Hot Golden Fall Punch
I found this recipe years ago — 30, to be exact — from the Junior League of Austin cookbook. I love to serve it in the fall when I host parties, especially as a pre-Thanksgiving sip before we sit down for our meal. Here’s an idea for a fun and unexpected way to...
How to Style a Ralph Lauren-Inspired Wine Tasting Table at Home
Ralph Lauren style feels like a warm invitation to stay awhile. Think rich plaids, cozy textures, vintage treasures, glowing candlelight, and a table that looks collected over time rather than purchased all at once. I collaborated with In Good Taste Wines to launch...
A Weekend in Atlanta with Frances Valentine & the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative
Every once in a while, an invitation lands in your inbox that makes you stop and think: Is this really happening? That was exactly how I felt when I was invited to Atlanta to celebrate the launch of the Frances Valentine Mary Tyler Moore collection and its partnership...
Heirloom Bisquick Velvet Crumb Cake: The Easiest Breakfast You’ll Ever Make for Guests
I love to share heirloom recipes, especially when they tell a story. My sister, Paula, was fifteen when I was born. Most of my childhood was spent either on her hip or by her side. She took me everywhere. People who didn’t know our family often assumed I was her...
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.She taught me how to prepare fabulous food, entertain guests with style and design a traditional home with a pop of color and a splash of animal print. Share my fondness of blending Mother’s mid-century style with a modern spin.
Mrs. Twist Takes on Instagram
Think about it. Everyone looks forward to two things on Thanksgiving: the turkey and the PIE! So why not give dessert a starring role at the table?
This year, I`m skipping the elaborate floral arrangement and letting these beautiful pies from @Sweetlucyspies do the decorating.
A few Jadeite cake stands at varying heights, some magnolia leaves and berry branches from the garden, my mother`s treasured Friendly Village china, and suddenly dessert becomes the centerpiece.
And here`s what I love most: It`s one less thing to buy, arrange, or worry about. When dinner is over, the centerpiece becomes dessert!
Beautiful hospitality doesn`t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most memorable.
Tell me, what`s the first pie you reach for on Thanksgiving? Pumpkin, pecan, apple, or something else?
Save this idea for your Thanksgiving table, and send it to a friend who loves a clever hosting shortcut. Follow for more holiday hospitality tips.
Your dining table has a job to do BEFORE Thanksgiving dinner! 🦃
And it might just save your sanity.
One of my favorite hosting tricks is turning my dining table into a Thanksgiving Staging Room. It`s where I gather all the linens, serving dishes, glassware, candles, and everything I`ll need before the big day.
And here`s another trick I swear by: the Cookie Sheet Method! Gather the nonperishable ingredients for each recipe on its own baking sheet, along with the recipe. When it`s time to cook, just grab your tray and go. No more hunting through the pantry for that missing ingredient!
I also set out my serving dishes ahead of time with little cards identifying what goes where. That way, when someone asks, "How can I help?" I actually have an answer. 🙌
I`ve put these tips, plus a few more of my favorite planning shortcuts, into a FREE Thanksgiving Staging Room & Planning Guide you can print and use right away.
❤️ Comment STAGING and I`ll send you the link to grab your free copy!
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LinkDM *270*
Stop hiding the pie in the kitchen.
Skip the expensive floral arrangements that block everyone`s view across the table, while the real showstopper sits tucked away on a crowded kitchen counter.
Set your table with cake pedestals right down the center and let the pies be your centerpiece. Your sightlines stay open, your table looks warm and bountiful, and when dinner winds down, dessert is already served.
This work of art was handcrafted by my dear friend and local baker @sweetlucyspies. Her crust is pure heaven and tastes even better than it looks.
If you are local, comment PIE and I`ll send you her Thanksgiving pie menu. She sells out fast so don`t delay!
Follow and save for more peeks of my Thanksgiving table as we get closer to the big day. 🥧
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She spent nine months talking herself out of opening her front door.
Her kitchen was dated, her calendar was packed, and every time she thought about hosting, she pictured an exhausting four-course dinner.
So during our Cottage Coaching House Call session, we threw that dinner party out.
We built her a simple morning rhythm instead: porch coffee, warm bakery pastries, and a firm 60-minute cutoff. Zero hot pots. Zero stove panic.
Hospitality was never meant to be a test of endurance. Your friends are coming for you, not a spotless showroom.
If you are ready to stop talking yourself out of gathering, let us build a rhythm that fits your actual life.
Comment below COTTAGE and I will send you the private link to book your free session with me. It`s THAT EASY. 💋
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