Postcards from Eva :: Fête Française

by Jessica Ellingsworth in ,

Chablis Region, France

Chablis Region, France

Not everyone can say they have a really fun (not to mention über sweet) sister-in-law. Eva, my husband's sister, moved to Amsterdam eight years ago and comes home every so often bearing goodies and Dutch treats for all of us. She truly has become a treasured friend. After falling in love with a Dutch gentleman, we flew to Holland this past spring to experience a lovely Dutch-American wedding with celebrations and a party that lasted all day AND night. The Dutch know how to party! My children have experienced a wonderful taste of the Dutch (she biked my girls all over Amsterdam!) and French cultures through her and our trip overseas. When Eva recently celebrated her birthday, I cajoled her to do a guest post about her party. If you know Eva, you know she loves a good fête. In the words of Ms. Taute:

How to Throw a 'Fête Française'

France is one of my favorite places in the world. My husband's family has a small cottage close to the city of Chablis where the famous Chablis wine is grown and made. The small villages in the area are in their original condition with small tucked away boulangerie's (bakeries) where you can buy the best fresh bread every day. The morning begins with the tastiest butter croissants while sipping a cappuccino, and ends with cheese that melts in your mouth and wine that tickles your taste buds. I mean, who wouldn't consider that heaven?  

For my birthday this year I decided to put on a French Party or a 'Fête Française'. This is a fairly easy thing to do. Here are the hosting essentials and photos of the set up: 

  • french cheese (fromage)
  • jam
  • figs
  • wine (some really fantastic wines are under €10!)
  • wine glasses
  • baguettes
  • fresh flowers
  • extra mis-matched wine glasses (can be found at thrift stores)
  • Antique serving pieces
  • mustache favors
  • a wardrobe palette of red, black, and stripes
  • a little bit of Edith Pilaf in the the background and some great friends, of course! 

When inviting my guests I asked them to also bring French cheese and wine which created an abundance of goodies coming through the door all evening long. I had lots of extra flag labels so guests could label their own cheeses. Here are some of my Instagrams (@evataute) of the set up! I hope you get inspired to bring all of the goodness of France to your home for an evening. Au Revoir et bonne chance!

Figs & Apples

Figs & Apples

Plenty of fresh crusty baguettes

Plenty of fresh crusty baguettes

Lots of gorgeous red roses

Lots of gorgeous red roses

Red, black, and mustaches

Red, black, and mustaches

Candlelight and plenty of glassware for tastings

Candlelight and plenty of glassware for tastings

Guests label their own cheeses.

Guests label their own cheeses.

Varieties of jams with antique serving pieces

Varieties of jams with antique serving pieces

Ready to be enjoyed!

Ready to be enjoyed!

Eva Ellingsworth Taute lives and plays in Amsterdam, Holland. When she was twenty-one years old Eva decided to pick up the guitar and started writing music, singing and playing at local cafe's. For the past 6 years, Eva has continued to write Indy-Folk songs with a Euro pop twist that reflect her faith, love for nature and her interest in poetry. She finds inspiration on the streets of Europe in fashion, interiors, music, and food.

Eva Ellingsworth Taute lives and plays in Amsterdam, Holland. When she was twenty-one years old Eva decided to pick up the guitar and started writing music, singing and playing at local cafe's. For the past 6 years, Eva has continued to write Indy-Folk songs with a Euro pop twist that reflect her faith, love for nature and her interest in poetry. She finds inspiration on the streets of Europe in fashion, interiors, music, and food.