Introduce yourself!
Hi, my name is Joanna.  I am the founder of @alovedhomecerved. I live in NY with my husband and 4 sons. I have a degree in Speech-language pathology, but soon after I had my second son I decided to stay at home and put my career on hold. Being home is very rewarding yet some days it can be overwhelming. I knew I wanted to do something at home for myself; a little creative outlet where I was able to create and share as I went along. A year after I had my third son, I signed onto Instagram, created a name, and went full force in sharing all that I did in our home. I share recipes to home decor, floral arranging, tablescapes, and hosting tips. Coming from a big Italian family, being together and having dinner has always been important to me. As a young girl, I remember paying close attention to details like tablecloths and crystal cocktail glasses. I took my love for fine detail, and started creating beautiful tables for our family and friends. A table in which I knew made people feel important and wanted. Here I am today, with my little platform and big goals sharing pretty tables, easy recipes, cocktails, flower arranging and hosting tips and tricks. My goal is to show my followers how to bring back the dinner party and entertaining in the privacy of the home.  I consider myself their little hosting handbook with a strong Italian influence. 

Joanna wears the Lorena Convertible™ Bow Dress

I adore setting tables! I think the dinner table represents so much, and creating a setting where family and friends feel important and wanted is my goal. To me linens and flowers are what help keep a table timeless and inviting. There is nothing quite like the feel or look of a linen napkin displayed on a table. They create a feeling of importance, and elegance. Flowers help bring a cheerful feel which always sets an inviting mood for your guests. They don’t always have to be grand.  Even the most delicate flower arrangements help to create a cheerful and inviting vibe.

I think that creating a table is a form of art. Like any piece of artwork, the personal style of the artist always comes out on its own. If I had to pick the staple pieces of my personal style that are always included on my table they would be, bows, brass, and striking floral arrangements. When creating a table I will always use these staple pieces which maintains my personal style, but then simply changing the colors, prints, and textures allows me to embrace the spirit of the season. For example, when I think of Christmas, Tartan fabric comes to mind. I will almost always have this pattern on my Christmas day table. Sometimes in bold ways, and other times with subtle accents like ribbons.

Follow for more @alovedhomecerved 

I adore all of Mestiza’s fall collection, from the dresses to the accessories. My 3 favorite pieces for hosting a gathering have to be the Lorena Convertible™ Bow Dress, the Faye, and Elliana dresses. Each brings their own elegance and feel for different style gatherings. I believe that you should always dress your best when it’s time for a gathering. So just because you’re hosting in your home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress (and feel your best) as if you’re going to a black tie affair.

Personally, just being together with my big Italian family is meaningful during the holiday season. There is some kind of Holiday gathering in our home each week of December, with the grand finale being a big Christmas dinner on Christmas day with 45 of our closest family members. In addition, I put up 7 Christmas trees throughout our home and create a mini North Pole for my boys each year. From the day the first tree is complete we begin all of our holiday fun; from watching Christmas movies in Christmas pajamas to baking every kind of Christmas cookie.

What are your hosting “hot takes”?
My hosting “hot takes” are, when preparing for a dinner party, pick a menu in which you can prepare almost all of it in advance. Invest in a beautiful set of white plates, and thrift for beautiful bright colored salad plates. Lastly, don’t be afraid to mix and match plates, and linens. You can create a beautiful and timeless dinner party that looks like a million bucks but is also budget friendly. I discuss how to do this seamlessly, and so much more on my page.

 
Can you share an easy but favorite recipe with us?
An easy and favorite recipe that I can share is my dough recipe. It requires mixing a few ingredients in a bowl, and no kneading!! I use this for bread, focaccia and even pizza!

1.5 cups warm water

Mix in a bowl, add olive oil for extra flavor and to keep it from sticking, cover the bowl with clear wrap, and wrap the entire bowl in a tablecloth to keep warm. Let rise for 2 hours. You can then use this to make a loaf of bread, or a focaccia.

A meaningful piece that I hold near and dear to my heart is a set of gold flatware that was passed down to me from my grandmother. Each time I use her flatware on my table I think of her setting her very own tablescape, and about the conversations that took place around the table. I hope one day to pass them on, and tell stories about my grandmother, and about some of the amazing memories that I experienced around a table that was set with the flatware.

What do you admire about the Mestiza brand?
Oh my! There is so much that I admire about the Mestiza brand. I heard a pod cast in which both founders Alessandra, and Louisa were discussing how the brand started, and how much they have done to give back to other women. It is so refreshing when you hear success stories, and when the individuals who were blessed continue to reflect on their past and help others who are beginning and/or are less fortunate. I hope this generosity is seen, and brings them even more success in the future.