Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean
you can’t still throw a great dinner party.
The only thing needed are good friends and good food.
…a magical setting (AKA my backyard) doesn’t exactly hurt either.
This past weekend our good friends Marc & Caroline were in town and we decided to create an intimate little dinner party for the four of us – plus Fern. Caroline is a photographer and I am a stylist and we wanted to create a simple meal that was locally sourced. Living in Portland, we had a lot of delicious options.
*Asparagus, Potatoes and Strawberries: Lake Oswego Farmer’s Market
*Bread: St. Honore Boulangerie
*Cheese: Willamette Valley Cheese Company
*Chicken: Afton Field Farms
*Tea: Steven Smith Teamaker
*Cider: made by a friend
*Strawberry Vanilla Jam: made by Caroline of Coeur de La
*Flowers: Zupans
I did the styling and Caroline took the photos.
We all tag-teamed the cooking.
While we made dinner Fern hung out with Craig and got to watch it all unfold.
But…she did get to help a little.
See! Babies can join in on the fun too :).
And the final product:
A delicious and simple meal with friends.
It was so nice to share this lovely meal with friends, but also to share an experience like this with Fern. I know that she’s still a little baby and can’t understand all of this, but I really want to bring her up with an appreciation for things like this. I hope to teach her the importance of balanced nutrition, supporting local business, the value of friendship and taking time to be with one another. It’s magical moments like this that will stick with her and I hope to create many more in the future.
Photography: Coeur de La Photography
Styling: Lauren Hartmann
xo
Lauren
PS…if you’re looking for someone to plan your next forest gathering we’re your girls…just sayin’ ;).
This post is sponsored by Disney Baby. I’ll be joining the Disney Baby blogging team next month, and look forward to sharing these kinds of stories (projects/ideas/etc) with you over there! Stay tuned for more details!
It honestly was one of the most magical dinners ever. The setting, the food, our conversations, laughs, we are blessed!!! XO! Loved our forest dinner.
Dinner outdoors is an excellent choice, especially for Fern. She gets to explore all kind of new things and that’s adding up to her development.
Good job, Lauren! You seem like a good host too 🙂
xoxo
What a beautiful and wonderful post! Thanks Caroline and Lauren , of course! Magical moments are awesome.
oh my gorgeous! I love everything about this! the food, the friends, the family, the Oregon:-) Definitely a big part of what life is all about! Great job girls! xoxo
Wow, congrats on the new blogging team! And the dinner looks lovely – sweet and simple. Your friends photos are wonderful too!
Your backyard is the PERFECT setting for summer dinners. The dinner looks wonderful. 🙂
This looks amazing! So much talent between you two!
Wow, that dinner looks amazing and I love the styling. Is the wooden board that you’re eating on just a large cutting board?
I love Disney Baby!! And what a beautiful set up! I wish I was that creative!
What a lovely looking party!
This dinner party looks delicious!
Wow, that’s a stunning set up! You guys have got talent! 🙂
Looks like fun to me!
This looks so lovely. I’m really excited for you and your Disney blog coming up.. we need to get together (over food preferably) and talk about it!
Kacie
Lovely!
I need to visit the Northwest again… hopefully within 5 years (hubby’s retirement) I will actually live there. That is the dream anyway. Thanks for sharing.
ToOdLeS.
So fun! Everything looks wonderful- especially the chicken 😉 You and Caroline did a great job showing off your talents!
So fun! Everything looks wonderful- especially the chicken 😉 You and Caroline did a great job showing off your talents!
Pretty! I hope we get to take a peek at your new house when we come!
Pretty pretty PRETTY! My aesthetic button has been pushed. This looks lovely and yes, magical. Glad yall had fun 🙂
Brooke
Gorgeous photos!! Looks magical indeed. Our backyard is nowhere as lovely as yours but I think I would still like to make this happen.
oh this is beyond! Anything with wood and pretty food I am all over it. Love this!
Wow seriously magical! Love the quilt and dishes, not to mention the food also looks amazing.
.thanks for sharing