entertaining

Laurie Furber's pursuit of a stylishly sustainable lifestyle inspired her to launch Greenhouse Design Studio, a hybrid of an online shop, social networking site, and resource guide for green businesses. While curating a sustainable home takes time, Laurie believes in starting small. Her suggestion? Implement thoughtful details that make holiday entertaining easier and more eco-friendly — regardless of budget or aesthetic.

Laurie's entertaining style is decidedly casual and usually involves candlelight and a bountiful buffet, allowing guests to self serve and mingle freely. With the holidays approaching, she's sticking to simple guidelines and a few tricks to get her through the season.

Keep reading to get Laurie's tips on everything from incorporating vintage elements to stress-free decor!

With Spring in full bloom, there's no better way to get into the spirit of the season than some fresh, fragrant flowers. You may think that getting a dose of the color and beauty of flowers could only come in the form of an arrangement, but guess again. It may sound a little outside of your comfort zone, but injecting a little flower power may add a potent punch of flavor or lively color to wake up some tired recipes. Looking to get a little inspired? Here are four ways to bring floral flavors to your table.

1. Freeze petals in ice. Freezing violet or rose petals in ice can make a Spring cocktail so much more exciting. The process is simple, but the outcome of the spectacle is elegant and will have all of your guests ooh-ing and aah-ing.
2. Brew them in some tea. Chamomile is the staple of the tea world, but switching things up with some iced hibiscus tea can bring a welcome dose of flower power to your Spring table.

Keep reading for two more ways to enjoy floral flavors this Spring.

Napoleon loved it, and Jean Brillat-Savarin, a famous French epicurean, dubbed it the "king of all cheeses." Époisses de Bourgogne is a creamy, semisoft white cheese with a runny interior and a distinct wrinkled orange rind that was created in the 16th century by a group of Cistercian monks living in Époisses, France. Women in the region learned the unique method, and carried the tradition until World War II, when production of the cheese nearly died out.

Read how Époisses was rediscovered.

Did you know that today's National Celiac Disease Awareness Day? Neither did I — but then again, I didn't know that imitation crab meat, oyster sauce, and licorice all have gluten, either. Gluten may seem innocent enough — it's a protein composite found in all wheat products — but for an estimated 3 million Americans with celiac disease, it can have devastating effects if consumed.

A whopping one in 133 Americans has this autoimmune disease, so if you're big on entertaining at home, chances are, you'll need to be equipped to go gluten-free at some point or another, whether it's an intimate dinner, tailgating bash, or Christmas party. I asked Alice Bast, president of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and a sufferer of the disease herself, for some advice on doing just that. Keep reading to see her tips for gluten-free entertaining at home.

When it comes to cooking, there's nothing more rewarding than serving your friends and family at a party. Whether it be a dinner, baby shower, or birthday bash, crafting the perfect menu is crucial to an event's success. From your guests' dietary needs to the occasion to the season, there's a lot to consider when planning a menu. Don't be overwhelmed, I've got a handful of suggestions to keep in mind the next time you're deciding what to serve.

• Being a good hostess means that you make guests feel welcome and comfortable, that's why it's important to think about their diets. Don't serve a meat-heavy menu if you have vegetarians in attendance. A friend allergic to gluten? Offer a gluten-free meal. While you may have to think outside the box, there are millions of dishes in the world; it can be done!
• If it's easier for you to cook with a theme, like rustic Italian, casual Californian, or traditional Spanish, do so!
• Unless you are highlighting a special item on purpose, (like serving a blood orange meal, where each course features blood oranges), make sure there isn't too much of one ingredient. Too much cheese or starch or vegetables will result in an unbalanced meal.

Get the rest of my tips — and share yours! — after the jump.