Creating the Perfect Happy Hour Spread + Favorite Wines

I received a request from a reader on how to create the perfect cheese tray/appetizer spread.  Honestly a cheese tray is one of my favorite appetizers.  Sometimes when Matt works late it is what I have for dinner and I secretly love it.  I really enjoy a cheese plate and a glass of wine.  My family jokes that I always make my cheese trays look so perfect.  It is my job at happy hour to put together our nibbles.  There is no real art to making it look pretty I just find the way you group things helps.  I try to keep on hand many of the items needed for a cheese tray so if we have company I can easily whip it together.

\\ A few items that I try to always keep on hand for last minute entertaining:

- pickled okra and/or mini pickles

- pepperoni and/or salami

- truffled dijon mustard (I find this at tjmaxx)

- 34 degrees crackers- I love these so thin and crispy

- pretzel thins

- cheese sticks (harris teeter and trader joes make great versions of these)

- cracker barrel cheese

- manchego, gouda, and brie are favorites

- pimento cheese

- olives

- hummus

- veggies carrots or celery

If you have the above ingredients or at least a few of them it makes throwing together an appetizer easy.

\\ A few tips:

- I always drizzle my hummus with olive oil and salt and pepper.  If I have pint nuts I sprinkle that on top. It makes it look fancy.

- I stopped buying my cheese at Costco because it was just too much and went bad too quickly.  Just buy at your local grocery store or if you live in Charleston check out Goat Sheep Cow- amazing selection of wine and cheese.

- Keep fig or apricot preserves on hand they are great served with brie

- fresh figs, blue cheese, and honey are a killer combo

- check the food section at TJMaxx, this is where I find my favorite truffled mustard, specialty jams, and pickled veggies.

- Carrots and Celery are the best veggies because they last the longest in your fridge.  I always slice my own carrots I swear they taste better than the baby ones.

- Buy the large rolls of pepperoni and salami and slice them yourself.  I also think these taste better then the packaged kind and they will last awhile in your fridge.

- The mini french pickles are the best- you can buy them in bulk at Earthfare or in a small jar at the grocery store

 - I like to keep the softer cheeses like brie or goat cheese whole and slice the harder cheeses.

- Buy a good white serving platter or wooden board- food always looks prettier on white or wood.

West Elm has some of my favorite serving ware but you can often times find a white platter for cheap at Homegoods or TJMaxx as well.

- A cute set of cheese knives is also good to have on hand.

I am obsessed with this gold set from West Elm 

I went thru my instagram and had to laugh about the amount of cheese tray/happy hour posts I had.  This girl loves happy hour:)  Here are a few pictures for inspiration.

 A few new favorite wines because you need a good wine to pair with all your delicious eats.

WACCAMAW

Loved the Chardonnay and red blend pictured below

Charlotte friends this is carried at the Wine Store.

BANSHEE

I love every single Banshee wine.  They are under $20, a great buy.

DRY CREEK VINEYARDS

I love their red blend and sauvignon blanc.  They do a wine club that I am really considering joining.

Would love any wine recs from you guys as well!  TGIF here's to a fabulous happy hour tonight!

Blog Sale

Alright ladies you know the drill by now.  Email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com if you are interested in anything.  I invoice thru paypal and shipping is $5 except for the boots they are $15.

I will ship everything out Monday morning.

Rag and Bone Newbury Booties

Long story short these were my first pair of Newbury booties but I bought them too small and could not return.  Gave them to my sister but they were too small for her too so they are now up for grabs.  They have never been worn and are brand new.    The color is a dark hunter green but they honestly look black in most lights.

Size 39

$200

SOLD

Joie Silk Blouse

Size Small

$70

SOLD

Joie Shift Dress 

size small

$70

SOLD

JCrew Stripe Tunic Sweater

Size xs (runs on the large side)

$35

SOLD

JCrew Blush Blouse

Size 4

$40

Shoshanna Halter Dress 

Size 2

$70

JCrew Jacket

New with Tags, retailed for $135

Size Small

$65

SOLD

Marc Jacobs Double Pocket Tee 

Size Small

$30

Vince Tunic

This is a great pregnant top but is a bit too loose on me now.  It is sheer and needs a tank underneath

Size Small

$45

Joie Ruffle Blouse

Size Small

$60

Rebecca Taylor Lace Neck Tee

Size Small

$40

SOLD

Equipment Riley Tee 

Size Small

$50

SOLD

Catherine Malandrino Dress

Size Small (runs on the small side)

