Entertaining is in my DNA. My beloved mom, Mary Bevilacqua, was a fabulous hostess who always welcomed neighbors, family and friends over for impromptu luncheons, home cooked meals, lovely dinner parties, festive holidays, and joyous family celebrations. I always admired how warm and inviting she made the entire experience feel—never stuffy or stressful—just lovely and memorable.

Truth be told, I’m worried entertaining at home is becoming a lost art form! There is something about extending an invitation to old or new friends to gather at your home, in your nest, that creates such a special connection. What I hear over and over again is “oh, I could never entertain, it’s too stressful”. What I can assure you is with the right planning, little touches and menu prep, you can create a memorable gathering at your home. It doesn’t need to be fancy - it just needs to have effort and thought behind your gathering.