Hi, I’m Genevieve and I’m just trying to be a little fancier today than I was yesterday. I love home entertaining, but I’m not wealthy and I don’t have a lot of space to store different dishware or decorations for each holiday. I prefer to use what I have and dress it up with seasonal greenery and flowers.
I don’t shoot my recipes for editorial’s sake or just to look pretty. Everything has been made and served to people I love, so if it looks pretty, I promise, it tastes good too!
I’m also not a stay-at-home wife or mother. I have a full-time job (that I love) not related to home entertaining at all, so when I do plan a get-together, I want things to be elegant, but I want them to be easy. I want them to be make-ahead, simply garnished recipes that I can spend no more than 10 minutes assembling once guests arrive.
I want everything to be as fuss-free as possible, but also as lovely as possible. It’s a tricky tightrope to walk sometimes, but a little extra thought goes a long way in making the process simple, and making my guests feel like everything “just happens.” That’s my favorite part.
It’s all in the tiny details… A simple flower garnish, a wisp of thyme, and recipes with fresh, healthy, nutritious ingredients that ensure every dish tastes exquisite, no matter how much time (or money) they took to make.
There are enough limitations in our lives to make fancy get-togethers tricky, so I’ll show you how to make the process a simple one. If I can do it, you can too!
Let’s throw a perfectly lovely party together!
… and just a little more about me
Favorite music: I’m a classical gal. Primarily baroque, and early classical when I’m bopping around the house or in the kitchen. Later classical when I can sit on my couch, pour a whisky, and do nothing else but listen – But I love new wave 80s for cocktail parties tho.
I’m also a HUGE fan of Jazz, specifically 20’s era to 60’s. Lester Young, Oscar Peterson, Stan Getz, Red Norvo, Ben Webster, and visionary wackos like Martin Denny. Love it!
Favorite cocktail: The French Gimlet, but I love a simple glass of prosecco or Lambrusco anytime, anywhere. Also a big fan of a glass of whisky to sip, nice and neat, with a single Luxardo cherry.
Favorite appetizer: The elegant deviled egg.
Favorite way to spend an evening: If not surrounded by friends at my dinner table, then soaking in a milk bath in my extra-long tub (I’m 5′ 9″) with a glass of something pretty. I also love a well-curated Burlesque performance in NY.
Favorite dessert: I think my favorite desserts are my White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse with Raspberry Compote and my lavender lemon bars.
She Keeps a Lovely Home has been featured in msn.com, thepioneerwoman.com, Food Gawker, Elle, Chow Hound, and Bloglovin’, among many others!
