Gatherings Podcast Chrystina & Jessica

In the final episode, we are talking about our favorite parties from the past year and some fun details about what made them so great!
Chrystina’s Burlesque 29th Birthday Party Jess’ Annual Cookie Party The 30th Birthday Party that Jess threw for her husband Christina’s friend Heather’s Laid-back Pool Party Christina’s friend Maddison’s karaoke Birthday Party Jess’ Annual Camping Trip Friendsgiving Christina’s friend Stephanie’s Birthday party Year 10 Not-A-Wedding Party in the Poconos Then we veered off track a bit about renting houses with large groups. Our Usual Final Questions: What are you planning right now? Chrystina: My 30th birthday party. Jessica: Girls Night Party in the new Year How are you staying in touch? Jessica: snail main and carepackages Chrystina: visiting friends in far off places What are you into right now? Chrystina: Disney Jessica: Creating a Toxin-Free Home

Episode 10 is all about the kids. We spent some time chatting with Andy Shaw of Instafather.com  about hosting kids parties, hosting a kid at an adult party, bringing kids to parties and more. In this episode, there are a lot of great little tips for navigating the waters with little ones, whether they are yours or not. 
 
Meet Andy Shaw How Chrystina + Andy Met Andy's Day Job His improv comedy   Kid smoothie recipes (we got a little side tracked) Jess’ questions from a parents perspective Bounce House, Actors & Extras vs old fashioned playtime Don’t set your kid up for failure Thoughts on Nap times Gift Opening at parties Buying gifts for kids Throwing parties at facilities vs home Thoughts on decorations Food, dietary restrictions and more When do parents stop coming? Chrystina’s questions from a non-parent perspective
How long are kids parties? Making small talk with children Getting comfortable with inviting kids to your home Is babyproofing necessary? Andy’s Guest Post on Chrystina’s Blog Snacks for kids to have on hand Portable folding highchair New Mom's Guide to New Dads preview What are you planning right now? How are you staying in touch? What are you into right now? Find Andy online:
·         Instafather.com
·         Twitter
·         Instagram

In Episode 9 of Season 2, we had the opportunity to speak with Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam, the authors of Brunch is Hell. This was such a fun episode to record where we discussed everything from dinner parties to playlists to icebreaker jokes. Brendan and Rico shared the title they originally wanted to give their book and their most memorable dinner parties. Definitely an episode not to be missed. (Also, if you're a dinner party person, Brunch is Hell should absolutely be on your reading list.)
Meet Rico and Brendan The Dinner Party Download Icebreaker Small talk Guest of honor Cocktails Brunch Is Hell Their origin story The end of the podcast The start of the book Brunch is Hell The title of the book (and the almost title of the book) Why (restaurant) brunch is awful Dinner Parties Dinner party identifiers Helping people with guidance Etiquette rules Nights to throw dinner parties aka "Tuesdays are Dumb" Most Memorable Dinner Parties Brendan's Friday night dinner party Rico and Brendan planning to have a memorable dinner party because Rico doesn't actually have one to add to the list. Rico's childhood dinner parties Bakers vs. Cooks Rico and Brendan are cooks Great British Bake Show Icebreakers The hope of reviving the joke Why didn't the lifeguard save the hippie? Knock knock. Who's there? To. To who? Music Playlist Choices Sister Maryam Guebrou (Amazon / YouTube) Movie Soundtracks Blowup by Herbie Hancock (Amazon / YouTube) Cotton Club (Amazon / YouTube) Rico's belief that 70's Disco Music is perfect dinner party music The P.D.P.D.P. Quick Hit Inspiration Don't worry about it. What are you planning right now? Chrystina: My 30th birthday party. Rico: 90th birthday party in New Hampshire Brendan: Tuna melt Jessica: Blogger meet-ups What's happening in your kitchen? Jessica: Local 30 challenge, canning, freezing, and dehydrating Brendan: Brendan's refrigerator in New York Rico: Losing money because of extra cold refrigerator Chrystina: Alcohol How are you staying in touch? Rico: All the ways Brendan: Coffee, cocktails, and thank you notes Jessica: Girls' day Chrystina: Not doing so great. What are you into right now? Jessica: Nesting Rico: Ava Luna performs Serge Gainsbourg's Historie de Melody Nelson and Lina Waithe Brendan: Romaine hearts and Cate Le Bon's Are You With Me Now? Chrystina: Acai bowl from Oola Bowls in Lancaster, PA Find us online: Rico Twitter Safe for Work Brendan Twitter Instagram The Paris Review Gatherings Podcast Facebook Twitter Chrystina Noel Sweet Love & Ginger

In Episode 8, we spoke with Sean Hand about networking, more specifically how to transfer the networking skills of the office to dinner parties, weddings, and more. In this episode, Sean shares a lot of great stories and tips on how to prepare for an event ahead of time. Not only that, but we talk about how to best utilize your plus ones at an event (and/or be the best plus one you can be). We're looking forward to sharing this episode with you all and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Sean is the founder of a professional development website – AwkwardNetworker.com as well the Awkward Networker Podcast to help his global audience achieve networking success in their personal and professional lives. He has spoken to a wide range of audiences across the country and has been known to help improve the personal brand of thousands of people. Sean is a tireless advocate for young professional mentorship, with a passion for philanthropy, organizational development, and public speaking.  He sits on multiple non-profit and professional organization boards, with many leadership and developmental roles therein.
Meet Sean Hand How Chrystina + Sean met Sean's Day Job The start of Awkward Networker Extroverts and Introverts APQ: Audience, Purpose, Questions A: Plan ahead to know your audience Do your research on events Searching Facebook ahead of time for parties P: What's your purpose? Q: Create two questions specific enough to be interesting Tips for Networking What's the first thing you say to somebody Warming up ahead of time Tips for being the / having the Plus One Get the ground rules down The Plus One is responsible for names Tips for being the Host or Hostess What are you planning right now? Chrystina: Her weekends Sean: A Salt Lake City, UT work trip Jessica: Vacation and camping What's happening in your kitchen? Jessica: Local 30 challenge Sean: No cheese Chrystina: Haven't cooked a meal in 3 weeks How are you staying in touch? Chrystina: One line emails to people Sean: Thank you notes and trinkets Jessica: Photography business hellos What are you into right now? Jessica: The Dirty Life Sean: Golf Chrystina: Her travel mug Find us online: Sean Hand The Awkward Networker Website The Awkward Networker Facebook Sean's Twitter Gatherings Podcast Facebook Twitter Chrystina Noel Sweet Love & Ginger

