How to host a dinner party that feels like a vacation (checklist included)
Tiramisu by the tray, the flirtiest skirt i've seen all summer, and the cherry clafoutis that I ate for breakfast the next morning
It’s been a few weeks (sorry!), but we’re back — and I brought snacks.
Last week, I hosted a dinner party for 16 that basically turned a Pinterest board into real life. If you follow me on IG or TikTok, you’ve seen it (sorry for the spam). If not — the theme was dreamy, citrusy, slightly-elevated summer vacation. And yes, I wrote down alllll the details so you can steal it: the playlist, the printed menus, the exact hour I sliced the tomatoes (there’s a full Notion checklist linked below).
Also inside (per usual): outfits I’m rewearing, tabs I haven’t closed, a $38 dessert, and a froyo line that might be the final straw. Let’s get into it.
If you’re new here — welcome! I grew a following on TikTok after cooking the NYT Top 50 Recipes and now I write this newsletter because 10 people told me I should. If you’re not subscribed yet, now’s a great time to fix that.
CURRENTLY:
In my cart: Three different sets I definitely do not need: a pink & grey lounge set from Frankies that’s sooo cute (knit tank is $95, lounge pants are $140), a lacy Siedres set that would eat on a euro trip (top is $407, shorts are $216), and another beachy crop top ($120) & pants ($130) set that an Instagram ad sold me on
Wearing: My new Warby Parker sunglasses ($95) with prescription lenses because I’m an adult who needs to see things AND protect my eyes from the sun, plus a long drop waist skirt ($148) I’ve worn 3 times this week without realizing — the best kind of summer staple
Recommending: RevitaLash ($60) — my eyelashes have grown so much in 3 months that they hit my eyelids now (half an inconvenience, half a flex)
Trying: Arrae’s new Clear Protein+ ($44)— I’m already loyal to their creatine gummies (you know this), so I had to give it a try. Didn’t love the taste at first sip but it could grow on me
Watching: Love Island USA consumed my entire evening routine for weeks — I loved it, I hated it, I loved hating it. Now I’m catching up on RHOM and debating getting into Love Island UK for the bit
Scrolling (Online): Giggling at this guy who does Bad Bunny impressions, also because I’m chronically online the Jet2 holiday audio lives in my head on repeat like this
Market Pulse: David, the protein bar brand, just released... cod? Like, the fish? Meanwhile, Happier Grocer dropped a protein soft serve. Take a shot every time I mention protein in this newsletter!
Also I love all things
, but especially their summer branding trends roundups, including: towel imprints, sunburn tattoos, and fruit sticker merch.Discussing: Looked at the calendar yesterday and felt a rare sense of calm — it’s still mid-July. Which means seven more weekends of summer (including Labor Day). That’s still a lot of SPF and Aperol.
THE DINNER PARTY + THE CHECKLIST
If you’ve ever wanted to host a dinner party that looks like a Pinterest board and feels like a spritz-soaked summer evening in Italy, let me offer you this one: Americana Aperitivo — my Fourth of July dinner party for 16.
It was the Fourth, so I wanted it to still feel like it — but with a twist. I didn’t want to do hot dogs (nothing wrong with hot dogs, I’m actually a hot dog enthusiast, but)... I wanted something citrusy, crunchy, make-ahead, and slightly more elegant. So I pulled inspo from Italian snack bars and coastal decor, made a playlist, designed some menus, and built a menu that wouldn’t have me sweating over a pan at 6:45pm.
I also made a full Notion checklist with the grocery list, prep timeline, decor links, menu, and everything you’d need to steal this dinner party — you can grab it here.
THE INSPIRATION
I started with an organized Pinterest board (shocking), broken out into tablescapes, food styling, and menu design. I wanted the whole night to feel like a little nod to summer travel — not too literal, not too themed, but still thoughtful.
I kept seeing versions of these beautiful hand-drawn envelopes and loved the idea of turning that into a combo place card + menu moment. With the help of my sister, we designed everything and ordered them about a week out. You can reuse my exact template here if you want to copy the vibe.
DECOR DETAILS
It felt personal and put-together without being precious. Linking everything in a ShopMy collection here to make it easier to browse.
Tablecloths + runners: White linen base, green striped runners
Menus + envelopes: Printed postcard menus inside green-stamped envelopes with each guest’s name
Flowers + fruit: We placed oranges and orange flowers down the middle of the table — some real, some fake (but you honestly couldn’t tell)
Candles: A mix of tapered candles & short candle holders I already owned
Tableware: Everything else — napkins, plates, glasses — came from my (family’s) own collection
THE MAKE-AHEAD STRATEGY
The secret to not crying into your crudités? Do as much ahead as possible. Side note: crying in your crudités would be a great memoir title of sorts.
Menus were designed, decor was ordered, and the playlist was built a week out. Most of the food was prepped the day before, and day-of was just layering, plating, and basting. I had time to shower. That’s the goal.
The full timeline (with links + grocery list) lives in the Notion checklist — grab it here.
THE MENU
Drinks: Aperol spritzes & classic negronis flowed freely.
Snacks: Graza potato chip cups with marcona almonds and olives, jamón + chip tower (a Pinterest moment I had to recreate), and prosciutto & melon with sea salt, mint, and good olive oil (veg version without prosciutto included).
Mains: Salted heirloom tomatoes with burrata, grilled bread (brushed with olive oil, butter, garlic, s&p), Via Carota’s Insalata Verde, Ina’s orzo salad with roasted summer veg, and a rib roast with horseradish cream.
Dessert: Tiramisu by the tray (double the cream, always), plus summer berries with mint.
WHAT I WORE
Doen had sent me a dress that sadly didn’t arrive in time, so I ended up wearing another floral silk dress I already owned — also Doen.
IF YOU WANT TO THROW SOMETHING SIMILAR…
Here’s everything I can share:
Let me know if you use any of this — or if I should keep making these. Already planning the next one.
OTHER THINGS:
Shower thought: Every time I buy a workout set that isn’t black I literally never wear it so I need to stop falling for that propaganda
NYC things: A new froyo place is opening — I actually had a conversation recently with someone about how a froyo business in NYC (to compete with Culture) would be a great idea. The line is always insane. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great froyo. But at a certain point… it’s frozen yogurt.
Also, I really want to try this new pizza spot started by two guys from Eleven Madison Park, but $63 for the aged balsamic one feels crazy. Lastly, Lola Taverna closed (thank god!)
Ate this week: Ate at King a few weeks back (a NYT top 100). Thought it was really great. Didn’t think it was any better than like… Commerce Inn or anything, but I liked it and I’ll definitely go back. Obv got the cherry clafoutis — unreal
Small joy, big impact: A yuzu ginger matcha from Radiant Cafe in the West Village. This place should be more talked about than it is
And don’t forget to like, comment, repost, subscribe, and share with your friends. It all makes me smile. And I don’t do that often.
This was so thorough and detailed. I really appreciate how you organized and wrote this.