The Cozy Celiac

06/08/2026

I get this question all the time:

"You're so busy. How do you find the time and energy to host so much?"

And my answer is always the same:

I think we sometimes define hosting the wrong way.

If hosting means a perfectly clean house, matching serveware, homemade food, and a put-together outfit, then no..I don't have time for that very often either.

But that's not what hosting means to me.

To me, hosting is simply creating a space where people feel welcome. It's asking, "How can I make it easy for the people I love to come do life alongside us?"

Sometimes that looks beautiful.

Sometimes it looks like takeout containers on the counter, kids running through the house, wet hair, and no makeup.

The pretty platters and cake stands? Those are for me. I'd have them out anyway. They aren't the reason people come.

People come because they want connection.

This spread was a group effort. We threw some meat on the grill, everyone brought a side, and we spent the afternoon together. That's it.

Some of my favorite memories have been made around imperfect tables, with simple food and zero pressure.

The older I get, the more I realize people aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for an invitation.

And that's why we love hosting.

Not because we love entertaining.
Because we love creating space for memories with the people we love 💛

06/07/2026

✨Normalize admitting that a crispy sauv and a patio can turn an entire day around.

06/07/2026

A crispy New Zealand sauv blanc, duck fat frites with basil aioli, a perfectly cooked hanger steak, and a Korean pork chop that I'm still thinking about this morning.

But what made the evening memorable wasn't just the food.. it was the people. Which is ALWAYS the case at Tolon. The owners and their entire team are so good at making you feel welcome.

Good food fills your table. Good people fill your heart. ✨

📍614 S Harrison Street

06/03/2026

✨The iced coffee I can't stop drinking lately!

Iced coffee + pistachio creamer + cold frothed milk + caramel sauce 💛

06/02/2026

✨This is the easiest way to make guacamole EVER! It’s literally avocados, lime juice, store bought pico de gallo, salt, garlic powder, and fresh cracked pepper.

🥑Save this for your next girls night!

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

✨This salty snack mix, an ice cold drink, and cooling off in the pool. Yes. Please.

💦Gluten-free Poolside Snack Mix
-3 c honey nut Chex cereal
-3 c gluten-free cheez-its
-3 c gluten-free pretzels
-2 c salty cashews
-2 c salty peanuts
-1 stick butter, melted (or 1/2 c vegan butter!)
-1 1/2 T Worcestershire sauce
-1/2 T lawrys seasoning salt
-1 tsp garlic powder
-1 tsp onion powder
-1/2 tsp chili powder
-1/2 tsp paprika
-dash of cumin
-dash of hot sauce
~Preheat oven to 250F.
~In a large bowl, combine the Chex, cheez its, pretzels, cashews, and peanuts.
~In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, worcestershire, and all seasonings. Stir thoroughly.
~Pour seasoned butter over the dry snack mix and stir until evenly coated.
~Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and pour snack mix evenly across.
~Place in oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
~Allow to cool completely before transferring to air tight container, baggie, or jar.

05/24/2026

🍍Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatball Bowls

Ingredients
•1 package Trader Joe's Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
•1 red bell pepper, sliced
•1 small yellow onion, sliced
•1–1½ cups pineapple chunks
•2 cups cooked jasmine or white rice
•1–2 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
•2–3 tbsp teriyaki sauce (optional for extra sauciness- I have a recipe for homemade here: )
•Garlic powder or minced garlic
•Sesame seeds
•Green onions
•Optional: chili crunch or sriracha mayo
Instructions
1. Cook your rice and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and red pepper and sauté until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5–7 minutes.
3. Add the pineapple and cook another 2 minutes until it starts getting golden around the edges.
4. Add the meatballs. Let them brown a bit in the pan (they taste even better with a little crispiness).
5. If you want it saucier, drizzle in a little extra teriyaki sauce and toss everything together for another minute or two.
6. Serve over warm rice and top with sesame seeds, green onions, and chili crunch if you like a little heat.