Cheers to the Weekend: Link Love

Happy weekend, everyone. For a little weekend reading, we're sharing a few links that will get you inspired to get your home, kitchen, and hostess planning duties in line for fall. 

- Wondering what to bring as a hostess gift for those last soirees of the summer? Rue has the best list ever here. 
- Revamp your home interiors, or at the very least learn a little history, with a detailed legacy of Jackie O's decorating style. Get the goods over at Apartment Therapy. 
- We try to be healthy; we really do. However, there is nothing better than chocolate, and we can't wait to try all the treats on Southern Livings Best Chocolate Recipes list. Man, don't say we didn't warn you. 
- Is there anything Gwyneth and her GOOP team can't do? Nope. See their tips for flower arranging by vase and have the most beautiful florals for your next festive fete.  
 

Entertain: Southern Traditions

Image via Society Bride

Inspired by yesterday's toast to the Kentucky Derby , we're sharing our favorite recipes for classic Mint Juleps and mouth-watering Chocolate Bourbon Pie. Known as the quintessential Southern cocktail, Mint Juleps call to mind the grand dames of high society and horse races as well as the most magnificent pomp and circumstance. With just a few ingredients, you can recreate this splendid classic and keep the leftover simple syrup refrigerated for another Southern favorite - sweet tea. The rich dessert pie is an ideal way to end your Derby Day festivities (and the recipe below is from a Louisville native and ardent Derby fan). What better way to celebrate the Run for the Roses or even a simple Southern wedding or dinner than than with a bar set to serve these two classics. Serve alongside your favorite china and enjoy!

A classic Mint Julep. Image and recipe via Southern Living.

Ingredients:
3 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 Tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup
Crushed Ice
1 1/2 to 2 Tablespoons (1 oz.) bourbon
1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer
1 Fresh Mint Sprig
Powdered Sugar (optional)

Directions:
Place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press leaves against cup with back of spoon to release flavors. Pack a cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw and serve immediately. Spring with powdered sugar, if desired.

Scrumptious Chocolate Bourbon Pie. Image and recipe via Southern Living.

Ingredients:
1/2 (15 oz.) package refrigerated pie crusts
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon or water
4 large eggs
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Fit pie crust in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under and crimp. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of the pie crust and set aside. Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared pie crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack.
 

Tabletop Tuesday: Southern Living Christmas

The season is merry and bright (even if that means spring-like weather in Texas). We love perusing our favorite magazines for tablescapes, and we were thrilled to see P.O.S.H. in a recent holiday spread. Editor-at-Large Kimberly Schlegel Whitman designed a holiday tabletop with our red chiavari chairs for the pages of one of our favorites, Southern Living. (See the tabletop plus ideas for hosting here.) Our red chiavari chairs take a traditional Christmas setting to a festive fete in no time. See how we would style the table below.

Top: Tabletop with P.O.S.H. red chiavari chairs photographed by Laurey W. Gleen for Southern Living.
Bottom: Get the look with P.O.S.H. Couture Rentals. (Clockwise from top left) Red Chiavari Chair / Silver Goblet, Red Chloe Goblet / Red Glass Charger (left), Scarlet Filigree Charger (right). Add Vera Wang Lace Dinner Plate / Christofle Flatware on Oyster Jacquard linen by Resource One, exclusively at P.O.S.H. Couture Rentals.