Happy Easter and Passover from Your Friends at DIANI

Happy Easter and Passover to you all! With all that's been going on, this holiday really crept up on us this year. Typically this day is spent gathering with friends and family enjoying Sunday brunch, an Easter egg hunt or a backyard barbecue. Since that's not an option, Jeffrey and I decided to create our own Easter celebration at home. 

If there's one thing I've learned so far while sheltering at home, it's that appreciating the simple things makes the ordinary extra special. With that in mind, Jeffrey and I are spending the day doing some of our favorite things – pulling out the fancy servingware, baking an Easter treat, gardening, taking Nala on a walk and enjoying a movie marathon.

 Elevate Your Table Setting

I can't think of a better time than now to make our at-home meals a little extra special. There's something uplifting about dressing up a table setting. When we're looking to have a casual breakfast or lunch, I like to use everyday wares like these bamboo bowls and plates, vintage cutlery and simple glassware.  

For a special occasion like Easter, I'm adding fresh foliage from the garden to each table setting and a succulent or two sprinkled around the center of the table. It turns a typical meal time into something worth celebrating.

It's not Easter around our house without a bowl of Cadbury's Mini Eggs - a family tradition from as far back as I can remember. 

Get Out Your Fancy Servingware

I love a good excuse to bring out my special servingware. The act of pulling out the pretty plates, cotton napkins, and nice glasses instantly turns a regular day at home into a special occasion. If I'm looking to make the evening more formal, I'll use these pretty ceramic bowls and plates, fancy stemware and romantic candles. 

Some of my favorite table setting essentials aren't necessarily fancy, but have a special place in my heart, like my new line of hand-blocked Organic Natural Dye Cotton Napkins. The prints can be mixed and matched for a variety of occasions.

 Get Creative In The Kitchen

Some of Jeffrey's favorite recipes come from British chef, Jamie Oliver (see here). In the spirit of being festive, Jeffrey gave his Hot Cross Bun recipe a go. Made with a lovely blend of spices and just the right amount of sweet, these buns are a classic British Easter indulgence.    

Jeffrey couldn't find stem ginger or candied peel at the store, so he made his own from scratch. He used oranges and lemons for the peel. 

Things got a little tricky when Jeffrey made the cross part too runny, resulting in buns that weren't so photo-worthy.  Nonetheless, they were delicious! To show you what they were supposed to look like, here's a shot courtesy of the man himself, Jamie Oliver.

 Dress for the Occasion

Easter gatherings may be canceled, but I can't miss an opportunity to wear a statement piece. In an effort to elevate a casual at-home look, I'm slipping on these High Rise Leggings with a cozy sweater. The chic leopard print and comfortable fit is perfect for lounging on the couch watching some of my favorite movies. Here's our Easter weekend line up:

The Way We Were

Lost in Translation

Out of Africa

High Society

Amelie 

While celebrating the holiday, this new normal feels anything but normal. However, we've begun to appreciate what life at home can really mean. I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying a safe and peaceful holiday weekend.

Sending love,