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local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind. It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday. Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.

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A long time ago in a different life (or at least i A long time ago in a different life (or at least it feels that way) I was riding in a car at night with @whereissionnie to meet up with @ruthielindsey and @1924us for bonfires and general cabin shenanigans outside of Nashville. 

I remember the drive so well. It’s a conversation that always stuck with me. We talked about trauma and crisis. And I don’t know much, but I shared the only thing I know, a thing that has served me well through the natural undulations life is bound to bring.

And that is simply sometimes you have to cling to the mast. You aren’t doing anything but surviving but that’s the most important work of all. Because the storm WILL pass. And you‘ll be left standing.

And when it does you can mend the sails. Untangle the ropes. And get on with the business of sailing.

I’ve learned to give myself permission to do nothing but make it through. To sleep a little too late. To dance in front of the mirror and feel myself even when I look ridiculous. To load and unload the dishwasher and allow that to be a great victory. To dress like a cartoon character in nothing but white t-shirts and denim shorts.  To eat mac & cheese from a box and frozen chicken nuggets sometimes. To not respond to text messages. To flail and get back up over and over. To ask for help. A lot.

And also permission to feel it all. Rage. Grief. Joy. Hope and hopelessness. And sometimes all within the span of a few minutes. 

And most of all, whether navigating calm waters or stormy ones, what matters more than anything is the crew you’re doing it with. Surround yourself with solid people.

People that challenge you with compassion. And humor. People whose strengths buttress your weakness. People that don’t judge you. That believe in you even when you think they’re maniacs for doing so.

I know a disproportionate amount of us have had rough seas this year. Cling to the mast in the storm. Choose your crew wisely. No storm ever lasted forever. But there never was a last storm in the world. Accept that they will come and be prepared.

Kinfolk May Gathering, Nashville: l’esprit de la mer

Local Milk Retreats

06.17.2014

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

L’esprit de la mer, the spirit of the sea. In a field in Tennessee. For this Kinfolk dinner myself and my co-host Rebekka Seale along with our amazing partners & crew of helpers channeled the wind, salt, and laissez faire of the sea for the May Kinfolk dinner here in Nashville, TN. I’d only just flew in from Lisbon a few days prior, and I couldn’t have even begun to pull this together without the amazing family of creatives I’ve found in Nashville. You are all amazing, and this was by far one of my favorite events I’ve ever styled & hosted. Click through to see the final product in all it’s simplicity & beauty.

After putting our heads together to come up with a menu that both invoked the fruits of the Gulf and the verdant bounty of spring in Tennessee, Evie of Twelve at the Table along with Hannah of Nothing but Delicious cooked the brilliant meal that graced the table that night. A meal of everything from fragrant bass en papillote from Boone and Sons to West Indies crab salad with homemade saltines to buttermilk chamomile panna cotta with salted Swedish dream cookies alongside craft cocktails made with the infused spirits of Art in the Age. And plenty of oysters on the half shell. Rebekka (who aside from doing a million other things, also handmade & dyed the grey linens for our table) and I wouldn’t have it any other way; we both possess that special brand of religiosity that oyster lovers have. They catered the dinner with an ease I think you could taste in the food. We served it all on beautiful ceramics that echoed the shells of the sea made by Handmade Studio TN & wood boards from Board and Bread around a low table built specially for us by Handy Dandy Productions and surrounded with sheepskins and globe lights from prop mavens The House Nashville. Everyone worked so hard.

Tara Hurst designed our menus; they were so beautiful I about lost my breath when I opened them. I saved them. The girls from Consider the Wildflowers created beautiful bouquets that dripped like seaweed from an old barn ladder and spindly silver dollar eucalyptus for our table & garlands. All of it came together in front of the barn at The Farm on Eastland (an amazing space you can rent on Air BnB), and I couldn’t ever forget the men & women who always show up and work doing anything and everything: The Solution Girl, Lisa, Ruthie, Manley, and Stephen. Thank you, you were the backbone of this dinner. A million thank you’s. And other than my profuse thanks & urging you to check out the work of each of these amazing humans, I’m going thank the reason for it all: our guests. It was so great to meet you all, and I hope our paths have reason to cross again. Now I’m going to let the photos of this event speak for me. I hope you find inspiration for your next gathering, big or small. And again, agian: Thank you Nashville family & Kinfolk family. So happy to know you all.

