Planning on being the hostess with the mostest this holiday season? Then you should probably take a note (or three) from Texas lifestyle blogger Camille Styles’ new book. Styles will be hosting two events this Saturday (one at Madison in Highland Park Village, the other at Neiman Marcus in Willow Bend Mall) and you are cordially invited. But before you do, check out the blogger’s tips on how to throw the perfect party of your own and enter to win Camille Styles Entertaining below.
What was your inspiration behind this book?
After writing my blog for 5 years, and seeing what a desire there was for beautiful entertaining ideas that were still easy and totally approachable, I dreamed of writing a book that encompassed those ideas, spanning across the seasons of an entire year in my life. The gatherings and ideas inside are a reflection of the way I really entertain and live my life at home, though it was so creatively inspiring to be able to dream up my ideal parties for each season and let them come to life in the most beautiful way I could throughout the book’s pages. My dream for this book is that it will encourage everyone who reads it to wake up every morning with a desire to engage the senses – to open their eyes fully to the beauty that surrounds them.
What’s your favorite holiday recipe and why?
My mom’s almond kringle bread, that she bakes into a heart-shaped loaf every Christmas morning. It’s layers of flaky pastry and marzipan, topped by crunchy toasted almonds. We only have it once a year, which makes it feel really special and recall Christmases past. This year, I’m going to make it with her so I can learn all her secrets!
What does the word style mean to you?
For me, great style is finding ways to infuse joy and beauty into the everyday experience; discovering our own definition of “the good life,” and then taking pleasure in the clothes we wear, the food we make, the way we decorate our rooms, where we travel, and how we care for our physical well-being. It looks different for everyone, but for me, the goal is to make the things I love part of everyday life.
What’s one thing every party needs?
Plenty of bubbly and a great playlist!
What’s your favorite room in your house and why?
I love our kitchen that’s made for preparing and serving food to lots of people! I can stand at the island and prep dinner while friends and family drink wine and keep me company on the barstools — and it really is true that the kitchen is the place where everyone congregates for parties! My favorite part is probably our two large dishwashers — at the end of the night, I can load all the dishes and serving pieces for a super quick clean-up!
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