Business and delight Diary No. 1

Hosting a dinner party can be a delightful experience, blending the joys of good food with the warmth of friends and family. Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting some friends. I'm excited to share the journey of planning, preparing, and enjoying a memorable evening of good friends, wonderful conversation, and a lovey ambiance!

Creating the right ambiance is critical to a successful dinner party—soft lighting, a curated playlist of great music, and, usually, fresh flowers. However, Brig gave me this Lego bouquet he built for Mother's Day, so in our home, this is currently the most perfect bouquet! I ensured comfortable seating arrangements and ample space for mingling, encouraging lively conversations throughout the evening.

While I love many over-the-top moments, my reality is that I am a working gal, running a business and managing a household with two young children. My ability to spend all day getting ready for a dinner party is nonexistent. I focus on slow prep throughout the week to make the least work on the day of as possible. I also work to select recipes that look and taste fantastic but are, in reality, very manageable in the kitchen. One of the ways I find the most delight is planning a tablescape for friends and family. Making dinners full of memories and a time to connect. Whether it’s for dinner for myself and my kids or a full dinner party with friends, meals should be special. For this particular dinner party, to kick off summer, I knew I wanted to bring some whimsy with a mix of colors, patterns, and textures. Here’s my recipe for a beautiful summer dinner party!

MEAL

Signature Cocktail, Appetizer, Main and Side, and Dessert

Tablescape

Dinner Plates: Colton Colors, Salad Plates: Colton Colors, Placemats: Tuckernuck, Glasses: Anthropologie, Napkins: Target, Silverware: Juliska (more affordable option here) Tablecloth: Solino Home, Lemon Salt & Pepper Shakers: Amazon