Happiness is about simple pleasures, like a night of home cooking and cocktail-ing with the girls; these days, this might also include a piece or two of tech that helps to simplify things even more.

Lifestyle expert and InStyle contributor Katherine Schwarzenegger and her sous chef, the new Amazon Echo (we’re obsessed. It’s not a joke.) recently gathered with friends at one of the most glam, fam-friendly restaurants in L.A., Au Fudge (get the rundown on the celeb-owned resto here), for a cooking class like no other. Guests included a few of our L.A. faves and special guests like Katherine’s mom, Maria Shriver.

We asked Katherine, who is quickly becoming an arbiter of Millenniel taste, to tell us her favorite picks for home-entertaining. After tasting the Patrón watermelon basil margaritas and checking out her Echo playlist, we knew Katherine had a trick or two up her sleeve…

On my cooking playlist: Foremost, Beyonce.

Favorite kitchen shopping: I love Williams Sonoma.

Daily go-to ingredient: Lemon

Favorite flowers: White roses

Favorite candle: Baies by Diptique

Favorite kitchen tech: Kitchen Aid mixer and my hands-free Amazon Echo.

Serveware piece I love: My custom chips and dip container from Sabra!

Healthiest kitchen habit: Sanitizing all countertops and cooking materials?

Fail-safe entertaining go-to: Simple cheese and crackers.

Always in my pantry: Gluten-free Mary’s Gone Crackers