Home for the Holidays: Entertaining with Leslie Lehr

October 26, 2022 Makenzi Hogan

‘Tis (almost) the season to celebrate the holidays, and entertaining from home always feels the most festive. To help you prepare to host holiday gatherings our Lifestyle Contributor, Leslie Lehr of the eponymous Leslie Lehr Living shared her expertise.

Like her approach to life, Leslie’s entertaining style is informed by a “live more with less” mentality. And her tips for hosting a merry and bright gathering reflect that ethos. Expect thoughtful selections to elevate your go-to tabletop pieces for festive flair, helpful hints, and insider information on entertaining like a pro in the Valley.

Hester & Cook Gray + Gold Marbled Placemats from urbAna pair well with heirloom china while keeping the setting approachable and family-friendly. The Hester & Cook Banner Place Cards add a touch of whimsy while allowing you to arrange your guests intentionally.

Live more with less by utilizing your existing collection of existing collection of china, flatware, and glassware and adding pizazz through thoughtfully selected seasonal additions. This allows you to maximize the mileage on your investment pieces, while indulging in holiday decor. If you’re ready to upgrade your china or invest in an heirloom-quality set, Valerianne’s is a must visit. With a selection of the world’s most beautiful serve ware, fine linens, silver, crystal, decor, and more, Valerianne’s is the discerning host’s secret weapon. Not sure where to start? Leslie recommends the following to start or add to your collection: Simon Pearce for glassware and pottery; Vista Alegre for porcelain, china, glass, and crystal goods; Vietre for dinnerware; Mattock for napkins and table linens.

Mixing and matching timeless entertaining pieces with pops of paper pizazz is a simple yet gorgeous way to keep entertaining stress free. urbAna has an extensive selection of beautiful paper options from Hester & Cook, Sophistiplate, VIETRI, SWISS design, and LUXE PARTY including elements like table runners, place cards, disposable table linens, plates, and more. Expertly curated, urbAna’s selection of paper goods work beautifully on their and play well with fine china, and this playful strategy will elevate your entertaining heirlooms while ensuring little ones and clumsy family members feel at ease. Bonus points for stress-free al fresco dining!

Above, Leslie used the following, which are available in-store…. Hester & Cook Gray + Gold Marbled Placemats, Hester & Cook Banner Place Cards, Hester & Cook Striped Table Runner, Sophistiplate Blue & White Collection.

Tap local experts. From wine and spirits to world class catering, the Valley offers a wealth of entertaining pro’s that will make your evening feel effortless. And before any party, a visit to The Wine Store at Tarbell’s is a must. With an incredible selection of stunning wines and knowledgable and friendly staff, you'll find the perfect pairings for your meal, whether you’ve chosen to cook or cater with Tarbell’s catering service. For extra ease, Tarbell’s offers wine, beer, and spirits for pick-up and delivery.

On that note, Tarbell’s Catering is a truly memorable experience for holiday entertaining. For elegant affairs, enjoy a seated, coursed dinner prepared by their world-class chefs and served by a butler in the comfort of your own home. For a more casual evening Tarbell's buffet style service is a delightful way to experience their award-winning cuisine and hospitality. Your guests will rave about the meal, and you’ll be pleased with cleanup - or lack thereof!

Talent as a chef is no prerequisite for entertaining. For those who prefer to leave the cooking to the experts, Benedict’s Catering & Events for Thanksgiving is a must. One of the catering services in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the Phoenix metropolitan area, Benedict’s is tapped by corporate and private clients alike. They’re known for exquisite ability to mix the art of presentation, delicious food, and discerning details to help you execute an effortless evening. And Benedict’s “Thanksgiving Made Simple” is back by popular demand for another year. All sides are prepped and available for pick-up in aluminum foil pans (no pots or pans to wash!) and need only be warmed. Turkeys are are also prepped in disposable aluminum foil pans, rubbed with herb butter, and ready to be popped into the oven!

Benedict’s Thanksgiving offerings are as prolific as they are delicious. To help you narrow down your selections, Leslie shared her favorites…. P.S. You can also order delicious cocktail mixers for pick-up!

