An Easy Hosting Menu for Feeding a Crowd

Low-stress, high-flavor, and perfect for your next family dinner.

Last week, we celebrated my mom’s 70th (!!), and I wanted to share how we did it—because let’s be honest, milestone birthdays can be tricky to plan. There’s often this pressure to throw a big party, but sometimes that’s not what the guest of honor actually wants. My mom is more of an “intimate gathering” kind of gal—her ideal celebration involves a cozy dinner, great conversation, and quality time with her favorite people (like mother, like daughter).

So, my sister and I decided to make it special by surprising her with an overnight Austin staycation, just the three of us. We blocked off her calendar, gave her a packing list, and told her when to be ready—no planning required on her end, just a weekend of relaxation.

On Saturday morning, we checked into The Loren Hotel, settled into our beautiful suite, and then headed downstairs to Milk + Honey Spa for a little pre-dinner relaxation. If you haven’t been, it’s everything you could want in a spa—aromatherapy in the air, calming music, a soothing color palette, and the most welcoming staff. We slipped into our robes and settled into the lounge, attempting to keep our conversation to a whisper (not our strong suit).

Before anyone had time to shush us, our massage therapists arrived to call us in for our treatments. I sank into my heated, cushioned bed, cocooned from the cold weather outside as every ounce of tension was massaged out of my muscles. Bliss.

✨ The team at Milk + Honey gave me a code to share with you guys, so if you’re looking for an excuse to treat yourself (at any of their locations in Austin or LA!), here’s your sign. Click here and use code CAMILLE15 for 15% off any service. Highly recommend. ✨

Scenes from our staycation

Still in our blissed-out state, we headed straight to Uchi for a long, leisurely sushi dinner, then back to the hotel, where we stayed up late talking in our pajamas. It was such a treat to have uninterrupted time with my mom and sister—it completely filled my cup.

Since we couldn’t leave the rest of the family completely out of the festivities, I hosted a big family birthday dinner at our house a few days later. I had just gotten back from NYC the night before, so I needed a menu that felt special enough for the occasion but simple enough for my jet-lagged self to pull off (without a mountain of dishes afterward). This menu was so delicious and checked all the boxes—so I’m sharing it here in case you need an easy-but-special dinner idea for your next gathering.

A linen tablecloth, handmade vase with flowers, and candlelight are my go-to’s for elevating the table.