31+ Recipes to Cook in August

It’s the last full month of summer and we have some of the yummiest recipes to make this month. The recipe collection below pulls from our most popular recipes for this time of year. There’s a mix of summertime drinks, game-day appetizers, back-to-school snacks, easy family dinners, dinners for summer entertaining, and even some bake sale ideas too! There’s a recipe to make every day this month – take your pick!

August produce is at its absolute peak—juicy peaches, bright berries, sun‑sweet tomatoes, golden corn, zucchini, and every herb in sight. The farmer’s markets are overflowing, and I can’t help but get excited to cook (and bake!) with all that color and flavor.

But August always feels a little bittersweet. Part of me never wants these warm, lazy days to end. But at the same time, as we inch closer to September, we head into fall, the best time of year!

Behind the scenes we’re already deep in fall prep, and with back‑to‑school season and football on the horizon, my brain flips to “tailgate and quick‑dinner” mode: homemade French‑toast sticks for breakfast on the go, family‑style casseroles for busy evenings, and peach dump cake on repeat (trust me, everyone loves it!).

There are some real gems in this collection. Scroll down for 31 recipes to cook in August, then let me know: what’s first on your list? I can’t wait to see what you make!

Looking ahead, what recipes would you like me to share this month?

drinks/appetizers

Peach Thyme Smash

Frozen Peach Rosé Slushy

Peach Burrata Parmesan Crostini with Hot Honey

Tomato Burrata Pepperoni Pizza Dip

Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Fritters

Iced Brown Sugar Latte with Shaken Espresso

dinners

Zucchini Cheddar Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Souvlaki Rice Pilaf

Tomato Peach Chicken Salad

Sheet Pan Steak and Chipotle Corn Tacos

Tomato Cheese Pie

6 Ingredient Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup

Rosemary Peach Chicken in a White Wine Pan Sauce

Saucy Coconut Curry with Rice Noodles and Garden Vegetables

Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder

Spicy Pesto and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Involtini

Better Than Takeout Thai Drunken Noodles

Souper Creamy Lemon Butter Cheesy Zucchini Orzo

Cheesy Zucchini Chicken and Rice Bake

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole

Sheet Pan Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Tacos

One Pot Lemon Basil, Corn, and Ricotta Pasta

Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp

Instant Pot BBQ Beer Pulled Chicken Tacos

Super Easy Homemade Cheesy Spaghetti O’s

20 Minute Korean Beef Sesame Noodles

Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Zucchini

One Skillet Street Corn Chicken Enchilada Bake

One Pan Chipotle Honey Chicken and Rice

Street Corn Pasta Salad

One Pan Herb Butter Chicken and Zucchini Rice Pilaf

Crockpot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken

White Chicken Chili Corn Chowder

something sweet

Cinnamon Crunch Peach Muffin Bread

Blender Zucchini Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

Caramel Peach Dump Cake

Cinnamon Crunch Peach Muffin Bread

Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart Bars

Toasted Marshmallow Brown Sugar Cookie Bars

Cinnamon Crunch Quick Bread

Peach Ricotta Layer Cake with Browned Butter Buttercream

Sneaky Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Coconut Bread

Peaches and Cream Pretzel Pie

No Churn Minted White Chocolate Swirled Ice Cream

Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Swirled Blackberry Lavender Sheet Cake

Brown Butter Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Baked Strawberry Glazed Doughnut

Blender Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Zucchini Muffin

Lastly, if you make these 31 Recipes To Cook In August, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Smashed Burrata with Jam and Pistachios
This might be the easiest appetizer you’ll make all summer. Creamy burrata cheese, smashed and swirled with sweet jam, then topped with salty pistachios. It takes just 5 minutes to pull together, but it’s the kind of effortless dish that feels thoughtful and elevated—perfect for summer entertaining!

Serve it with toasted ciabatta, crackers, or even pretzels (which I personally love here). I use fig jam, but a farm-stand peach jam would be equally delicious. Either way, it’s a win. This is one of those crowd-pleasers you’ll keep coming back to.

