birthday cocktails

Last weekend, to celebrate my birthday, we decided to have a bunch of friends over to our house for cocktails before heading out to dinner! I had a ton going on that weekend (including a plane ride to New York the next day), so I wanted to do something low key, but to still feel like it was a special occasion.

So, obviously, I broke out my new Noritake china! The thing I love most about this china is that it's gorgeous, but also hearty -- it could go straight into the dishwasher at the end of the night. For someone planning to entertain with minimal cleanup effort, that's *seriously* crucial.

The china in this post is based around the Colorwave pattern in graphite, which is absolutely gorgeous! (It also perfectly mixes and matches with the slightly more formal patterns in last week's post, if you're curious!)

I love, love, love the square pattern -- it's so unique and cool-looking, and totally different from any other place setting I've seen. But don't feel like your square plates can't mix with round ones -- an accent plate can be a bread plate or a salad plate or dessert -- wherever it looks best on your table! Having fun with it is the most important thing. When you combine good friends, good food and a gorgeous table setting? Impeccable.

Palais Royale champagne flutes, Colorwave Graphite place settings, Rockford glasses, Metaal serving platters.