Hosting | Arcadia Winter Fête
Que Louis Armstrongs, What a Wonderful Life, as the background tune for this post. (also this post is much prettier on a computer/tablet than a phone)
Lounge area + Tables + Benches provided by Tremaine Ranch (click here)
Gah, friends. Thank you! I just sit in awe previous to, in the midst of, and while savoring remnants of the dinner I recently hosted in Phoenix with pure gratitude. My cup is full. I so enjoy these evenings together. This past Friday night from 6:15 or so into the wee hours of the morning represented the culmination of months of preparation and many hard working hands. I’m so thankful for the small business owners who worked tirelessly to make the product that I was able to send my guests home with. And I’m thankful for the services companies and retailers who provided space, a comfortable place to sit and florals that took our breath away.
Venue Space: The Vintage Arcadia
Pampas Grass Cloud + Table Florals: East Olivia
Menu + Dinner Preparation: Kirstin of Chestnut
As I welcomed the guests that were able to come I briefly explained my heart behind these gatherings. It’s multi-faceted. I love pretty settings and hosting a thing, I love incredibly well prepared food and I really love connecting people to one another. In a world where everyone is so busy, carving a few hours out of our day to commune together can be justifiably hard to find. I loved that there was a small lag between arrival and being seated because people were enthralled in deep conversations. Timeline was kind of thrown out of the window. It blesses me to watch people meet, for them to find commonality over bread and wine in the midst of their new interactions with one another to hear laughter and interests shared.
Standing or sitting the middle of a room filled conversations so loud that I can only kind of hear the playlist that I spent too long preparing is the ROI. It caused me to take a moment to pause, for me to zoom out and to experience the goodness of people together with nothing being asked of them. Just a space to absorb the atmosphere and food.
MENU DESIGN by @larkpapercompany
Sheep Skins draped over Seating by @HyggeLife
After the food was gone, the dishes lifted from the table, the pampas cloud cut down and the music quieted there were about 15 left, chatting, mulling over the night, trying to end their conversations but stumbling upon something else to discuss and I concluded that these are the fruits of my labor. A full hour after the event was scheduled to be over the room was no where near empty and even while the cleaners were wiping smudges off of the glass from little hands during the day, there was plenty of commotion in The Vintage Arcadia’s back room. All of it- but this- these moments are the why. It felt successful experiencing a really slow ending to the evening. It’s the perfect space for an intimate setting.
SWAG BAG ITEMS CONTRIBUTED BY @coleykuyperart
@sheenamarshalljewelry
@beesasonalhoney
@seesalttsate
@lylahlednerskin
@leespirits
Thanks for following along in this space. Every person that tags follows along on instagram @fortitudeandfinn, follows the blog itself, buys a seat at the table or engages in questions and polls on social media helps to keep things like this happening. My heart spills over with abundant thankfulness.
The Juniper Gimlets, slow braised short rib, the ratatouille, the handmade pate brisee filled with a Cinnamon Apple compote paired with coffee after much wine and salted butter atop of fresh baked bread… It all left people commenting and sharing about which parts they loved most. All food and beverage was provided by Chestnut @ The Vintage , prepared specifically by, Chef Kirstin Steele.
I gush with love. Thank you for another magical evening that I won’t soon forget. xx-k
PS, if you don’t already find some women who love you well and help make everything come together just because they’re kind.
mama making napkins + holding navy all day and running errands
Mother-In-Law sweeping endless pampas grass
auntie setting table / other auntie with Amos
