this is a completely self-serving post. i am obsessed with ice-cream. i am actually having a tough time finishing this post…you see, i want nothing more at this moment than to indulge in cold, creamy goodness.
i believe the next best thing is to share some of the most intriguing recipes i found via pinterest. my dream would be for you to mix up these recipes and swiftly bring them to my house…at the very least feel free to whip up a few and let me know how it goes…
it is rare i experience first on bliss…so today is a pretty big deal. i do believe this maybe the first time i have featured a restaurant all on its own. it only seems fitting that this first be designed by my very favorite portland designer jessica helgerson. this beautiful space is tusk (named after the fleetwood mac album of the same title) and i can’t believe i haven’t been. i will be fixing that situation sooner than later.
i actually believe there is not a darn thing i do not love about this entire restaurant, which leads me to believe that i may flip for the food as well.
I often think of the French family as the ultimate dinner party guests; we come bringing a few laughs and a huge amount of gratitude for the generous invitation. However, we live in a community where I began to feel the desire to reciprocate…which means I cannot get bogged down in the details. Details, for me, often cause me to back out. The solution? The dinner party that is completely simple and beautiful at the same time; a warm setting, with an Italian theme and we are set.
Winter in Oregon this year is no joke, so warmth is definitely the theme. Plenty of candles, a fire, and comfort food are the key ingredients.
Seasonal produce seems to fit the theme of warmth perfectly…perfect for a salad or as part of an easy centerpiece, playing off of the candlelight beautifully.
Simple charcuterie and a salad brimming with winter fruits and veggies are a no-brainer this type of year.
The entrée on the other hand never ceases to stump me. The goal is always something that tastes delicious, but doesn’t take all day long to prepare…
This time around I went with Bertolli and am so happy I did. I served up two Bertolli Entrées: Chicken Florentine with Farfalle and Italian Sausage with Rigatoni. A delicious entrée could not be easier…a few minutes in a skillet and everything is set.
The little ones simply couldn’t wait, so we fed them first…
We quickly cleaned up after the kiddos and effortlessly moved into a dinner party perfect for the parents. The children were off eagerly waiting for desert while we prepared our second round of Bertollie Entrées…and because they whip up so quickly, eating in shifts worked out perfectly.
How do you finish up the perfect dinner on a cold winter night? We all came together for s’mores!
I could get used to this whole dinner party thing. Thank you Bertolli for effortlessly delicious entrées and taking the stress out of entertaining. This allows me to remain focused on what truly matters…friends, family, and simply enjoying the company of one another.
I am thrilled to also share another dose of inspiration on our virtual table on pinterest.
xo Mrs. French
Photography by the ever-talented Veronica Bahns
Setting courtesy of my dear friend Jennifer Renton
This post is brought to you by Bertolli. Don’t just eat, Mangia!
Mrs. French is a blogger, stylist, photographer, and completely obsessive when it comes to interior and fashion design. Mrs. French is the sole editor of the popular lifestyle/design blog Bliss.
