I have forever been in love with the classic romance novels, with their tales of wooing and letter writing, dreamy picnics by the sea and petite bouquets of wildflowers gathered on strolls through the countryside, it is as if my dream life is being lived out by these characters. As I have settled more and more into my unconventional adult life, I see how much these fictional moments inspire me. How they have shaped my creativity and my life and how deeply I crave designing imaginative worlds for myself and my guests. It has all woven itself into a space meant for romanticizing seasons and experiences through nostalgia and tales of bygone eras. With summertime creeping in, the desire to build a feminine picnic with classic french faire and bottles of crisp white wine shifted from a faraway fictional daydream to an absolute compulsion. I needed an afternoon of sundresses under the shade of a lemon tree, Parisian inspired sandwiches, a bit of cheese, stone fruit and a salad that would transport me to the South of France.

The French custom of le Apéro is one to be admired – A little moment meant for living… A potential slice of relaxation and connection and a treat that is easily skipped over here in America. I have long been a fan of the practice but I am ashamed to say that I indulge in the tradition far less than I would like. Ultimately, it is an experience that we allow ourselves the pleasure of while on vacation, we become enamored with the simple charm of it all, yet forget to add into our daily lives when reality sets back in. When the work day is done, it is easy to simply fall into the to-dos of the evening, tidying, dinner, night time routine… The moment for one's self is skipped over. Lost in the tasks and procedures. But what if one or two nights a week, instead of jumping into the mindless formula of our day-to-day, we meet a friend for a sweet vermouth or spritz on the way home? Perhaps we host a mini gathering at home before dinnertime? What if we took the time to breathe and unwind…to simply connect.

It is this time of year again. The time when I start to crave riviera vibes, consciously curating a mental transition to a world of airy sundresses, perfectly worn in leather sandals and golden hour treats. I fell madly in love with summer my first July in Southern France. The Mediterranean  transformed the meaning of the season for me. There, summer feels more magical, full of warm late night strolls and dripping gelato and salty sun kissed skin. It is an intoxicating way of life and one that I am constantly reminding myself to emulate.

In Los Angeles, the shift in seasons is very subtle. With seemingly forever good weather, I always long for a true spring and autumn, a time when promises and possibilities seem most prevalent. In Los Angeles, our springtime is shown with the notorious moodiness of ‘May gray’ and ‘June gloom’. A time when mornings are overcast due to the change in temperature against the ocean creating a marine layer that makes LA, for a moment, seem as though it could be somewhere else. The few trees that had dropped their leaves a few months prior now bear the classic spring green buds and the unforgettable scent of jasmine dances through the air. I have learned to read the subtleties. The Santa Ana winds, the shift in light, the way the heat builds and lingers, the brief use of my little apartment radiator… But today, as I write this article, it is 97º F, record breaking heat for Los Angeles this time of year, and I am melting in my Silver Lake apartment because I refuse to get my air conditioning units out of storage and set them into the window just quite yet. I am holding on to the idea of spring just a bit longer, telling myself that this is a fluke heat wave and that AC is not necessary until at least the end of June. I may just have to give into the heat of the city earlier this year however. 

I have an undeniable love affair with Parisian bistros. The charm, the classic menu, the pomp, the apero culture, le café au lait, the waiters who either love me or roll their eyes at me… j'adore tout! I cannot help but be pulled into this city and the vibrant energy it emits – the rich culture and the way that they just know how to live is envyable. And most of all, I adore how they eat! 

Craving an evening in Paris, I had to bring a taste of the experience to my little boîte à bijoux. A moment in a classic bistro with a few french staples that I cannot live too long without. Moules Frites, an uncomplicated green salad and bien sûr, mousse au chocolat.

I often think about the love letters that Victorian women used to write to their friends. The passions and adoration expressed for a love that is so very different from that of a romantic partner but oh so vital. Having been single for what feels like a lifetime, I have found endless affection and companionship within my female friendships. The love of which has gotten me through wildly contrasting times, chapters of utter elation and blackened pools of sorrow. I have women in my life who have seen me through countless versions of myself (some of which we should all like to forget.) Women who I have laughed with until tears stream down our faces, cheeks sore from unbridled smiles. Women who have watched me grieve and who have picked me up when I could not do so for myself. It is the power and love of these women who I owe a depth of gratitude to, the reason I have grown into this version of myself. The version I am most proud of. And to celebrate them is such an effortless venture. So it seems only right that for Valentine’s day, I turn to the true loves of my life for an evening of much needed platonic romance and absolute effervescence. 

