Tag Archives: Haute Off The Rack

Friendsgiving Party Idea

I’m so excited to share my second Friendsgiving party idea with you. In case you missed my first post, you can view it here–> How To Host A Friendsgiving Bonfire

My last post was for a fun and cozy outdoor party, but this post is about how to host an intimate Friendsgiving party inside your home. It’s the perfect type of gathering to host in place of your monthly (or) weekly wine night.

Friendsgiving Party Checklist:

Fun Snack Idea: Have all of your guests bring their favorite homemade dip and/or dessert and print out their recipes to exchange with everyone. It’s the perfect thing to do right before the holidays so that you have plenty of appetizer dish and dessert options to bring to parties! Plus who doesn’t want to stuff their faces with dip, chips, dessert and wine all night! Am I right?! If you decide to go this route, I would add additional snack table to your set up to avoid a cluttered dining table.

Photos by: Kaela Rodehorst Photography

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Hi everyone, I hope you’re able to take some of this Friendsgiving inspiration and use it for your own party. Also, in case you’re wondering what my favorite dip recipes are, you can check them out below. Not only are they the most delicious and crowd pleasing dips ever, but they each take under five minutes to make and only call for three ingredients each!

Chili Cheese Dip:

What You Need:

1 block of cream cheese | 1 can of beanless chili | 1 bag of shredded cheddar cheese | glass square pan (if using microwave) | Frito Scoop Chips

Directions:

1)Spread your cream cheese evenly on the bottom of the square pan

2) Pour the can of beanless chili over the cream cheese

3) Sprinkle a thick layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top

4) If using microwave, heat for 2 minutes, let sit for one minute and then heat for 2 more minutes

5) Serve with Frito Scoop chips and enjoy!

Ranch Rotel Dip:

What You Need:

1 large container of sour cream | 1 packet of ranch seasoning | 1 can of Original Rotel

Directions:

1) Empty our sour cream into a mixing bowl and stir in ranch seasoning until completely mixed. I usually add half the the package of seasoning, taste the dip and then add more as I go to avoid over-seasoning the dip.

2) Drain the can of Rotel and stir into the ranch dip. I usually use a little over half the can!

3) Serve with Ruffles or Wavy Lays and eat your heart out!

Fall, Flannel & Faux Fur

November 11, 2015

Fall, Flannel and Faux Fur–the three things I look forward to every November. Well, those things along with hot chocolate, bonfires, s’mores, pumpkin spice lattes, crunchy leaves, cozy scarves, chunky sweaters…need I go on? I know, I pretty much covered it all, but today’s post is mostly about the flannel and faux fur, which I pretty much live in during the fall. I found my entire outfit at Abercrombie & Fitch from the ankle boots and distressed jeans to the plaid flannel shirt and shearling lined parka. The parka even comes with a removable faux fur hood, which I love since it rarely gets cold enough down south where I live. However, it’s perfect for the chilly weather in NYC while I’m visiting for a fun blogger event. l’m totally enjoying this crisp cold weather right now considering it’s fall and the temps stayed in the high 70s all last week back home in Louisiana. Ridiculous, I know!

Photos by: Lainey Reed Photography

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Jewelry: Soho Ring c/o Julie Vos | Hammer Cuff & Open Ring c/o Porter Lyons Designs

Good Morning readers, in case you missed by Instagram post, I experienced quite an eventful morning at the airport yesterday. It all started when I went to check in for my flight to NYC at the New Orleans airport only to realize that I was an entire day early for my flight! However, I had plans in NYC for last night so I had to get myself on that flight. That was of course a $500 travel change! Awesome way to start the day, right? To top it all off, I tripped while rushing through security and flew through the air with my arms trapped in the strap of the bag. Thank goodness that my bag broke my fall, but the embarrassing part was that I was on a ramp so I shamefully slid down the ramp on top of my bag like penguin until I finally stopped. This all of course led to led to a dramatic laugh/cry when five people came to the rescue. I wasn’t hurt, just super embarrassed, but I did get a really good laugh out of it at least!

How To Host A Friendsgiving Bonfire

November 10, 2015

Hi everyone, I’m so excited to share how to host a Friendsgiving Bonfire with you today and even show you how I threw one in my own backyard. Not only is November the best time to visit with family for Thanksgiving, but it’s also a great time to celebrate with your friends too, which is why I put together a couple of fun party ideas to help you host the perfect Friendsgiving.

