EntertainingLocal Creatives Get-together for Gather Now September 30, 2016This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. As I’ve said in some previous posts, I’ve been craving local creative community. I’m so grateful for the inspiring friends I’ve made through the blogging world, but there’s just something about sitting down with creative friends, face-to-face, and connecting. One of my closest blogging turned real-life friends, Eileen (from A Creative Day) and I felt this need at the same time and have really been seeking close, local, creative community for the past year. I heard about this Gather Now program and thought it was the perfect opportunity to gather some close creative friends together! We pictured a casual backyard get-together in our screened porch. Bulb lights and the great outdoors go a long way. Sadly, on the night of our event, it was one of the hottest days we’d had in awhile and we wanted our friends to be comfortable and at home. We re-grouped, came inside, and set up our buffet on the kitchen island. We wanted super simple party prep and started with a few basics. {This photo is by me. All others are by Sophie Brendle.} Simple, pretty, and special was the goal and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! We wanted to have some simple, but special snacks. We went with a little cheese plate and make-your-own croissants with Nutella and strawberries. It couldn’t have been easier, but I’m now addicted to those things. It was delicious and took us just a few minutes to set up. We wanted the gathering to feel beautiful. It’s for creatives, after all. That’s just how we operate. But we also wanted it to feel like a simple and accessible gathering. Nothing too fancy. Just paired down, beautiful community. We made some easy flower arrangements with eucalyptus, white hydrangeas, and a few other white blooms. The variety is so pretty and naturally gives this arrangement the wild feel that I love when it comes to florals. For drinks, we did Prosecco with strawberries. It was the perfect little treat and again, couldn’t have been simpler. One of my very favorite brands from make-up to baby products to household goods is Burt’s Bees. We use their products for so much around here. Instead of normal napkins, I sat out some of my favorite Burt’s Bees Cleansing Towelettes. I always keep them handy and they were so useful with that yummy, but sticky Nutella. All of this was a special treat. But more than the great food, pretty flowers, and fun little drinks, this night was exactly what we’d hoped. An evening where time seemed to stop and we left our worries at the door. We came together and talked late into the night. We talked about everything from our work and what inspires us to motherhood and everyday life. As I was headed home that afternoon with a car full of flowers to prepare, I was talking to my mom on the phone about the coming event. My dad asked what we were talking about and my mom whispered, “Lindsay’s hosting a little get-together for people like her.” I laughed out loud at her explanation, but she couldn’t have been more right. While we’re all different and have unique stories, sharing that creative spark and dream connects us and is life-giving. A huge thanks to my very talented and creative friend and photographer, Sophie Brendle. She’s so inspiring to me and was of course in attendance, but she is responsible for these amazing photos that captured the evening. And a huge thanks to our sweet friends Amber from Restless Arrow and Kat from August + Ren for coming, sharing, and making it a night to remember!
Jen@beautyandbedlam says September 30, 2016 at 9:45 am It looks like a fabulous evening. Such fun! I fall more in love with Greenville on every visit. Reply