November: A Month of Abundance
Every November I relish in reading Ann Voskamp’s books. She’s a New York Times best selling author and I’ve written about her before. You may be familiar with her last two books: One Thousand Gifts and Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family...
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
I used to believe that hosting meant having it all together before anyone sat down. The right napkins folded the right way. The food timed perfectly. The house looking like no one actually lived in it.
But after forty years of opening my front door to people, I can tell you this. Some of the best conversations I`ve ever had happened over mismatched plates. Some of the deepest laughter happened when the recipe didn`t turn out. Some of the most meaningful moments happened when I stopped performing and just sat down with my guests.
Your table is already enough. The dishes in the sink, the chairs that don`t all match, the candle you lit to cover the fact that you burned the rolls. All of it.
Because the women sitting around your table didn`t come for the presentation. They came because you made room for them.
When was the last time you sat down at your own table and actually enjoyed being there?
If you’re new around here, let me introduce you to one of my favorite little corners of Home with a Twist: The Hostess Journal. 🥂
It’s my video journal where I share the real-life side of hosting — the recipes, tables, organizing, shopping, planning, little details and lessons I’ve picked up after more than 40 years of opening my home to people I love.
Just practical ideas, inspiration and a little encouragement to help you feel more confident opening your own front door.
There are 12 episodes waiting for you on YouTube, and if you’re new here, it’s a great place to start getting to know me and my hosting philosophy.
So grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine) and come spend a little time with me in The Hostess Journal.
Comment JOURNAL and I`ll send you a link to watch. 📺
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Comment PLAYBOOK and I`ll send you this week`s episode of The Hostess Journal on YouTube where I meet you in my kitchen for a chat and my FREE Thanksgiving Playbook.
In this week`s Hostess Journal, I share three hosting tips that save my sanity:
1. Pick one recipe you can make with your eyes closed. Everything else on the table can be assembled, picked up, or warmed through.
2. Hand the early arrival a job with the drinks. The first friend who walks into the kitchen gets to be the guest mixologist. It puts them right at ease and gives them a role beside you.
3. Why you need my FREE Thanksgiving Playbook and how to get it.
Host with intention, not perfection.
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👇👇Save the recipe below for Midnight Margaritas - perfect for Spooky Season 👻🧙♀️🧹 and a Practical Magic movie night.
The first guest who walks through the front door gets put in charge of the bar.
When someone arrives early to a party, standing around in the kitchen can feel awkward. Instead of me playing bartender all night, I hand the recipe and teach them how to make the welcome cocktail.
It breaks the ice immediately, gives them a purpose, and frees me up to greet everyone else.
Midnight Margarita recipe:
Rim a glass with a lime, then dip the rim into black sugar (I found it at @totalwine).
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add
2 oz tequila
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave syrup
1/2 oz blackberry liquer
Shake for one minute, strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime slice. Cheers!
P.S. my adorable top is from @tuliptopco
