Making Traditions Modern: Summer Entertaining

Summer is a time to enjoy the weather and move the party outside, whether for a backyard barbeque, seaside soirée, or rooftop cocktail hour. Earlier in August, we worked with five of our partners to showcase how they would style their ideal summer dinner party.

First, they set the scene by sharing their handwritten invitation on one of our Destination: Seaside note cards– Capri, Côte d’Azur, or the Hamptons. The following week, they styled their corresponding place cards (Lemon, Compass Rose, or Lobster) in the context of how they would use them for a party. We loved seeing how everyone put their own twist on entertaining!

With that, we hope you’re inspired to close out your summer in a noteworthy way! Share your entertaining favorites on Instagram by tagging @dempseycarroll and #makingtraditionsmodern.

Dreaming up the perfect backyard lobster party with Dempsey & Carroll’s adorable lobster & lighthouse Destination note cards– checkered tablecloths, buoy centerpieces, lots of sunflowers, and a build-your-own-lobster roll station! Anything I’m missing? Let me know if you’ll be in Maine on August 14th!

Crack em! Fill em! Roll em! Every backyard soirée needs a Build-Your-Own Lobster Roll station, don’t you think? Dempsey & Carroll place cards make it easy to mark out the station’s steps, and I love the little engraved lobsters on these!

— Jackie, @jackiegreaney

These Capri inspired note cards from Dempsey & Carroll make the perfect invite for a summertime soiree. The engraved lemon detail on the card paired with the print on the inside of the envelope will get guests excited about the theme before they even get to the party!

Instead of using standard place setting cards, switch it up by writing little notes to your guests. These lemon place cards from the Dempsey & Carroll Destination: Capri collection are the perfect addition to the table and tie the whole theme together!

— Chrissy, @_harlowejames

“I couldn’t be shellfish and not share this with you” -said my Dempsey & Carroll party invitation

What the shell! Let’s eat some oysters. Thanks to my Dempsey & Carroll place cards for hooking up my oyster situation. Long Reach or Shore Island, anyone?

–Meaghan, @meaghanmurray

Image #1 _ The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow-0500

Image #2 _ The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow-0228

Traditions are everything and whenever I travel abroad I love collecting unique stamps to send notes, postcards and in this case invitations back home to my friends and family. A few weeks ago my family and I traveled up the Coast of Italy and on the way, I purchased stamps at Pompeii, Rome, or to sum it up, basically each stop. Once we arrived at our final destination, Florence, I had accumulated enough stamps to send out my annual Lobster Boil invitations to my friends far and wide. I figured this was a fun way for my guests to receive a little piece of Italy straight to their mailbox, along with a piece of New England thanks to these Dempsey & Carroll Seaside Correspondence Cards. I mean, you couldn’t find a more fitting invitation card for a lobster broil even if you tried. Now I want to hear from you all, does anyone else love writing letters back home when they travel

Instagram Post #2 _ The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow-2791

Instagram Post #2 _ The Coastal Confidence by Aubrey Yandow-2740

A New England Summer isn’t complete until you’ve eaten your weight in dock & dine lobster rolls. Each summer I’m in charge of creating a unique lobster-themed table setting, for when my family and I head down the river, to our favorite dockable lobster joint. This year’s setting was designed around these Dempsey & Carroll Lobster place cards! Originally, I took inspiration from the bright red lobster featured on the place cards by incorporating similarly shaded napkins for a pop of color, amongst the natural tones of cream and brown. Creating these tablescapes is an annual tradition I adore, and while I do love seeing how excited our guests get when they dock up and find their names written on a place card, I’m really just going the extra mile in hopes of winning the annual table setting contest. Fingers crossed, this could be my year!

— Aubrey, @thecoastalconfidence

We don’t know about you, but one thing that we look forward to at dinner parties is the appetizers. Our dream dinner party would consist of a happy hour with different charcuterie boards and a variety of apps. What’s your dream dinner party?

Can’t resist oysters, especially while at a dinner party. What’s your favorite thing to eat during cocktail hour?

— R’el and Marcus, @theplaceiwastellingyouabout

Destination Dempsey: On the Mediterranean

There’s nothing better than coming home to your own bed after a few days or weeks away, but boy, those vacation days sure are lovely to look back and reflect on…

Carolyn, here, from Dempsey & Carroll’s marketing department. I just returned from eleven days traveling through the Mediterranean. It was absolutely fabulous. There is nothing better than the crystal clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the delicious salty breeze in the air.

I started out in Nice, France – a perfect jumping off point, especially if you want to spend some time exploring some of the nearby towns. A favorite of mine is Beaulieu-sur-Mer. If you’re looking to stay over, I recommend La Reserve de Beaulieu as it’s centrally located, and the hotel itself is gorgeous, with an unbelievable pool and access to the sea.

