Today I am SO excited to not only share a stunning bright and beautiful summer tablescape, but to also share a glimpse into the beautiful home and kitchen of today’s FH Dinner Party Series Guest, the co-founder of blog Blog Palm Beach Lately, Danielle Norcross!

Sisters and best friends Beth Aschenbach and Danielle Norcross were born, raised and currently live in the Palm Beach area with their families. Their love for their hometown combined with their complimentary personalities and passions to scout the latest fashion, home, social and travel trends sparked them to create Palm Beach’s first lifestyle blog in 2012. Their blog concept was simple: to give readers a sneak peek into the modern-day Palm Beach lifestyle through bright photography and friendly dialogue. Palm Beach Lately has grown from a start-up blog into a brand recognized around the country.

I had the opportunity to meet the founders in Palm Beach and they are just as sweet as they are talented! I am thrilled that today they shared with FH readers a glimpse into their Palm Beach Paradise!

FH: Tell me about how you came to start Palm Beach Lately.

PBL: My sister and I have always had a love for fashion, home and travel, but we had our own careers in PR/Events and Travel/Personal Concierge in Palm Beach for many years. Five years ago, an idea popped into our heads to combine our talents and create a blog that would focus on Palm Beach’s latest fashion, home and travel trends. It was a big hit from the start, and over the years we’ve been able to slowly transition into solely focusing on the blog. We love that our creative outlet inspires others and allows us to work from home and be flexible as our families grow!

FH: How would you describe your blog?  

PBL: The two most unique things about our blog are the location and our sisterhood. Palm Beach is a gorgeous and historically private destination, and we love that we get to share the most beautiful spots and latest happenings, both on and off the island. My sister and I have also always been the best of friends and that really shines through in our blog and social media. We enjoy life together and have fun growing our blog into something we are really proud of!

FH: What is your entertaining style? Traditional, Contemporary, Seasonal? 

PBL: My entertaining style is just like my fashion and home style which is a fresh, modern twist on classic Palm Beach. I love pastels like blush and pale blue, timeless patterns like stripes and gingham, and feminine touches like ruffles and scallops. I am also drawn to anything that adds sunshine to a space and combines fashion and function!

FH: How often do you entertain and for how many guests? 

PBL: My sister and I have four young kids between the two of us, so most evenings are spent combining our two families of eight people around our dinner tables (and on Sundays, it can get up to 15-20 people with our extended family members!). Back in college, my husband and I began the tradition of making home cooked meals and eating dinner together every night. We have really enjoyed watching this tradition grow as we now feed a full table of people!

FH: Do you have a go-to recipe or dish or cocktail {or do you avoid cooking at all costs}? 

PBL: My husband is an excellent and effortless cook, so many nights I default to him to quickly whip up something delicious. I knew very little about cooking until I met him, but now one of my favorite things is being his sous chef. I enjoy making appetizers, sides and desserts while he tackles the main course. For this special kick-off to summer meal, my husband made an easy but crowd-pleasing Shrimp Scampi and I made a Summer Salad, Garlic Bread and a Blueberry-Lemon Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze. To make the salad, I added fresh strawberries, raspberries and blackberries to a bowl full of spinach and topped it with goat cheese, candied nuts and a homemade dressing made of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper. The freshest foods in their most natural forms really are the tastiest!

FH: If you could give one party tip for readers what would it be? 

PBL: My one party tip for readers is to be true to you and celebrate what you love. Pick colors and pieces that make you happy and have fun experimenting with your style. Don’t feel like there is a right or wrong – from casual to fancy, simple to elaborate, the best party is the one that truly reflects the hostess!

FH: Did something inspire you for today’s table? A certain color, flower, plate? 

PBL: My inspiration for today’s tablescape came from recently celebrating our baby boy’s first birthday and also wanting to mark the start of the summer season in style. Nothing says baby boy and summer like blues and whites, so when I saw Juliska’s gorgeous blue and white dinnerware collections that you can mix and match, I was sold!

FH: What’s your favorite element in today’s tablescape? 

PBL: My favorite tablsescape element is anything that brings life to the table. I absolutely love fresh flowers, fruits and plants and am really into bringing the outdoors inside the home (you can see our new pink cabana strip awnings and window boxes in our kitchen here!). My favorite places to buy pretty stems are Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, and I just love this Tulipiere Tower by Juliska for displaying flowers!

Tabletop… we need the details!!

• Chargers: Country Estate Charger Plate
• Dinner Plates: Le Panier Blue Dinner Plate
• Salad plates: Country Estate Conservatory Dessert/Salad Plate
• Bowls: Berry and Thread Serving Bowl, Le Panier Footed Fruit Bowl, Berry and Thread Blue Ramekin
• Napkins: Heirloom Napkin
• Placemats: Straw Loop Round Placemat
• Water glasses: Arabella Small Pink Tumbler
• Wine glasses: Arabella Pink Footed Goblet
• Silverware: Bistro Gold 5-Piece Place Setting
• Servingware: Country Estate Main House Serving Platter, Le Panier Whitewash Bread Basket, Berry and Thread Glass Cake Dome, Berry and Thread Glass Cake Pedestal, Isabella Pitcher
• Vases: Country Estate Delft Blue Tulipiere Tower, Danielle Vine Floral Vase, Ming Vases and Jars
• Candlesticks: Brass Palm Taper
• Dishtowel: Stripeside Dishtowel
• Décor: Lindroth Island Tray, Pineapple Chandelier, Avondale Mirror, Leafed Clamshell
• Dining chairs: Set of 4 white kid-friendly chairs

Shop the post:

Follow the Palm Beach Lately girls on their blog and Instagram.

Photography by: Shea Christine