"Go Small" Dinner on Refinery29
I recently hosted a little dinner for four incredible Businesswomen / Mamas here at the Cottage. We chatted about some of the ways in which going small can enable us to live fuller lives— something that I know to be true after enjoying this tiny house with Adam and Stanlee for these past 5½ years. (And since then we've even grow by two residents: puppy Sophee and baby West!)
The story, which includes a video from the evening, is now up on Refinery29: Two People, Two Dogs & A Baby Live In This 362-Square-Foot Cottage
Story sponsored by Ford.
Fall Hosting at the Cottage with One Kings Lane
It's becoming evident that autumn is just around the corner-- even in sunny SoCal. Personally I can't wait. Not only am I excited about the cooler air and softer light, but it means Adam and I are getting VERY close to finally meeting our son (who is due in early October)!
Recently I had the joy of celebrating the change of seasons with One Kings Lane here at home. We hosted a mini-gathering throughout the outdoor sections of the Cottage, and we toasted (mocktails, of course!) to the release of their new magazine, "Small Space Style" (which features our tiny home in a multi-page spread).
Click here to view the full story, "Entertaining for a Crowd in a Space Made for Two." And follow @onekingslane on Instagram today to see behind-the-scenes IG "Stories" from the event! (Additional photos below.)
Mocktail recipe by Rachel Mae Furman
We served an array of appetizers from Urban Palate, including roasted brussels-sprout salad, parsnip pomme frites, and Pink Lady apple bruschetta (my personal favorite). While I enjoyed homemade Pear and Rosemary Spritz Mocktails with the other pregnant guests, we also served "Sexy Rosé" from The Butcher's Daughter.
Select photos by Kimberly Genevieve for One Kings Lane, with additional imagery by Whitney Leigh Morris.
Garden Mimosas
When entertaining larger groups in small spaces, I find it helps to have mini stations (for food, beverages, a bag/coat drop, etc.) instead of one main area dedicated to this-or-that. Compact entertaining spots positioned wisely around your tiny home and/or garden will naturally break up large clumps of people, and allow folks to move around with greater ease. We did this for our wedding brunch with lil' mimosa stations:
Garden Beverage Station: Sparkling wine for classic mimosas by WINC, H20 by Boxed Water.
I placed a 3-tier bar cart in the shade of our bougainvillea and grapevine to hold our CB2 champagne flutes, baked goods, fresh market produce, plants, and the beverage dispenser with sparkling wine mimosas from Winc. I upcycled an old wine crate top to make a space-saving hanging shelf where we offered Boxed Water that guests could take with them when strolling the canals throughout the brunch. (As I'm midway through my pregnancy, I had to refrain from enjoying the drink stations. While it's obviously well-worth it, I gotta say that I've never been so sad to say no to a mimosa-- especially after hoofing it through a DIY home-wedding!)
GARDEN BEVERAGE STATION: SPARKLING WINE FOR CLASSIC MIMOSAS BY WINC, H20 BY BOXED WATER.
Gifts for Out of Town Guests
With the wedding around the corner, we've started prepping and delivering lil' gifts to our out of town guests at their hotels, Airbnbs, and One Fine Stay homes. As always, our main aim is to delight our friends and family with goodies that won't clutter up their homes (and, in this case, don't hinder their ability to travel light).
These are the main items I chose. (For various boxes, we added bubbles for kids, and ties by Combatant Gentlemen for select guests.)
Ikea Decorative box with lid ($1.99)
“Venice” History Book from Arcadia Pubishing & The History Press
Freshly Baked Goods from Gjusta and/or Superba Food & Bread
Fresh Market and/or Garden Florals in Reusable/Recyclable Glass Spice Jars
We also made little favor bundles for all parties attending our wedding reception, including the following:
- Venice Greeting Cards by Brittney Banks
- Grow Kits from Shop Terrain (I love the tagline: "Grow Happiness in Small Spaces")
- Chocolate Bars from Nohmad Snack Co.
Hosting Overnight Guests in Tiny Spaces
Our little home is back on RUE Daily-- but with a twist! I'm sharing some of our tips and tricks for hosting overnight guests in small spaces. Here at the Cottage, we've hosted up to three overnight guests for two nights, and a single guest for up to three weeks! If we can do it, so can you. Click on the clip below to jump to the story.
Thank you, Rue Daily and photographer Kimberly Genevieve!
Cottage on Rue
The Tiny Canal Cottage is on RUE today. Tour the latest updates to our little space via Kimberly Genevieve's amazing photos!
Tiny Kitchen, Massive Crostini Board
The Chalkboard Magazine and Heirloom LA stopped by the Cottage recently to create this EPIC crostini board.
I absolutely adore the team and work behind Heirloom LA. Not only do they make the most beautiful and delicious plates, but they are also committed to improving and working with the Foster Care system in LA-- an issue near and dear to my heart as well.
Thank you, Chalkboard & Heirloom for visiting Stanlee and me at home! We had so much food left over that Adam fed his entire office with your amazing creations.
Click the image below to jump to the story:
Cocktail Party on Glitter Guide
Our winter cocktail party at the Cottage is being featured on Glitter Guide today. I'm offering tips on hosting parties in small spaces, combatting the drab winter months with a lively and lush bar (featuring gorgeous drinks by Smoke & Honey), and spending time with the most wonderful group of women.
