Lavender Design + Cuisine

Monday, October 27, 2025

Plant-Based Catering & Cooking Class: French, Italian, Spanish & Moroccan Cuisine

Insalata di finocchi e arance rosse

(fennel & blood orange salad)

A Farm-to-Table Culinary Experience, Crafted in Your Home!

Elevate your next gathering with a custom, plant-based dining experience featuring vibrant French, Italian, Spanish and Moroccan flavors. As your private chef, I bring the freshest, local organic produce directly to your kitchen. Everything is handled with care, from custom menu creation and grocery shopping to cooking and—best of all—cleanup. You simply relax and indulge.

For a more interactive event, transform your dinner into a group cooking class for up to 10 guests. Savor high-quality ingredients, fine wine and a shared culinary adventure with friends and family.

Photo caption: My take on the classic insalata di finocchi e arance rosse elevates the traditional Sicilian salad with the rich, jewel-toned flavor of blood oranges and the briny depth of Moroccan olives, finished with a fragrant citrus-cardamom vinaigrette.

Experience the vibrant, delicious world of plant-based Mediterranean food. Contact me today to book.

Bon Appetite!

Chef Ellie Lavender
Plant-Based Mediterranean Personal Chef
Culinary & Wine Pairing Instructor
Event Caterer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

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Friday, October 3, 2025

Simple Christmas Table Ideas | Centerpiece and Place Settings

The holiday table is a blank canvas, and it doesn't matter if your guests number one or ten—the goal is to create a setting that feels celebratory and inviting. Before you rush out to the stores, take a fresh look at what you already own. You might be surprised to find that a festive and memorable table is just a few creative touches away.

So, let’s get started!

Select color themes - One of the first things to establish before creating your table design is the color palette. Choose 2-3 colors max. Then you’ll want to choose serve-wares, textiles, decor and foliage that work within the color theme you’ve chosen.

Consider scale - Do not overcrowd your dining table. Choose everything based on the size of the table, number of chairs and guests.

Apply contrast to create interest - If your tablecloth is white or a neutral color, use tabletop items that are bolder in color such as different shades of green and red.

Incorporate various heights - By incorporating elements with varying heights, you create variety, interest, depth and dimension in your dining table decor.

Make your table vibrant - Use fresh flowers, foliage, fruits and even seasonal vegetables on your table to provide texture and color.

Create a center piece - A centerpiece can be a winter greenery with shiny red berries, flowers and candles (avoid scented candles, they’ll interfere with your foods’ aroma).

Most of all have fun with your table set up and don’t hesitate to ask family and friends to help, not only they’ll have great ideas, but also can contribute by providing flowers, greenery, etc.

Wishing you a holiday season full of incredible flavors and happy moments!

Ellie Lavender
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Interior Designer
Lavender Design + Cuisine

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Saturday, September 6, 2025

Clutter and why controlling people think they know best?

Controlling people believe they know best due to deeply rooted insecurities, a need to feel adequate, and a lack of self-awareness or exposure to diverse perspectives. Their need for control often stems from fear, anxiety, or an inflated sense of self-importance, leading them to believe that imposing their will is for others' own good.

Additionally, for many controlling people, the desire to dictate situations and other people's actions is a coping mechanism for their own internal fears and anxieties. By controlling their environment and the people within it, they create a false sense of security and predictability.

Here's how to effectively deal with controlling people, focusing on immediate and clear actions:

Limit the information shared. The less a controlling person knows, the less leverage they have.

Keep composure. Controlling people often want an emotional reaction. By remaining calm, their tactics are disarmed and it's demonstrated that you are detached.

Walk away to preserve your own physical and emotional health. It's incredibly hard to emotionally and physically detach from controlling family members, especially when you live with them. The best approach is to manage the situation by detaching yourself to the best of your ability.

As a reminder. Yes, there's a strong connection between clutter and control, with two main links: clutter can cause feelings of being out of control, as a disorganized environment increases stress and anxiety, making it harder to manage daily life. Conversely, a desire for control can lead to hoarding and clutter, where people may accumulate possessions as a way to feel secure or manage perceived threats.

In summary, to maintain your emotional well-being, concentrate on what is within your control - your own life. An effective method for this is to declutter your own matters and detach from the responsibilities and behaviors of others, a practice that is challenging but achievable.

In essence, Choose Your Own Peace of Mind.

Ellie Lavender
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Green Interior Designer
Decluttering & Organizing Expert
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Join my network on Facebook & Instagram to receive recipes and information
on upcoming chocolate, culinary & wine pairing classes, and special events!