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The Everyday Hostess and IBB at Home Summer Soiree

These Bacon Cheeseburger with Crispy Onion Ring Sliders are one of my all time favorite summertime recipes! They are so incredibly juicy and delicious and are just perfect for an outdoor BBQ party with your friends or a tasty family dinner at home.

We have taken a classic cheeseburger and topped it with our favorite Sweet Baby Ray’s Brown Sugar Sauce to give the perfect saucy sweetness to the dish and topped it with our crunchy thin onion rings and bacon! Could this get any better? I am craving it just thinking about it, so it may need to make another appearance on our dinner table tonight!

ABC is back at it again with the new season of The Bachelorette, and we are all about Team Jojo right now! To kick off the new season, we had the honor of hosting the most amazing Bachelorette Season Premiere watching party with Hotel ZaZa for the lovely Circle Seven Five members! 

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Set in a private room in the Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa, this watching party was nothing short of luxurious and over the top! The Hotel itself exudes opulence and grandeur, which made it the absolute perfect venue for our classy and extravagant evening. From the signature cocktail coined “Boyfriend Material”, to the open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and macarons (yes, you read that correctly…macarons!), luxurious lounge furniture for our viewing pleasure, and of course our Bachelorette brackets, no detail went unnoticed! The team at Hotel ZaZa was absolutely wonderful to work with and was so generous by providing the space and our tasty snacks and beverages. Their royal treatment made this event a night our members will never forget!

Strawberry mojitos are the ultimate summertime cocktail! They are light and refreshing and feature some of summer’s freshest fruits to give it an added bit of sweetness!

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I recently made this delicious cocktail as the signature beverage for the Memorial Day party I hosted with Glitter and Spice and boy was it a hit! Plus, with only a few ingredients, it’s easy to make for large crowds as well! What could be better?!

The sun is out and the weather is warming up, so we can finally ditch those movie theater date nights for some fun and creative outdoor dates!

My boyfriend and I have found ourselves repeating many of the same types of dates lately, so I have made it my mission to come up with some unique ideas that everyone can do in their own city and on any budget. So grab your honey and jump in with us as we explore our city and even our own backyard and create easy yet flirty and romantic date nights this summer!

gold dust vintage teepee

Growing up in Colorado, camping was a regular summer activity for us. Now here in Texas, the campgrounds and scenery are a bit more limited, but I still love the idea of a summer camp out date night! So! We created our own little camp out here in our backyard! You can do this with any type of tent or teepee, or if you don’t have these, you can also make your own fort (who doesn’t love a good fort?!) out of the blankets and pillows you have laying around your house!

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We set up this beautiful teepee thanks to my dear friends Gold Dust Vintage (if you are in DFW – you HAVE to check them out!) for our weekly date night. Fox and the Fleur created the most incredible floral arrangements to give my teepee a more whimsical and romantic feel. She draped the entire 12 foot teepee in a gorgeous garland filled with peonies, tulips, roses, and poppies! Could this be any prettier?! I am still swooning just looking at it! She even created a beautiful matching bouquet for the centerpiece of our table!

fox and the fleur flowersfox and the fleur flowersfox and the fleur flowers View More: http://cottonwoodroadphotography.pass.us/theeverydayhostessView More: http://cottonwoodroadphotography.pass.us/theeverydayhostessView More: http://cottonwoodroadphotography.pass.us/theeverydayhostess

I brought out my favorite sheepskin rug and piled the inside of the teepee with some of our comfiest and fluffiest pillows, to create a romantic atmosphere for stargazing.

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And of course, no date night is complete without a tasty meal or snacks! I put together a delicious Mediterranean spread with some of our favorite hummus and bites which paired perfectly with our refreshing moscow mules. (I also brought out some chilled white wine to enjoy while stargazing). We enjoyed our meal on our little floor height coffee table provided by Gold Dust Vintage, which was perfectly set for the occasion.

View More: http://cottonwoodroadphotography.pass.us/theeverydayhostessgold dust vintage and everyday hostess shootMediterranean platterMedterreanan platterView More: http://cottonwoodroadphotography.pass.us/theeverydayhostessView More: http://cottonwoodroadphotography.pass.us/theeverydayhostess

This outdoor camp out was the perfect way to end a long week and kick off the start of summer! Plus it’s always nice to do something a little different than the typical evening out. The food was delicious, the setting was impeccable and the company was even better! And, of course, the stars that night were absolutely incredible!

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So grab your leading man and surprise him with your own camp out date night! I promise it will be a night to remember!

Stay tuned throughout the summer for more inspiring and interactive date nights!