In Episode 7, we had the opportunity to speak with Ali Rosen from Potluck with Ali about keeping things simple while entertaining. The conversation takes a few turns, but there are some great tips throughout about avoiding party tension, setting yourself up for success, pre-party preparation tips, and tips to keep things simple. You'll also hear about that time Ali cooked for a bunch of fancy chefs, another version of the bakers vs. cooks debate, and a breakdown of prioritizing relationships for staying in touch. We're excited for you to take a listen!

Ali Rosen is the founder and host of Potluck with Ali Rosen, a television show, and website dedicated to sharing the best and brightest in food. Potluck airs on NYC Life and its videos have appeared on HuffPost, Edible, and People. She is also the author of Bring It!: Tried and True Recipes for Potlucks and Entertaining. Ali was named as one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 for Food & Drink. She has also written for sites including Bon Appétit, Epicurious, Fodor's, and Refinery 29. Potluck was nominated for an Emmy as well as two IACP awards and Thrillist said Ali had one of the coolest jobs in food (she agrees). She is from Charleston, South Carolina, but currently lives in New York City.
Meet Ali Rosen How Jessica found out about Ali How she got into food & entertaining The metaphor (& literal definition) of "potluck" Jessica and Ali bond over hating baking What Ali brings to potlucks Recipe testing The "this might not be good"self-deprecating tactic Cooks vs. bakers Party tension If you are calm (as the host), it's going to be a great party Jessica's friend's gender reveal party story Surprise parties Removing as many potential obstacles as possible Setting yourself up for success Helping people help themselves Spending money on party help Finding party help Facebook it Local colleges Care.com Urbansitter Task rabbit Spending money where it serves you best Pre-party preparation tips Plan hour-by-hour (and using excel) Have dishes that are all served at room temperature Pasta (anchovy and pistachio pasta from Bring It) An interesting salad (roasted corn, tomato, feta, and basil salad from Bring It) Meat (with the right amount of sauce, and the right amount of flavor) Do as much ahead of time as possible Tips to keep things simple Buying pre-cut things Buy pre-peeled garlic (not pre-minced) Have the right equipment on hand (strawberry huller)  Buy things pre-made That time Ali cooked for a bunch of fancy chefs Ask for help Take it back to your roots Make sure you feel comfortable Advice for nervous hosts:  Have fun.  If you look over a recipe and it looks daunting to you, skip it. Cook something that you love and you're excited about. What's going on in your kitchen? Jessica: Grilling Ali: Summer produce (strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries) Chrystina: Clean floors What are you planning right now? Chrystina: Living that travel life Ali: Rhode Island blueberry pies Jessica: Husband's birthday, camping trips How are you staying in touch? Chrystina's blog post: Balancing staying in touch and self-care Doubling down on close friends Prioritizing friendships Social media blackouts Community Made podcast episode: Prioritizing relationships If they wanted to keep in touch with you, they could be What are you into right now? Chrystina: TJMaxx shopping sprees Ali: Crop tops Jessica: Revamping blogs & painting murals Find us online: Ali Rosen Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Gatherings Podcast Facebook Twitter Chrystina Noel Sweet Love & Ginger

In Episode 6, we talk with Jennifer Coyle from Hello Brio about minimalism and party planning. We cover everything from food and drink to table settings, paper products, and more. We also have a detailed discussed about some of our favorite sustainable kitchen items. We all now have plenty of new ideas to make our kitchens more eco-friendly, and would love to hear some of the tips you're using in your kitchen too!

Jennifer is the editor behind Hello Brio, a lifestyle blog dedicated to helping people create their own true happiness. She believes in minimalism, mindfulness, intentional living, and nearo waste (near zero waste). Jenn is a self-taught web developer, momma to baby Beans, hand lettering artist, and burrito lover.
An Introduction to Jenn & Minimalism Nearo Waste Minimalism and Party Planning  Food & Drink Table Settings Corelle Plates Paper Products Etsy Napkins Marleys Monsters Kitchen Towels Decor Guest Lists Gifts (or No Gifts) Sending Invitations Paperless Post Setup + Kitchen Tools Labeling recycling Beeswax Wraps Rachel Ray Bowl Covers Product Mesh Bags Sustainable Dog Poop Bags What are you planning right now? Chrystina: Mafia Party Jennifer: Wedding Jessica: Summer Events What's going on in your kitchen? Jessica: Working with different cuts of meat Jennifer: Chris cooking most of the meals + meal planning Chrystina: Qdoba How are you staying in touch? Chrystina: Badass babes dinner Jennifer: One on one texting Jessica: Reaching out, camping trips, and summer events What are you into right now? Jessica: Fall of Giants, Second Nature, Third Plate, Will Write for Food Jennifer: Business aspect of blog + walking Chrystina: A new bed Find us online: Jennifer Coyle + Hello Brio Website Instagram Twitter Gatherings Podcast Facebook Twitter Chrystina Noel Sweet Love & Ginger