One Enchanted Evening.

I'm a great entertainer.

I've earned the moniker through plenty of trial, error and many a cracking party.

Few things make me happier than a beautifully laid table filled with family and friends who are ready to eat, laugh and dance.

Somehow there's always dancing.

When it comes to entertaining, I believe that more is more.

In using your good things, getting dressed up, acres of flowers, eating too much, drinking champagne from crystal glasses and in letting your hair down but keeping your heels on.

So this was a dream collaboration for me.

Here I collaborated with Royal Doulton, to create the ultimate festive dinner party - PJ Style.

My only brief was to draw inspiration from the word - - LOVE - which is written on each piece from the Royal Doulton collection .

So love it was, love we did and I share it here...with ♥♥♥

POPPING BOTTLES.

My life motto is: start how you intend to finish.

So you want to kick off any party like you mean business.

And by business, I mean pretty drinks.

Saxon and I always serve champagne to start because a)we love the ceremony of an ice-filled silver bucket andb) Sax is a mad oyster lover (shucks to order for the guests) and there's no greater compliment to oysters than champagne.

It's a great way to spoil your guest. We served Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2008and Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2008 Rose. with Sydney Rock oysters all the way from Narooma on the South Coast.

Drink at the the beginning of party is also an opportunity to use special things a silver tray and crystal flutes.

Little touches everywhere - that's what gets remembered.

I'm big on the whole cocktail thing.

It's like getting dressed up - a pretty drink, in a pretty glass - who's unhappy?

No one. Ever.

If I was a cocktail I would be a margarita(classic not frozen) - they've become a signature drink at our parties.

I served them in these beautiful Royal Doulton cut-crystal whisky tumblers which we rimmed with my new obsession -Tajin- a delicious Mexican chilli and lime salt.

The Recipe

30ml Patrón Silver Tequila

30ml Patron Citronage

30ml fresh lime juice

dash of green habenero hot sauce

Tajin Mexican chilli and lime salt on the glass

The secret to this drink is perfect blend of three key liquids. Combine over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for one minute. You have to chill the booze and let the hot sauce infuse. Pour into tumbler and garnish with salt or lime to taste.

THE GUESTS ARE THE STARS.

Nothing starts a party quite like a photo shoot.

Except for a photo shoot with props. That really gets things going.

I like to set up a mini-studio at my parties and photograph guests as they arrive.

Here, I used two sets of metallic streamer curtains which we strung on fishing wire and a rose gold LOVE balloon.

Cause...♥

CLICK TO BUY: Poppies For Grace Streamer Set $29.95; Poppies For Grace Love Balloon, $19.95

Make It MagicAL.

When you're having a dinner party, the table is your stage.

Like great theatre everyone responds to a dramatic table.

I don't care if you're having two or twenty friends - the same effort should always apply.

A table set with love says: 'I care about you, I want you to have a great time, welcome to my home'.

Flowers. You can't do anything without flowers.

Roses have always been my thing. I like buckets of them. Which is an issue when it comes to $$$.

So, I go direct to the flower markets where I can buy an entire bucket (about 40 stems) for $60. You have to do the work once you get home - thorns, leaves, cutting, arranging - but that's part of the process and it allows you to create an opulent, fragrant table without blowing the whole budget on blooms.

Create a great floral centrepiece by using different heights and shapes. Here I used vases, brass bowls from vintage store and crystal tumblers. I then grouped them (sets of five or three) along the table runner.

To make it less bridal, I put a large vase of white tulips right in the centre.

I like tables that a bit crazy.

I achieved that here with mismatched napery. I layered basic white cloth napkins with some vintage napkins (all from a thrift shop for under 50 cents each) to create a beautiful kind of crazy.

I never leave conversation to chance either. Place cards people. Place cards.

Then I like to use different candles. Traditional pillars, tea lights and this time, I added fragrant pineapples.

Also lets take a moments to worship the table runner.

So simple but adds so, so much. Rose gold glitter from TYPO. Also practically free.You can buy it HERE

The real hero on any table is the flatware.

The Ellen DeGeneres crafted by Royal Doulton collection is elegant and modern. I love the mix of washed out white and grey.

I took the opportunity to set with a large charger plate and then each dish came out on a different sized bowl or plate from the same family.

I'm traditional with my cutlery. Classic silver and set for when the Queen drops in for dinner.

The way your Mum taught you.

Food Is LOve.

Regular readers know just how much I love to cook. And for lots of people.

At this dinner party I got the night off and chef Peter Masonfrom Mason & Rosetook over my kitchen.

Pete's food is delicious and unprentious - just like him.

Over the years, Peter has catered countless special moments for my family - weddings, birthdays - and he's taught me that the best way to entertain for large groups is to add colour, don't over complicate and make flavour and presentation the heroes.

Pete's also the guy that makes sure there's left overs in your fridge for the next day. Here's what we ate: