Lawson's Buffet tips to Fantastic Food Displays

Buffets are a spectacular way to serve food at any size party. Big or small, a buffet-scape is the best way to creatively show off your food and the best part is they are hassle free! Easy clean up and your guests can serve themselves! Here are a few pointers for your next buffet.

1. Rather than spreading all the food out across the table, make the selection look abundant and plentiful by grouping it together. I call it layering. Add some florals or greenery at the ends of the table to make the display burst to life. Candle are great too! Big or small, a little fire element make a tablescape illuminate!

2. Keep the food pyramid in mind! Have a the option of vegetables, protein, salad, and a grain based dish in order to keep things balanced. In the summertime, salmon or swordfish is both refreshing and a lovely surprise for guests. Put a nice salsa sauce on the side and call it an evening!

3. Don't be afraid of surf n' turf. In case you are tight on space, a great way to serve this dish is by placing the fish and salad on one side of a center piece and then putting the meat and potatoes on the other. If you want to really shake things up and have multiples proteins, be sure to display them in different platters so the sauces and flavors don't blend. Offering an array of meats is the perfect way to lavish a party.

4.  If spacing permits, have a wine and cheese bar at the very end of the table. Have fresh plates and wine glasses wait for your guests so they can help themselves. Pick out cheeses that compliment the wine and even add a bowl of nuts. Grape and apple slices also go perfectly with an arangemen like this.

5. Is your buffet outside? Only uncover the food until right before serving. Make sure you have enough citronella candles and bug repellant to keep insects at bay. If you are in a mosquito ridden environment, set up the buffet in a space where they may be lessened, such as a patio, porch, or under a tent if you are having one. Try not to just set the buffet up in your yard where bugs are manifesting. 

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Lawson

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Lawson Roberts' Posh Pool Parties!

Pool parties can be super blah or super Bad ASS!

 Make a splash by throwing one of the hottest pool parties by using some of my favorite decor, drinks, and poolside snacks! These ideas are easy to replicate and even more fun to enjoy. 

There are many ways to decorate your pool for a night time event and floating florals are one of them! Large and lovely, artificial or real, a floral element added to your pool scape will wow all of your guest. They will add a fresh and decorative look to your party.

The lighting for a pool party is crucial! This is the one element that that sets the mood and ambiance for the rest of the evening. By hanging string lights across and around the pool, the water will reflect the lights and make the entire scene glow. What's not to love? These fabulous lights come in large and small, but either size has can set the tone for a beautiful night. 

Selecting food and beverage for a pool party can be kind of tricky. Chips and dip get old after about 5 minutes, so for your next summer bash, try these Creamy Margarita Popsicles! They are easy to make and let be honest...who doesn't crave a margarita in the summer time? Just be sure to either serve them immediately or on a frozen platter of ice so they don't melt. 

No matter what drink you serve, whether it be punch, lemonade, or water, don't just use plain old ice cubes. Quench your thirst by adding fruit to the ice! All you need to do it place fruit or garnish, such as mint leaves, to your ice trays and freeze. This brings any drink to life with just this little splash of color. 

These strawberry shortcake kabobs are great for a pool party. They are easy to display and are a no hassle snack for guest to walk around the party with. 

For all things entertaining style, follow me, your entertaining expert.  Style, sophistication, and fantastic fun.

Lawson

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Lawson's Guide to Fantastic Flowers

Centerpieces for a are the most stylish way to vamp up your table. Whether it be a wedding, summer picnic, or a chic lunch gathering, these simple DIY centerpieces are an awesome way to "wow" your guests. Here are some of my favorite ensembles which incorporate florals along with obscure items you surely have laying around the house. 

The Preppy Pineapple Centerpiece 

Hollow out a pineapple with a carving knife so there is enough space to tightly fit this lovely array of florals!

-Hot Pink Roses

-Ranunculus

-Bush Peonies

-Mini Calla

Revamping the Kitchen Canister 

Kitchen Canisters make for a great impromptu vase at a backyard country chic picnic. 

To replicate this floral display, mix tulips with wild flowers and group the blossoms at stem length. Make sure you leave enough green in the mix so the ensemble is full and lush!

Citrus Fruit Bouquet

Zest isn't the only way to use a citrus! By slicing a lemon width wise into 1/4 inch pieces, you can arrange the lemon against a glass water pitcher and add the flowers of your choosing! I enjoy using pink and purples florals which make the yellow really pop!

Inverted Wine Glasses with Tea Candles

By inverting a wine glass and a placing a simple tea candle on top, you can easily light up a table for a night time dinner party. Use a mirror to add a reflection and extra light.

For all things entertaining style, follow me, your entertaining expert for a look into all things chic and parties.

Lawson

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Chic and Easy Picnic Ideas for Summer 2015

One of the best parts about summer is friends and food! I love cooking up a casual and flavorful meal and heading down the the beach for a picnic. Here are some simple yet tasty ideas to pack up and bring to the beach for an evening dinner by the sea.

Cuban Steak Sandwiches

What you need:

• 1 1/2 pounds flank steak
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1 (14-inch) loaf ciabatta bread
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

Directions:

• Cut the steak into 2 even pieces and place in a sealable plastic bag or container. Place the olive oil, cilantro, basil, parsley, lime juice, garlic, and 1 tablespoon salt in a blender and mix until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup of the herb-oil mixture and refrigerate. Add the remaining mixture to the meat, distribute evenly, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

• Remove the meat from the marinade; discard marinade. Place on a paper towel, wiping off any excess marinade. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Once the pan is hot, add meat and cook until medium-rare, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Place meat on a cutting board and cover with foil. Repeat with other piece of meat, only adding more oil if necessary.
• Cut ciabatta bread lengthwise. In a 375 degree oven, bake for 5 minutes directly on the rack.
  
  
  
  
• Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in the grill pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until just beginning to brown but still crisp, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and season with salt, to taste.
  
  
  
• Take the reserved herb-oil mixture and brush the inside of both halves of bread. Slice steak thinly on the bias and place on the bottom half of the bread. Top with onions and then remaining bread. Slice into quarters and serve.

Watermelon with Balsamic and Feta

What you need:

• 1/4 cup of good-quality balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• chopped water melon
• 4 ounces of feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons of shredded mint for garnish

• In a small sauce pan, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and sugar over medium heat. The mixture will reduce by half and will become syrupy. 
• Place the watermelon  in a serving bowl and drizzle the balsamic reduction. 
• Sprinkle the shredded mint and feta on top.

White Strawberry-Lemon Sangria

What you need:

• 2 lemons, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, cored and sliced (any kind)
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced lengthwise
• 1 750 ml bottle white wine (a dry-ish white wine is best! I prefer Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
• ½ cup white rum
• 4 cups lemon-lime soda

Directions:

• Add lemon slices, apple slices and strawberries in a large pitcher
• Pour white wine over the fruit
• Chill the the fridge for 4-5 hours
• When ready to drink, add lemon lime soda (I use Sprite). 
• Add a few pieced of fruit to your glass and pour the chilled Sangria mixture to serve. 

*To make things even more refreshing, freeze some extra lemon slices and strawberries to add right before drinking.

For all things entertaining style, follow me, your entertaining expert. Be sure to catch Southern Charm every Monday on BRAVO TV at 10 PM EDT for a look into southern style and chic parties.

Lawson

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