I feel fortunate to live in DC in a home with a little garden space given the compact living spaces. I started calling my little space “el huerto”. There, I have intimate dinners with the Dutchman, have rowdy gatherings with my friends, or simply spend time alone taking care of my niños (aka the plants). Last weekend, I hosted a farewell party for one of my favorite Marines and best friend, K. Having a cookout can be labor intensive so I came up with some ideas on how to make it a simple yet lovely affair.

Just a simple hot dog party all dressed up 


Tip 1: Enlist some help!  I am fortunate to know Mariella from Splendor Styling who I hired to style my event.  Hiring a party stylist may seem like a frivolous expense, but as an experienced hostess I tell you that it’s a great investment. She consulted with me beforehand to get an idea of what I wanted.  I wanted to host an effortless party where I can prepare things ahead and enjoy my guests, especially my guest of honor. She also arrived early in the morning to set up the party space and arranged our outdoor furniture and plants to maximize our space. Usually I am running around trying to cook and decorate. This allowed me to focus on the food and have a beautifully arranged space. 

 

Used Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries for a Summer Pie 


Trip 2:  Establish a theme. Parties are always fun when there is a theme. Themes can be applied to food as well. As I was looking for an easy menu, I came up with a hot dog bar. My friend is heading to Bahrain so we decided to do something very American to send her off. We paired the hot dogs with fresh salads such as a kale ceasar, watermelon feta, and a potato salad. For the hot dog bar we prepared homemade chili the night before and all the fixings such as relish, pickled peppers, sauerkraut, and of course mustard and ketchup. For dessert we served pies: a key lime pie and a berry pie, both summery and delicious. 

Watermelon Feta Salad

Tip 3: It’s all in the details. Mariella recommended I buy a colored red and white twine from Amazon and we used it for little details such as the mustard and ketchup bottles.  I also covered the outdoor table with gingham tablecloth for an Americana look. We served a signature cocktail: the Moscow Mule. It’s K’s favorite drink and it make it easy instead of having to manage a full bar. We also served beer and wine and added snacks for those who like to munch while they drink. 

The Bar


I’ve always loved to entertain at home. I enjoy having good friends over and bonding over food. I am grateful I had the opportunity to host such a lovely party for my best friend. How do you host parties? Any particular tradition you have?

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