From Nice, I went off to Saint-Tropez where I spent most of the day at the famed beacb club, Le Club 55. There are many other beach clubs along the same stretch of beach – Nikki Beach, Tahiti Beach, to name a few – but I’m partial to Le Club 55 which sits at the end of beach and is a bit more relaxed and quiet – perfect for families!

Next up, Marseille, France! To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect in Marseille and I was pleasantly surprised. Some of the newer buildings on the city’s waterfront including the MuCEM, built in 2013, were incredible. The MuCEM had a wonderful Ai Weiwei exhibit that I was lucky to see.

After a day in Marseille, it was off to Corsica. I visited a charming coastal village called Calvi which has beautiful shops, and stunning beaches. The water was the perfect respite from peak afternoon heat.

Onto Sardinia! I spent the day in Alghero on the northwest coast of Sardinia. The town has a ton of Catalan influences though it is Italian. The beaches were breathtaking, though my favorite part of my visit was tasting a local delicacy: seada – a semolina dumpling filled with pecorino cheese and topped with honey.

From Sardinia, I traveled to Palma de Mallorca, Spain. I took a biking tour of the old city and saw everything from the iconic cathedral, to hidden shops on cobblestone streets. I only wish I had had more time there. I’m told the Belmond La Residenicia Hotel is magical…A reason to journey back to Mallorca!

The final stop of my trip was Barcelona, Spain, a city that I have visited before, and could travel back to time and time again. Everything from the palm trees, to the grand avenues, to the delicious food and divine smells draws me back to this incredible city. I spent two days of my trip exploring Mountjuic and visited the Joan Miro Foundation, the Botanical Gardens, the Greek Gardens, and strolled through the windy, charming streets of the neighborhood.

That’s all for now….Until next time!

Xo
Carolyn

#DestinationDempsey

Destination Dempsey: Fourth of July 2018

Whether we’re out east on the beach or discovering a new spot here in Manhattan, the Dempsey & Carroll team knows how to celebrate The Fourth of July in style. Some of our team members have shared what they were up to and where they went for the Holiday. #DestinationDempsey

I had a staycation in NYC – I relaxed by the East River and then I spent time downtown at Jefferson Market Garden, a beautiful oasis with an interesting back story. In the 1960s, Greenwich Village residents successfully persuaded the city to demolish a Women’s detention center. In its place, sits the most magical garden filled with magnificent floral hues set against the backdrop of NYC. – Ariel

I spent the holiday in Piermont, New York – a fun little getaway less than an hour from the city. I love going there to escape the summer heat and to enjoy a few drinks on the water. – Carolyn

I spent the Fourth of July with friends at Luna Asian Bistro, a fun rooftop bar and restaurantin Astoria. There was an amazing view of the East River where we watched Macy’s spectacular Fireworks Show. – Marjorie

I loved taking a drive up Route 7 in Connecticut. There is so much beautiful scenery, farm stands with local produce, and lots of small shops to poke around in. It’s one of the most beautiful drives in New England, and you really get a sense of the area’s history on this road. – Jaimie

I had the pleasure of spending the long holiday weekend at Kripalu Center in the Berkshires where I was able get some much needed R&R at this tranquil wellness center. Outdoor bliss! – Megan

I escaped the city heat and spent a few days out east in Lloyd Harbor, an hour from the City by train! There are plenty of charming cafés and shops to explore in the area, namely Kerber’s Farm, a “must-visit” place for breakfast, baked goods, and more! I also spend some time relaxing at the beach at The Head of the Bay club in Huntington; the perfect seaside destination for getting some sun and swimming in the Sound. There’s nothing better than spending the Fourth of July on the water! – Emma

Destination Dempsey: Fourth of July 2017

We’ve had a lot of fun in the office sharing stories about how we enjoyed our July 4^th holiday weekends. From overseas, to right here in New York, Dempsey & Carroll knows how to make the most out of any destination!

Where are your favorite destinations to visit for holiday weekends? Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels!

Rockaway Beach

My holiday was spent right here in sleepy New York City hanging out in the parks and strolling the river fronts. I live on the Lower East Side so it’s a quick jaunt down to the Seaport to hop on the new ferry to Rockaway Beach. The breezes were delightful and only a few oyster catchers were our nearest neighbors. – Austin

Park Guell, Barcelona

Sailing off the coast of Barcelona

One of the most mesmerizing experience was to sail the Mediterranean Sea while watching the sunset along the cost of Barcelona—a must do for anyone visiting this breathtaking part of Spain. I also think that strolling through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is eye opening and very enjoyable for art lovers. While walking through the Gothic Quarter, you might find yourself eating at a food blogger’s all-time favorite spot ‘Flax & Kale’ or shopping at Love Vintage. I learned that regardless of what you have planned for your day, Barcelona is a city full of gorgeous little surprises. - Umara

