Thanks J. McLaughlin!

“All year ‘round, there’s always something simmering in a yellow Le Creuset pan on Barbara’s range. She and her daughter Madeline are taking virtual cooking classes with Suzanne Pollak at the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. Barbara also finds inspiration in Melissa Clark’s From the Pantry in The New York Times. And, now that the holidays are just around the corner, she’s making her signature Meyer lemon marmalade with fruit from her own trees.”

Thanks to J. McLaughlin for the mention in the latest blog post & newsletter! We love having Barbara and Madeline in class and hope YOU will join us this Holiday season too…

'Summer Sparklers' for J. McLaughlin

Credit: Niki Nero Photography

“The most interesting cocktails for summer, whether you have a pool or not, have some effervescence which relates to the sparkling water filling the pool or the ocean, near or far. Champagne, or any sparkling wine, adds pure magic to a cocktail. You might call it bubbles, I might say dryness. But the wisest of us all know Champagne sprinkles a fairy dust of magic.

“There are a few things to think about when choosing a house cocktail. We do not want a ‘normal’ drink available anywhere and everywhere. Instead try something people might not have tried. Leave complicated cocktails to mixologists. Your home is not a bar. You must be able to make repeat versions; meaning a first drink, possibly a second, and if the occasion arises for a third, you will be able to walk up a flight of stairs and mix another….”

 Read more & find 3 recipes for easy, breezy Poolside Cocktails, all with Champagne (or Prosecco if you’d prefer), via J. McLaughlin’s newsletter/blog HERE!

'Half a Dozen Summer Party Tips' for J. McLaughlin

“The #1 tip concerns conversations because we haven’t been face to face in so long! Just thinking about it sparks excitement, which gets energy flowing and makes party planning extra pleasurable. 

Suzanne and a guest converse at the debut of our collaboration with J. McLaughlin…

[Credit: Niki Nero Photography]

Let’s Talk
Consider possible party talk even before your event. Conversation starters can range from fun and frivolous (like showing off your matching napkins and dress) to deep dives straight for the heart of the matter. Think about each guest and what might be going on in their life so that you can ask pertinent questions, showing that they have been on your mind and that you care for them. Conversations which easily shift from light to meaningful are unforgettable. Simply skimming the surface leaves an empty feeling later. To more easily dive deep, start shallow as a means of getting there. Pointing out your matchy matchy napkins and dress will ignite laughter and spark interesting talk.…”

Read the rest of Suzanne’s party tips and find our recipe for a perfect French 75 via J. McLaughlin’s blog HERE!

A Summer Night's Dream with J. McLaughlin

Credit: Mark Staff Photography

‘“Sparkling summer cocktails in chilled glasses, your closest friends mingling amongst dragonflies and bite-sized hor’s d'oeuvres, farmer’s market blooms that match your botanical print dress, that match your napkins, that somehow magically match your notecards as well.”

A recipe connoisseur, author, and all-around party genius— when Pollak mentioned to J.McLaughlin Creative Director and Co-founder Kevin McLaughlin that she wished she had a dress that matched her fête essentials, we knew we had to make it come true…’

Now you can shop J. McLaughlin’s dreamy new collaboration with Suzanne HERE, and read all about last night’s launch party HERE (both via the J. McLaughlin blog!)

'Why I'm Wearing Pink' for J. McLaughlin Blog

Name: Suzanne Pollak

 Location: SC in the cutest little pink house in downtown Charleston

 About You: Founder and Dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. The Academy celebrates all the possibilities of home, making the world a better place one cocktail at a time, one party at a time, one connection at a time, all from home. 

Why I’m Wearing Pink This Month:

The scariest part of breast cancer was going through cancer as a single person, not knowing how vulnerable I would be or what I would need. But then, angels alighted from all over, some old friends, some brand new, all helping me in every way imaginable. I wondered where they parked their wings. I was able to let myself accept help because I had to. I felt love and respect from so many that that energy became part of my deep healing. I just had my one year check up October 1 which brings me to my advice: Do not do what I did and wait 10 years to go to a doctor. 

In partnership with Breastcancer.org,  J. McLaughlin will be donating 10% of proceeds from all sales online and in-store on October 17, 2020. Additionally, 10% of proceeds from their limited-edition pink mask sales are also being directly donated to Breastcancer.org.

Read about all four of the incredible women who share why they’re wearing pink this October, via J. McLaughlin’s blog HERE!