Jenni Kayne is an entrepreneur, fashion designer and mother of three who started her clothing line in 2003 at nineteen years old and has grown her business in the last sixteen years to include clothing, shoes, accessories and home, as well as six retail stores AND her blog Rip+Tan. Her brand has evolved from a fashion line into a lifestyle brand with furniture, a baby line and pet accessories coming soon. We couldn’t be more inspired by her!
I love your new book, Pacific Natural: Simple Seasonal Entertaining, and had such a fun time co-hosting your book signing with Art of Being Female and Garden Studio at your Lido Marina Village store! The book is appealing as it is seemingly effortless, and not contrived. The imagery is naturally beautiful and realistic. Who or what inspired you and your passion for entertaining?
I have always loved coming together with friends and family and the idea that by taking pride in the little details, life could be a lot better and I could feel a lot more grounded. As I got older, that started to present itself in cooking a delicious meal, setting a beautiful table, and spending time with my loved ones. Picking a seasonal theme and building a table and a menu around it is one of my favorite ways to connect to the outdoors.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Warm, tonal, textured, and neutral, and always inspired by nature.
The book is broken down seasonally, which is helpful. How do you decide the theme when entertaining?
The book is broken down by seasons to reflect the way I live my life: I try to eat what’s in season and plan a menu around what’s available at the farmer’s market or in my garden and pull from my surroundings when decorating and choosing florals. There’s a popular belief that California doesn’t experience seasons, but spending my childhood and my adult life going from the changing scenes of the beaches in LA to the valleys of Ojai and Santa Ynez and the mountains in Tahoe, I think the California seasons are undeniable. The season and my location inform almost every choice I make when entertaining. I love to pick one detail from nature to focus on, like a specific flower, herb, or type of produce, and build all of the facets of a table around that.
There are so many great tips for the table in the book, from using herbs and citrus as arrangements, wrapping napkins with twine or ribbon, to printing menus and using lots of votive candles. What are your favorite tips for the table?
I always try to pick a theme that feels right and build around it so things feel cohesive. Set the table using natural colors and textures so you’re not stressing out minutes before your guests arrive, and let the florals and food take center stage. I like to save bits of linen or ribbon from gifts or crafting and use them to tie around napkins or place settings. I also always try to send my guests home with something, even something simple— and writing names on tags attached to your takeaway is a great way to add a little intrigue to the table.
For those that are nervous to entertain, what would you say are the three or four main things to do that will make it not only easy but take some pressure off so they can enjoy their guests?
Taking the pressure off yourself so you’re not frantic or stressing about the details moments before your guests arrive (or when they’re already there) is the most important thing when entertaining in my opinion. Most people who seem like they have it all together when entertaining are just good at planning in advance. My favorite tips are to set your table in advance, choose your serving pieces and utensils ahead of time and mark with post-its which will be used for what food, and never play bartender. Make the first round of drinks for your guests, then set up a station with ingredients and instructions for them to make the rest themselves. Also, always wear flats!
The florals are gorgeous in the book. You use my favorite colors from the garden: white, green, orange and lavender, and I loved how you use elements from the garden to decorate the table, from rosemary and lavender to citrus and olive branches. What are your constants when having guests to elevate the decor?
Thank you! I always have some form of florals on the table, even if it’s just a few sprigs of greenery or small bud vases with a few flowers from outside for a more casual get together. I also think no table is too casual for a few candle sticks, and always use cloth napkins!
Everyone loved making the citrus bath salts at the event. The recipe of sea salt, epsom salt, baking soda, essential oils and citrus zest combined in a glass jar not only smelled great but made for a great parting gift! In the book, you also show other gifts and crafts including infused honey, apple butter, pumpkin scrub, rosemary spray, lavender oil, and a fragrant winter fire starter, You mention even having a craft do it yourself table which adds a fun element.
Which one is your favorite to give?
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I love the rosemary room spray (or pick another herb or floral for the spray that makes sense with the season or your theme). Men and women both love it and I always see it pop up in people’s guest bathrooms. There’s nothing better than seeing a craft you gifted someone being used in their home.
The recipes in the book are amazing…from how to make a cheese board to homemade granola, kale and blood orange salad, vegan chili and handmade apple crisps, each one looks more delicious than the next. The visuals are mouth watering! What are your all time favorite go-to recipes for entertaining?
I love to serve big bowls family style of whatever’s in season: big salads, seasonal roasted vegetables, and grain-free desserts are my favorites.
We had our favorite sommeliers on hand, Argaux, to serve wine for the event, which made it easy to have an expert who was able to pair the wine with the amazing food from Malibu Farm. Do you prefer to serve wine, cocktails, or both when having a dinner party? It can be an overwhelming decision for some to decide, and then also what and how to choose.
I usually like to pick one signature drink for the night (typically something with tequila) and then do a red and a white wine. It’s too much to try to have so many different things on hand, and with those 3 options, everyone will find something they like!
I have been of fan of your Jenni Kayne clothing for years, and love your “find your uniform” theory! I think we all need to spend some time to figure what ours is, and it would simplify our lives. Do you apply that same theory to entertaining and the table?
Absolutely! We call this Find Your Entertaining Uniform and it’s all about having your reliable cabinet full of entertaining essentials, so that you’re not spending your valuable time worry about how to set your table. Just like in your closet, having all of the reliable essentials covered will make it easy to set a table for any occasion, and you’ll never be scrambling at the last minute. I recommend choosing neutrals so you can use your tabletop pieces over and over again and never feel like it’s mismatched.
Jenni Kayne
3450 Via Oporto #103
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.945.2608
www.jennikayne.com
Photos: Art of Being Female
Book photos: Jenni Kayne