life of the party

KARA ROSENLUND

Travel photographer

What was your last memorable celebration? It was on the timber deck at our weekender on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). The outdoor deck is a lo-fi place for a gathering, though the atmosphere of the island makes everything feel more exciting – it must be the sea air. I think a great effortless trick to entertaining is to go high and low at the same time: serve fancy Champagne for the high, then have nostalgic sandwiches for the low. I love doing this with prawn sandwiches on naughty white bread and cold Champagne.

When you entertain, what are you known for? The invitations. I love posting things in the mail, even if it’s just a casual gathering. I like to always make people feel really special and anticipate the time spent together.

Is there something your mum always did when throwing a party? Mum would always have fantastic music blaring as you walked through the door. It would really set the tone for the party and is a lot like my mum’s personality. Lots of classics from the 1950s and ’60s.

Which cookbook are you into right now? Saturday Night Pasta by Elizabeth Hewson.

A song to start the party is… Paint it, Black by The Rolling Stones.

What’s your table-setting strategy? If you burn the food, as least the table looked beautiful. I probably go to more effort bringing the table to life and making sure that everyone is comfortable than I do cooking the food. I love to cook, but I love to decorate even more. I love to sit down at a full and abundant table. Individual place settings with lots of vases brimming with nature and flickering beeswax candles in thick glass hurricane vases.

Are your parties more about conversation or dancing? Conversation – I