My love affair with World Market started when I was just a kid. I think I was in 6th grade when my friend and I would sometimes get dropped off at the mall to hang out and we’d always walk over to World Market. They used to sell the most amazing little rose-flavored candies. Yes, roses- as in the flowers. They were so so good. To this day every time I walk into a World Market store, I keep my eye out for them. Now that I’m grown up and actually have use for the amazing household items in the store, I buy more than candy! I buy much more than candy. I love World Market like Kate loves Target. We’re talking serious business here. Some might classify it as an obsessive relationship. I mentioned in a photography post that I did a while back that a huge number of the dishes and table linens you see in my food photographs, including the photos in our cookbook, have come from World Market. They sell an amazing selection of cookware, dishes, and specialty items. Remember the adorable little mugs you all were raving about in my hot chocolate post? Yep. World Market. They also sell a great selection of furniture, housewares, gifts, jewelry, accessories (see the cute floral headband I’m wearing in the next pic? World Market!), over 500 international wines, gourmet foods and specialty drinks imported from more than 50 countries. It’s seriously one of my most favorite places, which is why I jumped at the chance to host a party compliments of World Market and Foodbuzz. I had the perfect occasion this past weekend while I was in my home town of Seattle; my favorite sister (okay, she’s my only sister, but for reals, she’s my favorite) was having a birthday!
That’s my sister Becca. She’s awesome. She’s an amazing cook (I actually photographed her making something this weekend that I’m going to post soon) She’s insanely creative (we’re talking like, she built a to-scale replica of my parents house in gingerbread last Christmas. Okay, and she has a college minor in art, but seriously the gingerbread was sweet) and she does crazy cool stuff like rescue orphaned animals and train them to release them back into the wild. No joke. She taught a half-dead bird how to eat. And then fly. She’s like an animal whisperer. She’s also single. In case you know someone. Just sayin…
I had a perfectly lovely backyard meal in my mind and I found everything I needed at World Market. Sometimes when you envision outdoor entertaining you immediately think of paper plates and plastic tablecloths. I love to mix and match and bring some of my indoor things out. I started out with a crisp white tablecloth, and added a bamboo table runner. I love how the bamboo is kind of rustic and fits in with an outdoor theme.
Then I used some plain white plates. This is a fabulous thing to have. World Market sells a lot of these buffet sets; plain white dishes in all sizes that come in these nice holders. They’re affordable, and great to have on hand for big group meals.
I didn’t want them to get lost on the white tablecloth though so I used these awesome chargers. Aren’t they fantastic? This is my most favorite color so I couldn’t resist. They’re a heavy duty plastic so they’re super easy to clean too. I love these.
On top of the white plates, I placed these fun melamine dessert plates. They’re light weight and inexpensive; perfect for outdoor entertaining! I love the colors in them, and found cloth napkins in a matching color too.
One of my favorite things to do on an outdoor table is light candles. There’s something about a breeze, and summer weather, and flickering candles, that makes you want to stay at that table for hours. I LOVE these purple glass lanterns. Those things are big, and only 8 bucks! They matched the purple in the plates perfectly.
World Market has a gazillion different styles of little votive holders. I’m madly in love with these blue square ones. I grabbed a bunch of different styles and colors and scattered them around. All the colors tied into the plates so they all matched when put together.
See those cute drinks? One of my favorite things.
World Market Italian Sodas. They have a bunch of flavors; my family loves the Blood Orange. The Mango Passion Fruit is yummy too.
The personal sized bottles look so cute on a dinner table. Sort of casual-chic.
My sister bought her own flowers (okay, and she made half of this meal herself too. She’s rad like that.) How crazy beautiful are these peonies??
Seriously I couldn’t stop staring at them. I love fresh flowers on a dinner table, especially an outdoor one.
Just make sure when you’re entertaining that you use shallow vases or bowls so you don’t block people’s faces.
Okay I’ll stop swooning over the flowers. Back to food. For an appetizer, I grabbed a great pesto, and also a Piquillo and Artichoke Bruschetta spread. Both were amazing. I could eat that artichoke stuff with a spoon. Okay I sort of did. Both came from World Market. Did I mention they have food there? Food from all around the world? Ya, they do. And lots and lots of chocolate and treats too.
I need to make a knock-off of that artichoke spread asap.
My family also loves these chips. They taste similar to those Pop Chips that are popular right now.
My kiddos love ’em! They also have lots of fun trinkets, toys, and novelty items at World Market. My kids beg for stuff every time we go there and I usually say no, so this time I grabbed a bunch of toys to keep them busy while the grown-ups ate. It worked brilliantly.
We also grilled up (and by we I mean my husband) one of my all-time-favorite summer meals, Italian Chicken and Vegetable Skewers. Per my sister’s request we (and by we I mean my sister) also made Caramel Toffee Fruit Dip. (Are you starting to wonder if I cooked anything at all??) And a yummy Pear and Gorgonzola Salad.
My sister also made an awesome Orange-Teriyaki Steelhead, which I’m going to share her recipe for soon! Heaven knows our Seafood Section can use all the help it can get. I’m thinking I should have her do a monthly fish feature!