Lately, I’ve been in my entertaining era—channeling my Nonnie, who was truly a pro at effortless gatherings. Whether it was a last-minute get-together or something more planned out, her parties always felt special. She had a gift for creating a beautiful atmosphere without spending days in the kitchen.

One thing she always did well? A simple but delicious menu that allowed her to enjoy the night, especially during the summer months. She’d start things off with a couple of appetizers, a great cheese board, plenty of wine, and something to nibble on with drinks. It was easy—but felt like so much more.

This burrata appetizer is something I know she’d approve of. It’s just four ingredients (five if we’re counting the olive oil drizzle), no cooking required. Just plate it up, make it pretty, and serve. Your guests will love it—and you’ll love how easy it is!

These are the details 

Ingredients 

• burrata cheese – make sure this is a room temperature for best flavor
• fig jam/preserves – I love using a fig jam, but peach jam would be delicious as well. You could add a light drizzle of honey too, for additional sweetness 
• salted pistachios – currently my favorite nut!
• olive oil, just a drizzle at the end
• fresh basil – or use thyme, or both! I love basil most 

Special Tools 

Nothing. Just a pretty serving plate or shallow bowl is all you need.

Steps 

Step 1: The burrata

As mentioned, bring the cheese to room temperature. I can’t say this enough—cheese is best when it’s not cold and has the most flavor. I like to pull the burrata out of the fridge about an hour, or even two, before serving.

Arrange the balls of burrata on your favorite serving plate. Then, take a spoon and use the edge to gently smash the cheese.

Step 2: Add the jam + pistachios

Next, swirl the jam into and around the smashed burrata. Now top with those salted pistachios.

Serve

Told you this would be easy. Now it’s time to serve!

You can drizzle with olive oil—or skip it. Just a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and black pepper is ideal. I love to finish it with a fresh herb for a pop of color—basil is my go-to.

Serve with toasted ciabatta, your favorite crackers, or even just pretzels (they’re surprisingly perfect here!).

Looking for more easy apps? Here are some favorites:

Easy Cheesy Soft Pretzel Bites

Sweet and Spicy Seasoned Crackers

How to Make an Easy Holiday Cheese Board

3 Ingredient Cheesy Pizza Pretzels

Caprese Burrata Garlic Bread

Lastly, if you make this Smashed Burrata with Jam and Pistachios, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Easy All-American 4th of July Party Menu
Sharing my ultimate 4th of July party menu—plus simple entertaining tips and tricks to make your summer gathering the best one yet! Below you’ll find a festive and effortless menu with cocktails (and mocktails!), fun appetizers, fresh summer salads, and my favorite go-to summer desserts. This menu is meant to be fun and easy—exactly what we’re all craving this time of year!

I’m so excited to be bringing you another entertaining post—this time with easy ideas and recipes for your 4th of July celebrations. Can you believe it’s just a week away?

Since the 4th is truly the summer holiday, I wanted to keep things super relaxed and festive. Instead of a sit-down dinner, I’ve created a menu filled with party-ready drinks, apps, summery salads, and sweet treats—everything that’s easy to prep and easy to enjoy. I had the best time putting this one together!

The Party – An All-American 4th of July

invites

I use Canva to create digital invites. It’s so easy and they have amazing templates, plus so many are free! You can access my template here and edit it for your party. 

drinks

Spicy Pickle Margarita (with or without alcohol) – sharing soon!

Frosted Watermelon Rosemary Frosé

Make the Drinks Ahead of Time
Both drinks can be prepped in advance to make your life easier. The margarita can be mixed up ahead and stored in the fridge—just pour over ice when you’re ready to serve. The Watermelon Frosé is also make-ahead friendly! Blend it up and stash it in the freezer. Just give it a quick spin in the blender before serving, then pour it pitcher-style for easy pouring.

Keep It Cool
It’s the 4th of July—it’s going to be hot (and hopefully sunny!). Be sure to set out coolers or big buckets filled with ice and stocked with drinks. Think sparkling waters, seltzers, beers—whatever you and your guests love.

Want to Make It Even Easier?
Skip the mixing and simply offer a variety of beers, red, white, and rosé wines, and a mix of fun seltzers. Or keep things chill and low-key by going with a big-batch summer sangria! There’s also this fun punch (try swapping the cider for watermelon or peach juice and the apple butter for peach jam—that sounds so good!).

appetizers/snacks

mini cheeseburger sliders (use warm trays or a hot plate to keep them warm)

Watermelon Stars with Strawberries and Feta

Mexican Street Corn Dip (serve with 2-3 bowls of tortilla chips arranged around the dip)

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata (serve with crackers/crostini)

Charcuterie Board (use summer fruits/jams) 

Tip: You can prep all of these yourself—or make it easy and assign each guest an appetizer to bring. If you are making everything, prepare as much as possible ahead of time so you’re not stuck in the kitchen during the party. That way your 4th of July can be stress-free and fun!

Add to the Menu: Ask guests to bring their favorite summer appetizer to help bulk up the menu. It’s always fun to try something new—and bonus, it gives you fresh recipe ideas!

dessert

Nonnie’s 6 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake

Holiday Chex Mix (use red, white, and blue M&M’s)

assorted mini pies – from a local bakery 

assorted cookies – from a local bakery 

My Best Advice: Don’t feel like you need to make everything from scratch—pick up a few fun desserts from your local bakery or market. I grabbed mini pies and cookies from Round Swamp Farm in the Hamptons and they were a hit!

Add to the Menu: Stock a cooler (or your freezer) with frozen treats like ice cream bars, popsicles, and ice cream sandwiches. It’s festive, nostalgic, and so easy!

Another Fun Idea: Set up a DIY s’mores bar with graham crackers, marshmallows, classic Hershey’s chocolate, and a few fun toppings or spreads. It’s a very 4th of July moment!

Or: Bake a batch of this week’s Toasted Marshmallow K-Bars—they’re a cozy crowd-pleaser and super easy to prep ahead.

Party Favors

I picked up assorted jams and cookies for guests to take home. Keep the cookies fresh by placing each cookie in a cookie bag sealed with cute paper clips or ribbon.

Set the Table

pulled the pieces I used + additional pieces I love!

serving

What to Wear

Keep it casual and have fun. The 4th of July is not meant to be overdone! Some ideas for you below!

Photos by Kelsey Cherry

Lastly, if you’ve enjoy this Easy All American 4th of July Party Menu, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make any of these recipes, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Cheeseburger Slider Skewers – the ultimate fun party bite! These mini cheeseburgers are layered on skewers with sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, then served with a drizzle (or dip!) of my favorite special sauce. They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and perfect for laid-back summer entertaining—from the 4th of July through football season. Guests will be obsessed with these adorable sliders!

How cute are these?! I’m so excited to start sharing some fun 4th of July recipes with you all, and these cheeseburger skewers are kicking things off! I made them for our 4th of July party spread, and they were such a hit—simple, tasty, and just really fun.

When I was thinking about what to serve this year, I knew burgers had to be on the menu. But instead of going the traditional route, I wanted something easy to eat, easy to prep, and totally crowd-friendly. For me, a good burger is all about quality meat, melty cheese, and a great sauce—nothing too fussy.

That’s how these skewers came to be. Mini cheeseburgers, stacked up with slider buns, cheese, and classic toppings, all threaded onto skewers for the cutest, most delicious little bite.

The best part? This recipe is more of an idea—a starting point you can build on. Use the base and make it your own! Add bacon, caramelized onions, jalapeños, or keep it simple like I do. Either way, your guests are guaranteed to love them.

Just don’t skimp on the cheese or the sauce—those are always everyone’s favorite part!

These are the details

Ingredients – for the sliders

• ground beef, chicken, or turkey – I usually use ground beef
• worcestershire sauce
• onion powder/garlic powder/smoked paprika
• slider bunes
• sharp cheddar cheese slices
• dill pickles
• plum tomatoes
• luttuce

Ingredients – for the house sauce

• mayo
• ketchup
• dill pickles
• worcestershire sauce
• hot sauce
• garlic

Special Tools

For these sliders, you’ll need a grill or grill pan and wooden or metal skewers.

Steps

Step 1: Make the Patties

Start with good-quality ground meat—beef, chicken, or turkey all work great, so use what you love. Season the meat with Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Form into mini burger patties, about the size of a cookie. You’ll want them small enough to stack on a skewer but thick enough to stay juicy when grilled.

Step 2: Grill the Burgers

Grill the patties over medium heat. Once you flip them, immediately add a small slice of cheddar cheese to each one and let it melt as they finish cooking. Because they’re mini, they only need about 3–4 minutes per side.

Step 3: Make the House Sauce

For my go-to “house sauce,” mix together mayo, ketchup, chopped dill pickles, Worcestershire sauce, a splash of hot sauce, and a little grated garlic.

It’s creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy—perfect for drizzling over the skewers or serving on the side for dipping.

Step 4: Build the Skewers

There’s no strict order here, but here’s how I like to layer them: start with the bottom bun, then a cheeseburger, followed by lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes. Then repeat the stack—cheeseburger, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes—and finish with a top bun.

If you’re making a full batch of 24 skewers, stick to this layering pattern for consistency and a great presentation.

Finish each skewer with a drizzle of the house sauce (or serve it on the side), and don’t forget the ketchup too!

How to Serve and Keep Warm

You can easily prep the patties 1–2 days in advance. Just shape them, then store them raw in the fridge. When you’re ready to grill, take them out about an hour ahead of time so they come to room temperature before cooking—this helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.

Once the skewers are assembled, keep them warm by serving from a hot tray or warming plate. For casual backyard BBQs, a disposable buffet set works great. If you have access to an outlet, I highly recommend investing in an electric warming tray. I have one myself and pull it out every Thanksgiving and Christmas—it’s compact, easy to store, and so useful for keeping things hot without drying them out.

I’m excited to share the rest of our 4th of July menu tomorrow—so stay tuned! It’s festive, simple, and such a fun spread to pull together!

Photos by Kelsey Cherry

Looking for other summer recipes? Here are a few.

Chopped Buffalo Chicken Skewer Salad

Smashed Cucumber and Watermelon Feta Salad

Chipotle Pineapple Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Grilled Caprese Pesto Chicken Skewers

Jalapeño Pepper Jack Cheeseburger Sliders

Lastly, if you make these easy Cheeseburger Slider Skewers, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Red, white, and barbecue! Chef Emily Susman sat down with ET to share her 4th of July party essentials while celebrating the launch of her new Emma Claire’s Kitchen [Not So] Simple Spices designed to make summer dishes uncomplicated. 

“The Fiesta Blend, Zen Blend, and Mediterranean Blend are perfect for summer BBQs and 4th of July celebrations because they take the guesswork out of seasoning,” she notes.

“Each one was created to make cooking flavorful, easy, and approachable using just one spice. All the blends start with my original mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dry mustard, and are elevated with clean ingredients,” Susman continues.

Once you have your seasoning, you can enliven everything from roasted veggies, grilled meats, soups, salads, and snacks.

“Sprinkle the Fiesta Blend over grilled corn with butter and lime for an instant flavor bomb or mix into ground beef or turkey for burgers with a Tex-Mex twist. Use the Zen Blend for Asian-inspired BBQ sides like grilled bok choy, eggplant, or zucchini. The Mediterranean Blend is incredible on lamb or beef kabobs, grilled pita bread, or even tossed into a fresh cucumber-tomato salad with olive oil and lemon. Finally, my secret to the perfect hamburger and tater tots is the Original Blend,” the cook shares.

After solidifying your menu options, Susman recommends incorporating special touches to your bash.

“For the 4th of July, I love blending casual comfort with elevated details. … Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a dressed-up dinner party, create an atmosphere that feels warm, welcoming, and easy to enjoy. It doesn’t have to be over the top to be memorable. … String lights, throw blankets, citronella candles in pretty jars to keep it stylish and mosquito-free, simple floral arrangements, and a great playlist go a long way,” she explains.

The Get Stuffed author also suggests setting up DIY stations to keep guests entertained throughout the evening.

“People love to graze and serve themselves. … It keeps things flowing and takes pressure off you to serve everyone. Create a spice your-own snack station where guests can mix their own seasoning combos onto bowls of plain popcorn or kettle chips, or set up an elevated condiment tray beyond ketchup and mustard and include small bowls of herbed aioli, spicy mayo, chimichurri, or tzatziki.”

