Guest Scott Alexander’s ostrich Lucchese cowboy boots, handmade in Texas, set the tone for the party.
Host Jean Liu sets the table. “I like entertaining to be casual and intimate,” she says. “Any more than 20 people, and it becomes difficult to have meaningful conversations.” The melamine plates from Target are paired with galvanized-iron chargers from Pier 1 and denim napkins.
With all the decor, Liu explains, “I wanted to channel various shades of blue and white, the colors you find in both Texas and the Hamptons.”
Each guest received a set of notecards embossed with a horseshoe.
The Woodard Furniture dining table was lined with bunches of daisies in Mason jars.
Liu’s friend and guest Heather Wiese Alexander, who owns the stationery company Bell’Invito, designed the event’s paper goods, including the boot-shaped menus and the sacks containing Wallace’s Taos flatware for each place setting.
Fête Home co-founder Jennifer Potter and her children, Luna and Spindle Brown, chill out on a hay bale.
Texas caviar, a salad that includes black-eyed peas, “brings good luck,” says Liu. “And it’s a fun way to incorporate vegetables.”
Corn on the cob, a must for any barbecue.
Corn bread wedges were served.
A variety of meats were served, including brisket from TownLine BBQ in Sagaponack and mesquite-smoked peppered beef tenderloin from Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap, Texas.
Pork ribs from TownLine BBQ slathered in Stubb’s BBQ sauce, a condiment made in Texas for the past 50 years.
Mary Ellen Young and Heather Wiese Alexander chat by the pool.
A true Texas shindig isn’t complete without Shiner Bock beer.
Scott Alexander fills up his plate at the buffet.
Guests tore into Frito pie, a bag of Fritos stuffed with a heaping pile of bean-less chili and topped off with shredded cheddar cheese. “Frito pie is comfort food at its finest,” say Liu. “Every Texan knows this is something you bring out only for special occasions.”
Amy Opsal brings out a tray of sliced watermelon.
Dessert included pecan pie Liu had shipped from Goode Company in Houston (“The presentation is so gorgeous, I often give pies as gifts”).
Empty plates and Fritos bags littered the table, even though second and third helpings were still to come.
Guests also received dark chocolate horseshoes from Li-Lac Chocolates as party favors.