Have a look at the photos below as well as the video from the bonfire! Make sure to click the HD bottom in the bottom right hand corner to view the best quality version–> How To Throw A Friendsgiving Bonfire | Video by: Brooke Boyd

Greeting Sign: Greet your guests to your Friendsgiving bonfire by creating a special area for them to write down what they’re thankful for. The hang their little notes from a board or a window pane like you see in these photos using close pins.

Outdoor Seating: When it comes to seating for an outdoor party, I like to go for an eclectic look so I covered a couple of hay bales in burlap and plaid fabric. Then I pulled the cushioned bench and outdoor rug from my front porch and set them around the fire pit. I finished off the seating area with neutral indoor pillows, a navy throw and the gold Moroccan pouf from my living room. The ‘Thankful’ pillow was the perfect touch! Lastly, I added the little blue chair from a corner nook in my house and piled a cozy stack of warm scarves and blankets on top for my guests.

Food & Beverage Display: Instead of using a table, I made an adorable display for drinks and snacks using three hay bales. I placed two together and then stacked the third one on top of the hay bale in back for some added elevation. I covered the hay in burlap just like I did for the seating area and then I added some extra burlap in front for the wine basket. I used wooden chargers, stands and servings trays that I already had in my kitchen and dining room. This is my favorite stand from World Market–> Wood Bark Pedestal Stand

I found these adorable ‘Warm & Cozy’ mugs at Target, which are now on clearance!

Hay Bales: You can easily stop by a local feed store to pick up some hay bales, but I didn’t have access to a truck so I got mine delivered form O’Keefes Feed & Seed store in Covington, LA. The delivery fee was only $5 so I’d say delivery is the way to go to save you the extra time and hassle.

S’mores Station: Obviously at a bonfire, the most sensible and delicious snacks to serve are s’mores! Make it fun for your guests by setting up a little s’mores station with hot chocolate and little marshmallow toppings.

Photos by: Lainey Reed Photography

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Friendsgiving Bonfire Checklist:

P.S. A huge thank you to best friend, Haley DeFraites for helping me bring all of these fun ideas to life. Also, thank you to my friends Anna LeDonne, Alaina Fangue, Casey Barnes and Ava DeFraites for participating in my Friendsgiving Bonfire shoot.

New Orleans Salon By Sucre

November 8, 2015

I recently had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in the French Quarter with Nikki of My Style Diaries and we made sure to make time for Sucre’s newest addition, Salon by Sucre. We had the honor of getting the entire balcony that overlooks the New Orleans French Quarter all to ourselves. Normally, every balcony table is full of both locals and tourists, but we didn’t want to ruin anyone’s experience with our obnoxious camera and poses so we stopped in on a Tuesday when the upstairs was closed. The owner of Sucre still made sure to give us the full Salon by Sucre experience by showering us with all of their best teas and treats.

Get more info & view the tea menu here–> Salon by Sucre

Just To Be Sweet:
Assorted Sucré Signature Macarons Assorted Sucré Signature Chocolates and Bon Bons Mini Vanilla Eclairs Petit English Trifle Battenburg Cake

Assorted Finger Sandwiches:
English Cucumber, Watercress, Sweet Cream Butter Poached Chicken Breast, Horseradish Cream English Cheddar, Branston Pickle House Cured Salmon, Lemon Caper Crème Fresh

Baked Fresh For You:
English Currant Scones, Clotted Cream, House Preserves Kouign Amann Classic Madeleine

Photos by: Kristina Britt Photography

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Outfit: Wayf Suede Shift Dress (love this wine colored dress too!)| Peep Toe Booties c/o Isola | Rebecca Minkoff Love Crossbody (more colors here)<–SALE Alert! Take 25% OFF w/ code: HOLIDAY

Jewelry: Elephant Pendant Necklace, Soho Ring, Botticelli Bangles, Baroque Cuff, Pegasus Bangle & Baroque Wrap Ring c/o Julie Vos <–Get 20% OFF w/ code: LSU20

Hi everyone and Happy Sunday! I wish I was sitting on Salon by Sucre’s balcony right now enjoying the sun and jazzy street sounds of New Orleans. Instead, I’m laying on the couch like I’ve been doing all day since it’s so gloomy outside. I can’t complain too much though because we did get a slight cool front over night so it finally feels like fall and my couch doesn’t feel too bad either. I’m sure you can relate!

Anyway, I highly recommend stopping in Salon by Sucre on Conti St. when strolling through the French Quarter. Their finger sandwiches and baked sweets were delicious along with the refreshing afternoon tea. I loved the Marigold Flowering tea. If you don’t have time for tea, at least makes sure to stop for macarons and gelato on the first floor. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

See more of my favorite Sucre treats from the Magazine St. location below: