Welcome to the gorgeous kitchen of Meredith Timms Staggers, blogger, photo stylist and founder of Cake & Confetti. Meredith knows a thing or two about styling, whether it’s on set with amazing brands or entertaining in her own home. I was thrilled she invited us into her kitchen for a bright and airy take on Fall entertaining. Read on for an interview with Meredith and some great party tips!!
Q & A:
FH: Tell me a quick bio of how you came to start Cake & Confetti?
Meredith: I started Cake & Confetti in 2013 after falling in love with all the details while planning my wedding. For a couple years I planned weddings, corporate events and small parties like baby showers and engagement dinners while working at an advertising agency. What originally began as a fun hobby turned into my full-time job at the beginning of 2015. Not long after leaving the corporate world, I discovered I didn’t want to plan events longterm and started shifting my focus online. Since then, my business has evolved into photo styling for brands, blog, educating other creatives through consulting and my online class available on Brit + Co. I wear a lot of different hats but inspiring others to celebrate is always at the heart of everything I do.
FH: How would you describe your blog or company?
Meredith:I named Cake & Confetti after two of my party must haves! How could you not think of celebrating when you hear the words cake and confetti?! What originated as a party planning company has now transformed into a place where I share easy entertaining ideas, recipes, colorful party inspiration and a variety of things I’m inspired by.
FH: What is your entertaining style? Traditional, Contemporary, Seasonal?
Meredith: My style is a mix – contemporary and seasonal. I love the changing of the seasons but always like to put a creative spin on the expected seasonal color palette!
FH: How often do you entertain and for how many guests?
Meredith: My husband and I just finished a huge remodeling project and our first baby is due in December so we haven’t been entertaining as much recently as we normally do. But now that the house is done, I plan to entertain a ton this fall before our little girl arrives! We also have a dinner group with a dozen of our closest couple friends and we all alternate hosting the group for dinner. It’s always a good excuse to create a fun tablescape even if I end up ordering take out!
FH: Do you have a go-to recipe or dish or cocktail {or do you avoid cooking at all costs}?
Meredith: I enjoy cooking especially for guests! My favorite recipes change seasonally but I always love to serve a fun cocktail! It’s best to make a big batch ahead of time and serve in a punch bowl or pitcher. Sangria is always a crowd pleaser, and with the holidays coming up my Christmas sangria will be on repeat! Find the recipe here.
FH: Did something inspire you for today’s table?
Meredith: I was inspired by the changing of the seasons! I love how fall symbolizes bringing people together and celebrates how thankful we are for all that we have. I wanted to design a fall brunch for myself and close girlfriends before life gets crazy with the holidays and the baby arrives! I asked my talented friend, Meg Grant to create a sign using the quote “Gather here with grateful hearts” to serve as the focal point to the food display instead of menu signage. For food I made fig chia seed pudding parfaits, mini cranberry orange scones, pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls, spinach and butternut squash mini quiches. Each person took home a wooden berry basket full of apple cider donuts tied with a cotton bow.
FH: What’s your favorite element in today’s tablescape? Can you share with readers tips for re-creating at home!
Meredith: I love how the flowers turned out. I wanted to balance the rich fall colors with blush pink to tie in the plates. I used two different shades of dahilas, berries, orange Chinese lanterns, button mums and blush stock as the basis of the arrangement. To recreate at home, you’ll cut a piece of soaked floral foam to fit the vase then cover the whole surface area of the foam with greenery pieces at least 4 inches long. This will make the arrangement full so you don’t have to use as many flowers and create the lose look.
FH: If you could give one party tip for readers what would it be?
Meredith: Choose one statement piece and build the rest of the table around it. Whether it’s a bold plate like I chose, statement glassware or an over the top floral arrangement, you don’t want to have too many “wow” pieces competing!
FH: Table top… Share all the deets!!
- Plates: World Market
- Salad Plates: West Elm
- Napkins: Pottery Barn
- Champagne Flutes: World Market
- Silverware: One Kings Lane
- Centerpieces/ Vases/ Candle sticks: CB2
- Wooden sign for the food display and copper placecards: http://www.meggrantco.com/
Home location: Houston, TX
Shop the post:
Photography by Ailee Petrovic snapshotsbyaileepetrovic.com
Shop Fashionable Hostess Favorites