Over the holiday weekend my family and I drove to see the beautiful scenery along the Hudson River. We ended our site seeing adventure looking towards Storm King Mountain– It was one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. I felt like I had traveled to a completely different world. I always love exploring New York State and photographing my journeys! – Ariel

4th of July Sparklers

I enjoyed a stellar weekend with my family on Cape Cod. We were primarily in a town called Brewster, but also took a day trip to Provincetown. There was plenty of swimming, fishing, grilling, and sparklers to celebrate the 4^th of July holiday! – Megan

Destination: London

Rooftop Pimm’s Cups

The London Eye

It’s always nice to spend a few days in London. The weather was unseasonably warm for my visit, which was a delightful treat! I visited a few of my favorite parks – Green Park in St. James (such a cute area) and Regent’s Park. Queen Mary’s rose garden was in bloom, which was a really rare to see. We did a ton of eating, too! Nopi in Soho was great for lunch and we had some wonderful dinners at The Wolseley, Luca, and Barrafina. The new Barrafina location in Soho is a lot bigger than the Drury Lane location, so it was pretty easy to get a seat – plus it’s really fun to eat snacks and have a few cocktails at the counter as you wait for a seat to pop up. Selfridges also had a great Wimbledon themed bar on their roof while we were in town. It was a nice way to break up the day – a Pimm’s Cup and Andy Murray on a roof in Mayfair – not bad! – Carolyn

Herbert Brook on Mt. Marshall

Adirondack Chairs on the porch

View of Mt. Colden from Flowed Lands

There’s nothing like heading out of the city for a holiday weekend to enjoy the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. I grew up in the area, so it’s always a treat to hike in the High Peaks with my family and friends and then kick back with craft beer from Ausable Brewing Company after a long day on the trails. There’s also a charming Farmers Market every Sunday at Marcy Airfield in Keene Valley, where you can find purchase fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, and a variety of local goods. The drive to Keene Valley on Route 9N has the most breathtaking views as you head to The Garden, which is main trailhead for the Johns Brook area. – Emma

The Hendrick’s Gin Cucumber Southside

Summer is not quite over yet! We’re inspired by our new collaboration with Hendrick’s Gin to toast Labor Day Weekend with a refreshing Southside. Follow the recipe below and enjoy!

Hendrick’s Gin Cucumber Southside

Ingredients:

1 ½ parts Hendrick’s Gin

¾ parts Fresh lemon juice

¾ parts simple syrup

4 mint leaves

3 English cucumber wheels

Method:

Add ice to shaker. Crush ice and muddle repeatedly. Add all ingredients, shake well, and strain into a Collins glass with ice. Garnish 1 English cucumber wheel and 1 mint sprig.

What Are They Packing?

July 4^th Weekend is a wonderful time to take a long weekend to travel, whether it involves hiking in Aspen or relaxing on the beach. Sometimes the most difficult part of traveling is the packing, so our Creative Director, Leo Mascotte, and CEO, Lauren Marrus, have graciously shared their essentials for their summer destinations.

Leo’s Aspen hiking essentials

A Fourth of July Parade in Aspen

Solid hiking boots like these Merrell Moab Waterproof Shoes
A waterproof Loro Piana technical jacket for any type of weather
An American-made Motorwolf shirt in just the right color for the weekend
Arcteryx Chino Shorts for all outdoor activities
A versatile cotton cashmere tee shirt like this one from James Perse
Sharp swim trunks from Orlebar Brown
A B Draddy Polo shirt for the family Barbecue
A Gant Rugger Button Down Shirt for a polished look at night
Lightweight Patagonia Pants for climbing and mountain biking

Lauren’s Beach essentials

Sandy Hook Beach, New Jersey

Tinted, waterproof moisturizer from SkinCueticals for days at the beach
A bold patterned beach towel from Roberta Roller Rabbit
A cover up from J.Crew for an effortlessly chic look when traveling to and from the beach
A wide brimmed Eugenia Kim hat for lounging in the sun
A Hat Attack tote bag for transporting towels, books, and other neccessities
Classic Jack Rogers sandals (aptly named “Lauren”) for all summer occasions by the sea
Miu Miu Sunglasses that can be used from the beach to the city
No beach vacation is complete without a new swim suit from Marysia

The 2016 Museum Mile Festival

We had the opportunity to enjoy this year’s Museum Mile Festival on Tuesday evening, a cultural celebration hosted by the storied institutions of Fifth Avenue.

The festivities spanned Fifth Avenue, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 82^nd Street, to The Museum of the City of New York and El Museo del Barrio at 104^th Street. It was a rare opportunity to stroll down the middle of Fifth Avenue, with musicians and artists sharing their talents on a beautiful summer’s evening. Many of the museums offered free admission and kept their doors open later than usual to promote their most recent exhibitions.