Monica Gisele Simanovsky

A Midsummer Dinner Party

August 3, 2021

My sister Becky came to town to meet her new nephew, so naturally we needed to celebrate her arrival, especially given that fact that I haven’t seen her since my wedding thanks to COVID-19.

And I’d imagine this summer will serve as an overdue reunion for many friends and families alike as we start to crawl out of pandemic life and back into the beauty of non-distanced gatherings. Finally!

Intimate dinner parties tend to make the best moments especially now that there is light at the end of the tunnel and the light at the end of the table, seems to have just gotten a wee bit bit brighter.

Since Becky is still working remotely, she was able to come for a longer stretch than just a weekend, which is wonderful for me as I navigate this new life with baby. Gone are the get-out-the-door-in-five, stay on schedule, jam packed weekends and long, lazy afternoons, at least for now. So having the ease of a longer stay was perfect considering how quickly things seem to change over here minute to minute.

Fortunately with the help of my husband I carved out some time throughout the day to set the table and a few quiet minutes to capture all the magic before our guest of honor arrived.

My goal for this table was simple and pretty, perhaps the best two words to describe my sister’s general style. She’s never been the one to insist on getting anywhere fast or picking the reservation. She goes with the flow, loves to sleep in and is easy when it comes to style. A bit like summer if you ask me.

No matter how beautiful, it’s meant to be relaxed.

Well that’s kind of like Becky. Relaxed she is not when we’re ping ponging banter back and forth, yet she did recently rock some athlesiurewear and a cropped denim jacket while we grabbed coffee.

And she insists she doesn’t “vibe” with LA?

Sometimes I question if I still “vibe” with LA. Of course it’s my home and I love it but I guess the grass is always greener, like when I think how nice it is to have those warm, balmy nights on the east coast. Especially with a table like this, perhaps in a little garden outside?

I tried to pick up on just that with some hints of green, simple garden flowers and rose scented candles.

Of course I couldn’t help but add in my new obsession, a showstopper wine mold made of frozen ice and whatever else you’d like inside! This time I used leftover peony petals from my recent surplus and as always they did not disappoint!

I couldn’t resist ordering my tried and true marble SusieCake, this time with a little pop culture joke about Aunt Becky and the possibility of her getting baby Parker into an elite Los Angeles preschool. For everyone’s sake I hope you get the reference.

Hopefully our little guy will learn his ABC’s without a white collar crime being committed, but then again did I mention we live in LA?

You might also like...

A few of my favorite things

Subscribe

Let’s keep it chic...