And to get into the spirit of the holiday, a cute colored theme will do the trick.

“A DIY drink station with festive red, white, and blue garnishes including fresh berries, herbs, and citrus keeps things interactive and fun, or mini berry trifles in mason jars, red velvet cupcakes with sparklers, or ice cream sandwiches rolled in festive sprinkles are a playful and fun way to end the night,” the entrepreneur says.

Regardless of what you choose, the goal is to make attendees feel at home.

“The best hosts make their guests feel seen, relaxed, and well-fed. … Entertaining should feel like a warm hug. If people leave smiling, full, and inspired to cook, then you’ve truly captured the magic,” she says.

RELATED CONTENT:

Summer Cookbook Dinner Club Party Menu – summer entertaining is officially here! And the latest dinner party trend for summer 2025? Girls’ night Cookbook Club dinners!

Below, I’m sharing a complete summer dinner party menu featuring favorite recipes from all four HBH cookbooks. Think seasonal drinks, crowd-pleasing appetizers, vibrant mains, summery sides, and of course… dessert! It’s the ultimate potluck-style menu — perfect for hosting a relaxed, flavorful night with friends.

I’m so excited to share our first-ever entertaining post! One of my goals this summer is to create more long-format content around gatherings and menus — and so many of you have asked for exactly this.

One trend I’ve been seeing all over social lately is Cookbook Club dinner parties — and I love it. I’ve been tagged in so many posts where you’re cooking from all four HBH cookbooks. It’s such a fun concept, and I’ve loved being a part of your cozy nights with friends.

A couple of weeks ago, my cousin Maggie hosted her own cookbook club dinner — they went with a Mexican theme using only HBH recipes. It was so fun and totally inspired me.

So, I pulled together my own Cookbook Club dinner party menu — and today, I get to share it with you! I had the best time creating and shooting this story, and I hope it inspires your own summer get-together.

The Details 

Location: The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida

The Cookbook: all 4 HBH Cookbooks, The HBH Cookbook, Super Simple, Every Day, and Quick and Cozy

The Party: a summer potluck dinner with friends

The Menu

Party Prep

To start planning your party, first choose the cookbook — or cookbooks — you want to feature, then build the menu. The idea is simple: each guest brings a dish from one of the books. This helps take the stress and workload off you, the host.

For today’s party, we’re using recipes from all four of my cookbooks: The Half Baked Harvest Cookbook, Super Simple, Every Day, and Quick and Cozy.. You can either handpick the recipes yourself and assign them to your guests, or let each guest choose one or two dishes they’d like to bring.

I recommend assigning everyone a course — appetizers, mains, salads, or desserts — to make sure everything’s covered. Keep the drinks for yourself as the host, so you can greet guests with something fun to sip when they arrive.

For our party, here’s what we served:

• Drinks: Creamy Coconut Mojito and Pomegranate Thyme Spritz

• Appetizers & Sides: Whipped Goat Cheese Dip, Summer Melon Salad, Grilled Corn and Basil Salad, Dad’s Pasta Salad

• Mains: Parmesan Pizza, Sheet Pan Mahi Mahi with Herby Potatoes

• Desserts: Summer Blueberry Peach Cobbler and Strawberry Rye Shortcakes

Set The Table

Next up: the table! This is your chance to set the scene and bring everything together.

For our dinner, I created two separate tables — one for displaying all the dishes potluck-style, and another for everyone to sit down and enjoy the meal together.

Having a designated food table keeps things organized and makes it easy for guests to help themselves, while the dining table sets the mood for a relaxed, shared experience.

cocktails glasses

barware

the tablescape

Cocktail Hour First 

Start things off with cocktails! As the host, I recommend preparing one or two signature drinks ahead of time. It’s also a good idea to have bottles of both white and red wine on hand, plus a few non-alcoholic options as well.

If you know some of your guests love a mocktail, consider making at least one of your cocktails without alcohol — or offer a version that can easily be served both ways.

