Once upon a time I was a reluctant entertainer. I loved having people over, but I avoided hosting formal dinners. I didn’t feel confident cooking what I imagined a “guest-worthy” meal should be. Friends who prepared multi-course dinners, kept spotless homes, and set their tables perfectly intimidated me. It felt overwhelming.
I convinced myself I could never live up to those expectations, so I found easier ways to entertain that suited me. I hosted Make-Your-Own-Pizza nights, Ice Cream Sundae parties, and Taco Salad bars. If guests assembled their own plates, any culinary mishaps were their responsibility — a tactic that made entertaining manageable and, frankly, more fun for me.
Now I see there was no shame in those choices. At the time I felt like an epic failure as a hostess, but in reality I was learning to let go of unrealistic standards. I preferred spending time on the atmosphere and decor rather than striving for gourmet perfection in the kitchen. That balance — authenticity over perfection — shaped my approach to hosting and to decorating.
Embracing that focus on welcoming spaces and genuine connection eventually led to this blog, The Inspired Room. I never planned to create a cooking blog; I wanted to help people feel comfortable making their homes inviting without pressure. Through the blog I connected with fellow bloggers Sandy and Nester, and together we celebrated the idea that entertaining should be approachable.
Although I joke about it, Sandy wrote the book The Reluctant Entertainer, and I feel honored to have my name on the back beside Nester’s. Seeing the book in person for the first time was a small but meaningful milestone for me. I may have written countless blog posts over the years, but I hadn’t written a book, so this felt special.
I took this picture at night holding it up to my camera. Somehow a small smudge ended up on the cover and I only noticed it later.
What Nester and I both love about Sandy’s message is its simplicity and warmth: entertaining isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. When you focus on hospitality and creating an inviting atmosphere, guests feel welcomed and relaxed — and hosting becomes enjoyable instead of stressful.
Giveaway: Book, Apron & Tea Towel
TWO lucky winners.
To celebrate Sandy’s new book, I’m giving away a copy of The Reluctant Entertainer to two winners. Each winner will also receive a demi-pink sorbet apron and matching tea towel from The Hip Hostess. These sweet additions make hosting feel festive and approachable — perfect for someone who could use a little encouragement to invite people over.
If you’d like a copy of Sandy’s book for yourself or as a gift, it’s widely available.
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment sharing your most embarrassing entertaining moment or the thing that makes you most reluctant to host. You can earn extra entries by telling friends about the giveaway on social media or your blog — come back and let me know where you shared it.
Giveaway is now closed!