Friendsgiving with The Austin Artisan & S'more Volume 7 Members
Last weekend we kicked off the holiday season right with THE AUSTIN ARTISAN by hosting a Friendsgiving dinner party that we’ll remember for years to come. We tapped our amazing local businesses featured in VOLUME 7 and the results speak for themselves – the evening was effortless and beyond beautiful, if we do say so ourselves!
THE MAIN EVENT
The night would not have happened without The Austin Artisan. From his initial planning to the flawless execution of a four-course meal, Chef Michael Wards made planning and prepping for our large group seamless. Prior to our event, The Austin Artisan team came out to my house to discuss the menu and to conduct a kitchen walk-thru to ensure a smooth night. Hours before guests were to arrive, he & his team swooped in and turned my kitchen into a true chef’s kitchen. They brought all of their own pots & pans, knives & supplies and at the end of the night, they left it cleaner than they found it. The sweetest servers – Brittany and Seti – helped put the finishing touches on our tablescape, from folding napkins to placing menus, silverware + more.
To say my guests were shocked to see me sipping champagne (with dried and styled hair, no less) would be an understatement. Without the help of The Austin Artisan, I’m usually tornado-ing around the house, lighting candles, prepping cocktails and trying to finish my makeup. It’s not a pretty sight…
THE IDEAL SETTING
Our backyard has been a 4-year process that we’ve done in phases and the project has finally been completed and we are over the moon about it. We’ve had some amazing people help us turn it into the ideal hosting destination, but by far – the biggest transformation was installing LAWNPOP ARTIFICAL TURF. We are obsessed. Like, yell it from the mountaintops obsessed. Owner, Tanner Shepard, and his team are truly the best in the business and every single person that steps foot in our backyard asks A) do we love it (duh!) and B) if it’s a good idea for dogs (100%!). We’ll be sharing more on that transformation soon – but in the meantime, REACH OUT AND GET A QUOTE. You will not be disappointed.
TABLETOP GOALS
PREMIERE EVENTS’ rentals anchored the decor with a really fun BLACK & WHITE GINGHAM TABLECLOTH, which I paired with BLACK CHIVARI CHAIRS & some super luxe VELVET NAPKINS. I added in some GOLD FLATWARE & SMOKE-COLORED GLASSWARE, but kept the rest of the details clean and simple with these PLATES, BOWLS and WINE GLASSES.
PAPER PLACE did the most amazing job with the menus. Wherever Suzy Ranney (Owner of Paper Place) leads us, I follow. They are always so spot on and this project was no exception. I originally thought I wanted separate place cards, but they suggested incorporating the name card into the menu – genius! It looked so sweet and it was the perfect detail to make my guests feel special. Oh, and the raw edge detail on the menus was such an elegant look. As a special little treat, we included a recipe from Chef Wards on the backside of the menu (for his most delicious turnip gratin). Everyone was beyond impressed!
GRACIOUS GARLANDS’ 10’ft SPREGERI THREAD did an amazing job of tying the table together and making the design feel fuller. When it was just the black, white & orange, I was starting to second guess my vision. The greenery added some depth and all of the Halloween vibes instantly disappeared. We also had two matching wreaths hanging on our patio doors to tie it all together. The garlands arrived on Thursday, packaged perfectly and with a little fluffing – they were ready to go! Per Owner, Elle Worsham’s advice, we added in loads of candles and it was instant ambiance!
HOUSE OF MARGOT BLAIR made the most fabulous ‘voluptuous minis’ – the biggest of her MARGOT MINI ARRANGEMENTS. Owner & Creative Director, Carly Blair, created the most beautiful fall floral arrangement that perfectly tied our festive table together. Pro Tip: She told me to place the arrangements facing opposite directions to show off all the different angles! It’s been almost a week and those beauties are still thriving and they make me smile every time I walk past them. She has some fun holiday happenings up her sleeve – including a workshop on the horizon (TOMORROW!) and a special sale planned for Black Friday (subscribers only). Be sure to SIGN-UP FOR HER NEWSLETTER to stay in the know.
THE MENU
There were three savory courses and it just got better and better. Everyone was blown away by the presentation, flavors and service. I truly can’t say enough good things about Chef Wards and his team!
Hors d’oeurves
Red Snapper Crudo. Puffed Red Quinoa. Fresno Chile. Chile Oil. Tiger Milk. Citrus.
Short Rib Tostada. Black Garlic Aioli. KimChi Slaw. Petite Celery.
Brown Butter. Sourdough Crouton. Aged Cheddar. House-Made Fig Preserves. Pistachio Crumble.
Course One
Cauliflower Bisque. Sunchoke Chips.
Garlic & Rosemary Oil. Cracker. Olive Varietals & Petite Herbs
Course Two
Carbonara with Fresh Linguine. Guanciale Lardons. 68° Egg.
Parmigiano Reggiano & Black Pepper
Course Three
Seared Petite Filet. Radish. Turnip Gratin. Field Greens. Cabernet Demi-Glace
Course Four
Gourmet s’mores from Fluff Meringues & More around the campfire
Speaking of course four, FLUFF MERINGUES & MORE ended the meal with a bang! Owner, Kristin Collins, has created the most indulgent and gourmet s’mores. If you’re dining in, you can roast your mallows over a small flame at your table. Or if you’re taking them to go, you can grab these over-the-top cute s’mores kits. We had a platter of homemade graham crackers and an assortment of dark + milk chocolate – which fun fact: they are melted down to size to guarantee the perfect ratios for each and every bite. The ‘mallows were the real star of the show – vanilla, chocolate and mint. I can assure you everyone indulged and had the signature s’more-sticky hands to prove it.
DEVIL IS IN THE DEETS
When you book your holiday dinner party with The Austin Artisan, be sure to use the promo code ‘LetsParty’ when you book & they’ll bring some of their signature bubbles to kick off your dinner party with a champagne toast! This offer is only good for events in December and just a few spots remain, so jump on it! It was such a special treat & the perfect way to greet everyone that walked through the door! Plus, it was the best excuse to use these beautiful crystal coups that my grandmother-in-law sent over from the UK.
We are fully obsessed with Fluff Meringues’ newest holiday candles. There are two scents, and as a self-proclaimed candle connoisseur, both are perfection. I went with ‘Jackson,’ a smokey birchwood + pine-scented candle because it gives me all the holiday feels. I also love that these candles are made in partnership with another amazing local business, BENJAMIN SOAP COMPANY.
If you think Cholula was left out of this soiree, think again! It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with my dog & I had to make sure she matched the decor with a black & white gingham bandana. She was such a good girl all night until she ate an entire s’mores kit the next day!! Don’t worry, she’s fine and very pleased with herself. Judging by this picture of her and my sister-in-law, I should have seen it coming…
Now that we’re back in 80-degree temps, it’s hard to believe that we were dining in 50-degree weather last weekend. Because of the chill, we called in the help of gas heaters to keep our guests toasty. As someone who can’t pass up a theme, I created a cheeky “Warming Station,” classed up with LEONTINE LINENS’ cocktail napkins (thanks for the intro, THE SCOUT GUIDE NEW ORLEANS!). My friends + family found it absolutely hilarious (and essential). Not one of the throw blankets I had inside for my guests were used – mission accomplished.
Cheers! Until next time…