For our party, I made a pitcher of Creamy Coconut Mojitos from Quick and Cozy, and a refreshing Pomegranate Spritz from Super Simple.

Tip: Choose cocktails that can be made in advance and served pitcher-style. Just like with any party, you don’t want to be stuck playing bartender all night — prep ahead so you can enjoy the fun too.

Coconut Mojito 

Pomegranate Spritz 

Whipped Goat Cheese Dip 

Basil Corn Salad

Summer Melon Salad

Dinner Next

Now for the main event — dinner!

Prepare your buffet table and lay out all the dishes so guests can help themselves and sample a little bit of everything. It keeps things casual, interactive, and stress-free.

Tip: Add a fun personal touch by labeling each dish along with the name of the guest who made it. At the end of the night, invite everyone to share their favorite dish or recipe — it’s a great way to spark conversation and celebrate everyone’s contributions!

Recipes: 

Dad’s Pasta Salad 

Parmesan Pizza

Sheet Pan Mahi Mahi

Onto Dessert

Dessert is always important — it’s the sweet finish to the night!

Once dinner winds down, clear the table and invite everyone to help. Then set out the desserts, or if you have the space, create a dedicated dessert table. Even a simple folding table dressed up with a pretty tablecloth works beautifully.

For our party, we made individual berry cobblers from Quick and Cozy and strawberry shortcakes from Every Day — both were big hits!

Tip: Be sure to include at least one single-serve dessert. We went with mini cobblers, but cookies, cupcakes, or mini pies all work well. Plus, they double as a cute take-home treat for guests!

tableclothes

Recipes: 

Strawberry Rye Shortcakes

Cobbler

Party Favors! 

Party favors are totally optional, but I think they’re such a sweet, personal touch — and a fun way to end the night!

To fit the vibe of the evening, Asher and I found the cutest jelly Hermès-lookalike bags at a boutique on Worth Avenue. They were the perfect size to fill with a handful of my favorite Goop products — very on theme, especially since we shot this story in the Goop Villa!

Tip: Bake an extra batch of cookies, or pick up something sweet from the store. Package it up in a cute bag or box, and send guests home with a treat. I love ending the night by giving everyone something sweet to take with them — it’s a small but thoughtful gesture.

Discount: Goop is offering 15% off all Goop Beauty products to our HBH community with the code TIEGHAN15. Enjoy! 

the mini jelly bags

the Goop products 

Our Location Details 

And lastly, a huge shoutout to The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach! We shot this story in their Goop Villa and around the hotel grounds — it was the perfect setting for a summer dinner party.

Of course, you can absolutely host a party like this at home. But for me, it was really special to return to a place that holds so many memories with my Nonnie — the person who inspired my love for entertaining, cooking, and creating a warm, welcoming home for everyone who walks through the door.

Nonnie and I used to come to Palm Beach all the time. We’d spend the day shopping, then stop by The Colony for lunch or dinner. This was my first time actually staying at the hotel, and they were the most gracious hosts. I stayed in the beautiful Goop Villa, which was just as cute as you’d imagine — and it was the perfect home base for me, Asher, and my sister. Yes, as you may have noticed in a few photos, Asher joined me for this shoot! One of the perks of creating something just for our site — I get to shape the shoot my way. Having her there made this trip even more special.

We shot the story in the kitchen and living room of the Goop Villa, lounged with cocktails by the hotel pool, and wandered through the lush gardens. We grabbed breakfast each morning from their adorable coffee shop and had a girls’ dinner at Swifty’s, the hotel’s iconic restaurant. It truly was the perfect spot for this story — I just wish Nonnie could have been there with us.

A big thank you!

To The Colony Hotel! I can’t wait to go back — Asher and I didn’t have time for the spa this trip, but it’s definitely on our list for next time. Oh, and don’t miss their gift shop — it’s so cute.

That’s all for this dinner party! This was such a fun one to create. I’d love to hear your thoughts — would you like to see more stories like this? Let me know how I can make them even more helpful, and what details you’d love to see included in future entertaining posts.

Next up: the 4th of July!

Shoot Producer/Planner: Ashleigh Amoroso & I
Photography: Kristen Kilpatrick