Pick up your fully prepped meal with heating instructions Wednesday, November 23rd from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at Benedict’s Café (5555 E Bell Road, #6, Scottsdale, AZ).

*Camelback Flowershop’s Cider Mason Jar.*

*Camelback Flowershop’s Sonoran Sunset.*

Zhush your home with the season’s bounty. Whether you opt for seasonal greens or autumn blooms, incorporating natural elements is an easy way to honor the season and elevate your home for the evening. Local favorites include Camelback Flowershop and Flowers By Mel. Both offer artful arrangements to satisfy any aesthetic and will bring seasonal cheer long after your guests have left. Leslie loves Camelback Flowershop for their inventive designs and Flowers By Mel for their approachable, fun ethos.

Camelback Flowershop creates the most stunning seasonal arrangements - and their Fall Flowers are no exception. To help you narrow down your tablescape selection from their truly exceptional lineup, Leslie recommends the following, which she’ll be ordering throughout the season:

Sonoran Sunset: A collection of sunflowers, burgundy dahlias, and seasonal blooms available in three sizes. It’s a happy, feminine arrangement perfect for the center of your table.

Desert Moon: A design inspired by crips days in the desert, featuring pops of peach roses balanced by soft pastels, white ranunculus, orange dahlias, and a mix of greenery. Available in two sizes, this is a whimsical option that will make a lovely statement on your table.

Cider Mason Jar: A petite arrangement featuring hydrangea, magnolia leaves, and a touch of unique parrot tulips that’s available in three sizes, making it a lovely choice for parsing across your table.

Seasonal florals make for a great hostess gift and it’s best never to arrive empty-handed. Leslie turns to her friend, Flowers by Mel, for unique florals that make delightful gifts and/or holiday arrangements. Camelback Flowershop is also an excellent choice for hostess gifts, as their Gift Box Collection is a darling way to say “thank you” for a special evening. Or a little treat-yourself moment.

Embrace the whimsy of holiday spirit with the help of Cornelia Park. The premier purveyor of Mackenzie-Childs, Cornelia Park is the destination for incorporating playful heirloom pieces. And the holidays are the perfect excuse to add to your collection - intentionally, of course. Leslie’s holiday favorites include the following: Juliska Bamboo Plates & Flatware, Lori Mitchell Hanukkah Figures, and The Mackenzie - Childs Royal Check Collection. Undoubtedly a visit to Cornelia Park will get you in the festive spirit essential for effortless entertaining!

For more effortless entertaining tips and tricks, follow along with Leslie Lehr on Instagram. There you’ll find additional inspiration hosting and living well, no matter the season. Don’t forget to tell her - and our Scouted hosting experts and resources - Scout sent you!

39 Patterned Pieces to Add Punch to Your Tablescape

July 25, 2022 Makenzi Hogan

Originally published by THE SCOUT GUIDE on July 19th, 2022

Dinner parties are back, and whether you’re dining alfresco this summer or planning for autumnal feasts, we’re excited to set the table again. From placemats to vases, and everything in between, add interest to your next soiree or family dinner with this collection of patterned tabletop elements from scouted boutiques across the country. First up? Local finds, of course. To find a scouted tabletop shop near you, browse The Scout Guide Directory.

LOCAL FINDS

BERRY & THREAD FLORAL SKETCH JASMINE MUG // Available for purchase online from Cornelia Park in Phoenix, Arizona.

PINK PEONIES DISH // Available for purchase from Valerianne of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. To purchase: 480.946.8772.

Experts' Guide to Decorating With Holiday Greenery

November 30, 2021 Makenzi Hogan

*Design by Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens. Photography courtesy of Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens.*

Originally published by The Scout Guide on November 30, 2021

Fresh, fragrant, and festive, greenery is a holiday classic that can be incorporated throughout the home in a multitude of ways, always to charming effect. Recently, we asked four scouted florists and garden experts from across the country to share advice on how to best decorate with and care for these organic elements. From swags and branches to wreaths and paper whites, here they share tips and recommendations for adding welcoming touches to all areas of your home this winter.

