The MNY Spotlight

Tips for Hosting the Perfect Fall Gathering with Lauren Crawford

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m Lauren Crawford. I’m an ex-corporate tech executive who turned her love for entertaining, setting an inviting table and celebrating holidays into a less lucrative, but more fun career. I live in the Orlando area with my husband, two daughters and our golden retriever, Bailey.

Lauren wears the Etta Scallop Mini Dress in navy/camel
 
You’re an expert at setting a gorgeous tablescape and hosting holidays events! What are some of your favorite hostess tips and tricks?

Like life, you can’t be an expert at everything. My biggest recommendation is to decide on two or three portions of entertaining where you’ll go all in and then delegate and outsource the rest. For me, that means the decorating, table, florals, usually a fun cocktail and at least one recipe will be mine, but I might help myself out by getting pre-made charcuterie and re-plating it or asking my husband or a family member to help with some of the cooking. Also, get your kids to help! Everyone in the family should be helping prepare for a holiday meal. Even something like writing the names on the place cards is a great task for younger kids.


 
Do you have a favorite specialty cocktail that you make? 
For the holidays, my favorite drink is champagne, but a really easy and fun idea is to mix up your mimosa and instead of adding juice to your bubbly you can add a scoop of your favorite fruit sorbet. I did this for New Year’s morning mimosas last year and it was a big hit!
 
Fashion is always evolving. What current styles and trends are you loving right now?
I’m a tortured Northeastern soul right now living in Florida. This Fall I am feeling the tweed mini dress, tortoise, dark navy florals, jacquard minis, a good lived in Barbour jacket and a tall cognac boot.
 
There's nothing better than fall in the northeast! What are some of your favorite fall traditions?
In Connecticut, we used to drive around and look at all the beautiful foliage and some of the older towns were so spooky when Halloween drew closer. We went apple picking and started having fires in our fireplace. Here in Florida it looks a lot different. We pick sunflowers instead of apples and I guess Disney gets decorated, but that’s about as spooky as it gets.
 
Let’s talk about the Mestiza Fall Collection. How are you styling the Etta Scallop Mini Dress?

Many Mestiza dresses are so intricate and have rich details like this dress’ jacquard fabric, gold buttons and scallop detail, so with a dress like this, I go with minimal accessories. I’m tall, so I opt for flats when I wear mini dresses and I paired my Etta with navy suede flats and simple gold hoops earrings.


 
What do you admire most about the Mestiza brand?

The attention to detail. Every dress has the most gorgeous details – whether it’s a jacquard fabric, the buttons, feminine cut, or scallop detail each dress has so many beautiful finishing touches.


 
How does wearing your Mestiza pieces make you feel?

Confident and comfortable! I need a dress that I can move around in – chasing kids, setting a table, cooking, etc. it’s got to be something that can keep me feeling beautiful during the (beautiful) chaos of the Holidays.

Follow Lauren Crawford on Instagram @lauren_loves_gifting for more hostess tips & tricks! 

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