I partnered with Dressbarn to style up a backyard summer party in a couple different looks from their DRESSBAR. I'm a big fan of scouring cookbooks and blogs for the perfect laborious recipe, but that's usually when I have some time set aside and inspiration strikes! I've always had my go to's and I grew up watching my mom throw together gatherings (effortlessly) in an hour; so, in the spirit of entertaining authentically I wanted to share some last minute go to's and truly make it easy to entertain. I planned the menu based on 4-6 guests and wanting it to be easy in the kitchen, but still create a pretty spread.

Samantha GobleJuly 31, 2015

the shirtdress.

i might have a slight obsession with shirtdresses, or anything with a collar, for that matter (i'm realizing it's probably due to my love affair with romedies with pretty girls waking up in men's collared shirts) but this one, in particular, is one of those dresses that i keep hung outside of the closet because it makes me happy. i've worn it as a coverup and i've worn it with heels, sandals, jeans and cutoffs. the dress itself is sheer so you have to wear a slip, but i love the lightness of the dress and favorite part, it's like you're wearing the most airy, wonderful pajamas.

Samantha GobleApril 24, 2013

first style post

Switching things up bit and having some fun with some hostess style posts for a few reasons. 1. It's fun to dress up 2. I'm constantly looking for new party/ entertaining styles 3. I need to push my limits and work on a few things: a. I'm not that great at accessorizing. I'm not sure if I should just own it and accept that I'm a minimalist when it comes to accessorizing or fight to dress up my arms with some beauty or dangle a necklace? b. I get stuck in a rut of the easy go to's far too easy c. I really want to develop this classic look that translates across day to night. Either way, what I'm really looking for is to have some fun and figure out my style once and for all.

Samantha GobleApril 16, 2013

mole in a package

You heard my mole raves already so I'll keep this short. So, so late this post is, but I lost all of the photos I had taken of the packaging. Luckily just recovered them!

Every holiday we give a handmade item to about 30 of our friends we want to share with. This year we made mole and it was the perfect gift.

packaging, giftsSamantha GobleFebruary 5, 2013mole, packaging, gifts

obsessed with tradition

A few years ago I was pouring over

Frida's Fiestas

, pretending I was Mexican and I came across the mole poblano recipe. I couldn't get it out of my head mainly because as I researched and inquired more, the responses I received were that it must be made with several people, it takes hours, if not days and it should be eaten as a celebration. Umm, what about that would make someone NOT want to make this!

I began making mole over six years ago and I would venture to say I learned from one of the best hostesses. I'm gonna make a blanket statement and just say that Mexican women are by far the most hospitable and endearing hostesses. I didn't just learn how to make a sauce with many uses; I learned how to be a better hostess along the way, improvise recipes and use more emotion when cooking.

recipesSamantha GobleFebruary 4, 2013mole

it's a celebration

ok, ok. my birthday is gone and it's go time. anyone who knows me can tell you i love my birthday. i love it not because of the lovely gestures, thoughtful gifts, and reason to celebrate with the ones you love, but for the reminder it brings to me as one more year of my life comes to a close and another begins.

my birthday to me is kinda like new year's to most people. it's when i make all of my promises to myself, my re-evalutation moments and my get real, make it happen revelations.

Samantha GobleJanuary 29, 2013

one thing's for certain

i think we could all use some moments in the day, hours in the week, an extra week in the month and an extra month in the year. it never fails. sleep isn't always on my side, mostly because i am motivated at night and excited to start my days in the am, but lately i've been scrambling to find time to sit down, leaving me...shocker! tired. i've also been dreaming a lot about what i want my life to look like. it's a challenge, i would say, for me to sit still in the moments.

Samantha GobleJanuary 27, 2013

packing for the holiday

I'm definitely someone who enjoys the comforts of home. If I'm traveling somewhere with comparable comforts then I'm less inclined to stuff my bags full of products I just can't live without. At the risk of sounding high maintenance and making my future peace corps plans less believable, these "comforts" usually include good coffee, good alcohol, good fruit and food and good vitamins or wellness supplies along with a few kitchen items for impromptu preparations. Everyone has their own definition of "good quality" and "comforts" that they value.

Samantha GobleDecember 29, 2012

taking a break

The last few days I’ve spent equally as inspired as the last few weeks, but less inclined to document through all my usual modes. It made me think of the article I read in

Kinfolk

, volume three by Rebecca Parker Payne,

“Undocumented Hours”

.

Samantha GobleDecember 27, 2012

don't show up empty handed

Here's an idea: Christmas dinner and NYE is covered, but what about the morning of or the morning after? Bring a jar of Bloody Mary's. Seriously one of my favorite hostess gifts and hands down this recipe will make everyone's holiday morning a bit more festive. Thanks to all the weak bloody mary's out there, this forced my husband to put together this gem, thanks J!

Recipe after the jump.

Samantha GobleDecember 18, 2012

the inspiration.

I think I may have officially semi recovered from a very sleepless couple of past weeks.

Thanks for all of the lovely support and comments from everyone. I had been dreaming about this idea of starting this website and blog for quite some time now and I wanted to introduce myself by doing one of my most favorite things: giving a thoughtful gift (It's like having a party within two weeks of moving into a home; it forces you to get things done!) I gathered a list with the help of some little elves of all of the A-listers in the event/ blog world (let's be honest, I could have sent out hundreds!) out there and literally spent days pouring over their blogs and what makes them get excited. A couple of months ago I started gathering quite the collection of bowls and plates to include in a package that I would deliver. I had a vision that this would be in a crate and it would truly envelop their personal style. I didn't want it to be just any gift, but a gift with a purpose. Truly, I know how special it can be to open something made with intention and I wanted to deliver a box that would allow each recipient to take in a moment.

Samantha GobleDecember 18, 2012

working in spontaneity.

Every weekend I attempt to relax and have visions of doing absolutely nothing. That almost never happens (as in, I think it's happened once) especially this time of year. But, I don't mind it one bit. What usually happens is that I wake up with a recipe that I want to make, a craving that must see it's way into the kitchen, a project that will take all day or glassware that needs to come to breakfast.

Samantha GobleDecember 17, 2012

allow me to re-introduce myself, my name is...

farra. I’m a giver. If I think I’ve upset you, my heart becomes heavy and a pit forms in my stomach. I’m a hybrid of a morning and night person, which means I can function on not much sleep, but I probably need more. Music really does move me. I cry at “Beaches” because friendship can be that dramatic. I love to bake. I dream about French lace, light summer breezes and life’s conversations over a cup of anything. I get scared that I’m not living my most richest and fulfilling life, so I ask myself if I am everyday.

Samantha GobleDecember 10, 2012

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