mozz pops

1. Take a package of mini fresh mozzarella balls, rinse in water and pat dry.
2. Place each mozzarella ball on a mini party skewer.
3. Place store-bought or homemade basil pesto in a dipping bowl.
4. Serve on a slate tray with even ends of mozzarella bites

Cheese + charcuterie

1. Place mini plates of brie, goat, and gouda on a large cutting board.
2. Add a side of honey or grain mustard.
3. Accompany cheese wheels with cheese knives.
4. Fan charcuterie (I like soppressata) and fig grain crackers around the cheese.

Pork belly and peach flatbread pizza

1. Prepare pork belly the morning of the party.
2. Thirty minutes before guests arrive, top store-bought flatbread crusts with all recipe toppings.
3. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.
4. Allow to cool slightly before slicing in squares to serve.

Homemade guac with fresh cilantro and heirloom tomatoes

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