Hey, Sweet Friends!

Can I tell you a little hosting secret?

Most hosts spend hours worrying about the food.

👉 Will there be enough?

👉 Will people like it?

👉 Should I make one more appetizer?

👉 Is the salad too boring?

I know because I’ve asked myself all of those questions.

But after years of hosting dinner parties, I’ve learned something surprising:

The meals people remember most aren’t always the ones with the fanciest menu.

They’re the ones where someone felt seen.

They’re the ones where the conversation lingered long after the plates were cleared.

They’re the ones where someone went home thinking, “I really needed that.”

This month’s theme is Curious Hearts, and I believe curiosity is one of the greatest gifts we can offer the people sitting around our table.

Because when we’re genuinely curious about someone, we stop trying to impress them.

We start trying to know them.

And that changes everything.

Three Questions Worth Asking

If you’re having friends over this summer, tuck these away for later.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

This question invites people to share hopes, plans, dreams, and simple pleasures.

You’ll hear everything from vacations and weddings to fresh tomatoes and afternoons at the pool.

What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently?

This one often leads to fascinating conversations.

It allows people to talk about growth without feeling like they’re being put on the spot.

And it reminds us that changing our minds can be a sign of wisdom, not weakness.

What’s one small thing making life better right now?

This might be my favorite.

A new walking route.

A favorite tea.

A great book.

A morning routine.

A new puppy.

The answers are often simple, but they reveal so much about a person.

This one was recently pulled from my Sip & Spill Jar on my table at a recent dinner party, and we all thoroughly enjoyed each other's answers.

What I love about these questions is that they invite connection without becoming awkward.

Nobody feels interrogated.

Nobody feels pressured to share something deeply personal.

Instead, you’re creating gentle openings for conversation.

You’re giving people permission to tell their stories.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:

👉 Most people are carrying stories they wish someone would ask about.

A Few Favorites From My Hosting Cabinet

If you’re gathering people around your table this summer, these are the pieces I reach for over and over again:

✓ Linen Napkins

✓ Small Bud Vases

✓ Battery-Powered Candles

✓ Pretty Serving Boards

None of these are necessary.

But each one adds a little beauty without adding much work.

And that’s my favorite kind of hosting.

If you're in the Asheville area, my favorite shop to pick up all my hosting needs (and so much more!) is Provisions Mercantile. From Golden Rabbit Enamelware, plenty of amazing boards, and cute little hosting essentials, you'll find something that adds a little whimsical beauty to your dinner table. Even if you're setting it just for you.

Before I go, here’s a challenge for you:

The next time you’re sitting around a table—whether it’s dinner with friends, lunch with coworkers, or coffee with someone you love—ask one of these questions.

Then listen.

Really listen.

You might be surprised by what you learn.

Because people rarely remember what was served.

They remember how it felt to be known.

With love,

Ashley

P.S. Save these questions for your next dinner party. You never know which one might open the door to a conversation you’ll remember for years.