Make a good—and consistent—first impression. Jon Carloftis, owner of Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens in Lexington, Kentucky, likes to decorate strategic spots that lead up to the house, and keeps consistency in mind when selecting elements to create a cohesive look. He recommends beginning by placing a natural wreath made of the evergreen of your choice wherever visitors enter your property to welcome them. Next, he suggests putting fresh branches in urns or containers up the front walk. He then recommends placing another set of containers that mirrors the walkway containers on either side of your door. Finally, place the same wreath you used at the property’s entry point on the front door. “It’s all about continuity where everything works together, through color and texture,” he explains. “Start a ‘story’ from the moment your guests—or you—enter and keep it going.”

*Styling by Helen Olivia Florals.* *Interior design by Kelley Proxmire. Photography by Traditional Home Magazine.*

Opt for simplicity. It can be tempting to embrace all of the different greenery and holiday décor options available, but Rachel Gang, owner of Helen Olivia Florals in Alexandria, Virginia, finds that the best designs have a few carefully selected elements and colors repeated throughout. For example, when decorating the mantel shown above, she utilized just two colors—white and gold—and introduced a few different styles of ornaments and ribbon, all of which complement the room’s existing décor, for interest. She also looks for longevity in her greenery. For the mantel she tends to use hardy firs and cedar, both for their beauty and their staying power; though gorgeous, she finds magnolia and boxwood quickly show their age.

Don’t forget to window dress. Windows and mirrors are excellent backdrops for natural greens. The reflected light around a wreath hung on a mirror can make for a magical look, while greens draped around the frame bring a lovely festive touch. When it comes to windows, wreaths can bring a lovely sense of warmth and coziness; to keep the look clean, Gang suspends wreaths in front of windows by looping ribbon over the curtain rod. If you don’t have a curtain rod, she finds that study suction hooks work best.

*Styling by Styling The New West. Photography courtesy of Styling The New West.*

Embrace the beauty of bulbs. “I love paper whites because they start the season off,” Jill King, founder of Styling the New West in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and editor of The Scout Guide Jackson Hole and The Scout Guide Bozeman, shares. “You can start decorating with them around Thanksgiving, and then they take three to four weeks to bloom.” They require little maintenance (just be sure to keep the water level below the base of the bulbs) and can be grown with or without soil, and in regular pots or glass vessels depending on your style preference. While just as lovely placed throughout the home in solo pots, King like to utilize them on her mantel, placing three to four bulbs in a large antique container, and then single bulbs in other matching containers to create a grouping. She adds in white amaryllis to keep things interesting, and to create a cohesive look, weaves greenery around each of the vessels as a finishing touch.

*Styling by Camelback Flower Shop. Photography courtesy of Camelback Flower Shop.*

Branch out. The beauty and simplicity of decorating with seasonal branches always makes for an appealing approach to holiday decorating, says Teresa Wilson, owner of Camelback Flowershop in Phoenix, Arizona. For the entryway and throughout the home, she likes to incorporate deep green and fragrant cedar branches, classic magnolia branches, and winter berries, opting for vessels with some height, such as a tall cylinder vase or a large olive pot. When making these arrangements, Wilson recommends embracing the natural whimsy of branches, allowing them to fall where they may and working branch by branch until you have the height and fullness you’re looking for. While durable, branches require a good amount of water, so Wilson recommends changing it out every few days.

TSG Tip 408 from on Jon Carloftis, owner of Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens in Lexington, Kentucky; Rachel Gang, owner of Helen Oliva Florals in Alexandria, Virginia; Jill King, founder of Styling the New West, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Teresa Wilson, owner of Camelback Flowershop in Phoenix, Arizona. Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens appears in The Scout Guide Lexington. Helen Oliva Florals appears in The Scout Guide Alexandria. Styling the New West appears in The Scout Guide Jackson Hole. Camelback Flowershop appears in The Scout Guide Phoenix & Scottsdale.