The next Kinfolk dinner we’ll be hosting in Nashville will be in October, and tickets will go on sale a month in advance, so keep your ear to the ground if you missed this one!

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

kinfolk l'esprit de la mer dinner / Nashville, TN

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tags: barn, dinner, diy, entertaining, gathering, kinfolk, l'esprit de la mer, party, picnic, place setting, sea, supper, table setting, tablescape

75 thoughts on “Kinfolk May Gathering, Nashville: l’esprit de la mer”

  1. Celeste says:
    June 17, 2014 at 1:31 am

    So stunning! What a magical evening.

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:19 am

      I gotta say…it was unreal! Thank you!

      Reply
      1. Barb says:
        January 25, 2015 at 5:20 pm

        Gorgeous! Really, absolutely gorgeous! may I ask what the name of the dinnerware is & even where it can be purchased? I love it!
        Thank you!

        Reply
        1. beth says:
          January 25, 2015 at 5:22 pm

          It’s by Handmade Studio TN … you can find her work and contact her here: http://www.handmadestudiotn.com/

          Reply
  2. Hannah says:
    June 17, 2014 at 4:09 am

    Absolutely stunning. Unbelievable.

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:17 am

      Many thanks!

      Reply
  3. Sanda says:
    June 17, 2014 at 4:27 am

    Amazing!! Every single detail of it!! You all did such a great job, congratulations girl!!

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 17, 2014 at 4:36 am

      I still kind of can’t believe the pace I was going at! This was a small miracle lol

      Reply
  4. My world apart says:
    June 17, 2014 at 4:33 am

    I love these pictures .. the atmosphere that evoke , the joy, the desire to be together, to share the pleasure. I’m glad to have found your blog .. I am sure that I will continue to follow you!
    See you soon, Marzia

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:16 am

      Honestly, every single time I do one of these I’m running around like a *lunatic* the day of vaguely wondering why the hell I do these things….then…then everyone is around the table and great plates of food are coming out of the kitchen and then I remember why I do it. And start planning the next one! It’s worth every second.

      Reply
  5. Vicky says:
    June 17, 2014 at 8:19 am

    Stunning! amazing! love all! congrats!
    xo

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:23 am

      Thanks, Vicky! I’m so happy to be able to share it.

      Reply
  6. Corina Nika says:
    June 17, 2014 at 8:58 am

    Divine, truly such a perfection!

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:15 am

      Thanks so much…it’s always so good to be able to share it all a second time here on the blog.

      Reply
  7. Alison Dulaney says:
    June 17, 2014 at 9:20 am

    What a beautiful event, rustic yet dreamy, congratulations!

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:15 am

      Thank you! I’m already thinking about the next one…

      Reply
  8. Leah says:
    June 17, 2014 at 10:10 am

    These pictures are so gorgeous – it must have been a fantastic evening. I love the strung lights ~ just breath-taking!!

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:14 am

      It really was an amazing evening. One of the best I’ve had in years. Such great workers & guests. And The House Nashville is responsible for stringing all those lights! They showed up so early in the morning. It was fantastic.

      Reply
  9. Patty/NS says:
    June 17, 2014 at 10:58 am

    Amazing food, table, location, and of course, your photography!

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:12 am

      Thank you! I’m so grateful to everyone…the vision couldn’t have come together without them! And it gave me a few moments to take photos which is always a luxury at these things! Haha.

      Reply
  10. Sini | my blue&white kitchen says:
    June 17, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    These pictures are amazing; capturing the mood so incredibly well.

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:11 am

      Thanks, Sini! I’m always so happy to see you comment here…I hope you know how much I love what you do!

      Reply
  11. Beeta @ Miss Sophisticate says:
    June 17, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Wow, that is pure magic right there. Everything from the food and tabletop styling to the actual setting and ambiance…perfection.

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:07 am

      Thank you! It was a labor of love!

      Reply
  12. Anne says:
    June 17, 2014 at 11:50 pm

    Beautiful photos and a wonderful post!

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:06 am

      Thank you! It’s good to hear it wasn’t too many! Haha.

      Reply
  13. Mindy says:
    June 17, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    Amazing. Stunning. Gorgeous.

