In a Mood Board Mood

Oscars party inspo + a recipe index!

Mar 01, 2025

Happy March! First, some housekeeping. I've compiled every recipe from the newsletter into one easy-to-browse recipe index! Now you can find links to plates, pairings, dips, salads, party themes, and more all in one place. I’ll keep adding to it as new recipes roll in!

THE CHARCUTERIE CENTERPIECE

Nothing says March and the cusp of springtime like the Charcuterie Centerpiece. Bringing this one back around to infuse some playful color on your feeds.

For this one, I used a bacon hanger to hang the fruit and made a simple cheese plate below!

Supplies:
Cheese: Queso Iberico + Gouda
Meat: Salami
Produce: Strawberries, Grapes, Dried Apricots
Crunch: Crackers, Mixed Nuts
Dip: Fig Jam
Garnish: Thyme, Marjoram, Pansies

I have some very exciting projects on the horizon (like my cookbook shoot later this month - ahhh!) but right now I’m in a bit of a holding period. In moments like these, I find myself bouncing between two moods: either spiraling into an existential crisis or unlocking some new, creative hobby. Freelance life is a dream in many ways, but the slower periods can be tricky to navigate. I’ve been taking some time reflecting on what I want this next year to look like. Cheese will always be at the heart of what I do, but it’s almost become the vessel for something bigger. Through this I’m discovering new ways to express myself. Lately, it’s been with fashion and mood boards.

While I love hosting my snacky parties, I don’t always have the bandwidth to prep, decorate and cook for a new theme every week. That’s where a good mood board comes in. Even if I don’t end up hosting the party, I get so much joy from playing around on Pinterest dreaming up a perfect gathering.

OSCARS VIEWING PARTY - SNACKY PARTY INSPO

The Academy Awards are this Sunday, and if I were to host a viewing party this year, here’s what I’d do.

Mood Board: Shades of red and yellow (red carpet, gold awards) with pops of green for contrast, old Hollywood motifs, sparkles and pearls, movie theater snacks (chips + pretzels), sweet, zesty and bright flavors to welcome in March.

The Bites: Charcuterie Chips

Thick-cut wavy potato chips topped with prosciutto, fig jam and parmigiano reggiano

The Board: That “Pretzel Party” Plate

Cheese: Taleggio, Sharp Cheddar
Produce: Castelvetrano Olives, Radishes, Cornichons
Crunch: Soft Pretzels, Hard Pretzels, Pistachios
Dip: Grainy Mustard, Dijon Mustard
Garnish: Rosemary

The Drinks: Serve with a dirty martini on the side to tie in the olive flavors and a touch of Hollywood glam!

The Decor:

Dark Green Table Runner

Soft Pretzel Stand

Decorative Gold Vases

PAIRING OUTFITS WITH APPS

I've always loved putting outfits together, especially when inspired by a theme or a color palette. I believe that less is more when it comes to styling and I love the recent shift toward “shopping your closet.” Find something that excites you, whether it’s an outfit saved on Pinterest (or in my case, a cheese plate) and create something fresh with what you already own. And with that, my new series is born!