If by some wild chance, it is not obvious by now, the golden age of Hollywood and the films made during that era are not only a huge inspiration for me, but also a large part of who I am. I became enamored with Turner Classic Movies when I was in the second grade. The characters, the stories, the fashion and the starletts… I was love struck. That year, I styled my hair like Veronica Lake, blonde strands dramatically swept over one eye, my affect as mysterious as possible. I remember the school photographer trying to get me to push my hair out of my face for my school photo. I refused. What can I say, I have always been committed to the craft. 

All this to say, and reiterate, that the tales of Hollywood, the glitz and glamour of that world, is simply deeply ingrained in me. So when I set out to create my dinner parties and evenings as a whole, I am often inspired by favorite films, costumes, characters and settings from a bygone era. 

Delivery pizza. A classic, time honored tradition. And one that has luckily improved with artisan pizza joints and creative toppings that leave you wondering how you ever managed to enjoy pizza without truffle honey. But before we get into my current version of delivery, let us travel back and reflect, briefly, on the origins of pizza nights. For once upon a time, before endless delivery services existed, pizza delivery was basically the only delivery. Some 17 year old kid drove around with a light up box displaying a pizza company logo on the roof of a red Subaru hatchback and somehow managed to get to your house successfully without the aid of GPS all in hopes of some cash tips and a pizza of their own at the end of the night. It was a wild time. And it felt so very special. A movie, earlier in the day, carefully selected and rented from Hollywood Video, slices of greasy pepperoni pizza served on colorful melamine plates and a bowl of air-popped popcorn… nothing was better. It felt like such a treat. I loved pizza night.

Plainly put, I like things to be nice. I like to have a flower in a bud vase next to the kitchen sink so doing dishes feels a bit more pleasant. I like my living room to look nearly photo ready when I go to bed each night so I wake up to a pretty sunbathed space. I like my dressing room to feel as though I could be getting ready to attend the ballet at le Palais Garnier, or step out for opening night in the West End. And most importantly, I like to make my bed each morning – Pillows plumped and fluffed, arranged in a way befitting a European boutique hotel.

A Very Retro Christmas. With visions of shrimp trees and jello moulds, I invite you to enter the fanciful world of food art that was the 1970s. With eclectic color, endless dips and quirky skewers sculptures you are in for a Christmas red and crystal platter fever dream. Hold on to your reindeer!

An afternoon tea. A simple and charming way to celebrate with loved ones for the holidays. Without the fuss of a formal table or extensive menu, this take on a Christmas celebration is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of it all.

The art of the mini party — The effort is minimal and yet the impact is grand. A few friends to gather and gab with frosty martinis in hand… ‘tis the recipe for the perfect night out, but in. Flirty & filthy, the perfect way to ring in the new year!

A night fit for Mamie Fish and the legendary 400 of New York’s Gilded Age. This feast with its perfectly roasted prime rib, towers of brussels sprouts and a sparkling croquembouche, rivals the lore of Thanksgiving at the distinguished Delmonico's.

An inspired evening in the woods. Bring a bit of whimsy and wonder to your Thanksgiving feast with a table set in the forest and a scene just waiting for little woodland guests to pop by. Let your imagination take over this holiday season… Who says your traditions have to be traditional?

Every host-with-the-most craves a bit of old fashioned etiquette. An evening of silly rules and antiquated standards — The little touches of elegance and effort that were the Victorian standard. Let us have a little fun by bringing back the quirky practices of le dîner and inspire some much needed ideas for the rule of ‘never arrive empty handed’.

Inspired by the legend of a Headless Horseman, this Halloween fête will transport you straight to a Sleepy Hollow feast boasting a hauntingly chic tablescape and ghoulish treats.

Haunting libations inspired by a few of my favorite spooky flicks. From an enchanting witch’s spell to a cocktail worthy of a headless Hessian, these potions are the perfect addition to a night of fright.

An elegant take on Halloween decoration. With bouquets of eerie branches and Addam’s Family-esque centerpieces, be inspired to create your own All Hallow’s Eve flair.

With a hearty chicken pot pie, velvety mashed potatoes, honeyed green beans and caramel apple tartelettes, the table is perfectly set for an autumnal comfort food feast.

A slumber party, but you are an adult, there is champagne and no one is telling you it’s time for bed — Indulge in the simple joy of too much ice cream and breakfast for dinner.

The perfect adieu to al fresco dining. With simple, authentic flavors, this dinner might just be my new end of summer staple.

A high/low affair made possible by a gilded tablescape and my favorite delivery app.

A charming afternoon in a Netherlands garden with our lovely guest host, Anne Scharrenborg.

A sweet way to celebrate without the stress of conventional entertaining.

A night of made (wo)men, an amazing Italian inspired feast and too much wine. - I have never laughed so hard.

A Marie Antoinette dream for Valentine’s Day.

A feast of my favorite things with some of my favorite people.

The art of staying in.

‘Tis the season of hosting and merriment and sweet sugar plum memories.

A mini dessert feast for festive season.