We have begun a collaboration with Anna Louise Dixon through her Instagram page “Designed by Dixon.” Anna Louise is a tastemaker, interior decorator and longtime customer of Beatriz Ball.
As an influencer and mom of a young son, she presents relevant and relatable design, style and life with a refreshing dose of reality and a contagious sense of enjoyment.
Anna Louise planned a “mom’s night out” wine and cheese party and shares her tips on making it easy to plan and execute using our stylish, lasting and easy to clean serving and tableware. We hope you enjoy!
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HOSTING A FALL WINE AND CHEESE PARTY WITH BEATRIZ BALL
by Anna Louise Dixon of Designed By Dixon
I’ve been a fan of Beatriz Ball ever since I registered and received several products as wedding gifts. It’s hard to believe that was 14 years ago, but their products are beautiful, durable, and always elegant at any gathering–whether I’m loading them up and taking to a friends house to host a shower or engagement party or a simple gathering of a few close friends at home. It should come as no surprise that I leaned on several gorgeous Beatriz Ball items to host my fall wine and cheese party.
all purpose acrylic glass | scallop tray | similar leopard dress | earrings
use code DIXON20 for discount at Beatriz Ball
Tray Chic for Charcuterie
Charcuterie boards are the ultimate girl dinner and why I love preparing them for gatherings with friends–it’s a snackified dinner. However, I’m not a fan of an actual board to serve them. Grapes and berries roll off; a trail of nuts fall off; cheese crumbs surround the board on the table. I much prefer using a large, beautiful tray to corral tidbits and nibbles. The Encanto Carola Large Tray by Beatriz Ball is absolute perfection! The scalloped edges are just high enough to keep everything contained while also being shallow enough that it’s easy for guests to serve themselves. This is tray that you’ll pull out and use for all sorts of serving. I can totally see using this for ham delights at the tailgate or even serving a pasta salad at the church pot-luck.
see a variety of trays and styles from the Encanto Collection by Beatriz Ball here
Make Mine a Double
The Encanto Double Ice Bucket by Beatriz Ball is the most unique wine/ice bucket I have ever seen and it’s an absolutely stunning display, too. I love that it easily holds two bottles of wine; that’s so practical for a small gathering. Beyond is beautiful organic shape, I think this makes a one-of-a-kind gift: for the wine lover, for a stock-the-bar party, for a wedding gift.
see more wine accessories from the Encanto Collection by Beatriz Ball
Elevated Desserts
You don’t have to make it, you just have to make it happen. When it comes to desserts or baking, I usually outsource this task. Pro Tip: make it look pretty by displaying it on an elegant cake stand. In this instance, I had a few little cake bites and a friend brought cookies. It made it so easy to add them to the Encanto Vienna Pedestal Cake Plate by Beatriz Ball. A second pro tip: a cake stand adds a new height to a tablescape, buffet, or however you’re serving; it adds visual interest by elevating an item.
see more beautiful cake plates and stands from the Encanto Collection by Beatriz Ball
Durable Dinnerware
Let’s talk plates and glasses. Y’all know I’m a big collector of dinnerware and china patterns. In the past, I’ve never really pursued melamine because it just didn’t seem up to par for me. Until now! Y’all, I opened this box of glasses and thought “oops, I ordered the glassware, I meant to order the acrylic style.” Even though I was holding it, I had to do a double take. The Vida Acrylic All Purpose glasses by Beatriz Ball truly look like glass!
See more of the Vida Acrylic Collection by Beatriz Ball.
Now that you know about the beauty of the glasses, you should not be surprised at the melamine Vida Bamboo Salad Plates by Beatriz Ball. This was the perfect size for guests to grab several nibbles from the the charcuterie tray and enjoy at their seat. Bonus: these washed like a dream in my dishwasher! After using these plates, I’m now thinking “should I be using these bamboo melamine plates as my everyday white china?!” My baby is still eating off of divided silicone plates, but I think I might better start collecting the Vida Bamboo so that by the time he’s eating off a normal plate with us, I don’t have to worry about anything breaking. Let’s hear it for the durability!
see more of the Vida Bamboo Collection by Beatriz Ball
The Finishing Touch
Florals add a finishing touch to any event, but creating arrangements can be time consuming and sometimes challenging. The Louise Bud Vase by Beatriz Ball vases are my go to! They are so practical, y’all! Today’s casual hosting style calls for simpler and smaller arrangements. A little vase on a side table; one on the buffet or serving table; another one on a drink table. Pro tip: use several bud vases down a dinner table to create a floral centerpiece that guests can see over.
Second pro tip: be sure to add a little bud vase arrangement to the bathroom. It makes your guests feel like an event theme is carried throughout any space they may go in.
see more bud vases from Beatriz Ball
use code DIXON20 for discount at Beatriz Ball
Entertaining Essentials
Through years of hosting and entertaining, Beatriz Ball items are my go to for elevating the occasion. They are essential to my party closet and the items I reach for most often. Tell me, what’s your favorite Beatriz Ball piece? How do you use it more than just entertaining? Shop now with code DIXON20 for discount at Beatriz Ball.