For dessert (seriously I made this one myself. I mean, I bought this one myself. It counts, I swear.) I picked up some Seattle-famed Trophy Cupcakes. I have to be honest and say that when it comes to gourmet cupcake shops, I’ve been disappointed way more times than I’ve been pleased. But Trophy came through! These babies were amazing.
All in all it was a gorgeous night with fantastic company. Nothing better than friends and family on a beautiful summer night at a beautiful summer table!
Questions & Reviews
I would use it on food for sure!!……..well and maybe some new serving platters:)
I’d love to buy those exact same table decorations and have an outdoor party just like yours. (Without the pear/gorganzola salad, I hate pears and gorganzola.)
We just bought new couches that are a completely different look, feel and color than our old ones…so I need a little bit of everything to accessorize make our open floor plan feel a little more cohesive now!
I’d hope I’d be smart enough to spend it on patio furniture but knowing the love of Milka candy bars I developed on my mission….
I would use it for lots of things, but definitely their jewelry and their Indian food mixes.
I love, love, love World Market!They have great furniture, food, wine, dishes! It is definitely one of my favorite stores! Whenever I want something unique that is the first place I go!
I would buy new curtains and furniture to brighten up my home!
Oh wow! I’ve never heard of World Market, but I’m already in love with their stuff! Everything looks so pretty for your party!
I would get a little bit of everything! I am in love with the Rooster dinnerware collection. So cute! And the baskets! <3
I love World Market and spend most of my budget there monthly! They have the best olive oil for the best price.
This must be a sign from God! I was seriously in the store yesterday when I found an item I had given up hope on! It was…Marshmallow Fluff! The one in the glass jar that just says “Marshamllow Fluff.” I have been searching everywhere for this stuff (yes, I know Kraft makes a brand too, but I wanted to try this one!) I had given up hope on this when Boom! there it was! So what would I spend the coupon on…yep, a bunch of marshmallow fluff to make marshmallow fudge, marshmallow frosting for my cupcakes, marshmallow fondant, and a jar just for dipping my spoon in! In addition, since Father’s Day is this Sunday, I would buy some really cool bbq seasonings and sauces I saw there too! This store is the bomb! Oh and did I mention I also saw cotton candy cupcake mix with cute pink sprinkles? I am a from scratch baker, but even this little box of cuteness piqued my interest so I would buy that too! I would buy some of the fancy syrups and make summery drinks for my friends!
Oh wow…I’d definitely do it on serving dishes and dishes! We usually eat out of pots and pans because I haven’t purchased anything to serve food out of!
Probably a little bit of everything…but for sure it would include some blood orange soda and black licorice. Our families staples whenever we make a trip there.
LOVE your set-up for an outdoor dinner party. WorldMarket is my favorite for little gifts, unique jewelry, and fun foodstuff treats. Our bedroom set is from there as well. I havent tried the things you posted in your pictures, but may grab some next time i stop by. YUM.
Your table is gorgeous, I love the colors!
I am sadly obsessed with cake stands, platters, and anything that can make a dinner party look amazing. I love the chargers and lanterns that you found! I seriously need to stop by the local World Market more often! Your table looked a.maz.ing!
I would buy some fun summer dishes! I need to add some color to my plain white dishes!
I just found out about World Market a year again and now love it! We’ve bought food, wine, shower curtains, and kitchenware there. My husband is actually going there today to get kitchen bar stools. I would buy a variety of things if I won! 🙂
I think I might have to spend it on some dishes and maybe something pretty too! I got rid of my set of everyday dishes when we moved a few months ago and have been using plastic ones….I am gettting tired of that! 🙂
I’ve never been to world market…apparently I’ve been missing out!!! I’d probably stock up on some dishes. Those plates are adorable!
I would love to use it on a little of everything!! Right now I am searching for small accent pieces.
wow! $100…i would definitely be spending it on items for our up coming wedding…i don’t know what exactly but maybe something for the centerpieces? or something else fun!
First off, your table looks amazing. And where have i been that I haven’t been to World Market. Oh Yeah, I live in SE Idaho. Not much like that around here. A $100 shopping trip would be amazing.
Love World Market! I am getting married this coming October and if I were to win the gift card I would use it to buy entertaining items for our new home:)
I’d totally stock up on all of the fabulous outdoor “room” goodies. This season’s yellows, and turquoise-s, and corals are almost too much to bear! LOVE!
Wow.. I have never even heard of World Market until today. I would love to buy some plates, food and some home decor. I love your blog and website.
Thanks!
I would definitely buy some of their delicious wine, try some ethnic foods, and purchase some of their beautiful dishes!
I LOVE that store too! I would use it to buy some of their outdoor lighting, their super fun kitchen gadgets and soon outdoor dining stuff too! What an awesome giveaway!
I love World Market! I go there and look, overwhelmed by everything, and then when I get home I find uses for all the things I fall in love with there! I need to get my timing right and buy when there! A nice shopping spree would be a pretty sweet way to take care of that problem for me. 😉
Crap, I should probably mention that I want table settings and a globe.
Yes, please! Definitely new table linens.