Blog Roll — Caramelized

Note for 2021! Due to COVID-19 precautions, I absolutely recommend taking these tips and moving them to a patio or outdoor space! Remain masked indoors when not eating + drinking with those in your COVID pod.

A Galentine’s Day gathering should be at the top of your list. Cheesy-ness aside, this elegant approach to February’s recently-famed fete is doable and—trust me—absolutely delightful. Thanks to Bella Vita, scroll to follow my steps to bring this party to your own living room!

SETTING THE TABLE

No matter your dress code, nothing beats sitting around a table with your best gals. I am foregoing the traditional tablescape with place settings and, with finger foods and ever-flowing rosé, am encouraging more of a grazing-style display. Pass the chocolate, please!

1. Create visual levels with your serving pieces. I grabbed a gorgeous array of lines from Bella Vita to showcase our menu. The Etta B cake stand, Simon Pearce oval platter, and Montes Doggett shallow serving bowl anchored the table with a unique layering effect.

2. Mix and match. I love that this style of a tablescape allows you to mix and match materials and textures without overdoing it! Woods, white pottery and glass each made their stunning appearance. Always keep a few extra wood boards on hand for balance.

3. Cluster bud vases. An overpowering centerpiece can instill too much formality for this style of setting. Instead, use Simon Pearce glass bud vases—a smaller, wider option and slightly taller vase—with organic anemones, eucalyptus, and other blush or white buds.

4. Let the wine glasses choose their seat. Use these geometric marble + wood coasters to create a sense of place for each Simon Pearce wine glass, but allow your guests to be flexible with where they choose their seat and place around the shared table.

5. Do give each guest a plate + napkin for polite grazing. I couldn’t choose between the Simon Pearce or Etta B plate; and the best part, I could use both! I also thought the brownish-pinkish frayed napkin was a perfect hue for the elevated Galentine’s occasion.

Build this Heart-Crushing Charcuterie

Credits

Photography: Christen Jones

Dishes + Serving Pieces: Bella Vita

Desserts + Sweets: Small Cakes Collierville

Flowers: Everbloom Design

Desserts line-up by Small Cakes Collierville:

Chocolate layered cake slices with fudge ganache and powdered sugar heart silhouettes
Champagne “infused” mini cupcakes with whipped champagne buttercream
“Small Bites” chocolate cake, cookie dough, fudge, and mini Reese’s “cupcake” toppers
White chocolate strawberry “Mini Chips”
Red velvet cake-stuffed “Small Chips”

A VALENTINE’S TAKE-HOME

The nostalgia immediately sets in when I reminisce on the practice of exchanging Valentines with classmates and friends. Remember the handmade mailboxes made from our moms’ shoeboxes? I’d spend time writing notes and nailing down my signature on a piece of heart-shaped construction paper tied to candy. Today, we’re “adulting” the concept with a basket of thoughtful Valentine’s gifts that nod to self-care and warmth. I grabbed a Bella Vita basket full of my favorite cozy accessories: Bath bombs, travel-sized hand cream, and Barefoot Dreams blush-colored socks. You can bundle them up or let friends pick their favorite.