New with Tags, retailed for $345

$70

 Vince Cashmere Sweater

Size Small

$70

SOLD

Forever 21 Metallic Dot Blouse

Size Small

$20

Theory Stripe Sweater with Zippers at Neck

Size Small

$55

Kid Style: Tucker + Tate

Confession, sometimes I love shopping for the kids more than me.  Kid stuff is just so adorable and fun to shop for.  I know one day soon they will talk back and not want to wear what I pick out so for now I enjoy dressing them (although Sterling can have quite the opinion sometimes).  Lately I have been hooked on the line Tucker and Tate carried at Nordstrom.  It is not too expensive and the clothes are super adorable.  While I was home a few weeks ago my mom and I took the kids back to school shopping.  We picked out the cutest outfits- well Sterling actually picked out his outfit:) 

Dinosaur Tee | Jeans | Hooded Poncho | Leggings

I can't get enough of Frances Moon in this outfit.  I seriously smile every time I look at these pictures!

The poncho and leggings are ridiculously soft.   Tiny ears make everything look extra cute.

Poncho | Leggings

The pants are lined with the same material as the hoodie and are so cute folded up with the matching cuff.

Sterling was ecstatic to find his dinosaur tee.   I kid you not when we bought he insisted on changing in Nordstrom right then and wearing it.  It also comes in a dog version that is pretty darn cute too.

|| Dinosaur Tee

He also insisted he needed a hoodie to go with it.  I swear he has like 4 hoodies but he loves them so I obliged.   This one hands down was the softest hoodie plus I loved the color of blue on him.

|| Aiden Hoodie

This is what happens when you ask him to pose for more than three pictures.  I have a feeling our Christmas cards will be comical this year.

Frances is all like say what?

Shop the kids look and a few other Tucker and Tate favorites below.

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom all thoughts, opinions, and outfit choices are my own!

Sweater Love

Yesterday I stopped in the Outlets to pick up a few fall basics for Frances like leggings and onesies.   Normally at the Outlets I just shop for the kids and not so much for me.  However yesterday was like fate two sweaters I had been wanting I scored on major sale!

Also stayed tuned since I have been updating my closet for Fall I will be doing a blog sale in the next few days.

Last year when I was pregnant I loved this JCrew leather pocket sweater.  However it would not fit over my pregnant belly nor did I want to pay full price.  Well I found it at the outlet yesterday and it is also online!  Runs slightly on the large side but close to TTS.  I am wearing an XS.  I think it will be so cute with skinny jeans or leggings since it is a bit longer.

Get additional 10% off with code Fall!

|| Merino Pocket Tunic

I got black but it also comes in gray, camel, and burgundy.

I also found the BB Dakota Sweater I blogged about Tuesday.  Must have been luck because it was the only one at Saks.  I also found it online at Saks Off 5th and you can take additional 40% off the price with code Friends!! I am in a size XS for reference.  It says the brand is 5|48 but I swear it is the same as BB Dakota.  It comes to like $45 with the discount a great price for such a cute sweater.

|| Denny Open Front Cardigan

Everything at Saks Off 5th is extra 40% off!

I almost bought this Vince Ombre Sweater but they didn't have my size in the store.  It was so soft.

|| Vince Ombre Sweater

and you may remember my tie dye sweater.  It is now $120 and you can take 40% off that price!

|| Joie Tie Dye Sweater

 

Great Fall Sweaters at great prices!!

Asian Kale Salad

My love affair with kale continues.  Butcher and Bee, a local restaurant here in Charleston, makes a kale slaw that is so freaking good. I order a side of it every time I eat there.  This was my attempt to create a similar version and I must say it comes pretty darn close.  They serve theirs with crushed peanuts on top but I didn't have any on hand- so add them if you wish.  This saves well in the fridge for a few days although mine only lasted two days I devoured it.  You could easily sub shredded napa cabbage for the Brussels Sprouts if you prefer.  It makes a delicious lunch served with the Tomato Ricotta Toast I posted Monday.  

Enjoy!

 || A S I A N   K A L E  S A L A D ||

- 1 pound kale. stemmed and thinly sliced

- 2 tablespoons canola oil

- 8 Brussels sprouts halved and thinly sliced

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- 1.5 tablespoon rice vinegar

- 1 tablespoon soy sauce

- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

- optional crushed peanuts

In a large bowl toss kale together with 1 tablespoon canola  and salt.  Rub in to soften.  Add in Brussels sprouts and toss.  

In a small bowl whisk together garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and tablespoon canola oil.   Pour dressing over greens.  Sprinkle with crushed peanuts if desired.