 

Styled by: The Everyday Hostess |

Photography: Cottonwood Road Photography |

Teepee and Table Rentals: Gold Dust Vintage|

Floral Arrangements: Fox and the Fleur |

 

Outfit Details: 

Dress: Shoshanna (similar) |

Male Shirt: Brooks Brothers |

Watch: Fossil |

kate spade thank you note

Never underestimate the power of a handwritten thank you note. It’s a lost art, which according to Emily Post, “reflects your appearance, taste and character.” In a world filled with text messages, emails, and social media posts, a little handwritten note can go a long way. It is tasteful and demonstrates a genuine gratitude.

As you can all tell, I am pretty passionate about thank you notes! So! How do you know when to write a thank you note? My best advice – when in doubt write one, but here are a few factors to consider!

When You Receive a Gift – No matter the size of the gift, always write a simple thank you note within 3 days of receiving the gift. My mom always told me to write the note before I used the gift, so to this day, I still write a thank you note either before I use the gift or within 3 days…whichever is first. The main exception is wedding gifts. Etiquette suggests you have 3 months to send thank you notes upon receiving the gift.

Get Well Gifts – Thank you notes should be written by the patient or a friend or relative as soon as the patient recovers. You can also call or email closer friends to thank them rather than sending a formal note.

Condolence Notes or Gifts– A thank you note should be written by a close friend or relative of the recipient for each gift whether it is in the form of flowers, notes, or donations. THANK YOU CARDSKind Act – Always write a thank you note after a kind act. If someone invites you over for dinner or to stay with them, it’s proper to send your host a little thank you note telling them how much you appreciate their hospitality.

Interviews – Emails are the most popular way to thank potential employers for an interview; however, I highly recommend sending a formal handwritten note thanking them for the opportunity and their time. This will help you stand out from the rest of the candidates. However, if the employer is making the decision within the next few days, an email thank you is appropriate for the sake of timing.

If you’re not currently in the habit of writing thank you notes, that’s okay! Not many of us are! But start small! If your friend’s parents take you out to dinner or invite you into their home, send a short little note! Nothing lengthy, just a simple display of appreciation. As you start doing this, it will come much easier and will soon become a habit! You will be amazed at the impact it has on the recipient 🙂

 

It’s no secret that May is one of the busiest months of the year. Between graduations, end of year projects, finals, trips, weddings, recitals, and Mother’s Day, May tends to be jam packed with activity!

Mother’s Day is sneaking up on us a bit earlier this year, so let’s get a jump start on preparing for it now before we get busy with all of the other commitments that are surely on our calendars!

Every mother wants to feel extra loved on this special day, so consider hosting a fun brunch or outdoor lunch for the special mamas in your life! To help inspire your Mother’s Day gathering, I have compiled a few of my favorite tablescapes!

Enjoy!

View More: http://katezimmermanpictures.pass.us/camille-styles-garden-partyCamille Styles

Eatwell 101 Mother's Day TablescapeEat Well 101

Lillian Hope Designs Mother's Day Tablescape Lillian Hope Designs

The TomKat Studio Mothers DayThe TomKat Studio

Sugar and Charm Mother's Day TablescapeSugar and Charm

The Decorista TablescapeThe Decorista

Tory Burch Mother's Day Tablescape Tory Burch

I would love to see all the beautiful tables you set this Mother’s Day! Tag #theeverydayhostess on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our feed!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

There is no dessert more classic than a traditional chocolate chip cookie. When many of us feel a sweet tooth coming on, these are our go to’s since they are easy to whip up and require few specialty ingredients! Plus everyone likes them, so if you are having guests over and looking for a quick and easy dessert, chocolate chip cookies tend to be an easy answer!

However, sometimes you want to serve something a little bit more special to your guests but still want to keep the convenience and tasty factor of this favorite treat! What do you do?!

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Da dada daaaaa! I present to you the Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie! These delicious chocolate chip cookies are baked in a skillet and taste just like your favorite pizookie from BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse! Plus, they are just as easy to make as traditional chocolate chip cookies, but look way more festive and creative! Cut it into pie shaped pieces and scoop some ice cream on top and you have yourself the perfect, super simple and guest-ready dessert!

I love including this dessert as part of a chili bar or backyard campout or BBQ, but they are excellent for any type of casual gathering and can feed up to 10 people!

Enjoy!

Photos by Beckley & Co.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Serves 10
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
  2. 1/2 cup Sugar
  3. 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  4. 1 Egg, beaten
  5. 1 tsp Vanilla
  6. 1 1/2 cup Flour
  7. 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  8. 1/4 tsp Salt
  9. 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350.
  2. Place an 8 inch skillet over the stove top set to low heat and melt the butter.
  3. Add sugar, brown sugar, beaten egg and vanilla. Mix well.
  4. In a small bowl, add the flour, baking soda and salt and whisk until combined. Add the flour mixture to the skillet and mix well.
  5. Add in chocolate chips and gently stir to evenly distribute.
  6. Remove the skillet from the stove and place in the oven. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  8. Cut into slices and top with vanilla ice cream.
Katherine Elizabeth Design House https://katherineelizabethdesignhouse.com/

02.07.16-24

I don’t know about you all, but I could eat caprese all day every day. I love caprese sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and if there was a way to incorporate it into a dessert, I’d probably have it on the table tonight (but seriously, if you know of a caprese dessert, please let me know)!

I just cannot get enough of this delicious fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato blend. My mouth is starting to water just thinking about it now!

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Since this is clearly a staple in my household, I’m always looking for new ways to put a twist on a traditional caprese salad. With that, I present to you my new all-time favorite dish: Lemon Caprese Chicken and Avocado Chopped Salad! Sounds incredible doesn’t it? I assure you it is. It’s fresh and light, yet still filling and incredibly decadent. This versatile salad is just perfect for all your formal summer soirees or casual family dinners! Everyone is sure to enjoy!

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PS! This homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, is definitely something to write home about! So do yourself a favor and double the recipe, so you have more for other salads later in the week!

I am SO SO SO honored and excited to be co-hosting this month’s Yeah! Mama event with Stacy of Maxwell + Gray. We are throwing the absolute cutest Baby Bump Brunch for all expecting mothers in the Dallas area and cannot wait to shower you all with lots of love and goodies!

April Photo Invite (1)

Come join us at Rosanne Beck Studios on April 30th at 11:30am for yummy bites, mocktails, and custom Mommy Swag Bags filled with LOTS of gifts from our favorite vendors!

Hop on over to Maxwell + Gray to RSVP today! We cannot wait to celebrate with all of you!

Featured Vendors:

M Calligraphy | Rosanne Beck Collections | Backyard Bouquet | Beckley & Co.We The Birds MacaronsShop Tee Chic | A la Mum | Fresh BiB | Minor’s Baby Boutique | Loved by Sophia Claire | Loved and Found Box | Ella Celebration | Happily Ever Alva | Half Pint Ink Studio | TableLuxe

It’s only April, but down here in Texas, summer is in the air and we are definitely ready for it!   Flowers are blooming and the weather is warming up, but the clearest sign of summer are the packed parking lots at every nearby park, trail and lake! Everyone is outside enjoying the sun and getting some Vitamin D after a long winter!

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After a hot day in the sun, one of my favorite things to do is come home and enjoy a refreshing glass of iced tea. Especially down here in the South, sweet tea is a crowd favorite and is the perfect beverage to keep on hand in your fridge. You never know when you will have a last minute guest stop by or when you just want to kick your feet up on the porch with a refreshing drink.

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A brewed sun tea is always a classic, but if you want to mix up your sweet teas on tap a bit, this Peach Tea is calling your name! The cold peach slices paired with the peach syrup creates the perfect combination of sweetness and freshness.

I recently made this Fresh Peach Tea for an outdoor tea party that I hosted, and boy was it a hit! Luckily I made an extra batch to keep at home, but I assure you this did not last long either! Give this recipe a try and it will soon make it to the top of your summer favorites!

easter-99easter-103

Cheers!

Fresh Peach Tea
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Prep Time
45 min
Cook Time
6 hr
Prep Time
45 min
Cook Time
6 hr
Peach Syrup
  1. 1 cup Sugar
  2. 1 cup Water
  3. 3 Peaches, fresh and sliced
Tea
  1. 3 Tea Bags
  2. 6 cups Water
Instructions
  1. In a medium sized pot, bring the peach syrup ingredients to boil. Then reduce heat to medium.
  2. Using a fork, crush the peach slices as you stir to dissolve sugar.
  3. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let sit for 30 minutes.
  4. In a separate medium sized pot, prepare the tea. Bring the water to a boil. Remove the pot from the stove and brew the tea letting steep 5 minutes.
  5. Remove tea bags and refrigerate.
  6. Strain syrup through a fine strainer to remove fruit pieces.
  7. Add syrup to tea and refrigerate for 3-6 hours. Serve over ice.
Adapted from Passion for Savings
Katherine Elizabeth Design House https://katherineelizabethdesignhouse.com/

 Decor: 

Drink Me Straw Flags: Curl by JSD | Your are My Cup of Tea Sign: Pretty Lovely Prints |

Clear & Gold Glass Chargers: Amazon | Easter Decor: Holiday Warehouse

Photography: Beckley & Co

 

Don’t forget to pin for later! 🙂

Fresh Peach Tea