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      June 18, 2014 at 12:05 am

      Thank you! It took a village. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Meghan says:
    June 18, 2014 at 1:23 am

    I can feel l’espirit de la mer in ever single one of these photos. Your photography is so intimate with the world, your kinfolk, your nourishment. Everything. Just heartbreakingly beautiful. I would give anything to come to one of these events, even if I was a mere housefly on the kitchen ceiling, watching the magic fall together from above.

    Reply
  15. Ramona says:
    June 18, 2014 at 3:41 am

    Gah… I have now words! I’m just sitting here in tears at how beautiful this event is! Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Resting Roost says:
    June 18, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    How completely stunning!!! What an inspiration. My friends and I have started doing a monthly supper club and this makes me want to take it to the next level. Gorgeous, as always.

    Reply
  17. Carolina says:
    June 18, 2014 at 10:50 pm

    Just Beautiful and lovely. Fresh and cool but not cold. Such harmony. Great job.

    Reply
  18. Francesca says:
    June 19, 2014 at 4:28 am

    Oh my.
    I am speechless…
    divine!

    Reply
  19. Athena says:
    June 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    How lovely! Your pictures are stunning and have such a specific tone to them. What a beautiful life! Cheers!

    Reply
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  21. Dina says:
    June 22, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Wow. The only thing missing was me:).

    Reply
  22. Linda says:
    June 25, 2014 at 9:24 am

    Seriously, the beauty of this post!
    It’s so good that I kind of just want to lay down my camera and quit. Haha.. no, but this is really really amazing, Beth.

    Reply
  23. sallette says:
    July 3, 2014 at 10:11 am

    Magique et absolument superbe.Un seul regret…ne pas avoir eu la chance d’assister à ce dîner pastoral !
    Je reprends l’idée des petites serviettes de lin autour des petits pains.
    Félicitations pour votre joli blog que je découvre petit à petit.

    Reply
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  26. Tre Cavil says:
    July 15, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Stunning! Discovered that I was smiling the whole time I was scrolling down the page.

    Reply
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  31. Hannah says:
    August 19, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    This has inspired me to do a Kinfolk Gathering-esque dinner in my town! What a beautiful way to celebrate community and fellowship. Thank you so much for the lovely inspiration!

    Reply
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  33. Laurie says:
    October 7, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    BE STILL MY HEART <3 So very in love with this.

    Reply
  34. Christiann says:
    October 13, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    Beth, I’ve looked at this post over and over, relishing in the beauty expressed. Absolutely lovely! I can’t wait to see a re cap of this last weekend’s Autumn dinner!

    Reply
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  36. Emilie says:
    December 20, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    This is fabulous!!!

    Reply
  37. Ely says:
    December 30, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    Lovely gathering. I was wondering, where did you get your invitations printed?

    Reply
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  41. hadewych says:
    April 14, 2015 at 8:45 am

    what a beautiful gathering, it looks almost surreal. And I love the low table, there is nothing better than sitting on the ground, especially in grass!

    Reply
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  43. Shashinyc says:
    April 23, 2015 at 11:45 am

    It must be lovely to know that guests will hold the memory of this event dear for the rest of their lives. How much loving effort by so many to create such a wondrous night! Congratulations on your production.

    Reply
  44. Wei says:
    May 15, 2015 at 1:59 am

    May I ask what the brand of that white plate is?

    Reply
  45. Denise says:
    May 15, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    You and I must have been related in a previous life…take a look at my website http://www.backtothetable.com! This event looks amazing, I’m sure that the guests will be talking about it for years.

    Reply
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  47. Andrea says:
    July 9, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    This is beautiful! Can I ask where the flatware is from?

    Reply
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  55. Sharon @ Cooker Guru says:
    June 5, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    This event looks amazing, you fotos are very great

    Reply
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  58. Maria says:
    March 3, 2018 at 5:19 pm

    This event has been my inspiration for my wedding next September! I absolutely love that despite the huge effort that went into it, the result is one of stunning simplicity! Can I ask what fabric the favors are wrapped in? It looks like linen but did you have to treat the edges so it wouldn’t fray?

    Reply
  59. Carla says:
    April 9, 2018 at 2:45 pm

    This is beautiful!

    Reply
  60. Dev says:
    September 15, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. look at someone working their magic ✨ so much prettiness. photography is on point too!! May I ask where those dinner plates are from ! I LOVE them.

    Reply

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