(Living)

How To Throw A Valentine’s Day Party

When designer Jenni Kayne throws a party, one thing’s for sure: No detail is left undone. If your lady friends are in need of some QT, spend Valentine’s Day together this weekend! Follow Jenni‘s top ten tips for a girls-only fête complete with a festive cake decorating station, stunning flower arrangements and de rigueur bubbly cocktails.

Inside Jenni Kayne's Gorgeous Home

Celebrate Valentine's Day with all your BFFs.

Host A Cooking Class

"I love throwing cooking classes with my girlfriends! It is a great way for us to spend time together without our husband and kids. We get to catch up with one another while learning to make something new."

Set The Table Ahead Of Time

"I usually have the dining room table set before guests show up, that way I am not rushing around when they arrive—ultimately making it a smoother transition when we sit down to eat."

Remember To Decorate The Kitchen

"I love to throw parties at my home. The kitchen has naturally become a place where guests congregate when they first arrive and while I finish cooking so it makes sense to decorate the kitchen and provide guests with wine or cocktails."

Serve A Festive Cocktail

"We served refreshing lavender champagne cocktails—the lavender and citrus complimented each other so well!"

Set Up A Cake Decorating Station

"This year I asked Annie Campbell to lead our Valentine’s cooking class. She graciously offered to teach a baking and cake decorating class. Annie makes the most gorgeous cakes so naturally I jumped at the opportunity to learn from her!"

Print Recipe Cards

"Amy Blessing, craft extraordinaire, put the sweetest, most romantic touch on the recipe cards. She printed them on beautiful card stock presented in a lovely envelope—it almost felt like receiving a love letter!"

Be Sure To Take Pictures Of The Cakes

"It was fun to see how everyone’s personalities translated through their cakes!"

Snacks Can Be Chic

"Who says crudités can't be chic?! For small nibbles, Annie Campbell put together veggies from the Hollywood farmers market and used heart-shaped paper-mache boxes as vessels."

Use Your Formal Flatware

"I love this rose gold flatware we carry my stores! It brings a certain warmth to the table and complements the ceramics nicely." Flatware available at Jenni Kayne, (310) 860-0123

Put Flowers Everywhere

"Twig and Twine provided fresh flowers and we used them to decorate the table and decorate the cakes."