We’re over the moon to share that Sun Cookery was beautifully featured in Magnolia and Moonshine magazine! The thoughtful article captures not just what we do, but the deep family roots and personal memories that inspired every single box we create.
From Grandma’s Kitchen to Your Table
What touched us most about this feature was how perfectly they captured the heart of Sun Cookery—those tender moments with grandparents that shape who we become. The article beautifully describes how our Fall into Home box includes trinket dishes made with impressions from my Grandma Betty’s crocheted doilies, preserving those precious memories in a tangible way.
“It reminds me of when I was younger and spent summers in the Carolinas with both sets of my grandparents,” the article shares. “Those times with your grandparents growing up are really special — you have these tender moments.”
The Question That Started It All
Magnolia and Moonshine perfectly captured that pivotal moment when I realized something was missing in the Midwest. After a decade of hosting margarita parties, taco trucks, and steak and wine nights, I noticed that wonderful neighbors weren’t reciprocating invitations. Instead of being sad about it, I got curious.
The article shares how I spent about a year hosting dinners specifically to ask people about entertaining. The responses were honest and revealing:
- “Well, I’m really busy.”
- “It’s very exhausting to host.”
- “I just don’t have the right stuff right now.”
- “My house just doesn’t look right.”
These weren’t excuses—they were real barriers that needed real solutions.
Four Collections, Four Stories
We love how the magazine detailed the inspiration behind each of our four boxes:
Gather & Dine – Our starter kit with classic, neutral pieces that make mixing and matching effortless
Fireside – Warm, soulful pieces including those special doily-impressed trinket dishes that carry Grandma Betty’s legacy
Porches & Patios – Inspired by Bahamian getaways, celebrating the pineapple as the ultimate symbol of hospitality
Wrapped in Warmth – A tribute to Grandma Margaret’s gift drawer philosophy, helping you never show up empty-handed
The Gift Drawer Philosophy
One of our favorite parts of the article focuses on the story behind Wrapped in Warmth, inspired by my maternal grandmother’s approach to thoughtful giving:
“My Grandma Margaret always had a gift drawer to keep things from when we were out and about and saw something cute. My mom did the same thing. They would say they didn’t know who it was for, but, ‘Oh, we’ll just put it in my gift drawer.’”
This speaks to something deeper—the art of thinking ahead about others’ needs, of being prepared to show love and appreciation at a moment’s notice.
Waking Up Thinking of Others
The article captured something profound about hospitality that goes beyond pretty tablescapes. It’s about waking up with others on your mind:
“During summers with her Grandma Betty, Michelle recalls how it felt to be ‘wrapped in warmth,’ waking to the aroma of frying bacon. Her grandmother would savor a cup of coffee at the breakfast table while writing a list — not her own agenda for the day but with care for others.”
That list wasn’t about her own needs—it was about who was getting tomatoes from the garden or who needed a homemade cake. That’s the spirit we want to revive.
Martha Stewart Moments
We were tickled that the magazine included my confession about cutting up all my old Martha Stewart magazines and refiling them by seasons and themes. Those early issues were “more photo journalistic in nature” and left a lasting mark on how I see entertaining—not as Pinterest perfection, but as authentic storytelling through the details.
Community Starts at Home
Magnolia and Moonshine beautifully articulated our core belief: “With the firm belief that community starts in the home, Michelle encourages hosts and hostesses of all ages to open their doors without feeling every detail has to be perfect. The magic is in the moment of coming together, whether over dinner or easy bites and beverages.”
This is exactly why Sun Cookery exists—to give people the confidence to say, “Come on in, let’s chat,” without the pressure of perfection.
The Ripple Effect
One of the most exciting things the article mentions is what happens next—how people take our boxes and make them their own. From book clubs planning to pass a box around to see how differently everyone sets it up, to the videos we’re creating to help people “shop their house” and blend their personal pieces with our curated collections.
“Things like that make me so happy,” because that’s exactly the point—these boxes aren’t meant to replace your style, they’re meant to give you the confidence to express it.
Thank You, Magnolia and Moonshine
We’re so grateful to Magnolia and Moonshine for taking the time to understand not just our products, but our purpose. This feature reminds us why we do what we do—to honor the grandmothers who taught us that hospitality is love in action, and to help others create those same tender moments in their own homes.
Whether it’s a friend stopping by for wine and deep conversation, new neighbors needing to feel welcomed, or family gathering around your table, remember: it doesn’t need to be over-the-top. It just needs to be open-hearted.
